The Post-SHTF Store, by J.P.C.

So much has been written on preparing solely for survival of TEOTWAWKI. What about after? What about five years after? Granted, if something minor happens and we could overcome it within a month or so, I truly see precious metals quite viable. However, should the whole world fall to its knees and we would be looking at years before any sort of progress could be made, I think material goods would be much more important. This list is not meant to be a final checklist, but rather a starting point that you could adjust, add, or take away from. These …


The Four Levels of Disaster Preparedness Competence, by Todd D.

Using the theory of competence awareness that you can apply to any skill, or knowledge based discipline i.e. cooking, auto repair, etc. I am taking a writers license to make a revision to Dr. Abraham Maslow’s conscious competence theory, and apply the theory to Disaster Preparedness. Unconsciously Incompetent: The UI represents approximately 90% of the population of the nation. Using Hurricane Katrina as an example, hundreds of thousands of people felt it was the role of the government to make sure that individual citizens would have food, water, clothing and shelter. These same people believe under no circumstance, the individual …


Economics and Investing:

Roubini: Debt Nightmare Unfolding in Europe The blame game is on: Bernanke Takes Aim at China Governor Warns Cities May Go Bankrupt. (Thanks to B.B. for the link.) The American Way of Life, As Things Fell Apart, Nobody Paid Much Attention. Items from The Economatrix: How Gold Performs During Periods of Deflation, Disinflation, Runaway Stagflation and Hyperinflation   Debt Collectors Stalking, Publicly Humiliating People Through Facebook   US In Terribly Dangerous Territory, Bond Market May Be Headed Toward Implosion   Gold Investing:  A Bet Against The Idiocy of Money Creation (The Mogambo Guru)   US Home Starts Drop More Than …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I was doing some web wandering and found this: British national builds a ‘tsunami-resistant house,’ powered by solar energy    o o o Reading this synopsis, I would surmise that the script writer for the upcoming “modest budget” guerilla film Remnants must read SurvivalBlog. Watch the latest trailer. Oh, and their clip of “Merle’s Basement” may strike a chord. (Thanks to C.H. for the link.)    o o o Scott F. recommended this web page for some details on suturing: Operational Medicine 2001 Field Medical Service School Student Handbook.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson …



Notes from JWR:

I was tickled to see that Glenn Beck interviewed Lisa Bedford “The Survival Mom” on his television show. (Nov. 18, 2010.) Hopefully this will encourage a broader cross-section of America build a food storage program. — Today we present another entry 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 …


Prepping for Kids, by Rose in Minnesota

A Christian homeschooling wife and mother of three, I find that the subject of children isn’t often addressed by survivalists.  Perhaps it goes without saying that we will teach our children the skills they would need to survive in any given situation, but I know how easy it can be to overlook this vital task in the busyness of raising a family. At the other end of the spectrum, I do not want to raise children who are crippled by fear of the world they live in, nor do I want irresponsible sissies dependent on electronic entertainment and happy meals …


Update on Writing Projects

I’ve had several readers ask me about the status of my upcoming novels. Here is the news, in brief: I submitted the manuscript for the first sequel to “Patriots” in July. Atria Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) plans to release it around October of 2011. It is currently being edited. OBTW, I had the chance to meet my editor, Emily Bestler, in person for the first time last month. She is a very skillful editor. After seeing how wonderfully she edited Glenn Beck’s new novel “The Overton Window“, I am convinced that she will do a great job …


Economics and Investing:

Voting with their feet: Low-tax states will gain seats, high-tax states will lose them. (Thanks to John M. for the link.) The Southern California residential housing crater is not improving. Commentary by Simon Black, over at the Sovereign Man blog: The First Signs of the Coming Dollar Crash are in Hong Kong. Items from The Economatrix: G20: World Gangs Up On America; The Dollar’s Days As Reserve Currency Are Numbered Three Big Banks Cutting Deals on Foreclosures   Pension Insurer Reports Wider Annual Deficit   China Assaults US Monetary Easing 


Odds ‘n Sods:

Following some very expensive lobbying, S.510 passed a cloture vote in the U.S. Senate earlier this week. What a huge disappointment to see this bad legislation will probably be passed. The big question is: How will that bill and the considerably different H.R. 2749 (the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009) from over in the House be reconciled? Please contact your congresscritters and ask them to do their best to get this legislation stopped.    o o o Reader Ron L. noted: “What happens when you have a displaced populace? Disease. Then unrest. It’s happening now in Haiti.”    o …



Notes from JWR:

I’m scheduled for a two hour interview with call-in questions from listeners on Wednesday, November 24th on EMPact Radio. — Today we present another entry 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.) …


My Path to Preparedness, by C. in The Ozarks

I am almost 60 years old.  I have a neurological disease which has forced my early retirement.  I am single, never been married, and have no children.  My parents are both deceased and my sister is deceased.  My brother is retired and lives in Florida.  [Some deleted, for brevity.] I also do not have any friends.  My best friend decided that since she couldn’t see the effects of my neurological disease then I must be faking it and being lazy to retire early.  She doesn’t see me writhing in pain most evenings even though I take a lot of pain …


Product Review: Canon A580 Camera

It’s always a good idea to have a camera along.  They serve many purposes, from documenting accidents and incidents, insurance documenation, recording activities, tracking disassembly and reassembly of things like cars, guns or even tents, research photos of things to study later, and even recreational shots.  While modern phones can take images, the quality is certainly lacking due to iris size, and I prefer to leave the phone to its task of communicating. The Canon PowerShot A580 is another device that served me well in the World’s Largest Sandbox.  The camera I had with me was old and inadequate, and …


Economics and Investing:

The ever-cheery Amrose Evans-Pritchard reports: The horrible truth starts to dawn on Europe’s leaders. JWR Adds: They may have to Punt on this one! (Ireland may be ejected from the Euro confab, shortly, and revert to independently issuing the Punt Éireannach. Major financial and currency chaos to follow, no doubt.) Brian B. was the first of several readers to mention this: Max Keiser tells the world to Crash JP Morgan, buy silver. Even if doesn’t squeeze the short sellers, every family should acquire some silver. $53,957 in Circulation for Every Ounce of Gold Why the Irish Crisis is Going Global. …