Mel Tappan Was Wrong

The standard retreat advice put forth by Mel Tappan (1933–1980) and uncritically accepted and copied by others since has always been the retreat in Idaho, Montana or other western state, with log cabin, bunker underneath, barn, pasture and stream running through.

His advice wasn’t bad – just unobtainable by most. Undoubtedly; many readers of his books and columns came to the same conclusion, ultimately giving up altogether. Personally, I think he turned a lot of readers off to the concept of preparedness with his recommendations.

Implementing the advice given in his books Tappan on Survival and Survival Guns would cost the reader several hundred thousand dollars. An unreachable goal for all but the super wealthy or those willing to accumulate massive debt.

Going into debt is one of the worst things you can do – don’t think the bankers will “forgive” your liabilities during hard times. An economic collapse will not protect you from your financial obligations or eliminate your debt. If you owe money, the lender will expect payment on time and in full.

Become sick or unemployed, can’t make the payments, expect to find yourself on a street corner begging for handouts, living from a cardboard box.

If you owe the bankers, you don’t own the property. If you can’t make the payments the bankers will evict you – leaving you no better off than those who failed to prepare in the first place.

In this regard the travel trailer on “junk land” is better than the twenty acre retreat lost to foreclosure after collapse. It’s not a perfect solution, but for many it’s the only way to own a debt free home and the security that comes with it.

What do you think?

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