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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the decline of the Canadian Standard of Living. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Those dastardly COMEX Silver Shorts have been up to their mischief again, pushing down the price of silver contracts. When I checked on Thursday morning, spot silver was at $28.75, while spot gold was at $2,460.10 per Troy ounce. That equates to a silver-to-gold price ratio of 85.56-to 1.  So, I consider this a good time to either buy physical silver, or to ratio trade out of some of your gold into silver.

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Chris Powell: Suppressing Silver Prices Has Been Official US Policy Since 1965.

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Reader H.L. suggested this piece by Daniel Lacalle: Central Banks Purchase Gold to Offset Their Own Money Destruction.

Economy & Finance:

Mid-Day Update: The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down more than 950 points, on Friday morning.  Buckle up!

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Study: Canadians Experiencing Worst Standard of Living in 40 Years.

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Credit card delinquency rates hit worst level since 2012 in new Fed study.

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Ten Points About Post-Lockdown Economics. Here is a key quote:

“Stimulus was wiped out by inflation. When the checks started arriving directly in bank accounts, people were doing absolutely nothing at home, and business was getting revenue from government even when their doors were closed, it seemed like some Nirvana had dawned. Riches were flowing from heaven. That lasted about 18 months. Once inflation came along, the purchasing power of those dollars was zapped away. Money creation had been on a level never before seen in modern times; some $6 trillion was created out of thin air to buy stunning amounts of debt. It was all taxed away in the most ancient scheme of tricking the public.”

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Young adults living with parents hit 1940s levels, driven by high costs. Economic disparity grows, with 1% holding 49% of stocks.

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At Zero Hedge: 134-Year-Old American Furniture Chain Files For Bankruptcy, Closes All 553 Stores.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — August 1, 2024

I’m pleased to announce that a new prize has been added to the First Prize package, for the SurvivalBlog writing contest. The good folks at HSM Ammunition in Stevensville, Montana are now providing a $250 gift certificate, starting with this latest writing contest round that begins today (Round 114.)  The certificate can be used for any of their products. If you haven’t tried their ammo, take a look at their website and check out their broad line of top-quality newly-manufactured cartridges.  They even make mild “Cowboy” loads that are suitable for antique revolvers.

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August 1st is celebrated as Swiss Independence Day, in recognition of the signing of the Federal Charter of 1291, which united Switzerland’s first three cantons. As of 2024, Switzerland has been free and independent for 733 years. Having a well-armed populace has assured that.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 114 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

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But first, we are posting the results of the judging for Round 113.

Writing Contest Prize Winners Announced: Round 113

We’ve completed the judging for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.  Round 113 began on June 1, 2024, and ended on July 31, 2024. (The contest runs in rounds that each last two months.) The prize-winning writers for Round 113 are:

First Prize

First Prize goes to A.F., for: Stocking Up: OTC Medications Part 1 and Part 2. It was posted on July 9 &10, 2024.

He will receive the following prizes:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson
SECOND Prize

Second Prize goes to A Grateful Mechanic for Unexpected Homelessness: An AAR. It was posted on July 25, 2024. He will receive the following prizes:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!
Third Prize

Third Prize goes to Lodge Pole for Building a Utility Trailer, by (Part 1 and Part 2), posted July 26 & 27, 2024). He will receive the following prizes:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.
Honorable Mention

Each Honorable Mention Prize winner has been awarded a transferable and accruable $100 FRN purchase credit toward the purchase of any antique or percussion replica gun from Elk Creek Company.

Honorable Mention Prizes go to the writers of these 10 articles:

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More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 113 is now underway and will end on July 31, 2024.

Please get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Ballistics, Rifle Marksmanship and Why They Matter – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

Introduction

I would argue that if Donald Trump’s would-be-assassin on July 13, 2024 had used a bullet with a higher ballistic coefficient, or if the wind had changed, regardless of the cartridge actually used, then Trump would have been killed or gravely injured.  How is it that Trump turned his head just before the bullet passed by?  This attempt on Trump’s life is a clear indication of the lateness of the hour.  Only by an act of God do we have more time to prepare.  Like many other SurvivalBlog readers, I was an admirer of the late Bob Griswold who often advised only half-jokingly:  “Panic early and beat the rush.”  There is always one last thing that can be done to better prepare ourselves.

JWR Adds: I am sure that most would agree, that we are glad that the would-be-assassin was an ignorant klutz.

Use the opportunity to get it done now.  And if we can not afford to buy more stuff, then we can use the opportunity and time to learn a valuable skill.  As the defense of our lives and home will be job number one, rifle marksmanship skills are at the top of the list.  Most own guns, yet do not know how to shoot them.  Fix that. The Swiss have a shooting culture that is different than America’s gun culture. The Swiss know how to shoot well at long range.  It is a national pastime.  Gotta ask why?  Because it works as a mainstay for their country’s defense.  In stark contrast, we own lots and lots of guns and ammo, yet do not know how to shoot like the average Swiss.  I say, use it or lose it.

The military has developed special ammunition for longer ranges for good reason. The attempt on Trump’s life goes to show us why choosing 75/77 grain OTM ammunition versus ammunition with 55 grain bullets in .223/5.56 NATO cartridges is important. Wind deflection is the most important factor that will cause us to miss targets inside of 200 yards, and more so as the target is well beyond 200 yards. Hits count, misses do not.  The shooter was reportedly only 140 yards from Trump, but he still only grazed an ear.  While standing, I can reliably hit a 6″x 6″ target with a horribly inaccurate AK-47 off hand with iron sights at 100 yards, yet the shooter missed with a rifle capable of 3 MOA or much less!Continue reading“Ballistics, Rifle Marksmanship and Why They Matter – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit”

July, 2024 in Precious Metals, by Everett Millman

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance and silver’s performance and examine the factors that affected the metal prices.

WHAT DID GOLD AND SILVER DO IN JULY?

Silver had another fairly volatile month, much as it has for the better part of 2024. The swings back and forth for prices have become increasingly frequent since the second quarter of the year began.

During July silver futures traded as low as $27.75/oz and as high as $31.43/oz, a significant spread of over 13%. Spot silver opened the month around $29.50/oz and concluded it 55 cents lower at $28.95.

In between, the argent metal rallied to its high point on July 11th. It held above $30/oz for a week before major price corrections for both silver and gold from July 17th–19th. Year-to-date silver is still up an impressive 31.2%.

Gold sank more than $100 over the course of the following week of trading after peaking around $2,480/oz. The gold price had climbed from its low point on July 1st of $2,327/oz and never fell below the $2,360 level even after the sharp sell-off, closing the month 5.2% higher at $2,448/oz.Continue reading“July, 2024 in Precious Metals, by Everett Millman”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we examine the new threat of de-orbiting space debris.

The Deadly Era of Space Junk

Tam suggested this piece, over at Scientific American: A New, Deadly Era of Space Junk Is Dawning, and No One Is Ready. (Editor’s Note: The photo above shows a contrail from either a piece of space debris or a meteor. It is a Creative Commons photo by Tony Netone.)

Federal Judge Upholds Chicago’s Ban on Gun Laser Sights

A news report over at The Epoch Times: Federal Judge Rejects Challenge to Chicago Ban on Gun Laser Sights.

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20 Universities Still Require Students to Get COVID Vaccine

A piece by Madelynn McLaughlin, first posted at The College Fix: “Unreasonable”: These 20 Universities Still Require Students Get COVID Vaccine.

2024 Paris Olympics: A Satanic Opening Ceremony

Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Olympics Attempts To Hide Satanic Opening Ceremony After Massive Backlash. JWR’s Comment:  “And behold, a pale horse…”

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For the Christian there can be no social or political panaceas, no easy escapes from personal responsibility achieved by collectivising guilt or virtue. The true ends of temporal life lie beyond it, and, though the tyrannical State may diminish virtue, the benevolent State cannot procure it.” – Margaret Thatcher

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — July 31, 2024

The first ascent of K2 was made by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio on July 31, 1954.

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And on July 31, 1958, the Anti-Chinese uprising began in Tibet.

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Today’s feature article is a guest piece by fellow blogger Mrs. Alaska. Because it will also be posted to her blog, it will not be part of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

We are now seeking entries for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 114 begins tomorrow, August 1st. You can e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Two Inexpensive and Easy Food/Pollinator Crops, by Mrs. Alaska

In the past, people who migrated from one country or region to another invariably brought seeds with them. This is prudent. But many times, the plants of one ecosystem cannot grow in another, due to temperature or soil conditions. Imagine the problems (hunger) that ensued.

The most valuable seeds at the end of a journey, I imagine, were those that could grow the fastest to some edible stage in a variety of new locations, proliferate, set seeds, and repeat.

Here, I would like to sing the praises of two modest plants, wild and domesticated in a broad range of USDA planting zones, that grow fast, and are edible (flowers, leaves, stalks, in one case root, and in both, seeds).
Applause, please: Radish and mustard. (See nutritional data, below,)Continue reading“Two Inexpensive and Easy Food/Pollinator Crops, by Mrs. Alaska”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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An astute video essay from The Patriot Nurse: How To Prepare For Civil War.

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How a Perfect Storm Sent Church Insurance Rates Skyrocketing.

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An inspiring essay: The Value of an Aged Human Being.

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Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.” – James A. Garfield

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — July 30, 2024

On July 30, 1419: First defenestration of Prague: anti-Catholic Hussites, followers of executed reformer Jan Hus, stormed Prague town hall and threw the judge, mayor, and several city council members out the windows. They died in the fall or were killed by the crowd outside.

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July 30, 1869: The Charles, considered the world’s first “oil tanker”, departs from the United States headed for Europe with a bulk capacity of 7,000 barrels of oil.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

We are now seeking entries for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 114 begins on August 1st. You can e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Pandemics: I Hope I’m Wrong, by SaraSue

Ever since the Plandemic hit the scene a few years back, I have been following dissenting medical voices.  I watched while they were silenced and banned for daring to disagree with the “regime” of the pharmaceutical industrial complex partnered with government and so-called “healthcare”.  Some were stripped of their medical licenses, others pushed out of practice, and some sued into oblivion.  It was shocking to me that our formerly “agree to disagree” society had stooped so low as to punish people, quite literally, for having a different opinion.  I had to pinch myself to see if I was in a dream where I lived in a Communist country.  That first year of the Plandemic was scary, in a way.  However, I personally was not terribly affected.  I was able to observe, research, and listen since I was tucked away in my well-stocked Idaho cabin.

From what I have researched and discovered, my fear, nay, belief, is that the Plandemic is not over.  We will need to be prepared for “disease X” (as if we didn’t have enough to prepare for).  My thoughts about this follow.Continue reading“Pandemics: I Hope I’m Wrong, by SaraSue”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, some coverage of summer wildfires throughout the region

Idaho

Level 3 (Go Now!) Evacuations issued for Gwen Fire near Juliaetta. JWR’s Comments:  That long sloping valley was where the late Carla Emery lived, back in the 1980s. She was the author of The Encyclopedia of Country Living which has often been mentioned in SurvivalBlog. The Emerys lived closer to Kendrick, which is now threatened by the same fire.

An update from another news outlet: Idaho State Police shuts down Highway 12 due to wildfire.

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Team Idaho in the Paris Olympics: Who and when to watch.

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At Redoubt News: Interview with Cornel Rasor owner of Army Surplus Sandpoint.

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And speaking of surplus stores, see this video: Idaho Is Fun, Take A Road Trip! (Idaho’s largest surplus store, in Idaho Falls, can be seen in a 24-minute video tour, starting at the 11:55 mark.)

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”