Editor’s Commentary: The folks behind Epic Economist are content specialists. They know how to craft headlines and find sources to back their claims, especially as they pertains to economic downturns. They are NOT survival specialists. Moreover, I really wish they’d get a real person to narrate their videos rather than using an artificial voice emulator.
I’m posting this despite it’s minor flaws for two reasons. First and foremost, the list of 15 items below is pretty good. It’s not written by survival experts… which can be a very good thing. Lists like these, when written by survival experts, can often include items that are priceless to THEM and not necessarily the average American who gets stuck in a crap-hits-the-fan situation.
They also often put too much focus on bugout items rather than items necessary for bugging in. Paracord, for example, is truly priceless and necessary when out in the wild for an extended period of time but it does little to help if you’re holing up in your apartment. With that said, here’s the article they wrote that goes with the video. I added the actual list of items at the bottom; Epic Economist loves to make you watch the video without actually listing the items so I’ll save you the trouble if you’re in a hurry…
(Epic Economist)—These are scary times. Geopolitical tensions are rising all around the globe, and no one knows for sure what can happen next. The United States is in a very tough spot as other nations pressure our elected officials to take action to solve problems that are erupting in many parts of the planet.
From exporting more food, oil, and energy supplies to providing humanitarian aid to countries in need, America is at the center of many situations that are unfolding right now, and it seems like the entire world is watching us.
We’ve been sending our agricultural supplies, fuels, and other resources to our allies abroad to prevent current crises from escalating further. But that has been draining our domestic reserves and leaving us in a very dangerous position. Farmers have lost millions of acres of crops this year, and stores will have fewer supplies than they did a year ago to sell to American consumers in the months ahead. Retailers have also canceled the purchase of several products after sales started to collapse, and their inventories are leaner than ever before.
Meanwhile, inflation isn’t cooling as fast as it was supposed to, and we’re feeling the pain in our wallets. This difficult scenario can be rapidly aggravated if any sort of extreme weather event disrupts the distribution of power to our homes and food to supermarkets. But if you’re a regular on our channel, you probably know that there are plenty of other things that can go wrong in the next few months as well. And it won’t take much to throw our supply chains in disarray again.
On top of that, uur domestic power grid is vulnerable to cyberattacks, extreme weather, and energy supply shortages, and the risks become even higher during the winter. Blackouts and power outages can surprise us at any moment, that’s why it is important to keep extra batteries around to power up our devices in such a scenario.
Every winter, some regions across the U.S. experience power outages that can last for days, and every year people who didn’t have the chance to prepare in advance get frustrated not to find this cheap product at the stores right when they need it the most. But you don’t have to be one of them. Check which types of batteries your devices require, get some extras, and keep them at hand. Now you can still find great deals at dollar stores and sales at big-box retailers but things could be dramatically different in a few months.
Similarly, with flu season getting closer, more people will be looking for sanitary wipes, a product that never goes out of demand. We can use it for personal hygiene, household cleaning, sterilizing surfaces, and also for first aid purposes, that’s why it’s so popular.
This cheap item will be even more in demand in the months ahead, and we can expect some bare shelves at grocery and retail stores. An important thing to know if you’re going to stock up on sanitary wipes for the longer term is that if they dry out, you can add a little water and some rubbing alcohol to refresh them almost like new again. Like so, you don’t lose your money in case the cleaning liquid evaporates, and you also don’t have to rush to the store in crippling winter weather to purchase some more. For that reason, we decided to list some inexpensive emergency supplies you should get before the next crisis hits.
- Batteries
- Emergency Blankets
- Chapstick
- Sanitary Wipes
- Flashlights and Lanterns
- Toilet Paper
- Over-the-Counter Medications
- Non-Perishable Food
- Manual Can Opener
- First Aid Supplies
- Candles, Lighters, and Matches
- Trash Bags
- Rubber Gloves
- Hygiene Products
- Self-Defense Gear
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SOUND OFF about this list on our Late Prepper Substack.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.