Over the past few months, there has been constant talk about the economic crisis, recession, slowdown, and the overall instability affecting the global economy. While governments propose their own solutions—without seeming entirely certain of their effectiveness—I believe that the real solution lies in the hands of each individual, by applying a simple formula (the result of several “masters” in taxation): this (im)practical guide to getting out of the crisis.
The trick is to follow these “simple” steps, which can help you stay unaffected no matter how intense the storm in global markets becomes.
1. Eliminate Your Debts
Some experts claim that crises of this magnitude are often engineered for the benefit of a few powerful groups. When the economy is thriving, nothing serves large corporations and financial elites better than triggering a global downturn, causing the value of thousands of companies to collapse, only to acquire them later at extremely low prices—thereby increasing their power and control.
Whether we are talking about corporations or banks, when they stop lending money and instead focus on recovering it, they do so by calling in loans or repossessing assets such as homes, buildings, and land. The result is that, by the end of the crisis, those who already had wealth end up with even more, consolidating their control over global resources.
That is why the first step to getting out of a crisis is simple: have no debts. Pay off your mortgage, clear your credit cards, and avoid owing money to banks or financial institutions.
2. Financial Freedom
Your money should work for you, not the other way around. At times when stock markets around the world are at historic lows, falling week after week, it is likely that we will see major acquisitions, as stronger players buy weaker ones. This, for some, represents an opportunity.
I am not a stock market expert, but when prices drop rapidly, there will always be those who take advantage—buying low and selling high one or two years later. If you own a business, invest in assets, and use pre-tax profits to acquire resources that can generate income on their own. If you are an individual, it may be wise to invest in tangible assets such as gold or other precious metals, which retain value regardless of economic fluctuations.
The second step is to make your money work for you by investing in assets that generate returns.
3. Mens Sana in Corpore Sano
Food prices remain high despite recent reductions, and sooner or later we are likely to face aggressive marketing campaigns encouraging us to consume imported, artificial, or genetically modified foods—products that look better, cost less, and last longer.
Large corporations such as Monsanto have been investing heavily in genetically modified products at a global scale, aiming to maximize profits. However, a population with poor health is less likely to question, resist, or make informed decisions, especially when physical well-being is compromised.
The third step is to take control of your health: grow your own food if possible. Cultivating your own vegetables—tomatoes, potatoes, or anything you can manage—not only improves your physical health but also strengthens your mental clarity.
4. Energy Independence
With the United States seeking to control oil resources in strategic regions, Russia exploring the Arctic for new reserves, and other exporting nations adjusting production to influence prices, it is clear that energy remains a geopolitical battleground.
Even if oil prices temporarily drop, it is unlikely they will remain low for long. When they rise again, everything dependent on oil—electricity, gas, transportation—becomes more expensive. Reducing your energy dependence increases your freedom and resilience.
The fourth step is to reduce reliance on fossil fuels: install solar panels if possible, use public transportation, or move around by bicycle whenever you can.
5. Mass Disinformation
If you want peace of mind, stop watching television. If you haven’t noticed, most programming exists primarily to keep people passive, anxious, or driven toward consumption. Furthermore, since most news originates from the same major media groups and agencies, we often only hear what we are meant to hear.
Instead of consuming endless cycles of advertising and low-quality content, invest your time in reading. If you want to better understand how media influences perception, consider exploring the work of thinkers like Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, or David Icke.
The fifth step is simple: read more and watch less television—you will feel calmer and think more clearly.
In summary, this (im)practical guide to overcoming a crisis can be reduced to a few key ideas: financial and economic freedom, healthy living, reduced energy dependence, and a shift from passive consumption of information to active understanding of reality.
I never said this was a magical solution—just a somewhat impractical guide to navigating a global crisis.