Hard times are coming very shortly after the midterms, folks. Here's why:
Fuel prices have been creeping downward for the last few months due to Biden's administration releasing it from the strategic oil reserve to help cut costs. They have been releasing close to one million barrels a day. The US produces 14.8 million barrels daily and uses 19.6 Million barrels daily. These cost-cutting measures are only in place until November and are set to end one week before the midterms. Once one factors in OPEC's decision to cut production, it is easy to determine our fuel situation will be dire.
Obviously, prices will spike shortly after that, and the blame game will start shifting to what I hope are the newly elected fresh blood who are more conservative. If we have conservative voices elected, the current administration would have no incentive to continue to lower prices, as they now have a scapegoat to blame the cost of living on. Especially if the Democrats lose majorities.
In 2023, the Government will begin replenishing the oil reserves, buying up millions of barrels that would otherwise go to market. This will likely cause a run on gas and create shortages for consumers. Supply and Demand will have an immediate impact on prices and our wallets.
The Fed is already hiking interest rates, and I heard a stat on the radio this morning on my commute that stated that housing sales are down 20% compared to this time last year. Higher mortgage rates and gas prices leave less wiggle room for higher grocery costs.
How can we prepare? Start buying canned goods now when they are on sale. Begin finding ways to live more cost-effectively. Try to buy in bulk when prices are right. Rice goes a long way. Generic brands taste just as good with salt and butter. Fill the deep freezer with wild game. Meat is overpriced enough as it is at the grocery store. Bundle up, don't bump the thermostat. Especially you pour souls in the North who rely on natural gas for heating. Next spring, plant "victory gardens." Keep chickens if able.

If anyone else has suggestions, drop them in the comments, I wrote some very broad advice. Still, I'd love to hear other people's experiences and advice.

The food collapse coming next year is my biggest worry. After that is nuclear war with Russia. Put is trying to draw NATO into a conflict. I believe once that happens, China will invade Taiwan as we will have our military too focused on Russia and not paying attention to them.
So my number 1 attention has been on water purification (cause you cant survive 3 days without water.) And building the food pantry. Next is security and building up the home defenses. Crime is rising cause people cant afford food, so installed a security system and better locks. Energy costs are rising. So I bought a bicycle to get me around (and also to lose some weight.) I will start growing some food shortly through the winter and into the spring. Trying to build out the raised garden beds and automate them with watering systems.

I’m looking at a berkey soon. But it’s a lot of money to bite off

Well, Biden didn't go to Saudi Arabia to 'beg' them to increase or maintain production. He went to try to keep them from joining BRICS, from helping create a new gold-backed (and other commodities) currency, from ditching US protection for Russian/BRICS protection, and prevent them from starting to sell oil around the world in other major currencies.

If the Saudis start selling oil in other major currencies besides exclusively the US Dollar, the 'petro dollar' is over, all the counties holding USD purely to buy oil will sell/trade off their USD, and 'reserve currency' status will end.

The Saudis will likely announce opening up sales for other currencies relatively soon, once officially in BRICS, etc.

The foreign dollars will all come home, causing hyperinflation. Rather than doing anything that benefits the people, the Fed Reserve will likely end the USD, and go to a new somewhat-gold/commodities-backed DIGITAL dollar. We won't be able to protest or fight it. Holding onto our old USD will have zero benefit. Companies will only pay employees in the new digital dollar, and fixed income people will only receive digital as well. All the excuses to switch to a digital dollar will be in place, and it won't be preventable.

We'll all hurt hard financially, but things will likely be kept stable enough besides. Also, the US is a net food exporter. Even during the Great Depression, there were like 55 starvation deaths in 5 years.

I don't know what this will do to house loans. I hope I can keep my house, but I doubt it. It'll likely be claimed by the bank. 'You will own nothing and you will be happy.'

Precious metals would be a good value holder... but I'd think they'll let us turn in our domestic USD for new digital dollars, blocking the influx of foreign USD.

I don't think you'll need a water filter...

On this topic, i'd be willing to help structure an encrypted International communications and Global banking platform for WPS. In fact i have already invested in this platform. It's operational and highly profitable in a number of ways. Happy to connect with people on this subject.

An alternate economy is necessary with an incoming CBDC, if we are censored, blocked and banned by Big Tech now. How much harder is it going to be to live, transact and thrive when our bank accounts are completely monitored by our big tech overlords as well.....