SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — A video from blog reader A.K.: Build your own Portable Poultry Coop! o  o  o Reader C.B. sent this:  A Concerning Winter Storm Is Coming… o  o  o New Yorkers Moving to Florida in Record Numbers. “More people from New York moved to Florida in 2022 than any year in history, according …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 31, 2023

On this day in 1872, American author Pearl Zane Grey was born. He was best known for his popular adventure western novels, including Riders of the Purple Sage, which was his best-selling book. On January 31, 1606, Guy Fawkes was scheduled for execution for his part in the Gunpowder Plot against Parliament and King James. As he was being marched up the steps to his gallows with his hands bound, he fell, broke his neck, and died, depriving his executioners of any satisfaction. In recent years, Guy Fawkes masks have become a symbol of resistance to big government, worldwide. — …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on some upcoming conservative legislation at the Idaho capitol. Idaho There was some good news included in a strongly-worded e-newsletter from Scott McIntosh of The Idaho Statesman newspaper. It was entitled:  The Idaho Way: Idaho Republican legislators reveal early agenda of fear and …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 30, 2023

Retired actor Eugene “Gene” Allen Hackman was born January 30, 1930. He retired from acting, because of stress issues. January 30th is also the birthday of historian Barbara Tuchman (born 1912, died February 6, 1989). She wrote some very engaging history books. And January 30th, 1925 was the birthday of Douglas Engelbart, who invented the computer mouse. — Sales of the latest edition of the SurvivalBlog Archive waterproof USB stick have been more rapid than anticipated.  I now expect them to sell out within 10 days. If you want any, then order them soon! We might not manufacture a second …


Recipe of the Week: Non-GMO Biscuit Mix

The following recipe comes to us from SurvivalBlog reader SaraSue.  It is for a homemade non-GMO biscuit mix powder. It is intended to replace commercially-made mixes such as Bisquick, that could include some genetically modified organism (GMO) grain. SaraSue notes: “If you read the packaging on a box of Bisquick, it will state that there are genetically modified ingredients in it. I purchase non-GMO ingredients from Azure Standard.” Yields: About 25 cups Ingredients One 5-pound bag of non-GMO all-purpose flour. (19 to 20 cups)3¾ cups buttermilk powder⅔ cup baking powder½ cup cane sugar (or organic sugar — this is optional, but …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, we look at copper supply and prices. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: John Rubino: Gold Or Silver? o  o  o Arkadiusz Sieroń, at Gold-Eagle.com: The Fed’s Crossroads – Hawkish or Dovish? JWR’s Comments:  My appraisal is that the Fed will be pressured by the U.S. Treasury to relent on raising interest rates, most likely  …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — January 29, 2023

Today is the birthday of journalist and inventor Thomas Paine (1737–1809.) On this day in 1845 Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” was published. And today is the birthday of actor Tom Selleck (born 1945), best known for playing the title role of Magnum, P.I.. He is an avid shooter and quite pro-gun. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 104 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could …


Risk Management for Small Business Owners, by T.S.

I’m willing to bet that many SurvivalBlog readers own a small business of some sort. Whether you have a brick-and-mortar store, sell homemade goods at a farmer’s market, or have a “side gig” with eBay or Etsy, figuring out how to make your small business resilient (without much expense) is an excellent use of your time. I own a small and entirely online business that ships products across the USA. This is currently an additional income source. My “day job” is in IT, where I’m certified in risk management and disaster recovery planning. I’m going to present an industry-standard plan …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — January 28, 2023

On this day in 1986, the U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff from Florida, killing all seven aboard, including a schoolteacher who had been chosen as the first American civilian to travel in space. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 104 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n …