The rise of "tiger killing"

• When Venezuela’s economy collapsed, people survived by taking on multiple informal jobs ("matar tigres"/"killing tigers"), like teaching, driving taxis or selling homemade goods. Diversifying income sources is crucial before a crisis hits.
• Learn practical skills (gardening, handyman work, repairs, freelancing and bartering) to provide for your family when traditional jobs or money lose value.
• Venezuela’s hyperinflation made its currency worthless, so people unofficially used U.S. dollars. Holding foreign currency, crypto or remote work skills can protect you in a financial collapse.
• With shortages, Venezuelans traded goods and services. Building local trade connections and stockpiling barterable items (food, tools, or medicine) is key.
• Economic disasters don’t mean the end. People survive through creativity, self-reliance and strong community ties. Start preparing now to thrive when systems fail. Venezuela’s crisis proves that when formal economies collapse, informal networks, skills and adaptability keep people alive.
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Economic crises can strike without warning, leaving people scrambling to make ends meet. Inflation, currency devaluation and job losses can turn stable lives into daily struggles.

But history shows that even in the worst financial collapses, people adapt, often by creating parallel economies outside the traditional system. (h/t to TheOrganicPrepper.com)

Venezuela’s recent economic crisis offers a powerful case study. Once one of South America’s wealthiest nations, Venezuela spiraled into hyperinflation, shortages and mass unemployment. Yet, its citizens survived, not through government aid but through informal networks, bartering and side hustles.

Their resilience provides key lessons for anyone preparing for financial instability.

The rise of "tiger killing": Surviving through side hustles

In Venezuela, the term "matar tigres" (killing tigers) has become shorthand for doing whatever it takes to earn money. The phrase dates back to the 19th century, when hunters were paid to eliminate tigers threatening livestock.

Today, it means taking on multiple side jobs, anything from driving a taxi to baking cakes, just to survive.

For example, Mr. B., a professional musician in Venezuela, spent decades studying at prestigious conservatories. Yet, when Venezuela’s economy collapsed, his music career alone couldn’t pay the bills.

Like many others, he turned to side gigs, which for many included a variety of tasks such as teaching private lessons, performing at small events and selling homemade goods.

This phenomenon isn’t unique to Venezuela. In any economic crisis, formal wages often become worthless, forcing people to rely on informal work.

The key takeaway? Diversify your skills now so you’re not dependent on a single income stream.

Key survival skills to learn before a crisis

Before SHTF, learn these skills so you can provide for your family:

• Food production (gardening, raising chickens and baking)
• Handyman services (plumbing, electrical work and carpentry)
• Repair work (appliances, cars and electronics)
• Freelancing (writing, graphic design and coding)
• Barterable services (haircuts, tutoring and sewing)
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The underground dollar economy

Venezuela’s official currency, the bolivar, became nearly worthless due to hyperinflation. In response, people switched to the U.S. dollar, but unofficially.

Today, prices in stores in Venezuela are often listed in dollars (marked as "REF"), even though wages remain shockingly low.

This parallel currency system helped stabilize trade, but it also created a two-tier economy:

• Those with access to dollars, such as through remote work, foreign remittances, or savings, could afford essentials.
• Those earning in bolivars struggled to buy even basic groceries.

How to prepare for a currency collapse

Here are some tips that can help you prepare for a currency collapse:

• Hold multiple currencies (USD, EUR, or stable cryptocurrencies).
• Learn remote work skills (translation, programming, or virtual assistance).
• Barter goods (non-perishables, tools, or medicine).

Community networks: The ultimate survival tool

One of the biggest challenges in Venezuela wasn’t just earning money; it was accessing food and medicine. Government-subsidized food boxes (Spanish: Comite Local de Abastecimiento y Produccion, CLAPs) reached only 35 percent of households monthly, forcing people to rely on informal trade networks.

Neighbors exchanged goods and services:

• For example, a mechanic fixed a car in exchange for eggs.
• Meanwhile, a doctor would treat patients for bags of rice instead of cash.
• Home bakers sold bread to local shops when supermarkets ran empty.

Building your own survival network

While preparing for an emergency, you can build your own survival network by:

• Identifying local traders (farmers, repairmen, or medical professionals).
• Stockpiling barterable goods (canned food, batteries and soap).
• Learning essential skills (first aid, gardening, sewing and more). (Related: Prepper recipes: How to make artisan pretzel bread.)
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Venezuela’s crisis proves that formal economies can fail overnight, but informal systems keep people alive. Even if you live in the U.S., the best time to prepare is before disaster strikes.

Economic collapse doesn’t mean the end; it means adaptation. By studying Venezuela’s parallel economies, you can see that creativity, community and self-reliance are the ultimate survival tools.

Start preparing now, because when a crisis hits, those who adapt fastest survive longest.

Visit Preparedness.news for more stories on how to prepare for economic collapse. You can also check out Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store for more clean food supplies for your prepping stockpile.

Watch the video below to learn more about Organic Butter Powder and why it's a convenient addition to your daily routine and survival stockpile.

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