Two Letters Re: As Simple as Changing a Tire

Dear James, It seems that life can test you in many different ways on how prepared you are for the unexpected.  I recently experienced an unexpected  flat tire while out purchasing some ammo.  The tire went flat just as I was getting onto the freeway, fortunately there was an exit close by which I took and ended up stopping at a nearby convenience store.  When I looked to see if I had all the tools for putting on my spare I did not see my jack as it was hidden behind a plastic panel.  I went into the convenience store …


Economics and Investing:

Deborah B. mentioned that the awesome collection of charts at the National Inflation Association site have been updated. John H. mentioned a newsletter PDF: The Rising Frustration With The Debt Crisis by the imprisoned economist Martin A. Armstrong. His newsletters are produced in his prison cell. Here is a quote from his latest newsletter: “We are rapidly crossing the point of no return….So, either we face the reality of a completely new economic model or we hang up everything now.” Items from The Economatrix: Ireland Denies “Surrendering Sovereignty” Over Bail-out   Economic Implosion Sets the Blame Game in Motion   …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Anyone considering buying any British or NATO military surplus uniforms, hats, or boots will find these charts useful.    o o o JRH Enterprises is having their annual Black Friday sale beginning now, with sale prices on many items including new Third Generation AN/PVS-14 night vision units as low as $2,895. We have one of these at the Rawles Ranch (a Gen3+) and we absolutely love it.    o o o For the “Why Am I Not Surprised?” Department: Obama Taps Chicago ATF Official to Lead Agency. Of course he’s from Chicago. Of course Chicago is hardly a Lily White …



Notes from JWR:

The Rawles Gets Your Ready Family Preparedness Course is only rarely offered at a discounted price. For the next three weeks, the publisher is running a special sale. Don’t miss out on the chance to get a copy for yourself, or to give one as a Christmas gift. — Today we present another two entries for Round 31 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 …


Adapting Traditional Medical Care to the Austere Environment, by A.P.T.

Perhaps you are a civilian EMT, paramedic or RN that has found interest in preparedness, or you are an established prepper who has taken an EMT class or a Wilderness EMT class, but are having some difficulty with bridge to the world that has no power grid, no Internet and lacks a certain social cohesion. Even military medics will be challenged in this situation, as they are currently accustomed to having modern equipment, restock and a means of patient evacuation (in most cases). Either way you bring essential experience and knowledge to your preparedness group as the medical specialist, but …


Off The Grid Cooking, by Chino

I have seen numerous articles dealing with the type and quantity of food that one should have for long term survival, but I have yet to see anyone address survival cooking. I have been prepping for a few years and I have a pretty good supply of “stuff” including a Svea backpacking stove, a Coleman stove & fuel, camping grill & 1 lb. propane bottles, a butane stove with butane canisters and a wood stove that could double for a cook stove for cooking beans in the winter time.  I thought I was pretty well set to go it alone …


Letter Re: Question on Shelf Life of Water Stored in Bottles

Good Afternoon, Having purchased the The “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, you asked for some feedback. I think the most concise way to put it is that I started out with a list of around 95 questions about preparedness. And that list was growing at the rate of about one question a day. After reading the binder and listening to the audio CD, I am left with precisely one question. The “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course is worth every dime as far as I’m concerned. There is one more “preppie” (no pun intended) spending about $10 a week …


Letter Re: Dealing with Common Addictions–True Readiness for Disasters

Sir: One item not often considered for emergency supplies: Caffeine pills. Many non-Mormons are heavy coffee drinkers. What happens when you’re on bug out, and drinking filtered stream water, instead of your morning Cup O’ Joe? Well, the splitting killer caffeine withdrawal headache, that’s what. Open the package, and gulp down a Vivarin, or No-Doz, and you are back to your cheerful self. With My Regards, – C.Y. JWR Replies: It is a far better thing to break away from coffee, soda pop, cigarette, alcohol, candy, junk food, and drug addictions now, in normal times. Get rid of them one …


Letter Re: Bargain Prices at Wiggy’s

Sir, I hope this e-mail finds you and yours well. I just wanted you to be aware that Wiggy’s here in Grand Junction, Colorado is offering almost 50% off sleeping bags and clothing if picked up in store. I just bought the Lamilite jacket and wow, it is too warm so far. Everyone knows the quality and comfort a Wiggy’s bag can provide in all conditions. I would hope everyone locally takes advantage of this offer. When I was there yesterday they said it would go to the end of the year or until the economy got better….. Please pass …


Economics and Investing:

Brett G. sent this: Fed Warns of 4.25 Million More Foreclosures Through 2012 From Russia Expert, a Gloomy Outlook. (Thanks to Siggy for the link.) P.D. flagged: Tent Cities, Homelessness and Soul-Crushing Despair: The Legacy of Decades of Government Debt and Mismanagement of the Economy Inyokern highlighted this one: Ireland fears civil unrest as bank crisis deepens Items from The Economatrix: Home Prices Will Keep Falling   Job Seekers Find Bias Against Unemployed   Jobless Benefits Cost So Far:  $319 Billion US Banks Insolvent If They Face Loan Losses   What’s Really Behind QE2?   ECB Tightens Screws on Ireland, …


Inflation Watch:

Brace yourself for more high inflation, Mervyn King tells George Osborne. $4.00 Gasoline By The End Of 2010?   Our friend Fred C. sent this: “Riceland brand rice in 50 pound bags at my local Sam’s Club in Arkansas was $13.95 in July. Then it jumped to $14.60 in late September. Last night I noticed that the pallet with Riceland rice bags on it had 25 pound bags instead of 50 pound bags, and they were priced at $8.95 each. (The equivalent of $17.90 per 50 pounds.) Gap, Wal-Mart Clothing Costs Rise on `Terrifying’ Cotton Prices China to subsidize food …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I’m scheduled for a two hour interview on the EMPact Radio podcast on Wednesday. That should be interesting.    o o o Something tells me that there will be some bargain prices soon: Solar Panel Makers Face Supply-Glut `Armageddon’: Chart of Day. Thanks to reader Chris S. for the link.    o o o Seen over at Paratus Familia: A novel concealment holster for women.    o o o J. in the Great White North recommended this five minute video: You Can Eat Dandelion    o o o I just finished reading Jerry and Sharon Ahern’s new sci-fi novel, Written …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“It could unfold very, very quickly. Because deflation is a swing of poverty feedback, it can take awhile to build up. If you try to explain to people what’s coming, because it doesn’t happen instantly, they tend to go back to sleep. The thing they need to understand, however, is that when it does hit a tipping point, a kind of critical mass, then it can unfold exceptionally quickly. Then it’s very much like having the rug pulled out from under your feet. So I tell people all the time, prepare now because it’s better to be two years too …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 31 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will 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 500 round case of Fiocchi 9mm …