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 burgeoning global derivatives market. (See the Derivatives section.)

Precious Metals:

Israel’s war with Hamas puts new safe-haven focus on gold.

o  o  o

Mark Lundeen, at Gold-Eagle.com: Studying Barron’s Gold Mining Index.

Economy & Finance:

Bidenomics, in action: Inside Today’s Jobs Report: 885,000 Full-Time Jobs Lost, 1.127 Million Part-Time Jobs Added, Record Multiple Jobholders.

o  o  o

Renewable energy stocks plunge as going green gets ‘expensive’.

o  o  o

H.L. flagged this news: After Getting the Largest Bailout in U.S. History in 2008, 85.5 Percent of the $1.34 Trillion in Deposits at Citigroup’s Citibank Lack FDIC Insurance Today.

o  o  o

Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Disney’s Financial Disasters Are Even Worse Than Previously Reported.

o  o  o

And over at Zero Hedge: Fed’s Presidents Agree: Soaring 10Y Yields Means No Need For Further Rate Hikes.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

In Olde English:

No man is an Iland, intire of itselfe; every man
is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine;
if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe
is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as
well as if a Manor of thy friends or of thine
owne were; any mans death diminishes me,
because I am involved in Mankinde;
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.” – John Donne

In Modern English:

“No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” – John Donne

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — October 12, 2023

On October 12, 2000, while preparing to refuel in the Yemeni port of Aden, the USS Cole, a U.S. naval destroyer, was attacked by suicide bombers associated with al-Qaeda; 17 sailors were killed and 39 wounded.

—

Today, in 1492, after sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus sighted a Bahamian island, believing he had reached East Asia. His expedition went ashore the same day and claimed the land for Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, who sponsored his attempt to find a western ocean route to China, India, and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia.

—

I just heard that Redoubt Surplus & Tactical has relocated to my old stomping grounds of Orofino, Idaho, where their business is thriving. In addition to their original large variety of military surplus clothing, mil-spec tools, blankets, tarps, body armor, outdoor survival gear, ammo cans, duffle bags, backpacks, camouflage nets, MREs, and books, they now also sell two local favorites: fishing tackle and gold panning supplies. They are located right near the Subway sandwich shop in Orofino’s Riverside District, at 11250 Highway 12, Orofino, Idaho 83544. Be sure to stop by, and stock up on their merchandise. Phone: (208) 476-6402. E-mail: redoubtsurplus@gmail.com

—

Today’s feature article is a review written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

—

We are in great need of entries for Round 109 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $850,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 109 ends on November 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.

CRKT Definitive Cross Bar Lock, by Pat Cascio

I’ve been following the CRKT company almost since their humble beginnings. CRKT was started by two former executives from another knife company. These days one of the founders now owns CRKT. And, we’ve been friends for a lot of years, even though neither one of us will admit we are friends. That is an ongoing joke between us.

I’ve never ceased to be amazed how big CRKT has grown over the years from just a few designs to their many new designs every year. As a bit of a disclaimer, CRKT produced one of my designs some years ago, the OC3. This was a collaboration between myself and custom knife make/designer Brian Wagner – I designed the OC3 and Brian made the prototype, it was a double-edged fighting knife – sadly it only lasted on the market for a little more than two years. In ay event, I have no vested interest in CRKT, and they know that I don’t pull any punches in my testing of their products.Continue reading“CRKT Definitive Cross Bar Lock, by Pat Cascio”

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 look at relocation trends for moves within the United States.

Moving to the Country in a Post-Pandemic World

Moving to the country in a post-pandemic world. The article’s opening lines:

“Three years after the start of the pandemic, Americans are on the move again – though in ever-decreasing numbers. Between March 2020 and March 2021 only 8% of Americans relocated, according to the Pew Research Center, the smallest percentage recorded since 1948. That’s still about 26.5 million people.

Of those who do want to move, the preference is for a rural area. At the end of 2020, about half of Americans said that, if able to live anywhere they wished, they would choose a town (17%) or a rural area (31%) rather than a city or suburb…”

Americans Are Restless in 2023: 55% of Adults Want to Relocate

At Architectural Digest: Americans Are Restless in 2023: 55% of Adults Want to Relocate.

Where Are People Moving in 2023?

From a storage company website: Where Are People Moving in 2023? An excerpt:

“As housing affordability declines, many Americans are looking to relocate to a different state or city for more affordable homes and lower costs of living. Finances and growing expenses were the main reasons Americans moved in 2022. However, we’re expecting to see a more stable housing market in 2023, making moving more feasible for many.

Americans seeking higher financial security weighed the costs of urban vs. suburban living. Remote work has allowed many Americans who previously lived in expensive cities to relocate to more affordable cities without sacrificing career opportunities. This U.S. migration pattern explains why more people have been leaving urban areas and moving to the suburbs.”

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Complete sovereignty at the individual level is nearly impossible today due to the interconnectedness of our economy and society. This is due to the specialization of tasks: individuals are more productive when we focus on doing one specific thing very well. As a result, we outsource many aspects of our lives to third party specialists who are very good at providing specific goods and services.

Even if you’re a ‘mountain man’ who lives in the middle of nowhere and is mostly independent, it’s unlikely that you’re living a primitive lifestyle. Most of those folks are still reliant on supply chains to occasionally provide them with raw materials and higher technology items they can’t create from scratch. Their ‘islands’ of humanity still have frail bridges to society.” – Jameson Lopp

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — October 11, 2023

On October 11, 1899, the South African (Boer) War began between Great Britain and the two Boer (Afrikaner) republics—the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State.

—

Today is the birthday of novelist William R. Forstchen (born, 1950.) He is best known for his post-EMP survival novel One Second After.

—

Today’s feature article is a review by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

—

We are in need of entries for Round 109 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $850,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 109 ends on November 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.

Rock Island Armory 1911, by Pat Cascio

I love my Glocks. However, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the 1911 series of handguns, chambered in .45 ACP. Over the past 50+ years, I’ve owned hundreds of different 1911s from many different gun makers. Used to be, I thought that the only 1911s worth owning were those made by Colt. My thinking on this changed a long, long time ago, when I laid my hands on my first Kimber 1911. They were and still are a real game changer.

Today we’re looking at a 1911 manufactured in the Philippines and marketed by Rock Island Armory (RIA). There are some outstanding 1911s of all sorts made in the Philippines. I’ve owned many different makes and models. There are presently two major 1911 makers in the Philippines and they produce more 1911s than any other country.

Today we’re looking at the Rock Island Armory full-sized 1911 with a Picatinny rail for mounting a light and/or laser on the front This gun has a 5-inch barrel – stainless steel and the rest of the gun is made out of carbon steel. This is a heavy gun to be sure, weighing in at over 40 ounces.

Starting at the top, the slide has combat sights and my only complaint is they don’t have white dots so in my case with my aged eyes, they are hard to pick up. I painted the front sight with some bright orange nail polish and the rear sight was finished with two white dots – once again nail polish, so they are easier to shoot with, for my old eyes.Continue reading“Rock Island Armory 1911, by Pat Cascio”

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. Today’s column begins with two news items from Philadelphia — “The City of Brotherly Love.”
—

New Philly car dealership has 60% of its cars stolen within a week of opening, owner says he “would not come to Philadelphia” if he could have a do-over.

o  o  o

Philadelphia Journalist Who Mocked Concern Over Violent Crime In Democrat Cities Shot Dead In Home.

o  o  o

Video: Breaking: ATF’s Forced Reset Trigger Ban Struck Down – Now What?

o  o  o

Team Biden now denies that there were vaccine mandates.

o  o  o

Blog reader H.L. sent this: Putin orders first ever nationwide nuclear drill, prepares nuclear bomb test at Arctic Circle.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“All things will be produced in superior quantity and quality, and with greater ease, when each man works at a single occupation, in accordance with his natural gifts, and at the right moment, without meddling with anything else.” – Plato

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — October 10, 2023

On October 10th, 1846, English astronomer William Lassell discovered Triton, the largest satellite of the planet Neptune.

Today is the birthday of composer Giuseppe Verdi. (Born 1813, died 1901.)

And on October 10th, 1913, the Panama Canal officially linked the Atlantic to the Pacific when the Gamboa dike was demolished with dynamite charges.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 109 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. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. 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. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  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 firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  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 Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $850,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 109 ends on November 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.

Retreat Logistics: Establishing Burn Rates, by 3AD Scout

What is a “burn rate”?  It is simply the period of time it takes to go through a given commodity or resource.  Establishing burn rates are important since it is those burn rates that will help determine how much of an commodity or resource you store before an incident and burn rates will also help you manage your resources in a post-incident environment.  

In the Prepping world we already have a few burn rates established.  The amount of calories and water we need per day are for the most part for bare minimums.  That is we know we need about 2,000 calories of food and about a gallon of water per day.  Many preppers use these figures to store their food and water preps but have we taken into account other variables that may increase our “burn rates” in a post-end-of-the-world as we know it (TEOTWAWKI) environment?Continue reading“Retreat Logistics: Establishing Burn Rates, by 3AD Scout”

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 of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, news of bad bear behavior.   (See the Montana section.)

Idaho

Video: Idaho’s Most Beautiful Overland Road.

o  o  o

Couple charged with injury to a child after police show video of gun-toting toddler.

o  o  o

Judge denies U of I murder suspect’s request to put pause on case.

o  o  o

Boise chiropractor sentenced to prison for video voyeurism.

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

Preparedness Notes for Monday — October 9, 2023

October 9, 1936, the Boulder Dam (later called Hoover Dam), on the Arizona-Nevada border, began generating electricity for such areas as Los Angeles, which celebrated with a parade.

—

On October 9, 1000, Leif Ericson discovers “Vinland” (possibly at what was later named L’Anse aux Meadows, Canada) reputedly becoming first European to reach North America.

—

A fairly detailed update: Israel at War: Day 2 // The FAI Wire.

And here is a word of caution about the circumstances of the Hamas invasion: This was allowed to happen.  Note: Avalanche Lily, who has studied both Biblical and modern Hebrew confirmed that that this was an accurate translation of what this IDF veteran NCO was saying.

Here is some commentary and confirmation.

—

I just noticed that we’ve now surpassed the milestone of 38,000 archived SurvivalBlog articles, columns, and quotes. Please spread the word about SurvivalBlog with your friends and co-workers, and mention that the archives are free and fully searchable. Even though we’ve been posting daily since 2005, there are still a lot of folks who haven’t yet seen SurvivalBlog. Also, please mention SurvivalBlog to any businesses that deal in preparedness-related merchandise or services.  We need a few more advertisers and writing contest prize sponsors. Thanks! – JWR

—

Today’s feature article is a review written by Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

—

We are in need of entries for Round 109 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $850,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 109 ends on November 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.