re: How close do you think we are from collapse?

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No one there to believe in our values/system.

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What values?

What system?

We have neither.

Its collapsing. They're throwing trillions at it to keep it afloat, but the collapse has begun.

I do not believe a collapse like everybody holed up in their house till food runs out.

And there certainly will be no civil uprising by the oppressed because we accept anything now. If they told us to shove marbles up our arse, we would ask how many?

So we are just going to move further down the misery index with super inflation, government food lines with Afgans and Haitians ahead of you and the Rich getting Richer because we will still support them with our labor and spending patterns.

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When that happens this country will tear itself apart.

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What exactly does this mean, for the country to "tear itself apart?"

Civil unrest and starvation would be the most telltale markers of a collapse. Until people are hungry, cold and order begins breaking down, people will continue to behave as they always do.

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I click on threads like this hoping for some solid advice on what to do to prepare for the coming collapse. Like sensible "real" things to spend money on (other than the obvious like food and water). Instead it's just people agreeing the end is near. I guess we are all just going to sit here waiting for it? I know we are all various levels of prepared, but can you really be prepared for this?

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Plenty of alcohol to barter with.

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we have more weapons than anyone else. That is the only thing that will keep this country afloat.

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The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are our greatest resource. Canada and Mexico ain't invading.

Teetering on the edge!

I agree with already collapsed. We are living on borrowed money = collapse.

what to spend money on?
I have some land that is used for recreation/camping/shooting. and I plan to bug out there if necessary, but I've identified a few things that I find incredibly important that may not be on most peoples lists. it is still overwhelming but assuming you're looking for useful type gear here's some things that make the list for me.

1. a 275 gallon water tote (or at least a couple 55 gallon barrels) for water storage.
2. a DC diaphragm pump to distribute that water (you can use a small battery and garden hose with a few adapters)
This was one of the first things I did at the camp because I found it extremely important to have "running" water.
3. a propane shower. Can hook up to your water and take relatively normal showers. Comes in handy, regardless, to bath animals, deal with hot water heater outages.. etc.
4. a seed vault (these typically expire after 5 years or so so keep that in mind)
5. gardening tools
6. havahart traps (I plan to trap rabbits which I have in excess around here and breed them) - if necessary.
7. Lumber and appropriate hardware(at the very minimum - enough to board up windows/doors). Ideally you want enough to be able to build whatever comes up (like a rabbit habitat for instance).
8. large water filter (you don't want to be using a sawyer mini to filter water for a family).
9. laptop (and portable hard drive if needed). But I have hard drives loaded with gardening, survival, security, animal husbandry, and ham radio videos/info. Some "feel good tv/movies/music" would be incredibly welcome too.
10. Propane. Propane. Propane. Cooking and heating will need to be done as quickly and discreetly as possible. A fire doesn't typically lend itself to discreetness.
11. a Mr. Heater "indoor" heater to go with that propane.
12. a camp stove to go with that propane.
13. a carbon monoxide detector to go with the heater and stove (assuming you plan to use inside - which I would suggest).
14. Extra clothes, shoes, socks.
15. I'm going to assume power is out at some point. As such.. You need a good solar system to allow for charging of various electronics. I'd suggest at least 300 watts of panels. and at least 100AH of lifepo4 batteries. With a mppt charge controller. and suitable (pure sine) inverter.. Say 800 watts or so.
You could potentially replace this with one of those "solar generators," but you can get a much larger capacity for a much cheaper price if you go the component route. You obviously sacrifice portability and the neat package.
16. lights. At the bare minimum have GOOD headlamps for everyone. You would probably want some area lighting as well. I've got some floodlights for perimeter control as well (who knows if that is helpful or a waste at this point). There are a billion options for these. I like the "portable work lights" and basically anything rechargeable with an option to run from 5v battery bank.
17. HAM/Shortwave radio. You may need to research this a bit as it's kind of a pain to setup, but extremely important IMO.
18. Extra paper products. paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, paper plates, disposable cutlery. You don't want to be wasting time with washing dishes if you can avoid it.
19. Liquor/Cigarettes/Chocalate.. Use yourself or barter
20. tarps. For catching water (if needed). impromptu shelter.. etc.
21. A "travel" fridge/freezer. The kind with the actual condenser in them. They typically draw 100 watts or less (when running) and can deep freeze. I would suggest getting some ice making trays as well. I feel like I would just straight up die in the Alabama summer if I had no way to have cool drinks anymore. It may not be that important to you, but it would obviously still be great for food storage.
22. as many lighters and batteries (non rechargeable) as you can store.
23. a decent chainsaw and axe/splitting maul for firewood prep. You may also want to include some sort of garden wagon or something into this category to transport wood (or whatever) short distances. Battery powered is probably more ideal than gas since you can somewhat indefinitely recharge batteries (if you have the solar system) and it would obviously be much quieter so you won't attract attention. I have opted for gasoline though. And I have several cases of the pre mixed gas/oil which lasts much longer than regular gas.
You also want some replacement chains.. and bar/chain oil
24. Tools. Ideally, a good, comprehensive set of battery powered tools. And backups/supplemental hand tools.
25. Security. Battery operated vibration alarms for doorknobs.. driveway monitors. barb wire.. tannerite. whatever works in your situation.
26. fans. there are some decent USB powered options. whatever brand of battery powered tools you have will most likely have a fan also.
27. soap. hygiene products. some way to wash clothes. cloth hangers & line. I'm including first aid here too.

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know we are all various levels of prepared, but can you really be prepared for this?

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I have almost all of this stuff. plus land.. and months & months of food. plenty of guns/ammo. and I don't feel anywhere near prepared. honestly... I think the #1 most important thing is actually plugging in with a group of like minded people. without enough man power and "know how" you'll most likely fail no matter how much gear you have.