Economics & Investing For Preppers

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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, a more in-depth look at Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Cryptos: When I last checked, Bitcoin had been bouncing around over $22,000 USD per BTC for more than a week. It topped at $24,500 on Christmas Day. I should note that historically Bitcoin tops out each December, in most years. So I expect …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore to resolve to …


Preparedness Notes for Thursday — December 31, 2020

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December 31st is the birthday of Alexander Solzhenitsyn (pictured) and of Frederick Selous. (He died on January 4th, 1917.) — We’ve just heard of the passing of actress Dawn Wells (of Gilligan’s Island fame).  In her later years, she settled in Driggs, Idaho, a town famous for its view of the “back side” of the Grand Tetons. There, Wells did a stint as the town’s Mayor. So she was an honorary Redoubter. 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 …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

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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 celebrate the ATF’s reversal on their plan to ban or heavily tax most pistols with arm braces as Short-Barreled Riles (SBRs). FPC: The ATF Withdraws “Guidance” for “Stabilizing Braces” To start today’s …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“But how else will 2020 be remembered decades from today? Will we talk about this being the year where “social distancing” became the norm and online education really took off? Or will we remember 2020 as the year that several social constructs broke down once and for all and set the ball rolling on the path to revolution across many nations? Will 2020 be the year where we reset everything altogether, everything becomes “Before Pandemic” (BP) and “After Pandemic” (AP)? We will have to wait and watch but make no mistake, 2020 will be the most memorable year of our …


Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — December 30, 2020

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December 30, 1865 was the birthday of Rudyard Kipling. — Our big rifle sale at Elk Creek Company ends at 5 PM Pacific Time on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021. We’ve already had more than $15,000 in orders since ordering resumed on December 26th, depleting our inventory.  Get your order in soon! 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:

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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 the focus is on books, instructional videos, shelving, and lights for indoor …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — December 29, 2020

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130 years ago today, the tragic Wounded Knee massacre took place. — This is also the birthday of inventor Charles Goodyear (1800–1860.) — And today is the birthday of actor Jude Law (born 1972.) You will probably remember him from Enemy at The Gates and Sky Captain. — I recently reactivated the order-taking system at Elk Creek Company  — my sideline antique gun business. Please note that I’ve set special sale prices on nearly all of the full-length rifles in our inventory. With the Biden Administration soon to take over the White House, is strongly recommend that you buy a …


Living In The Age Of Deception And Betrayal

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For the past 12 years, I’ve been telling my readers that we are living in an age of deception and betrayal. My first use of that phrase in SurvivalBlog was In 2008. Here is a brief excerpt from that essay: “I urge all SurvivalBlog readers to redouble their efforts to keep a low profile in their communities and their presence on the Internet. If the Cold War reemerges with the same intensity as the Cuban Missile Crisis, we may very well soon enter an age of deception and betrayal that could sweep up innocents as well as malefactors. It is …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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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 scenic locales in the American Redoubt. with most of them accessible by car or bicycle. Take a look at these web pages and video tours and you’ll see why the American Redoubt has a well-deserved reputation for outdoor recreation. Region-Wide Connecting Seven …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — December 28, 2020

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December 28, 1793 is the day that Thomas Paine was arrested in France for treason. The charges against him were never fully detailed, but he was tried in absentia on December 26 and convicted. Best known as the author of Common Sense, he moved to Paris to be part of the French revolution. Initially welcomed, the tide soon turned against him, because he was opposed to the death penalty and the French revolutionaries were sending hundreds to the guillotine. — I just heard of the passing of bluegrass guitar legend Tony Rice.  He will be missed! — Today, another product …


Recipe of the Week: Potato Turkey Stuffing

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The following recipe for Potato Turkey Stuffing is from The New Butterick Cook Book, by Flora Rose, co-head of the School of Home Economics at Cornell University. It was published in 1924. A professional scan of that 724-page out-of-copyright book will be one of the many bonus items included in the next edition of the waterproof SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick. This special 15th Anniversary Edition USB stick should be available for sale in the third week of January, 2021. The 14th Edition sold out quickly, so place a reminder in your calendar, if you want one. Ingredients 2 cups hot …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Today, in lieu of my regular column, here is a special End-of-Year analysis of the firearms and ammunition market in the United States, with a few predictions for 2021 and beyond. Please note that I have a bias. This report comes from my “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. – JWR. Also, note that we expect to post a similar year-in-review piece on precious metals from Stephen Cochran of Gainesville Coins. That should be posted sometime in the first few days of 2021. Guns and Ammunition: 2020 in Hindsight The market for newly-manufactured guns has been frantically busy since March. According to …