A Sure Gain of 10% in 10 Days: Forever Stamps

There are very few investments that can earn you a sure 10% profit in one year. But what about one that will earn you 10% in just 10 days? That’s not just wishful thinking. It is a certainty that the cost of “forever” U.S. postage stamps will increase in cost by 10% on January 27, 2019. The cost of a First Class Forever Stamp will go up from 50 Cents to 55 Cents. This is one of the largest rate increases in the history of the USPS.  (The largest in Dollar terms and one of the largest, in percentage terms.) …




The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty; power is ever stealing from the many to the few. The manna of popular liberty must be gathered each day or it is rotten. The living sap of today outgrows the dead rind of yesterday. The hand entrusted with power becomes, either form human depravity or esprit de corps, the necessary enemy of the people. Only by continued oversight can the democrat in office be prevented from hardening into a despot; only by unintermitted agitation can a people be sufficiently awake to principle not to let liberty be smothered in material prosperity.” – …




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 coin roll hunting silver. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: New Shortfall In Production Capacity For Fabricated Silver And Gold o o o Have you ever wondered how the US Mint packs their Monster Boxes?  See this brief video: Gold & Silver Auto …




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 AR Arm Braces. (See the Instructional Videos and Gear sections.) Books: Planning and Installing Micro-Hydro Systems: A Guide for Designers, Installers and Engineers o  o  o Lettering and Modern Calligraphy: A Beginner’s Guide: Learn Hand Lettering and Brush Lettering o  o  o Fight Autism and Win: Biomedical Therapies That Actually Work! Second Edition by Jan Martin o  o  o The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for …







The Legislative Onslaught Begins: Federal Gun Grabbing in 2019

As they promised, the Democrat Party majority in the U.S. House of Representatives is wasting no time in gun grabbing in 2019. They are launching a raft of new civilian disarmament legislation. Although there is still a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, there is a risk that some of these bills may be passed into law, following some across the aisle quid pro quo deal-making or legislative bundling. What I fear most is President Trump accepting such a deal, in order to get his coveted Border wall funded. I’m also concerned that some grand “compromise” might be reached, with …




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 small business, Upland Optics. (See the Idaho section.)   Region-Wide Economy could bring 15,000 people to Inland Northwest in 2019 o o o He’s in a heap -o’-trouble: Lewiston-Spokane Speed Chase. Here are some more details on the chase and crash: Multiple agencies pursue vehicle in high speed chase through Spokane, Cheney; suspects arrested after crash   Idaho …







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 so-called Humanium Metal. (See the Precious Metals  section.) Precious Metals (Humanium Metal): Getting To $1,300: Longest U.S. Gov’t Shutdown, U.S.-China Trade Talks, Brexit Troubles o o o A reporter at Kitco apparently took a press release on “”Humanium Metal” at face value, and wrote …







Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also often share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready! …




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 Sears bankruptcy. (See the Stocks  section.) Precious Metals: Investors Should Pay Attention To Silver Momentum – Analysts o o o BMO: Palladium Prices Still Soaring; Substitution Risk High o o o Blackrock Says Gold Price Will Be A “Valuable Portfolio Hedge” In 2019 …







The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Hope is necessary in every condition. The miseries of poverty, of sickness, or captivity, would, without this comfort, be insupportable; nor does it appear that the happiest lot of terrestrial existence can set us above the want of this general blessing; or that life, when the gifts of nature and of fortune are accumulated upon it, would not still be wretched, were it not elevated and delighted by the expectation of some new possession, of some enjoyment yet behind, by which the wish shall at last be satisfied, and the heart filled up to its utmost extent.” – Samuel Johnson




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 antique hand saws. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Steve Saville: The Japanese Government Is Still Pegging The Gold Price o o o Inflation Will Not Be a Major Issue In 2019; But Gold Can Still Shine – Analysts   Taxes: The IRS …