Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – August 15, 2018

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On August 15, 1961, two days after sealing off free passage between East and West Berlin with barbed wire, East German authorities began building a wall–the Berlin Wall–to permanently close off access to the West. For the next 28 years, the heavily fortified Berlin Wall stood as the most tangible symbol of the Cold War–a literal “iron curtain” dividing Europe. The wall has now been torn down for longer than it stood, but the scars in memory are still there.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 78 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 transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

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, 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).

Round 78 ends on September 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.

Utilizing a Self-Directed IRA: A Case Study in Investing Outside of Wall Street- Part 2, by J.J.

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In a conversation with a successful and well off friend, I discovered that it was possible to invest outside of Wall Street. I had experienced the extreme fluctuations of economic bubbles and wanted something more secure as I planned for retirement. After learning more about his approach, I took baby steps to reevaluate my own investment approach to move toward a self-directed IRA. In part 1, I shared the first step toward a self-directed IRA for investing outside of Wall Street to achieve greater safety and diversification and now let’s move forward.

Following the Wisdom of a King

In the book of Ecclesiastes– one of King Solomon’s books of wisdom in the old testament– Solomon gives us investment advice, not only for our wealth but also for how to spend our lives here on earth. The wealthiest man to ever live directs us to diversify in chapter 11, verse 1-2. In verse 4, he chides us to get off our butts and get the work done.

“He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.”

Don’t let the noise and apprehensions of the day keep you paralyzed like a deer in the headlights, keeping you from diligence in your work. Mostly, though, the preacher Solomon extolls us that all of life here under the sun is vanity and striving after the wind. Only a life devoted to God and knowing Christ can give Life, and to the fullest, in our days here on earth, under the sun.

Baby Steps Out the Door

I determined to move 40% of my overall balance into a self-directed IRA. The only current investment target for my self-directed IRA was gold and silver. I would pursue farmland and multifamily housing only if I could find what I felt was a purchase with good value.

Continue reading“Utilizing a Self-Directed IRA: A Case Study in Investing Outside of Wall Street- Part 2, by J.J.”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest 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 the economic crisis in Turkey.  (See the Economy & Finance section and the Forex section.)

 

Precious Metals:

Gold price logs first gain in 4 sessions, but still near 1½-year low as Turkey turmoil fades

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Jim Wykcoff: Good Sign For Gold Bulls: Gains Despite Greenback Rally

 

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 White Ox Work Gloves. (See the Gear section.)

 

Books:

Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values

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Fall and Winter Gardening: 25 Organic Vegetables to Plant and Grow for Late Season Food

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To Kill a Mockingbird. It is amazing that a novel that has been in print for so many years is presently ranked #21 at Amazon.com!  This book gives new meaning to the term “perennial classic.”

 

Movies:

The Ninth Day. Available on DVD or for free streaming to those with Amazon Prime.

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Sahara. Consider this purely entertainment–not a tactics lesson!

 

Continue reading“JWR’s Recommendations of the Week”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“For those of us fighting for our traditional rights, the USA’s ‘2nd Amendment’ is a rare light in an ever darkening room. Governments will use the excuse of trying to protect the people from maniacs and crime, but are in reality, it is the bureaucrats protecting their power and position. In all cases where guns are banned, gun crime continues and often increases. As for maniacs, be it nuts with cars (NYC, Chapel Hill NC), swords (Japan), knives (China) or home made bombs (everywhere), insane people strike. They throw acid (Pakistan, UK), they throw fire bombs (France), they attack. What is worse, is, that the best way to stop a maniac is not psychology or jail or “talking to them“, it is a bullet in the head, that is why they are a maniac, because they are incapable of living in reality or stopping themselves.

The excuse that people will start shooting each other is also plain and silly. So it is our politicians saying that our society is full of incapable adolescents who can never be trusted? Then, please explain how we can trust them or the police, who themselves grew up and came from the same culture?

No it is about power and a total power over the people. There is a lot of desire to bad mouth the Tsar, particularly by the Communists, who claim he was a tyrant, and yet under him we were armed and under the progressives disarmed.

Do not be fooled by a belief that progressives, leftists hate guns. Oh, no, they do not. What they hate is guns in the hands of those who are not marching in lock step of their ideology. They hate guns in the hands of those who think for themselves and do not obey without question. They hate guns in those whom they have slated for a barrel to the back of the ear.

So, Americans listen up, do not fall for the false promises and do not extinguish the light that is left to allow humanity a measure of self respect.” – Stanislav Mishin, December 27, 2012

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – August 14, 2018

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August 14th, 1945 was Victory In Japan (“V-J”) Day. There are several days used for this celebration though. The actual announcement was on August 15th, but due to the time difference, August 14th is often used. Some also celebrate the day when the actual accord was signed on September 2nd.

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Seed for Security, LLCis having an exceptional sale. Their Colossal Security Pack is now 15% off. This pack is a total of 7 pounds of vegetable, herb, and grain seed. All are open pollinated and non GMO. Included are their most popular collections: The Super Security Pack, the 4 Grain Collection, and the Heirloom Herb Collection. Each Colossal Pack comes with a 4 page Seed Saving Guide. This offer is for a limited time.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 78 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 transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

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, 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).

Round 78 ends on September 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.

Utilizing a Self-Directed IRA: A Case Study in Investing Outside of Wall Street- Part 1, by J.J.

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Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 ASV

Author’s Note

Please note that this is only an example of my utilization of a Self Directed IRA, albeit in a minimal manner, to diversify investments into hard assets. This is not meant to give investment advice to anyone, and your decision to pursue this option should be done with careful scrutiny of the IRS rules governing this type of IRA. Very careful consideration should be given in regard to prohibited investments, prohibited transactions, and prohibited parties defined by the IRS code. Not adhering to these can be disastrous to your investment goals.

A Little Background

Having spent 25 years in corporate Fortune 500 America, my wife and I were looking forward to a transition into a much less frantic “retirement job”. Aiming down the road 3-5 years, our timeline came early when I found myself “RIFed” out of a job at age 55. Having lived a fairly conservative lifestyle, my wife and I were, for the most part, prepared for a reduction in family income. However, further adjustments to our budget and planning were still necessary. Several years previous, my wife and I had attended Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University” at our church. We had offered it to all our kids and decided we would attend with them as well. Ramsey’s direction on debt, saving, and investing is almost unique these days, and it’s certainly counter to today’s culture of spend, spend, spend. What a blessing Dave’s program has been for the entire family!

Continue reading“Utilizing a Self-Directed IRA: A Case Study in Investing Outside of Wall Street- Part 1, by J.J.”

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 Eastern Oregon Data Centers. (See the Eastern Oregon section.)

 

Idaho

I heard that Seekins Precision (in Lewiston, Idaho) has just added some great .224 Valkyrie uppers and complete rifles to their product line. Note: When I last checked, their web site had not yet been updated to show their new .224 Valkyrie products. So call them for details.

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Final plan for central Idaho wilderness area approved

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Two Idaho men to stay free after time served in Bundy standoff

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Good Growth or Good Grief?

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Bank robberies are a real rarity for North Idaho: Shots fired at CDA bank, suspect died at the scene (But good marksmanship is hardly a rarity, in the Redoubt.)

 

Montana

Service from the Saddle. Forty-five years after the first Back Country Horsemen chapter formed in Columbia Falls, members across the nation remain faithful to the founding principle of prioritizing service to the resource

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Road Kill and Recovery: Record grizzly bear mortalities and removals tallied this year in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem

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Kootenai Forest Fire Grows 1,200 Acres Overnight

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There’s Bitcoin Gold in Them Thar Hills–Cryptocurrency miners reveal the site selection process that led them to Montana.

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”.

Gun Owners and the Deep State

Gun owners are increasingly violating firearms laws and their numbers are expanding, but not for the reason that the media wants you to think. They are both willfully and/or unwillfully violating these laws because the number of laws outlawing certain firearms or accessories are increasing. This isn’t the result of a violent crime wave, but because they continue to possess things that the government has deemed “bad” and doesn’t want them to possess anymore. The true numbers are unknown, but examples are the Connecticut legislature that passed the ridiculous “assault weapon” ban registration that really targets semi-auto sporting rifles that just look like an assault rifle. Estimates put the number of compliant owners at only 15%. All others are now felons. Thanks to DSV for the link.

Overloaded Hospitals

As America slowly slips towards a single payer health system, we should look towards the UK as an example of what to expect. The official reports are out and it’s clear that socialized medicine cannot handle the patient load. Last year, UK hospitals were plauged with long wait times, delayed procedures and an overstressed medical workforce. A particularly virulent strain of influenza hit Britain and overwhelmed their hospitals. One doctor described the situation as “patients literally everywhere” and noted that they would not have been able to get a cardiac arrest patient through the hallways. Patients routinely wait 18 weeks or more for critical procedures. Thanks to T.Z. for the link.

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

SIG Sauer P220 Desert Model, by Pat Cascio

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I’m a real sucker for super-accurate handguns, and the SIG Sauer line-up has always proven themselves in this respect. We tested the P220 Desert model .45 ACP handgun from SIG and found it to be a winner.

Impressed with SIG Sauer P220 Imported Under Browning Name

I’ll admit, I haven’t always been on top of the firearms game, when it came to the newest models out there. Even today, I don’t have the time to browse every gun maker’s website once a week or so to see what is new and exciting. I obtained my first FFL in 1980 and started out just doing gunsmithing, but eventually I got into buying and selling firearms. It was during this time that a customer asked me to order them a Browning BDA .45 ACP! I have to admit, I didn’t know what kind of pistol that was, until I actually received it for the customer. It was a SIG Sauer P220 .45 ACP handgun that was being imported under the Browning name. I was more than a little impressed with this fine handgun when it arrived.

The Best P220 To Date

Fast forward a few years later. I became a huge SIG Sauer fan and have probably owned just about every type of handgun they made. The newest models are all that much better than the previous models, if you ask me. I’ve owned more than a couple of the “regular” SIG P220 .45 ACP handguns, new and used, and they were all good shooters, never missing a beat. However, not long ago, I spied a new P220 model in my local gun shop and had to have it. I did a trade, of course, since I don’t have that kind of money in my pocket, ever! I came home with the new SIG Sauer P220 .45 ACP “Desert” model, and it is the best P220 to date, if you ask me.

Continue reading“SIG Sauer P220 Desert Model, by Pat Cascio”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest 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 the dying currencies of the present day.  (See the Forex section.)

 

Precious Metals:

John Rubino: Spectacular Gold COT Report: Prepare For A Huge Six Months

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Gary Wagner of Kitco: You Say Good Buy, I Say Heck No

 

Stocks:

Next, from David Borun, at Zacks: Is Elon Musk Crazy, or Crazy Like a Fox?

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At the Charles Schwab site, Randy Frederick opines: Trader’s Outlook for August 10, 2018: Technical resistance strikes again

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Here is encouragement to prayer. There is no cause for fearing that the petitions of the righteous will not be heard, or that their sighs and tears shall escape the notice of God, since He knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. There is no danger of the individual saint being overlooked amidst the multitude of supplicants who daily and hourly present their various petitions, for an infinite Mind is as capable of paying the same attention to millions as if only one individual were seeking its attention.” – Arthur W. Pink, The Attributes of God