Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader W.E.P. mentioned this: Feds tracking articles that include “zombie apocalypse”. [JWR’s Comment: Of course “zombie apocalypse” is often used as to describe other disasters. This leads me to ask: Are the spooks looking for clues or cues for socioeconomic collapse?]    o o o Reader D.V. and Stephen F. both recommended this article over at KK* Cool Tools: Homesteading Alone. (It is three book reviews, in one.)    o o o F.G. flagged this bit of bureaucratic nincompoopery: OTC inhalers to be phased out to protect ozone layer    o o o Greg C. mentioned Reason # 948 to …



Notes from JWR:

My current publisher (the Atria Books Division of Simon & Schuster) asked me to create a few instructional videos, to help promote the upcoming release of “Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse”. The first of these is already available on YouTube: Do-It Yourself (DIY) Rotary Hand Awl. Sorry that the video looks a bit amateurish. And I couldn’t keep a couple of our roosters from crowing in the background. I’m an absolute greenhorn at this. By using tight close-ups, the pretty scenery at the Rawles Ranch was not shown–for the sake of OPSEC. (Some of the mountains that could …


A Survival Battery and Gear For a Prepper Family of Four, by Irish-7

I am writing our family’s security preparations, specifically the weapon selection and breakdown per family member. I will also describe our “Battle Rattle” (web gear) and survival kits.    First, a little background and base information. I am a retired US Army First Sergeant with over 30 years of military service. I have performed multiple jobs of my lengthy career, mainly in the Combat Arms. I was a Mortarman and Automatic Rifleman in the Airborne Infantry. I was a Unit Armorer, Supply Sergeant and Rifle Platoon Sergeant in the Mechanized Infantry and a Scout Platoon Sergeant and Cavalry First Sergeant …


Three Letters Re: Beans, Bullets, Band-Aids and Hygiene

I was just rereading the original posting about “beans, bullets and hygiene”. The author wrote to be sure to check out the discount bins for after season sales on holiday soaps. He wrote that while the soaps may be strongly scented “nobody will care after TEOTWAWKI what they smell like”. But actually, it may matter.    We live in the country. We’re not daily assaulted by the highly aromatic city folks wearing their cologne, perfume and scented body washes. So when we do happen to come in contact with them, we can smell them coming from quite a distance.   Its sorta’ the …


Letter Re: Everyday Carry Items

Dear Mr. Rawles, In reference to J.C.R.’s article on Everyday Carry Items, I have a rather nondescript looking purse that I found at a thrift store that I use for Everyday Carry (EDC). I keep using that purse to carry because it is so handy with it’s numerous compartments inside. I have found nothing like it! In one of those compartments, I keep a “Mini Survival Kit”. I saw this at the SurvivaLogic web site. It fits in an Altoids breath mints tin. It’s the handiest thing ever. SurvivaLogic recommended matches, fishing hooks and line, flash light, compass, knife (high quality …


Economics and Investing:

I’m sure that you saw the many screaming headlines on Thursday, the global markets are melting down, and the pillars of the EU are crumbling. There were two notable oddities amidst Thursday’s panic for those of us that hedge with precious metals: 1.) Spot silver saw a $5 per ounce selloff. This big dip of 12% in one day represents a great opportunity to either convert some of your cash into silver, or ratio trade out of gold into silver. The silver-to-gold ratio now stands at (48.2-to-1.) In just a few years the ratio will likely be 30-to-1, or less. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Rick B. wrote to mention: “The most important factor in determining when to plant a certain type of vegetable in your garden is the ‘Last Freeze Date’ in the spring, and the ‘First Freeze Date’ in the fall for your area. See the state-by-state charts of these dates, with city specific data, collected over a 30 year period by the National Climatic Data Center.”    o o o F.G. flagged this: Why Middle-Class Americans Are Turning to Dumpster Diving    o o o K.A.F. mentioned: Extended Interview with Fast and Furious Whistleblower    o o o Did you cancel …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 36 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 …


Small Scale Alternative Energy in Suburbia, by David J.

The range of topics in prepping pretty much covers the spectrum of life, and all aspects tend to be connected, however, this article is mostly limited to my strategies to power my grid dependant, difficult to defend, suburban home when the grid is down, all the while on a limited budget.  No new, earth shattering, break through here, just a plan that uses lots of basics. My circumstances probably reflect a sizable demographic of the folks who are attempting to prepare for hard times in the suburbs.  A middle class male, married with 4 kids, living in a stick house, …


Start-up Techniques for Investing in Silver and Gold, by D. V.

Investing in silver and gold is a hedge against potential inflation and monetary devaluation; it is a way to keep high concentrations of wealth portable and off-grid and it can be fun and profitable.   Gold and silver has been a way to grow and preserve wealth since wealth has been defined.   The downside is that silver and gold are expensive and becoming more so, there is a typically a specialized group that you must deal with to see return value and it is not at all edible. I have been a coin collector on and off throughout my life.  As …


Two Letters Re: Everyday Carry Items

Dear Mr. Rawles, I was very glad to see J.C.R.’s article on Everyday Carry Items and wholeheartedly agree with him that Everyday Carry (EDC) is of critical importance when preparing for events that happen at speeds that do not allow time to fetch go-bags or other equipment. While he makes excellent suggestions on items to carry and notes the importance of keeping these items compact and lightweight for ease and consistency of carry, there are some additional notes that I thought your readers may find helpful. Firstly, rather than limiting the EDC of whistles to women’s handbags, I recommend that …


Economics and Investing:

Ryan S. sent: IMF downgrades outlook for US and Europe economies J.W.M. spotted this: Florida credit processor to give away AK-47s Paul K. mentioned a recent BBC piece: Anarchy in the USA – could it happen here? Over at The Daily Bell: Advisers Emphasize Calm as Global Depression Gathers More nationalization down in Hugo Land: Venezuela forces miners to sell gold to government Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Plunge After Fed Announces Stimulus Steps $2,000 Gold Now in Sight Big-name Brands Cut Size Not Price Gold Will Soar on Imminent US Bailout of Europe China Pulls The Rug Out From …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Jeremiah S. and Ed. B. both sent me the link to this article from Wyoming, New York: Old bomb shelter, supplies harken back to Cold War days    o o o Andre D. sent this: The Secret Lives of Solar Flares    o o o In a four-day period that included Labor Day weekend, there were 67 people shot in the streets of New York City. Not content with the manifold lack of success of some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country, Mayor Michael Bloomberg called for the enactment of more gun control laws! He was quoted: …