It's time to invest in something real.

You don't have to be a genius to notice things are seriously out of balance. Many have felt this way for years but know that it is written on the screen from Fox to CNN the general public is starting to take notice.

A good financial analyst will tell you, the key to a good portfolio is diversification. Many investors are moving out of stocks and in to gold. Popcorn and booze are also two forms of stocks I have heard to be recession proof. I have made a dinner out of popcorn and booze before. It was great fun, but I digress, it just isn't enough to feed your family with. The hangover is also a rather brutal one.

It is time that we diversify and invest in something more. Something real. Something your can feel, smell, taste and touch. After all, you cannot eat money, and you cannot eat gold. I think a few rappers have tried this. Apparently it's terribly hard to get it out of your teeth.

Imagine our country without your 401ks and without oil. Imagine this system does crash as it did in the 1930's. It is this fear that we are being controlled with. It is this fear that makes a 700 billion dollar bailout, and handing more control to the people that got us into this mess initially.. sound like a good idea.

One hundred years ago, our ancestors were in a better place. Then, most people still knew where their food came from. Sometimes it came from their backyard. Most food did not come from over 1500 miles away, as it does today. These days, you'd be hard pressed to find a man that even knows how to change his oil, or his tire on the side of the road. These days, the majority does not have the luxury of knowing how to sustain themselves and their family with just the sun, a bit of soil, and a bit of rain.

Imagine this country when oil doubles, triples, and perhaps quadruples. Imagine the gas rations of the 70's and imagine them even worse. It is this fear that can either empower you to invest in something real, or cause you to change your undies and rollover.

For risk of sounding like a 'doomsday-ist', I'll digress once more. The risk of higher and higher oil prices is the risk of higher and higher food prices. (Blame high food cost solely on biofuels and you've obviously been misled). The risk is a country controlled by fear, less freedom, and more governmental control.

If your feel this risk as a reality, I recommend you invest in a farm if you are capable. I recommend powering your home without costly dirty dino diesel. The solutions are abundant.  Start with fruit trees in your backyard, and move forward from there. Permaculture can teach you how to go 'all the way'. Knowledge is power, clarity, security, and freedom.

(Besides, Apple blossoms, cherry blossoms, peach trees, etc. are beautiful! Fruit trees add value to real estate. The Jones' won't think your crazy, they'll be jealous of your beauty, foresight, succulent food, and peace of mind, and they'll probably ask to be invited to dinner)

Protect your loved ones as you see fit, and remember:

You cannot eat money. Invest in something real.

Paz y Amor,
Kristina Fitzsimmons