Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“True, you still have butch T-shirts – ‘Don’t Tread On Me,’ ‘These Colors Don’t Run’ … In my own state, where the Democrats ran the board on Election Night, the ‘Live Free Or Die’ license plates look very nice when you see them all lined up in the parking lot of the Social Security office. But, in their view of the state and its largesse, there’s nothing very exceptional about Americans, except that they’re the last to get with the program…” – Mark Steyn




Notes from JWR:

For just today (12/12/12) Camping Survival is giving away a free 50-foot hank of paracord with each order. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, 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 …




Your Ultimate Survival Binder, by Mia M.

  Most of us are aware that the world is full of “WHAT Ifs.”   “What if… my house catches fire, and I have to get out quickly?”   “What if… my purse or wallet is stolen?”   “What if… my family is separated, and I need help finding them?”   One of the most useful items in a well-prepared survivalist’s inventory can help in almost any disaster scenario… and is simple and inexpensive to acquire. We call ours the “Bug-Out Binder,” but you can give yours any name you choose. The best part of an Emergency Binder is that …




Letter Re: Making Our Bug Out Bags Work: Shaving Weight

James, First, thanks for the great blog.  I wanted to take a minute and let the readers know of a great way to test what it is like to be stressed and carry a load of 40 plus pounds for an extended period of time.  Last weekend I participated in a GoRuck Challenge.  The premise is based on Special Forces type training where participants (max of 30 per event) act as a team to accomplish any task that the cadre gives them.  There are a few requirements, the most notable being that each person 150 lbs or more must cary …




Two Letters Re: How to Thwart Nigerian Scammers: Demand Proof of Life

James,  Another variation to watch out for is when the scammer asks you to pay using an escrow account supposedly managed by Amazon or eBay.   A too good to be true add is found, you respond, the scammer/seller tells you he sells using an eBay escrow account. The merchandise will ship to you after you send a check to Escrow. The scammer directs you to a link sent in the scammers/sellers email that appears to be an eBay site.   The scammer creates the illusion of security using a brand like eBay with some official looking legal contract showing how …




Economics and Investing:

Peter Schiff: Many Other Cliffs Await the US Economy Jim W. suggested this from Alasdair MacLeod: Short squeeze ahead? Gold futures market heading for crisis. Yishai sent this:Insane: Liberals Contemplate $1 Trillion Platinum Coin to “Solve” Debt Limit Issue R.B.S. sent this from Oregon: Overdue Portland sewer bills to become property tax bills The World’s Strangest Currencies Items from The Economatrix: The Straw That Breaks The Euro’s Back:  Euro Crash Imminent? Amid “Cliff” Stalemate, Main Street Deteriorates Triple-digit Recession, AAA Loss Loom For UK




Odds ‘n Sods:

There Are Now Approximately 3 Million Preppers In The United States, Why Are They Hated So Much?    o o o Reader Jordan B. sent: US intelligence study sees possible fight ahead over water, food    o o o Where building codes collide with common sense: Watauga County ‘mountain man’ fighting to keep his nature camp open. (Thanks to James S. for the link.)    o o o Reader Rodger E. mentioned a new aluminum Side Saddle shell holder is available for Mossberg 500 and 590 owners. They cleverly use a Picatinny-style rail, for mounting.    o o o 12 …







Notes from JWR:

Update: A reader near Fort Sill, Oklahoma should jump on this big lot: Auction for 21 Pallets of Razor Wire. This variety of wire is more expensive (and effective) than traditional concertina wire. The auction ends at 5 p.m. EST on December 12, 2012. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those …




Survival Gear Packing 101, by Jim G.

I’ve been reading a lot lately about types of bags and the many different options for BOBs that are out there. A staple of all prep web sites is the gear list and there is no shortage of suggestions on what you should have with you. What I’m not seeing is how to stow your gear. I’m not talking about the actual packing of your bag. I’ve actually seen an article or two about this, tips like keeping the heavy items low and close to your back, use of ditty bags, or packing your rucksack in a columnar system. What …




News From The American Redoubt:

Reader T.K., who lives in the Tri-cities [Richland, Pasco and Kennewick] region of Washington wrote to mention that local credit union, HAPO, is ordering in $2,000 in nickels for him with no fee charged. “I’m simply taking $2,000 out of my account with them and they are giving me $2,000 in nickels. It is going to take a week for the order to go through and they asked me to have some kind of bins to put them in but other than that they had no issues with me getting a bulk shipment of nickels. Yet another reason to live …




Economics and Investing:

US citizens leaving the country to avoid stiff tax bills Euro Area Pushed Into Recession as Trade Slows, Spending Drops Jim W. suggested this: Research Shows ALL Paper Money Systems Failed Items from The Economatrix: How To Prepare For The Coming Gold Crunch Oil Trades Near Three-Week Low as ECB Cuts Europe Growth Outlook More US Service Jobs Heading Offshore The World’s Economy Is In Peril, The Government Knows It




Odds ‘n Sods:

Half of America: I’d Kill to Protect My Own–Survey reveals stunning attitudes about surviving in catastrophe    o o o For the SurvivalBlog readers who have supported Anchor of Hope Charities (the folks who run an orphanage and mission school in Zambia), this is your annual reminder. Many thanks for supporting such a worthy and financially responsible charity. They operate with almost no overhead.    o o o Blogger Sarah A. Hoyt talks societal collapse: Preparing For The Long Rains    o o o A reminder that the Freeze Dry Guy two-week 25% off sale of Mountain House freeze dried …




Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Technology is a blessing for those who understand it and can develop and maintain it. It can be a snare for those who can can only depend on getting it ‘off the shelf.’ If it malfunctions they are lost. Tools, supplies, and technological equipment should play a part in anyone’s survival plans, but they should not play a part that overreaches the person’s ability to deal with it.” – Karl Hess, Editor, A Common Sense Strategy for Survivalists, p. 37, 1981




How to Thwart Nigerian Scammers: Demand Proof of Life

SurvivalBlog readers often buy gear for their retreats using Craigslist and Internet message boards such as Buddy’s Board and eHam to buy equipment. There are some genuine bargains out there, but be advised that these web sites have become the favorite hunting grounds of Nigerian Scammers. They prey upon people who are looking for bargains. Typically, the scammers place fraudulent ads offering items for sale in the Want To Sell (WTS) category , or they respond to Want To Buy (WTB) ads. Some Red Flags that may indicate that you’ve been contacted by a Nigerian merchandise scammer: 1.) The seller …