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 base metals prices signaling a recession. (See the Commodities section.)

Precious Metals:

First up, from Matthew Piepenburg: Solid Gold In a Broken World.

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Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: The apocalyptic 8000-tonne gold miscalculation.

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Something for the chartists out there, at Gold-Eagle.com: Gold Forecast – Bullish Price Chart Supports $3000 Target in 2024.

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Moscow Exchange to launch perpetual gold futures in July.

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I heard that Gainesville Coins is now running a sale on silver rounds. They have them for as little as $1.79 over spot, if you pay by check or bank wire.

Economy & Finance:

Federal debt to soar, CBO predicts, despite GOP-led spending standoff.

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Federal Reserve focuses monetary policy on fighting inflation.

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From Zero Hedge: Largest Discrepancy Between GDP And GDI In 20 Years.

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But of course the Perpetual Cheering Section at CNN says: The case for a 2023 US recession is crumbling.

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Apple stock closes above $3 trillion valuation for the first time ever.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — July 2, 2023

On July 2nd, 2002 American adventurer Steve Fossett became the first balloonist to circumnavigate the world alone. And in 2005 he completed the first nonstop solo global flight in an airplane.

And on July 2nd, 1937 aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round-the-world flight at the equator.

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We are still 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.

The Long View of a Brewing Conservative Backlash

America has been on the path of self-destruction for four generations. Since the end of the Second World War, feminized socialists have gradually gained sociopolitical control of the United States.  The left-wing radicals of the 1960s and 1970s are now in their senior years and they hold the reins of power in our society.  Those hippies who said:  “Never trust anyone over 30” and who complained about “The Man”, now are The Man. They control academia, the mass media, both major political parties, urban law enforcement, labor unions, most Fortune 1,000 corporate Boards of Directors, and some mainline church hierarchies.

The rise of feminism, women entering the workforce, and the advent of birth control have had disastrous effects on the birth rate. To a lesser extent, lesbianism has also removed women from the potential marriage pool. (Perhaps 2.5% of young women in urban areas and 1% in rural areas.) Because of all of these factors, a large percentage of men under 30 now have no real prospect of marrying and fathering children. Many of them will end up as involuntary celibates (“incels”.) And even those of them who do marry face the prospect of divorce initiated by their wives and a court system that favors wives over husbands in most divorce cases, especially if they have children.Continue reading“The Long View of a Brewing Conservative Backlash”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

 

Meme Text:

The Rationality Venn Diagram: Kamala Harris Outside of Reason, Logic, and Observable Truth

News Links:

NBC News poll: Kamala Harris hits record low for VP net favorability.

SkyNews Australia:  Kamala Harris’ laugh is the ‘biggest, destructive, negative force’ in American politics ever.

Kamala Harris doesn’t even understand why she is unpopular.

Harris bashed for bragging that Biden has lowered electricity and heating bills: ‘Alternate reality’.

Kamala Harris Just Can’t Stop Laughing (And Scaring People)

The most awkward and embarrassing Kamala Harris ‘word salads’ of 2022.

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Note From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!

 

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” – 1 Timothy 2 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — July 1, 2023

On July 1st, 1997, the crown colony of Hong Kong officially reverted to Chinese sovereignty, ending 156 years of British rule. There have been sporadic protests by locals there, ever since.

July 1st, 1535, Sir Thomas More went on trial for treason for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England.

And on July 1st, 1863 is the anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg.

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Several of our affiliate advertisers, including Brownells, Ready Made Resources, GunMag Warehouse, Palmetto State Armory, and Federal Premium are running Independence Day sales, until July 4th or 5th. Stock up on things that go bang!

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.

Bugging Out: Some Realities, by Mr. Zipph

I recently relocated from a rural suburb in a purple state to a much smaller community in a very red state. I had long-term plans to make this move, but an unexpected career change enabled me to move sooner than expected. While my new home is not a compound deep in the woods, it does provide me with more security, more privacy, the ability to expand my gardening efforts, the option of raising some chickens and/or rabbits in the future, abundant wildlife, and a smaller community where people go to church and value their freedom.

When making our relocation decision, my wife and I decided that we wanted a location that would be our final home. This was an extremely important decision, so we visited the general area on many occasions, getting to know the area, visiting many towns, and looking at a large number of properties and houses. This was a multi-year research effort. One of our considerations was the proximity to hospitals and doctors. The area we were considering was rural and mountainous. Some of the specific locations that we considered were ruled out as we believed them to be too far from appropriate medical treatment if one of us had a dire health emergency. We settled on a location that was rural and private but was an acceptable distance from a good hospital.

We purchased our red state home several months ago and only recently sold our purple state home and moved to our new location. During that interim period during which we owned both houses, we moved some of our materials and belongings so that we could sort of camp out in the new home during many trips there to make repairs and updates on the new house.Continue reading“Bugging Out: Some Realities, by Mr. Zipph”

June 2023 in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance and the factors that affect gold prices.

What Did Gold Do in June?

Central banks, inflation, and diverging economies around the world magnified the usual summer weakness in gold for June. COMEX gold futures topped out early, hitting $1,995.50 on June 1st. Prices oscillated lower through the rest of the month, bottoming $78 lower at $1,917.90 on the 29th.

Spot gold followed much the same trajectory in June, notching a monthly high of $1,977.40 on the 1st, then taking a rollercoaster ride downward. Spot gold hit its nadir for the month early on the 29th when first quarter GDP came in far higher than expected. The news trashed gold prices, temporarily pushing gold below the $1,900 mark to $1,892 before bargain hunters leaped in and brought prices back to unchanged.Continue reading“June 2023 in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n Sods Column or in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

Summer has started and it is now racing by. As usual, I’m juggling a whole raft of projects at the Rawles Ranch. Presently, these include: trench-digging, slash hauling, firewood cutting/stacking, and fire hazard reduction in our woods. The latter project is mostly just trimming up the bases of some cedar trees and dropping a few dead, sickly-looking, or malformed fir tree saplings. I hauled all of those cuttings and a lot of wind-downed limbs to the slash piles.  Fohe sake of wildlife habitat, I don’t like the “Parked-Out” look for timber stands near the house, but I also don’t want a lot of fire hazard. My trimming efforts are sort of a compromise…

I installed a big Powder Mountain arch tube gate at one end of our main garden. Previously, we just had a chainlink mesh dog run gate protecting that end of the garden, but our persistent bull kept battering it, to get in. There is now no way that he will be getting through the new heavy-duty tube gate.

Yesterday morning, while I was just finishing up digging the waterline trench to our orchard, I saw a flash of black run up the “tunnel” of the trench like black lightning. It turned out to be our female “M” cat using the trench as her own personal runway.  The trench was just a bit wider than her shoulders. She probably ran it for fun, all the way up from the orchard to the side of the ranch house, a distance of about three hundred feet. It was funny, seeing that!

Now, Lily’s part of the report…Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.

These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.

And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;

Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.

But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,

Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:

Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:

And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;

And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:

Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.

So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.

So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel.” – Numbers 35:14-34 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — June 30, 2023

June 30th is the 10th anniversary of the tragic death of 19 hotshots in the Yarnell Hill Fire, in 2013.

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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.

Fitness and Preparedness – Part 3, by N.C.

(Continued from Part 2. This concludes the article.)

Getting started: Red flags, Resources, and Equipment

Let’s assume if you’re reading Part 3 that you actually want to get started laying in a supply of fitness alongside your beans, bullets, and band-aids. Good. It’s one of the most neglected aspects of preparing in a society where well over 40% of us are obese. Not overweight. Obese. Less than 25% do regular exercise. You adding a daily exercise routine will put you ahead of people who don’t, simple as that. Adding daily exercise bumps you to a “C”. Not great but not a bad starting position compared to the other 75% of Americans. You laying in fitness can easily put you ahead most of the population. And if no great disaster strikes, it will still put you ahead as the quality of medical care declines and demand for it increases. So. How do you start?

First, you do need to talk to your doctor. Again, I’m not a medical doctor, exercise is inherently risky, talk to your doctor to find out any specific restraints or resources you have. Some medical centers offer consultations with physical trainers as part of your bills. Others will offer specific recommendations. Only you can find out what’s right for your situation. Start. With. Your. Doctor.

Second, you’ll want to start with a published resource that gets you started. I would recommend that you go to your local library and browse the fitness section. Choose what catches your eye and start there. These days it’s also worth browsing the DVDs, you may find a yoga or other exercise DVD that catches your interest. The internet has many resources that we’ll turn to later but assuming you don’t have a good level of experience with proper training, something published as a book has passed through a layer of screening (and liability assessment) and will be less likely get you hurt. Books aimed at or written by athletic coaches are a good bet.

Third, more optional here, you may want to see what gyms and classes are in your area. Many people enjoy going to the gym and group exercise. There is a lot to be said for in person instruction instead of self-teaching. Somebody who can see what piece you’re missing and teach it to you is an incredible time saver. If you can’t afford the time or cost then you should be grateful that modern video and cost of media mean that it is far easier to teach yourself these days than ever before.Continue reading“Fitness and Preparedness – Part 3, by N.C.”

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 American consumer debt. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Some market analysis by Frank Holmes: Gold SWOT: Barrick Gold has become noticeably fixated on copper.

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Kelsey Williams, at Gold-Eagle.com: It Was Never About Gold – Always About the Dollar.

Economy & Finance:

Living in the red: Average American has over $54,000 worth of debt.

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Borrowing from the Bank Term Funding Program hit a new all time high this week at $102.735 billion.

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C.B. was the first of several readers to mention this news: As fuel taxes plummet, states weigh charging by the mile instead of the tank.

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Smith & Wesson estimates Tennessee move will cost up to $158 million.

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At Zero Hedge: FDIC Mistakenly Releases List Of Top Firms Bailed Out By Biden Admin’s Backstop Of SVB Deposits.

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Powell: Community banks may be spared from tougher capital rules.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The great sorting is the way forward. There is no national cultural consensus. In fact, the moral visions of red [state] and blue [state] America are now diametric opposites that cannot coexist. Permanent Washington is so thoroughly corrupt and broken that no one, not even a capable leader like Ron DeSantis, will likely be able to repair it. Many have discussed the possibility of national divorce, which I think is unlikely in the near future, but the great sorting can happen now and is happening now.

The left has made it impossible for red America to exist in blue states for decades. It is simply time to return the favor. Make red states redder. Create an environment where people once again recognize the necessity of living next to family and community that share their values. Create the moral and political will necessary to defend your state from the corrosive progressive monoculture forced on it by Washington, D.C. The rise in remote work has already afforded many who are no longer shackled to a blue city the ability to vote with their feet. The faster blue and red America can peacefully separate, the better it will be for everyone.” – Auron MacIntyre, Accelerating the great sorting.