Our Retreat/Home in Northwest Nevada, by W.T.

In 2011 I retired from the military and my wife and I moved to our forever home in Northwest Nevada.  At the time we were not preppers, nor were we from here.  We just wanted to live on some acreage, away from big city problems, in a location in which we could indulge our love for the outdoors.  After the 2012 elections, our fears about the direction of our country grew rapidly and we stumbled upon the concept of prepping.  As we begin our second calendar year of prepping I thought it would be helpful to execute a self-assessment of our …


Letter Re: Advances in 80% AR Lower Receiver Technology

James, There have been some interesting developments in the world of 80% complete AR lowers. The following are some companies that are producing beefed up AR-15 carbon fiber or polymer lowers that can be completed more easily than their older generation aluminum relatives: EP Lowers JMT Polymer 80 Another innovation is a jig that allows a hand router to be used to mill out the control pocket of an AR-15 80% aluminum lower. As many of your readers already know, the lower receiver is the part with a serial number that the BATF considers a “firearm.” However, an 80% lower …


Economics and Investing:

Several readers suggested this article: Be prepared: Wall Street advisor recommends guns, ammo for protection in collapse National Debt Clock Passes $150,000 Per Taxpayer Comparing the inflated cost of living today from 1938 to 2013: How the US Dollar has lost incredible purchasing power since 1938. Items from The Economatrix: Faber, Rogers, Dent, Maloney, & Stockman – What Do They Say Is Coming In 2014? U.S. Dollar And Treasury Bonds Are Dead-Dr. Jim Willie Recession In 2014: “The Government Will Not Be Able To Save The Economy” 2014 Going To Be Better For Silver & Gold-David Morgan


Odds ‘n Sods:

Bypassing the phase-out of many incandescent light bulbs in the U.S. is a growing company called Newcandescent. They make “Rough Service” bulbs that are exempt from the light bulb ban and which have surprisingly long service lives. (The full impact of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, has not yet been felt. Stock up, and be ready to do businesses with these alternative sources.)    o o o Reader Eric B. suggested: Arizona debate continues over drinking raw milk. Eric also recommended this site: RealMilk.com/    o o o Some of Maine Prepper’s tips are included in …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” – Deuteronomy 4:1-2 (KJV)


Notes from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 50 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $9,700+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) …


How to Turn a Christmas Popcorn Tin into a Self-Contained, Grab-‘n-Go Bundle of Life-Sustaining Survival, by P.J. in Oregon

I love popcorn tins! I love all the different ways they come decorated – the wonderful Christmas themes, the various John Deere Tractor motifs, professional sports team logos, stock car racing favorite drivers and their race cars, the endless and delightful cartoon characters – just to name a few. They are like time capsules in that their outside decoration reflect what’s popular in the culture during any given year. When they are displayed on a shelf, looking at them is like going back in time. I can’t get enough of them! Not only are they decorative, but popcorn tins are …


Letter Re: Open Carry, Concealed Carry and Gun Free School Zones

Dear Jim, There’s another tricky loophole regarding permitted concealed carrying in or near schools. Many states have reciprocity with other states, but best I recall, the Federal statute requires valid licensure issued by that same State to carry in these areas.  So even if your license is valid throughout the state [via a reciprocity provision], it could conceivably still violate Federal law to be armed on or near school grounds. Thanks, – Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large)


Economics and Investing:

Doug Eberhardt’s precious metals market predictions for 2014 John Mauldin’s most recent newsletter, under the title What Has QE Brought? is well worth reading. (For many years, I’ve recommended subscribing to his free e-newsletter.) Diana recommended this news piece: The Big Squeeze – mystery hand scoops up copper   Items from The Economatrix: Camden, New Jersey: One Of Hundreds Of U.S. Cities That Are Turning Into Rotting, Decaying Hellholes Many American-Made Companies Are Now Under Foreign Control! The Perfect Storm Is Coming For Gold: “Economics Will Crush The Very People Who Are Behind The Devastation”


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader K.A.F. sent: Correlations of gluten and dementia    o o o T.P.Y. sent: Hawaii solar boom so successful, it’s been halted    o o o 4th Amendment is dead: Police can search motorists cellphones if they’ve been stopped for a traffic violation. (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.)    o o o G.G. flagged another privacy issue: You Should Never, Ever Leave Your Webcam Uncovered When You Aren’t Using It.


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"If all else fails, I will retreat up the valley of Virginia to plant my flag on the Blue Ridge, and rally around the Scotch-Irish of that region, and make my last stand for liberty amongst a people who will never submit to tyranny whilst there is a man left to draw a trigger." – George Washington (written while at at Valley Forge)


Notes from JWR:

Some very sad news to report: Our Backcountry Editor Mat Stein’s wife Josie passed away on December 22nd. Please keep Mat in your prayers. You can visit Josie’s memorial page and leave your condolences at her Memory Book page. — For those of you pondering a year-end tax deductible donation, please consider one of our favorite charities: Anchor of Hope. (A mission school in rural Zambia.) — Today we present another entry for Round 50 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $9,700+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good …


New Writing Contest Prize From Dri-Harvest Foods

The fine folks at Dri-Harvestfoods.com in Bozeman, Montana have announced that they will now sponsor the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest with an additional $333 prize bundle that will bring the combined value of the three prize packages to more than $9,700. Starting with Round 50 et sequitur, the winner of the Second Prize package will receive Dri-Harvest foods gift certificates for: One Mixed Case: Kidney Beans, Lima Beans, Buttermilk Powder (2 of each) / Case of 6- #10 Cans  valued at  $68.86 One Montana Hard Red Wheat 5 Gallon food grade bucket, valued at  $44.95 A mixed case of Lemon, Peach …


A Contractor’s Preps: Materiel Storage, by Paul W.

I’d like to discuss my perspective on family preparedness, from the perspective of a architectural design and building contractor. There are four categories to this aspect of preparedness:  Materials, Tools, Knowledge and Usefulness I read a lot of articles about things to stock up on when TEOTWAWKI situations occur.  One thing I do not hear discussed as much is keeping a well stock material shed at your bug out location.  Now keep in mind this is not a Bug out bag list.  The is a Bug Out Destination or Home list. Coming from the world of Architectural Design and Contracting …


Letter Re: Anderson Powerpoles: The Legos of DC Electronics

Jim, While it’s true that Anderson Powerpole connectors can be soldered, this is usually not a good idea, for several reasons: 1) Soldering is weaker than crimping because it interposes a soft metal– and possible air voids– between the copper of the wire and the copper of the terminal. A properly crimped connection places the wire in compression and the surrounding terminal in tension, ensuring a mechanically strong joint. 2) Soldering adds resistance to the connection. In a properly crimped connection, there are no gaps at all between the wire and the terminal. However low the resistance of solder, it’s …