How can I convince my parents to prepare for the economic collapse?

Read them a story.

Take a breath.

I more or less agree with you that “the economic collapse of the United States” is more or less a foregone conclusion, but it’s not going to be headline news in the paper some morning that says, “Money No Good; Debts To Be Repudiated”.

It’s a slow-motion thing that will take years and years to occur, and even as it does occur (or is occurring, if you want to look at it that way) there will still be a stock market; there will still be supermarkets and farms to supply them; there will still be roads and bridges and interstate commerce. Life will go on.

Look at the collapse of the Soviet Union, for example. That country was nowhere near as rich as this one has been for more than a hundred years, and the collapse of their government was nearly complete. But you still didn’t hear about mass starvation and rioting in the streets (for the most part, save for the skirmishing around the Russian White House, which involved soldiers and politicians more than the average Ivan).

Relax. Order the seeds, though, and plan that garden.

Your parents have seen this cycle probably 4–5 times in their lifetime. And each time the economy has recovered enough to create another bubble, another burst, and another recession.

Maybe the wisdom provided from experience helps them see past the shock jocks on talk radio? I haven’t heard anyone else predicting economic collapse, but maybe I’m running in optimistic circles.

I’m a currency trader, and the global sentiment is that, while everything is going to be different, things will stay much (volatlile) the same. The best thing you can do is to take care of your own finances, be smart about it, and don’t worry about your parents. Unless they are real estate speculators or spend like crazy on credit cards, they’ll be fine. I agree totally with @funkdaddy .

Will they read a book or three?

I’m assuming you life at home with your parents. I wouldn’t phase it that way, because there’s too much to argue against that point of view. How about living your own life with that in mind. Try to add items to the grocery list that are staples in case of emergency.

Set up a place to store “your” emergency supplies and ask your folks to help you accumulate the items you might need. Do some research online to prepare a list of items that are most useful. Start your own garden.