Gold, Silver, and the Status Quo, by G.E. Christenson

Gold and silver will survive as a store of value and wealth. Paper money, the economic status quo, unfunded liabilities, pension plans, exponentially increasing debt, massive budget deficits, “to-big-to-fail” banks, and so much more are at risk of gradual or catastrophic failure. Gold and Silver Precious metals have been recognized as wealth and a store of value for over 3,000 years. They may no longer be used as currency but they retain their value. Example: I can’t go to Wal-Mart and buy food with silver coins but, practically speaking, I can sell or trade a gold or silver coin minted …


Letter Re: New Privacy Service

Mr. Rawles,  I came across this today and thought it might be useful to other SurvivalBlog readers. It is called  JustDelete.me. From the web site: ‘Many companies use dark pattern techniques to make it difficult to find how to delete your account. JustDelete.me aims to be a directory of URLs to enable you to easily delete your account from web services.” Essentially it is a listing of links to various web companies where you can delete your account. Currently 129 companies are listed and the site owner has a method for submitting others for inclusion. – Clark H.


Two Letters Re: Advice on Come-Alongs

Hi Jim, I’d like to mention another heavy duty come-along/manual winch you and your readers may be interested in.   It is built by a long time American manufacturer, Wyeth-Scott.  Please note the pull ratings are based on dead lift capacities and, as they state, pull ratings are approximately double those.  Please see their notes regarding rating differences between lifting and pulling.  A vehicle on a flat road or a tree, through mud, up a hill. Thanks, – Guy S.  Dear Mr. Rawles, and Readers, Always be careful where you place your fingers around come-alongs. I always warn people who …


Economics and Investing:

Jim Rogers says, “This is the first time in recorded history all the banks are printing money at the same time. This is the first time we’ve had massive debasement, and it’s going to end very badly no matter what they say.” (Thanks to B.B. for the link.) Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) recommended: Blockade – The Diary of an Austrian Middle-Class Woman 1914-1924 Items from The Economatrix: Look Out! September Market Headwinds Are Looming Trying To Stay Sane In An Insane World – Part 3 The Worldwide Bank Crash Has Commenced


Odds ‘n Sods:

You’ve got to love Louisiana: Gov. Jindal Promotes Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday: No State Tax on Guns. (Thanks to Kevin A. for the link.)    o o o I heard about another great company that sells only gear made only the in U.S. and allied countries: Low Visual Impact Bushcraft and Survival Inc.    o o o Blacksmithing alive and well in parts of Alabama. (Thanks to Pam C. for the link.)    o o o An Ayn Rand School libertarian who groks Firefly.    o o o Glock owners should find this knife/gun maintenance tool of interest.


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“If you wanted a national monopoly, you must control a national socialist government. If you want a worldwide monopoly, you must control a world socialist government. That is what the game is all about. ‘Communism’ is not a movement of the downtrodden masses but is a movement created, manipulated and used by power-seeking billionaires in order to gain control over the world, first by establishing socialist governments in the various nations and then consolidating them all through a “Great Merger,” into an all-powerful world, socialist super-state.” – Gary Allen, None Dare Call It Conspiracy


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 48 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The 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.) D.) a $300 …


Loss Prevention for Your Long Term Retreat or Bug-In Location, by Manatee

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For the preparedness minded individual, this old cliche couldn’t be more important. In my primary profession in the insurance industry, I observe on a regular basis all sorts of damage that happens to people’s homes. Today, there are ample available supplies to repair damage, contractors to complete repairs, and insurance coverage to help cover the costs. Tomorrow, we may not be so lucky. This is where our “ounce of prevention” comes into play. Whether you are preparing to live through a short-term event, a natural disaster, a grid-down event, or …


Letter Re: Some Experience Raising Geese

Captain Rawles, I’ve some info that might be of interest to the visitors to your blog. What started out as an impulse buy by my wife and daughters 10 years ago has resulted in our discovery of a creature that has a very long life span, is a good watch or alert critter, is easy to keep, provides good entertainment and lays eggs.  It is African geese. We bought two of these as goslings and raised them to adults. By doing this, we discovered that they will be very loyal to their caretakers and friendly. Anyone that has been around geese know that …


Economics and Investing:

Charles Hugh Smith: The Recession That Never Ended: 2008 -2013 (and Counting) B.P. in Colorado sent: Durable goods orders drop 7.3% Items from The Economatrix: Let us count the ways of inflation: While the CPI understates inflation Americans are living out the days of a contracting standard of living. Schiff:  Spectacular Gold Rally Is Coming The 5% Recovery: Why Most Are Still In Recession


Odds ‘n Sods:

Split more wood, folks! “Farmers’ Almanac” predicts a “bitterly cold” winter. (Thanks to F.G. for the link.)    o o o Troy H. mentioned a trend that is worth emulating: Greek community creates an off-the-grid Internet.    o o o I’ve heard that the “Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course” has overall had surprisingly strong sales since the price dropped to less than $20. You’ll get immediate delivery, via digital download.    o o o Andre D. sent: Pentagon Labels Founding Fathers, Conservatives as Extremists    o o o I see that Powell’s Books (my favorite bookstore on Planet Earth) …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"They’re not going to tell you that a collapse is coming. You’re going to have to see it for yourself. The government’s never going to tell you that it’s going to happen. These guys are never going to tell you the truth, because they can’t tell you the truth. Their job is to promote confidence, not to tell you the truth." – Kyle Bass


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 48 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The 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.) D.) a $300 …


Help for the New Prepper, by Don H.

 Many of us that have been prepping since before the Internet have welcomed all the new information, knowledge, and interaction with our fellow preppers. But for someone who is just starting out, it can all be overwhelming. So overwhelming that they don’t know where to start. The sad part is that many of them don’t start. They feel that they have to  spend so much money at one time to get all the gear that the experts say they need, that they just can’t do it. This is in large part due to shows like Doomsday Preppers. While I watch …


Letter Re: Manual Hair Clippers

Jim, I enjoy your blog very much, have been following it for years. Keep up the good work.   On the many lists of items preppers are encouraged to obtain, I have never seen hair clippers suggested.  An essential item. (By hair clippers I mean manual, not electric.) – Pastor D. JWR Replies: Although they are probably still made in India and China, the best place to find traditional clippers is used, via eBay or Craigslist. If they are well-made and aren’t rust-pitted, even a century-old pair of clippers will probably last another century. Just be sure to keep them …