Coolfab Flaretop Rocket Stove, by Thomas Christianson

Coolfab is a custom metal-fabrication shop in Zeeland, Michigan. They are putting out some of the most innovative rocket stove designs that I have seen anywhere, at quite reasonable prices.

I recently had a chance to test one of Coolfab’s Flaretop stoves. It is a real beast of a rocket stove, with its cooking surface standing 27.5 inches above the ground and weighing in at 52 pounds. The flaring at the top of the stove allows for a respectable 12 by 12-inch cooking surface. This larger surface area enabled me to simultaneously roast hot dogs and boil a half gallon of water. I found that using the stove was a lot of fun. My wife, “Kari” went so far as to express interest in similar cookouts every week.Continue reading“Coolfab Flaretop Rocket Stove, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Chicken-Pasta Salad

The following recipe for Chicken-Pasta Salad is from SurvivalBlog reader Joanna E.

Ingredients
  • 3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
  • 16 ounces pasta  (I usually use farfale or rotini.)
  • 1 pound asparagus or green beans
  • 3⁄4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1⁄4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 4 ounces ounces mozzarella pearls
  • 1⁄4 cup cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1⁄8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1⁄3 cup chopped fresh basil
Directions
  1. Cook and cube (or shred) the chicken.  This can be leftover chicken from the previous night’s dinner.)
  2. Prepare an ice bath and set it near the stove. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the asparagus. Cook until the asparagus is crisp-tender and bright green, about 2 to 3 minutes (green beans may need a minute longer). With a slotted spoon, transfer the asparagus to the ice bath to stop its cooking (do not drain the boiling liquid). Let the asparagus cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then with the slotted spoon, transfer it to towels and pat dry.
  3. Return the water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain into a colander, then rinse with cool water to stop the cooking. Shake the colander several times, then set the colander on towels or a plate and allow the water to continue to drain. You can also set it in the sink to drain.
  4. In a very large bowl, place the onion. Add the 2 tablespoons of the vinegar. Add the asparagus, bell pepper, artichokes, tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and chicken.  (There is no need to stir again just yet.)
  5. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup with a spout, briskly whisk together the oil, mustard, garlic, oregano, black pepper, red pepper flakes, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and the remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar until the ingredients all come together into a smooth dressing.
  6. Shake the pasta in the colander once more to remove any remaining water, then add it to the bowl with the vegetable mixture.
  7. Pour in about 2/3 of the dressing, then stir to coat.
  8. Stir in the basil.
  9. Taste, and then add additional dressing, and season with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes, if desired.
SERVING

Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

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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!

SurvivalBlog Graphics of the Week

Today’s graphics:  Light Pollution, Around the World. (Graphics courtesy of Reddit.)

The thumbnails below are click-expandable.  We usually post just one graphic each week, but this set of color images was so fascinating that we chose to post the full set. In the image of East Asia, note the dark spot, for North Korea. Truly, a picture tells a thousand words. – JWR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Please send your graphics or graphics links to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 1, 2025

On June 1st, 1936 the “Lux Radio Theater” moved from New York City to Hollywood.

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June 1st, 1947: The Office of Price Administration (OPA), which had issued U.S. wartime rationing coupons, was disbanded. Rationing continued in England until 1954.

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Today’s feature article is a guest post by our friend and long-time SurvivaBlog article contributor Hub Moolman, of South Africa.

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We are now seeking entries for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 119 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

 

Gold and System Collapse: Charting the Bank Run of the Mighty US Dollar, by Hubert Moolman

The US dollar banking system is in the midst of a bank run by the measures that I will illustrate here.

Since the 1879 gold standard was established in America, the US dollar could be directly redeemed for gold within the banking system. This continued even after the Federal Reserve was created and until it was ended for citizens in 1933.

In such a system, the measure of actual gold held by the banking system ( the true monetary base) versus the gold certificates (paper dollars but measured as the monetary base) with which gold could be redeemed is a relevant measure of how well the banking system is capitalised.Continue reading“Gold and System Collapse: Charting the Bank Run of the Mighty US Dollar, by Hubert Moolman”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

A meme created by JWR, a couple of years ago, that is worthy of reposting:

Meme Text:

First, It Was Pride Day
Then, It Was Pride Week
Now, It Is Pride Month

First, They Demanded Tolerance
Then, They Demanded Acceptance
Now, They Demand Participation

Notes 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!

Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.

 

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew 6:1-21 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — May 31, 2025

On May 31, 1669, Samuel Pepys recorded the last entry in his famous diary. He cited poor eyesight as the reason for ending his entries.

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May 31, 1930, was the birthday of actor/director/producer Clint Eastwood. At age 95, he has developed some strong opinions.

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On 31 May 1970, an earthquake off the coast of Peru caused a substantial section of the north slope of Mt. Huascaran to collapse. The avalanche moved downhill at a speed estimated at 175 to 210 mph. with a mass of roughly 80 million cubic meters of ice, mud, and rock. The avalanche traveled nearly 11 miles, burying the towns of Yungay and Ranrahirca in up to 300 feet of rock and debris. It is estimated that this earthquake and avalanche killed more than 67,000 Peruvians. It is the deadliest avalanche in recorded history.

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May 31st, 1895 was the birthday of George R. Stewart. Prior to his death on August 22, 1980, he was a novelist, university professor, and toponymist. In the preparedness community, he is best remembered as the author of the classic post-pandemic novel Earth Abides. That novel was recently turned into a passable television miniseries.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 118 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 $2,000.
  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. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $350 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

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 TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  4. 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 gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail value.
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  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 $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 118 ends on May 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit

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

Antennas

As an example, factory broad band antennas can suffice, yet performance in terms of propagation and receive will be lacking, and the overall range shortened, and the transceiver’s life possibly shortened. And there are other issues to consider. The crude, yet effective Baofeng UV5R does not power back given an excessively high Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) from an antenna, and this situation will shorten the life of the ‘finals’ of this transceiver. If the back side of a Baofeng UV5R becomes warm to the touch, stop transmitting, drop the power setting to low power, or install a properly tuned antenna, or better yet, an antenna that is located as high up as possible, and use the lowest power setting that make communication possible. This is an example of why we need a basic understand of how transceivers work or do not work well, and how to use them correctly.

Even if we can not make antennas, we need to know that we need to use the correct antenna for a given frequency range, and how use an antenna to limit or extend the range of the transceiver. Often, shorter antennas that limit the range are the most appropriate if we seek to improve COMSEC — that is, when we need not have a range beyond our perimeter. Knowing when to attach an antenna that propagates further is the correct choice and is also a part of what the operator needs to know.Continue reading“Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit”

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:

Our lives got a lot more complicated last Sunday when we began caring for two bummer lambs. (Pictured above is my cousin (twice removed) Martha Rawles, with three bummer lambs, circa 1948.) Lily will give you most of the details on the lambing.  But I would like to relate just one of our experiences, from Friday:

We had one of our ewes penned in a corner of the west sheep corral, using an 8-foot heavy wire mesh cattle panel, to form a triangular pen. The ewe was already in there with her own lamb. Lily got in with her, and I handed the two bummer lambs over the fence to her, to try to encourage some foster milking. When I also handed her a pan of alfalfa pellets to keep the foster mama ewe occupied, the other sheep in the main part of the pen got jealous, and three of them vigorously stuck their heads through the panel, trying to get at the delectable pellets. Lily was sitting butt on the ground with legs outstretched. Their heads were pushing on Lily’s back, and meanwhile mama ewe had her flank against Lily’s face and was straddling Lily’s outstretched legs. Lily was doing her best to get the two bummer lambs to latch on to the foster mom’s teats.  This was quite the chaotic rodeo, all in a small space.  It reminded me of the old Army rejoinder: “What a Goat Rope!” Needless to say,  Lily is quite the Trooper! One could see that she was enjoying every minute of the process and didn’t care a lick about being stepped on and pushed around. A wife like her is a keeper.

I’m still deep in firewood cutting season.  Our still-at-home daughter has been helping me with the wood stacking. She has also been dragging limbs out to a slash pile. We’ll burn that this coming fall.

Today, I’m attending a gun show in Post Falls, Idaho, but I won’t have tables there.  I’m just walking the show, looking for pre-1899 cartridge guns, to replenish my Elk Creek Company inventory.

Now, Lily’s part of the report…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord; what then should a king do to us?

They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

 The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.

It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.

And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” – Hosea 10:1-12 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 30, 2025

May 30th was America’s original Memorial Day. By proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, the first major Memorial Day observance was held on May 30th, 1868 to honor those who died “in defense of their country” Known to some as “Decoration Day,” mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

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And on May 30, 1896, America’s first car accident occurred when driver Henry Wells hit a cyclist in New York City.

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We are pleased to announce that a new prize package will be included in the Second Prize in our bi-monthly nonfiction writing contest, starting with Round 119: Solar Power Lifestyle is now kindly donating a $269 retail value survival-ready power package. This includes two of their proprietary branded  25W Portable Solar Panels plus a $150 gift card to use for any purchase at solarpowerlifestyle.com. Solar Power Lifestyle is a company dedicated to helping people prepare for the unexpected with reliable, high quality, and portable solar gear. Their Solar Power Lifestyle 25W Portable Solar Panels can charge  phones, radios, GPS units, rechargeable batteries, and other low-wattage devices in off-grid or emergency situations. Lightweight, foldable, and rugged, these 25W panels are ideal for bug-out bags, camping kits, glove boxes, or long-term power-outage prep. Whether you’re off-grid, on the move, or riding out a blackout, Solar Power Lifestyle will help make sure you never lose your connection to power—or your peace of mind. Take a look at their website, to see their line of photovoltaic panels, power stations, and Faraday protection bags.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 118 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 $2,000.
  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. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $350 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

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 TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  4. 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 gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail value.
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 118 ends on May 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

 

 

Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1.)

Emergency Communications

The Emergency level (the “E” of the PACE acronym) methods of communications are used exclusively during recovery or for link up in the field where no electronic means are possible or desirable. The injured may need to use a whistle as their only means to call for help. Linking up in the field is a very dangerous situation that carries the threat of ambush with it, or even casualties from friendly fire. How the Emergency PACE level methods are used to signal using a code or a procedure only known to friendly participants must be well rehearsed and unambiguous. Participants must be confident enough to make contact, given the risk that is inherent.Continue reading“Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the demise of the U.S. penny. (See the commodities section.)

Precious Metals:

The spot prices of gold and silver have been strong for nearly a week. If we see a sustained rally in silver above $36 per Troy ounce, I suspect that the Perma-Short market manipulators may capitulate. And once that happens, a rapid run-up to $50 or even $70 per ounce is possible. Hold on to your silver for the long haul, folks! – JWR

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Goldman Sachs analyst predicts $4,000 gold, calls it a better hedge than Bitcoin.

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At Gold-Eagle.com: Gold SWOT: Platinum Surged to a Two-Year High, Posting Its Strongest Weekly Gain Over Four Years. JWR’s Comments:  I still see platinum as the ultimate World War 3 hedge. You can’t produce cruise missiles and a lot of other high-tech weaponry without it.  Mark my words: If a major war breaks out, Platinum could quadruple or quintuple in just a couple of weeks, catapulting it well above the price of gold.

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How the ECB’s Mark-to-Market of its Gold Holdings to €1 Trillion and €3.1 Trillion in QT Affect its Balance Sheet.

Economy & Finance:

US court blocks most Trump tariffs, says president exceeded his authority.

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30-Year & 20-Year Treasury Yields Back over 5%, 10-Year over 4.5%, Yield Curve Steepens at Long End, Mortgage Rates Back over 7%.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”