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. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) With the Christmas holiday, this was a short trading week, in many markets. Today’s focus is on Silver and Gold in 2019. (See the Precious Metals Section section.)

 

Precious Metals (Silver and Gold in 2019):

Watching the exchange value of the Dollar and interest rates, many market analysts are predicting higher silver and gold prices in 2019. The ongoing stock market turmoil may indeed trigger a rush to safety. Here are a few links to what some of the analysts presage:

Silver’s Time Will Come; TDS Sees Silver Outperforming Gold In 2019

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2019 Gold Price Forecasts and Predictions from the Big Investment Banks

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GOLD PRICE FORECAST 2019, 2020, 2021 AND 2022

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Could the Silver Price Really Hit $130 per Ounce?

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Will LBMA Predictions of $1532/Ounce Gold In 2019 Come True?

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J.P. Morgan: Gold Set to Shine in 2019

 

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday – December 27, 2018

On this day in 1979, in an attempt to stabilize the turbulent political situation in Afghanistan, the Soviet Union sent 75,000 troops to enforce the installation of Babrak Karmal as the new leader of the nation. The new government and the imposing Soviet presence, however, had little success in putting down anti-government rebels. Thus began nearly 10 years of an agonizing, destructive, and ultimately fruitless Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan. Death by a thousand cuts.

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It is with sadness that we learned that Jerry Pearce died in his home at 76. Jerry was an ex-cop who launched a late night call-in radio show host dealing with law enforcement and political issues. We will miss him.

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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.

Medical Action Sheets by K.B., M.D.- Part 2

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Preppers are concerned about scenarios that can prevent access, such as weather extremes (hurricanes, ice storms, blizzards), civil unrest (riots, curfews), EMP, TEOTWAWKI, or pandemics/disasters, which can swamp the medical system. When illness or injury strikes, you will not have the time or inclination to read books or articles. I, therefore, propose the use of medical action sheets, and I want to share a few of those that I have written. In truth, I have given binders of these to my loved ones with the caveat that they use them only in a genuine situation as listed above and if I am unavailable to help them. As you read these lists, remember that I am not prescribing and urge you to review any plans with your medical professional who will tailor medical action sheets to your specific medical needs, conditions, allergies, and abilities.

Last time we studied abscesses and shingles. Today, we’ll study medical action sheets for influenza, colds, and pneumonia.

Influenza Overview

Influenza is spread by viruses either via droplets (up to six feet away) or direct contact with objects. (Think door knobs, ATM buttons, ink pens, keyboards, et cetera.) The virus lives up to eight hours on surfaces, so wash hands frequently and wear a mask/eye shield when caring for flu patients. Remember that influenza hits hard and fast compared to a cold. You will experience fever, extreme fatigue, and painful body aches. You’ll feel like you’ve been hit by a truck, but don’t despair! There is a new, inexpensive over-the-counter treatment called the vitamin D3 “hammer” that can end the flu within 48 to 72 hours. So please consider giving this a try and see if it works for you. Our family has had success with it, so read details below. Just remember to stick to the dosage listed below for adults, as vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, as are vitamins A, E, and K, and overdosing can result in toxicity.

Continue reading“Medical Action Sheets by K.B., M.D.- Part 2”

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”. Toyota Bots may soon be commonplace.

Civil Disobedience

New Jersey’s draconian gun laws have taken effect, limiting magazines to no more than 10 rounds and instantly making felons of everyone who refuses to turn them in to police or remove them from the state. Just like we saw in Connecticut and New York, people are just ignoring the law. So far, every police station contacted has reported that no magazines have been turned in. That makes upwards of one million (probably more) citizens of New Jersey felons according to this ridiculous standard capacity magazine ban. The police have no plan moving forward and most believe that the ban is simply unenforceable. Thanks to DSV for the link.

Bipartisan Gun Confiscation

Reader H.L. sent in this article from the Mises Institute that suggests there is growing support for gun confiscation in 2019 though. We probably won’t see an outright ban moving forward through congress, but significant inroads will be made through the use of “red flag” laws. These are laws that allow the state to confiscate the firearms of people without due process. Basically, if anyone makes a claim that they are afraid of you with your guns, the state will move to confiscate the firearms until you are proven to not be a danger to yourself or others. Since you are not given the chance for representation before the warrants are issued, your rights are trampled upon. It doesn’t matter if there are valid fears or not, the red flag laws are simply unconstitutional on many levels.

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

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – December 26, 2018

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On December 26th, 1777, after crossing the Delaware River, Washington led his men against Hessian soldiers garrisoned at Trenton. After a brief battle, nearly the entire Hessian force was captured, with negligible losses to the Americans, significantly boosting their flagging morale.

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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.

Medical Action Sheets, by K.B., M.D. – Part 1

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It is ideal and important to seek out medical care from qualified professionals. However, preppers are concerned about scenarios that can prevent access, such as weather extremes (hurricanes, ice storms, blizzards), civil unrest (riots, curfews), EMP, TEOTWAWKI, or pandemics/disasters, which can swamp the medical system. When illness or injury strikes, you will not have the time or inclination to read books or articles. I, therefore, propose the use of medical action sheets, and I want to share a few of those that I have written. In truth, I have given binders of these to my loved ones with the caveat that they use them only in a genuine situation as listed above and if I am unavailable to help them. As you read these lists, remember that I am not prescribing and urge you to review any plans with your medical professional who will tailor medical action sheets to your specific medical needs, conditions, allergies, and abilities.

Abscess and New Shingles Treatment (Herpes Simplex 2)

In Part 1, we will cover abscesses, which will happen more frequently under less sanitary situations and outdoor work, and shingles, which will occur more often under extreme stress. As with most medical problems, deal with them as soon as possible.

Abscess Overview

An abscess is a localized collection of pus due to infection. This may occur as a result of puncture or abrasion of the skin allowing bacteria to enter or may be secondary to obstruction of a hair follicle or oil or sweat gland.

Continue reading“Medical Action Sheets, by K.B., M.D. – Part 1”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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This is a special edition of my thrice-weekly column.  Many global markets have been closed for the past two days. With the December 31st deadline for making tax-deductible charitable contributions looming, today I’m listing some charities that I consider worthy and truly deserving.

Be advised that many large charitable organizations have high overhead, bloated staffs, and spend up to 30% of their proceeds on advertising, in the quest for even more money. Do not support those!  Instead, send your donations to organizations with low overhead costs, and no over-paid staff and management. That is a responsible and God-honoring way to be charitable.

Some Worthy Charities

Anchor of Hope. This group was my late wife’s personal favorite. They support a mission school in rural Zambia  (the former Northern Rhodesia.) They are entirely volunteer staffed, so that 100% of what you donate actually ends up in the hands of the needy recipients. Most notably, they have distributed new shoes to more than one million children in Zambia.

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 documentary films and books about National Parks in the American Redoubt. (See the Books and Movies sections.)

Books (National Parks in the American Redoubt):

All National Parks, including those in the Redoubt were closed, under the Federal Government shut-down. Here, I should mention that the whole concept of “closing” the Grand Tetons is ludicrous. It would take an awfully large curtain to close off that view!

Here are some fine books about National Parks inside the Redoubt that are worth owning:

Day Hikes of Glacier National Park Map-Guide

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Lonely Planet Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks (Travel Guide)

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Yellowstone: A Journey Through America’s Wild Heart

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Grand Teton National Park Wild and Beautiful

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When Paladin Press went out of business, I was afraid that a very useful book might become unavailable. Fortunately, another publisher now offers it: Total Resistance.

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Speaking of Paladin Press, when this book went out of print, a wise bookseller bought up a lot of the available  inventory.  Jump on a copy, while they are still available at a reasonable price: The Ultimate Sniper (Updated Edition).   This book will probably be selling for $75 a copy in another year, unless it goes back into print with a different publisher.

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VideoHound’s Golden Movie Retriever 2019: The Complete Guide to Movies on VHS, DVD, and Hi-Def Formats

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This book by Charley Hogwood is published by the same company that produces my novel Patriots, and umpteen travel books, Ulysses Press: Prepper’s Survival Retreats: Your Strategic Relocation Plan for an Uncertain Future

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

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – December 25, 2018

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To those who are celebrating the Advent of our Lord and Savior, the team at SurvivalBlog wishes you a peaceful and meaningful Christmas. For those who choose to celebrate our Lord through the biblical feasts, stay safe out there during this holiday season. Our prayer is that each and every one of you enjoy the family time and stay safe on the roads.

A Manifoldly Unconstitutional Bill

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I have a legislative alert for SurvivalBlog readers: H.R. 7115, the “3D Firearms Prohibitions Act” is on its face perhaps one of the most unconstitutional laws ever written. It is sponsored by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., Democrat, of New Jersey. It will most likely be reintroduced in the 116th Congress. This proposed law, introduced on November 2, 2018, is purported to ban 3D printed guns. But it is actually about milling (subtractive) technology rather than 3D printing (additive) technology. I have news for Mr. Pallone: All guns are “3D”, once they are off the drawing board!

Pallone’s bill goes far beyond milling machine processes. It would ban firearms parts kits, ban electronic publishing about 80% receivers offered for sale, require the owners of receiver blanks to beg the issuance of a serial number before then can be milled, and even retroactively bans unserialized receivers that have been made since 1968. It also arbitrarily sets a 90 day limit for number stamping/engraving and completion of the receiver. You can read the full text of the bill, here.

The summary preamble to H.R. 7115 reads: “To prohibit the sale, acquisition, distribution in commerce, or import into the United States of certain firearm receiver castings or blanks, assault weapon parts kits, and machinegun parts kits and the marketing or advertising of such castings or blanks and kits on any medium of electronic communications, to require homemade firearms to have serial numbers, and for other purposes.” But even a cursory reading of Pallone’s bill shows that it is blatantly unconstitutional, in many ways. Here are a few:

Continue reading“A Manifoldly Unconstitutional Bill”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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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 a proposed Year-Round Daylight Savings Time for Wyoming. (See the Wyoming section.)

Region-Wide

You may have missed this CBC News report from two years back:  American Redoubt

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Spokane developer Ron Wells accused of insurance fraud

 

Idaho

Investigation of trooper involved shooting is still going

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Weapons at school. Livestreaming arrests. These Idaho bounty hunters’ questionable practices (still) aren’t regulated.

 

Montana

Business leaders consider potential impact of sales tax in Montana

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Huge cargo plane touches down in Billings

 

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”.

Remembering Reagan’s Christmas Address

Reader DSV sent in this YouTube of President Reagan’s 1981 Christmas address. Reagan may not have been the most conservative or libertarian president we ever had, but he sure had a way with words. This is a very inspiring address that encourages us to be strong and gentle. I highly encourage everyone, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, to view this message.

The Dark Side of Gift Cards

Thinking of giving a gift card to someone this year as a gift? We often resort to this because we don’t want to take the time to know or understand what a person really needs or wants. But this lazy form of giving has a dark side. While the gift card industry is over $130 billion dollars, over $1 billion simply goes to waste. Many cards expire or have fees when they are unused and the money eventually disappears. Some card balances have to be turned over to the state at the end of a waiting period when they are unused, but most simply revert funds back to the company that owns the card. Make sure that if you use this form of giving that you are actually giving a card to a store that the person will actually shop at.

Anti-Semitism

The women’s marches movement seems to be self-imploding as accusations of anti-Semitism fly. It would appear that the original founders did not have such political leanings, but that soon after organizing the movement was infiltrated and taken over by those with strong anti-Semitic values. There was an initial power struggle as the original founders and the new leadership vied for power, but true to left leaning/progressive causes, evil won out. Now that a left-leaning news organization has finally picked up the story, the movement is struggling to maintain influence. Many of the organizations branches throughout the states are backing off from the core or even dissolving. I have to admit, it’s nice to see such evilness implode. Thanks to T.Z. for the link.

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