Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 30 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: 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.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 500 round case of …




Practical and Affordable Prepping, by Steve G.

The purpose of this submission is to establish that we all have real lives to lead while we remain vigilant about all possibilities, most of which others choose to pretend away.  Money is not unlimited, and we have families and a life to lead.   These things should not be sacrificed or squandered  because we’re too captivated by a single, or favorite, survival scenario.  We need to be building happy lives and memories with our families, children, and their children, even as we remain ready for what we hope won’t happen, and may not happen. The rank and file among us …




Letter Re: Wheat Germ: Forgotten Super Food for GOOD and Long-Term Storage

Dear Editor, I am writing because I am also a beloved fan of wheat germ. Kitchen Maven already mentioned the longevity of such a food, but also the cost. I would suggest buying in bulk online. Sites like http://www.bulkfoods.com/ sell massive quantities of…well…bulk foods. A prepper can stock up on large portions of wheat germ. And for thirty-two dollars you can get twenty-five pounds of the good stuff. That translates out to a hair over 8.5 cents per serving. Sure beats out the seventy cent servings you can get from the store. The one and five pound bags are packed …




Economics and Investing:

AmEx sent this: Debts Rise, and Go Unpaid, as Bust Erodes Home Equity item: TARP Billions Shipped Overseas Can’t Halt Global Slowdown David B. suggested this article: Judge orders Wells Fargo to pay back $203 Million in fees Taleb Says Government Bonds to Collapse, Avoid Stocks. (Thanks to G.G., SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate, for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Fall After Cisco Earnings, Jobless Data Jobs Picture Dims as Unemployment Claims Rise Mortgage Rates Hit 4.44% as Economy Sours Oil Price Slide Continues on Grim Economic Data Markets Dive As Depression Fears Grow Stock Market “Perfect Storm” Cuts Pension …




Odds ‘n Sods:

Sergio suggested this one: U.S. warned of threat worse than Katrina, plague, WWII; Millions could die: ‘This is clearly not something you ever want to experience’    o o o Andrew R. spotted this: Car hacks could turn commutes into a scene from Speed.    o o o Sheryl N. sent this news item: Quarter of Russian crops lost in drought, Medvedev says    o o o M.O.B. forwarded this piece from The New York Times: Judges Divided Over Rising GPS Surveillance




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Now there was no food in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished by reason of the famine. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and said, “Give us food; why should we die …