Two Letters Re: Advice on Storing Precious Metals–Are Safe Deposit Boxes Safe?

Hello Jim, I think the problem with the links readers sent you about how and where to hide precious metals, cash, etc., miss the most important point–it’s not the hiding place itself, but how inaccessible or well-concealed the hiding place is. Given enough time, anyone who knows what kind of faux storage containers to look for (e.g., a can of soup) will naturally check there first. Unless items are stashed away in your bug-out location, burglars will typically want to get in and out of a house as quickly as possible.My recommendation would be to not only install a floor …


Economics and Investing:

Yikes! CBS Advertising Net Income Plunges 96% (Thanks to frequent content contributor F.G. for the link.) Tom G. mentioned this piece by Karl Denninger: Blatant Monetization Uncovered: Federal Reserve bought back half of the seven-year issue this week. I ‘ve warned you that monetization (and inflation) are coming. This is just the begriming! Reader Karl in PDX asks: Do you remember in the 1990 [gangster] film Goodfellas, by Martin Scorsese, when one of the robbery team goes out and buys a pink Cadillac for his wife with the proceeds? Robert DeNiro’s character has to step in. “Now, what did I …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Steve W. and Brian M. both mentioned that there will be an EMP risks and risk mitigation conference in Niagara Falls, New York in September: EMPactAmerica. For a conference of this nature, registration is reasonably priced. The “early registration rate” deadline is August 8th. As with other public events where preppers congregate, if you attend, then wear or carry SurvivalBlog or Bennington Flag meet-up gear. You never know who you might bump into!    o o o Patton sent this: 34 Million Americans on Food Stamps    o o o From GG: More ask to carry concealed weapons; Political, economic …



Hard Times at Here–Are You Ready?

The hard economic times that I–and many others–warned you about are now here. We are clearly now in the opening stages of a full-scale depression that will last a decade or longer. This news article (sent to me by SurvivalBlog reader Eric C.) .about an unemployed couple in Indiana is a microcosm of what we will be witnessing for the next decade. Take a few minutes to read it. Our pampered society is in for a rude wakening. Now, at the risk of sounding unkind and judgmental, the term “white trash” comes to mind. Note that this man in Indiana …


Letter Re: Advice on Storing Precious Metals–Are Safe Deposit Boxes Safe?

Good Morning. I have been diversifying my investments, with a strong emphasis on gold and pre-1965 [silver] coins. Currently, the coins are stored in a bank safe deposit box. Can you tell me, in the event of a “bank holiday” will safe deposit boxes be available? In other words, I understand that they won’t allow me to withdraw cash from my account (my understanding of the term, bank holiday). But, would the bank allow customers access to the safe deposit boxes to withdraw whatever might be stored in the vault? Thanks for all you do. Keep up the good work. …



Economics and Investing:

Susan Z. recommended this piece by Bob Chapman: And All the Kings’ Horses and All the King’s Men… GG mentioned Mish Shedlock’s latest piece: Weekly Unemployment Claims Portend Disaster Also from GG: Federal tax revenues plummeting. I can foresee the reinstitution of pre-Kennedy-era marginal tax rates (more than 50%) in the next few years. This is just one more good reason to invest in tangibles. They’ll heavily tax interest income, but you don’t pay taxes on tangibles until you sell them. Several items from frequent content contributor Karen H.: Cathay Pacific to Park Six Passenger Planes After 27% Sales Slump …


Odds ‘n Sods:

10 Things You Need to Know to Live on the Streets    o o o From Cheryl: Russian Subs Patrolling Off East Coast    o o o Outcry Causes Obama Administration To Change Language on Cash for Clunkers Website    o o o Hawaiian K. mentioned a piece by Jack Spirko, posted over at LRC: Modern Survivalism Tenet Number Five; Food stored is an exceptional investment. You simply can’t lose by storing additional food that you use on a regular basis


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Naturally the advance planning that we did on this thing belongs on the credit side of the ledger. So also does the venture into night flying, although in the final analysis the only real effect it had on this operation was to hold us in the area for one more night. Had we found the U-505 at night, there would have been no possibility of capture—that boarding idea was improbable enough in broad daylight, it was impossible at night. This whole operation is an example of the fact that a military commander controls events only up to a certain point. …


Notes from JWR:

I just heard that JRM, the author of the recent article “A Prepper Husband and a Stubborn Wife,” has been tapped for a special “Publisher’s Award” by Jake Stafford, the Publisher at Arbogast Publishing. JRM will receive a complimentary copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course. Congrats! — Today we present another entry for Round 24 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 …


Incubating and Hatching Eggs for Self Reliance, by Jason C.

I recently decided to try to add to my skill set by doing something I had not tried before. Raising birds from eggs. I have included raising animals as part of my long term survival plan for TEOTWAWKI. And in my usual fashion I needed to try it first to feel comfortable in listing it as a skill to be used if the situation arose. There are many reasons that would require the need to hatch birds from eggs. Even if you have your flock already, what would happen if they were to become sick and die leaving you with …


Letter Re: Saving Clad Dimes and Quarters?

Sir, I have accumulated ‘some’ pre-1965 silver. Not the $1,000 face value per family member as seems to be the benchmark but I do have a bit over $1,400 face value and a few gold coins (about two ounces of gold, in combined weight) for my family. Someone told me that even post-1964 dimes and quarters (and of course pennies and nickels for their real metal value) would have ‘some’ value if the dollar went bust. I do not understand how this can be but I have been saving coins nonetheless. My question is am I better to take the …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

Reader Pete A. sent us a link to an updated interactive map: Tracking the global spread of swine flu First Wave of Swine Flu Peaks in UK Mexico registers big jump in swine flu cases Swine Flu Strategy Under Revision “U.S. authorities will release within days other ‘community-mitigation”‘measures, intended to help keep businesses operating, help hospitals avoid being overwhelmed and guide local authorities in deciding whether to cancel public events, officials said.”


Economics and Investing:

Most of you have noticed the recent price action in silver and gold. Typically, the precious metals go through “Summer Doldrums” each year, with light trading and moderated prices. But not this year! One can only ask: if the market this strong in August, then how will it be in November, as the US Dollar Index (USDI) continues to slide? I hope that you took my advice and bought silver when it was recently under $12.50 per ounce. In my estimation even at $14.50 per ounce, silver is still a bargain. As I’ve often written, buy on the dips. BusinessWeek …