Motorized Survival Bikes, by JIR

When you mention bicycles in the context of survival preparation, most people roll their eyes. I used to feel the same way. The image of pedaling through the apocalypse with mushroom clouds in the background is almost comical. But, after buying a motor kit as a toy and trying it out for a while, I have completely changed my opinion. These are serious machines that may fit a niche in your survival plans. They fit my plans perfectly. We are much more likely to experience a severe economic decline rather than a collapse. In fact, a lot of people would …


Three Letters Re: Four Great Preparedness Myths

JWR: Reading over all the responses to Dan B.’s article, there seems to be a common misunderstanding of the foe we are facing. I have seen several failed states and disasters up close and they are nothing like a “B Movie”. Please don’t expect to face a disorganized mob of lightly armed refugees. The refugees are going congregate in a town nearby. They are not going to storm your cabin, they are going to vote in a town meeting to send professionals to do it. There may be “raiders” in the form of biker gangs or prison escapees (think The …


Economics and Investing:

Volcker Says Time Is Running Out for U.S. to Tackle Fiscal Woe. (Our thanks to RBS for the link.) Chester suggested this bit of frank commentary: The Morality of the Financial Monetary System is Really What is Broken Brett G. flagged this bit of “recovery” news: Week’s unemployment claims jump to 471,000 Items from The Economatrix: Ticking Time Bomb: $600 Trillion in Derivatives at Risk Next Year’s Federal Budget Sinking in Deep Red Ink Reforming Fannie and Freddie Will Slam Home Prices Germany’s ‘Desperate’ Short Ban Triggers Capital Flight to Switzerland Fading of Inflation Helps Buyers and Borrowers Food Price …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Estimate for Nashville property damage from flood tops $1.9 billion. The eventual insurance tab may surpass the New Orleans flooding, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina!    o o o Nic mentioned that the excellent Gun Test consumer review magazine has come out with a new online magazine – Gun Reports – to cover the multiplicity of guns and gear that can’t fit in their print magazine:    o o o Savings Experiment: Where better batteries meet bargain power. (Thanks to Matt in Oklahoma for the link.)    o o o Judy T. was the first of several readers to …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." – 2 Corinthians 1:2-4


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 28 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 between $500 and $600, 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.), and D.) A 500 round case …


Use the Ground You Live on for More Than Walking, by John Z.

I’ve learned that the best way to obtain much needed resources is to look on the ground. Food We grow a large garden at two sites for my family. We can and preserve what we will use later and eat the stuff from the grocery now while it’s cheap. The fruits and veggies we consume come from the ground. We box in one area, add proper compost, manure, sand and dirt and then till until we get the proper texture for the different plants we grow. All the while the ground is the entire reason for this. Everything we use …


Letter Re: Self-Storage Spaces as Caches

Sir, Regarding Lynn in Washington’s pointer to the YouTube video (as representative of a “secure” lock?), I know of, and have known of, for quite some time, two ‘other’ locks which fit, much better, the criteria of “round” and “disk”. The first “round” lock is manufactured by the American Lock Company. (Yes, that is its real name). Many truck-delivery companies (in New York City, and surrounding vicinity) use this lock on the back doors of their vehicles, and anyone who, honestly, believes they can open this lock with a bolt-cutter is being dishonest with themselves. Picking is also rather difficult. …


Two Letters Re: Healthy Food Storage

Mr. Rawles: I do believe R.J. may have some valid points but the way it is presented was very disturbing. RJ is making it sound as though the food (grains, rice and corn) will cause health problems. We already have health problems with the majority of the population. Hopefully all the preppers are changing their ways eating and living healthier. I do believe that R.J. thinks those of us that are putting food into storage for the future are putting processed food away. That is very far from the truth. Everyone that I have talked to are putting the basics …


Economics and Investing:

E.M.B. sent a link to a useful US Coin Melt Calculator. Michael K. sent us this: South Africa Fights Rand Counterfeits a Month Before World Cup Brett G. suggested this: Jim Rogers: Even More Currency, Market Turmoil on the Way Andrew H. sent this from Richard Russell, the editor of The Dow Theory Letter: You Won’t Recognize America by the End of the Year. Here are a couple of quotes: “Do your friends a favor… Tell them to get out of debt and sell anything they can sell (and don’t need) in order to get liquid. Tell them that Richard …


Odds ‘n Sods:

GCM sent a link to this cool water, gear, and fuel storage product: Rotopax.    o o o G.G. flagged: The Closers: How the pros shut down a failing bank    o o o Reader J.A.B. suggested FindYourSpot.com, a relocation web site that finds “your spot”, based upon 40 to 50 questions are asked about your lifestyle and preferences, and you’re given (immediately) a list of 20-odd locales across America that suits your needs. At the end, they’ll be some questions pertaining to advertising, but never fear, you can click through to the selections. Some locations might be no-brainers for …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“We’re just fragile machines programmed with a false sense of our own importance. And every now and then the universe sends a reminder that we don’t really matter to it, hurtling us into confusion and a panic for answers that will allow us to resume our program again.” – Neil Strauss, Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 28 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 between $500 and $600, 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.), and D.) A 500 round case …


Healthy Food Storage, by R.J.

A common staple in any good prepper’s store is food and another is medication.  We make sure to have loads of food that will last a long time (grains, legumes and corn) and do not realize that eating these very things help contribute to cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and cardiac syndrome X (just to name a few).  WTSHTF where in the world are we supposed to get chemo medication?  Or who is most qualified to do a triple bypass or mix up a new batch of insulin?  If the need ever comes to actually use our stores it would be …


Letter Re: Advice on Precious Metals Investing

Mr. Rawles: Please tell me, what would be the best form to purchase gold to store, that is not a stock [or an Exchange Traded Fund]? I cashed out a penny stock that my father left me, which will cover almost one once of gold. Thanks, – Wendy H. JWR Replies: At the present time, I don’t recommend gold for most investors. Instead, I recommend silver. The silver to gold ratio is currently around 63 to 1, which is way out of whack. It should be closer to it historic norm, which is 16-to-1. This means that gold is relatively …