Utilities Costs at a Remote, Off-Grid Home, by Mrs. Alaska

I have been asked: How much do utilities cost at our remote, off-grid home?

Since we live 40 miles from the nearest road, we receive no municipal services. No mail, electricity, telephone, Internet, water lines, or garbage pick up. Certainly no fire or police protection. So, if we want any of these conveniences, we have to make them happen ourselves. The bad news is that this involved high up-front costs and delays of several seasons and even years for both the materials and transportation. The good news is that the ongoing costs are very low.

People who are willing to live without most modern conveniences can certainly live very cheaply in a remote area, but if you want some modern services, such as utilities, you will certainly pay a lot more up front, and, in some cases, ongoing, for what is often inferior to the service in a city.

Since we have lived full-time out here for over a decade now, I thought I would summarize our upfront and ongoing costs for basic utilities and taxes. In cases of expensive infrastructure, I will amortize the costs over 10 years.Continue reading“Utilities Costs at a Remote, Off-Grid Home, by Mrs. Alaska”

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 remote work, tools, and locales.

10 US Cities Offer Perks If You Move There

From the job search site Indeed: Craving a Location Change? These 10 US Cities Offer Perks If You Move There.

Working From Your RV: Making Working From the Road Your Reality

O.F. sent this: Working from Your RV: Everything You Need to Know About Making Working From the Road Your Reality.

50+ Companies That Let You Work From Anywhere

50+ fully remote companies that let you work from anywhere.

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

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — August 30, 2023

Novelist Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born August 30, 1797. She was best known as the author of  Frankenstein. Here is the opening of Britannica’s biographical  note:

“The only daughter of William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, she met the young poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1812 and eloped with him to France in July 1814. The couple were married in 1816, after Shelley’s first wife had committed suicide. After her husband’s death in 1822, she returned to England and devoted herself to publicizing Shelley’s writings and to educating their only surviving child, Percy Florence Shelley.”

August 30th is also the birthday of the late Joachim Rønneberg, a hero of the Norwegian resistance during World War II. He was born in 1919. His exploits earned him the War Cross With Sword, Norway’s highest military honor. In April 2013, Rønneberg was presented with a Union Jack during a ceremony at the Special Operations Executive (SOE) monument in London to mark 70 years since the successful Gunnerside heavy water plant sabotage mission. Rønneberg died in 2018, just one year short of his 100th birthday.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 108 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.

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More than $840,000 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 108 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.

 

Vintage Car Repair – Part 2, by Reelfisherman

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)

Replacing your PCV valve is straightforward. It is located on the valve cover. It’s about ¾ of an inch in diameter. With a hose coming off and going to the carburetor. Lift it out of the valve cover, disconnect the hose and install a new one.

Changing an air filter is simple. Remove the screw from the center of the air cleaner canister, remove the lid and replace the filter.

Fuel filter replacement. Note that gasoline will leak out during this procedure. If the filter is in the gas line with a clamp on either side. Remove the clamps, twist the filter, and remove the filter. Taking note of any marked fuel flow direction arrow, replace the filter and reinstall the clamps. On most Chevrolets, the gas filter is located on the carburetor. Follow the fuel line to the carburetor. Place a rag under the housing where the fuel line enters. Place a backup wrench on the filter housing and remove the gas line from the housing. Now remove the filter housing There will be a gasket, filter and a spring. Replace the filter with a new one, check the gasket and replace it if necessary. Installation is in reverse order.Continue reading“Vintage Car Repair – Part 2, by Reelfisherman”

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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Americans Panic Search “Live Off Grid” As Housing Crisis Worsens And Democrat Cities Implode.

o  o  o

This basic level of preparedness is some sort of novelty for the mainstream press: Personal emergency kits are a growing market in an uncertain world. Our thanks to Paul B., for sending the link.

o  o  o

A substack documenting a disturbing sign of the times, from England: Science And The Rise Of Totalitarianism.

o  o  o

Another disturbing sign of the times, from Canada: Jordan Peterson Unloads On Canadian Court After It Backs Psychologist Org Attempting To Censor Him.

o  o  o

And yet another disturbing sign of the times, from here in these United States: White House censorship of social media violates First Amendment Rights.

o  o  o

The latest song from Oliver Anthony: I Want To Go Home.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“We’re told cars cause pollution. A hundred years ago city streets were ankle-deep in horse excrement. What kind of pollution do you want? Would you rather die of cancer at eighty or typhoid fever at nine?” – P. J. O’Rourke

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — August 29, 2023

On August 29, 2005. Hurricane Katrina made its 2nd and 3rd landfall as a category 3 hurricane, devastating much of the U.S. Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida Panhandle. The storm killed more than 1,836 people and caused over $115 billion in damage.

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On August 29, 1949, the USSR performed its first nuclear test at Semipalatinsk, Kazakh SSR.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 108 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 $840,000 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 108 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.

Vintage Car Repair – Part 1, by Reelfisherman

I’ve been reading SurvivalBlog for more than 10 years. God willing, I hope to continue for another 10 years. I’m not sure how I found this blogsite, but this is the first site I go to every day. I have always wanted to write an article for SurvivalBlog. From this blog I have gained some valuable information over the years such as getting out of debt, saving my nickels, buying gold and silver, and numerous how-to articles.

This article describes how to select and keep older vehicles running. With so many concerns today about an  EMP attack from another country or solar flares knocking out electronics it would be nice to have an alternative means of transportation if the SHTF. Bicycles and horses are great alternatives, but you can’t beat the utility of a motorized vehicle.

Most cars today come with stainless steel exhaust, engines than can run 200,000 plus miles, and need very little maintenance. Modern vehicles can drive down the highway at 75 to 80 MPH with no problems and have all the comforts of home. The only problem in my opinion is they are loaded with electronics. Some of these are unnecessary. Sensors can fail and make your vehicle not run right. Without a computer and the right training, it can be impossible to repair it on your own.

This is where older vehicles from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s shine. If you have the mechanical ability, you can repair them on your own. Brakes, exhaust, tune-ups, starter, water pump, alternator replacement to complete engine replacements can all be performed at home with some basic mechanic tools. I have replaced an engine from a 1960s Chevy using a come-along off a large tree limb. Most of the older vehicles had very little stuff under the hood. You could sit on the fender and replace the spark plugs. Ah, to be young again. High School kids could spend a weekend working under the hood and feel good about the repairs they made.Continue reading“Vintage Car Repair – Part 1, by Reelfisherman”

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, we focus on reduced wolf take quotas in Montana. (See the Montana section.)

Idaho

A horribly overblown and biased UK Guardian article, with references to Idaho: US businessman is wannabe ‘warlord’ of secretive far-right men’s network.

o  o  o

Blog reader Tim J. sent this: Another Diesel Tuner Nailed With $1M Fine for Emissions Tampering.

o  o  o

Idaho Senators Risch, Crapo Advocate for Female Athletes.

o  o  o

Idaho murder victim’s family asks for prayers, fears delay in Kohberger trial.

o  o  o

Risch: 2023 Farm Bill Is an Opportunity to Properly Manage Forests & Disrupt Endless Wildfires.

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

Preparedness Notes for Monday — August 28, 2023

On August 28, 1793, the Siege of Toulon in the French Revolutionary wars began.

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A reminder: Jonathan Rawles, who operates SurvivalRealty.com, has produced a free mini e-book intended for people contemplating a move to a rural area. This short e-book is available as a free PDF download.  Take note that SurvivalRealty is just an advertising site, not an agency or brokerage.  There are no commissions charged on the completion of property sales.

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

 

 

LogOX A2 GenOX Bushcraft Knife, by Thomas Christianson

The LogOX A2 GenOX Bushcraft Knife is a razor sharp, 4.25 inch, full-tang, fixed-blade, Scandi-grind knife made of A2 steel with a Micarta handle. At the time of this writing, it cost $287 at www.thelogox.com. The price includes the knife, a finely crafted leather sheath, and a matching ferrocerium rod. This compares favorably with other high-quality, hand-crafted, American-made knives.

The knife and accessories provide a beautiful, well-crafted, highly-durable tool set for wood harvesting, hunting, camping, survival and other field use.

The Backstory

I like LogOX products for wood harvesting. My favorite LogOX product is their Hauler. A pair of Haulers, one in each hand, is a great help for picking up rounds and moving them over rough terrain. I also really like their WoodOX Sling. Its brilliant ergonomic design makes it surprisingly easy to haul firewood from the wood shed to the wood box in the house.

So when I heard that LogOX also offered a knife, I was immediately interested. The appearance of the GenOX knife reminded me of the classic Village Blacksmith ST113, which is a long-time favorite of mine that is no longer in production. I contacted LogOX to see if they could provide me with a sample for testing and evaluation, and they were kind enough to agree. A few days later the knife arrived via USPS Priority Mail.Continue reading“LogOX A2 GenOX Bushcraft Knife, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Simple Pumpkin Soup

The following recipe for Simple Pumpkin Soup is from SurvivalBlog reader G.C.  She said that she adapted it from one that she found years ago in Country Living.

Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 peeled and chopped potato
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 4 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 pound of cooked pumpkin (or one 15-ounce can of pumpkin, if you don’t have fresh pumpkins available.)
  • Salt and pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ pint heavy cream
Directions
  1. Melt the butter in a large pot and cook the potato and the onion for about 8 minutes.
  2. Add the chicken broth, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover the pot.
  3. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the pumpkin and purée with a hand blender or an electric immersion blender until the mixture is smooth.
  5. Add the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste.
  6. Increase the heat and boil the soup.
  7. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
  8. Add the cream and stir well.
  9. Reheat and season with salt and pepper.

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Do you have a well-tested recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long-term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

The BRICS Alliance is All About Gold

Today, in place of my usual Monday column on economics and investing, I’d like to briefly delve into some of the implications of the recently announced expansion of the BRICS trading alliance.

The acronym “BRIC” was first coined in 2001 by Terence James O’Neill — then of Goldman Sachs — in describing the fast-growing economies that would dominate the global economy by 2050: Brazil, Russia, India, and China.  Over time, South Africa was added to the acronym, making it BRICS. Oddly, O’Neill’s term of art eventually morphed into an actual multi-national organization.  In recent years, primarily under mainland Chinese leadership, the BRICS group has worked on developing trade agreements and credit-clearing circles.

I believe that many western economic and political analysts are missing the “Big Picture” of BRICS and the planned BRICS+ expansion. The mass media is presently abuzz about the combined oil production and population figures of the BRICS bloc. Yes, it is more than half of the world’s population. And yes, they collectively produce a quite substantial amount of oil. But what they are missing is that the BRICS alliance is all about gold.  In my estimation, it might as well be called The Gold Bricks Alliance. To wit:Continue reading“The BRICS Alliance is All About Gold”