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”.  Today, we focus on how the Queen of England Has a Bug Out Plan. Pictured is Balmoral Castle, in a vintage photo. The Earth’s Fast-Moving Magnetic North Pole This is some food for thought: Earth’s Magnetic North Pole Was Moving So Fast, Geophysicists Had to Update the Map Why We Need Standard Capacity Magazines Reader D.S. sent us this article link: Houston Gunfight, Deadly as OK Corral; Home Owner Uses AK47 in Self …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time. Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations. Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou …




Preparedness Notes for Friday – February 8, 2019

On February 8th, 1963 the Kennedy administration issued an order prohibiting travel to Cuba and banned financial transactions and commerce with Cuba, by U.S. citizens. — Our shipping department is being inundated with the same question: If you received an e-mail stating that your SurvivalBlog.com order is now complete, it means that the shipping department has finished packaging it and it is either in the mail, or in a bin on it’s way to the Post Office. SurvivalBlog’s part in the order is now complete. It still might take as long as a week for the USPS to get your …




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. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today’s focus is on investing in AR-15 family rifles and lower receivers. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Central Banks Haven’t Bought This Much Gold Since Nixon Closed The Gold Window o o o ETF Gold Holdings Hit Highest Level Since 2013 In January: WGC   Economy …







Preparedness Notes for Thursday – February 7, 2019

February 7th, 1867, was the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder. (She died February 10, 1957). SurvivalBlog highly recommends the Laura Ingalls Wilder books as well as her biography. On this day in 1775 in London, Benjamin Franklin published An Imaginary Speech in defense of American courage. The speech was intended to counter an unnamed officer’s comments to Parliament that the British need not fear the colonial rebels, because “Americans are unequal to the People of this Country [Britain] in Devotion to Women, and in courage and worse than all, they are religious.” Franklin’s response included his usual wit and acuity. …




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”.  Today, we focus on power grid vulnerability to cyber attacks. EMP, CME (severe solar storms), and physical infrastructure attacks are not the only risks! Power Grid Vulnerability: Utilities Fined for “Serious Cyber Risks” This troubling article illustrates the vulnerability of our three national power grids: Secrecy Reigns as NERC Fines Utilities $10M citing Serious Cyber Risks.  Here is how the article opens: “The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) imposed its stiffest …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“One of the reasons that we find so few persons rational and agreeable in conversation is there is hardly a person who does not think more of what he wants to say than of his answer to what is said. The most clever and polite are content with only seeming attentive while we perceive in their mind and eyes that at the very time they are wandering from what is said and desire to return to what they want to say. Instead of considering that the worst way to persuade or please others is to try thus strongly to please …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – February 6, 2019

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6th, 1911. He was an American politician and actor, who served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. Prior to his presidency, he served as the 33rd Governor of California from 1967 to 1975, following a career as an actor and union leader in Hollywood. Reagan implemented sweeping new political and economic initiatives. His supply-side economic policies, dubbed “Reaganomics”, advocated tax rate reduction to spur economic growth, control of the money supply to curb inflation, economic deregulation, and reduction in government spending. In his first term he survived …




JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on MagPul D-60 AR-15 drum magazines. (See the Gear section.) Books: I’ve mentioned this book several times since I started SurvivalBlog back in 2005. It was formerly published by the now sadly defunct Paladin Press. I consider it a classic, and I’m glad to see that it is back in print: Total Resistance. If you don’t already have a copy on your bookshelf, then you should! One reviewer had this to say: “Much of the minutiae may not …




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. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today’s focus is on the Electrolux departure from Memphis. (See the Economy & Finance section.)  Pictured is the storefront of an Electrolux dealer, more than five decades ago. Precious Metals: Mark Lundeen; Market Update For Early February 2019 o o o Gold falls as stocks gain on strong …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“If an earthly king was to issue out a royal proclamation, on performing or not performing the conditions therein contained, the life or death of his subjects entirely depended, how solicitous would they be to hear what those conditions were? And shall not we pay the same respect to the King of kings and Lord of lords and lend an attentive ear to his ministers, when they are declaring, in his name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?” – George Whitefield




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – February 5, 2019

On February 5th, 1988 two indictments were unsealed, accusing Panamanian General Manuel Noriega of drug trafficking and bribery. — Warning! The private party gun transfer ban bills (H.R. 8 and its Senate equivalent, S.42) appear to be on the fast track through committees and passage.  Please contact both of your U.S. Senators and remind them that this bill is unconstitutional. This law would essentially end the privacy of firearms ownership. Nearly all modern gun transfers would have to go through an FFL, (for a fee) with an FBI background check. Whether it is a sale, a gift, a trade, or …




Letter: Steel Job Site Boxes as a Valuables Storage Option

Hugh and James: It’s often mentioned at Survival Blog that firearm magazines are a critical component. As Tamara K. of the View From the Porch blog has written: “The correct number of magazines to have is: ‘more.’” So, some of us buy magazines, especially lots of them when we find a very good price. But…as valuable as magazines are to us they’re just as valuable to anyone else, which is why we buy way more than we need, even considering that they are “wear items” that will eventually require replacement. Magazines have substantial value as trade or barter items. They’re …




SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. The emphasis this week is on saddlemakers in the American Redoubt. Many of these craftsmen also make saddlebags, holsters, and magazine pouches. Pictured is a custom saddle made by C&S Saddlery in Idaho.   Idaho (Saddlemakers in the American Redoubt) There is custom leatherworker from Bayview, Idaho who does excellent work at very reasonable prices. His name is Clay Ensley. Along with his wife …