We never had extra cash to purchase gold or silver. We had to use most of our retirement savings for a life-threatening medical situation for one of our children (after we retired) and haven't (and won't) be able to build it back better (or at all actually).
Sucks, but we can make it - not including debt payments.
You seem to think the former banking system will continue. It won't.
You are right, eventually it will change. There will be a painful intermediate period ( during the collapse) where the change has not happened yet. Later the change happens and at that point it is anyone's guess what happens with deposits and or debts.