Year: 2023


Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 2, 2023

On January 2, 1999, major snowstorm struck the Midwestern U.S., leaving 14 inches of snow in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and 19 inches in Chicago, Illinois, where temperatures plunged to -13 °F (-25 °C); 68 deaths were reported. On this day in 1936, the first night vision electron tube was revealed in St. Louis, Missouri. And January 2nd, 1776 is also the anniversary of the first revolutionary flag to be displayed in the American English colonies. — Today’s feature article is a product review written by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Thomas Christianson.


Taurus GX4XL 9mm Pistol, by Tom Christianson

I was recently able to test the new Taurus GX4XL EDC variant pistol in 9mm. I was impressed by the way Taurus was able to squeeze a 13-round magazine and a 3.6 inch barrel into a micro-compact profile. The grip texturing was highly effective, and the gas nitride finish on the slide and the diamond-like-coating (DLC) on the stainless steel barrel enhance reliability and wear resistance. Practical accuracy was adequate for a micro-compact profile handgun. With a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $429 for the basic model and widely available online for under $350 at the time of this writing, the …


Recipe of the Week: Powdered Milk Granola Bars

The following recipe for Powdered Milk Granola Bars is from reader S.S.. Dry nonfat milk is used in a glaze topping. Ingredients 8 Tbsp. (1 stick) butter (Note: Fresh butter is preferred — using reconstituted butter from butter powder can be tricky with this recipe.) 10.5 oz. marshmallows (miniature marshmallows melt more readily) 6 cups of granola or other dry breakfast cereal. Kids like Cheerios, but granola is much more healthy. 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder 1 Tbsp. powdered sugar 2 Tsp of tap water Directions Butter or PAM an 8-inch square pan or a loaf pan. In a large pot over medium heat, …


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. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at crashing home sales. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Reuters: Supreme dollar rules the roost in gold market. o  o  o Central banks buy gold at fastest pace in 55 years. “Analysts are pinning China and Russia as big buyers.” Equities: ‘Worst Year Ever’ For Stocks & Bonds – Global …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Attempts to resist modern life in practical ways are often derided as LARPing or live-action role playing—that one’s anti-modernity is superficial, imaginary, and made possible by modernity itself. There is some element of truth to this. Modern homesteading, for example, often requires supplemental income from modern sources. But many of the things ridiculed as LARPing are simply good choices for living well in this world. A woman who makes food from scratch from her own garden is not only offering her family healthy options but also exercising praiseworthy skills and passing those skills on to her children. The variety of …


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — January 1, 2023

This is the birthday of Jacob Snider (January 1, 1811 – August 18, 1866.) He was an American mechanical engineer and inventor. He invented and patented a method of converting existing muzzle-loading rifles into breech-loading rifles, notably the Snider-Enfield. This is also the birthday of John Cantius Garand (January 1, 1888 – February 16, 1974.) He was born in St. Rémi, Quebec. John Garand designed one of America’s best-known battle rifles, the M1 Garand. — Today’s feature article was written by JWR.


Low-Cost and No-Cost Preparedness

Many SurvivalBlog readers have contacted me, lamenting that they don’t have enough money to prepare.  My response? Re-prioritize how you spend your time and money. The following suggestions are primarily based on my own experience. Avalanche Lily and I do our best to live a frugal life. Please prayerfully consider and implement some or most of these suggestions, as new year’s resolutions. Here are some suggestions for spending less money: Pray. Prayer costs nothing, and it helps focus your mind on your priorities. Chief among these should be your family, friends, fellow church congregants, neighbors, and co-workers. Study. Used books …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot …