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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the low market price of corn. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: What is Going On? Three Separate Coin Shop Owners Shocked as Their Bank Accounts Suddenly Shut Down with No Reason Given (Video). JWR’s Comments:  I was “debanked” two years ago, for political reasons.  All in all, I Hate Banks! o  …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 14, 2023

On September 14. 1814, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star-Spangled Banner after Fort McHenry successfully withstood a British attack. — Today is the birthday of actor Clayton Moore (1914–1999). His name is almost synonymous with Lone Ranger. — This is also the birthday of James Wilson, a lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1742 – 1798). — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 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% …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is 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. In today’s column, we first look at an iPhone security update. Apple Releases a Significant iPhone Security Update Another from reader C.B.: Update your iPhone: Apple just pushed out a significant …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The first right of every human being is the right of self-defense. Without that right, all other rights are meaningless. The right of self-defense is not something the government bestows upon its citizens. It is an inalienable right, older than the Constitution itself. It existed prior to government and prior to the social contract of our Constitution.” – Senator Larry Craig


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 13, 2023

American singer, songwriter, and mandolin player Bill Monroe, considered the father of bluegrass music, was born on September 13, 1911. Monroe is credited for popularizing the “high lonesome” sound in bluegrass music. — September 13th, 1951 was the birthday of President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 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. …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Some sobering reading: Happy ‘Do Not Comply’ Day. o  o  o The latest Sharp Pointy Things instructional video from our Editor-At-Large, Mike Williamson: Different Types of Knife Tangs. o  o  o SIG-Sauer has released this: Safety Bulletin: Light Bearing Holsters for Pistols. o  o  o Reader B.R. wrote: “Please let Sarah Sue know …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — September 12, 2023

Twenty years ago, today, on September 12, 2003, country music legend Johnny Cash—whose craggy baritone, simple poetics, hard-won integrity, and advocacy of the dispossessed transformed him into an American icon—died at age 71. September 12, 1683, the Siege of Vienna ended after a combined force led by John III Sobieski of Poland defeated the Turkish invaders. Today is the birthday of Richard Jordan Gatling (September 12, 1818 – February 26, 1903) was an American inventor best known for his invention of the Gatling gun, the first successful machine gun. After nearly 40 years of riding across millions of American TV …


Hospitality in Exigency: Opening Your Home, by Jonathan Rawles

The tragedies of the wildfires in eastern Washington and on Maui, followed by hurricanes and flooding in California and Florida brought a secondary topic to mind: hospitality in exigency. It’s often alluded to, but it’s worth exploring the practicalities. How can a prepared household effectively support friends and family who have to leave their homes? If you successfully make your household productive and resilient, it will assuredly become a refuge to others at some point. It’s wise to consider what this might look like now. Types of Scenario Let’s start with considering the cases where you might have to offer …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, some news about Adam West Day. (See the Central & Eastern Washington section.) Idaho Almost half of Idaho public schools now using See Tell Now! safety tip line. o  o  o One year’s seeds, seven years’ weeds. Herbicide treatments for flowering rush in Lake Pend …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The place of justice is an hallowed place; and therefore not only the bench, but the foot-place; and precincts and purprise thereof, ought to be preserved without scandal and corruption. For certainly grapes (as the Scripture saith) will not be gathered of thorns or thistles; neither can justice yield her fruit with sweetness, amongst the briars and brambles of catching and polling clerks, and ministers. The attendance of courts, is subject to four bad instruments. First, certain persons that are sowers of suits; which make the court swell, and the country pine. The second sort is of those, that engage …


Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 11, 2023

September 11th is of course the anniversary of the 2001 Al Qaeda attacks on the U.S..  But it is also the anniversary of the Benghazi Embassy attacks, in 2012. (Those events were recounted in the Hollywood film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.) Please remember the sacrifice of J. Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, and CIA (former Navy SEAL) agents Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Between them, Woods and Doherty reportedly dropped at least 60 of the attackers, before their position was overwhelmed. Please also remember the spineless worms in Washington, D.C. who decided to not back up the embassy …


Recipe of the Week: The Easiest Jam or Syrup

The following recipe for Jam or Syrup is from SurvivalBlog reader Mrs. Alaska. She writes: Fruit jams and syrups are the taste of summer in a jar. Some jam recipes can sound intimidating, but with only two ingredients, you can make jam.  If it does not gel, then you have fruit syrup.  What is the downside? Give it a try. Jam requires a bit of patience and attention (low boiling and stirring over 30 minutes or so) and two, three, or four ingredients depending on the fruit.  The easiest fruits have natural pectin ( a jelly-like substance)  and acid (sourness) …


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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at rising oil and fuel prices. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: SurvivalBlog’s Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson suggested this article: Platinum Market on track to see record 1-million ounce deficit in 2023. o  o  o Dave Kranzler, over at Gold-Eagle.com: Gold & Silver Are Facing 2008-Like Conditions. Economy & Finance: Moody’s cuts China’s …