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 report on possible lower crude oil prices. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: Silver and gold prices have continued to be quite strong. When I checked on Thursday evening (Friday morning in Asia), Spot Gold was at $2,677.70 per Troy ounce, and Spot Silver was at $32.43. Wow!  The COMEX short sellers must be …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — October 3, 2024

On October 3, 1712, the Duke of Montrose issued a warrant for the arrest of Rob Roy MacGregor. — Today is the 31st anniversary of the Mogadishu, Somalia raid. 18 Americans were killed. The Somalis killed were unnamed and un-numbered, but estimates range from 315 to 2,000 KIAs. The events of October 3, 1993 were memorialized in the movie Black Hawk Down. — We are running a 3-week-long sale at Elk Creek Company.  Until October 11th, 2024, all of our blackpowder revolvers, all of our M1891 Argentine Mauser rifles, and all of our sporter rifles are deeply discounted.  Take a …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we look at the current dock workers strike. East and Gulf Coast Ports Strike, Stranding Billions in Trade Over at left-leaning CNBC: East and Gulf coast ports strike, …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — October 2, 2024

Solar Flare Update: An X7.1 category solar flare was detected on Tuesday.  It is unknown whether the flare’s CME will be a direct strike or a glancing blow to Earth.  The main effects are expected between Friday and Saturday, October 4th-5th. I recommend disconnecting antennas and putting all of your spare radios and other sensitive electronics into Faraday containers for at least a few days. — On October 2, 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier first visited the Iroquois settlement of Hochelaga. (Later named Montreal.) — October 2, 1835: The story of the “Come and Take It” flag began at the …


Writing Contest Judging Results (Round 114)

We’ve completed the judging for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize goes to N.C., for Basic Sewing: Cloning Clothes. (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, posted August 9-11, 2024.) His prizes will include: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Officials warn that EVs could catch fire if inundated with saltwater from Hurricane Helene. o  o  o A Patrick Feeney video interview with Tucker Carlson: Do This With Your Family and the Apocalypse Might Not Be So Bad. o  o  o News from Nanny State California: Newsom Signs Bill Banning Single-use Propane …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — October 1, 2024

On October 1, 1880, John Philip Sousa (pictured) became the new director of the U.S. Marine Corps Band. — On October  1, 331 BC, the army of Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela. — Please keep the folks inside of Tropical Storm Helene’s devastation in your prayers.  We’d appreciate reading “After Action” reports from SurvivalBlog readers in the area. There are certainly some lessons to be learned. – JWR — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present the first entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, an update on the upcoming University of Idaho Quadruple Murder trial. Region-Wide Three Redoubt States in the top 10 for gun sales per capita in the U.S.A.. Idaho New judge sets expectations in case against man charged with killing 4 Idaho university students. o  o  …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 30, 2024

On September 30, 1880, American amateur astronomer Henry Draper took the first-ever photograph of the Orion Nebula.  More recent images have of course been more dazzling, but Draper’s was the first.   — On this day in 1938, the short-lived Treaty of Munich was signed by Hitler, Mussolini, Daladier, and Chamberlain. This treaty forced Czechoslovakia to cede territory to Germany. — I just heard of the death of Kris Kristofferson, at age 88. First known for his music, and later for his acting, he was among America’s Larger Than Life crowd. I first became aware of him as an actor …


Recipe of the Week: Saltine Cracker Crumb Chicken 

The following recipe for Saltine Cracker Crumb Chicken is from SurvivalBlog reader L.A.. Ingredients ½ c. butter or margarine 1 sleeve of saltine crackers, crushed to crumbs ½ c. bread crumbs (Panko crumbs are best, but any others will do.  Or substitute more cracker crumbs, if you don’t have any bread crusts.) ½ tsp. garlic powder 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (+/- to suit your taste) ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp black pepper 4 medium-sized boneless and skinless chicken breasts Directions Place each chicken breast between two sheets of wax paper. Pound each breast to around 1 in. thickness using a …