Odds ‘n Sods:

Doubling Up Gets Popular: Tight budgets boost house-sharing. (Thanks to John in Ohio for the link.)    o o o JRH Enterprises is running their annual “Black Friday” sale going on now that includes genuine AN/PVS-14 night vision monoculars for $2,695 and Thermal imaging units that take “AA” batteries available as low as $2,775. They are also offering deep discounts on water filters, medical kits and other preparedness products.”    o o o F.G. mentioned some wasteful, hoplophobic stupidity in Cleveland.    o o o G.G. was the first of several readers to send this: Survival Shop Reports Jump In …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) 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 B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $300 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) …


Rawhide and Brain Tanning, by J.M.

In today’s world, you might wonder why working rawhide and brain tanning buckskin skill would be a benefit to anybody, when you can run to the hardware store and buy an unlimited supply of plastic, nylon, fiberglass, and what not to do your jobs. And why would anybody in their right mind want to wear anything made out of buckskin? When you have designer jeans, and all kinds of clothing to buy, in most stores like Wal-mart, K-mart, or even the used clothing stores? One question you might ask is how much of these things will be available when the fiat …


Letter Re: Guns for a Tight Budget Minimalist Survivalist

James, The response letter to Guns for a Tight Budget Minimalist Survivalist by S.M.O. caught my attention.  While S.M.O. makes some valid points, I would like to expound on some of his points and offer some other observations.  I agree that the Ruger Model 10-22 semi-auto .22 Long Rifle carbine is a fine tool for the survivalist.  In fact, I believe that this rifle is such an asset that it should be the first gun that everyone buys.  It has been around for years and has proven itself to be dependable, accurate and reliable.  It is arguably the best quality …


Economics and Investing:

AmEx (American Expat) sent this: Risks of global recession mount.   G.G. sent this: China vice premier sees chronic global recession. And speaking of China, consider this from Chris Martenson: The reasons for China’s imminent bust. Panel Set to Fail to Cut Deficit $1.2 Trillion. K.A.F. sent this: Airline Passengers Asked to Pay Extra $31,000 in Cash for Fuel Items from The Economatrix: Rapid Inflation To Become The Next Financial Crisis For America Prospect Of On-Line Sales Tax Grows Rising Age Gap In Economic Well-Being The Run On Europe Begins As Global Investors Head For The Hills Anger Mounts as …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Over at Mish Shedlock’s blog: EU Bans Claim “Drinking Water Can Prevent Dehydration”; Expect More Such Stupidity if European Nanny-Zone Fiscal Union Forms    o o o K.A.F. sent this: Police Departments Look to Tune Out Scanner Hobbyists    o o o The Survival Mom asks: Could you survive TEOTWAWKI in your state? Here are the Best 5 States and the Worst 5 States for Survival    o o o Ham Radio Purchases on the Rise. The disaster preparedness factor is no doubt a strong contributing factor.



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) 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 B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $300 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) …


Experience Building a Missouri Masonry Stove, by Tiasabaki

Thanks for the blog. I have been been one of those avid readers that does not provide very much input, but I have some useful “how-to” information on heating your house in the temperate climate.  I live in Iowa at the current time.   A lot of this is hard to even put into words, because this style of heating is unique, and even more unique as I built the heaters my self.  I recommend anyone trying to do these, to do additional homework before attempting any of this.  I also studied “The Book of Masonry Stoves: Rediscovering an Old Way …


Letter Re: Secondhand Store Bargains, by Rucksack Rob

As most of the readers of SurvivalBlog know, preparing for disasters can be a lifelong commitment and can be most costly, even when buying used or on-sale items.  However, after 30 years of prepping, I find that I do 40-50% of my shopping at secondhand stores, such as Salvation Army, Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, and American Cancer Society, to name a few. If you visit regularly and keep your eyes open, not only will you find a treasure trove of preparedness items, but the employees will get to know you and your products and put them aside and hold them for you …


Letter Re: Guns for a Tight Budget Minimalist Survivalist

JWR: Regarding to the recent post by John concerning tight budget armaments I have a few suggestions. Over the past year I have acquired a small collection of Hi-Point weapons and I absolutely love them! They are american made, reliable and oh-so economical. Mother’s day before last I was looking for a unique gift for my wife (who also happens to be the mother of our five children!). I began thinking handgun. But, with the five kids and an aspiring 40 acre farm/retreat, budgets are almost always tight. Add to this the fact that my wife is a new shooter …


Letter Re: Urban Evacuation–When The Plan is No Plan At All

Good Morning, I was reading the post regarding Baltimore evac signs which kicked off a thought. The author states that the signs end at the city limits and the goal is to just get people out of the city. It appears to me that there are all sorts or articles as of late regarding zombies, even television shows about viral masses of folks wandering around the country. Is the presence of these articles and shows part of a larger PSYOP program? A television show recently aired showing the bombing of an American city,with the goal of kill off the infected. …


Economics and Investing:

Banks in Italy Find an Unusual Liquidity Lifeline G.G. sent us this: Right Now Officials in Brussels are Threatening to Cross a Line that Will Set Off Panic Also from G.G.: Central bank gold buying at 40-year high. Reader N.L. mentioned: Canada’s “new” $100 note–It’s made of plastic! Items from The Economatrix: The Crisis Eats Its Way Into The Core JPMorgan Joins Goldman Keeping Italy Derivatives Risk In Dark US Economy Growing At Fastest Pace Of The Year. (Isn’t it amazing what several trillion dollars created out of thin air can do in the short term?) Gross Says Europe is …


Odds ‘n Sods:

This was posted at Alt-Market.com: A Message To The SPLC From A Montana “Extremist”. It bears special mention that the SPLC‘s slam piece was their oh-so typical blathering, with a mix of fact, innuendo, and myth. They cleverly mixed in mentions of racists and radicals alongside references to level-headed folks, including myself. When they slandered me, they didn’t just use the time-proven “guilt by association” technique. They took it a step further and employed guilt by lack of association. They also slandered Pastor Chuck Baldwin, up in Montana as well as Stewart Rhodes, the head of The Oath Keepers. I’ve …