Economics and Investing:

Darin H. flagged a blog piece by Chris Martenson: How long can the party in stocks last? Several readers mentioned this new video from Future Money Trends: Gold This Decade. Jim Rickards on Reserve currency, hot money and global food price inflation. (Thanks to David W. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Stocks Shrug Off Mixed Unemployment Reports   Unemployment Falls to 9%, Lowest Since 2009   Regulators Shut Three Small Banks; 14 Failures in 2011   Why You Should be Buying Gold as the Fed Prints Money   Jim Rogers:  Obama is Ruining America  


Odds ‘n Sods:

Directive 21 now offers Emergency Seed Banks, which each have 37,000 heirloom seeds that are non-GMO and non-hybrid (open pollinated).    o o o Eric H. found an incognito and space saving storage idea    o o o Reader Michelle J. recommended a site with maps and other geological information called Anyplace America. Michelle says: “It’s free, printable, and there are over a million different geological features that you can sort by feature, city, county, et cetera.”.



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 33 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 $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 250 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady …


Cold Weather Patrol Tactics and Techniques, by B.P. in Colorado

With the onset of widespread severe winter weather over most of the continental United States, I thought it prudent to share my experiences with cold-weather small unit tactical operations. A little about me: As part of my active duty Army career, I spent three years stationed in Alaska in a leadership position in an Airborne Infantry battalion.  During those three years, we spent a significant amount of field time in sub-Arctic conditions, my longest deployment being two weeks in a tactical field environment in the frigid interior at temperatures pushing -40 degrees.  Through these exercises, I learned a lot about …


The Importance of Personal Fitness as a Preparation, by Chris E.

We all have taken the time to discuss here the importance of making preparation for the the bad times to come, in the realm of food and water storage. We have picked our defenses carefully, planed routes of egress, but how many of us have prepared ourselves from a physical perspective? This in my opinion is really the cornerstone of any prepping, after all our mobility and endurance is seldom tested in the confines of modern society. Now I realize that not all people are at the same starting level of fitness, starting level of health, or other factors. That …


Letter Re: Escape From New York

Dear Jim:   Dino’s home in Nassau County (Long Island) New York could prove to be where he will stay during the difficulties that “might” descend upon us. It might be impossible to bug out to his upstate property. Here’s why.   The only connections to the US mainland from western Long Island are the following: • The Throgs Neck Bridge to the Bronx • The Whitestone Bridge to the Bronx • The Triboro Bridge to Manhattan Island • The Queensboro Bridge to Manhattan Island • The Queens Midtown Tunnel to Manhattan Island • The Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to Manhattan Island …


Letter Re: First Aid Kits Are Not Enough

Dear Editor: I read with interest the letter regarding the need for first aid supplies and would like to address a few issues this gentleman and others might wish to consider for the next time an injury occurs. With all due respect to those who recommend buying lots of battle dressings and gauze, it is unlikely that one could truly buy enough to last for a prolonged TEOTWAWKI situation. While it is advisable to have adequate supplies on hand for most minor injuries, people would also do well to learn a few basics of first aid wound care and to …


Letter Re: Prepping Paid Off in Midwest Snowstorms

JWR: As you know the Midwest experienced a large snow event this past Tuesday and Wed that left many people dealing with a large amount of snow and the associated problems that come with a large scale storm. I am fortunate that I was able to be safe with my family due to my preps however many were not as fortunate. This storm was predicted for several days and beginning as early as Sunday 1/30/11 the shelves at the local stores were getting thin. By Monday night there was large swaths of empty shelves and staples such as Bread and …


Economics and Investing:

E.M.B. sent this: Coming Soon: A 300-Percent Increase in Foreclosures Smoot-Hawley Redux: As the Greater Depression continues along a parallel pathway with the Great Depression of the 1930s, Congress is about to commit the same blunder it made in 1930. (Thanks to C.D.V. for the link.) From Brett G. comes this link: Copper, Gold May Jump 30 Percent on Inflation Fear CoinWeek reports: Threat of Counterfeit Morgan Silver Dollars from China (Thanks to loyal content contributor R.D.F. for the link.) FDIC Friday Follies: Two more banks bit the dust on Friday, February 4th. (Both in Georgia.) Items from The Economatrix: …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Complex Interdependencies Department: “Due to rolling blackouts in West Texas and other problems, the delivery of natural gas into New Mexico has been impeded.” Reader Greg C. notes: This is a great example of the flaw in multiple systems being to dependent on each other.  I wonder if any natural gas customer in New Mexico ever realized before now that their piped natural gas was dependent on an electrical grid located in another state?      o o o My recent interview on The Peter Schiff Show is now available for download (for his subscribers).    o o o Kevin …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 33 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 $392 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A 250 round case of 12 Gauge Hornady …


Tips on Wild Food Foraging, by T.B.P.

From the time I was a young boy I have been fascinated with wild foods. The idea that there was food out there just for the taking made a connection with something deep inside of me. That something was mainly my stomach, which at that age always seemed to be a bit on the empty side. Since then I’ve spent years practicing the art of foraging along with studying a veritable mountain of books. The reason is simple: you never know when you’ll be out in the woods and find out your hiking buddy ate the last granola bar. I …


Finding Food in a Disaster, by Roger W.

Some, or most, of you may have long-term plans in place, which is great, and mightily encouraging.  For those that have been actively preparing years ahead of time, I commend your foresight.  Sadly, some of us aren’t that prepared at this stage in the game.  Finding the right property/shelter/fuel/food sources is ideal, but until now I haven’t had the disposable income to invest in things of value.  That being said, here’s one thing that keeps me motivated. Food is going to be the main scarcity out here and, in a pinch, I can harvest foods on my way out of …