Year: 2010

Two Letters Re: The Skeptical Spouse

Hello Mr. Rawles, My wife wasn’t exactly skeptical, but her focus was defined by other requirements. Her family history showed her that keeping family close and healthy was a first priority. So her natural drive was in that direction. My re-entry into the world of prepping came from critiquing the television show Jericho. At first, I was embarrassed to let her know about my interest in the subject matter, and how I thought there were better ways to handle things in the plot. When we talked about it one night, I saw an interest in her eye, and the prepping …


Economics and Investing:

Why does this not give me a warm, fuzzy feeling? The Fed now owns Red Roof Inns. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson for spotting that article.) Food stamp tally nears 40 million, sets record. (Thanks to Brian B. for the link.) G.G. sent this: America has good reason to worry about Greece. Also from G.G.: EU close to €500 billion boost for rescue plan Reader Ralph N. ran across an article in The Wall Street Journal that confirms the warning that I made three years ago: Will Nickel-Free Nickels Make a Dime’s Worth of Difference? Plan …


Economics and Investing:

EMB mentioned: The Crisco Alternative    o o o Mark P. spotted this: Farmers Cope with Roundup-Resistant Weeds    o o o Tina W. alerted me to this article: Rodents pose new health threat in Zimbabwe’s towns. If our economy ever collapses, rats will be with us, in large numbers!    o o o The America I left – reactions of a retiring expat. (A hat tip to Brian B. for the link.)



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 28 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.), and D.) A 500 round case …


The Skeptical Spouse, by Mike H.

While many readers of SurvivalBlog might be hard-core, prepped to the nth degree, live off the land survival types like Mr. Rawles, I would suspect that most are much like myself: quiet suburban dwellers whose eyes have been opened by Mr. Rawles at SurvivalBlog and similar voices to the fragility of our modern intertwined civilization. However, my awakening and “journey” was begun without my most important companions: my lovely bride of seven years and our two very young daughters. While I consider my wife to be one of the most resilient and resourceful individuals I have ever met, she shares …


Letter Re: The Importance of Food Storage

Dear Friends, Most of you are preparing, Great. Some of you are thinking of preparing, but find it hard to believe tough times could happen in the near future as this never happened before in our life. We all have insurance for our homes and/or automobiles that we pay for in premiums year after year, after year. Please think of food storage as insurance. Come what may, be it disruptions in “just in time” inventory at the local food chain, civil strife, or inflation. Food storage will pay great dividends for you and your family. Please read the following and …


Letter Re: Surviving a Nuclear Bomb

Mr. Editor: Might I humbly suggest a couple additions for Eric? First, a copy of Nuclear War Survival Skills. Second, build a couple Kearney Fallout Meters (KFMs) as instructed in Nuclear War Survival Skills. These meters are not that difficult to build, but do take some time to build if you do so carefully. Two pound ice fishing line for the suspension threads work very well. A charged KFM with Stren-type monofilament line still had noticeable leaf separation three days after charging this last winter using drywall core as drying agent. A KFM would allow a person to survey the …


Economics and Investing:

Morris S. suggested: Six investing rules for a worst-case scenario Mark Frey Calls It: Europe Enters Full Scale Financial Panic David Rosenberg: Euro Breakdown Could Drive Gold to $3,000. Rosenberg’s target for the Dow: 4,800. (A hat tip to Flavio, for the linkio.) |Courtesy of SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate, George Gordon (“G.G.”): U.S. Debt Shock May Hit In 2018, Maybe as Soon as 2013: Moody’s Also from G.G.: We Are Out of Money; American governance won’t begin to inch forward until the political class faces basic facts. Items from The Economatrix: UK Budget Deficit to Surpass Greece Productivity Growth Ebbs, Hiring …


Odds ‘n Sods:

JRH Enterprises has secured eight AN/PVS-14 weapon sight/monoculars that they are able to offer for $2,995 each. These are the new third generation Pinnacle Autogated units with a five year warranty. OBTW, I have a PVS-14 here at the Rawles Ranch that I bought from JRH Enterprises, and I absolutely love it.    o o o Montana lawmakers suggest Congress should be on trial in gun law dispute.    o o o G.G. sent this piece “for those who buy expensive gear and don’t know how to use it”: Aspiring sailor trying to sail round the UK circles the Isle …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 28 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. It was written under a pseudonym. 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.), …


A Tale of Two Currencies, by Penrod Schofield

Will day to day economic transactions in America in the years ahead continue pretty much as they have for the last century or so, or will they change? In other words, what will ground-level finances look like in five or ten years—or possibly three or five years? To answer that question, at least to the extent that I’m able (I’m not a professional economist), I reviewed my own experience, and studied up a bit on history. The answer I came up with isn’t outlandish or apocalyptic, but it’s still not a pretty picture. First, a bit about me: I’m in …


Letter Re: Advice on a Multipurpose Rifle

Dear Mr. Rawles: In reading the responses to Criss K.’s question regarding a good multi-purpose rifle I was surprised to find no mention of the Savage 99. The later Model 99 can be found in .308 [Winchester] with a detachable box magazine and while “collector” grade rifles command a higher price, “shooter” grade rifles can generally be found for a very reasonable price. Granted, you can’t get high capacity magazines for these, but this lever action does address the problem of reload time and you get the power and availability of the .308 [Winchester] caliber. Thank you, – Will S.