A Sure Gain of 10% in 10 Days: Forever Stamps

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There are very few investments that can earn you a sure 10% profit in one year. But what about one that will earn you 10% in just 10 days? That’s not just wishful thinking. It is a certainty that the cost of “forever” U.S. postage stamps will increase in cost by 10% on January 27, 2019. The cost of a First Class Forever Stamp will go up from 50 Cents to 55 Cents. This is one of the largest rate increases in the history of the USPS.  (The largest in Dollar terms and one of the largest, in percentage terms.)

I am recommending that all SurvivalBlog readers who live in the U.S. and U.S. Possessions stock up on Forever Stamps, as soon as possible. There are likely to be shortages of these stamps as soon as January 21st, 2019.

Who Should Buy Them?

All Americans should buy a two or three year supply for their general correspondence. And anyone who runs a mailorder business and that ships their small packages via U.S. mail should consider buying and even larger supply.

Continue reading“A Sure Gain of 10% in 10 Days: Forever Stamps”

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 “HJL”. Today has an interesting article on the arms buildup of Turkey along the Syrian border.

Brexit Preppers

It may be for the wrong reason, but at least it’s moving people in the right direction. Fear that they won’t be able to get their favorite foodstuffs anymore have driven many of Britain’s housewives to stockpiling food and medicine. In a first world country like Britain, separate trade agreements outside of the EU will obviously be made once Britain has exited the EU, but these housewives don’t trust that they will still have access to things they need and want. Many who wanted to stay part of the EU have formed a group called “48% Preppers”, so named after the vote percentage who wished to remain in the EU. In a way it’s kind of silly, but hey, whatever it takes to get people to get out of the “Just in Time” mentality. Thanks to H.L. for the link.

Cracked on TSA

Mike Williamson, SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large, dredged up this old article from Cracked, a typically liberal organization. However, they’ve hit this one on the head and it’s still just as valid today as it was six years ago. “7 Reasons the TSA Sucks (A Security Expert’s Perspective)” is an excellent short treatise on why the TSA is one of the worst security organizations in existence. It’s proof that even a humor organization can get valid information from an expert.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty; power is ever stealing from the many to the few. The manna of popular liberty must be gathered each day or it is rotten. The living sap of today outgrows the dead rind of yesterday. The hand entrusted with power becomes, either form human depravity or esprit de corps, the necessary enemy of the people. Only by continued oversight can the democrat in office be prevented from hardening into a despot; only by unintermitted agitation can a people be sufficiently awake to principle not to let liberty be smothered in material prosperity.” – Wendell Phillips

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – January 16, 2019

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The Space Shuttle Columbia launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 16th, 2003. STS-107 would disintegrate on re-entry 15 days later, killing all seven of the crew members on board. SurvivalBlog salutes all seven crew members: Commander Rick Husband, Pilot William McCool, Mission Specialist David Brown, Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist Michael Anderson, Mission Specialist Laurel Clark, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon.

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Seed for Security, LLC is having a sale. Their Super Survival Pack is now 20% off. This Pack includes 4 lbs. of survival seeds and 2 pints of healthful grains. All of their seed is heirloom, non GMO, and none is hybrid. Their 5 page detailed Seed Saving Guide is included with each Pack. This offer is for a limited time.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 80 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  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 Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  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 gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  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. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances.

Round 80 ends on January 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.

Putting Together a Strategic Plan, by 3ADscout

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General Eisenhower is quoted as saying, “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”  We can extrapolate that to preparedness and realize that the planning process is very valuable too.

Strategic Planning for Bug Out Location or Homestead

There are many types of plans and planning.  The focus of this article is on strategic planning.

It’s strategic in the sense that a plan is to first identify an end state to the big picture, such as what capabilities we want our bug out location (BOL), retreat, homestead, or just plain home to have. Second, we consider what objective/goals we want to accomplish in the given period the strategic plan covers.

Our Retirement Home Camp

In 2015 we purchased what we thought would be our retirement home.  Our plan was to use it as a camp and to fix it up over time until we retired and moved there permanently.

Fast Track the Move to Our Retirement Home

A year after purchasing it I had a life-altering medical condition present itself.  The condition is chronic and flares up very unexpectedly.  Needless to say, this requires us to re-examine our life and make some changes.  One of those changes was to move to our retirement/BOL home much sooner than we expected.  We had to “fast track” a few of our projects so that we could facilitate the move.

Start With Planning

We are now about four months away from making our move, and there is much that we want to do with our property.  The question was, where to start? The answer was to start with planning.

Continue reading“Putting Together a Strategic Plan, by 3ADscout”

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. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today’s focus is on coin roll hunting silver. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

New Shortfall In Production Capacity For Fabricated Silver And Gold

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Have you ever wondered how the US Mint packs their Monster Boxes?  See this brief video: Gold & Silver Auto Tubers

 

Economy & Finance:

Market Oracle: January 2019 Financial Markets Analysis and Forecasts

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Texas CLASS: January 2019 Economic Review

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on AR Arm Braces. (See the Instructional Videos and Gear sections.)

Books:

Planning and Installing Micro-Hydro Systems: A Guide for Designers, Installers and Engineers

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Lettering and Modern Calligraphy: A Beginner’s Guide: Learn Hand Lettering and Brush Lettering

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Fight Autism and Win: Biomedical Therapies That Actually Work! Second Edition by Jan Martin

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The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure

 

Movies:

Empire of the Sun

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Johnny Tremain

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The Armed American’s Complete Concealed Carry Guide to Effective Self-Defense

 

 

Continue reading“JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the Сrown. It may be frail – its roof may shake – the wind may blow through it – the storm may enter – the rain may enter – but the King of England cannot enter.” – William Pitt

The Legislative Onslaught Begins: Federal Gun Grabbing in 2019

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As they promised, the Democrat Party majority in the U.S. House of Representatives is wasting no time in gun grabbing in 2019. They are launching a raft of new civilian disarmament legislation. Although there is still a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, there is a risk that some of these bills may be passed into law, following some across the aisle quid pro quo deal-making or legislative bundling. What I fear most is President Trump accepting such a deal, in order to get his coveted Border wall funded. I’m also concerned that some grand “compromise” might be reached, with the laudable Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (introduced but not passed by the previous Congress) thrown into a package of legislation that would include one or more anti-gun bills.

There have already been three bills introduced or announced, and undoubtedly there are many more now being drafted. This will be a veritable onslaught of legislation. They seem intent on doing it California Style: That is, throwing a bunch of bills against the wall, in the hope that some of them will stick:

A Federal Red Flag Law

In the U.S. Senate both Democrats and a few Republicans have re-introduces S.7, a bill that seeks to encourage states to pass red-flag laws that would make it easier for courts to disarm “dangerous people.” It is titled the “Extreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act.” Led by Republican in Name Only (RINO) Marco Rubio, this law has a good chance of passage, and alarmingly President DJT has promised to sign such legislation.

Continue reading“The Legislative Onslaught Begins: Federal Gun Grabbing in 2019”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. The emphasis this week is on small business, Upland Optics. (See the Idaho section.)

 

Region-Wide

Economy could bring 15,000 people to Inland Northwest in 2019

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He’s in a heap -o’-trouble: Lewiston-Spokane Speed Chase.

Here are some more details on the chase and crash: Multiple agencies pursue vehicle in high speed chase through Spokane, Cheney; suspects arrested after crash

 

Idaho (Upland Optics)

Upland Optics is a company in Boise, Idaho that deserves special mention. They sell their on branded binoculars, spotting scopes, and rangefinders. They cater to hunters, but also get orders from tactical shooters.

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Washington regulators won’t reconsider decision to deny Avista sale to Hydro One. Here is a key quote:

“The UTC initially rejected the sale 12 days earlier on Dec. 5, stating it doesn’t serve the best interest of Avista or customers. Commission members cited Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s politically motivated actions in July led to abruptly remove Hydro One’s chief executive officer and its board of directors. Idaho regulators also blocked the sale, stating last week that the acquisition of Avista by Hydro One would violate a state law that prevents the sale of electric utility assets to an entity that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any other state. Commissioners claimed the definition of “state” included the province of Ontario, which owns 47 percent of Hydro One’s stock.”

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Big changes are coming to Treasure Valley in 2019. Here’s a guide to what you’ll see

Montana

Billionaire Texas brothers selling four Montana ranches

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Predicted El Nino weather pattern slowly materializing in Western Montana

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House Republicans reach rules compromise on 2019 Montana Legislature’s opening day

 

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

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 “HJL”. There is a great lesson in gun safety in today’s odds ‘n sods.

Global Warming…or Something

Syrian Refugee Camp in Lebanon Buried in Snow and Ice — Refugee Director Blames Global Warming

Great Deal

From JWR: I just noticed that KeepShooting.com (one of our most loyal advertisers) is now selling Austrian Army UT-2000 Half Sled Packs. With this clever design, you join two packs together to form a cargo snow sled. Grab a pair before they sell out!

The Great Divide

Europe is splitting in two. On one side is Germany and France who have formed a pact where border town “Eurodistricts” are being formed where French and German towns are merging their public transportation and utilities along with eroding the national sovereignty of both countries in favor of the Eurozone. On the other side stand Italy, Poland, and Hungary that have formed an alliance against such moves, strengthening each countries ability to remain sovereign within the EU. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has actually said he would like to see anti-immigration parties gaining a majority in the European Parliament elections later this year.

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

Preparedness Notes for Monday – January 14, 2019

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On January 14th, 1784, the Continental Congress ratified the Second Treaty of Paris, ending the War for Independence. In the document, which was known as the Second Treaty of Paris because the Treaty of Paris was also the name of the agreement that had ended the Seven Years’ War in 1763, Britain officially agreed to recognize the independence of its 13 former colonies as the new United States of America.