Economics and Investing:

Peter Schiff: Riding Into the Sunset or a Brick Wall? Goldman Sachs President: We’re In A Unique Period of History Where ALL Major Economies Are In Deep Trouble “Legalized Plunder of the American People” – G. Edward Griffin Items from The Economatrix: Fed’s Fisher Says US “Drowning In Unemployment” High Cost Of Energy Leading Economy Into Recession Will The Chinese Remnibi Replace The US Dollar As The Primary Reserve Currency Of The World? Reality:  More People Requested Emergency Food Assistance Than Found Jobs


Odds ‘n Sods:

Recommended by F.J.: HomemadeTools.net    o o o An interesting documentary: We The Tiny House People: Small Homes, Tiny Flats. JWR’s comment: Simplicity is laudable, but tiny houses leave no room for long term food storage. 🙁 How about Plan B: A tiny house with minimal living space to heat but adjacent to it build a big un-heated barn/shop/root cellar building?    o o o The reach of the Internet is amazing. Even obscure acronyms that I created just for SurvivalBlog can now be found far and wide.    o o os Beware the signs of the times, even in …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 43 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 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any …


What’s in Your Pantry?, by Cathy H.

I wish I could remember the exact moment I became a “prepper”, although I would much rather use the term “aware”.  I’m sure everyone has that “A-ha” moment that sets them on the path to enlightenment, and that brings me to the subject of the day.  I would like to re-introduce canned food to all of those food snobs out there, because I once was one. Yes, it’s true – for me it was always “freshly caught”, “freshly killed”, “never frozen”, “minimally processed” and most especially “organic”. As a child of the 1950s I was the unwilling guinea pig of …


Letter Re: How I Built My Own Rocket Stoves

James, I recently fabricated my first two rocket stoves using $25 in parts per stove, and gave one to my local volunteer fire department fundraising auction.  It takes just over an hour to make one and it works great.  The fuel/vent stand is key for ensuring air flows under the fuel for maximum combustion.  The pot grill is key for ensuring maximum heat transfer to your cooking pot without choking the fire.   It was pretty nice the other morning making scrambled eggs without having to use propane, electricity, or the fire pit.  The rocket stove is one of the …


Economics and Investing:

Greece Hits 25% Unemployment, Germany on Brink of Recession, France And Italy Could Face Another Credit Downgrade, Social Breakdown Is Taking Place Inside Europe… AmEx (American Expat) sent: IMF Sees ‘Alarmingly High’ Risk of Deeper Global Slump Reader Pat S. recommended: Radical Simplicity, or Life after the Great Disruption Those pesky derivatives again: Cynicism aside, why the NY AG’s MBS suit vs JPMorgan matters Items from The Economatrix: 16 Critical Economic Issues That Obama And Romney Avoided During The Debate India’s Stock Exchange “Closes” After State Bank “Flash-Crash” Food Is The New Oil And Land The New Gold Gasoline Prices …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Joe K. liked this Rodale piece: 12 Low-Tech Tools You’ll Always Use    o o o Reader Jeremy I. sent us an item to file under Emerging Threats: Infamous mountain man burglar caught on video, still roams free. (Do not leave supplies cached in unattended wilderness cabins and expect them to be immune from burglary. It is important to build undetectable wall or floor caches for your valuable weapons, ammunition, optics, and electronics.)    o o o The Knob Creek machinegun shoot and plein air gun show will be held again this coming weekend. One of these years–when my writing …



Notes from JWR:

From SurvivalBlog reader Mark C. I learned that on Wednesday, we lost a true American hero. Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley died at 92 years of age in Columbus, Georgia. CSM Plumley was a combat infantryman in WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. Sam Elliot played him in the movie “We Were Soldiers”. — Today we present another entry for Round 43 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 …


On the Road to Thunderdome, by H.F.

Our culture relies heavily on vehicles and this will likely result in a rude awakening in a TEOTWAWKI situation.  Depending on the circumstances, vehicles, fuel, and/or parts may become insanely scarce and expensive.  This reality has led many preppers to explore various options ranging from alternative energy vehicles to reverting to traditional forms of transportation/heavy machinery (horses for example).   Additionally, those preparing for the worst must consider abnormal conditions that vehicles need to withstand when TSHTF.  This article will discuss TEOTWAWKI vehicles, preparing, and special tactics/considerations in regard to operating them. There are several schools of thought on what is …


Two Letters Re: Wilderness Survival in a Northern Climate

Jim, I read your blog almost everyday and sometimes I get a little irked when someone writes “You can survive without water for three days”. Having been an investigator in a desert climate, I can attest to the fact that a person can die of dehydration in a matter of 4 hours, especially if they have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs just prior to going on that hike or riding an ATV into unknown lands. True you can survive longer in northern climates, but you can’t count on going three days without water. It is misleading and can cause …


Economics and Investing:

Eric P. sent this from Der Spiegel: How Monetary Policy Threatens Savings A key quote: “Anyone who can afford it is seeking protection from inflation and fleeing to material assets.” G.G. flagged this: Nine in ten Scots ‘living off state’s patronage’ Also from G.G.: The dollar’s days as reserve currency are numbered Decline, Decay, Denial, Delusion, And Despair (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: The Largest Economy In The World Is Imploding Right Before Our Eyes The Inflation Rate Is A Lie Too People Are Flipping Out:  California Is On The Brink Of Collapse And Panic …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Just in time to get people thinking about the consequences of the upcoming election, the movie Atlas Shrugged, Part II will be released on October 12, 2012.    o o o For those with an interest in monitoring the severity of solar flares, J.E.B. in Missouri tells me that the Rice University Web Site site has excellent up-time and has the most consistent and timely, moment-to-moment updating of solar flare data.    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Back Country Editor, Mat Stein, has several book signings and workshops scheduled in Reno, Nevada, on October 13th and 14th.    o o o …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, ‘the buck stops here.’ Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.” …