SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on the burgeoning growth of Idaho’s population. Thankfully, there is still plenty of elbow room! (See the Idaho section.)

Region-Wide

I was humbled to see that this got considerable international press coverage: Homesteaders, catastrophists run for the hills to flee US uncertainty

o o o

Ecological survey: Fire and land cover change in the Palouse Prairie–forest ecotone, Washington and Idaho, USA

Idaho

State’s growth a major concern for Idaho residents.  Here is a key quote:

“The average age of new arrivals was between 35 and 39 years old, which is younger than those who have lived in the state longer.

The study also found that those who have moved to Idaho have slightly more education than those who have been in the state for 11 years or more. 46 percent of those who have moved to the state in the last 10 years have at least a Bachelor’s degree, compared to 37 percent of those who have been there for longer.

It also found that those new arrivals are most often Republicans, making up 59 percent of those new to the state.”

o o o

Like it or not, here’s what Realtors project for the Boise housing market in 2020. A snippet:

“The national trade group representing real estate agents has a prediction about Boise home sales and prices for 2020:

They’ll grow faster than anywhere else among the nation’s 100 biggest housing markets.

Realtor.com ranks Idaho’s capital city No. 1 in its latest annual list of the hottest markets, released Thursday. Last year, Boise ranked eighth.”

o o o

A new listing at SurvivalRealty.com: 40 acre property in Idaho with views of Lake Pend Oreille.
o o o

DSV was the first of several readers to send us this: Read the Gun Control Letter Sent to by Sandpoint Idaho’s Mayor Shelby Rognstad

o o o

Folks in the Boise region who are looking for a precious metals dealer should consider Money Metals Exchange. They are located in Eagle, Idaho.
Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

Preparedness Notes for Monday — February 10, 2020

1

February 10th is the birthday of Zvi Zvika Greengold (pictured at left, born 1952), a Centurion tank commander who was one of Israel’s most notable heroes of the Yom Kippur War. He was awarded the country’s highest military honor, the Medal of Valor.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 87 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $10,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A gift certificate from Quantum Harvest LLC (up to a $2,200 value) good for 12% off the purchase of any of their sun-tracking models, and 10% off the purchase price of any of their other models.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. 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,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A $300 purchase credit for any of the products from EMPShield.com
  4. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  5. 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).
  6. An assortment of products along with a one hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Good2GoCo.com is providing a $400 purchase credit at regular prices for the prize winner’s choice of either Wise Foods or Augason long term storage foods, in stackable buckets.
  2. 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)
  3. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  4. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,

Round 87 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.

SIG Sauer P320 Compact 9mm – A Fresh Look, by Pat Cascio

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A couple years ago, I reviewed the then new SIG Sauer P320 9mm handgun, that had been recently adopted by the US military – all military forces. And, to be sure, it was and still is an outstanding choice for our military handgun. The military wanted a modular handgun, that could be easily changed from one configuration to another – and in reality, I believe SIG Sauer was the only competitor to submit a truly modular handgun. Save the hate mail, please. I believe the Glock submission would have been an outstanding choice as well.

As with many new firearms that come on the market, there are times when there might be some problems, no matter how much a firearm might be tested at the factory, before being released, it isn’t until the guns get into the hands of the consumers, where problems might arise. So, SIG did a voluntary recall (“upgrade”) on the early P320 handguns – and it is still in effect – no charge for the upgrades. It had been reported that if the early-production P320 was dropped at a certain angle, it could fire the round in the chamber. So, SIG jumped on the problem, and made improvements. All of the M17 handguns delivered to the U.S. government had these improvements, or they were immediately retrofitted.

I recently picked-up a new version of the SIG Sauer P320 Compact 9mm and it came from the factory with the upgrades. A quick look is needed: We have a smaller trigger, that has a 35% light trigger pull, there is an upgraded disconnector and sear as well. All of this contributes to a much better trigger pull, and a safer P320. This upgrade is free and SIG will even send you a shipping label, so it doesn’t cost you anything to have the gun upgraded. And in most cases, you’ll have the gun back in about 2-3 weeks. [JWR Adds: My upgraded P320s  were eachreturned with a kind 35% off coupon for my next purchase at the SIG USA store.]Continue reading“SIG Sauer P320 Compact 9mm – A Fresh Look, by Pat Cascio”

Letter on the Wuhan Virus, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

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The following are my comments to the SurvivalBlog article Post-Exposure Prevention (PEP) Protocol, by JJ in MI.

This is great to be considering post-exposure treatment. Our protective gear is likely to be *less than perfect*, and if we know we’ve been exposed we need a Plan B!

This study supports the use of PVP-I as an antiviral, although I do wonder about swabbing my nose with it!

Thinking in terms of what we can do *on the scene* when we realize we’ve been exposed, I’m wondering if it would be more convenient to use a Betadine spray, into our mouths (don’t spray your face or lips!), followed by a swig of water from a bottle, with gargling for a minute. Remember to NOT SWALLOW this!!!!

It seems to me that time is of the essence once exposed. The sooner we can gargle and swish the better, right? For my own family I’ve made up some saline nose spray bottles with two drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract and about 1/8 of a teaspoon of Xylitol. Supposedly the Xylitol helps wash microorganisms from your nose. I’d rather carry this solution in my pocket than Betadine that might ruin my clothes if it leaks. And I can use it immediately and discretely while in public.

As far as re-using an N95 mask goes, one of the dangers would be putting it back on if it really DOES have the virus on the outside. You’re putting it very near your eyes and would have to be *extremely* careful (goggles first).

Since the viruses don’t foul the mask like pollution or smoke or fallout would I don’t see why they couldn’t be re-used. But exposure to strong ultraviolet light might sanitize them better (sunlight, for as long as possible). I’m thinking that some N-95 mask – even re-used – is better than no N-95 mask, IF it comes to that.

Don’t spray the mask with liquids (diluted bleach comes to mind) or bake them – the mask works by having a huge network of *fuzzy fibers* to attract tiny particles as they make their way through. If the fuzzies get clumped together by being wetted (and dried) they aren’t going to work.

(The masks don’t actually block viruses – they’re too small to be stopped – but viruses in the air are usually embedded in tiny saliva droplets that are large enough to stop, although some free viruses will be caught by the fibers because of an electrostatic attraction.)

There are filter masks in the pipeline with copper and silver fiber elements, but best I can tell they’re not for sale yet…

Here’s my two cents for supplements that help with viral infections. My family is already taking some of these:

Vitamin A

Quercetin

Andrographis

Astragalus (immune stimulant)

Olive Leaf

Selenium

N acetyl cysteine (NAC)

Vitamin C
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659258/

Guaifenesin (thins mucuous and makes bronchial cilia row faster to clear lungs better)

When treating a sick family member remember: this virus affects people’s respiration and that could require positioning them on the bed face down.

And, by the way, you can buy oxygen concentrators online via eBay, if you’ve got that kind of budget…

Last idea: Treating a sick family member at home (should professional medical care be overloaded) could burn through all of our N95 masks. This might be a better solution (and I can tell you from personal experience it’s more comfortable!):

It’s a powered filter hood. I’m guessing that with a little ingenuity preppers could improvise a 110v household power supply to run the motors so you’re not going through expensive C123 batteries!

Thank you JJ in MI and everyone else for your ideas! God have mercy on us all.

Hope this helps.

Trust God. Be prepared. We can do both!

Recipe of the Week: Dried Apricot Pie

This week’s recipe is for a Dried Apricot Pie. It is a recipe excerpted from the scarce book Nine Hundred Successful Recipes, by Lulu Thompson Silvernail. This book, from my own book collection, was published in 1923. A recent change in U.S. copyright law now puts most pre-1925 books in the public domain.

Lulu Thompson Silvernail’s emphasis in this book was recipes that included hard red winter wheat flour. This entire recipe book is just part of the extensive bonus content that is included in this year’s SurvivalBlog archive waterproof USB stick.

Ingredients
  • 2 cups stewed (reconstituted) dried apricots
  • 3 teaspoons butter
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • Standard pie crust ingredients
Directions

‘Stew apricots until perfectly tender, then run them through either a sieve or colander. Boil with enough water to keep apricots juicy and not too dry when done. After apricots are taken through sieve or colander, measure two cups. Add the sugar and mix both together. Line pie pan with pastry, give the bottom the flour treatment necessary. Add the apricots and butter. Roll crust very thin for top covering.

Bake in quick oven for first ten minutes, then bake more slowly for the remainder of the time. Sugar may be spread over top crust of pie before placing in oven, making a crispy sugar crusted top. Bake about 25 minutes.

SERVING

Serve hot or cold.

—

Do you have a favorite 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 and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we again look at 80% receivers. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

For those of you of the Chartist persuasion: Gold Price Exclusive Update Shows Sector Cycle Is Down

o  o  o

Palladium: This Is What a Run on the Bank for Precious Metals Looks Like…

Economy & Finance:

CNBC reports: Private payrolls soar in January, the best monthly gain in nearly 5 years

o  o  o

At Zero Hedge: California Is Losing More Jobs To China Than Any Other State

o  o  o

Cyptogon reports: Jeffrey Epstein’s Mystery Bank Came Alive After His Death

o  o  o

Will the Coronavirus Cause a Global Recession?

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — February 9, 2020

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

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 87 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $10,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A gift certificate from Quantum Harvest LLC (up to a $2,200 value) good for 12% off the purchase of any of their sun-tracking models, and 10% off the purchase price of any of their other models.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. 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,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A $300 purchase credit for any of the products from EMPShield.com
  4. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  5. 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).
  6. An assortment of products along with a one hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Good2GoCo.com is providing a $400 purchase credit at regular prices for the prize winner’s choice of either Wise Foods or Augason long term storage foods, in stackable buckets.
  2. 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)
  3. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  4. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,

Round 87 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.

Infectious Disease Protection, by S.A.D.

49

In this article I will describe how to protect yourself and your family from corona virus and other infectious diseases.

The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus is causing widespread concern and response by public and health authorities. In this article we will cover the following:

  1. What is coronavirus?
  2. How does it spread?
  3. Official response and recommendations for protection
  4. Practical, common sense recommendations for individual protection.
What is coronavirus?

The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a member of Coronoviridae family. There are currently 16 full genome sequences of the virus published[1]. It is an enveloped RNA virus, one of the largest RNA viruses. The enveloped in this case means that the core of the virus (called a capsid) is surrounded by a lipid membrane with integrated viral surface protein. It is important to note that the integrity of the lipid envelope is vital for the ability to infect host cells. When infection occurs, the virus penetrates the host cell and begins to replicate itself (multiply). Eventually, the new viral particles, or progeny virus, is released from infected cell and go on to infect new cells or are released in the environment.

The 2019-nCoV causes respiratory illness similar to the common cold although it has much higher mortality rate. The symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath. Right now, the information about incubation period is limited, CDC believes that the symptoms can appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure[2], although clinical guidance estimates incubation period of about 5 days (4-7 days in 95% cases)[3].Continue reading“Infectious Disease Protection, by S.A.D.”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— 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. Today, I’m only featuring four article links. All four of them are important reading.

Wuhan Aerosol Transmission?

Reader M.M. spotted this, over at China Daily, that seems to indicate aerosol transmission. Shanghai officials reveal novel coronavirus transmission modes. JWR’s Comment:  If this is true, then unless you have a virtually limitless supply of N95 mask for use at home, then the only safe areas in the event of a global Wuhan pandemic would be very lightly-populated regions. Read between the lines, folks. Oh, and for those of you who live in or near Jackson Hole, Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene, Glenwood Springs, Gardnerville, Steamboat, Breckenridge Sun Valley, Kapaa, Summit Park, Hot Springs, and Fredericksburg (Texas): You may now expect to the early arrival of your millionaire part-time neighbors off season, this year. Don’t be surprised to see them shopping heavily, for groceries. M.M. also noted: This might explain these video clips.

Good News on Wuhan Transmission?

Reader A.D. sent this good news: Study claiming new coronavirus can be transmitted by people without symptoms was flawed

Collapse: Lessons From Bushfires in Oz

C.B. sent this: No food, no fuel, no phones: Bushfires showed we’re only ever one step from system collapse

The article begins:

“This summer’s bushfires were not just devastating events in themselves. More broadly, they highlighted the immense vulnerability of the systems which make our contemporary lives possible.

The fires cut road access, which meant towns ran out of fuel and fell low on food. Power to towns was cut and mobile phone services stopped working. So too did the ATMs and EFTPOS services the economy needs to keep running.

In a modern, wealthy nation such as Australia, how could this happen?

In answering this question, it’s helpful to adopt “systems thinking.” This approach views problems as part of an overall system, where each part relates to each other.

In other words, we need to look at the big picture.”

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you.” – 2 Peter 3: 1-15 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — February 8, 2020

3

On February 8th, 1963 the Kennedy administration issued an order prohibiting travel to Cuba and banned financial transactions and commerce with Cuba, by U.S. citizens.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 87 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $10,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A gift certificate from Quantum Harvest LLC (up to a $2,200 value) good for 12% off the purchase of any of their sun-tracking models, and 10% off the purchase price of any of their other models.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. 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,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A $300 purchase credit for any of the products from EMPShield.com
  4. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  5. 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).
  6. An assortment of products along with a one hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Good2GoCo.com is providing a $400 purchase credit at regular prices for the prize winner’s choice of either Wise Foods or Augason long term storage foods, in stackable buckets.
  2. 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)
  3. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  4. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,

Round 87 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.

Thoughts About Gold, by Todd from Florida

86

This is going to be a different type of article. Different in that this gedankenexperiment will undoubtedly provoke many readers who will want to disagree with me- and that is fine!  In fact, that is sort of what I am wanting. I am looking for others to explain to me what I am missing, and therefore make me a more informed, prepared, and hopefully secure individual.

This article you are reading is going to be about gold. Specifically, how I just cannot agree with all the hype (my word choice perhaps not the best) and advertisements you hear on the radio and Internet, even television pitches from people like Alex Trebek or Pat Boone.  Go to a search engine and type in “prepper gold” and see over 1,020,000 results.  Over the last few years, I have come to really enjoy SurvivalBlog site and definitively respect the opinions of its founder, Mr., James Wesley, Rawles. I think that some articles ore references in the past at least are going to be in contradiction to the points I am going to lay out here.   I have many of the books the site founder has written, and totally respect all of the situations outlined in those books and this website.   Except, there is still this ongoing struggle that the whole ‘buy gold’ thing is just not the best idea for the average prepper. Maybe as an investment strategy just like a mutual fund or something, but even that has some concerns. Here are some extracts from some gold broker websites. I do not want to link to any specific sites as not trying to promote one over the other:

Precious metals, and especially gold and silver, have done an amazing job at retaining their value over the years. “Generation after generation, irrespective of which politicians are in power at the moment, gold and silver have proven themselves as stable stores of value and the ultimate form of money”….and…”Physical investment grade god can be purchases at spot price, Physical gold can be liquidated in the unlikely event of a total economic collapse”.

So SurvivalBlog community – read on and see if you agree with me, or have some counterpoints that will help me. I expect some good feedback and want it – like said before I just need to get some questions figured out.

It is important to stress that I am not opposing precious metals as an investment strategy, like any other stock or mutual fund. After all, I note that in 2008 the price of gold was as low as $720 an ounce, and went to $1854.40 an ounce in 2011. The price of gold as of the time of writing this is $1512.45 an ounce.

This is the mindset that I do not like – that when the world really goes dark then all money will be worthless, and by golly if you don’t have gold you are done for.   My thought is primarily that if all you have is a ledger somewhere without your hands actually on the precious metals, when that event happens do not expect, ever, to have your investment back. One strange concept I have seen is buying gold focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) or future contracts to buy gold at a future time, at a predetermined price. These are traded on an exchange and the buyer never has claim to the physical gold itself. This would not be for me.

Now, let me say I agree with James’s thoughts on tangibles. My situation is that I never have had enough money to properly look at where I want to be.   I live in Jacksonville, Florida, so many years ago sitting in my home riding out a hurricane, had the revelation of “what if”? I was totally unprepared for anything really bad to go down, no way to care for my family.   That night began my sort of casual quest for what we call “preparedness”.   After three international adoptions, raising the kids, then college tuitions, then a wedding…I am just now starting to see the proverbial light in the tunnel with respect to having any sort of extra income to really make a factor in improving my “preparedness”. All the while, tangibles has really made sense.

Now if the world situation gets bad, I mean really bad, FEMA Camp for the everyone type bad, then I am going to look at the actual things I can hold in my hands that is going to be useful. Example, I have some food rotating, (not much maybe two month for the family if stretched) and some basic stuff: radios, water filter, flashlights, Baofeng handi-talkies, Goal Zero items, candles, batteries, full ammo can etc.   I want to be able to invest my little resources into things I can immediately use when again, it gets bad and really bad. This year in 2020 I am attempting to get much better at gardening and have spent some of those precious few dollars in garden stakes and fencing for the backyard and half dozen blueberry bushes, some lumber for raised garden beds that sort of thing.Continue reading“Thoughts About Gold, by Todd from Florida”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

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To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make 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. Note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

This past week was a challenge, but with the help of my incredible wife, I got through it.  As of Friday morning, I was up out of bed and dressed for the first time in nine days. Bronchitis is never fun. Whilst ill, I fell behind on my blog writing. And I foolishly launched my Internet mail order biz (Elk Creek Company) last Saturday, because I falsely concluded that I would soon be well. (Why do I set self-imposed deadlines?) Oh, and to top it all, my publisher in England asked me to make some last minute changes to my book manuscript. Fun, fun, fun. Thankfully, I have an incredible, amazing, lovely, and gracious wife who was able to manage everything else around the ranch, and play Florence Nightingale, and cook tasty meals.  I must say that Avalanche Lily is The Complete Package. I feel truly blessed.

Avalanche Lily Reports:

Dear Readers,
Gee, How am I supposed to follow that, except to say that Jim is my Complete Package!  He is my Manly Man!  And I am truly doubly blessed to be married to him and to share with him the life God has given us to live in this beautiful American Redoubt valley, on our own land, with our own gardens, and livestock, surrounded by gorgeous mountain vistas and rivers, dreams come true… We are truly blessed of the Lord!  God gets all of the praise and thanks!

Despite all of our colds and bronchitis, I did get to accomplish a few things in the area of prepping:Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”