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. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the continuing stagflation threat. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Michael Pento, at Gold-Eagle.com: Four Reasons Why The January Rally Will Falter.

o  o  o

Gold Forecast: Temporary Correction Followed by a Breakout Above $2000.

o  o  o

Gold Still in Stall, Looks Further to Fall.

Economy & Finance:

Stagflation looms large over developed markets in 2023. Here is an excerpt from the article’s opening:

“‘Recession’, instead of ‘stagflation’, has become the watchword in financial markets at the outset of 2023, as the global economic impact of the substantial interest rate hikes last year take effect in the first half of this year and inflation retreats.

But the threat of stagflation – stagnant growth and high inflation – remains alive and well, particularly in developed countries.

The problem is core inflation.

While we expect headline inflation, which includes fuel and food prices, to fall rapidly over the coming months, we disagree with the market’s view that core inflation will return to central bank target levels of around 2% soon in the developed world. Tight labour markets, sticky services inflation and improving growth dynamics in China are all factors that could keep core inflation rates higher, as economies come under recessionary pressure.”

o  o  o

From USN&WR: Recession Odds Recede as Labor Market, Economy Show Surprising Strength.

o  o  o

Britain Avoids Recession by Narrowest Margin During Strikes.

o  o  o

ING Report: Euro Credit Supply: 2023 Supply forecasts.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 12, 2023

February 12th is the birthday of theologian and journalist Cotton Mather (1663–1728).

—

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

—

We are still in need of entries for Round 105 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. Round 105 ends on March 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.

Magazine Pouches Are a Must, by Pat Cascio

I won’t mention any names, to protect the innocent. However, I have a long-time friend – he used to be one of my martial arts students more than 30+ years ago. He was a great guy. We consider ourselves brothers – and couldn’t be any closer if we were actual blood brothers. Every now and then, we butt heads on something, but always remain brothers. I no longer teach any martial arts classes or firearms classes – my beat up ol’ body just doesn’t allow it these days. Every now and then, I’ll take a friend out for some shooting and give them some advice to help them improve their skills. I’m no expert in anything – just a student who is still learning things.

My above friend, can be caught carrying a full-sized 9mm handgun most days, along with 4 spare magazines, and I can’t fault him for that, not with the way the world is going these days. However, he usually tucks his pistol into his pants – sans holster – and the four spare magazines – well, he sticks them in his pants pocket – and therein, is a huge problem in my eye. Almost 50 years ago, I carried like that, until one day, when my handgun went flying out of my pants in a scuffle. Luckily, my partner had my back covered, while I executed the arrest, before the perp could get to my pistol before I did. I stopped carrying a handgun without a holster after that. However, I still tucked a spare magazine in my pants pocket – until one day, when I reached for that spare magazine, and when I pulled it out, there was a coin stuck under the first round in the magazine – basically, the spare magazine wasn’t useful, until the “jam” was cleared.Continue reading“Magazine Pouches Are a Must, by Pat Cascio”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:
Why Is It That The Bidenistas Belatedly Shot Down A Chinese Spy Balloon,
But They’ve Left The Chinese TikTok Spy App Snooping On Americans, For Years

News Links

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

These things command and teach.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” – 1 Timothy 4 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — February 11, 2023

I just heard that pop music composer Burt Bacharach passed away, at age 94.  For many years, he teamed with lyricist Hal David, who passed away in 2012. They are gone now, but their music lives on.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 105 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. 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).
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  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. 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. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $775,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 105 ends on March 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.

My Swedish Death Cleaning Experience – Part 2, by St. Funogas

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

Financial Death Cleaning

A neighbor recently received a large portion of her financial inheritance from her mother even though she’s still alive and well. I’ve often thought the idea of leaving our wealth to our children when we die is an inefficient system now that people live so much longer than they did a century ago. Typically when older people die nowadays, they pass their wealth on to their children who themselves are already “old,” well-established in life, and who oftentimes have no practical use for the money. I think of how much more practical it would be if we gave our children some of their financial inheritance now, in the form of paying down their mortgage or something similar. That’s what my neighbor’s mother did. She and her daughter and son-in-law had a memorable mortgage-burning party in the backyard. She got to enjoy the experience of her daughter’s overwhelming thanks and gratitude and the tears of joy which she never could have otherwise. I’m sure it was a great bonding experience as well. Paying off a mortgage is in a class of happiness all its own.

Our Stuff Owns Us

There’s an old saying that we don’t own our stuff, it owns us. Being a minimalist for the past 20+ years has allowed me to feel much freer than I did back when a lot of stuff owned me. While I was working in a large city, minimalism allowed me to be more mobile. Since I had so few possessions to move, I was able to move once a year. I took advantage of the rent discounts apartments offered to new move-ins if they’d sign a one-year lease. It never took more than two trips in my SUV to get it all moved. Being a minimalist to that extreme isn’t practical for most people but more useful for college students and those who change location frequently.

While living in a big city so far out of my hick-town element, there was the subconscious psychological benefit of knowing I could easily leave at any time with so few possessions to move. I knew I didn’t want to be there long enough to settle down and buy a home so minimalism was a big help. I also didn’t throw too many lavish dinner parties so living with sparse furnishings was not an issue.

I eventually settled down for good and bought 20 acres of land to pursue my lifelong dream of living a self-reliant lifestyle which, of course, requires buying lots of “stuff.”

Fast forward from my first Swedish death cleaning to the present day.Continue reading“My Swedish Death Cleaning Experience – Part 2, by St. Funogas”

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:

I had to make a trip to Spokane this past week. It was one of those catch-all combination trips, including picking up my #2 Son at the airport, and visiting the Army Surplus store. The latter draws me like a magnet, since it is one of the last of the old-fashioned surplus stores in the region

I also stopped by NorLift, a company that sells Rivetier shelving, because I needed a few components to finish building the last two sets of shelves for our workshop. It will feel good to finally see those go up.

On the way home from Spokane, my #2 Son and I did some shopping at US Tactical Supply, in Post Falls, Idaho. They are a full mil-spec manufacturer that mainly does government contracts and mailorder sales. But they also have their tidy, modern Post Falls store with an amazing assortment of web gear, ghillie suits, optics, first aid equipment, military caliber ammunition, helmets, body armor plates, and plate carriers. Most of their ammo inventory was made by RUAG, a Swiss-headquartered defense contracting conglomerate with factories in Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, and the United States (in Tampa, Florida).  This was my first visit to their store. I will definitely be back there for some more shopping, soon!

Now, Lily’s report…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;

And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.

Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.

He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.

He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.

Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.

Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.

He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:

And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.

So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,

The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.

Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.” – Psalm 78:1-35 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — February 10, 2023

On February 10, 1939, the classic western film Stagecoach premiered. It starred John Wayne, and was directed by John Ford.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 105 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. 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).
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  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. 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. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $775,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 105 ends on March 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.

My Swedish Death Cleaning Experience – Part 1, by St. Funogas

“Swedish Death Cleaning” is an unusual moniker for an interesting process. The purpose of a Swedish death cleaning is to rid ourselves of unnecessary possessions so those we leave behind won’t have to when it’s our turn to do the ashes-to-ashes thing. It’s more commonly used by those wishing to declutter in a big way whether to downsize in general, move to a smaller residence, or just to simplify their lives.

A Swedish death cleaning can benefit many people but it’s definitely not for everyone. Those in the minimalist camp can become even more so. Those on the other end of the spectrum who enjoy lots of “stuff” can ignore the idea altogether. Those somewhere in the middle may benefit by getting rid of some of the unnecessary things in our lives, beginning with those 10,000 plastic shopping bags overflowing from the broom closet.

I enjoyed a comment made by a SurvivalBlog reader a few months back on the subject of simplifying our lives but regret to say I cannot find it to provide a link. About that same time, I read a related article, The Last Temptation of Things. This article is a bit more extreme and if you read nothing else from it, the comments are very entertaining. I hadn’t realized this topic could be so polarizing.

I’ll share some of my experiences from the two times I did a Swedish death cleaning, once in my house five or six years ago and the most recent one in my workshop. Being such an emotional and polarizing topic, I have no suggestions for anyone. The main impetus for writing this article is the many comments on SurvivalBlog over the past few years from those preppers who live in tight quarters not having enough room to store many preps. Perhaps a Swedish death cleaning could help them create more space for at least the most basic necessities.

And for my friend with three rented storage units, perhaps he could save himself some rental fees.

What I’ve Learned From Auctions

I enjoy going to estate auctions for many reasons, not the least of which is for the great bargains. I generally have a “shopping list” with me hoping to find certain items I need for the homestead. There are two basic kinds of auctions: an older couple is downsizing and moving to another house, generally smaller and nearer to relatives, and those auctions when an older person has passed away and their children are selling a lifetime’s collection of things found in most households.

Many times at auctions I look over all the items and think to myself, “Wow, these people had a lot of stuff!” I often think on those occasions how much you can tell about the person’s life by their possessions: things they loved and enjoyed, collections of one kind or another, their taste in furniture, artwork on the walls, even their kitchen wares. I consider myself a minimalist so the sheer volume of all their possessions is often incredible to me.Continue reading“My Swedish Death Cleaning Experience – Part 1, by St. Funogas”

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. Most of these items are from JWR’s “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective. Today, we look at Lebanon’s ongoing banking crisis. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Wyoming Senate Votes to Hold, Invest, and Receive Tax Payments in Gold and Silver.
o  o  o

Central Bank Gold Reserves Chart Second-Highest Increase Since 1950 In 2022.

Economy & Finance:

Reader Joe M. sent this: Lebanese banks close doors to customers to protest ruling.  Here is a  pericope:

“Lebanon’s battered commercial banks on Tuesday closed their doors to customers in protest of a recent court ruling that forced one of the country’s largest banks to pay out two of its depositors their trapped savings in cash.

The Association of Banks in Lebanon, which lobbies for the banks, released a statement calling the action an “open-ended strike” and criticized the court ruling, claiming it was detrimental to all depositors, because the banks cannot afford to pay out everyone else’s savings in full.

The demise of the banks is part of Lebanon’s economic meltdown and unprecedented financial crisis that erupted in 2019 following years of corruption and mismanagement by the country’s rulers. Over three quarters of Lebanon’s population of 6 million has been plunged into poverty, and the Lebanese pound lost about 97% of its value against the dollar.

In an effort to avoid folding amid the crisis, the banks imposed informal capital controls, restricting cash withdrawals from accounts. Also, people with accounts in dollars are allowed only to withdraw small sums in Lebanese pounds, at an exchange rate far lower than that of the black market or the exchange rate used for buying and selling most goods.

This prompted some overseas depositors, locked out of their savings, to launch lawsuits to pressure banks to release their savings in full. In Lebanon, others opted to break into banks and forcefully take their own money, which led the banks to go on strike in September 2022 and close down amid security fears.”

Joe’s Comments:

“This article highlights the serious risks of trusting fractional reserve lending banks. The banks will not / can not give the depositors their money. People weren’t pleased. Although it’s in Lebanon, it can (will?) happen anywhere. Indeed, you can hear the echoes of some of the article’s comments in our current inept government’s doings.”

o  o  o

Apple suffers 1st quarterly sales decline in nearly four years.

o  o  o

Over at Zero Hedge: US Consumers Hit A Brick Wall: December Credit Growth Craters As Interest Rates Soar.

o  o  o

Biden to Quadruple Buyback Tax. A quote:

“Democrats imposed a 1% stock buyback tax on January 1. Now, just 37 days later, President Biden wants to quadruple the tax, the burden of which hits every American with a 401k, IRA, or union pension.”

o  o  o

Reader C.B. sent us this: US tech giant Dell to cut 5% of its global workforce.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The 4th Amendment and the personal rights it secures have a long history. At the very core stands the right of a man to retreat into his own home and there be free from unreasonable governmental intrusion.” – Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — February 9, 2023

February 9th is the birthday of Major George Charles Nonte Jr. (Born 1926, died June 30, 1978.) He was quite the pistolero.

—

We are now sold out of the 2005-2022 SurvivalBlog Archive USB sticks. Note that if you have purchased through the automated ordering system and stated that you would pay by check, we have your stick(s) reserved, waiting on your check or money order. For all others, the ordering window is closed. We hope to see your order next January for the 2005-2023 edition of the SurvivalBlog Archive. Thanks!

—

We are seeking entries for Round 105 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $775,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 105 ends on March 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.