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 cover the announcement of a planned new BRICS Gold-Backed Currency. (See the Forex & Cryptos section.)

Precious Metals:

Spot silver jumped nearly 4.5% in one day on Wednesday, to $24.39 per Troy ounce. Meanwhile gold was up 1.33% to $1,971 per Troy ounce.  I hope that my readers have been paying attention to the markets and have been buying on the dips.

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‘The Most Insane Thing Ever’ – Man Finds Huge Hoard Of Civil War Gold On Kentucky Farm.

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Kelsey Williams: The Federal Reserve and $10,000 Gold.

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India restricts import of plain gold jewelry.

Economy & Finance:

At Investopedia: Recession vs. Slowdown: Economic Forecasts Cloudy for the Rest of 2023.

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Bloomberg: Economists Cut China GDP Forecasts After Disappointing Data.

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Posted by the Conference Board, in mid-June: Global Forecast Update.  Here is an excerpt:

“The outlook for other emerging economies is mixed. Other developing Asian economies (e.g., India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines) continue to post relatively strong growth, driven among other things by rebounding domestic activity and tourism. The slowdown that we see elsewhere is also not visible in sub-Saharan African economies, with the exception of South Africa. Asian and sub-Saharan African economies are therefore positive outliers in the context of global growth forecasted at a relatively subdued 2.6 percent. The outlook for Latin American economies is more subdued, particularly Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Colombia. The weaker outlook is associated external factors such as slowing global demand and lower commodity prices, as well as internal factors such as very tight monetary policy leading to elevated interest rates, troubling public finances and political instability.”

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A Breitbart article that I found linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Kerry: Fiduciary Responsibility of Money Managers ‘Not to Lose’ Money Is Hurting Climate Transition Investment.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — July 13, 2023

On July 13, 1832, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft identified the source of the Mississippi River as Lake Itasca in Minnesota.

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On this day in 1787, Congress enacted the Northwest Ordinance structuring settlement of the Northwest Territory and creating a policy for the addition of new states to the nation. The members of Congress knew that if their new confederation were to survive intact, it had to resolve the states’ competing claims to western territory.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. 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.
  4. 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).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. 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. 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)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. 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.
  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 $825,000 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 107 ends on July 31st, 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.

Accessibility: Retreat Design, by SwampFox

Everybody gets old. Everybody gets hurt. Time and chance happen to us all, and these are unfortunate facts of life. Is old age, injury, or disability part of your planning? Can you keep going with essential work if you are hampered by physical limitations? As always, it is better to think ahead and be prepared than to be surprised by the unexpected.

I am used to thinking about physical limitations. My mother is a retired physician, and has bravely phased a physical disability for 35+ years. Both of my parents are getting older, and my own health and physical build has never been the best. As my work both professionally and at home involves tools and heavy equipment, I occasionally must deal with a work-related injury. When building my home and outdoor facilities, we were aware of present and future needs and limitations.

A primary concern is prevention of slips, trips, and falls. These are the number one cause of workplace injuries in the USA among all ages, and are especially concerning for older people and people with limitations. Outdoors, it is worth taking the time to fill in holes, smooth out uneven ground, and keep debris picked up. As my father has gotten older, knee pain has kept him from picking up his feet as much as he walks. To keep him safe, I make sure to mow the grass very, very short. Short grass keeps objects on the ground visible, rather than hidden, and it also prevents weeds from catching a foot and causing a fall. Got garden tools in the grass? Pick them up! Stones floated to the top of the soil over the winter? Remove them and put them in a pile. Fallen sticks and branches? Get them to the burn pile or the kindling box. My father is constantly reminding me to keep paths clear and leave walking room.Continue reading“Accessibility: Retreat Design, by SwampFox”

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 an upcoming landmark Supreme Court decision.

Supreme Court Likely to Overturn Chevron Deference

A very lengthy and detailed judicial update by Harold Finch, over at the UncoverDC news, podcast, and commentary site: VanDerStock v Garland: The Judicial Eradication of Biden’s Signature Gun Control. A brief quote:

“The decision in VanDerStock v Garland is the second major shoe to drop. Judge Reed O’Conner ruled that the ATF illegally rewrote the previously accepted definitions of frames and receivers that were in use and accepted since the 1968 GCA, just as a Federal court ruled the ATF had done with bump stocks in Cargill v Garland.”

JWR’s Comments: The impact of the “history, text, and tradition” test of the 2022 Bruen decision is just starting to be felt in the Federal appellate courts.  It is now obvious that the handwriting is on the wall for the vast majority of Federal gun laws. That includes most or all of The National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968. When Chevron deference inevitably falls, then arbitrary Federal agency rulemaking will come to an end. Freedom is on the march!

Alert: Sunspot Activity Rising

Spaceweather.com reports:  “A HYPERACTIVE SUNSPOT: New sunspot AR3372 is seething with activity. In the last 24 hours alone it has produced eight M-class solar flares…  …If current trends continue, we should expect more strong M-class flares during the next 24 hours with a chance of X-flares as well. This sunspot will become even more geoeffective in the days ahead as it continues to turn toward Earth.”

JWR’s Comment: This might be a good time to disconnect radio antennas and store your spare radios, phones, and computers in Faraday containers. Be ready to disconnect from grid power, if there are any more concrete warnings.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Relying on the government to protect your privacy is like asking a peeping tom to install your window blinds.” – John Perry Barlow, Cyberlibertarian and founding member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — July 12, 2023

On July 12, 1979, between games of a baseball doubleheader involving the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers at Comiskey Park, disco records were blown up as part of a promotion dubbed Disco Demolition Night. Fans subsequently rushed the field, and, as a result of the ensuing mayhem, the second game was forfeited to the Tigers. (Photo by Fred Jewell, Associated Press.)

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On July 12, 1543, King Henry VIII of England wed his sixth and last wife, Catherine Parr.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. 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.
  4. 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).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. 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. 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)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. 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.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $825,000 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 107 ends on July 31st, 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.

The Case for “Dumb” Phones, by A.R.

In the fall of 2021, I took a college course titled “Ethics & Social Responsibility in Technology.” The course began by investigating Amish communities as an example of technological stewardship. Contrary to popular belief (including my own before the class), Amish communities do in fact utilize a variety of technological innovations. What differentiates Amish technology use from mainstream culture is that the Amish view technology as a means to an end and do not blindly adopt new tech for the sake of progress. Rather, each new technology is carefully evaluated to determine if it aligns with their beliefs and lifestyle. Although adoption of technology is determined individually by Amish communities, in general most new technology is not adopted. The traditional Amish lifestyle is valued over the comforts and convenience of modern technology. Though it could be argued that the Amish have an overly suspicious view of innovation, it is hard to disagree with their belief that technology has the potential to greatly change a culture.

The class spurred me on to examine how I was using technology in my own life. While in general technology has had a positive effect on my life, I could not decide if smartphones helped me or not. As a millennial (on the young end of the age range) I first began using a smartphone around the time I graduated high school and had never looked back. Over the next decade and a half, I saw smartphones increase in processing power and Internet functionality. Without really thinking about it, I had grown accustomed to carrying around what was essentially a supercomputer in my pocket, along with the unbridled Internet and communication access that entailed.Continue reading“The Case for “Dumb” Phones, by A.R.”

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 starts off with two news stories from The Netherlands.

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Farmers on frontline as Dutch divided by war on nitrogen pollution.

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Dutch Government Collapses Over Immigration Policy.

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The Gun Owners of America (GOA) posted this legislative alert:

“Democrats have re-introduced bills in both the House and the Senate to allow Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to pack the court with four new liberal justices. The bills are H.R. 3422 and S. 1616.” 

JWR’s Comment: Please contact your House and Senate members and insist that they strongly oppose this horrible legislation!

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A Direct Weather video: Preliminary Winter Forecast 2023 – 2024.

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Reader M.M. wrote:

“I loved reading the recent article by Jed. I also am an older guy who has lost about 25-30% of body strength. I have resigned myself to not leaving my abode and backpacking. Most folks will not last a month in the woods.

Each year we prepare for deer season at our camp. This requires the use of hand tools and chainsaws. Try working in summer weather for a few hours. Not days, hours. You will be exhausted. Can’t drink enough water. You will also crave chocolate for energy. My suggestion: Vacuum seal Tootsie Rolls for your supplies, since they remain intact for long periods of time.

Going to bug out and walk at night in the woods.  Probably will not make a mile or so in the dark. Pack a good pair of safety glasses, fogproof, and carry hand pruning shears for the thick brush and briars. Just a thought.

Plan on planting a garden? Ha, good luck. My father told me that during the Great Depression, thieves stole their peas and other produce at night. They had to plant extra every year to have enough food. The American Indians had a saying about growing corn: Plant 2 for the crow, 2 for coons, 2 for the deer, and 1 for you.

Have a well? Planning on running a generator for power? No gas, no water. Buy or build a well bucket. And be sure to buy several hundred feet of rope while both are still inexpensive, at Harbor Freight.

Night shift security? Buy or build an extra AR upper [dedicated] for night use. Just a few of my ramblings to add to his.”

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Think Twice Before Drinking From The Tap: Federal Study Finds ‘Forever Chemicals’ May Be Poisoning Your Water.

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Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — July 11, 2023

July 11th is the birthday of John Quincy Adams. He was born in 1767 and died in 1848. Not to be confused with his father John Adams, the younger Adams also served as a diplomat, congressman, and as president.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. 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.
  4. 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).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. 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. 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)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. 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.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $825,000 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 107 ends on July 31st, 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.

An Outdoor Brick Oven, by 3AD Scout

Outdoor ovens have a very long history of use, compared to the modern gas and electric indoor ovens of today. The fuel for outdoor ovens is practically endless (depending upon where you live) so for those preparing to survive the end of the world as we know it (TEOTWAWKI), an outdoor oven is a perfect addition to the retreat or homestead.

In England in the early 1600s, wealthy landlords would have ovens built and would sometimes charge the peasants to use the ovens. It was common in history for bread ovens to be shared by a community. We need to consider that bread and ale were the major sources of food/calories through much of history for many people. It would probably not be a stretch of the imagination to think that, at some point after TEOTWAWKI, ale and bread could once again become the staples that feed people. An outdoor oven is not just a resource to help you and your family survive but also a possible source of “revenue” by renting out its use.

The first time I saw a wood-fired oven in action were the clay ovens at Williamsburg, Virginia behind one of the functioning restaurants. I noticed one of the period-clothed reenactors tending to the oven and I stopped to chat. They use these clay ovens to actually bake the bread for the restaurants. My family was not as enthusiastic as I was about learning about a “pile of dirt”, but perhaps talking about an outdoor oven for an hour may have been a little extreme. That one-hour chat kindled a fire inside me to learn more about outdoor ovens.Continue reading“An Outdoor Brick Oven, 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, a special look at reports on the economy, jobs, and housing markets, throughout the Redoubt region.

Idaho

Around Idaho: Economic Activity, June 2023.

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Idaho Housing Market: Prices, Trends, Forecast 2023.

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Idaho Labor Market Information.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.” – Alexis de Tocqueville

Preparedness Notes for Monday — July 10, 2023

July 10th is the birthday of British novelist John Wyndham. (His full name was John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris, but Harris shortened that to just “John Wyndham” for his pen name.) He we was born in 1903 and died March 11, 1969. Harris was a good friend of fellow novelist Samuel Youd (1922-2012), who wrote under several pen names, including John Christopher. Both men were famous for writing what are often called “cozy catastrophes”. Several of Wyndham’s novels and short stories have been adapted to film, with varying degrees of success. One of the best of these was a parallel universe story called Random Quest.

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We are seeking entries for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $825,000 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 107 ends on July 31st, 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.