Buying Land in the American Redoubt, by G. in Virginia

I have been involved with the buying of land and homes since I was able to carry a hammer or a two by four. While I have worked many different jobs, I have always returned to my love of real estate over the years. Currently, I own several houses, and my proudest achievement, is the acquisition of 40 prime acres in Montana! This is after almost a year and a half of searching in The American Redoubt for the piece I wanted at the price I wanted with the restrictions I wanted. Now that I have my slice I would …


Letter Re: How to Make Lye Soap

As a former soap company owner and operator, I enjoyed the article on soap making (How to Make Lye Soap, posted on November 30, 201.) However, for safety’s sake, I would like to caution your readers regarding some of the statements made in the article: 1. The author’s instructions say to “Heat the water to 110° F. Add the lye to the water.” This is a dangerous suggestion. The chemical reaction caused when lye combines with water causes even room temperature water to heat up almost to the boiling point. Starting with overly-warm water could (and probably would, depending on …


Economics and Investing:

Zimbabwe Bashes US Dollar, Aligns With Yuan. (Thanks to K.P. for the link.) Also courtesy of K.P.: Eric Sprott – Silver Producers: A Call to Action Jim V. pointed us to a great interview with Kyle “20 Million Nickels” Bass, at AmeriCatalyst. He calls default on Greek sovereign debt inevitable and inescapable. Then comes Japan, and in the long run, the United States. He has the numbers to back this up. He also has some interesting comments on the importance of taking physical delivery of precious metals. On balancing the Federal budget, he made this prescient comment: “The bottom line …


Odds ‘n Sods:

One of my consulting clients recently asked me: “Do you carry pepper spray, for bears?” My reply: No, I carry lead spray.    o o o This Glock ad makes it clear that widespread concealed carry by law-abiding citizens would be a very good thing:.    o o o Faster and Furiouser: D.E.A. Launders Mexican Profits of Drug Cartels.    o o o M.E.W. sent this: New Flu Strain, H3N2, Makes Health Experts Nervous.    o o o From reader J. McC.: Check Your Car for a GPS Tracker



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 38 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


Budget Prepping in the Suburbs, by Kevin from Tennessee

Even though the idea of prepping “on a budget” or “in urban or suburban areas” may be common themes, it seems (to me, at least) that more often than not, the lovely people that contribute their knowledge, advice, and expertise to the topic of prepping seem to, somehow, have more capability than most when it comes to logistically and financially supporting these ventures. They may have lived on a farm for most of their life, they possibly inherited land from a relative, they may be able to work from home and have time to spare, they may be older and …


Letter Re: Advice on Using Hypochlorite Bleach Powder

Hello JWR, I can’t thank you enough for your most fantastic Survival Blog. The information you have provided is priceless.   I purchased 500 grams of Calcium Hypochlorite from ScienceLab.com. for $118. I bought this to sanitize water for drinking. Can you please tell me how much Calcium Hypochlorite to add to a gallon of water? Thank you very much.   Best wishes, – Linda H. JWR Replies: You only need about 1/4 teaspoon of Calcium Hypochlorite powder for each 55 gallons. For infrequent use (in emergencies), with 500 grams you now have a enough for decades. To use it …


Economics and Investing:

John R. sent this: US Debt/GDP Hits Post WW2 High 99.5% Following $55 Billion Overnight Debt Increase: Total Debt Now Over $15.1 Trillion Judgment day for housing shadow inventory already here – Foreclosure inventories reach an all-time high. FHA and GSE loans only game in town. G.G. flagged this: Contagion Catastrophe: Europe is closer than you think to bringing down the American—and, therefore, the global—economy. Canadian Eric Sprott Makes His Move of the Comex, Physical to Break from Paper Items from The Economatrix: Gold May Hit $3,000 if US Devalues Dollar American Airlines Files Bankruptcy Two Possible Outcomes For The …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Less than one year left to wait! The Red Dawn remake is finally scheduled for release on November 2, 2012. That’s three years after filming was completed. (That is either 7,200 Blog Posts or Two Novel Releases, in Jim Years.) That’s probably enough time for the young actors to each get married, have a baby or two, and make five or six more feature films. I can predict that the film’s premiere will seem like a class reunion to the actors.    o o o A TSA agent puts on the “Sean Penn, Full Retard” act: Teen stopped by TSA …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 38 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


Lime and its Uses in Survival Scenarios

2

In JWR’s book “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It” , item number 11 on the Bartering and Charity List is “50 pound sacks of lime (for outhouses”). My first thought on reading this was, “Why would I barter away my precious lime?” More than just an odor eliminator, lime is a very helpful material used for countless applications in its various forms across various industries ranging from use in the production of glass to use as a calcium supplement in Tropicana brand orange juice. My initial research was designed to discover which type of …


Letter Re: Gear Recommendation–GORUCK Backpacks

JWR: There is a new bag company called GORUCK. This company was started by a former Army Special Forces member with the goal of “introducing military-grade gear, tough enough for Special Forces to adventure seekers worldwide.  Built in the USA, GORUCK products come with a lifetime guarantee and adhere to the highest standards of functionality, durability, and style.” I own two of these bags and use the smaller one for a day to day bag and a training tool for weighted rucks. The larger bag I have used for hiking. It is not a large bag but I have been able …


Letter Re: An Exception to the Upcoming U.S. Light Bulb Ban

Dear Mr. Rawles:  In reference to D.B.C. in Minnesota’s letter regarding rough service lamps and their availability.  I recently read PUBLIC LAW 110–140—DEC. 19, 2007 which impacts incandescent light bulbs has language which directs the “Secretary” to track the sales of “exempted” bulbs and if their sales grow above historical sales/growth levels, then energy conservation standards will be imposed for exempted lamps, including rough service. Here is a partial excerpt from the bill:  ‘‘(D) ROUGH SERVICE LAMPS.— ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Effective beginning with the first year that the reported annual sales rate for rough service lamps demonstrates actual unit sales of rough service lamps that achieve …