I am happy that I did not:

Buy a generator. Purchase thousands of dollars worth of gold and silver. Cash in my Ira and 401K plan. Sell my house and move to the hills. Purchase 2 years worth of freeze dried food (barf). Spend hundreds of dollars on books, tapes, and solar everything. Store hundreds of gallons of gasoline, kerosene, along with kerosene heaters and Petrolanterns. Run up my credit cards to the max and deplete my savings account.

I am happy that I did:

Pay off my debts, invested my 401K and IRA wisely, relocated to a community with potential for growth, and use my preps for my own benefit and will share with the community (Salvation Army) for the good of mankind. Be wise all ye the next time around.

-- Rasty (Rasty@bulldogg.xcom), December 31, 1999

Answers

Rasty,

I think the main thing is that you're happy with the choices you made. Your choices are not necessarily the same as those made by others -- but that's not only because you have a different outlook on the situation, but also because your circumstances are different. An unemployed single-parent living in northern Minnesota with three kids has an entirely different set of circumstances than an upper-middle- class retired husband/wife, with grown children on their own, living in a temperate climate.

That's one of the main reasons I've always thought it was incredibly presumptuous for anyone to suggest that there was a single "right" answer to this Y2K situation for everyone. Heck, we can't even agree on the seriousness of the problem, or whether we really do have a problem now that we're in the midst of the rollover. How could we ever have thought we could persuade 260 million people that the "right" answer for EVERYONE was three days of supplies? For some, that's three days too much; for others, it's three months, or three years, too little.

To each his own...

Ed

-- Ed Yourdon (ed@yourdon.com), December 31, 1999.

Ditto, financial circumstances less prosperous than some. I did move, from a 120K home I HATED, to a Mobilllle House on three acres. Got a fool dog for protection (forget protection). That fool dog has brought more laughter bursting from my throat in the past six months, than I have had for years.Now should I mention the three cute tiny ducks I got for GKids, fool female has laid 16 eggs so for. To quote KOS, GAWD!!!! what am I going to do with 19 ducks since I have never tasted one? Nasty critters they are. Heaven's Speed!

-- Neck Straight (forward@notlookingback.com), December 31, 1999.

Duck eggs make WONDERFUL yellow cakes!!!

-- 007 (cabs007@juno.com), December 31, 1999.

Hi Ed! (waving)

We in Toronto wish you a very happy new year indeed! Many thanks for all you've done for the forum community. Have a great celebration tonight. We haven't won the war, but this particular battle looks pretty good for our side.

-- silver ion (ag3@interlog.com), December 31, 1999.

Your absoutely right Ed, to each his own to time money and space. Don't you feel silly now showing off your home and all your solar panels to those who live in Northern Minnesota with 3 children with an entirely different circumstance than yours? I guess if you've got it flaunt it. Of course there is no right way or the best way, it's what you've got to see you through. However, books were written and sold to the public to educate them on what Y2K could potentially become (Time Bomb 2000). If you would have sold 260 million copies of your book, I am sure you would not be posting here tonight because the right answer came your way (pay dirt). It does not matter now who has what, it only matters what you are stuck with in the future.

There were many people on TB2000 who cashed in their retirement funds, sold their homes and ran to the hills. Of course that was their own choosing to do that, however, their motives and decisions were based upon books, articles, forums, chatrooms, expert opinions, etc., on the potential dangers of Y2K. I for one may have been more open minded and keenly aware of the final big picture. Your right Ed, whether it's 3 days, 3 weeks, or 3 months of preps, ITSHTF it would be too little.

-- Rasty (Rasty@bulldoggg.xcom), December 31, 1999.