Prepping: A Labor of Love, by Sparky

My preparedness journey began when my mother in law was dying, and we had to get out of the house for a while. At a flea market, on the bottom shelf, was a book titled “Making the Best of Basics”. The cover caught my attention, and before we went home that night, I had read and re-read the book. I am a union electrician, subject to layoffs, and my husband is a self-employed painter. The idea that I needed to prepare came easy for me. I thought I had done well, always buying extra for the pantry. But water? Oops. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader “Mongoose” in the UK and Mark S. both sent us this: Iceland and the UK square off in a strange new financial Cold War    o o o Numerous budget shortfalls around the nation: States That Can’t Pay for Themselves.    o o o Katya sent us these links for your weekend reading displeasure: Iceland Teeters On Edge Of Economic Collapse; Banking Woes Spread Across Europe — Councils fear for Icelandic cash — Banking on gold.. And then Cheryl (our Economic Editor) sent all these: Wall Street Ends Worst Week Ever With Wild Trading — Dow’s Worst Week Comes …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“University of Maryland economist Herman E. Daly points out that the current crisis is really one of the “overgrowth of financial assets relative to growth of real wealth.” Daly believes that “financial assets have grown by a large multiple of the real economy” and that “paper exchanging for paper is now 20 times greater than exchanges of paper for real commodities.” Exploding debt liens have simply outgrown the wealth. The problem, in other words, cannot be bailed out. Historically, debt that cannot be redeemed has been repealed by inflation. The same inflation that wipes out debt will wipe out savings.” …


Letter Re: Everyday Carry Pocketknife Recommendation?

Mr. Rawles: I’ve seen your recommendations on guns for survival situations, but what do recommend for “Everyday Carry” kinda pocket knives? And what do you carry personally? Thanks, – H.Y. JWR Replies: My general preference is for “low-end” stainless steel folding knives with a positive lock, and with tanto-style tips. In my experience tantos are less prone to getting broken tips. For versatility, I also tend toward knives that are serrated in the back half of the blade. (Commonly called “50/50” or “half-serrated”.) My everyday carry knife is an extra large (5″ blade) Cold Steel 29 XTH Voyager. On occasions …


How to Buy in Quantity When on a Tight Budget, by Robert in Arizona

Let me start out, with the simple fact that we all need to prepare. And with that in mind, you must have asked yourself a million times, how can I achieve my goals for survival and food preparedness for my family on a very low or tight budget? Well the answer is simpler than you think! Think thrifty. Yes, thrift stores and Mom and Pop outlets are a true blessing in disguise. All of the things you might want to buy for home canning, food prep, food storage, Camping, Cooking, Clothes, Boots, Sleeping bags, etc. can be found right under …


Letter Re: Buying Just One Gun?

Good Morning: In response to the gentleman who wants to own just one gun: Obviously, his mindset is biased against gun ownership. Nothing wrong with that, to each his own. But, I would suggest that he really needs to get his mind squared away before even considering buying anything. Once the bias is corrected, and he has made the decision that he really needs a firearm…..then have him go to his local gun store where they have a range, rent a 38 revolver, a box of shells, some ear plugs and muffs and have at it. I wouldn’t recommend starting …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Norman in England mentioned one consequence of the global credit collapse, as reported by The Financial Post: Grain shipments stalled in credit drought (“There’s all kinds of stuff stacked up on docks right now…”)    o o o Bill N. sent us the link to this “must see” video from a DEFCON hackers’ convention: No Tech Hacking    o o o James B. sent us this “signs of the times” news story: National Debt Clock runs out of digits. Speaking of digits, several times in the last six months, I’ve mentioned the Federal Reserve cartels’ web page where they post …




Letter Re: Water Storage and Crash Course Advice

Jim, First off let me say I continue to enjoy everything you post on SurvivalBlog. I believe that, given, recent events, my extended family is coming around and is wanting to finally start getting prepared (let us hope its not too late). Second, in reference to the WaterBOB that someone cited recently: what preferred method of treatment do you recommend in storing the water in the mentioned device for long term? Third, what ‘crash course’ advice can you offer for those who may be too little too late in getting prepared for WTSHTF? Or for those recently converted who want …


Letter Re: Cheap is Good, But Free is Better

Mr. Rawles, I’ve noticed there have been several letters lately about getting prepped on a budget, and several people have suggested watching Craig’s List for good bargains. I’m surprised that no one has recommended Freecycle as a place to find good deals, because everything listed is free. I’m sure it’s been mentioned a few times in Survivalblog over the years, but I think it deserves as much emphasis as Craig’s List, if not more. I think there may be some misconceptions about what is found on Freecycle. There can be a lot more than just old baby clothes and blenders. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Finally, the much-anticipated Kel-Tec RFB bullpup .308 carbine will begin shipping in December! If I were to buy a bullpup, then the RFB Carbine would be it. Looking for a hedge against a future ban? I recommend that you buy a couple of these before the White House changes hands. If a new ban is enacted, they will likely triple in value.    o o o More economic news and commentary from Cheryl: Wall Street Fluctuates After Emergency Interest Rate Cut — IMF: World Economy Will Slow Sharply, Led By U.S. “Recession” — Asian Stocks Fall Again — US Economy …



Note from JWR:

The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is now at $770. The auction for a large mixed lot that includes: A Special Mixed Vegetable Case-Six #10 Dehydrated Food Cans (Retail Price $105.95) This special Mixed Vegetable Case contains six #10 (96-ounce) cans–one can of each of the following: Mixed Vegetable Blend, Green Beans, Sweet Garden Peas, Mixed Peppers, Potato Dices, and Sweet Potatoes and a EZ-Towels 10 Pack Combo (10 bags of 50 towels. Retail value: $99.95). These items were donated by Jan at Healthy Harvest Foods. An assortment of world class loose leaf teas, and a box of …


Like Something Out of a Novel–Some Predictions for 2009-to-2019

The economic headlines in the past couple of weeks have sounded like something out of a disaster novel that I once read wrote. The international financial and equities markets are spinning out of control, with seemingly wider and wider gyrations with each passing day. Since there are so many variables, the end result is difficult to firmly predict, but one thing is clear: It will be neither easy nor pleasant. My current prediction is that the governments of the English-speaking nations and Europe will co-conspire with the banksters to concoct the most grandiose Mother of All Bailouts (MOABs) yet. This …