Bugging-in vs. Bugging-out, by John M.

In most preparedness magazines and on most prepper websites, bug-out bags are an ever-popular topic for discussion. The idea of “bugging-out” in a SHTF scenario makes us dream of an idyllic cabin in the mountains where we grow or hunt our own food and live happily ever after, or it’s where we take on an enemy in a Red Dawn (United Artists, 1984) scenario, hopefully minus the attrition rate of the Wolverines. However, practical preparedness should be about looking at possible real-life scenarios, rather than things that rarely happen. In a real-life emergency, would it be better to “bug-out” or …



November in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran of Gainesville Coins

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover the price action of gold and examine the “what” and “why” behind those numbers. What Did Gold Do in November? Gold was riding high to start the month, but after Donald Trump’s thrashing of Hillary Clinton in the Presidential election, investors bailed from safe havens like gold and bonds to join the party in stocks. By November 3rd, gold was trading above $1,300 an ounce. Factors Affecting Gold This Month There was one overriding factor …


Letter Re: Dakota Access Pipeline

As a resident of North Dakota and having to hear about this every day, the facts are: The pipeline is in a corridor with another older line that goes under the water (90 feet below the riverbed); The water intake for the reservation is a moot point. The old intake at Ft. Yates will be replaced on 1/1/17 with an intake another 70 miles away from the crossing; The Standing Rock tribe was asked for input on the pipeline at least six times, and they never bothered to show up; During the design of the line, it was rerouted in …


A Non-Survivalist Survivalist, by L.F.

I enjoy a end-of-the-world movie just as well as the next guy and similarly to most of the “next guys”. I have no specific skills that any survivalist would find useful, such as making a fire with sticks, creating bio-diesel for fuel, or the ability to go stalk game to put on the supper table. I can shoot a gun, skin a squirrel, and fish. That is the extent of my quantifiable skill set. However, as a non-survivalist survivalist, I feel like I have many intangibles as far as ability to learn and am on the upside. I’ve learned over …


Letter Re: Safe Deposit Boxes

My mother was visiting me when she saw the post man deliver a certified mail gold coin delivery. She immediately said, “You should get a safe deposit box.” I tried to explain several things to her: 1) The Patriot Act from almost 14 or 15 years ago gives the federal government the legal right to open any safe deposit box and seize the contents, 2) FDR explained the rationale behind his 1933 bank holiday in the first fireside chat where the government seized precious metals, so “yes” it has happened here before, and 3) (here’s where my argument gets iffy.) …


Do-It-Yourself Ceramic Water Filter, by The Architect

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Years ago, while visiting the South American country of Peru, I was stunned to find that every drop of drinking water had to first be boiled, before it was considered safe to drink. In a country of 22 million people, I thought this an incredible waste of money and natural resources. There had to be a better way. On my return, I set out to design a cheap ceramic filter that could be easily constructed using simple components readily obtained from any hardware or box store. (As a side note, on one of my trips to Peru, I was a …


Letter Re: What is Your (HJL and JWR) Take on the Dakota Access Issue?

I’m having difficulty understanding the Dakota Access issue. What is your take on the situation? The reporting that I’ve seen has been scarce and one-sided. I thought I read that the initial proposed route was outside of sacred land, but the proposal was rejected. This prompted the police to intervene. Recently I saw the new route would go right through a large watershed area. Understandably the Indigenous People are concerned. Is this truly police overstepping their bounds and once again violating trust with Indigenous Peoples yet again? I’ve been in and out of the hospital recently, so if you covered …


Recipe of the Week: Pumpkin Cake, by C.S.

Ingredients: 4 eggs (room temp.) 2 cups flour 2 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 2 tsp. cloves 2 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. ground ginger ¼ tsp. nutmeg 2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup oil 1 can (1lb.) pumpkin Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar at high speed until light and fluffy. Then beat in oil and pumpkin at low speed. Add dry ingredients, mix until combined. Pour into an ungreased 9” tube pan. Bake about 1 hour. Cool, then remove from pan. Serve with whipped cream …


Letter Re: TEOTWAWKI Preps and Christianity

Dear Mr. Latimer, After reading the article, I need to add a few points. It is well that we prepare spiritually as well as temporally for whatever calamity comes our way. Proverbs 27:12 comes to mind. One thing that must be foremost in our minds when we network with others in a church-going scenario is to look and listen before speaking. I live here in Idaho not too far from the WA state line. I am a recent arrival from the Peoples Democratic Socialist Republic of Oregon. What I saw there, I am seeing here. Make sure your Pastor, Priest, …


Letter Re: Advice Request for Next Steps with Recent Land Purchase

Hi! Recently I bought acreage in both Colorado and Nevada. It’s empty land in a big place, and I like that. I’ve never worked with land before, having grown up and lived in cities most of my life. So I’m rather clueless about how to find good resources for next steps. A couple of next steps that I’m concerned about is knowing the exact boundaries of the parcels and bringing power to one of the parcels from a nearby power line. Have you got suggestions on how I might find a surveyor and how to talk with the electric company …


Seven Warnings to the Progressive Feminist, by J.E.

Considering we are at the precipice of the possibility for the first female, militant feminist to take control of the greatest country in the world, I thought this article appropriately timed. Feminists, who may read this, you need to consider some serious questions. Are you honestly prepared to endure the reality of the feminist ideology lived out to its fullest? What would this even look like? If this is a concept you haven’t pondered fully, would you consider listening to a well researched argument against the suicidal movement of militant feminism? Moreover, are you willing to listen without judgment rather …


Letter Re: T.P. for the Bugout or Get Home Bag

I’m constantly looking online at what people put in their bug out and get home bags. So far as I’ve seen their always missing one important item– toilet paper! I keep at least two rolls in every bag. Yes, they take up room but weigh nothing. All of my vehicles also have a couple rolls. An immediate dietary change, going from norm to survival mode, is going to have an immediate effect on one’s system (aka: bowel movement). Yet, as I review preppers/survivalist bag setups, good old TP seems to be never mentioned. So, load a couple rolls in a …


What Is It That Will Really Help You Survive TEOTWAWKI?, by Peter Martin

Many articles, TV shows, movies, and personal discussions concerning how to survive TEOTWAWKI usually revolve around food, water, medical supplies, transportation, fuel, and how to defend yourself during such a time. What I am about to communicate is perhaps too religious for some and maybe not religious enough for others, but here it goes anyway, my best shot. Yes, it is important to try and be prepared materially as best you possibly can be, depending upon what your means allow you to do. Some can be more prepared than others, because they have more means to do so, and others …


Letter Re: Moving to Michigan

I enjoyed MM’s article about moving to Michigan to become a corrections officer. I appreciate his sunny outlook on his job. Most of the COs I knew in over two decades in law enforcement described their jobs as “doing life eight hours at a time” and the danger, poor air quality, and lack of respect they felt in the prison. Happily, MM seems to have better working conditions than my friends and relatives in the field. Anyway, I just wanted to add that in regards to MM’s comments on concealed carry, he, like corrections officers in most locations, probably qualifies …