Getting Your Kids Ready for TEOTWAWKI, by D.M.

My wife and I are both in our late 30s and have just started living a life of preparedness.  Unfortunately, we started this journey just after building a new house on 15 acres in Northeastern Minnesota.  We wish we had a few years back to build over with a different frame of mind, but we count our blessings and enjoy our rural location.  We live on my single income (about $70,000) and have four beautiful children, ages 4 through 9. While having four children makes life a little more interesting financially, by being frugal, we have still been able to …


Coffee in a Post-Collapse Society, by T.R.

I have read many articles stating that if you have any addictions to nicotine, caffeine or alcohol that now is the time to change your habits so that your dependency on them in their absence are easier to tolerate. My coffee habit is less a habit-at least that’s what I tell myself-and more of an enjoyment of life. That being said, in moderation coffee actually has an anti-oxidant property- justification is always a sign of a habit I know – not to mention the benefit of assisting in staying alert during a night watch task. As a previous specialty coffee …


Letter Re: Maps of Caves and Mining Districts

Mr. Editor: I was wondering if you could tell us a resource online where to find the locations of caves/mine shafts, or other underground shelters around the country.  I have tried to do this unsuccessfully, maybe a reader knows?  Thanks. – Robert R. JWR Replies: That goes a bit outside my expertise. I’m not a spelunker. Perhaps some SurvivalBlog readers have bookmarked some good web sites or could recommend a few books.


Letter Re: A Review of Inmarsat’s IsatPhone Pro

Jim, I recently bought an Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro satellite telephone. I had set some requirements for a satellite phone (“satphone”) , including true worldwide operation, good reliability, and reasonable price, and the IsatPhone Pro (introduced in 2010) was not just the best deal, but the only phone that met all my my requirements. I shopped around for a few months and eventually bought the IsatPhone Pro Emergency Kit from GMPCS, a Florida-based retailer. This kit is priced at $821. It includes the phone (normally around $600 from online sellers), one year of “Emergency” service priced at $150/year with 60 minutes of airtime, …


Economics and Investing:

Ponder the implications: Iceland voters reject plan to repay bank debt. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.) Loyal content contributor C.D.V. sent this: IMF Cuts U.S. Growth Forecast on Oil, ‘Lackluster’ Jobs Pace Over at Fierce Finance: MERS stokes local controversies. Some interesting observation on global currency moves, over at Malthus University: Update from INET. Reading back through the thread of of posts makes it clear that The Powers That Be (led by George Soros) may have plans for a new global currency. Meanwhile, over at The Daily Bell, we read: IMF Plots Role as World’s Central Bank? Items …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) accurately predicted this recent Doublethink news from England in his first novel: Extinguishers banned as a fire safety hazard.    o o o Speaking of Michael Z. Williamson’s novels, Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore is starting the advance order for “Rogue.”  Please note that Mike’s novels contain adult situations, language and violence, so they are not suitable for juveniles. “Rogue ” is a sequel to “The Weapon“, but can be read as a stand-alone work. This is the first hardcover edition, and comes with a tipped in (glued) sheet printed by Baen, and …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 34 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 Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , …


Preventing Grain Spoilage by Insects, by Jim in New Hampshire

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I’m big on food storage and my hobby is finding and photographing beetles. These two interests converge when grain beetles start reproducing in my stored grain products.   I had bought some 50-lb. bags of corn and oats at the Tractor Supply Company store, intending to treat them for insects and put them up in 5-gallon buckets. I never got around to it and eventually noticed tiny grain weevils showing up around the house. The grain had not only become infested with Rice Weevils but their droppings had produced a lot of ammonia that turned the oak flooring dark beneath …


Some Investment Options for the Prepper, by K.P.

My wife and I have been preparing for any probable event for the past five years.  I will start by stating the investments that we started with followed by an overview of various investment vehicles and their pros and cons. Five years ago my wife and I were your average middle class couple with two kids, a decent paying job, and a lot to look forward to.  We owned a car with no loan and we had an SUV with a loan.  We bought into the 2006 housing bubble not knowing how deep the corruption was. We discovered SurvivalBlog.com only …


Letter Re: Observations During a Group Nature Hike

Hello James, I wanted to pass along an observation from this weekend that I thought everyone could appreciate. This gave me some good insight into what it would be like to travel by foot with a large diverse group of people. Our local nature center had a nature walk through a historic woodland valley down to the river. The total walk was 3 miles down and back. The beginning of the walk was through pastureland and the second half followed an old road grade through the woods. There were five naturalists assisting on the hike and about 30 guests. The …


Economics and Investing:

The “D” (Default) word: Reader Wade C. wrote to mention that both the Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal have started talking a about a U.S. Treasury default on debt obligations. Scott M. mentioned: PIMCO goes short US government debt, raises cash holdings David R. mentioned this press release: Suburban Family Files Constitutional Challenge to City’s Ban on Front-Yard Cookie Stands Gas Prices Climbing Toward $5 Per Gallon. Items from The Economatrix: Sales of Wholesale Goods Slip in February Paul Drockton, M.A. on Silver Perfect Storm for Gold and Silver Silver’s Performance to Treble that of Gold Over 3-5 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

“T.” wrote to mention a useful article at Lifehacker: Make a Map Book Using Google Maps    o o o Reader F.G. sent a news article about the new British Army issue: ‘Stunglasses’ that can resist a shotgun blast from 16ft to be issued to 92,000 UK troops    o o o Bob Mc.C. recommended this thread over at M4Carbine.net: Some thoughts about defending your retreat. (Six myths of retreat security.)    o o o C.D.V. spotted this: Stranded Japanese farmer, 75, found alone in Minami Soma, city rocked by tsunami, earthquake    o o o News from Nanny State …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"If men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences that can invite the consideration of mankind, reason is of no use; the freedom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." – George Washington


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 34 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 Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and …