There are Only Two Types of People Post-SHTF: Assets and Liabilities. Which Are You?

People can be classified in all sorts of ways if you like: tall or short, pretty or ugly, predator or victim. In a post-SHTF world I like to look at people as either assets or liabilities. This means EVERYBODY, including people you expect to be in your survival group, people that show up on your doorstep TEOTWAWKI + 1, your significant other, your children, and even YOU. Yup, you too.

Dependents

I do firstly want to point out that it’s not always bad to be classified as a liability. For example, I wouldn’t necessary consider my children as part of the “assets” group because, let’s face it, they’re still young and I don’t expect a whole lot from them. I want them to be kids while they can be.

That’s not to say they won’t get put to work or have much greater expectations placed upon them in a SHTF situation. They certainly will. In that case they will likely turn into assets because they are healthy, smart, and capable.

Right now, however, they’re more likely liabilities that I willfully accept for obvious reasons since they’re my kids and as time continues on I (and my wife) will teach them life-skills that should turn them into assets as they grow into adulthood… well, that’s the plan anyway!

Survival Group Members

What about people you’ve selected to be in your survival group? Perhaps you’ve selected them for their specific skill-sets, such as being a doctor, nurse, mechanic, LEO, or whatever. Sure, these people should be considered assets but what about other aspects of their life? For example, a doctor isn’t a doctor all of the time. Do they get a free ride in every other aspect of life? Hopefully not.

For example, if the doctor in your group suffers from their own difficulties, say they have a hard time walking around or just bending over, would they not be expected to tend the garden or to pull guard duty? If they can’t perform these tasks what can they do? These are things to consider before they become a festering problem.

What about their “baggage?” Specifically those people they expect to bring with them, including immediate family, but maybe even unexpected people like their close friends? Would these people be considered assets or liabilities? Would they be welcome and what happens if/when they don’t or won’t pull their own weight?

Showing up at Your Doorstep

Similarly, I’m sure that if you’ve prepped for any length of time then you probably have an entourage of sorts, those people who say unequivocally that they’re “coming to your house” when times get tough. Maybe that’s good for you, maybe not.

Who are these people?

I’m sure they’re not as prepared as you–if at all–but maybe that’s not all bad especially if these people have very useful skills. Maybe you’ll overlook the fact that they willfully choose not to prepare because they bring something to the table you need, such as any of the aforementioned skills, or, maybe they don’t and you just love them to pieces. 😉

Is this the type of decision you make on the spot or have you thought about it beforehand? I know some people think this is an easy call to “just say no” but I’d venture it’s not nearly that easy for a variety of reasons.

YOU

How in the world can YOU be anything but an asset, you ask? Well, if there’s anybody who should be considered an asset in a post-SHTF world it should be YOU because, after all, you had the foresight and wherewithal to stockpile an assortment of supplies, gear, and especially knowledge to see you through.

I’d suggest you should simply get “grandfathered in” but perhaps not so fast. 🙁

What happens when those supplies run out? Maybe your plans fell through and your group had to improvise and you just don’t want to, or perhaps you’re one of those people who can’t pull their own weight due to chronic health conditions or even an illness? Here’s a situation where you started out as an asset but wound up a liability, at least, in the group’s eyes. Do you get a pass or not?

Hell yes you do!

Does Any of This Even Matter?

You might think, “why does any of this matter?” So what if the doctor can’t tend the garden or pull guard duty because he has a bad hip. So what if you develop arthritis and just can’t wash the laundry or do the dishes any more… that’s going to be my excuse, get your own!

I’d say it’s potentially a big deal because in a society where life no longer comes easily everyone will be measured and scrutinized. Eventually, people will be seen as either “pulling their own weight” or not. It may be overlooked for some time but group dynamics can be a funny thing. And, sadly, people have a short memory. What you did for others yesterday may not mean quite enough today.

Ultimately, I would like to think there will be some humanity left. After all, who in their right mind would kick out an elderly grandmother because she can’t do the laundry any more? I should hope nobody. But that doesn’t mean most of us won’t be looked at in a different light, scrutinized, and be quick to evict those who just aren’t as useful any longer.

It’s something to think about.