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, I describe places to buy Swiss Francs. (See the Forex & Cryptos section.) Precious Metals: U.K. investment firm Ruffer increases its gold exposure. o  o  o At Currency Thoughts: Rising Inflation Lifts Interest Rates, the Dollar and the Price of Gold. o  o  o At Zero Hedge: China and Russia in Close Cooperation …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — April 14, 2022

Today marks the birthday of actor Adrien Brody (born 1973). He played the lead role in The Pianist. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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 Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n 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. Today, we look at China’s latest coronavirus lockdown, in tightly-packed Shanghai. Red Sun: China’s Assault on Taiwan A piece by Alex Adkins, over at American Thinker: Red Sun: China’s assault on Taiwan. (A hat …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“All experience teaches that, whenever there is a great national establishment, employing large numbers of officials, the public must be reconciled to support many incompetent men; for such is the favoritism and nepotism always prevailing in the purlieus of these establishments, that some incompetent persons are always admitted, to the exclusion of many of the worthy.” – Herman Melville


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — April 13, 2022

April 13, 1743 was the birthday of Thomas Jefferson. (He died on July 4, 1826 just a few hours before the death of John Adams. How patriotic of both of them to pass away on the Fourth of July.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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 Certificate. This …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: 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. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — We’ll start out today’s column with a caption for the photo, above. It is not a prop from the 1984 John Milius movie Red Dawn. Rather, it is a recent photo from Ukraine, where an immobilized Russian BMP-3 was tagged by a Ukrainian fighter — or perhaps a teen loyalist. Given the global nature of …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — April 12, 2022

We’ve received news that novelist Jack Higgins has passed away, at age 92. Here is an excerpt from his obituary: “Publisher HarperCollins announced Saturday that Higgins died at his home on the English Channel island of Jersey surrounded by his family. He reportedly was the author of more than 85 novels and was renowned as one of the greatest thriller writers of all time. Born Henry Patterson in Newcastle, England, in July 1929, Higgins served in the military before studying sociology at the London School of Economics. He became a teacher in the northern city of Leeds and a writer …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoub

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, we focus on the arrival of Avian Influenza.  (See the Montana and Wyoming sections.) Region-Wide From Spectator World: Heading west to escape liberal tyranny: Remote work will geographically polarize the country even more. This refreshingly unbiased article begins: “As our nation navigates a ‘return to …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — April 11, 2022

Today is the birthday of Lieutenant Colonel George Vincent Fosbery (11 April 1832 – 8 May 1907.) He was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was also a designer and inventor of firearms including the Webley-Fosbery “automatic” revolver (pictured) and the Paradox Gun. April 11th is also the birthday of John Milius, who was born in 1944. He both wrote the screenplays and directed the films Dillinger, The Wind and the Lion, Big Wednesday, Conan …


Recipe of the Week: Chad’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

The following recipe is from reader Chad in Wisconsin. He modified a commercial recipe that he found online, to allow him to make his equivalent of Resse’s Peanut Butter Cups, from his storage foods cache.  Chad says: “This is the ultimate ‘comfort food’ for The Dark Days.” He also notes: “This recipe can be doubled, for double your yum!” Ingredients Base Layer: 1 cup butter, margarine, or storage ghee 3-1/2 cups powdered sugar 2 cups peanut butter or reconstituted peanut butter powder 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs Topping: ½ cup butter, margarine, or storage ghee 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips …


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 some stock market risks. (See the Equities section.) Precious Metals: Gold to test $1,950 as bullish sentiment drives prices. o  o  o Alasdair Macleod: The Commodity Currency Revolution. Economy & Finance: “Sounding The Alarm”: A $3 Trillion Problem Emerges As The Fed Prepares To Launch QT. o  o  o …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Here’s how to get started with the antipolitical politics of the Benedict Option. Secede culturally from the mainstream. Turn off the television. Put the smartphones away. Read books. Play games. Make music. Feast with your neighbors. It is not enough to avoid what is bad; you must also embrace what is good. Start a church, or a group within your church. Open a classical Christian school, or join and strengthen one that exists. Plant a garden, and participate in a local farmer’s market. Teach kids how to play music, and start a band. Join the volunteer fire department.” –  Rod …