Month: June 2011

Letter Re: Microclimates in the Redoubt States?

Sir: Thank you for your continuing work. 1. How would you suggest we research micro-climates in areas of interest in the American Redoubt? 2. For those of us in the 50-60 age group, single, and raising grandchildren is there a place for us? I don’t believe I have the physical strength/endurance and certainly not knowledge to forge out a place in the “wilderness” at this age. How about the possibility of teaming up with a family who needs a “grandma” and extra pair of hands to help with domestic/garden duties? Yes, I do have skills I could make a living …


Two Letters Re: Extreme Coupon Prepping

Mister Rawles; Someone recently mentioned that some people buy too much stuff with coupons that they can’t possibly use up.  Also there was someone who usually buys “cheap” products like V05 shampoo, etc.  I have been couponing for four years.  My husband is a pastor and we took a lesser-paying church about the time the economy went South.  Then we added a family member.  I prayed and asked the Lord what to do.  We were spending $500-to-$600 each month on groceries with me trying to buy less expensive stuff, cheaper cuts of meat, etc.  I have always lived a frugal …


Economics and Investing:

Fed: Default would be dangerous; Fitch may cut rating. (A hat tip to Sue C. for the link.) The dreaded “D” word is spoken: China warns U.S. debt-default idea is “playing with fire” K.A.F. sent this interview of Peter Schiff: Lack of buyers may force Treasury to boost interest rates Reader J.B.G. spotted this: True Cost of Fannie, Freddie Bailouts: $317 Billion, CBO Says Reason # 4,386,662 to leave the Mickey Mouse State: California taps highest income taxpayers for more revenue. (A hat tip to Tom B. for the link.) B.B. spotted this: Federal Reserve Set to Implode Economy. Also …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The EU Preppers Blog (mostly in German) has some interesting coverage of the current e. coli outbreak.    o o o Solar flare threatens to disrupt Earth’s communications and power. (J.B.G. kindly sent the link.)    o o o Peeved patient proud of penny protest. (Thanks to J.J.H. for the link.)    o o o Frequent content contributor Pierre M. flagged an article from Nanny State California: LAPD seeks tighter regulations on toy guns    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large sent this humorous video clip: Most Tactical AR-15… EVER! (The scary thing is that some well-intentioned Mall Ninjas …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Disaster is rarely as pervasive as it seems from recorded accounts. The fact of being on the record makes it appear continuous and ubiquitous whereas it is more likely to have been sporadic both in time and place. Besides, persistence of the normal is usually greater than the effect of the disturbance, as we know from our own times. After absorbing the news of today, one expects to face a world consisting entirely of strikes, crimes, power failures, broken water mains, stalled trains, school shutdowns, muggers, drug addicts, neo-Nazis, and rapists. The fact is that one can come home in …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 35 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round 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 $795, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and …


An Urban Camouflage Get Home Bag, by K.S.

As I live and work in a small city, and do not have a survival retreat to bail out to, over the years I have been giving much thought into how I would get home should an EMP or CME strand me away from home. I have looked at others suggestions such as small backpacks or laptop cases. I have read the debates as to what to wear to blend in while making your way home. I have had a few get home bags (GHBs) that held the things I needed, but I felt that they would look out of …


Letter Re: Web-Based Soil Survey Maps as a Resource for Retreat Selection

Dear Mr. Rawles, I came across this web site: SoilWeb: An Online Soil Survey. Its purpose is to allow users to access NRCS and NCSS 1:24,000 scale detailed soil survey data (SSURGO) in many parts of the lower 48 states. Where this data is not yet available, 1:250,000 scale generalized soils data (STATSGO) can be accessed instead. (In Arizona, California, and Nevada only.) An interactive map interface allows for panning and zooming, with highways, streets, and aerial photos to assist navigation. This could be useful for those considering relocation, as soil make-up and condition should be a consideration for any …


Letter Re: Stocking Up on Nickels

Mr. Rawles,   After packing many rolls of nickels in .30 caliber ammo cans, I now use a much quicker storage method. Specifically, I discovered that I can place five cardboard boxes of nickels that I buy from the bank ($500) directly into one 20 mm ammo can. The five cardboard boxes fit perfectly in the can, with no extra room. I can load each can in only 1-2 minutes. The packed cans are heavy (maybe 115-120 pounds), and therefore difficult to move. So I usually position each can where I plan to store it before placing the boxes in it. I bought a bunch of 20 …


Economics and Investing:

J.D.D. recommended this excellent video clip: Must See Tom Woods Speech. Woods is a very entertaining and thought-provoking speaker. Matt R. sent this: Will Germany and France stave off a Greek default? My Big Fat Greek Debt Default: Greece, the Global Perspective. (Thanks to Kostas for the link.) Courtesy of Pierre M.: Taxpayers Dollars Still Bailing Out Banks G.G. flagged this: Falling from housing peak: John McMonigle’s ride Items from The Economatrix: Consumers Borrowed More For 7th Straight Month Companies Pulled Back On Job Postings In April Stock Indexes Fall For 5th Straight Day OPEC Split Over Increasing Oil Production …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Here come the CMEs: Sun Unleashes ‘Spectacular’ & Powerful Eruption. Oh, and speaking of CMEs: NASA’s Solar Shield to Protect Power Grids From Sun Storms    o o o F.J. mentioned this over at Instructables: Paracord Strap Wrap. (That is just one example of the dozens of preparedness-oriented how-to project articles you’ll find there.)    o o o California, the state built on gold prospecting, is set to outlaw … gold prospecting. (Thanks to G.P. for the link.)    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio wrote to give an update on the OC-1 knife that he designed, …



Notes from JWR:

Today (June 7, 2011) is Book Bomb Day for the new book The Simplicity Primer, by Patrice Lewis. We highly recommended her book. It should be fun to watch the Amazon rankings, as the day progresses. (For comparison, it was ranked around #16,000 on Monday.) — The first article today is a product review written by SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large, Michael Z. Williamson. “Mad Mike” is a renaissance man: He’s a science fiction writer, firearms expert, a graphic designer, bladesmith, sport parachutist, martial artist, world traveler, and a historical re-enactor. Mike was Born in Birkenhead, England, but is a naturalized …


Product Review: Rock River Arms PDS Piston Driven Carbine

The PDS is Rock River Arms’ entry into the piston AR market.  I’ve never been enthusiastic about this concept, but Rock River Arms (RRA) put some serious design thought into this weapon, and the results are impressive. Here are some pictures. Starting at the rear, it has a side-folding stock, because the recoil system isn’t in a receiver extension inside it.  This is a significant advantage for transport and carry.  The folder mechanism does take a bit of getting used to.  It requires lifting the stock out of a deep detent.  It locks solidly in place open or closed, and …


Two Letters Re: Extreme Coupon Prepping

Sir: I just wanted to add a few comments to Y.M.’s extreme couponing prepping article. Shoppers fall into three categories: 1 ) the busy, unplanned shopper, 2 )  the rookie shopper and 3 ) the Olympian. The busy shopper just runs in the store and buys whatever is there. The rookie saves 10-20% and the Olympian saves about 80-90 %. I am definitely in the rookie category. I can save 20-40 % by just shopping the front and back page of the store’s weekly circular. Also if  you cook and do not eat out of boxes, you have additional savings. …