Letter Re: Buying a House in Australia?

Dear James:
To follow up on a previous post, as information for US citizens looking to relocate to Australia, I offer a few very general suggestions.

Although Australia is a large continent, most of the population is located on the eastern sea-board mostly because of the arid interior. House prices have not fallen dramatically during the GFC and houses in capital cities are dearer than those in regional centres. But even in capital cities, there can be great differences in house prices in the different suburbs. I suggest that in the first instance that anyone relocating, rents for a period of time until they find their feet, a job, a location and a lifestyle with which they feel comfortable.

For a general overview of housing in Australia I suggest browsing through Realestate.com.au or Domain.com.au. Both of those sites will give plenty of information on houses/units/land for sale and houses/units for rent. – Margaret G.

Economics and Investing:

Carla alerted us to this article: Recent World Events Indicate Impending Market Chaos, by Giordano Bruno.

F.G. and Matt C. were the first of several readers that flagged this apropos piece in The Wall Street Journal: Green Acres Is the Place to Be; The Recession Is Inspiring More Young Families and Singles to Head Back to the Country

Thanks to GG for finding this: S&P says European companies face $1.5 trillion funding shortfall next year

Items from The Economatrix:

Geithner Slams Wall Street Bonuses, Says All Big Banks Could Have Failed

A Deeper Look Behind The Jobless Numbers. Despite the upbeat report, long-term unemployment worsens

US Congress Set to Strip Power Away from Federal Reserve Chief

North Koreans Burn Bills in Anger Over Currency Reform

UK Bank Bailout Hits Staggering L850 Billion

New Japanese Stimulus Package Likely Worth Over Y7 Trillion

Japan Airlines Rating Cut By S&P After Loan Defaults

Aetna Forcing 600,000+ to Lose Coverage In Effort to Raise Profits

Stocks Push Higher Even as Dollar Rises

Oil Below $75 As Opec Ministers Flag Steady Output

US Economy Entering Sluggish Recovery

Odds ‘n Sods:

Jen suggested this article, which has some Get Out of Dodge Vehicle implications: I live in a van down by Duke University; How do I afford grad school without going into debt? A ’94 Econoline, bulk food and creative civil disobedience

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Safecastle (one of our most loyal advertisers) is offering a 2-for-1 special on long term storage dehydrated diced potatoes.

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F.G. flagged this one: Minnesota man arrested for trespassing on his own land

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Erik Prince, head of US security firm Blackwater, ‘was CIA operative’ (Thanks to Damon for the link)

Letter Re: Free Local EMS Training

Jim,
I would like to let your readers know that there is an opportunity for them to get free medical training in there community, I have just done this and am working on going further. I joined a volunteer fire department (VFD). No, not everyone has to fight fires, in our department only 10% do. In my area we have a mandatory three hours per month that we have to be at the station and [respond to] any calls that come up. So out of this we all get free EMT training and they actually pay us to go do this, there are also different types of training that we can also take but for me this is the best we can go all the way to EMT paramedic. Try that in college, [paying for your own tuition]. In addition to the training you will meet some of the nicest people ever, so check it out it might be a good way for you to get some great training. And sometimes you even get to drive a big red fire truck. Best Regards, – ElectroMech

Letter Re: Buying a House in Australia?

Dear Mr Rawles,
I pray that God may continue pouring His comfort, love and strength upon you and your family in these difficult times.

My wife and I will finally settle down in Melbourne, Australia in 2010 after years of relocating internationally due to my work – we finally obtained the Australian resident permit! As a result of all the traveling, we have also had to leave all our savings in banks for all these years.

We prefer living in a region to know it well before purchasing property, so we will probably purchase a house sometime in 2010-2011. As many (including yourself) have convinced me of rising gold prices and crashing fiat values in the coming years, it makes a lot of sense to buy Australian gold bullion/stamped bars using our savings, and converting them to cash just before purchasing property.

What is your opinion on this? The worst-case scenario I can see is a minor loss in profitability whereby interests from the bank would have yielded more ‘profit’. As I am risk-averse, there are few ‘investment’ opportunities for me outside of term deposits. Thanks for your advice. Blessings, – David C.

JWR Replies: I cannot comment on the particulars of the housing market in Oz, but it is apparent that the real estate market is far from the recovery stage in the US and presumably in the rest of the English-speaking nations. Here in the States, I suspect that it will be 6 to 12 years before the residential real estate market recovers. But things might be considerably different, Down Under. With that said, if you find a truly retreat-worthy property (say, with a shallow well, defendable acreage with plenty of room for gardens, and that has an exposure advantageous for photovoltaics) and you an buy it below current market prices, then you might consider it. Just keep in mind that prices are likely to continue to drop, and it may be a long time before that investment that will appreciate in value. if you do decide ito park your money in tangibles–and you probably should do just that if you are indeed risk averse–then Australian Mint Kookaburra one ounce gold coins are a good choice. Just be sure to buy ion a “dip” day.

Letter Re: Best Military Manuals with Field Fortification Designs?

Jim –
There is an absolute plethora of military manuals out there. I’m looking for a Listening Post/Observation Post (LP/OP) diagram such as you use in your novel “Patriots”. What manuals would you consider your “must read and own” manuals that would answer this question and others I that haven’t arrived yet? I’m a 10 Cent Challenge subscriber and enjoy your web site and books. Thank you and God Best You, – Brent I. in Louisiana

JWR Replies: The basics describing and illustrating one-man and two-man fighting positions (suitable for LP/OPs) with overhead cover can be found in FM 7-8, Infantry Platoon and Squad. (An older edition is available online, sans illustrations.) But for greater detail, including some on larger and more elaborate positions, see FM 5-15, Field Fortifications. A very old edition, circa 1944, is available online.) One other excellent–but hard-to-find–manual is FM 5-103, Survivability. I recommend looking for used hard copies of these either at gun shows or from online booksellers.

Letter Re: The Pen is Mightier than the Sword

Many people preparing for the inevitable SHTF situation overlook the simple day to day needs of the children. It is easy to forget, especially being pre-occupied with food, water, ammunition and the like. I remember when I was in the army in the late 1980s, we were on a project in Honduras. We would make frequent health and welfare flights into the mountain villages to provide medical assistance and rendering aide were possible. One thing that amazed me was the educational system in the third world. Basically, if the child did not have a pencil and note book, they could not attend school to learn. I remember contacting my dad back in the states, having him buy a couple of thousand pencils and note books and send them to me in country. I became a pretty popular guy with the natives after that. Now as I look around at all my preparations for keeping my family alive, I realize what I have neglected. My wife and I have two extremely beautiful and smart children, ages 2 and 4, not that I am biased. When thinking of their needs, I need to also consider the progressive development in a post-SHTF society. Because we will after all have to be the teacher not only the protector. Here is the list I have come up with, and it is by no means complete.

1. Crayons- lots of them

2. Coloring books

3. K-12 text books

4. Books- children’s-teen-and adult, science, history, science fiction, a good mix, considering the library will be your living space and you will be replacing the television

5. Pencils- lots of them

6. Lots of note pads and books

7. A couple of solar calculators

8. Pens (and see items 8 and 9 below, for when ballpoint pens are gone)

9. Bottles of India Ink

10. Quill pens (for the ink)

11. Chalk board and chalk

12. A couple of educational science kits

13. And depending on how long you think things might last, learn to make paper, ink etc.

All the above is relatively inexpensive, but a mandatory investment as far as I am concerned. Hope this helps someone in their preparations. Sincerely, – Craig B. in South Korea

Letter Re: The Fabric of Our Lives

Mr. Rawles,
I am prompted to send along some information that I am hoping will be useful to your readers looking for instruction in spinning and weaving. The Handweaver’s Guild of America has an online list of local guilds as well as a list of Member Artists/Leaders, both of which are rich resources. There are some 454 guild, listed by state. Contacting a nearby guild is a great way to learn about local class opportunities in spinning and weaving. Most of these guilds also have member newsletters that will often list used equipment for sale by members at significant discounts over the “new” purchase price. I encourage your readers who are interested to contact a local guild – we are always happy to have new members and to point them toward good instruction. One of our newest members is a retired military officer. He has turned into quite a talented spinner in the past few months!

My sincere condolences on the loss of your wife. – Nan M.

Influenza Pandemic Update:

Andre in the EU sent this from Radio Nederland: H1N1 Pandemic Continues.

Maryland Reports First Drug Resistant H1N1 Cases

Mutated Swine Flu In Baltimore, Maryland. The drug-resistant type…

442 Dead In Ukraine, Nearly Two Million Infected

Tamiflu Resistance in Spain and US Georgia

H1N1 Tamiflu-Resistance Crosses Tipping Point

Transmission of Fit Tamiflu Resistant H1N1 in Maryland

CDC: Swine Flu Continues to Decline in US. Worried about second wave after the first of the year.

Influenza Pandemic Update:

Andre in the EU sent this from Radio Nederland: H1N1 Pandemic Continues.

Maryland Reports First Drug Resistant H1N1 Cases

Mutated Swine Flu In Baltimore, Maryland. The drug-resistant type…

442 Dead In Ukraine, Nearly Two Million Infected

Tamiflu Resistance in Spain and US Georgia

H1N1 Tamiflu-Resistance Crosses Tipping Point

Transmission of Fit Tamiflu Resistant H1N1 in Maryland

CDC: Swine Flu Continues to Decline in US. Worried about second wave after the first of the year.

Economics and Investing:

Reader HPD mentioned this article: 24 States Borrow Money To Pay Unemployment Benefits. HPD’s comment: “Don’t worry. The Fed sees signs of recovery… Besides, Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi are on the scene to fix it. “

Another missive from Dr. Housing Bubble: Wall Street and Housing Neurosis: The Real Cost of California Homeownership. Extreme Foreclosures, Option ARMs, Renting Utility Costs, and Breaking the Financially Twisted Psychology.

Noah C. spotted this: Heh, I Thought Dubai Was a Non-Event. Here is a quote: “Refusal to stand-still means there’s an immediate default, which means the [credit default swaps] go boom”

Items from The Economatrix:

Chinese Official Slams Western Banks Over Derivatives

Gold Will Reach Mind-Boggling Levels

High US Jobless Rates Could be New Normal

Japan’s Recovery Stumbles

China Wary of Gold “Bubble” Danger After Doubling its Reserve. [JWR’s comment: At least it beats leaving their assets in the stinkin’ US Dollars!]

Recent World Events Indicate Impending Market Chaos. “All those who value truth, liberty, and an honorable society, should be ready not only to save themselves, but to save each other, and to save their country. The time for readiness grows short.”

Taxpayers in 29 States Hit With Higher Taxes

This is Progress? Jobs Data Optimism Obscures Harsh Reality

Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader “Hope in the Northwest” stumbled across a good basic web site with articles on common health issues, with pictures included. Some useful topics covered are bugs, eye diseases, foot problems, etc. There’s also basic info on treatment for common illnesses.

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The Californization of Colorado continues: Colorado State University bans guns on campus. (Thanks to Chad S. for the link.)

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The folks at DNS Down announced that they are now giving away their software free of charge, as a public service. Be sure to check it out!

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Glade was the first of several readers to point us tthis Washington Post article: The $700 billion man – The FedGov’s former TARP administrator is now hunkered down at a rural retreat in the foothils of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Glade’s comment: “Probably a good idea for some more bankers to head for the hills, but not real good OPSEC.”

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The only thing that can stop a bad man with a gun, is a good man with a gun” – Major Lars Laine, a fictional character in the forthcoming sequel to “Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse”, scheduled for release in 2011. The working title is: Veterans: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse. Its storyline will be contemporaneous with that of JWR’s first novel, and will have a few cross-over characters. This novel will be set primarily in the southwestern United States.

Note from JWR:

Tommorrow, December 7th, Americans remember the Imperial Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. On a Sunday morning, 68 years ago, we were the recipients of a well-planned and executed raid. According to an Internet history page: “The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships (two of which were raised and returned to service later in the war) and damaged four more. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer, destroyed 188 aircraft, and caused personnel losses of 2,402 killed, and 1,282 wounded.” This day is a reminder that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.

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Today we present another entry for Round 26 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

First Prize: A.) 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 between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.), and D.) A 500 round case of Fiocchi 9mm Luger, 124gr. Hornady XTP/HP ammo, courtesy of Sunflower Ammo. This is a $249 value.

Second Prize: 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 $350.

Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing.

Round 26 ends on January 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.