I'm not sure a catastrophic collapse will happen any time soon (unless as a byproduct of some non-financial catastrophic event - e.g. a meteor hitting NYC). Sin

I'm not sure a catastrophic collapse will happen any time soon (unless as a byproduct of some non-financial catastrophic event - e.g. a meteor hitting NYC). Since currency values are only relative to each other, any loss of value of the USD has to be matched by a strengthening of other currencies. The Euro is in no fighting shape, and an eccessive strengthening of the Renminbi would have catastrophic domestic effects in China (hence the Chinese government would simply not allow that to happen). But... let's say you live in the US and want to prepare for it anyway? The major effect would be rampant inflation, especially for goods and services that are either imported or are highly reliant on imported goods. We import very little food (although we rely on oil-based fertilizers to make it), so I do not believe that widespread chaos and street violence ("kill your lunch, chop your wood, and carry a gun" scenario) are very likely. To protect yourself from inflation, don't focus so much on your financial assets as on your personal and professional assets. A financial bet can go wrong (what if the USD strengthens instead?), while your skills and ability to generate income will always benefit you. Develop a freelancing business and related skills - salaries adjust slowly to inflation, so you get squeezed, while as a freelancer you can adjust your rates more quickly. Also develop a lifestyle that relies as little as possible on our major imported commodity, oil - a fuel efficient car, solar panels on the roof, etc.