The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — July 18, 2025

On July 18th, 1914 the US Army Air Service was established, as part of the Signal Corps. Pictured are four U.S. Army Vought VE-7 test planes undergoing NACA tests, in 1921. — July 18th, 1954 was the birthdate of Ricky Skaggs, an American country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, mandocaster, and banjo. — Today, we present a guest piece by our friend Patrice Lewis. It first appeared in her excellent Rural Revolution blog. Patrice is also the author of The Simplicity Primer. — We are in need of …


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 LMBA’s nascent silver short squeeze. (See the Precious Metals section.) Precious Metals The Comex shorts did their best to hold down the price of silver again this week. But the Asian traders kept bidding it back up into the $38.20 to $38.50 USD range. The word is out that the LBMA …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites. … Society cannot exist unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.” – Edmund Burke


Preparedness Notes for Thursday — July 17, 2025

On July 17, 1930, construction began on the Empire State Building. It was the world’s first skyscraper of 100+ stories. It was built on 5th Avenue in New York City. — July 17, 1938: The Italian Air Force, in support of Francisco Franco, bombed Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War. — Today’s feature article is a guest piece that was written by Mrs. Alaska.  Because it will eventually be re-posted in her blog, it is not part of the writing contest judging. — We are seeking entries for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $960,000 worth …


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, . Processed Meats Study: Not Healthy Reader D.S.V. sent this warning on processed meats:  Just one hotdog per day could harm your health, study finds. Trump Threatens Russia …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — July 16, 2025

On July 16, 1936, the first automatic parking meter in the United States was installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. o  o  o July 16th is the anniversary of the first successful atomic bomb test in Alamogordo, New Mexico in 1945. o o o And July 16th is the anniversary of the death of Hugh John McCall, in Rhodesia, in 1979. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of …


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. — Reader John P. wrote this query: “What is your opinion on the new service T-Moble is offering? I know that at this time it is only text, but the future? No Sat phones? No need for ham radio? When the towers are down? My Dad trained me that there is always a …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — July 15, 2025

July 15, 1410: The Battle of Grunwald (a.k.a. First Battle of Tannenburg and Battle of Žalgiris) was fought. It was one of Medieval Europe’s largest battles during Poland-Lithuanian Teutonic War. Polish King Władysław Jagiełło and Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas defeated Teutonic Ulrich von Junginge. — On July 15th, 1888, the Bandai Volcano erupted on the Japanese island of Honshu killing hundreds and burying many nearby villages in ash. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course …


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, news of a partial rock tower collapse in the Grand Tetons (See the Wyoming section.) Region-Wide From the left-leaning Newsweek: Idaho group calls federal intervention “necessary” to redraw state border. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog reader C.B. for the link.) o  o  o Inland Northwest faces above-normal …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — July 14, 2025

July 14 1962:  The borehole for the 7.2-mile long Mont Blanc tunnel between France and Italy was finished.  The tunnel was opened to traffic in July, 1965. Pictured is the French side of the tunnel. — July 14, 1850: The first public demonstration of ice made via refrigeration was made by Florida physician John Gorrie. — July 14, 1864: Gold was discovered in Helena, Montana. — A silver bull breakout! Spot silver jumped 3.67% in one day, to close at $38.67 per Troy ounce on Friday. (July 11, 2025.) It was up again this morning (after Asian trading) to $38.90 …


Recipe of the Week: Applesauce-Glazed Barbequed Chicken

The following recipe for Applesauce-Glazed Barbequed Chicken is from SurvivalBlog reader V.F.. Ingredients 4 boneless and skinless chicken breast halves (weighing about 6 ounces each) 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (or less, to suit your taste) 1 tablespoon olive oil 2/3 cup of applesauce 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2/3 cup barbecue sauce 1 teaspoon chili powder (or less, to suit your taste) Directions Sprinkle the chicken breast pieces with pepper. In a large oiled skillet, brown chicken on both sides. In a small bowl, combine and thoroughly mix the other ingredients. Pour the mixture over the top and sides of …