From David in Israel: Off Grid Alternatives to Utility-Supplied Electricity

James One of the most troubling things I see when speaking to people about going off grid is how badly they want to keep all of their electrical appliances and just spend many thousands of dollars on a battery bank more appropriate for a U-boat and solar cells or generators to keep them topped off. Having had a minor role in a micro-satellite system design proposal one thing you learn when confronted by limited power supply is to either economize or do without. The appliances you own for on grid use are not efficient. They are built to be inexpensive …


Letter Re: A Bulk-Buying Solution–Form a Buyer’s Club

Hi Jim, The bulk-buy solution I settled on was to start my own food co-op or buying club, as an associate of a bulk supplier. They send out a monthly price list and can deliver weekly in my area with only two days’ notice. My orders must meet a minimum of $350 each and I must be present when the truck backs down my driveway in order to properly receive and write a check for the shipment. The driver calls me an hour ahead of time so I don’t have to wait around all day. My aim was to make …


Letter Re: Converting Precious Metals ETFs to Physical Metals

Mr. Rawles, I have read your blog with interest for several years now, and I am coming around to your view that using long-term physical holdings in precious metals as a “time machine” to fight inflation is a good strategy. I have some small investments in bullion-backed exchange traded funds (ETFs) that I would like to convert to physical holdings, but I am unsure of the most efficient way to proceed. Of course I could always just sell the shares, head to the coin shop and pay the tax man next spring, but all I really want to do is …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

CDC Now Says There are Likely 4,000 Swine Flu Deaths in the US. This is 4x what they had been reporting. Ukraine Dead at 213; Still No Sequences From WHO 1,192,481 Influenza/ARI; 62,462 Hospitalized WHO Appeals to Ukraine for Help with Hemorrhagic Pneumonia Senators Debate Requiring Paid Sick Leave for Workers with Flu 11 Die of H1N1 in War-Ravaged Afghanistan Cheryl sent this article auto-translation link: Belarusian doctors: “Swine flu triggers a deadly form of pneumonia disease” …and this data from the Ukrainian Ministry of Health. Cheryl also did some digging and found this: Norway: 300,000 Infected. Doubling of cases …


Economics and Investing:

Jonas sent this: GLD ETF Warning, Tungsten-Filled Fake Gold Bars GG flagged this: China: Loose US Policy, Weak USD Creating Speculation From Pamela E.: Arrogant Fed hasn’t learned a thing Items from The Economatrix: White House Aims to Cut Deficit with Unspent TARP Money AIG May Tap Credit Line as Commercial Paper Expires Japan Derivative Market Unraveling If You Thought the Housing Meltdown was Bad… The Midnight Food Line at Wal-Mart. There are American families who aren’t eating at the end of the month and are literally hitting Wal-Mart at midnight, as soon as their food stamp benefits hit their …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Yishai spotted a link to New Scientist, posted by Glenn Reynolds, over at Instapundit: Mini ice age took hold of Europe in months    o o o Steve S. mentioned a recent article in The Detroit News that briefly quotes JWR: Apocalypse now: Armageddon scenarios reach fever pitch    o o o SurvivalBlog’s British-born Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson mentioned this incredible news story from Nanny State Britannia: Find a gun, go to jail.    o o o For the OPSEC-minded amongst us, Ron A. suggested this article with umpteen links: Web World Wide — 50 Free Internet Tools …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“I, for one, do not trust Congress to be in charge of monetary policy. But I do not argue that the Federal Reserve System should maintain its independence from the Federal government. I maintain that it should be made completely independent of the Federal government: cut loose and left to fend for itself, just as the Second Bank of the United States was in 1836. It went bust. I am not so naive as to imagine that this will happen in my lifetime, short of a true social collapse in which several million people die because of the collapse of …


Note from JWR:

A special two-week 25% off sale on canned Mountain House foods began this morning (Sunday, November 15th) at Ready Made Resources. (One of our most loyal advertisers.) For even greater savings, they are offering free shipping on full (unbroken) cases lots. But because of the higher handling costs, if you “mix and match” cans within cases, shipping will be charged.


Letter Re: Legality of “Law Enforcement Only” Marked Full-Capacity Magazines?

Hello, I just had a quick question, I recently purchased a 100 round BETA C-MAG from a man at a gun show, but there are markings on the front that say “For Law Enforcement/ Government Use Only” . Does this mean I should not have bought it? And what should I do with it if it’s unlawful to have? Please help, – Peter B. JWR Replies: Your drum magazine was produced sometime between 1994 and 2004, during a time when production for civilian sales was banned in the US. But that restriction marking became null and void after the 1994 …


Letter Re: Home Hot Water Heater Tanks as an Emergency Water Source?

Dear Jim, In all the posts I have been reading about storing water, I wondered if a typical home hot water heater could be used as a source of stored water in an emergency or TEOTWAWKI. Containing about 50 gallons in a glass enclosure, could that be considered a source of water, if [civic supply tap] water was not available or had run out? I’d be interested to hear your readers’ responses.- Diane G., Springfield, TN JWR Replies: Yes, the water in your home’s hot water heater is a good source of emergency water, if your utility water is ever …


Two Letters Re: Wound Irrigation in Austere Environments

Hello James, Regarding wound irrigation, wound preps, surgical site prep, etc., folks would do well to purchase a gallon each of Betadine, Povidone, or other generic tamed iodine, in both the scrub and solution formulations. These are not terribly expensive and one likely could talk his/her Veterinarian into getting some for them, as they are not controlled substances. [JWR Adds: They are also available in the vet supply department at some of the larger feed stores, and via mail order and Internet vet supply companies like Jeffers.] These are concentrates and can be diluted, and used on wounds if the …


Economics and Investing:

GG mentioned this in The Wall Street Journal: Widest-ever October budget deficit (more than all of 2006) More Friday Follies, with the link also courtesy of GG: Bank failure toll reaches 123; Regulators close two Florida banks and on in California, costing the FDIC $986.4 million. Gold will stay above $1,000 an ounce forever, says Swiss Dr. Doom. (Thanks to Laura H for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Drop in US Energy Use Drags Stocks Lower Jobless Claims Fall, But Hiring Gains Seem Far Off Buffett, Gates Tell Students Worst is Behind Us. Gee, Happy Days are Here Again. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cheryl (aka The Economatrix) mentioned that Sun Tzu’s Art of War (Sonshi’s translation, not the Giles edition) free on-line. Be sure to check out the Strategy Course.    o o o I found this linked at The Drudge Report (a very good news aggregation page that I scan at least once a week): Asteroid passes just 8,700 miles from Earth – with only 15 hours warning    o o o Also from Drudge: Cuba orders extreme measures to cut energy use. An energy saving tip for Papa Fidel: You could save half a million watts, if you just pull the …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 25 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. 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.) and C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.) Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing …