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. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at auction prices for collectible guns and numismatic coins. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: The relationship between the silver price, inventories, and comex positions. o  o  o Silver Options Strategy: How low is too low? o  o  o Gold Price Forecast – Crisis Indicators Flashing Red, Gold Near …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — October 2, 2022

On October 2, 2002, the Beltway sniper attacks began. This was a series of coordinated sniper attacks in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The attacks lasted three weeks and resulted in the killing of 10 people. — October 3rd is also the anniversary of the Mogadishu, Somalia raid. — Today’s feature article was written by JWR. — Tomorrow, we will be announcing the prize winners for Round 102 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.


Revisiting The “Worst Case” Retreat Potential for Northeastern States

I have had a couple of consulting clients contact me since July, both asking me for advice on potential retreat locales that are fairly close to Northeastern cities.  My replies to them were fairly pointed and terse: There are simply no viable retreat locales to survive a “worst case” collapse anywhere within 100 miles of New York City, Boston, or Philadephia. This is because the population density is simply too high. And, in fact, I generally discourage my clients from residing anywhere east of the Mississippi River — or better yet the Missouri River — if they have the opportunity …



The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — October 1, 2022

The Republic of Palau officially became an independent sovereign state on October 1, 1994. — We are seeking entries for Round 103 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. That two-month round starts today.  More than $750,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 103 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 30, 2022

On this day in 1938, the Treaty of Munich was signed by Hitler, Mussolini, Daladier, and Chamberlain. This treaty forced Czechoslovakia to cede territory to Germany. Thus began the “Phoney War” period. The treaty proved to be only worthless paper promises, just a few months later. — I just heard that Andrew van der Bijl, best known by Christians worldwide as Brother Andrew, passed away on Tuesday at age 94. His book God’s Smuggler was an international bestseller.  I pray that ten thousand more scripture smugglers rise up, to take his place. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another …


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. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at a cleverly simple penny sorting device. (See the Precious Metals and Base Metals section.) Precious Metals and Base Metals: Reader Jeff K. sent a link to a video showing a brilliantly simple and inexpensive solution to copper penny sorting: The Home-Built Magnetic Penny Sorter. o  o  o Weak electronic …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Remember, the Fed does not control interest rates, they only control their discount rate.  When the market stampedes into bonds there’s nothing the Fed can do to keep rates from falling.  The panic will send short term rates way above long term, and will lash a lesson into the smug complacency that has kept the creditworthiness spread between US treasury securities and all other debt, from high grade corporate to junk.  Y’all strap yourselves in for one wild ride.” – Franklin Sanders


Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 29, 2022

Episode 3, of Season 3 of The Twilight Zone, titled The Shelter originally aired on September 29, 1961. Of particular interest to preppers, this was one of the few episodes of that television series that didn’t feature supernatural or sci-fi elements. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘nx Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Since September is National Preparedness Month, we are focusing this week’s column on war, pandemic, and natural disaster planning. Inside Raven Rock Mountain Nuclear War Bunker Terry suggested this article that ran in Newsweek, …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 28, 2022

On September 28, 1066, William The Conqueror invaded England, landing at Pevensey Bay, Sussex. — Today’s guest article was written by Brandon Smith of the great Alt-Market blog. — Just two days left! We are seeking entries for Round 102 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Round 102 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.