The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Should nothing of our efforts stand No legacy survive Unless the Lord does raise the house In vain its builders strive To you who boast tomorrow’s gain Tell me what is your life A mist that vanishes at dawn All glory be to Christ! All glory be to Christ our king! All glory be to Christ! His rule and reign we’ll ever sing, All glory be to Christ! His will be done His kingdom come On earth as is above Who is Himself our daily bread Praise Him the Lord of love Let living water satisfy The thirsty without price …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — January 9, 2021

January 9, 1943 was the birthday of gunsmith Paris Theodore, developer of the ASP modifications to the S&W M39 pistol. On this day in 1776, writer Thomas Paine published his pamphlet “Common Sense,” setting forth his arguments in favor of American independence. Although little used today, pamphlets were an important medium for the spread of ideas in the 16th through 19th centuries. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 92 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 …




Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. Note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — January 8, 2021

January 8th, 1931 was the birthday of Algis Budrys (he died on June 9th, 2008). He was the Lithuanian-American science fiction author who wrote the classic survivalist novel Some Will Not Die. He was also a contributing author for Mel Tappan’s PS Letter. — On this day, in 1835, the U.S. National Debt reached zero for the first and only time. — My #1 Son, Jonathan Rawles, has begun a sale on the Survival Retreats and Relocation book that we co-authored, through January 19th. (It’s all over, after Biden gets in office!) In this sale, Jonathan is offering 10% off …




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 the recent Bitcoin rally. (See the Forex & Cryptos section.) Precious Metals: From Chartist P. Radomski: Despite Signs To The Contrary, Gold At Or Near Top o  o  o Modest gains for gold, silver amid bullish competing assets Economy & Finance: U.S. Companies Face China Tariffs as Exclusions Expire …







Preparedness Notes for Thursday — January 7, 2021

January 7th, 1963, was the birthday of Senator Rand Paul. — This is also the birthday of Cresson Kearny (born 1914, died December 18, 2003 — And this is also the birthday of Bent Faurschou-Hviid, known as The Flame (born 1921, died October 18, 1944). The Flame was a red-haired Danish resistance fighter in the Holger Danske Group during World War II. His exploits were dramatized in the movie Flame and Citron. — For those who have asked:  The special 15th Anniversary waterproof USB SurvivalBlog archive sticks should be orderable by about  January 15th, and orders will be mailed starting …




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 Jeep-Size Mahindra Roxor SUVs. 2020 State Population Gainers and Losers Reader H.L. mentioned this over at Zero Hedge:  Which States Saw The Biggest Population Inflows And Outflows In 2020. Seattle …







Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — January 6, 2021

Today is the birthday of British comic actor Rowan Atkinson (born 1955). And this is also the birthday of musician Earl Scruggs, (1924-2012) — Our big rifle sale at Elk Creek Company ends at 5 PM Pacific Time today (Wednesday, January 6th, 2021.) Get your order in before 5 PM! — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 92 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 …




JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. The focus is usually on emergency communications gear, bug out bag gear, tools, books, and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how-to” self-sufficiency videos. There is also an emphasis on links to sources for storage food and a variety of storage and caching containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This week we’re highlighting a SentrySafe fireproof document safe. (See the Gear section.) Books: …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Though dark are our sorrows, today we’ll forget them, And smile through our tears, like a sunbeam in showers: There never were hearts, if our rulers would let them, More form’d to be grateful and blest than ours. But just when the chain, Has ceased to pain, And hope has enwreathed it round with flowers, There comes a new link, Our spirits to sink Oh! the joy that we taste, like the light of the poles, Is a flash amid darkness, too brilliant to stay; But, though ’twere the last little spark in our souls, We must light it up …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 5, 2021

This is the birthday of General Courtney Hodges (born 1887 – January 16, 1966). Kicked out of West Point for low math scores, he enlisted as a private but soon became a maverick officer and went on to a distinguished career. — Today is also the birthday of actor Robert Duvall (born 1931.) His roles in Open Range and Apocalypse Now are unforgettable. — And January 5th is the birthday of the late John Pugsley (born 1934, died April 8, 2011), libertarian and economics author. Pugsley was well known in preparedness circles as the author of The Alpha Strategy. (The …