>All lives splatter
>Have any of you been cashing out your 401k's, taking the penalty, and buying precious metals?
No, investing it in improving the farm, orchard, water systems, food processing/storage, solar, fencing, equipment, vehicles and hand tools.
Buying a little of the things I can't produce myself. If things go really south, cash will likely be useful for a little bit, junk silver for a while longer, but trade goods, tools and skills are what will take you the farthest.