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”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“When writing your will, I suggest that you show some studied regard for what you leave in the hands of your progeny.  You should name each of your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews with specific tangible bequests. Merely writing a Dollar sum signifies nothing.  Do not leave them toys and trifles.  Instead, leave them tools and rifles.  Specifically name for each inheritor a quantity of silver, a couple of guns, a knife, several quality hand tools, and a stack of good books — to educate and to edify. A proper bequest becomes a quest for a righteous and meaningful life.” –  James Wesley, Rawles, from his Tangibles Investing book manuscript

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — May 29, 2025

On May 29th, 1765, Patrick Henry gave his historic speech against the Stamp Act. He answered a cry of “Treason!” with, “If this be treason, make the most of it!”

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May 29, 1953: Edmund Hillary (of New Zealand) and Tenzing Norgay (of Nepal) became the first men to reach the summit of Mount Everest as part of a British Expedition

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Blatten, flattened: 90% of Swiss village covered by landslide after glacier collapse, says official. (Video.) JWR’s Comment:  Please pray for the residents of the village, and their relatives.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present the first entry for Round 119 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. A $269  retail value survival-ready power package from Solar Power Lifestyle. This includes two Solar Power Lifestyle 25W Portable Solar Panels plus a $150 gift card to use for any purchase at at solarpowerlifestyle.com.
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  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 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 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.

 

Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

Introduction

In my recent SurvivalBlog multi-part article, Communications Options for the Common Man, I looked at how to use commonly available license-free radios in a way that provided a low level of communication security by following a few basic rules, by mostly untrained people. Included in that article was the use of field phones that are easy to use, and provide the highest level of communication security that could be available to both untrained and trained personnel.

In this article, I will describe methods that could only be used by trained and disciplined personnel who can maintain higher standards, and use more sophisticated transceivers and better Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to attain a higher level of communication security. Field phones are not discussed as the previous article adequately covered the topic.Continue reading“Using Military Principles to Improve Civilian Radio Comms – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit”

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 rapid advances in drone warfare.

The Drone Warfare Threat is Advancing

These videos from the war in Ukraine illustrate how the drone warfare threat is increasing, even with drones that are largely mere commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) units: (Warning: The following videos have graphic real-world combat carnage and some foul language):

Versus parked military vehicles and self-propelled artillery pieces,

and versus moving vehicles, camouflaged vehicles, and structures,

and, even more frighteningly…

versus dismounted infantry,

…and even at night, with thermal night vision.

JWR’s Comments: Plan accordingly for a potential civil war involving drones. If you think through the Threat Spirals, that means constructing full ghillie suits, preferably with thermal spoofing layers. Seeing these videos makes me appreciate living in a heavily-forested region.

Bacteria Feeding on Plastic Is Spreading in Hospitals

Nobody saw this one coming: Superbug That Can Feed on Plastic Is Spreading in Hospitals. (Our thanks to reader D.S.V. for sending the link.)

Fine Dining in the Apocalypse

Chris M. sent this: Fine dining in the apocalypse: how to be a middle-class prepper.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Men, you are all marksmen—don’t one of you fire until you see the white of their eyes.” – Israel Putnam (1718-1790), at Bunker Hill, 1775; as quoted in R. Frothingham’s History of the Siege of Boston (1873) ch. 5.  Note that these words were also attributed to William Prescott (1726-1795)

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 28, 2025

On May 28, 1937, the famed Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was opened to vehicular traffic. JWR’s Comments: Originally, the toll was 50 cents each way, or $1 for a round trip, with a 5-cent surcharge for any car with more than three passengers. The bridge toll is now $10 for automobiles, or $9.75 with a FastTrak transponder, for automated billing. Assuming 260 working days in a calendar year, that would equate to a bridge toll expense of $2,535  per year, for a Golden Gate Bridge commuter with a transponder!  By the way, additional incremental toll increases have already been scheduled annually until 2028.

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Today is also the birthday of the late Major General Victor Joseph Hugo Jr. (He was born 28 May 1931, and died 11 May 2020.)

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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.

 

TEOTWAWKI Signals Intelligence – Part 2, by Mike in Alaska

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

I will devote the rest of this article to a USB “dongle” type radio receiver that I have on hand, and the amazing things you can do with it. I also intend to make mention of a device called a “Tiny SA” a signal analyzer that was made more for spectrum analyzing signals on the test bench but can also be used for SIGINT as well.

The USB dongle I am currently using is the RTL2832U. This is a low-price unit costing just $40. But I do advise you consider buying the full package unit at $114 with all the items needed to get on the air. I have in fact just ordered this package since my current unit is not as up to date as this package is, and I wanted to compare it with this new one.Continue reading“TEOTWAWKI Signals Intelligence – Part 2, by Mike in Alaska”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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A fascinating video about Finland, and its preparation for near-future arctic warfare: Inside the Most Prepared Country on Earth. JWR’s Comment:  I’ve concluded that the reason Johnny Harris was given such great access to do this reporting was because Finnish officials could see that he had handled his previous reports on Switzerland so even-handedly.

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SurvivalBlog Editor-At-Large Mike Williamson suggested this video: 7 Of The Worst Cartridges For SHTF.

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Some news from Nanny State England: Sword owners offered £5 compensation to hand in blades.

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14,000 years ago, the most powerful solar storm ever recorded hit Earth. ‘This event establishes a new worst-case scenario’.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“It took more than 60 years between when the notion of Artificial Intelligence was first proposed and studied, and for us to reach today’s capabilities. Solving safety of superhuman intelligence—not perfect safety, safety in the sense of ‘not killing literally everyone’—could very reasonably take at least half that long. And the thing about trying this with superhuman intelligence is that if you get that wrong on the first try, you do not get to learn from your mistakes, because you are dead. Humanity does not learn from the mistake and dust itself off and try again, as in other challenges we’ve overcome in our history, because we are all gone.

Trying to get anything right on the first really critical try is an extraordinary ask, in science and in engineering. We are not coming in with anything like the approach that would be required to do it successfully. If we held anything in the nascent field of Artificial General Intelligence to the lesser standards of engineering rigor that apply to a bridge meant to carry a couple of thousand cars, the entire field would be shut down tomorrow.

We are not prepared. We are not on course to be prepared in any reasonable time window. There is no plan. Progress in AI capabilities is running vastly, vastly ahead of progress in AI alignment or even progress in understanding what the hell is going on inside those systems. If we actually do this, we are all going to die.” – Eliezer Yudkowsky, from a March, 2023 Time opinion article titled: Pausing AI Developments Isn’t Enough. We Need to Shut it All Down.

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 27, 2025

On May 27, 1813, American forces captured Fort George, Canada.

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Today is the birthday of American author and abolitionist lecturer Julia Ward Howe, who was best known for writing Battle Hymn of the Republic. She was born in 1819 and died in 1910.

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May 27, 1905: The Japanese fleet destroyed the Russian East Sea fleet in the Battle of Tsushima. This was the only decisive clash between modern steel battleships in history.

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I just heard some sad news: ‘Duck Dynasty’ founding father Phil Robertson dies at 79. May he rest in peace. Our condolences to his family. – JWR

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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.

 

TEOTWAWKI Signals Intelligence – Part 1, by Mike in Alaska

There are many folks who know much more than I do about Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). A quick check at YouTube, or Internet sites will bring in tons of data if you wish to; my effort in this article is aimed at the individual who simply wants to know who is still broadcasting and know that they are not the only person(s) wondering if humanity has been wiped out.

Imagine that there has been some apocalyptic event. It might be a solar storm event on the scale of the Carrington Event of 1859 where Earth was hit with a large X-Class solar flare which caused a lot of confusion. Imagine if such a large scale event took place today in our modern world of electronic presence. Imagine the world without most forms of electronic communications. Or it might be a nuclear attack on the Continental United States (CONUS) that would have the same effect as a solar flare, and much worse could spread radioactive fallout around the northern hemisphere. Just knowing that there were others that are still alive and able to send out any form of radio signal would at the very least be a morale booster to know that there are fellow human survivors. But are your fellow survivors good people, or is there a possibility that they would be a serious threat to you and your family, to your friends?
Continue reading“TEOTWAWKI Signals Intelligence – Part 1, by Mike in Alaska”

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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, news of another charging grizzly bear.  (See the Montana section.)

Idaho

Evidence of North America’s First Human Settlement Found in Idaho.  ( A hat tip to H.L., for the link.)

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Goats: Eco-friendly lawn care.

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Bryan Kohberger defense seeks trial delay amid alternate perpetrator claims.

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Idaho real estate demand outpaces supply as prices rise.

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Crash on 4th of July Pass cleared, traffic delays continue.

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

Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 26, 2025

On May 26, 1538, Geneva expelled John Calvin and his followers from the city. Calvin then lived in exile in Strasbourg for the next three years.

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Today is the 35th wedding anniversary of Don and Patrice Lewis. Patrice is Editrix of the excellent Rural Revolution blog.

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Today’s feature piece is a review penned by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

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We are in need of entries for Round 118 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. 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.