Update: A 21st Century Tangibles Investing Rationale

Introductory Note:  This is an update and substantial expansion to an article that I posted to SurvivalBlog back in 2018.

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I often have people ask me: “Why do you stress tangibles investing, Mr. Rawles?” In my estimation, tangibles always trump intangibles. I have three primary reasons why I distrust intangibles:

First: Nearly all intangible investments are denominated in fiat currencies. Because of this there is an underlying currency inflation, revaluation, or repudiation risk. Even when buying stock in the safest, most secure and impeccably-managed company it still has some risk when the investment is denominated in Dollars. Ditto for Dollar-denominated bonds. Ditto for redeemable life insurance policies and annuities. Ditto for business investments. Ditto for money market funds. Ditto for certificates of deposit (CDs). Whenever you have any investment that is denominated in a fiat currency, there is the risk of degradation of the currency unit itself. It is only tangibles that have innate, intrinsic, and intuitively obvious value that is not vulnerable to the whims of international currency markets, interest rate changes, political charades, or government insolvency.

Second: Most intangible investments represent a debt taken on by someone else. When you deposit funds in a financial institution, nearly all of it is loaned to a private party, a company, or a government. So your investment’s security is dependent on someone or some entity having the willingness and ability to earn a profit and consistently pay down that debt. In essence, the vast majority of investments are buying someone else’s liability. But a personally held tangible is something of substance that has true intrinsic value — in and of itself. That rock-solid value is not dependent on the action or inaction of any individual, corporation, or government.

Third: Intangibles are outside of one’s personal control. Your good intentions have little or no influence on the bad intentions of others. The news headlines are replete with tales of how people have their investments wiped out: Bad corporate management, government ineptitude, corruption, pilfering, swindling, embezzling, “official” confiscation, and wholesale larceny. We also live in the electronic age, so many investments are mere digits in computers. Thus, they are vulnerable to hacking, EMP, solar flares, and various other risks to the power grids. In contrast, a tangible that you keep at home in your personal control is only subject to your own failings. Granted, there are vulnerabilities to rust, mold, and theft. But each of those can be mitigated with proper planning, secure storage, waterproof containers, and some concealment.  (And in the modern context, I would add: Concealment of the paper trail of your acquisition of a tangible. I recommend that you pay in cash or in wallet-to-wallet cryptocurrency for most of your investment tangibles. This will minimize the risk of confiscation by thieves with badges.)

Continue reading“Update: A 21st Century Tangibles Investing Rationale”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

Why Is It That The “Majority” of People Who Live in Urban Hellholes Like Portland Think That They Can Dictate “Environmental Safety”

On The “Minority” of People Who Live and Farm in the Larger Rural Land Areas?

News Links:

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:

“And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.” – Acts 21:17-39 (KJV) 

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — March 23, 2024

In a nationwide television address on March 23, 1983, U.S. President Ronald Reagan announced the Strategic Defense Initiative, a proposed strategic defensive system against potential nuclear attacks.

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Today is the anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death speech. It was delivered to the Second Virginia Revolutionary Convention meeting at St. John’s Church, Richmond, on March 23, 1775. (2025 will be the 250th anniversary of the speech.)

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This is also the birthday of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. He directed 30 films. His samurai films (many starring Toshiro Mifune) such as Yojimbo, Sanjuro, The Hidden Fortress, Rashomon, The Seven Samurai, Kagemusha, and Ran are considered legendary in the cinema world.

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I see that we are rapidly approaching our 2,400th Quote Of The Day. I suppose that it is time to start compiling a SurvivallBlog Book of Quotations.  The first quote that I posted was on September 30th, 2005. It was: “Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.” – Thomas Jefferson.  I can safely say that I’ve probably quoted Jefferson more than any other American. But of course, I quote the Holy Bible two days a week, making it by far my most quoted source.

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Today’s short feature post is a guest post from Mrs. Alaska. It was too short to be considered in the writing contest judging.

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There are just eight days left in Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Since  Round 111 ends soon, please e-mail us your entry soon. 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.

Favorite Purchases Under $50 for Our Remote Home, by Mrs. Alaska

Introductory Note: I have received no compensation for any of the following recommendations, all of which we have used for many years.

Living far from any store means that any rural or remote property owner relies on supplies on hand. Some of our least expensive purchases have been worth their weight in gold because we use them over and over, or in a variety of ways, or because they specialize in a way that no other item can do as well.

I have purposely not included obviously important items, like matches or an axe, that anyone should know. Here, I just wanted to illuminate some of the “unsung” products in the categories of attire, home, yard, tools, and communications devicesContinue reading“Favorite Purchases Under $50 for Our Remote Home, by Mrs. Alaska”

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 took advantage of the recent nice weather to start in on my annual firewood cutting here at the Rawles Ranch. As usual, I started in with dead-standing trees and a couple of deadfalls.  There were not many of either, this year. And there were just a few irreparably “snow-squashed” young fir trees. My next target will be the “leaners.”  Again, there won’t be many left to fell, this year.  It has taken a dozen years, but I finally have our stands of timber looking the way that I want them. I am thankful to God for his providence! I’m just trying to be a good steward of what he has given us.

Now, Lily’s report…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.”  – Ecclesiastes 6:1-10

Preparedness Notes for Friday — March 22, 2024

On March 22, 1820, U.S. Navy Commissioner Stephen Decatur was killed in a duel.

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Today is the birthday of Benjamin Tyler Henry. (March 22, 1821–December 29, 1898) was an American gunsmith and manufacturer. On October 16, 1860, he received a patent on the Henry .44 caliber repeating rifle. The first Henry rifles were not produced for army use until mid-1862.

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This is also the birthday of Louis L’Amour. (Born 1908, died 1988.) Some of his novels have survival themes. One of particular interest to survivalists is Last of the Breed.

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The sale ends tonight.  In honor of Elmer Keith’s birthday, I put all of my percussion revolver inventory on sale, at Elk Creek Company. Every cataloged percussion revolver has been discounted. This sale ends at midnight Pacific Time tonight (Friday, March 22nd, 2024,) so get your order in today!

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We are nearing the end of Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. We’re still in need of entries to post. More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 111 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.

Silver Stacking: Patience and Persistence Pays Off

I have been a “silver stacker” for many years. With money earned mowing lawns, at age 16 I started buying pre-1965 mint-date “junk”  U.S. silver dimes and quarters in 1976 at a small local coin shop in Livermore, California. It was called Bob’s Coin Corner. Bob was patient in explaining silver coins to me.  In 1979 I sold nearly half of my silver coins just after silver peaked, when spot silver was at $47.75 per Troy ounce.

I started buying some silver and gold again in June of 1987, when silver was at $8.98 per ounce.

A practical silver investor both buys and sells silver. I was warned by my Uncle Louis: “Never fall in love with any investment.” And he was right.  It is foolish to say: “I’ll never sell.”Continue reading“Silver Stacking: Patience and Persistence Pays Off”

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 planned European CBDC. (See the Forex & Cryptos section.)

Precious Metals:

At John Rubino’s substack: Accidentally Funny CNBC Grapples With Costco Gold Sales.

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At Gold-Eagle.com: Gold Stocks Strongly Outperform After Gold Breakouts. JWRs Comment: Since starting SurvivalBlog in 2005, I’ve refrained from touting gold mining stocks. In my estimation they will only do well in a confirmed secular bull market.  And we haven’t seen that situation in many moons. For now, stick with physical metals, as a hedge on inflation.

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800,000 Chinese Rush to Buy Gold in Malls at New Year, With Worsening Politico-Economic Environment.

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Video: “The Case For Silver Could Not Be Clearer” – Mike Maloney.

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Goldman Raises 2024 Gold Target To $2,300.

Economy & Finance:

Several readers mentioned this article: Home Depot makes a major expansion move.

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Over at the Whatfinger.com news site: Family Dollar to close almost 1,000 stores.

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Private credit ties to banks deepen in Europe as default risk rises.

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Robert Malone: How Did American Capitalism Mutate Into American Corporatism?

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Breitbart: Yellen on Record Credit Card Spending: We Have ‘Normalization,’ Not ‘Disturbing New Trend’.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — March 21, 2024

On March 21, 1685, German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, who is generally considered the greatest composer of all time, was born.

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March 21st, 1778: Just three days after Hessian mercenary forces assaulted the local New Jersey militia at Quinton’s Bridge, the same contingent surprised the colonial militia at Hancock’s Bridge five miles from Salem. In what became known as the Massacre at Hancock’s Bridge, at least 20 members of the militia lost their live — some after attempting to surrender. The Loyalists reputedly exclaimed “Spare no one! Give no quarter!” as they stormed the occupied house. Judge Hancock and his brother (both Loyalists) were bayoneted in the melee by the attackers even though they were both staunch supporters of the crown and were themselves non-violent Quakers.

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We are pleased to welcome our newest affiliate advertiser: Bullionstar. They are a well-established precious metals company that is headquartered in Singapore. The company was founded in 2012 by Torgny Persson, of Sweden. They have quite competitive pricing and deep inventories of coins and bars. They ship worldwide, from their warehouses in Singapore, the United States, and New Zealand.  As always, I recommend taking physical delivery when buying precious metals.  I do not trust any warehousing arrangements, even from the largest companies — because you never know when governments will get grabby. As with our other affiliate advertisers,  SurvivalBlog earns a small commission whenever you follow our link to place an order. – JWR

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There are several unusual new listings at our spin-off site, SurvivalRealty.com.  One is a very stout masonry-constructed former bank building in Liberty, Nebraska, and another is a former jail, near Harrisonville, Missouri.  Both of them have some inherent ballistic protection and physical security features.

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Today’s feature article is a short guest post by Patrice Lewis, the Editrix of the excellent Rural Revolution blog.

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We are in need of entries for Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 111 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.

Shortages? Why?, by Patrice Lewis

Introductory Note From JWR: This article was first posted in the excellent Rural Revolution homesteading blog.  It is reposted with permission.

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I have a friend in Maine. Last week she e-mailed and said,

“I noticed in the past few weeks big gaps on shelves in the grocery store in next town. In two areas today, all the shelves – top, middle, and bottom, for 1/4 length of the aisle – were completely empty! To be honest, I don’t know what was there, but it’s not there now. And the prices!!!!!!! Eggs are $4.59, a can of SPAM is $4.39. I got a bag of Tostidos corn chips as I am making chili, $4.49! Generics or store brands are also disappearing. I wonder what is going on?”

I asked her to send me photos the next time she was in town, and she sent the following pictures, along with a note saying, “Here are the empty shelves in the grocery store I was telling you about. They are not even spacing stuff far apart like when the COVID shortages were occurring. The hardware and auto parts stores look the same way. All we hear is it’s because of supply-chain issues. I thought we worked all through that mess already!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In our local community, we haven’t noticed much by way of shortages. I took a rare trip to the city a couple weeks ago and everything seemed fine. It makes me wonder if the shortages my friend is seeing are a regional thing … or if I’m not seeing shortages because the stores are doing a better job of hiding it.

What is everyone else seeing?

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Patrice Lewis is an American Redoubt-based homesteader who blogs at Rural Revolution. She is also a novelist and she’s an editor on the staff of WorldNet Daily (WND). She and her husband Don have been friends of the Rawles family for more than a decade.

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 the loss of arable farmland in the United States.

Tennessee is Rapidly Losing Farmland

‘Where will we get our food?’ Tennessee on track to lose 2 million acres of farmland. (Thanks to reader A.K. for the link.) Here is a quote:

“Tennessee has lost 1.5 million acres of farmland to development, according to new data from the University of Tennessee. That figure equates to the loss of six counties’ worth of pasture and forest land completely gone.”

North Carolina Losing Farmland to Development

NC on pace to lose more farmland to development than any state by 2040, study says.

Farms and Land in Farms

USDA Statistics: Farms and Land in Farms – 2023 Summary. (Published in February, 2024.)

How to Protect Your Child Against Identity Theft

Peter sent this, from The WSJ: How to Protect Your Child Against Identity Theft.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“There are, of course, a few sociopaths in every town, I suppose, but in a rural population of two or three thousand, that number is very small indeed – probably no more than the cartridges contained in a single .45 magazine.” – Mel Tappan