Year: 2017

Preparing For The Cashless Transition

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Most western nations will soon adopt digital currency. Already, more than 80% of day-to-day transactions in the First World are settled with debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, or checks. In Europe, the use of the EC card—a sort of interbank debit card—has become ubiquitous. Going “cashless” is the Big Trend. With the now widespread use of smart phones, payment for many small transactions is as simple as just waving a phone at the checkout counter. (This is a so-called “contactless” or “mobile wallet” purchase.) Mobile wallets, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, are catching on rapidly.  So …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods – a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Central & South America news starts us off today. Nanny State Reader H.L. sent in this article on Chicago not allowing high school students to graduate without a plan for the future. She also sends this comment: “There is so many things wrong about this concept, I hardly know where to start


The Editors’ Quote of the Day

“Slavery is such an atrocious debasement of human nature, that its very extirpation, if not performed with solicitous care, may sometimes open a source of serious evils. The unhappy man who has been treated as a brute animal, too frequently sinks beneath the common standard of the human species. The galling chains, that bind his body, do also fetter his intellectual faculties, and impair the social affections of his heart… To instruct, to advise, to qualify those, who have been restored to freedom, for the exercise and enjoyment of civil liberty… and to procure for their children an education calculated …


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – July 05, 2017

On July 5, 1810, P. T. Barnum, the great American showman, was born. He died on April 7, 1891. He is often credited with the phrase “There is a sucker born every minute.” While the actual attribution of the quote is suspect with many versions of the story abounding, the concept remains valid, especially when one considers the economic state of the entire world. Only in a world of fools could the economy of entire nations, indeed the vast majority of the world, be driven solely off of debt.


Horizontal Relationships: The Key to True Independence- Part 2, by J.E.

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We are continuing to look at my thesis: True independence is achieved by cultivating horizontal dependencies and avoiding vertical dependencies. We have done so through a hypothetical family’s situation– the Johnson’s– and analyzed their most basic needs, as Maslow would say. We’ve looked at the Johnson’s food, water, and shelter scenario. Security Speaking of Maslow, let’s look at another critical need– security. If the Johnsons are anything like the average American Suburban dweller, they probably have a shotgun somewhere in a closet. It was probably Mr. Johnson’s dad’s or grandad’s, and it brought down many a fowl in its day. …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on Economist Peter Schiff”s predictions. Precious Metals: First, there is this: Gold marks lowest finish in nearly 8 weeks. o  o  o Next, some charts from Jim Wyckoff: Monday’s Charts for Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium, July 03 [2017]


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week

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Here are JWR‘s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week’s emphasis is on the documentary film The Red Pill. Books: From The Shepherd’s Purse.  (One of the very best books on herbal medicine.) Movies (The Red Pill): The Red Pill.  A fascinating documentary by a liberal feminist who went through an anti-feminist epiphany during the filming.  Also available through Amazon Prime.  HJL had these comments on the film: “It is nearly two hours long, but it is time well spent. For those who are also not familiar with it, the documentary …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day

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“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property – …


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – July 04, 2017

As Americans go through the motions of celebrating the remnants of our our once preciously cherished liberty, we are reminded that it is high time to pluck a few chickens and warm up the tar pot. Independence day is also the birthday of Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) and of General Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882) – JWR o o o The Sixteenth Annual William Howsare Memorial Public Reading of our 1776 Declaration of Independence will take place at 12:00 Noon (EDT) on Tuesday 4 July 2017, in front of the County Courthouse in Marlinton, Pocahontas County, West Virginia. All welcome, phone 304-799-7191 for …


Horizontal Relationships: The Key to True Independence- Part 1, by J.E.

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Within our relationships, as preppers, let’s look at the concept of true independence. It applies to us in our preparedness pursuits and in life in general. While we, of course, avoid many dependencies, what may surprise you is that it requires we cultivate certain dependencies. Fourth of July or Independence Day? Here’s a question: Do you wish your friends and family a “Happy 4th of July” or a “Happy Independence Day?” For me, I always make a point of calling this holiday “Independence Day”. I want to remember and remind others that all the fireworks; red, white, and blue; and …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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Here is the special 4th of July Edition of SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies in the region of interest to preppers. Today’s focus is on Constitutional Liberty organizations and events in the American Redoubt. Idaho Some very special congratulations to Enola Gay. She is the Editrix of the outstanding Paratus Familia blog.  They found a buyer for their Shouse, and they’ve moved to their Dream Retreat/Ranch property, which is elsewhere in The American Redoubt. If you’ve never read Enola’s blog, you …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods – a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Central & South America news starts us off today. Central & South America Venezuela’s collapse continues unabated. At the beginning of the year the U.S. Dollar was worth an abysmal 3,000 Bolivars. Today, it takes nearly 8,000 Bolivars to buy one dollar. As the economy spirals out of control, the citizens are suffering through shortages of food and medicine. Now even government controlled police officers are defecting. Last week one police …




Kershaw’s Dividend, by Pat Cascio

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Today, we are talking about Kershaw’s Dividend. It’s a small folder. My General View on Small Folding Knives I’m not really big on small folding knives. Bigger folders can, well, do more chores better than most smaller folders. I like a folder with a blade between 3.5 inches and four inches in length. A blade length of 3.75 inches seems about perfect for my every day carry use. But that’s just me, I guess. However, I won’t turn my nose up at a well-made, well-designed smaller folder, not in the least. I appreciate cutlery, period! All knives have a use. …