My husband is also one who likes to be ready for anything!
We got a generator last year. It cost about 800 bucks, but it will power our radiators, water heater, some lights, stove, fridge and some lights. Trust me, it is worth the cost! I put stuff up in the freezer all of the time when the sales hit. I'd lose hundreds of dollars of food alone. Not to mention cold showers, no heat, no electricity, etc.!
My husband actually wants to move to the country and have us completely self reliant, but that's another "goverment is trying to get us completely dependant on them so they can own us" story!
Unfortunately, with all of the record credit spending and all of our financial and credit stuff getting lumped together, along with the eyes watching our every move, I'm beginning to believe it!
Amber
P.S. He thinks we're setting ourselves up to owe the gov., they'll call the debt in, we won't have it, and they'll turn us all into indentured servants, working for the gov.!