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

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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 …


Economics and Investing:

Be sure to listen to this! Jim Pulplava interviews Ann Barnhardt about institutional wickedness by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and MF Global: The Entire Futures/Options Market Has Been Destroyed by the MF Global Collapse. Barnhardt predicts systemic collapse and hence the need to shift into tangibles including long guns, ammunition, fuel, and precious metals. (Thanks to David W. for the link.) Sometimes “Just In Time” inventory control has a nasty bite: Residents in Alaska city could get $9-a-gallon gas. (BTW, this adds credence to my advice to not choose Alaska as a retreat locale.) Central Banks Augment Currency Swap Capabilities. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

John G. mentioned: Digging into China’s nuclear tunnels. Without an inspection regime, we are essentially in the dark about the size of China’s nuclear arsenal. Back in my home town, this information deficit is a Z Division nightmare.    o o o Ron in Vermont mentioned a ham radio network that has been set up by the American Preparedness Radio Net in cooperation with the Catastrophe Network. Ron notes: “Sunday evening there is a digital net on 40 meters on 7.073 MHz @ 1930 EST, and a voice net on 80 meters @ 3.818 MHz. Topics vary from gardening, communications, …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint [them] for himself, for his chariots, and [to be] his horsemen; and [some] shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and [will set them] to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take …


TEOTWAWKI Mental Health Issues, by Dr. Bob

There are many things about our “on-the-grid lives” that really are not all that fun.  We get depressed about stuff and certainly have anxiety over lots of things that will simply disappear WTSHTF.  My personal philosophy, along with many of our readers and patients, is that without a grid, life will be a little more simple.  With preparation, things don’t have to be that gloomy.  It will sure be a bummer for lots of other people, but for us and ours, it means a return to the basics.  The reality is:  none of us knows how we will cope with …