Year: 2011

Letter Re: Some Investment Options for the Prepper

JWR: Regarding the article “Some Investment Options for the Prepper”, K.P. suggested: “Real Estate Rentals – Buying real estate now? Are you crazy? No, not at all.” No, K.P. isn’t crazy, but I believe that he is uninformed. For many decades I have been bullish on real estate, but the rules have changed, and this time those changes are permanent and come with very serious consequences for those who hold a mortgage. Details of “The forever mortgage” were quickly spelled out, and then any information of “The forever mortgage” disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Real estate is great and …


Economics and Investing:

Reader Linda U. sent this: Five Things that Will Happen to You When America Goes Bankrupt Pierre M. spotted this: Faux job numbers could lead to real trouble G.G. suggested this piece: How Safe Is Your Roth IRA? Also from G.G.: Charles Plosser and the 50% Contraction in the Fed’s Balance Sheet G.P. recommended this New York Post article: Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Edge Higher on Better Economic Data Fed Survey: US Economy Improves in Spring Oil Falls as Hopes Grow for Libyan Cease-fire Gold Advances to Record on Weakening …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Trapper Mike sent this: Future farm: a sunless, rainless room indoors    o o o Pierre M. sent us a link to an interesting site on van modifications–showing real world experience with both four wheel drive and photovoltaic power systems.    o o o Bill in Virginia sent this: Hanging out at the Sensible Preppers Conference (in South Carolina.)    o o o F.H. recommended this article: North Dakota the First to Pass New Tactic Against Federal Debt    o o o G.G. liked this one: Feral chickens have proliferated in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute." – Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791


Letter Re: Let’s Talk About Trapping: North American Furbearers

Letter Re: Let’s Talk About Trapping: North American Furbearer As a fellow trapper I enthusiastically read the article on trapping and although I have never eaten Raccoon. I can vouch that beaver and muskrat are good meat sources. Muskrat, I do not eat regularly, but beaver is more substantial and I do regularly take the meat and the skin is durable enough to be used for hats, mittens, coats, etc. When skinning beaver take care not to cut the castor glands, first these smell awful and would taint the meat, second you can sell them, and third you can use these to …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 34 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 , …


Getting Your Kids Ready for TEOTWAWKI, by D.M.

My wife and I are both in our late 30s and have just started living a life of preparedness.  Unfortunately, we started this journey just after building a new house on 15 acres in Northeastern Minnesota.  We wish we had a few years back to build over with a different frame of mind, but we count our blessings and enjoy our rural location.  We live on my single income (about $70,000) and have four beautiful children, ages 4 through 9. While having four children makes life a little more interesting financially, by being frugal, we have still been able to …


Coffee in a Post-Collapse Society, by T.R.

I have read many articles stating that if you have any addictions to nicotine, caffeine or alcohol that now is the time to change your habits so that your dependency on them in their absence are easier to tolerate. My coffee habit is less a habit-at least that’s what I tell myself-and more of an enjoyment of life. That being said, in moderation coffee actually has an anti-oxidant property- justification is always a sign of a habit I know – not to mention the benefit of assisting in staying alert during a night watch task. As a previous specialty coffee …


Letter Re: Maps of Caves and Mining Districts

Mr. Editor: I was wondering if you could tell us a resource online where to find the locations of caves/mine shafts, or other underground shelters around the country.  I have tried to do this unsuccessfully, maybe a reader knows?  Thanks. – Robert R. JWR Replies: That goes a bit outside my expertise. I’m not a spelunker. Perhaps some SurvivalBlog readers have bookmarked some good web sites or could recommend a few books.


Letter Re: A Review of Inmarsat’s IsatPhone Pro

Jim, I recently bought an Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro satellite telephone. I had set some requirements for a satellite phone (“satphone”) , including true worldwide operation, good reliability, and reasonable price, and the IsatPhone Pro (introduced in 2010) was not just the best deal, but the only phone that met all my my requirements. I shopped around for a few months and eventually bought the IsatPhone Pro Emergency Kit from GMPCS, a Florida-based retailer. This kit is priced at $821. It includes the phone (normally around $600 from online sellers), one year of “Emergency” service priced at $150/year with 60 minutes of airtime, …


Economics and Investing:

Ponder the implications: Iceland voters reject plan to repay bank debt. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.) Loyal content contributor C.D.V. sent this: IMF Cuts U.S. Growth Forecast on Oil, ‘Lackluster’ Jobs Pace Over at Fierce Finance: MERS stokes local controversies. Some interesting observation on global currency moves, over at Malthus University: Update from INET. Reading back through the thread of of posts makes it clear that The Powers That Be (led by George Soros) may have plans for a new global currency. Meanwhile, over at The Daily Bell, we read: IMF Plots Role as World’s Central Bank? Items …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) accurately predicted this recent Doublethink news from England in his first novel: Extinguishers banned as a fire safety hazard.    o o o Speaking of Michael Z. Williamson’s novels, Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore is starting the advance order for “Rogue.”  Please note that Mike’s novels contain adult situations, language and violence, so they are not suitable for juveniles. “Rogue ” is a sequel to “The Weapon“, but can be read as a stand-alone work. This is the first hardcover edition, and comes with a tipped in (glued) sheet printed by Baen, and …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 34 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 , …


Preventing Grain Spoilage by Insects, by Jim in New Hampshire

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I’m big on food storage and my hobby is finding and photographing beetles. These two interests converge when grain beetles start reproducing in my stored grain products.   I had bought some 50-lb. bags of corn and oats at the Tractor Supply Company store, intending to treat them for insects and put them up in 5-gallon buckets. I never got around to it and eventually noticed tiny grain weevils showing up around the house. The grain had not only become infested with Rice Weevils but their droppings had produced a lot of ammonia that turned the oak flooring dark beneath …