No really, Kimberly Broffman, get off of their lawns.

Kimberly, a 6-year-old in the custody of her grandparents, is facing eviction by local law enforcement because her grandparents live in a retirement community. The child has lived in the house her whole life, as her mother is unable to care for her due to unspecified drug problems. Now authorities plan to remove the girl from the only home she’s ever known and place her in foster care with strangers due to a homeowners association policy.

Kimberly’s grandparents, Jimmy and Judie Stottler, have been unable to sell their home and move elsewhere due to the housing market crash. The Stottlers have even lowered the price from $225,000 to $129,000, willing to get completely hosed on the move just to keep their family intact, but no one is buying. The battle has been going on for several years, the better portion of Kimberly’s life, but the Stottlers are of limited resources to fight the situation.

Check out the MSNBC video below, where neighbors of the Stottman’s advocate for tearing the family apart. One woman, who looks like she’s about to start talking boot-straps, cruelly states that Kimberly should be ejected from her home. And the president of the homeowners association looks positively gleeful as he discusses the prospect of getting sheriffs to forcibly remove the small girl. He says in response to a question about who will take Kimberly:

“No, the sheriff will. I will merely be the President of the Board who is trying to enforce the policies of our association that she agreed to when she moved in.”

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Times are tough, banks are failing, auto manufacturers are going under, people are out of work, houses are being foreclosed on.  In a sure sign that times of tough, a new piggy bank has hit the market.  A stocking stuffer for depressed traders and bankers.  We think it will be big this holiday season just don’t show it to PETA.

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No one knows exactly how hard the economy will fall, or whether the Government will be able to save the day, but just in case, here’s some handy tips for surviving the global financial meltdown.

Cash is good…really good.

The moment you see a run on the banks, particularly your bank, you’re in a serious trouble. The best way to protect yourself is to keep a cash reserve. In the absolute worst case scenario, cash may be worthless, but for the rest of the time, particularly if plastic loses value, folding cash is where it’s at. If you’ve got extensive savings, look at keeping a portion at home, or somewhere else safe. Insurance schemes such as the FDIC only cover you to $100,000, and even then, in a full blown crisis it may mean nothing. Have a reserve handy, just in case.

Stockpile food

Just in case, it pays to have a reasonable supply of food handy, particularly pre-packaged food that doesn’t require cooking. Even if we don’t see anarchy, power utilities with debt burdens risk going under, so essential service provision may face disruption.

Be prepared for job loss

Even the best case scenario now has the US economy heading south at least to some extent, with a flow on effect globally. Very few industries will be spared, and your job could be a risk, no matter how safe you think you might be. You need to be prepared for the worse so your family doesn’t starve.

Self protection

Be aware that rises in unemployment usually result in increased levels of crime. Even if you manage to keep well, civil society may deteriorate. I’d never recommend anyone own a gun, but certainly you should consider self protection in case things get really bad. I already know where to find the golf clubs just in case.

Conclusion

This isn’t an exhaustive list of things you need to consider, but as the bailout package remains delayed, and now with China cutting off money, things don’t look good. We may not see another great depression in our time, but just in case, do as the scouts do, and be prepared.

If there’s anything you’d recommend that should be added to this list, live a comment.

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While the aesthetics are pleasing, Leslie Poston at Mashable isn’t hot on the service, and you can read her review here, but we thought we’d suggest another startup idea.

Introducing Better BillShrink.

(feel free to copy the idea, although if you turn it in to a startup, we want some equity ).

Here’s how it works

ZOMG I’ve got credit card debt. What do you recommended?

But the interwebs, how am I suppose to buy things online?

But I can’t afford to pay off my existing cards!

What about that shiny new gadget I want now but can’t afford?

Disclosure: this post does not equate to formal financial advice, nor am I licensed to give it. Consult with a financial specialist, psychiatrist, or Poker professional for better advice.

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