Keeping a Low Profile – Cutting dependencies and going anonymous in the age of information

By Gale.

As a determined and committed prepper, part of the battle is keeping off the grid and out of the eye of the government. Granted with the way the world works these days this can be extremely difficult, but still doable to a certain extent. For example, utilizing smart phones (according to whistleblower Edward Snowden the government can tap into your mobile device(s) whenever they want) and owing money to lenders or debt collectors allows third parties to keep tabs on you and your actions and personal situation. By cutting these and similar ties, you can go anonymous in the world of information. Here are tips on how to do so.

Stop spending money freely

This is one of the toughest habits to break for members under a capitalist society. We work to make money, then we spend that money on things we want to have. Why shouldn’t we do this? Because we can get into debt fairly quickly, so it’s time to change habits. Before each purchase you make, ask yourself if this is an impulse buy or something you truly need to live. Do you need a new 2014 truck, or can you make do with a used 5-year old one? Do you need to go out for lunch, or can you bring leftovers and store them in the refrigerator at work? These are the types of questions you need to be asking before every single purchase. List these purchases you didn’t make on a list. At the end of each month, revel at the amount of money you saved.

Get out of debt

After saving up, put more money towards getting out of debt. The average American family has $15,000 in credit card debt. While it’s true that going into debt can allow you to have things you can’t pay for at once, it keeps you on the radar of not only credit card companies that you owe that debt to, but other parties as well. Being a prepper, to me, is about protection. If you owe money to lenders, you are vulnerable and working for them. Money is leeched from your paycheck each month until you get the principle amount plus interest gets paid off. For larger purchases such as a house, vacation trip, or car, this can take years to pay off. I’m not saying don’t go on vacation, but if you do make sure you can pay it off within a couple months, if not immediately.

Cutting technological dependencies

When you are debt free and out from under the thumb of the slave owners, you’re well on your way to getting off the grid. Now, it’s time to sever the other ties holding you back. This may be controversial and unwanted by most, but get rid of your tech gadgets. Sell them all and never look back. These devices have become so prevalent by all members of society that they should probably have their own country at this point. Devices can be tapped by the government, they can spy on your personal information, turn on your device’s camera to see where you are or where you are going, and have access to everything stored on your phone, tablet, or computer. This is frightening. In a country that was heralded as the land of the free and home of the brave, this is a far cry from that. Think of any device you own as a government-controlled drone hovering above your head, watching every action you take. How many drones do you want invading your privacy and continually watching you?

Prepping is about much more than having an extra case of Ramen and a few gallons of water. Preppers have picked up a negative reputation over the years and many don’t quite understand what it really means to be a prepper. It isn’t just taking a few actions but it’s a complete commitment to a certain type lifestyle. Every action you make is for a certain cause. Protect yourself and your family’s future by removing yourself from the watchful eye of the government and third parties. It starts financially and reforming your current free-spending lifestyle. Next, eliminate any and all debts and cut any ties you have to technology. No one said this will be easy, and that is the point. Becoming a true prepper is not an easy decision and many don’t qualify. Many simply call themselves preppers but do not have the willpower to do what is necessary to get off the grid. Are you a prepper, or are you simply calling yourself a prepper for attention and notoriety? If your case falls into the latter, the time to start changing that is now.