According to one recent survey, an all-time high 72 percent of all Americans are concerned about an economic downturn, and yet the amount of actual preparation that is taking place for the next economic downturn is very low.  As 2008 has faded into our memories, most Americans have been lulled into a false sense of security.  Most people seem to be far more concerned about the latest exploits and scandals of their favorite celebrities than they are about the very real problems that this nation is steamrolling toward.  Hopefully what is going on in Greece right now will serve as a wake up call, because the truth is that similar things could happen in the United States much sooner than most of us would dare to imagine.

When a major financial crisis strikes, what is one of the first things that usually happens?

People start pulling their money out of the banks.

A few years ago when problems erupted in Cyprus, photos of long lines at ATMs rapidly circulated all over the Internet.  And now the same thing is happening in Greece.