Year: 2009

Economics and Investing:

Bill T. sent us this: 2009 Nickel & Dime Minting Stoppage. “The editors of Coin World have reported that the U.S. mint, as of April 23, has ceased minting 2009 nickel and dime issues. The mint has claimed that a precipitous drop in demand from the Federal Reserve for circulating coinage was the primary reason to cease production.” I found this linked at Drudge: ‘Problem’ Banks Rise to 15-Year High on Bad Loans, FDIC Says From Karen H.: Dollar May Surpass ‘Established Lows,’ Goldman Says GG sent us this: Preparing for a major bank shakeout; Rising failures and a weak …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Thanks to Damon for sending this: More Sun for Less: Solar Panels Drop in Price    o o o From TLG: Potato blight confirmed in Dane County, Wisconsin    o o o Survivalists, Town Clash Over Craftsbury Road. There are two lessons to be learned here: 1.) OPSEC, 2.) Fully research any right-of-way and easement issues before buying a retreat property! Unfortunately, the body of case law that has accumulated on prescriptive easements does not bode well for the new land owners. If a road is used “openly and notoriously” with continuity for many years–in this instance for 150 years–then …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Now if just a small portion of American bank depositors hear that the FDIC had to tap into the US Treasury for funds, and these depositors feel their banked money is at risk and want to withdraw some of it, the mother of all bank runs could ensue. This could create the day of reckoning that many have predicted. A short banking holiday would have to be declared and who knows what happens from there – troops in the streets, issuance of new currency, martial law? Don’t think those in the Federal government haven’t made plans for such an occurrence.” …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 24 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: 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 assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) and C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $345 value.) Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing …


Know Thy Neighbor, by “The Old Salt” in Virginia

In reading “Preparedness Beginnings” by Two Dogs it struck me that I had been missing a vital part of basic preparedness . . . I was doing it naturally, but I realized how many post I had read that left it out or put it as “I will need to do this when . . . “.  My title tells the story, but let me digress a little and put some background to it: Like “Two Dogs”, who is a retired Marine Corp Officer, I’m a retired Naval Officer who drug his family around the country through nine moves in …


Two Letters Re: A Method for Storing Fresh Eggs up to Two Years

Jim, Thank you for the great information you share. I read the post about storing eggs with a Vaseline coating and have a couple of questions. Do they have to be stored on a refrigerated shelf? Does this work with store bought eggs? My guess is this only works for fresh eggs and I don’t have a chicken….yet. Thank you. – Angela S. Jim, First, I want to wish you and yours all the best. Thank you for this site, friends and I have been learning from your site for about a year now. It has continually supplied us with …



Economics and Investing:

Got Rhodium? World faces hi-tech crunch as China eyes ban on rare metal exports. (Thanks to Jeremy M. for the link.) GG sent us this: China Tears Up America’s Credit Cards Trent H. spotted this: The Dollar Will Fall, The Only Question is “When?” From John S.: “In the Tank Forever”: U.S. Consumers, Retailers in a “Death Spiral,” Davidowitz Says 1,000 Banks to Fail in Next Two Years (Thanks to Heather H. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Government Agency that Insures Deposits May Need Lifeline of its Own Number of Problem Banks Surges to 416; FDIC Fund Shrinks …


Odds ‘n Sods:

“Use Enough Gun” Department: Alaska man kills attacking 900 lb. Grizzly with .454 Casull revolver (Thanks to FG for the link.)    o o o Frank S. mentioned a video report on the propane re-filler techniques that were previously described in SurvivalBlog.    o o o I encountered an interesting thread of discussion in progress, over at TMM Forums: Bartering with Alcohol and Cigarettes. (I don’t use either, so I have no expertise. Nor do I approve of them. But for those of you that do, I offer this link.)


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“…the Last Contango in Washington will be different from all previous crises. It will be elemental, devastating, and apocalyptic. It will destroy virtually all paper wealth and render virtually all physical capital idle. It will involve hordes of unemployed people roaming the streets, caring for no law and order, pillaging homes and institutions. It will destroy our freedoms. It may destroy our civilization unless we take protective action.” – Antal Fekete


Letter Re: A Method for Storing Fresh Eggs up to Two Years

Mister Rawles, You can store eggs on the shelf for two years with this simple process: 1.When you gather your eggs simply wipe them off with a dry rags to remove anything stuck on the egg. Do not wash them! 2. Get a partner to help with this next step. Cover the palms of your hands with Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. Cover each egg evenly with a thin layer of Vaseline. (This prevents air from entering the shell). Have your partner place the now very slippery egg into a Styrofoam carton. If using cardboard cartons, then line them with plastic wrap …


Two Letters Re: Construction Without Electricity

Jim: The recent Construction Without Electricity article reminded me of a stint spent with the Amish here in southwestern Missouri. I worked making buggy wheels, but one of my duties was to ride a stationary bike which powered a one cylinder compressor so they could spray paint the buggies. The buggy shop owner wanted to run a compressor off his windmill to a pressure tank but the community said that was going too far. With that kind of set up you could run all kinds of air tools. It smacked of being “too modern”. So I rode the bike. – …


Letter Re: Advice on Water Barrel Pumps

Mr. Rawles, Thank you for the blog and the consistency of information that you provide on a daily basis, it is greatly appreciated. In response to the inquiry of water barrel pumps: I have had good luck with this rotary drum pump. They are extremely smooth and easy to operate and I am able to empty a 55 gallon drum of water in quick time. I can not speak as to its longevity since I have not had it long, but it appears to have been constructed well. I recently ordered the one I own to try out and am …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

DHS Warns H1N1 “Could cause serious disruption of social and medical capacities in our country …” H1N1 Could Kill as Many as 30,000 to 90,000 in U.S., Report Says. [JWR’s comment: If you have been debating taking your kids out of public school and homeschooling, then in my opinion the projected deaths for H1N1 should be the deciding factor. But for some numerical perspective, consider these two figures. 1.) The”usual” seasonal influenzas claims around 30,000 lives annually in the US, primarily among the elderly. 2.) It took fifteen years of the Vietnam conflict to kill about 58,000 American, mostly aged …


Economics and Investing:

Dan D. recommended this post and video clip from Mish Shedlock of Australian economist Steve Keen: Global Debt Bubble, Causes and Solutions CRW sent a link to a great video on YouTube: Preparing American for Hyperinflation. The voters demanded “Change”, and here is what they got: Obama Nominates Bernanke for Second Term as Fed Chief. I guess some things don’t change. Be ready for inflation, folks. K.L. sent this Wall Street Journal article: As Budget Deficit Grows, So Do Doubts on Dollar Items from The Economatrix: Auto Industry Braces for Hangover After “Clunker” Party Dr. Housing Bubble: Real Homes of …