Reader H.L. recommended this over at The Daily Crux: Top Manager Grantham: Get Ready for a Global Food Crisis
G.G. flagged this: Cash-for-gold shops boom as Italians sell off their bling
Items from The Economatrix:
Get Used To The “New Norm” of 6-7% US Jobless Rate
Peter Schiff: Priced For Collapse
IMF: US Plunge From Fiscal Cliff Would Hit Global Economy Hard
I am often asked for predictions on the timeframe for a societal collapse. If I claimed to know the year, then I’d be guessing. And if I claimed to know the precise date then I’d be a good candidate for the psych ward. But if I claimed that it can’t happen in the few decades, then I’d have my head in the sand and would be doing everyone a great disservice.
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Does this sound reminiscent of India? Aging power grid on overload as U.S. demands more electricity. And in related news, G.G. flagged this: Outage in India Could Be a Harbinger for the Rest of the World
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Safety tip: Don’t enrage any Vermont farmers: Vermont police: Man angry about arrest used tractor like monster truck to crush seven cop vehicles. (Thanks to F.G. for the link.)
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One man’s view: Wranglerstar’s Tactical Loadout. (JWR’s Comment: Your mileage may vary. This arrangement is fine for walking around and even good in a vehicle, but don’t try to low crawl in it. If a tactical situation dictates a period of crawling, then keep on mind that some chest pack harnesses like this can be temporarily reversed into a backpack configuration.)
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Ann Barnhardt: On Cowardice
"Despotism itself is obliged to truck and huckster." – Edmund Burke, Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies March 22, 1775
Today we present another entry for Round 41 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 of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value), F.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. and G.) A $200 gift certificate, donated by Shelf Reliance.
Second Prize: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training. Together, these have a retail value of $589. B.) A FloJak FP-50 stainless steel hand well pump (a $600 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. C.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, D.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and E.)Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value) and F.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value).
Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.), B.) A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value.), and E.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security.
Round 42 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.
Part of preparing for any emergency, including TEOTWAWKI, is making plans for those who cannot take care of themselves. Yet, there is very information out there about what to do about Grandma and Grandpa in a crisis situation, or those who just may not be the “fittest.” Having elders who have been struggling with dementia or who are in cancer treatment, having seen so many of our soldiers come home with PTSD, having loved ones who are chronically ill or permanently disabled, I think about prepping in perhaps a different way than others. After seeking out the information I needed myself from doctors, mental health professionals and fellow preppers, I am now sharing some of the practical advice I’ve found for helping those we love who do not appear to be the best candidates for survival. Why?
For some, caring and preparing for those with less than optimal survival chances may seem like a foolish, even dangerous, goal. Certainly, some soul-searching is required when thinking about who you are willing to “carry” (figuratively and perhaps literally), and just how far you are willing to put yourself and other members of your group in jeopardy to care for someone who may not make it in even a best-case scenario. You will have to make your own decisions about who to help and who to abandon. But I could not leave my parents, in-laws and grandparents any more than I could leave my children to weather the chaos on their own. I also cannot justify leaving other relatives or friends where they could be victimized by those who prey on the weak. The Biblical commandment to “honor thy father and mother” means not just that I honor them, but that I must also care for them in a crisis. I cannot bear the consequences of writing them off, or leaving them to the unkindness of strangers or the bureaucracy of FEMA. The same goes for all of those I am responsible for, by virtue of my being able, even if they are not.
In the case of illness or dementia, even if it meant that moving them might hasten their deaths, I would choose to care for my own family and friends. Perhaps it is my own rationalization, but I would prefer that if they do indeed die, they do so in the company of people who love them and who will treat them with dignity, not at the hands of mobs or criminals.
If my loved ones were currently in a hospital, nursing home or assisted living situation, I would know the facility’s emergency plan and contingency plans. In case of an emergency, would my people be evacuated, by what means, by whom, and to where? (And I would make my own plans to take custody of them instead). I would try to be as low-key as possible to avoid alarming the powers that be about any specific disaster or emergency, but I would get the information that could protect them, and make it possible for me to intercept them as quickly as possible in a crisis.
MEDICAL ISSUES – DRUGS
For those who require daily prescription medications, such as cardiac patients, diabetics, epileptics and other chronic illness patients (including those recovering from cancer treatment), some logistical planning now will save anxiety and life-threatening repercussions later.
You will need to know (and have written down) all medications, what they’re for, dosing schedules, and danger signs to watch for. At first, the problem will be in stockpiling enough medication when most insurance covers only minimal monthly quantities. Many times though, a sympathetic physician can prescribe a twice-daily med instead of a once-daily, for example. Explain you’d like to keep a back-up supply for the patient in case of loss, misplacing or forgetting when traveling.
As your supply grows, be especially diligent about rotating meds, using the oldest for current needs and storing the newest in a cool, non-humid environment, and including desiccant packets whenever possible. (Ask your pharmacy, as they throw these out by the hundreds).
One of my doctor friends tells me that more than 80% of his geriatric patients are on mood-altering drugs. A similarly large percentage of handicapped and cancer patients are routinely put on these drugs as well. For those who are on antidepressants, antipsychotics or anti-anxiety meds, benzodiazepines or steroids, special cautions apply. These drugs can cause terrible effects if stopped suddenly, and most require a very gradual weaning off the drug if one wishes or is forced to discontinue use. Check with your patient’s physician, and do your own research on ALL of the drugs your patient is taking (www.rxlist.com is an excellent resource), and plan accordingly.
MEDICAL ISSUES – ELDERS
While health can vary widely among seniors, there are specific concerns that are common to most. Circulation issues such as edema, bruising and bleeding, dehydration, and constipation can all be more serious in the aged, no matter what the fitness level. Falls and resulting injuries should always be avoided and prevented, as the consequences for elders can be much more serious than normal.
Simple observation and precaution about everyday conditions is necessary. We lose the ability to adapt rapidly to temperature variations as we age—most elderly people feel “cold” faster than younger companions and are at special risk of hypothermia. Your preparations will have to include supplies that ensure more warmth, such as extra clothes, hats, socks & gloves, and you will have to be vigilant in caring for elders who get wet or chilled.
Response to heat or exercise can also be a problem. Fluid intake of seniors must be monitored closely at all times. Dehydration during exertion or other stress may occur rapidly and without warning, causing diarrhea, vomiting, delirium and ultimately, death.
Many seniors will have dietary deficits, due to waning appetite, poor digestion, or self-sacrifice for others’ needs. Without adequate fiber-rich foods (or supplements) and liquids, constipation can become a life-threatening situation for an elder, not merely a painful inconvenience. Stool softener and laxatives should have a starring place in your senior’s medical kit. Lack of vital nutrients may also affect sight, hearing and balance. Keep an eye on their diets and make sure they get the nutrition they need.
Seniors are subject to painful and dramatic bruising when injured, especially if they have been on blood-thinning medications, commonly prescribed to prevent arterial plaques and stroke. Excessive bleeding and inability to clot are also effects of these drugs. Avoid injury first, and if unsuccessful, treat bruises and bleeding quickly to forestall further complication. Every cut or abrasion is also a potential site for infection, which can overwhelm one who is already weak, so be particularly aware of your charges’ skin condition.
Swelling of the extremities due to poor vascular circulation can incapacitate your older loved one. Compression socks, or in a pinch, elastic bandages, are a good addition to the clothing or first aid kit.
COMMUNICATE
Preparation for your loved ones begins with talking to them. You may be surprised to find out that oldsters are more prepared than you thought. After all, many have lived through tough economic depressions and wartime shortages, and they know a thing or two about living well with less convenience. Someone whose breathing depends on oxygen may have already prepared for a power failure or disruption of supply. If not, you can help that person get prepared. Someone who is overweight or in poor physical condition can benefit from a daily walk or strength training, even without the threat of an emergency. You might be the motivator or the companion to help improve the quality of that person’s life, now and in case of future crises.
Approach with a sincere offer of help, but be sure to ask what general and specific help they would need from you in case of an emergency. You do not know what the unique needs are until you ask.
For those that still don’t accept the idea that all sorts of manmade disaster and mayhem can happen here, and can happen at any time, the conversation can take place in the context of preparing for a natural calamity, such as a tornado, earthquake or fire.
Be aware that some of the sick, disabled and elderly may need to be convinced that their survival is possible, even probable, if they prepare themselves mentally and physically. You may hear this type of defeatism in statements such as “Don’t worry about me, I wouldn’t want to live in that world anyway…” Your people need to know that that a can-do, positive attitude combined with practical planning and preparation can up their chances. They need to know you’ll be there to help them. Most importantly, they need to know that their survival is of paramount importance to you.
MENTAL TOUGHNESS vs. PHYSICAL FITNESS
You should not assume that because your parent is sick, your grandparent is old, your friend is diabetic, your relative is obese, or your neighbor is blind, that these people are helpless or even less than capable of survival. Emotional strength, mental tenacity, technical skill sets or ethical leadership can quickly trump any physical challenges, depending on the situation. Lack of emotional resiliency or deteriorating mental stability can quickly turn a strong athlete into a greater liability to the group than Granny who needs a cane.
For example, I have a physically-fit friend who stocks an “earthquake kit,” a 72-hour stopgap to see her through a brief disruption of water and food supplies “until help arrives.” She refuses to consider anything more than that, because it would mean that she would be on her own for longer than she is willing to be. She refuses to own a firearm, because that would mean that she might have to use it. This head-in-the-sand attitude is not preparedness, in spite of her pride in running 10Ks on the weekends, having a few gallons of water and a three-day supply of food in the garage.
On the other hand, my 85-year old mother bought a retreat back in the 1970s, stocked it with supplies and learned to shoot. She has a stay-put plan, several bug-out escape routes, keeps her stock rotated, tests her equipment regularly and maintains situational awareness, even when she’s just going to the bank or grocery store. She has a mental toughness that belies the physical weaknesses of a woman her age.
THE NEED TO BE NEEDED
All of the people you care about have combinations of physical and mental challenges. What we all have in common is our need to be useful, no matter what our abilities or lack of abilities. A person without functioning legs can still wield a weapon or man a security cam. Someone who is blind can still direct audio comms. Everyone has skills and talents that the family and community need, and the survival of the whole group dictates finding appropriate jobs for everyone.
Those who are critically ill or in the advanced stages of dementia may need to have round-the-clock caregivers, which could put a strain on community labor resources. The whole group would ideally have the same reverence and respect for all the members’ quality of life, even the infirm and ill.
GET YOURSELF READY FIRST
Much of the information about surviving natural disasters or man-made insanities assumes that we will prepare not only our environment, but ourselves as well. In order to deal with a crisis, realize that while we are teaching ourselves new skills, setting aside food stores, preparing security and energy options and planning for those who are weaker than ourselves, we must diligently prep our own minds and bodies to withstand the multiple demands that will be required.
Knowing that stresses of panic, physical exertion, mental exhaustion, and lack of sleep will pile up and collapse you if you are not ready, is not enough. Add in caring for others who are young, old, chronically ill, obese, disabled or just darn difficult, and your preparedness becomes even more critical.
Part of the process requires that we must be physically fit ourselves before we can take care of others. So put down that list and go exercise, at least some part of every day! Do not allow yourself to become out of shape, while you’re stockpiling supplies and securing your environment. There are people depending on you. Make sure you are the fittest you can be, physically and mentally. Then you can expend energy on building a community that includes everyone you care about, even the unfit.
Dear SurvivalBloggers:
What is a halfway prepper? Some people think it is a lazy prepper. Well, if you’re lazy you’re not getting prepped. A halfway prepper is someone who gets things done slowly but isn’t going to let life pass them by. Is prepping worth losing friends (I try to make them see the light), missing date night with the wife, missing out on your favorite sports, living as a recluse? When SHTF things will change but I don’t want to miss those things.We have to continue to live in the world as we prepare for the future. I know I fall in this category with a lot of other people. Sometimes life gets in the way of prepping and we need to take a break. I want to move to the American Redoubt and have a survival group with rehearsed plans and member responsibilities and 30 years worth of food stored up, with an arsenal that would make the Marines proud. But that just isn’t going to happen anytime soon.
Just over three years ago I started prepping for the first time. I keep an eye on what’s going on in the world for my job and I could/can see very bad times ahead. I started my prepping with firearms of course since they are so much fun and it was a great hobby the wife and I could do together. Being the halfway prepper I bought the least expensive firearms I could fine. Some people might say that’s a problem and I should have gotten the best on the market. I feel that I’m not going to be more accurate with a more expensive gun and I couldn’t afford a second for the wife. We try to go shooting at least twice a month to stay proficient. We have gone shooting at night and practice malfunctions and magazine changes. We haven’t done any formal shooting classes but that’s on the “to do” list for this halfway prepper.
Next I looked into food and water, we started to buy a little extra canned food and bottled water every month. About the time we started stocking up I convinced the wife to move out of West Texas and head to the Redoubt. I started looking for a job in the Redoubt and after a year we sold our house. My job in Texas was working for the government as a contractor, we were living very comfortably. After we sold the house we moved in with some friends. We overstayed our welcome with the first friends and had to move in with some other friends. After living with friends for over a year, we decided to stay and find a house. The job search hit a dead end, with only one chance of a job (our year grant job) in the Redoubt area. We wanted a house that would be a great retreat but in West Texas all the good qualities aren’t there for properties. We found a house with a little land and a well that met our needs at a very low price. We decided that my wife would go to school and a get a degree in the medical field, while I hold on to this job until the contract ends s and then we will move to the Redoubt. So the halfway prepper in me decided to settle…for now. I still look for job openings in the Redoubt. If your hiring let me know.
Next came the challenge of prepping since we finally had a house and a place to store things. Well, this is where we are at the moment. We have enough ammo for the guns saved up and have started on food storage with about three months worth. I’m looking into getting a Flojak so we will always have water since that is the biggest deal where we live. Then there’s our survival group or lack there of. We had a good group that we were starting up but one member left and the whole group fell apart. And my wife’s family is nearby and the rest of the group didn’t want to take them in. The wife said she could never leave them if they were close by. Her family understands what’s coming but doesn’t want to put anytime or effort into prepping. So now we will have to prep for the family as best as possible. The problem is that I’m a halfway prepper. We want to live life comfortably and don’t want to make it to hard on life while prepping. So every week we at least do one thing for prepping to keep us going in the right direction, use the solar oven for practice, build solar power system, build garden, chicken coop, take the family shooting, rotate canned food, use hand crank washer, et cetera.
My main and final point is that it is okay to be a halfway prepper. Remember you are halfway there. The more you do little by little the closer to your goals you are. You will never be 100% prepped, as long as you are trying you will be better off than most. Someone else will always be more prepared then you in some aspect. Don’t be discouraged and frustrated. Just make your goals and work toward them. Just keep getting better day by day. You know what you need to do to get ready. Don’t be lazy and do nothing. Be a halfway prepper and gradually get it done! Don’t forget to live now while you prepare for the future. Look to God and take care of your family. – Z.T.
Collapse Of Financial System Will Come In August, Maybe September: Market-Watchers.( Thanks to Jim W. for the link.)
Reader H.L. suggested this piece by Gonzalo Lira: How A Country Rationally Exits The Eurozone
Items from The Economatrix:
The Survival Mindset, as seen from a Christian perspective. (This video series by Andrew von Ehrenkrook is recommended.)
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Demo of VPNs being compromised at Defcon: Marlinspike demos MS-CHAPv2 crack. Also, Tracking Android phones is easy, says researcher
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EMP attack: ‘90% of Americans would be dead’
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Mary F. sent an interesting piece about Mexico: Reclaiming the Forests and the Right to Feel Safe
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From Tim M.: Human cycles: History as science
“And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” – Luke 16:31 (KJV)
Today we present another entry for Round 42 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 of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value), F.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. and G.) A $200 gift certificate, donated by Shelf Reliance.
Second Prize: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training. Together, these have a retail value of $589. B.) A FloJak FP-50 stainless steel hand well pump (a $600 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. C.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, D.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and E.)Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value) and F.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value).
Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.), B.) A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value.), and E.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security.
Round 42 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.
I live a self-sustaining and prepared lifestyle, always have and always will. My parents and grandparents lived this way and taught me well. Several years ago, we chose to purchase property for a mini-farm near a university town, so that we could have it all, a self-sufficient small farm near educational and intellectual endeavors for my children. Naturally hidden from view we bulldozed a home site in the woods and built our property up to be self-sufficient, with woods for firewood, fruit trees, garden areas, secret outdoor rooms, caves and everything anyone would want. I worked full time then and my co-workers and friends thought I was nuts working so hard mornings, nights and weekends to make my property self-sufficient. They said “America is a land of rich promise; you can buy anything you want.” I didn’t want to buy it, I wanted to grow it and do it myself.
I chose to build a small home purely out of selfishness; I just don’t like cleaning or doing windows. I really had to downsize when we moved in as our new home was about half the square footage of anything we owned previously. I found I could simplify without cutting back on our ‘future supplies’. Our food storage and our prepared supplies take up at least a third of our home’s volume, and it remained intact. I have never regretted our choice to simplify our life, nor have I missed anything we got rid of in the process of downsizing.
Now those friends who scoffed at me are new preppers. Many of these newer preppers live in huge, sprawling, luxury homes that their large university salaries afforded. One friend in particular was talking the other day about how he has his families bug-out-bags all packed and ready to go, and all his alternate locations stocked. He has been watching Doomsday Preppers and has decided to go out and spend thousands of dollars on ‘stuff’. I commend his ability to have a salary large enough to be able to do this, but like so many others I see around me in my ‘neighborhood’ and in church, they feel the need to prepare, but haven’t thought thru the mental process of living a self-sustaining lifestyle. I would guess it’s probably because they never had to be self-sufficient and never experienced traumatic loss of their possessions. So, my question to him (and all those in this situation), is, are you seriously going to walk away from this vast luxury, sprawling, expensive home to bug out and live in a tent with your family? Can you really walk away from it all? Can you give it all up if you had to? What are you going to do when the food runs out? This new prepper looked at me as though I had slapped him. My intent was not to be rude, but to wake him up to real TEOTWAWKI thinking. I’m not making fun of him, I’m extremely concerned. I’m worried about him that he and his family will end up in real trouble.
The Bible says it will be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven (Matt. 19:24). I think that is because, like my affluent friend, they can’t really walk away from it all. His home being such a wealthy looking home with expensive features and a well manicured lawn would be one of the first in this area targeted by thugs and thieves. Unlike my home, that is smaller with grass that needs mowed, and heaven forbid, some weeds around the trees in front. If I’m really lucky, thugs and thieves will think it has already been ransacked and pass it by post-TEOTWAWKI. But I chose to live simply, not because I don’t have nice things, but because I have CHOSEN to simplify. It would be hard for me to walk away, but not impossible. Physical things are not where my heart is.
If anyone seriously thinks they can bug-out post-TEOTWAWKI, and come back to everything just as they left it, they are delusional. New preppers do not understand that very well, you really have to be prepared to leave it all permanently and be able to live and thrive somewhere else. My advice is to prepare to do that by simplifying your life now. If you really believe that TEOTWAWKI is coming (as I do), then live that way. Simplify and learn to be self-sufficient now! Living a prepared and self-sustaining lifestyle is a way of life, not a weekend project.
You can simplify your lifestyle with or without downsizing. I’m not saying to get rid of everything; I’m saying to get rid of everything that would be extra baggage later or that you can live without. Ask yourself, is this a necessity, or of future value? If it isn’t an heirloom, a necessity or of future value, then get rid of it, make it one less thing you have to worry about. Now I’m not saying to strip the house and go to the bunker and wait. Not at all, matter of fact we have broken out the good china and crystal now and are using them on a daily basis, not just on the holidays. We are installing new family room carpet and painting the kitchen to spark up our home and lives. We intend to live life to its fullest every day and be happy and find the value of living now. We, like most preppers intend to stay at home as long as possible post-SHTF, but unlike many, we can walk away and not look back. Logistically speaking, we can pack everything important into the bus if necessary. I’m not sure my wealthier friends or newer preppers who are riding the ‘prepper wave’ can do this.
We have simplified our kitchen, getting rid of rarely used appliances and pans. We have simplified our wardrobes into three colors, so it is all interchangeable, thus needing much less clothing. (No, camo is not a color, it’s a blend of colors.) We have simplified our holidays by giving home baked gifts to everyone and tremendously downsizing our holiday decorations. How many strands of Christmas lights and red balls do we really need? How many pruners do we need? How many slow-cookers do I really use? Do I really need to keep those baby clothes? How many spatulas do I have? This is a good time to spread items into different bug-out locations. I found five skillets, but only used two of them. The other three went to our bunker and cabins. The old cot fit into a nifty little vacant space on the bus. The daily silverware went to the cabin and we use the good ones daily now with the bone china when we aren’t eating on paper plates. We have simplified our paperwork with a scanner and a trash burner. All memorabilia and family history has gone into scrapbooks, and I have had to limit the amount of scrapbooks. Even the sewing room has been downsized, instead of the cabinet sewing machine, I now have a portable. Instead of totes of material and supplies, it is now in under the bed chests. We freed up huge areas in the garage by selling older and duplicate tools and took the money to buy newer multi-use tools that take up much less space. We don’t miss a thing that we let go when we downsized.
Have the courage to pull it off, remembering the most beautiful trees are ones that have been deeply pruned and cut back! Don’t know where to start? Let me help, I’ve become a master at this. You can even schedule this on the calendar! Whether you are a baby-boomer or a new prepper, whether you are moving or have lived in the same home forever, I’m sure you can find unnecessary and unused items that need to go. This will make room for more food and water storage, self-defense or home defense equipment, or anything needed post-TEOTWAWKI. My parents had almost half of their home dedicated to the future and future needs and security, they were completely self-sufficient. It can be done.
Overview; take an evening and walk thru your home, each room. Looking, really looking at every item. Look like you were shopping in a furniture or department store, noting condition and placement. If your home has a theme like French Country, Colonial or Contemporary, note anything that is out of theme. Take stray items out at this time, even if it is just to the garage. Also, take out things you know you do not want at this time. Just admit it, everyone has some things they know they don’t want. Think about all your things, physical things, seriously. Ask yourself; are you going to want these things ten years from now? Saving it for your kids? If SHTF will these things be an asset or a detriment. Ask the hard questions, and give yourself honest answers.
Deep Clean; if you work, schedule this on weekends, usually one room per weekend. Set up four boxes or buckets in the middle of the room labeled; trash, give away, sell and barter. Starting at one specific point, usually a door handle, move clockwise around the room looking at each item, ask yourself, is it comfortable to sit in? Does it serve a purpose? Is it out of place in this room? Do I really need it? Why am I keeping it? Will I miss it? If I move it to the garage for a month, will anyone miss it? If in doubt, move your items to the garage for a month, if you do not need it, get rid of it. Go around the room slowly, don’t miss anything even pictures on the wall. If you have pictures that were heirlooms, be sure to check behind the backing on the frame before getting rid of it. Past generations loved to hid things behind pictures. Once you are done, go around the second time. You never get it all the first time. The bedroom usually takes the longest, as it involves sorting the clothing. If you start a room with a closet you may never finish, always have a starting and stopping place. Always start around the room at a door. Save the kitchen for longer time. One place to look is in your electronics drawer or cabinet, I’ll bet you’ll fine chargers to phones you don’t even own anymore or discs your computer won’t accept. Take a day and challenge yourself to simplify one closet, one dresser or one room. You might be surprised what you will find. If it doesn’t serve you today, or tomorrow or if you can’t use it post TEOTWAWKI, get rid of it, it’s excess baggage.
Finishing; by double checking the boxes. You will inevitably throw something in the wrong box. Deal with your trade box immediately, the things you find may be good barter in a post-TEOTWAWKI world, put it in a 5 gallon bucket, mark it TRADE and take it to the garage. Double check and take the ‘give away’ out to Goodwill or somewhere immediately. Be sure you are okay with giving these things away. The IRS suggests you take pictures of what you give away so if you are audited you can prove their value. If you are not sure, take it to the garage or shed for a couple of weeks. Give yourself time to come to terms with what you have done. However; word of warning, if you bring more than three or four things back into the house, stop downsizing now. You’re not in the right frame of mind to do it. Also remember a yard sale means dealing with everything twice if it doesn’t sell, try alternate methods of selling. But remember, the longer you wait to deal with your things, the less your chance of really downsizing.
Hints: have the meals already at hand, either in the slow-cooker or the freezer. You can’t take time to cook while downsizing. Can’t get everyone together to help? Hide the car keys and pull the closet contents out and dump on the middle of the floor or on someone’s bed, so it has to be dealt with immediately. If you start with a room like the kitchen, you will be surprised how much you took out. That will give you the incentive to do the next room. I cut my household items in half in one month using this method. Once you start, it goes quickly. You may find enough space to build a hidden safe room. You may save enough time on cleaning to read books on growing veggies and fruit trees.
When simplifying you really have to ask yourself serious questions on lifestyle and future plans. Part of the process of living a prepared and self sustaining life style, is to keep life’s clutter to a minimum, find places to rotate, use, and to hide food storage and to learn to take care of yourself and your family. Having less clutter to contend with will give you the freedom to do things, less time cleaning, less to worry about losing, less for someone else to deal with in case you pass away. If you want a real incentive; ask yourself who would sort and disperse of your worldly things if you passed away today, your kids? If so, what would your kids do with some of your ‘precious’ things? If that thought doesn’t make you want to downsize today, it should! Take all the good new space you have found and fill it with food storage or some of your supplies. Even if you are not moving, by simplifying I absolutely guarantee you, all the new space you find by simplifying, you will find a use for.
Dear Captain Rawles:
Each year we dehydrate and can a lot of tomatoes. In past years we used a “Squeezo” device to separate the skin and seeds from the pulp. A better way is to slice each tomato into about 8 slices, from top to bottom. Then (over a sink) with one’s fingers strip out the seed pulp and seeds. This also removes the water surrounding the seeds and pulp. Put the slices into a blender. Liquefy for a couple of minutes. Pour the homogenized tomato into the stockpot to heat for canning. The homogenized skin in nutritious. By removing the water and pulp one begins with a more concentrated product than the Squeezo produces and this greatly reduces the time required to simmer the sauce down to the desired thickness. – Les in the Smokies
Greeks can no longer afford paying expensive bribes. (Thanks to Rhonda for the link.)
Fred K. mentioned this ABC News report: U.S. Bridges, Roads Being Built by Chinese Firms
H.L. spotted this: Deflation? Don’t Count On It…
Also from H.L.: 100,000 Workers in Spain Will Not be Paid Because Regional Government of Catalona is Broke
Items from The Economatrix:
Debt Crisis Live: July 31, 2012
Investing In Silver: States Support Move to Metals as USD Weakens
My brother-in-law sent this useful link: Optimum Tilt of Solar Panels.
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Bill Whittle discusses the implications of the NDAA and unchecked government power.
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The Castaway’s Guide To Making A Home
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T.K. recommended this over at Small Wars Journal: Full Spectrum Operations in the Homeland: A “Vision” of the Future
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:1-2 (KJV)