Month: November 2023

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at a possible rise in the Argentine Peso. (See the Forex and Cryptos section.) Precious Metals: Both silver and gold appear to be building a base for a price breakout in the new year.  I’m also bullish on platinum, although the more “industrial” price of platinum may dip as we slip into the …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — November 26, 2023

Casablanca premiered this day in 1942 and became one of Hollywood‘s most-revered films. Set in occupied Morocco during World War II, it was directed by Michael Curtiz. Casablanca starred Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid. November 26th is the birthday of gun inventor Eugene Reising (born 1884, died February 21, 1967). This is also the birthday Barton Biggs (born 1932, died July 14, 2012). Biggs was a money manager known for his pro-preparedness stance. — Just a few days left!  We are still seeking entries for Round 109 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $850,000 worth of …


A Piece of Model Gun Rights Legislation

I recently spent some time pondering the myriad of so-called “gun control” laws and other weapons laws extant in the United States in light of the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association (NYSRPA) Inc. v. Bruen decision handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022. The Bruen decision was a landmark case with a brilliant ruling written primarily by Justice Clarence Thomas. However, I recognized that the process of challenging unconstitutional gun and knife laws might take years or even decades to work their way through the courts. This led me to realize that what is needed is …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text:  Is It Too Late To Add Argentina To The American Redoubt? News Link: Argentine libertarian Milei pledges new political era after election win. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.  


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — November 25, 2023

On November 25, 1950 the Storm Of The Century — also known as the Appalachian Storm — reached blizzard conditions and dumped nearly 60 inches of snow in the Appalachian area. It brought unseasonal temperatures to the region and caused widespread damage to property. About 150 people were thought to have been killed as a result of it. — On this day in 1970, Japanese novelist Mishima Yukio and four members of his Shield Society, a private army formed to preserve Japan‘s martial spirit, seized a military headquarters in Tokyo, and he later committed seppuku. — November 25th was the …


Subtle Changes in Rural America, by Hollyberry

My husband and I first moved to Maine eighteen years ago from New Jersey. What a breath of fresh air and change from a crowded, polluted environment. We moved to a small town that was the county seat for an area that is approximately 4,300 square miles and has a very low population. Most folks were really nice but there is a “your from away” mentality with some of the more stubborn folks. I gently reminded some of the more hardcore folks that although I may be “from away”, New Jersey is still part of the United States. I understand …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — November 24, 2023

On November 22, 1718, the pirate who went by the name Blackbeard was killed off the coast of North Carolina. — Today is also remembered as the birthday of the late Eugene M. Stoner. (Born 1922, died April 24, 1997.) He was the designer of the AR-7, AR-10, AR-15, AR-180, the Stoner 63, and several other firearms. (The AR-10 was the basis of the AR-15 which in turn spawned the very widely used M16 and all of its variants including the M4 Carbine.) It has been estimated that as 17 million rifles from the AR-15 family are owned by civilians …


Musical Instrument Basics for Preppers, by Kirk

The following are my thoughts on a topic that was suggested for the SurvivalBlog writing competition: This is a very broad topic. Does it mean the instruments themselves or the use and playing of them? Or perhaps it means how to choose one or how to master one? Does it pertain to what to have when SHTF or TEOTWAWKI? Are you at home, or on the road? Do you have room for a larger instrument or is your space limited? Do we start with the neophyte who is thinking about possibly getting into playing an instrument but is not sure …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, a look at higher beef prices. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: Coin News reported this: 2023 U.S. Mint Gold Sales Outpace 2022 by October; Silver Sales Leap. o  o  o Platinum deficit forecast for 2023 now over 1 million ounces on strong automotive and industrial demand growth and flat supply.  JWR’s Comment:  As I’ve …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — November 23, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving!  From the SurvivalBlog family to yours, we wish you a happy Thanksgiving. Despite the crises in this world and the mounting pressures, we give thanks to our LORD, that He will never forsake us.  Please prayerfully give thanks to God for his tremendous providence both in the lives of our families and as a nation. – JWR — Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, …