Day: March 3, 2014

Notes from HJL:

In analyzing the Ukraine, I’m finding interesting facts about an area that I have known little of. To me, it appears that the Ukraine is in a similar position to the U.S. in 1776. Much of the country is pro-Russia and much of it is pro-Independant. While the U.S. government makes much ado (at least with their lips) regarding Putin putting forces on the ground in Ukraine, it appears that there are long-standing agreements in place that allow Russia access to facilities in the Black Sea. P.M. sent in this link showing maps of Ukraine from the New York Times …


Guest Article: Precious Metals Month In Review, by Steven Cochran

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in review. Every month, we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals, covering everything from price action to the information that’s driving the numbers. February In Precious Metals Three major factors for precious metals in February were Chinese physical demand; poor economic news in the U.S. (which was blamed on sequential blizzards); and emerging market crises, especially Ukraine. China Chinese gold sales last month hit 246 metric tons – a record for January – but the pace didn’t slow down after the Lunar New Year as expected. Chinese gold buyers …


Guest Article: Jailbreak Your IRA Before It Becomes MyRA, by William Lehr

I am not suggesting the IRA LLC is the bulletproof solution to government confiscation of retirement accounts. However, the LLC investment company does offer another layer of protection. If the government requires a percentage of accounts be invested in treasuries, for example, they may very well come after self-directed IRAs and require them to sell real estate, metals, or any other asset to fulfill the new bond investment obligation. If they come after these specific self-directed IRA LLCs, the individual has the choice to comply or to not comply. Non-compliance certainly has its ramifications, and I am not endorsing it, …


Pat’s Product Review: Magnum Research Desert Eagle 1911C

I’m asked, all the time by readers, and students who take some of my handgun training, what is my “favorite gun.” Well, I think most of the time, they mean “handgun” and not just “gun.” Well, I honestly can’t give a pat answer to that question…usually, whatever I have strapped on my hip is my “favorite” gun – at the moment. And, what’s right for me, may not be right for you. I can’t pick a gun for you, it’s a pretty subjective issue as far as I’m concerned. Folks also ask me what kind of handgun they should get …


Pat’s Product Review: 750 & 550 Parachute Cord From 5 Col Survival Supply

I get contacted by SurvivalBlog readers daily, and I take the time to answer each e-mail, and I have to keep my replies short, because my time is limited. I’m often asked, “what should I carry in my BOB?” and I can’t really give a definitive answer to that. It depends on where you live, you age, your own personal requirements, when do you plan to bug out to, and other factors. Many readers send me a list of all the things they have packed in their BOB, and most are pretty well equipped for many different emergencies. One item …


Recipe Of The Week: Arizona Cowgirl’s Potato Sausage Skillet

Arizona Cowgirl’s Potato Sausage Skillet Recipe. We really enjoy this dish, and it’s a delicious ‘comfort’ food on a cold wintry day! Ingredients are: 4 large baking potatoes, peeled & sliced thin. 1/2 diced sweet onion 1/4 Red or green Bell Pepper, diced Combine the above veggies in a large 12″ skillet with cooking oil. Cook covered on low heat, stirring occasionally. While these cook, add the following ingredients as you prep them: 1 whole smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced thin. 1 small can of diced green chilies. Fresh cut Broccoli, as much as you like. Salt and pepper to taste. …


Letter Re: American Made Tools And Tool Boxes?

Greetings, As always, thank you for the survival blog. It is a wonderful resource. I remember seeing a link or list of American made products, but I can’t find it on the site. I’m starting tool boxes for my young children for either DIY home projects or for survival on the homestead after the SHTF. Do you have any suggestions for quality American made tool boxes and hand tools? Thanks – JR HJL Replies: JWR posted a list of companies that sell American made gear and tools last year. If our readers are aware of any others, we would be …


Economics And Investing:

E.B. – Looks like the fed leadership is introducing the idea of inflation as a “solution”. I don’t think this is a mistake nor a spur of the moment idea. This was probably a planned comment. Fed may need to let inflation run hot to meet goals: Evans Items from The Economatrix: Yellen Repeats Fed Likely To Keep Trimming Asset Purchases Viedeo: RED ALERT VIDEO! RUN, DON’T WALK FROM THE U.S. STOCK MARKET. By Gregory Mannarino Is This Time Bomb Going To Implode The Economy? The Coming Global Monetary Reset


Odds ‘n Sods:

K.G. sent this link in on wood choping: Less effort, more wood and safer too. Something that could be built by just about any reader here. o o o H.L. sent in this link on 11 sure signs you’ve been hacked. In today’s threatscape, antivirus software provides little piece of mind. In fact, anti-malware scanners on the whole are horrifically inaccurate, especially with exploits less than 24 hours old. After all, malicious hackers and malware can change their tactics at will. Swap a few bytes around, and a previously recognized malware program becomes unrecognizable. o o o In light of …