Day: October 2, 2012

Note from JWR:

Today we present the first entry for Round 43 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 …


The End Game, by M.W.A.

Preparedness, planning, survival… Words we heed and respect as part of our every day lives for the past few years and for some, the past couple of decades. We know not what the event will be, or if the SHTF will be a multi-pronged crisis. We just know that WTSHTF is inevitable and addressing basic needs is an absolute must. Preparation starts by accumulating the rudimentary elements of survival: food, water, shelter, medical supplies, security, survival skills and a basic reactionary plan. We research and consume information through articles, books and web sites dedicated to different skills and techniques of …


Letter Re: Advice on Home Purchase: Minimize or Maximize Mortgage?

Dear James, I really enjoy your blog and try to read it every day. My husband and I live in New Jersey. We just sold our house in May and are renting for a year while we try to figure out where to move next. Unfortunately, our home lost a lot of equity so we only have $55,000 to use towards our next house. Do you believe it is better to pay cash for a house or is it wise to get a mortgage since interest rates are so low? Our original plan was to buy our next home with …


News From The American Redoubt:

For newcomers to SurvivalBlog, here is my primer on the geography and philosophy of The American Redoubt    o o o Combine demolition derby renews BSU-UI rivalry    o o o Wyoming rig count down three: The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. remained unchanged this week at 1,864. And in related news: Red states equal green jobs.    o o o Notice a great big hole in this map of school districts where teachers have been caught cheating on standardized tests? Yes, it is the American Redoubt. Well, to my chagrin there …


Economics and Investing:

W.C.P. suggested this video: Why the U.S. Federal Budget CANNOT be Balanced. RBS sent another video link: America’s Book of Secrets – Fort Knox H.L. sent: Cronyism Is Destroying Spain’s Future Items from The Economatrix: Deleveraging from One Bubble to Another Bernanke is Now a Kamikaze Pilot Panic Cash Withdrawals in Spain Drain Banks; Greece-style Economic Implosion Now Imminent What Key Shipping Index Signals About the Economy


Odds ‘n Sods:

H.L. suggested this: Meet the largest [private] landowner in America    o o o Dentist Dr. Tom Loomis will be teaching another two-day Field Dentistry Class, in Sweetwater, Tennessee on Nov. 30, and Dec. 1, 2012. Enrollment is limited to just 12 students. The class costs $400 per person. To register, send $200 by check or money order to Tom Loomis DDS, P.O. Box 510, Sweetwater, TN 37874. Phone number: 423-371-1073, or e-mail: tom.loomis@yahoo.com The class will be held at the Magnuson Hotel in Sweetwater at exit 60 off of Interstate 75. Rooms are $35 plus tax if you ask for …