Nine Ways To Be More Self-Sufficient (Even If You Live In The City), by K. Sowell

Many people are intimidated by the idea of becoming more self-sufficient or preparing for disaster because of the misconception that you have to live in the country or at least have a bug-out location in order to do so. This simply isn’t true. There are many things urban or suburban dwellers can do to improve their chances of surviving or even thriving in the event of a disaster when leaving is not an option. A little thoughtful preparation can prevent you and your loved ones from becoming victims in an unstable situation, even if you live in the city and …


Guest Article: Taxed Enough Already, by A.H.

How many articles have you read about prepping on a budget? This website and many others have explored the topic in depth. Grow your own food, buy in bulk, cut unnecessary expenses, learn to improvise, and get out of debt. The old saying is “use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without”. We should all be following this advice. At the same time, we should ask the obvious question, ‘Wwhy are so many of us on such a tight budget these days?” One reason may be that your income has decreased, stagnated, or disappeared. If you are …


Letter: Rechargeable Batteries and a Solar Charger

Hello HJL and JWR, I was wondering if you could review and recommend the latest generation of rechargeable batteries available and a solar charger as well. I am leaning towards stocking up on rechargeable AA and AAA and the spacer packs that allow these sizes be used as C and D cell batteries. The vast array of options is overwhelming, and I am hoping someone with the expertise required can help. Thanks for all you do. Take care. – J.W. HJL Replies: I have chosen to use a modular route so that I have the flexibility to charge whatever I …


Letter: Shotgun Security

Dear Sir: I am writing to seek your advise and that of your readers. I live in a metropolitan area, in a nice “safe” suburb where “nothing ever happens”. I have recently become more active in preparing for crisis situations. I have also reevaluated my home security needs. I want to have immediate access to my handgun at night. At this point, if we had an intruder, I would have to get into my closet, open my safe, get my handgun and then try to successfully confront a threat. I have several small children, so leaving a loaded firearm in …


News From The American Redoubt:

T.H. sent in this link to Amend2, a company based in Idaho that makes 30-rnd magazines. They are $15 apiece and seem stronger that Magpul, according to T.H. o o o Here is an clever product, made by a small business in Rexburg, Idaho: The Hot Logs o o o Citizens take law into own hands after cash-strapped Ore. county guts sheriff’s office o o o Itt seems that Idaho could be next state to allow guns on campus – RBS o o o RBS also sent in this video of a man who can skin, gut, and partially debone …


Economics and Investing:

Have These Stocks Already Been Through a Correction? Is This the Correction Investors Have Been Waiting For? Items from The Economatrix: William Broeksmit, Former Deutsche Bank Risk Manager, Found Hanged Bundesbank’s Stunner To Broke Eurozone Nations: First \ Obama To Unveil Treasury IRAs, Or Planning For A Post-Monetization World


Odds ‘n Sods:

B. sent in this link for Sniper Basics For The SHTF Survivalist. Not a bad primer for someone who is just starting out learning this valuable skill. o o o China is confirming limited interhuman infection of H7N9 bird flu. This may be a very important development. – B.B. o o o Ready Made Resources as a limited supply of har-to-find Radar Scattering Camo Netting. o o o B.B. sent another post in on the Connecticut fiasco: How Did ‘Millions’ of High Capacity Magazines Disappear in Connecticut? o o o R. sent in this link on How To Make Disaster …



Notes from JWR:

American Liberty: Not the Past, But the Future I’m not the first one to mention this, but the governance of the United States can be divided into four distinct epochs, delineated as follows: March 4, 1789: the first day of constitutional government, April 13, 1861: the first day of un-constitutional government, December 8, 1941: the first day of non-constitutional government, and January 20, 2009: the first day of anti-constitutional government. The past is immutable. We cannot travel back to it, nor can we change it, but the future is something entirely different. The future is a blank slate. We, as …


Guest Article: Physical Possession of IRA Gold and Silver, No Taxes, No Penalties, by Will Lehr

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A complete Ira type and benefits summary There is much clout and confusion about IRAs and their uses for purchasing precious metals and real estate among the truth, freedom, and self-reliance communities. In this article I aim to clarify the different options and the benefits and potential pitfalls of each, especially as it pertains to taking physical possession of IRA Gold & Silver. Perhaps the biggest advantage of the IRA LLC to the precious metals investor is that the individual (as manager of the LLC) can take physical possession of Gold and Silver Eagle Coins with IRA funds and it …


Pat’s Product Review – LED LENSER M7RX Flashlight

It seems the older I get the more I think about being young and all the things I did in my life. Now, if you were to ask my daughters how old I am, they’d probably tell you that when I was younger I hunted dinosaurs with spears. Well, I’m not quite that old, but I am getting there. I spent a great deal of time in law enforcement and private security and I still remember old fashioned flashlights. You know the ones I’m talking about. They held two large “D” sized batteries that didn’t last long, and the light …


Pat’s Product Review: Titan Straps

In another life, I worked as a truck driver. I drove different types of trucks– dump trucks, “straight jobs”, and even pick-up trucks– delivering all manner of cargo. Today, my deliveries are made using an SUV. If I have to haul something, it’s usually on the luggage rack on top or inside. If I have anything bigger to haul, I’ll call a friend with a pick-up truck. There’s one thread common in hauling anything, and that is that you have to secure it to keep it from moving around. For hauling anything on top of my SUV, I keep some …


Recipe of the Week: Mrs HJL’s Sweet, Southern Cornbread

In response to requests for the Sweet, Southern Cornbread recipe Mrs. HJL makes to season our cast iron skillet, here’s her recipe: Pour about 1/3 cup of vegetable oil into a cast iron skillet. (It should be enough oil to cover the skillet with roughly 1/4 inch of oil.) Place skillet and oil in the oven and turn oven on to 425 degrees. 1 cup freshly ground corn meal 1 cup bread flour (or use finely ground Hard White Wheat flour for a healthier, but heavier cornbread) 1 tsp. salt 1/3- 1/2 cup sugar (Yes, we like it SWEET!) 1 …


Five Letters Re: Hardtack

Dear Editor, When I was in college we had a history class which we re-enacted the civil war battle at Pea Ridge, Arkansas. We actually dressed in period clothing and ate food the solders would eat. Hard tack was one on the meals we had. Another staple was beans, I found if you put the hard tack down and had the beans on top it was a little easier to eat. If this was all I had to eat I would go looking for something better for supper. FYI the hard tack works well as a hammer. – K. —– …


Letters: Hearing About Southeast’s Winter Storm

Dear Hugh, I live just north of Atlanta and, fortunately, I work from home, and I also live alone. So I was not stuck in the massive traffic jams everyone saw on TV. I was nice and warm and comfortable in my home while all this happened. My sister, who lives three counties over, had trouble getting home, but nothing like the 16 hour commutes most people had. It did hit home the fact that I live near a major population center and will have to plan any evacuation in a SHTF situation accordingly. All the Monday morning quarterbacks and …