[mortalcoil]

Hello Peace, you definitely have the right idea. Unfortunately due to the burgeoning economic collapse most of us "penniless paupers" are struggling to catch up and become self sustaining with the least amount of pocket change.

The very first thing that should be concentrated on is to get out of debt as soon as possible. That will free up the majority of your financial resources in order to concentrate on the more important things, like beans, bullets and band aids. If you are out of debt than consider yourself very fortunate.

I've spent a great deal of time learning how to prepare with the least amount of money and suffice to say no amount of preparing seems like it is enough. But hard work and effort can always be substituted for money.

The most helpful resources are always the local ones where you can get all sorts of free stuff or for very little money. Classifieds or craigslist work the best, you'd be surprised at what people are giving away these days. "You haul it, you take it" deals are the best!

Bartering with neighbors: Developing crafting skills, like sewing or doing handiwork in exchange for valuables or other services can help you get your stock piles up quickly. You can find people online in your area that you can exchange services and you'll both end up better off.

There are numerous books that can steer you in the right direction to living a self sustaining lifestyle or preparing for the future, once such that is the center piece of my library is Dare to Prepare by Holly Deyo. If there ever was a preparedness bible, that would be it. Best money I ever spent.

Unfortunately there are way too many specifics to list for such a broad topic, I hope this at least get you on the right path.