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 JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on cryptocurrency stability. (See the Cryptos section.)

Precious Metals:

Gold and silver lived up to their “safe haven” reputation last week, amidst some genuine “pucker factor” stock market chaos. If you were invested in stocks, then you would have lost around 2.5% last week. But if you were in gold, then you would have gained a bit. I believe that spot gold may be north of $1,400 per troy ounce by the end of November if the stock market turbulence continues. One indicator: Watch China.  If the Chinese stock market continues to tank, then gold should do well.

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Gold Keeps Modest Gains As U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Rise By 5K

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Gold Is Doing What It’s Supposed To As Equities Correct – Analysts

 

Cryptos (Cryptocurrency Stability):

With seemingly all eyes on volatility in the equities markets last week, mostly ignored was some apparent short term stability in the crypto world, to wit:

$100 Doldrums: Bitcoin’s Price Is Stuck In Its Tightest Range Since 2017

JWR’s Comments: Could this indicate a “base” building for another big pre-winter run-up, like we witnessed last December?  (December of 2017.) One thing seems fairly certain to: If there is a major U.S. stock market collapse, then a lot of panicky people will be pouring money into both precious metals and into cryptos.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday – October 28, 2018

This is the birthday of Eliphalet Remington (October 28, 1793 – August 12, 1861), who designed the Remington rifle and founded what is now known as the Remington Arms Company.

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SurvivalBlog would like to welcome one of our newest advertisers, Ammo.com. Be sure to check out their products and take advantage of their special 10% discount for SurvivalBlog readers, for orders of $200 or more.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 79 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. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site, and
  6. 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).

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 79 ends on November 30th, 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.

Planning Scenario Number One- Part 2, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

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With a well-funded overthrow of the U.S. government since Trump’s election underway, there is reason to prepare for consequences that might come. In part 1 of this article, I went through some of the potential scenarios should the Liberal Left gain power and international powers react. There are also internal conflicts to consider as well. I outlined what difference all of this makes to prepping and things to consider. Let me continue.

Not Seen As A “Black Swan”

I don’t see this as a “Black Swan”; I see this as an “Unfolding Disaster”. See my previous articles (Forecasting Disaster Part 1 and Part 2 ). This is a disaster that’s been coming for a long time and that we’ve had a lot of warning about. Unfortunately, I don’t think that “Joe Prepper” is prepared for a worst-case scenario like this. My impression is that Joe is expecting a few weeks-to-months of scary unpleasantness and inconvenience with a gradual return to “normal” in a few months. (Don’t get me wrong. This is a good article and a good start for beginners.)

I’ve read a lot of prepper fiction, to analyze their scenarios and how our family prepping stacks up. And I can’t recall anyone’s scenario approaching this, except possibly The Days of Noah series by Goodwin.

Continue reading“Planning Scenario Number One- Part 2, by ShepherdFarmerGeek”

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, a SurvivalBlog reader writes in asking for your opinion on whole house water filtration.

Firearms in Vehicles

A Pennsylvania State Representative has introduced H.B. 2669 which would prohibit a person from carrying a loaded firearm in any vehicle with some exceptions related to game hunting, law enforcement, military personnel and security drivers. Using the standard anti-gun rhetoric of “common sense gun safety”, she has decided that your ability to protect yourself while traveling is unimportant. The statistically insignificant incident of road rage that is being targeted is more important that your ability to defend yourself and/or your family while in your car.

I notice that the significant number of defensive uses of firearms carried while in vehicles is strangely absent from your statistics. Thankfully, I live in a state where your vehicle is just an extension of your home as it should be. Hopefully, voters will remember her actions come re-election time. Thanks to DSV for the link.

Get Government Out of Your Life

Reader H.L. sent in this excellent article on how to minimize the impact of government on your life. Interestingly, the premise is mostly just to ignore them. Of course, the author isn’t talking about those IRS notices demanding their protection money or the police car with flashing lights behind you. Rather, they are talking about government intrusion into your normal life. In the words of the infamous Rahm Emanuel: “You never want a serious crises to go to waste”. Government has a habit of capitalizing on emotion and stepping in “to help”. Don’t let them help. Move on. The statistics given on deaths attributed to terrorism in the U.S. are appalling compared to deaths by cop, or traffic accidents, yet look which one gets more headlines and imposes more invasive restrictions on your travel.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” – 2 Peter 2:4-9 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday – October 27, 2018

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October 27th, 1858 was the birthday of President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. (He died January 6, 1919.)

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 79 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. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site, and
  6. 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).

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 79 ends on November 30th, 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.

Planning Scenario Number One- Part 1, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

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What follows is my humble attempt at drawing connections between deep threads in world events. The links I’ve provided are just tiny samples of the information that is available online. This isn’t meant to be a thoroughly-documented report, but one potential scenario that some might have overlooked in the current enthusiasm for our new president. Some of this is a bit dated, but it points to the general reaction of Trump as president. This is my family’s current “Planning Scenario Number One,” and the pieces of the puzzle that fit so far.

A Serious, Well-Funded Move To Overthrow Trump Administration

It seems, so far, that there’s a serious, well-funded move to overthrow the new Trump administration, and finally let the economy collapse that the PTB have been frantically propping up all these years:

Take a look at these articles:

Continue reading“Planning Scenario Number One- Part 1, by ShepherdFarmerGeek”

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. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also often share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, 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 the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

JWR

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers:

All is well at the Rawles Ranch. We now feel ready for winter.  This week I didn’t accomplish much outdoors other than tarping the open end of our hay barn, to protect our stacked hay from any upcoming rain that gets blown sideways. So I’ll leave most of the commentary for this past week up to my lovely wife…

Avalanche Lily Reports:

Dear SurvivalBlog readers,

This week was a very quiet beautiful late Fall week. We had guests over the weekend, whom we toured around to all of the local sites.  On Monday, I took them for a paddle down our river.  It was a gloriously sunny fall day with just spectacular fall foliage colors.

Monday afternoon was spent in the school books with the kids.  Tuesday morning and afternoon, were all about school, house cleaning and preparing to can Salsa with some friends on Wednesday.

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

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”. Israel is under attack yet again by Hamas.

Israel Under Attack

Pat Cascio, SurvivalBlog’s Senior Field Gear Editor, sent in this article showing yet another attack on Israel from Gaza. There are several videos in the article that show the Iron Dome defense system being deployed against multiple inbound rockets. Witnesses claim that there were tens of dozens of rockets launched in an attempt to overwhelm the Iron Dome defense system. Some rockets landed successfully while ten were intercepted. Sadly, even the intercepted rockets can do damage as there is debris falling from every collision. The Israeli Air Force struck 80 Hamas targets in retaliation and the government is asking citizens not to gather in groups larger than 100 in open areas or larger than 500 in closed areas.

Group Think Guide

Reader D.B. showed just how far the PC culture has gone. This is a group think guide for using “inclusive language” and vocabulary in startups and tech companies. This is the level of speech policing now happening in Silicon Valley/San Francisco. This, by the way, is the end result of public school indoctrination that the country has suffered under for years.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” – Genesis 18:10-14 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday – October 26, 2018

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October 26th is the anniversary of the death of American-born RLI Trooper Joseph Patrick Byrne, in Rhodesia, in 1978.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 79 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. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site, and
  6. 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).

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 79 ends on November 30th, 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.

Some Lessons Are Learned Too Late For Some Of Us, by Old Bobbert

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There are some lessons that I’ve learned in my life. I will start out by sharing some of the problems I see and their solutions. Then, we’ll move on from there.

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

Preparation is key. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Without it, there is trouble. Here are some problems that occur and solutions that can resolve them.

#1 Problem/Solution

#1 Problem: There are powerful and extremely dangerous storms moving inland from the Atlantic. The Solution: None.

#2 Problem/Solution

#2 Problem: Five million people were ordered by the state government to evacuate the southern half of Florida. Their numbers include the ready and the not ready, the good and the bad, and the well and the sick, and also the elderly and the children. There is no place anywhere in the entire nation capable of receiving and providing sustenance for five million homeless refugees. The Solution: None.

#3 Problem/Solution

#3 Problem: There is absolutely zero methods available to safely transport and re-inter the Florida state-wide 115,000 population currently being held in jails and prisons. The Solution: None.

Continue reading“Some Lessons Are Learned Too Late For Some Of Us, by Old Bobbert”

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.) Today’s focus is on Marlin Rifles. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

It comes as no surprise that just as the stock market was  in its “orderly decline” on Wednesday, spot gold jumped $15 per Troy ounce.

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Pending Trifecta Of Love Trade, Fear Trade And Inflation Will Make Today’s Metals Prices Look Like Bargains

 

Economy & Finance:

Aha! Higher interest rates are now being felt, in earnest: U.S. new home sales near two-year low as mortgages rates rise

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Some ominous news at Zero Hedge: Over Half Of America Gets More In Welfare Than It Pays In Taxes

 

Stocks:

Wednesday: Stocks fall, Dow sheds more than 150 points. Meanwhile, S&P 500 dropped 85 points (3.1%).  There was then a rebound on Thursday of around 1.6% on the DJIA and 1.8% on the S&P. But the turmoil is far from over. Look for increasingly volatile equities markets this fall and winter. I’m confident that you all have your stop loss orders in place, Right?

Friday Morning Update: Dow erases gains for the year, tumbles more than 600 points as stocks extend October swoon

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Hoarding cash grows in popularity as market volatility increases

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

1

“I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.” – George Washington, in a circular letter

Preparedness Notes for Thursday – October 25, 2018

1

This is the birthday of explorer and pilot Admiral Richard Byrd (1888–1957). His autobiography titled Alone is a must-read.

o o o

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 79 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. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site, and
  6. 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).

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 79 ends on November 30th, 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.