Year: 2012

Letter Re: Shipping Containers — A Retreat on the Cheap

James, to follow up on the recent article, here is some additional info your readers might find valuable on shipping containers for storage and housing….  We have over a dozen at our ranch that we use for storage, so I’ll share a bit about that use for containers.  These containers are the cheapest space you can “build”.  They are weatherproof, earthquake proof, will probably make it through tornados and hurricanes, in short, they are excellent all around space. If you can afford them, you should stick to the “one trip” containers because they will be in near perfect condition — …


Recipe of the Week:

Jackie and Brenda’s Venison Chili 1 ½ pounds ground venison 2 cans light red kidney beans, drained 1 Six ounce can tomato paste 1 Twenty eight ounce can crushed tomatoes 1 onion, diced Chili powder and ground red pepper, to taste.   Brown venison and onion together in large pot or Dutch oven. Add all other ingredients and cook on low heat for 1 to 1½ hours or 1½ to 2 hours if using dried beans. Chef’s Notes: Dried kidney beans can also be used but be aware that red kidney beans require longer soaking than other beans to reduce …


Economics and Investing:

Reader R.B.S. sent this: Schools Pass Debt to the Next Generation M.E.W. web-wandered into this: California Doesn’t Exist—It’s Now Two States Debt bubble amnesia – 40 percent increase of Americans with accounts in collection in the last decade. System still heavily reliant on extreme consumption. Items from The Economatrix: 2012 Gas Prices Head For Record Factory Output In U.S. Climbs As Prices Remain Tame 22 Stats That Show How The Emerging One World Economy Is Absolutely Killing American Workers The Portuguese Run Out Of Gold To Sell


Odds ‘n Sods:

In keeping with our well-entrenched philosophy of redundancy, we now have five ways to cut firewood at the Rawles Ranch: 1.) A reliable (but noisy) Stihl 024 gas engine chainsaw with a 20″ bar, 2.) An assortment of felling axes and mauls, 3.) an early-1900s vintage 1-1/2 man saw, 4.) A Makita electric chainsaw that can be powered by quiet a Yamaha 2.8 KW inverter genset carried in the back of our utility ATV, and 5.) An even smaller Black & Decker 18-Volt cordless electric chainsaw. (The latter lacks the muscle for anything more than cutting saplings or for limb …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries 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 …


Technology Today, by KCLO4

Let me premise this by saying I am no expert in the material I will provide. I, like most everyone on this site, is an avid hobbyist in these matters. For some background on me though, I am a Mathematics and Computer Science Major in my fourth year of college, a phone and computer enthusiast, I enjoy white hat hacking and build computers for fun. Maybe not the average prepper, but I get by. I am writing this article as I have found almost nothing on modern technology in the several blogs that I visit on a daily basis, even …


Getting On The Bandwagon — 30 Steps For Mainstream Preppers, by Boreal C.

People who are interested in preparedness seem to love lists.   So, I have compiled a list of 30 steps that may be useful for average families who don’t necessarily have a hideout in the mountains (yet).  This list is by no means all-inclusive and it presumes a basic background in preparedness.  In other words, I hope you have been reading this blog for a long time already!  I am a proud military wife and mother of two grade school students.  I have a master’s degree in chemistry.  We are just an average family trying to get by in uncertain times. …


Letter Re: Armoring an SUV?

Hello, I’m wondering what the best method is to bulletproof my inherited Jeep Grand Cherokee. I’m 16 years old and I have inherited a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I’m planning on bulletproofing it for the coming apocalypse. I was wondering what the best materials and method would be to do so and approximately how much it would cost to do so if you have any guesses. Sincerely,  – Noland JWR Replies: The proper term is “bullet resistant.” The cost of effectively armoring a car is fairly high. To have it be effective, it is not a do-it-yourself job. Either  you have …


Economics and Investing:

The Telegraph reports: Finland prepares for break-up of eurozone. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.) Tyler Durden: Why QE Is Not Working Also at Zero Hedge: US Treasury Admits It Conducted A Circular Ponzi Scheme For Years Wall Street’s Teflon Don Jon: Jon Corzine avoids charges Items from The Economatrix: A Surprise Economic Indicator That’s Looking Up Mish:  Syracuse, NY, Headed For Bankruptcy, 100% Certain Prepare For US and Euro Collapse:  The Next One Will Be The Big One


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Scotty R. mentioned: Chicken of the trees — The rural eastern gray squirrel has long been a valued food source, but what about its urban cousin?    o o o I see that the Spanish edition of my first novel (“Patriotas“) is now available in both paperback and Kindle editions. The cover is a bit garish (and dare I say “Costneresque” or perhaps something like a screen capture from Homefront), but it is nice to see that the novel available in yet another language. (There are now nine foreign publishing contracts in place to produce editions in eight languages …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they mays obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though [they be] so great, and [are] driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course …


Notes from JWR:

Today is the birthday of the late Patrick Swayze (born August 18, 1952, died September 14, 2009.) Regardless of how good the 2012 Red Dawn remake is, the original Red Dawn from 1984 will always be remembered as the benchmark, and of course Swayze will always be remembered for his leading role. — 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 …


Shipping Containers — A Retreat on the Cheap, by Frederic W.

I would like to shed light on the convenience, structural soundness, and affordability of ISO shipping containers [commonly calles CONEXes] as potential add-ons, storage, or primary structure for your retreat or year-round compound. As an individual of efficiency, I am writing this article with the intent of casting out some research I have done on these containers; what they are capable of in a capacity form, and their versatility as a livable space. I hope many find this informative in its purist sense. Availability: Due to the nature of our global economy, especially in reference to the U.S. and its …


Two Letters Re: Camouflage Painting Firearms

Dear Mr. Rawles: As an addendum to the Friday piece on “Camouflage Painting Firearms” by Kyrottimus, I recommend this piece: Weapons Painting 101, a bulletin from the US Army TACOM detailing the officially-approved techniques for painting small arms. Cordially, – John N. Dear Editor: Regarding “Camouflage Painting Firearms”, you may want to point folks to this rather well-illustrated tutorial on painting your AR in the Multicam pattern, found over at AR15.com: How to Multicam your rifle…on the cheap! Regards, – T.