I've been hemming and hawing about replying to this since it was posted.

In response to the question answered in the title, no. *beep* no. I've seen people set up a week of food and water, with cooking ability, for less than fifty dollars per person. If you are dead broke, that might sound like a lot, but that is about what a week of groceries works out to for me, myself and I, and I don't buy expensive food. Yes, OK, you can spend more than that if you want to be able to put your show on the road or on foot, but if your plans always are to hunker down and sit tight or evac to a familymember/friend withing a few miles, you can do this pretty cheap.

As for services like those described in the article... I pity people who have to use that kind of service. To me, they are like a bodyguard or a maid- most people get by fine without one. (Well, to be fair, I might need a maid...) I feel sorry for people who's lives are so detached from the world that they have to hire someone to do this for them- I'd rather do it myself, and know the plan and the gear becuase I made it or bought it myself and have played with it until I know it inside out. Employees can always blow you a razberry and walk away if they decide they don't like working for you any more, even if they do take a hit from their contract. If the stuff really does hit the fan, a lot of these guys are going to laugh at their overly monied clients and go take care of the people they really do care about.