Finding a Stable Country for an Offshore Retreat

I’m often asked by SurvivalBlog readers and consulting clients about where to look for an offshore retreat. Today, I’ll discuss general selection criteria, and briefly discuss Central America. With a few exceptions, most of my consulting clients seem to agree on the following criteria: Political stability Economic stability Relatively self-sufficient agriculture Livable climate Allows expatriates to own land outright, or at least provided long term (60+ year) renewable leases Free enterprise and private banking Favorable tax situation Minimal gun laws Low crime rate Free of Malaria and at minimal risk for other insect-borne diseases Well established infrastructure (power, phone, water, …




Letter Re: Investing in Tangibles Through an IRA

Dear Jim: Per your suggestions, I have been doing a lot of research into the American Church Trust Precious-Metals IRA [offered through Swiss America]. However, I have several questions that I would like to ask. [JWR’s replies are in-line, in bold.] 1.) I noticed in a recent post of yours on this subject that you have your IRA backed by Gold American Eagles. Could you explain why you chose gold instead of silver? Because of the much higher “per ounce/per dollar” purchase premium on U.S. Mint Silver Eagles, I prefer U.S. Mint Gold Eagles, in this case.  (At the time …




Letter Re: Defending Your Home: An Outline of Security for Troubled Times, by K.A.D.

Jim, For those folks out there who are incorporating a door/window alarm system for their home as part of layered protection, it pays to personally check each window, door every six months to see if the connections still work. After having our home windows/doors/motion sensor-monitored alarm system for about six years built in new into our country home, we found recently that some of the window sensors didn’t work when the windows were opened. The monitoring company visited and said that as our home settled, some wires got pinched, some separated and it was not uncommon to have that happen. …




Odds ‘n Sods:

The wizened Dow Theory sage Richard Russell comments on the U.S. Dollar and the Housing Bubble:    o o o U.S. Marines in Iraq say: “Too Much Body Armor“:    o o o Here is an interesting blog that I just found today: Airborne Combat Engineer    o o o The Associated Press reports on Enormous Pro-Illegal Immigration Rallies in the U.S. Unfortunately, I think that congress is likely to cave in to the pressure and institute some form of amnesty. To the left wing of the Democrat party, the conservatively estimated 16 million illegal aliens in the country represent …