Notes from JWR:

For just today (12/12/12) Camping Survival is giving away a free 50-foot hank of paracord with each order. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 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 …




Your Ultimate Survival Binder, by Mia M.

  Most of us are aware that the world is full of “WHAT Ifs.”   “What if… my house catches fire, and I have to get out quickly?”   “What if… my purse or wallet is stolen?”   “What if… my family is separated, and I need help finding them?”   One of the most useful items in a well-prepared survivalist’s inventory can help in almost any disaster scenario… and is simple and inexpensive to acquire. We call ours the “Bug-Out Binder,” but you can give yours any name you choose. The best part of an Emergency Binder is that …




Letter Re: Making Our Bug Out Bags Work: Shaving Weight

James, First, thanks for the great blog.  I wanted to take a minute and let the readers know of a great way to test what it is like to be stressed and carry a load of 40 plus pounds for an extended period of time.  Last weekend I participated in a GoRuck Challenge.  The premise is based on Special Forces type training where participants (max of 30 per event) act as a team to accomplish any task that the cadre gives them.  There are a few requirements, the most notable being that each person 150 lbs or more must cary …




Two Letters Re: How to Thwart Nigerian Scammers: Demand Proof of Life

James,  Another variation to watch out for is when the scammer asks you to pay using an escrow account supposedly managed by Amazon or eBay.   A too good to be true add is found, you respond, the scammer/seller tells you he sells using an eBay escrow account. The merchandise will ship to you after you send a check to Escrow. The scammer directs you to a link sent in the scammers/sellers email that appears to be an eBay site.   The scammer creates the illusion of security using a brand like eBay with some official looking legal contract showing how …




Economics and Investing:

Peter Schiff: Many Other Cliffs Await the US Economy Jim W. suggested this from Alasdair MacLeod: Short squeeze ahead? Gold futures market heading for crisis. Yishai sent this:Insane: Liberals Contemplate $1 Trillion Platinum Coin to “Solve” Debt Limit Issue R.B.S. sent this from Oregon: Overdue Portland sewer bills to become property tax bills The World’s Strangest Currencies Items from The Economatrix: The Straw That Breaks The Euro’s Back:  Euro Crash Imminent? Amid “Cliff” Stalemate, Main Street Deteriorates Triple-digit Recession, AAA Loss Loom For UK




Odds ‘n Sods:

There Are Now Approximately 3 Million Preppers In The United States, Why Are They Hated So Much?    o o o Reader Jordan B. sent: US intelligence study sees possible fight ahead over water, food    o o o Where building codes collide with common sense: Watauga County ‘mountain man’ fighting to keep his nature camp open. (Thanks to James S. for the link.)    o o o Reader Rodger E. mentioned a new aluminum Side Saddle shell holder is available for Mossberg 500 and 590 owners. They cleverly use a Picatinny-style rail, for mounting.    o o o 12 …