Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 42 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 any …




1,000 Bottles of Water on the Roof, by James C.

It is predicted that 76 million people will die from water related diseases by the year 2020. This statistic may be a drastic underestimation if the collapse occurs before the end of the decade. Imagine that you just used up your last pocket micro-filter, and although you have access to fresh water, you have no way to purify it. You think about starting a fire to cleanse your mucky pond water or reclaimed rainwater, but looters have sacked several outposts that you trade with in the area, and you fear smoke from a fire may draw unwanted attention to your …




Letter Re: Getting A Mortgage After Relocating

Dear Mr. Rawles, I would like to share with your readers our story on obtaining a mortgage after relocating to one of the Redoubt States. Unfortunately, we did not have enough cash and could not get a loan from relatives, so we needed a mortgage.   We relocated to the American Redoubt last summer and started renting, as is usually advised. By winter, we were ready to buy our own place. But before finally getting a favorable loan with US Bank, we had quite unpleasant experience with one of the smaller local banks. After providing them with all kinds of …




Economics and Investing:

Tim J. sent a link to an excellent essay by Wayne Allyn Root with some sobering comparisons to 1929: Why we are on the brink of the greatest Depression of all time. From G.G.: Nearly half of Fannie Mae REO unable to reach market GOP boosts gold ahead of convention B.B. sent: Big Income Losses for Those Near Retirement Items from The Economatrix: S&P 500:  The War For 1,400 Has Begun 8 Economic Threats That We Were Not Even Talking About At The Beginning Of Summer Eric Sprott:  The Financial System’s Death Knell? Gerald Celente:  The Fate Of The World, …




Odds ‘n Sods:

F.J.R. spotted this: Heavy Duty 275 Gallon Rain Barrel    o o o Reader S.O.B. sent this: Migration in the Americas: US retirees flock to Nicaragua    o o o Jake K. suggested a brief video tour of The Utah Bishops’ Central Storehouse. [JWR’s Comment: While there is a doctrinal chasm that forever divides us, I greatly admire the dedication of the LDS church in encouraging food storage.]    o o o Over at Packing Pretty: The Heart of the Matter: Why We Carry. And speaking of concealed carry, here is one to file under Sour Grapes: Boulder Students Can …




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the …