Note from JWR:

My sincere thanks to the dozens of SurvivalBlog readers that have donated more than $9,000 to the Linda Rawles Memorial Fund, that benefits The Anchor Institute Orphanage and School, in rural Zambia. With just a bit more, they’ll be able to buy a modest photovoltaic power system. Thanks again for supporting this very worthy charity, in my late wife’s name. Your donations are fully tax deductible.




Letter Re: A Geographically Isolated Retreat Locale: Republic, Washington

Jim – First, may I join many, many others in extending my condolences for your recent loss along with my gratitude for your work with SurvivalBlog. I have struggled with the thought of writing this or not for some time. I have finally decided that the potential positives outweigh the negatives. This past year I bought some property outside of Republic, Washington, population about 900. The town is located about 170 miles Northwest of Spokane, Washington.. Republic is the county seat of Ferry County, the least populated county in Washington State and is classified as a “frontier” environment. Republic sits …




Letter Re: A Safe Method for Connecting Home Backup Generators

JWR, I’ve mentioned before a gizmo called a Generlink which allows a lot of flexibility when using a generator for backup power. This device is installed behind your power meter and, depending on the capacity of your generator, allows you to power any circuit in your home via the selective use of the circuit breakers. It’s especially useful in that nothing has to be re-wired in the house to safely use your generator. It does require some planning for installation in that your power company will have to agree to it’s use and will probably want to install it, mine …




Letter Re: Perspectives on Roughing It and Covert Car Camping

My dad kicked me out when I was 19 so I lived in my car for a year on the streets and got pretty good at it. I’m now married in my mid-40s and have ran several successful businesses and doing well for myself. But, I’m still a cheapie at heart. I absolutely hate paying for motels. When I travel I spend lots of money on food and entertainment, but I hate paying nightly for a bed to sleep on. About 10 years ago I bought nondescript 1994 mini-van Plymouth Voyager and converted it into what I call the Stealth …




Economics and Investing:

Barry Ritholtz sets the record straight, (by way of a link at The Automatic Earth blog): Existing Home Sales FALL in September 2009. FG sent this: Detroit house auction flops for urban wasteland Jim Rogers Interview: Long Sugar, But Getting Short Bonds (Thanks to GG for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Derivatives Bill Amended to Let Big Banks Keep Some Contracts Secret Unemployment Getting Much Worse in 43 States The Gathering Storm in Commercial Real Estate How Uncle Sam is Killing Your Savings Jim Willie: Attack By Central Bank Lilliputians Obama Wants Banks to Lend More to Small Businesses …




Odds ‘n Sods:

Chester suggested this YouTube instructional video: AR15 / M4 Magazine Pouches    o o o You gotta love Missouri: Anvil Shooting! And here is a lot more of the same, using electric detonators.    o o o Jay mentioned the trailer for the new post-Peak Oil documentary film, titled “Collapse.” Has this guy been reading SurvivalBlog?




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Inflation has now been institutionalized at a fairly constant 5% per year. This has been scientifically determined to be the optimum level for generating the most revenue without causing public alarm. A 5% devaluation applies, not only to the money earned this year, but to all that is left over from previous years. At the end of the first year, a dollar is worth 95 cents. At the end of the second year, the 95 cents is reduced again by 5%, leaving its worth at 90 cents, and so on. By the time a person has worked 20 years, the …