dash> there is no better insurance than Au and Ag, IMO

personally, I don't get why there is any inherently natural long-term value in shiny metal, any more than there is in fiat paper -- in the end, it's worth what somebody will pay (exchange) for it.

sure, I'm in the market and I'll play along while there exists a society that values Au and Ag.

but you can't eat jewellry.

if you're talking prep, depending on degree, it's better to first always invest in yourself: get fit, fix your diet, get your eyes lasered (wavefront ablation) if you need it. quit smoking.

make sure you have good tools, good water, good transport, and a sustainable food source (including know-how).

if you haven't got swedish firesteel and a good knife, get at least two of each, today.

learn to sew (qv. suture).

be a hypochondriac for a year, and load up.

if your doc isn't amenable RXing PRN to a responsible adult, get another and/or -- for things that aren't OTC -- get friendly with a vet and/or vet supply company (keflex & cipro are OTC retail, ask anyone with an aquarium full of fish). SHTF, a vet's is one of the first places on my list to pillage (bonus: free meat).

if you're in suitable geography, toss some solar and a warehouse of eneloops into your power lineup. comms are an advantage, and morse using smoke signals sucks.

most importantly, foster the right relationships, and learn the right skills.

(Heinlein got it more-or-less right, and for what he missed, there's always Dartnell).

keep in mind that more often than not, booze will get you rice & beans, and rice & beans will usually get you booze, so stock up heavily on all three.

last but not least, never forget ...

the other precious metal ;-)

imo.

R.