Day: August 1, 2009

Notes from JWR:

We’ve completed the judging! The first prize winner for Round 23 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest is Mike S., for his article GPS for Day-to-Day Use and Survival. He will receive: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) The second prize winner is Extraman, for his article Going …


City Data as a Retreat Locale Search Tool

SurvivalBlog Readers: Are you trying to find small towns to evaluate for potential relocation? I’ve been wrestling with the process and have found it tedious at best. There is a web site, however, that can be a valuable resource: City Data. If you follow this link you will come to a page that has the states listed. Click on the state you are interested in Idaho, for example. This link takes you to a list of cities with a population over 6,000. There is a link at the top of the page that lists towns and villages with a population …


Letter Re: Sterling Silver Flatware for Barter?

Mister Rawles: We know having a supply of junk silver is a good idea, and we’re working slowly toward that goal. What would you suggest for those that have inherited sterling flatware or serving pieces? Not many people seem to use them anymore, we sure don’t, but it’s hard to sell them for cash in today’s economic climate. Do they have any value as trade items in a SHTF scenario? What would you suggest doing with these old family items that don’t hold sentimental value for us? Thanks! – Susan W. JWR Replies: Unless they have sentimental value, I recommend …


Letter Re: One Way to Visualize Inflation and Dollar Devaluation

Jim, CRW points out that: If you had $1,000 in 1900, you could have bought 50 ounces of gold with it, yet today, a thousand bucks will buy only about one ounce of gold Clearly, gold has held its value better than numbers on paper. Fine, but that’s a fairly useless observation. Consider: gold doesn’t hold its value as well as other things. The overall consumer price index has increased by a factor of only about 32:1 during the same time; that is, gold has failed to hold its value relative to consumer products, primarily because refined gold was already …


Economics and Investing:

Sent by Chris H.: In this recession, older white males see jobs fade From GG: Doctor Doom: The Road Ahead for the Global Economy – Roubini says debt monetization will continue Also from GG: Insiders are selling at highest rate since top of market Items from The Economatrix: Obama Says GDP to Show Contraction, Job Losses Durable Goods Orders Tumbled in June Profit Reports Push Dow to Best July in 20 Years


Odds ‘n Sods:

Laura H. spotted this: Congressman: Smart Grid Can be Wiped Out by Electromagnetic Weapons    o o o S.T. highlighted this: The Bed Bunker. I suppose that if two modules were bolted together, then it might be fairly hard to tote away. But I’d feel a lot better if the entire unit were bolted to the floor or to a wall. The “up on legs” design makes it far too convenient for a miscreant to apply leverage via a large iron bar, or perhaps even a pallet jack, if they planned ahead. (Far too many gun safes get hauled away …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Oh, I have lost some of the fights I’ve been in, some sudden little dustups for which I wasn’t well-prepared and a couple of larger ones in which I was mostly just involved as a bit player. If you really want to win you can always be certain to pick in advance a much weaker opponent and crush him, but that’s bullying. Or you can take on someone who outclasses you and really deserves a good beating, and wait for a chance when he’s not in his best shape, though you may have a long wait. But I’ve never lost …