I don't have any debt and I don't plan to accumulate any debt. I don't live over my means and I have good savings. I am also very mobile and can live anywhere in the world since I don't own that many things and my work can be done using a computer and an internet connection. I do have some plans to own some properties, but this is only to diversify my investments.

A lot of people are living above their means or on a economy with no breathing room => I think this is a very bad strategy going forward.

Regarding my startup I am trying to build a profitable and sound business that targets the global market.

Non-cash economies would be my answer. Find business models that don't rely on consumers having access to money, unless you are providing necessities. Say said it best: when there's not enough cash available to satisfy desires, people find ways around it. If you can arrange to be that way, you can still profit.

As for investments, pick your index, close your eyes to the ups and downs and pray someone in government realizes that when people are willing to give you a negative real interest rate you should take their money and do something productive with it.

>Say said it best: when there's not enough cash available to satisfy desires, people find ways around it. If you can arrange to be that way, you can still profit.

The only way I'm able to interpret this as practical advice is "invest in the mafia". Unless you're talking about building up your personal skills - which, while good advice (if you can do something other people want then you'll never go hungry, no matter how bad the economy), doesn't really scale.

Dig a hole underground and stock as much canned beans as possible.

At least there is plenty of supplies offerings for the "2012: end of the world" crowd we can leverage.