The Price of Home Security: You Can Pay a Little Now, or Pay Much More, Later

JWR’s Introductory  Note:  This is an update to a SurvIvalBlog article that I posted in March, 2007.  Many home security technologies have advanced, especially with the advent of inexpensive webcams and trail cameras. So this is a fairly important article update.  I have also added mention of an alternative modular gun safe manufacturer. — I’m often amazed to hear some of my relatively wealthy consulting clients tell me that they don’t own a home gun vault or safe room. I ask why not, and they make excuses like: “I’ve been too busy at my job to shop for one” or, …


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 some threatened tariffs on gold, and a quick reversal. (See the Precious Metals section.) Precious Metals: Trump says gold will not be tariffed. o  o  o I noticed that spot silver bounced back to $38.82 USD per Troy ounce in after-hours trading on Wednesday. (Thursday morning trading, in Asia.) Let’s see if …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — Aug 14, 2025

90 years ago today, on August 14, 1935, in the depths of the Great Depression, the poorly-conceived and undeniably socialistic Social Security Act was signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR). The first Social Security numbers were issued in 1936, and the first Social Security taxes were collected in January, 1937. The first benefits were doled out in 1940. The following is from the SSA website: “On January 31, 1940, the first monthly retirement check was issued to Ida May Fuller of Ludlow, Vermont, in the amount of $22.54. Miss Fuller, a Legal Secretary, had retired in November 1939. She …


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 look at the end of traditional dial-up internet service. AOL Discontinuing Its Dial-Up Internet Service Several SurvivalBlog readers wrote to mention this news: End of an era: …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — August 13, 2025

On August 13, 1642, Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovered that Mars had a southern polar cap. — This is the birthday of screenwriter, director, and producer, Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980). His many films spanned five decades. — Today is also the birthday of sharpshooter, entertainer, and folk heroine Annie Oakley (1860–1926.) — Please pray for everyone at risk of the floods in Wisconsin. — As part of the 20th Anniversary celebration for SurvivalBlog, we are running our biggest sale ever on all of our percussion gun inventory at Elk Creek Company.  (Elk Creek Company is a spin-off venture that helps pay …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our 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. — SurvivalBlog reader Tim J. suggested this video: The Insane Number of Humvees in US Inventory. JWR’s Comments:  Once all those thousands of HMMWVs (“Humvees”) are inexpensively released as surplus over the next decade, for preppers, it will seem like manna falling from heaven. The key question is: Will any of the up-armored …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Reason, in a strict sense, as meaning the judgment of truth and falsehood, can never, of itself, be any motive to the will, and can have no influence but so far as it touches some passion or affection. Abstract relations of ideas are the object of curiosity, not of volition. And matters of fact, where they are neither good nor evil, where they neither excite desire nor aversion, are totally indifferent, and whether known or unknown, whether mistaken or rightly apprehended, cannot be regarded as any motive to action.” – David Hume


Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 12, 2025

On August 12, 1865, British surgeon Joseph Lister (pictured) performed the first antiseptic surgery using a carbolic acid (aka phenolic acid) solution spray on his instruments and bandages. — On August 12, 1867, US President Andrew Johnson defied Congress when he suspended Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. — And on August 12, 1908, Henry Ford’s company built the first Model T car. — Today’s feature article is an essay by our friend Brandon Smith, the Editor of the highly-recommended free site Alt-Market.us. He is also the Editor of the by-subscription e-newsletter, The Wild Bunch Dispatch. — We need more entries …


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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, some data on gun ownership rates in the American Redoubt region.  (See the Region-Wide section.) Region-Wide Video: US States by Gun Ownership Rate — Comparison. JWR’s Comment:  If Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington were separate states, they’d both very likely be in the Top 10. o  …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“No tears in Heaven, no sorrows given, All will be glory in that land; There’ll be no sadness, all will be gladness, When we shall join that happy band. Glory is waiting, waiting up yonder, Where we shall spend an endless day; There with our Savior, we’ll be forever, Where no more sorrow can dismay. Some morning yonder, we’ll cease to ponder Over things this life has brought to view; All will be clearer, loved ones be dearer, In heaven where all will be made new. Chorus: No tears, in heaven fair, No tears up there, Sorrow and pain will …


Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 11, 2025

August 11, 1904: The Russian fleet in the harbor of Port Arthur, Manchuria, was exposed to artillery on the hill above the harbor; Russian ships attempted escape, but most were forced back into the harbor by Japanese ships.  Russia’s ignominious defeat in 1905 at the hands of the better-equipped and more competently led Japanese Navy has never been forgotten. The Russians had sought a “small victorious war”, but they got themselves trounced. — On August 11, 1857, N. H. Wolfe and Company, the oldest flour and grain company in New York City, failed. This failure shook investor confidence and began …


Camel City Mill Ironside Merino Wool Work Socks, by Thomas Christianson

I recommend Merino wool socks rather than cotton or synthetic socks for field use. Merino wool provides better moisture control, better insulation when wet, and better odor-resistance than cotton or synthetics. I recently had the opportunity to test four pair of Camel City Mill Ironside Merino Wool Work Socks. They proved to be excellent. The socks were comfortable, durable, warm, they breathed-well, and were order-resistant. Camel City Mill is one of a half dozen or so American companies that sell outstanding Merino wool socks that are made in the U.S.A. When so much manufacturing has been moved overseas, it is …


Recipe of the Week: Carol’s Zuke Bread

The following recipe for Carol’s Zuke Bread is from SurvivalBlog reader Carol in Delaware. This uses a regular 9×5 loaf pan. The recipe can easily be doubled. Ingredients 3 large eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 lightly packed cups shredded zucchini (shred it just before adding) 2/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional) Directions Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a standard 9×5 loaf pan and line …