Month: April 2012

Letter Re: Mortgages–WTSHF, Inflation and Deflation

Hello Mr. Rawles, First of all, thank you for all that you do.  Your books and your site are invaluable information to me.  They have helped me to get pretty-well prepared.    I have a question about debt.  Every survival type that I have listened to or read says “get out of debt”.  I am out of debt, but I am considering obtaining a small mortgage in order to be able to purchase a place that will be a better refuge location for me and my family.  (Unfortunately, it will have to be on the east side of the Mississippi …


Economics and Investing:

“Not if, but when” for Spanish bailout, experts believe For Two Economists, the Buffett Rule Is Just a Start. These French commueconomists want to punish anyone who is successful. And speaking of French economists, here are some that are more croyable: Global systemic crisis – France 2012-2014: The big republican earthquake and its international impact Ken S. recommended this piece over at The Daily Reckoning: Global Derivatives: Like Two Drunks Leaning On Each Other At Zero Hedge: Chris Martenson: “The Trouble With Money”. (Thanks to Jim T. for the link.) And if those gloomy-doomy charts weren’t enough for you, then …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader B.B. spotted this: Hacking Expert David Chalk Joins Urgent Call to Halt Smart Grid: “100% certainty of catastrophic failure of energy grid within three years”    o o o New Mexico man takes unique approach to protect home from fires. (Thanks to Scott B. for the link.)    o o o One of those “Small World Department” moments, from videoblogger “SGT” Planecast with a PATRIOT – Part One. He notes: “Recently I had the good fortune of meeting and interviewing a newly awakened patriot on a plane trip out east. The passenger sitting next to me just happened to …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Vigorous measures at present would soon put an end to this rebellion. The deluded people are made to believe that they are invincible…. When this army is ordered to act against them, they will soon be convinced that they are very insignificant when opposed to regular troops." – Major Thomas Pitcairn, Royal Marines, in a letter from Boston to John Montagu, Lord Sandwich, the Secretary of State, 1775.


Note from JWR:

Today we present two more entries for Round 40 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for …


How to Extend the Shelf Life of Food and Save on Groceries, by Vicki W.

In 2010, our family became aware of the need to become more prepared in the event of disaster or financial collapse.  Having not lived this lifestyle, learning about what it takes to do this was quite overwhelming.  I began to scour the internet for food storage ideas.  I even took a small food storage introductory class held by a local Mormon woman who has a passion to teach on this subject.  I started learning skills like bread baking, dehydrating, Dutch oven cooking, etc. I learned that a Foodsaver machine could vacuum mason jar lids and effectively preserve foods.  Although pricey, …


Simple Defense Tactics That Can Save Your Life, by Belle Ringer

As a woman, I had heretofore never envisioned myself in the scenarios I am about to describe.  The decay of our society and culture has made it necessary for me to know how to defend myself.  It hasn’t been an easy decision to make, but professional training in proper handgun handling has empowered me.   Through hours of practice, I am learning to be a responsible and proficient handgun owner.  I take my privilege of carrying a gun seriously, and recent national events should serve to inform all of us to avoid violent encounters whenever possible.  I carry a gun …


Two Letters Re: Firearms Laws in England

Mr Rawles, Regarding the recent letter from D.S. on security in the UK: while he is certainly correct on the current problems with politics, employment, and prepping in a high-rise, he is mistaken on firearms. I hope the following details on UK law, gained over twenty years of shooting, will be of some use. The licenses: FAC – firearms certificate, the UK’s more permissive “gun licence”. SGC – shotgun certificate, the UK’s less permissive “gun licence”. A FAC will be granted if you can show “good reason” for wanting one. Pest control, deer hunting, target shooting, etc. all constitute “good …


Economics and Investing:

I just noticed that the silver to gold price ratio has bounced back up to 52-to-1. (It is wise to study these charts.) In my estimation, we have reached another good opportunity to ratio trade out of gold coins and into silver coins, especially for anyone that is over-invested in gold. Be sure to sell gold on a peak day, and buy silver on a dip day. Before this decade is out, I predict the Ag/Au ratio will be under 30-to-1. And by the time we pass our coins on to our great-grandchildren, the ratio may be as low as …


Odds ‘n Sods:

DuPont’s armored car kit a hit in Brazil. (Thanks to Paul B. for the link.)    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this: Archivist seeks one of every book written    o o o Tom Sciacca (of Camping Survival) asks: How much water is enough?    o o o KAF flagged this article: New York Mills Woodworker Offering ‘Build Your Own Casket’ Classes, Coffin Furniture    o o o I will be a guest speaker (via teleconference) at the Get Prepared Expo, in Springfield, Missouri . The expo will be held on April 28 & …



Note from JWR:

Today we present two more entries for Round 40 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for …


From Rainwater to Drinking Water, by Former Echo Trooper

Thanks for what SurvivalBlog done for the prepper community. I just had a feeling weighing on my heart to share this information. So here it is. In any survival situation, water is in the top two things that must be had in order to survive if not at the top of the list. What I’m going to describe is how to set up a rainwater catchment system. The first thing to do is decide how much water you want to harvest. Then you need to decide how to hold that amount. Whether it is a couple food grade 55 gallon …


Ninja Prepping: Learning from the Medieval Mystery Warriors of Japan, by Alex N.

Imagining guys running around in black pajamas and swords, disappearing in a puff of smoke? Well let’s start with a proper… non Hollywood idea of what the Ninja were… or are… and then see what we can learn from them. Today we have this image of the Ninja as evil assassins sneaking around Japanese castles and killing under cover of night. What most people don’t know is that the Ninja were simple farmers, priests and shopkeepers who were forced out of Japanese society and hunted by their own government. They were the ultimate survivors. In fact the word Ninja in …


Letter Re: Cold Steel Bushman Knives

Mr. Rawles, I feel compelled to comment on Pat’s latest review for the Cold Steel “Bushman” line of knives. I have been a Cold Steel fan for years and like Pat, am completely sold on their products, and I have owned/own a lot of their line. I have owned approximately 15 Bushman knives over the years, some I gave away to friends and family and some I still own…and some I’ve broke. Yes, it broke. Towards the end of Pat’s review, he talks about attaching the hollow handle of the Bushman to a good wood shaft.  I wanted to try …