‘Doomsday preppers’ are getting ready for disaster. Here’s how to survive a financial apocalypse

As global conflicts escalate and the threat of fuel and other shortages looms, so-called ‘preppers’ go into overdrive readying themselves for what could lie ahead.

But protecting your finances against unexpected disasters is just as important – and frequently overlooked.

Major shocks that could affect our ability to access our money and buy the things we need are very unlikely.

However, even if we’re safe from the likes of power cuts, cyber warfare and economic shocks that affect the banking system, there are other risks at play.

Even a mini crisis can spiral into a financial disaster. You just have to look at computer crashes – with Lloyds Bank data leaks last month and Mastercard glitches last year – to see how vulnerable we are in the modern world.

So-called ‘Doomsday preppers’ think through these risks and make small changes now so that they are ready if disaster strikes.

Here, they share tips that could save you thousands of pounds in a minor or major disaster…

Ready or not? Dan Goss, pictured, founder of the website Start Prepping UK, grows his own food and is storing essentials in case of a financial meltdown

Have accounts with different banks

Banks have suffered numerous technical difficulties in recent years, causing their systems to go down or people to suffer problems accessing their accounts.

On March 12 this year, some customers using Lloyds, Bank of Scotland and Halifax apps on their phones were able to see information from other people’s accounts.

A major incident occurred on February 28, 2025, when a banking outage hit Lloyds, Halifax, Nationwide, First Direct and TSB on what was payday for millions.

And on March 9 last year, there were difficulties making online payments and purchases using global payment giant Mastercard due to a technical glitch.

These problems were solved rapidly, but what if they had spread or gone on for days?

It pays to have a number of current accounts with different non-linked banks and ideally debit and credit cards spread across both Mastercard and rival Visa. That way, if your bank or network goes down, you can rely on another.

Remember cash is king in a crisis

There is no need to panic and pull your money out of the bank, but Doomsday preppers suggest that having cash stored safely somewhere is vital.

Sgt Prepper’s, an online survival store based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, believes it is common sense to prepare for the unexpected. That includes having an emergency pot of cash you can always access.

It says: ‘The UK is a highly digital economy, relying solely on bank cards and digital payments during emergencies.

‘This leaves you vulnerable to power outages, banking system failure or the inability to access ATMs without warning. This is why it is always important to keep physical money on hand.’

It adds: ‘There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how much cash you should have. However, preppers often recommend starting with at least two weeks’ worth of essential expenses – this means keeping enough money aside for food needs, petrol and basic supplies.’

While cash may be king, smaller notes such as £5, £10 and £20s are more practical for everyday transactions during an emergency. It is often hard to get shops to accept £50 notes.

People should be careful about keeping large sums of cash at home, in case of a burglary.

Preppers suggest splitting the cash up in different secure places – in a safe, an emergency bag, or perhaps a secret storage area, such as inside a hollowed-out book.

Readies: While cash may be king, smaller notes such as £5, £10 and £20s are more practical for everyday transactions during an emergency

Grow your own groceries

Burying gold at the bottom of the garden in preparation for armageddon is a bad idea, believes Dan Goss, founder of website Start Prepping UK.

He says: ‘It is such a cliche – but although investment experts might tell you to put money into gold during times of trouble, in a real emergency it is not going to be as useful as basics such as food and fuel.’

Instead, he says, you are better off getting the spade out to dig for fruit and vegetables.

That way, you’ll be protected from price rises – and have a cheap source of delicious, homegrown food. The 34-year-old from Liverpool, who is married with two children aged two and five, has an allotment close to his Merseyside home.

He grows potatoes; squash; onions; garlic; fruit trees; and sunflower seed, which he crushes for vegetable oil.

Goss says: ‘Preparing for the worst can save you money and bring self-sufficient pleasure – with growing your own vegetables a perfect example.’

You could save more than £1,300 a year by growing your own fruit and vegetables rather than buying supermarket alternatives that rarely taste as good, says the National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners.

Essestials: As well as growing his own food, Dan Goss is stockpiling canned goods and other basics

Be insured for the worst…

Having insurance to ensure you are covered against terrible events is essential.

Goss says: ‘It need not be an atom bomb dropping on your house – but consider a freak storm flooding the house, or the loss of a job that creates a financial crisis, perhaps.’

When you take out insurance, make sure you store documents carefully and know where you can find them in a hurry. Having digital copies is also a good idea.

That means that if, for example, you suffer a flood or a fire at home, you have easy access to the insurance documents you will need to make a claim.

You may also want to store other essential documents safely so they can withstand disasters or be accessed even if systems such as email go down.

Goss adds: ‘We have copies of passports, birth certificates, family photos we do not wish to lose on a hard drive. You should also put in any documents that show ownership of stocks and shares, Isas, pensions and other assets; insurance; and deeds to your property.’

Volunteer to help others

Think about others in your community as times get more difficult.

Goss says: ‘Lay down roots in a community and build up a network to help each other in times of trouble. The image some people have of a Doomsday prepper being an isolated eccentric holed up in a bunker is far from the truth of what you really need.

‘By working together, you can overcome problems and ease day-to-day financial survival concerns – working in cooperation to save money and making it easier to trade with others.’

Local gardening clubs are a great place to meet others and share ideas.

Volunteering for local charities, food banks and ‘zero waste’ groups can help you build goodwill and friendships that are invaluable when you’re in financial trouble – and at other times.