When everyone else hoarded toilet paper, Marcus hoarded something far more valuable: trust, tools, knowledge, and favors. Two years later, his neighbors' garages full of survival supplies gathered dust. Marcus's intangible stockpile paid daily dividends.
The New Asset Classes
Trust Deposits Every helpful action banks trust. Unlike physical goods, trust appreciates over time and multiplies when shared.
Tool Access Not ownership—access. The person who can borrow any tool beats the person who owns every tool.
Knowledge Networks Not what you know—who you can ask. Curated connections to expertise trump personal expertise.
Favor Balance Outstanding favors owed to you are currency. They're also insurance, opportunity, and security combined.
The Asset Accumulation Strategy
Patricia's Portfolio: - Physical: Basic tools, modest supplies (20% of resources) - Knowledge: Learned food preservation, basic medical, organizing (30% of time) - Network: Built connections across 50+ households (40% of energy) - Reputation: Became known as reliable problem-solver (10% intentional cultivation)
When supply chains stuttered, Patricia thrived. Not through her supplies but through her connections. Need flour? She knew who had extra. Need repairs? She could arrange them. Need information? She was already plugged in.
The Four Rules of New Asset Building
Rule 1: Prefer Access Over Ownership Why own a truck when five neighbors would lend theirs? Ownership is expensive. Access is powerful.
Rule 2: Invest in Productive Capacity A fruit tree beats canned fruit. Repair skills beat spare parts. Teaching ability beats personal knowledge. Build assets that generate more assets.
Rule 3: Diversify Across Categories Some physical backup (essential). Some skill development (valuable). Major network building (critical). Balance prevents single-point failure.
Rule 4: Make Assets Visible Hidden assets help no one. Let people know what you can do, share, or connect. Visible assets attract reciprocal opportunities.
The Compound Effect
John tracked his "new asset" accumulation for one year:
Month 1-3: Learning phase - Acquired basic repair skills - Met 10 neighbors meaningfully - Established helping pattern
Month 4-6: Building phase - Skills improving, word spreading - Network expanding organically - Favor bank growing
Month 7-9: Acceleration phase - Reputation preceding him - Opportunities finding him - Network self-reinforcing
Month 10-12: Compound phase - Minimal effort, maximum return - Network working for him - Position solidified
Traditional preppers focus on stuff. Strategic preppers focus on systems. Guess who thrives when disruption hits?