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 currency scams.  (See the Forex section.)

Forex (Currency Scams):

In recent months I’ve had several SurvivalBlog readers contact me to mention “investing” in Iraqi Dinars (IQD).  Spurred on by the Internet rumor mill, they are hoping for a huge return on investment, in the event of a revaluation. But I must warn you, folks: Don’t fall for the “insider knowledge” scams that are out there, with scammers selling paper Dinars at inflated rates.  And most of all, don’t confuse revaluation with redenomination. A formal revaluation is highly unlikely. Although a redenomination is indeed likely, it won’t mean that you’ll get any overnight windfall. Quite the contrary! If they drop one, two, or three zeros from the currency, you could lose everything if you miss the recall window to exchange your old bills for the new bills. That window of opportunity could be as short as 30 days. And that exchange will mostly take place inside Iraq. If you miss the window, then all you’ll have is pretty wallpaper. And even if you do successfully trade your old IQD bills for new IQD bills, it will be at best little more than a break-even proposition.

By the way, there have been similar “insider knowledge” currency scams involving Vietnamese Dong and even Zimbabwean Dollars, in recent years. Please do not fall for these scams! If something sounds too good to be true, then odds are, it is.

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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 storage organization. (See the Gear section.)

Books:

The much-awaited new book by Claire Wolfe and Kit Perez titled Basics of Resistance will be released (appropriately) on April 19th. As of April 4th, 2018, the print-on-demand paperback edition is now available for ordering on Amazon.com. There will also be a Kindle book, now available at a special pre-order price of just 99 cents. The Kindle release day will be April 19th. I predict that this book will be in Amazon’s Top 20, even before its release day. Get a copy! Better yet, also order an extra paperback so that you’ll have one to lend out.

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Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry Volume II – Beyond the Basics

 

Movies:

Stasi (2016).  “This definitive documentary reveals the calculated cruelty and brutal repression by the notorious East German secret police, the Stasi. Headed by the sinister Erich Mielke, the Stasi kept the population under constant surveillance. Tapping phones, reading mail, and installing informers, they created a culture of fear and suspicion.”   This documentary is available for free download to Amazon Prime members. Also available on DVD.

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The Debt. (2011) Described as: “Helen Mirren and Tom Wilkinson star in this riveting suspense thriller that Scott Mantz of Access Hollywood calls ‘gripping, smart and unforgettable! A must-see!’ “.  This is a “Get Eichmann” style post-war “Nazi hunters” tale, with a twist. Available on DVD or for free stream for anyone with a subscription to STARZ.

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Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – April 03, 2018

This is the birthday of Washington Irving, an American author, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He is best known for short stories like Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but he also wrote several biographies and served as the U.S. Ambassador to Spain from 1842 to 1846.

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Seed for Security, LLC is having a Special Anniversary Sale. Please join them in celebrating 10 years of their growing business! In appreciation of all their loyal customers they are now offering 15% of ALL of their products. This offer is for a limited time.

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Don’t forget that Ready Made Resources is having a great sale on PVS-14 Autogated 3rd gen white phosphor night vision monocular/wepon sights with a 10 year warranty. It you’ve been waiting for the right time to pick one up, this is an excellent opportunity.

Round 75 Non-Fiction Writing Contest Winners Announced!

We’ve come to the end of Round 75 and these are the editors picks for the winners. If you are one of these winners, please make sure you have sent in your UPS and USPS addresses to SurvivalBlog so that the prizes can be shipped. Any article submitted but not published will be automatically rolled over to Round 75 of the contest.

 

First Prize:

First prize goes to J.M. for “Perspectives on Patrolling-Part 1”, “Part 2”, “Part 3”, “Part 4”, and “Part 5”, published on March 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2018. He will receive the following prizes:

  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. Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value), and
  8. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

Second prize goes to Rector for “Preparing for the Inevitable American Gun Ban- Part 1”, “Part 2”, and “Part 3”, published on February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2018. He will receive the following prizes:

  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 Trekker IV™ Four-Person Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $250 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:

Third prize goes to Grey Woman for “A Few Hard-Learned Lessons- Part 1” and “Part 2”, published on March 24th and 25th, 2018. She will receive the following prizes:

  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).

Honorable Mention

Honorable mention prizes ($30 Amazon.com gift certificates via e-mail) have been awarded to the writers of these fine articles:

Rights vs Duties, by A Modern Stoic

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“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” – 2 Timothy 4:3, the Bible, New International Version

“Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.” – The Second Coming, William Yeats

It seems that human history evolves in continuous cycles of birth, growth, decay and destruction. And the seed of the next society emerges from the ashes of the last. As western civilization dives deeper into the cycle of decay, the mechanisms of propaganda are in full force, as competing tribes increasingly and blatantly use emotional manipulation to drive the populace in the direction they want. As the volume and vitriol rises, polarization increases until there is no longer a center, and even the possibility of dialog and debate is inconceivable.

Rights Debated

In such times where “rights” are increasingly debated and used as clubs against opposing tribes and viewpoints, I must remind myself that “rights” are a fiction. Regardless of how universal they are touted, rights have no meaning outside of the society that has granted them and that has the means and will to provide and enforce them.

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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 the Rajneesh Movement of the 1980s, headquartered near Antelope, Oregon. (See the Eastern Oregon section.)

Idaho

At The Wall Street Journal: Why Pay in Idaho Is Rising at the Fastest Rate in the Nation

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SurvivalBlog readers may not be aware that the same family that owns Naturally Cozy (one of our long time writing contest prize donors) also operates North Idaho Heat, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. They are now the exclusive dealer for the 509 Optimum stove in north Idaho. This model looks a lot like a like a wood stove, but it has more in common with a pellet stove. What makes it truly different is that it only burns compressed logs – which are also made in northern Idaho.

Here is a KXLY television news report that was recently done on the 509 Optimum stove.

The stove was invented by a gent from Hayden, and it is being produced in Post Falls. If SurvivalBlog readers want to order one, they just need to call Jeff at North Idaho Heat. Phone: (208) 946-3651

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Redoubt News reports: Scotchman Peak Opposition Grows

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Also at Redoubt News, there is this from Rep. Heather Scott: 2018 Idaho Legislature Recap-Report

 

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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”. The expected South Africa violence is starting.

London’s Murder Rate

For the first time in over a century, London’s murder rate has overtaken New York City’s. The rise in murders is mostly due to an upswing in knife attacks. While both cities have severe gun control (and have had it for a very long time), it is interesting to note that New York’s is a local ban while London’s is a nation-wide ban. You can still obtain a firearm by driving a short distance in New York (legal issues aside). Also of note is that while firearms are considered the great equalizer when it comes to size and power of opponents, knifes favor the larger more powerful opponent. In essence, gun control has failed miserably in both locations, but London is now considering severe knife controls. Since we all know that only law abiding citizens, by definition, obey the law, criminals will now have a further advantage over their victims in London. Thanks to H.L. for the link.

South Africa Update

As predicted, the violence in South Africa is ratcheting up. A police station was torched in Zwelihle and the police are struggling to maintain order. President Cyril Ramaphosa is holding firm on his drive to expropriate land from whites without compensation. It should be noted that it is not the disafected whites that are driving the violence, but the blacks who are attempting to engage in a violent land invasion. President Ramaphosa promised this wouldn’t happen, but like usual, libtards are out of touch with reality. Thanks to S.M for the links.

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Zero Tolerance 0920, by Pat Cascio

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If you want a custom-quality, harsh-use knife, then the ZT0920 that is under review today, should catch your attention. It is made by Zero Tolerance.

Zero Tolerance Knives

Zero Tolerance (ZT) knives is a division of Kershaw Knives, and they’re made right here in Oregon in the same plant where many Kershaw products are manufactured. Every ZT knife is only made in America. They claim their knives are over-built, and I’m sure not going to argue with ZT about this. We are talking about custom-quality knives that are every bit as well-made as any custom knives I’ve seen. I used to collect custom-made/hand-made knives, so I have something to compare the ZT line to.

Military and Law Enforcement

Those in the military and in law enforcement, who are looking for a knife that will never let them down, look to ZT knives to serve their needs. We are talking about hard-use knives that you can’t afford to have fail you; this pretty much sums up Zero Tolerance knives. However, savvy civilian knife users are also many of the customers that ZT serves.

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Recipe of the Week: Caramel Baked Apples by Grey Woman

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This is one of my favorite ways to use the last of the fall apples once spring comes. You know, these are the ones that have been in storage long enough to be a little too spongy to eat plain but still too good to feed to the critters.

Ingredients:

Baked Apples:

  • 6 Large apples – I prefer Honey Crisp, but go with what you love
  • ¼ lb + 2 Tbsp salted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup chopped nuts – I prefer pecans, but, again, go with what you love
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 2 Tbsp grated orange peel (if using dehydrated orange peel, soak first in apple cider)
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 cup apple cider (you can use water, but cider is yummier)

Continue reading“Recipe of the Week: Caramel Baked Apples by Grey Woman”

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 investing in M1 Garand rifles. (See the Tangibles Investing section, near the end of this column.)

Precious Metals:

The Gold-Silver Ratio Is Not ‘Subject To Any Kind Of Cap’ — ICBC.   JWR’s Comment:  Spot silver is now almost laughably low versus other tangibles. I’m actively buying silver.  Selling Bitcoin on days when it is over $8,000 USD, and then buying physical silver when it is under $16.50 per Troy ounce is just common sense.  And if you can get a coin dealer to sell you silver directly for Bitcoin, then all the better. Three precious metals companies that accept Bitcoin are: APMEX (a long-time SurvivalBlog advertiser), JMBullion, and SilverGoldBull.com. Buy low and sell high, folks.

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Get Ready: ‘Big Breakout For Gold’ Is Coming — Bloomberg Intelligence

Commodities:

New Oilfield Capex To Surpass $800 Billion By 2025

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China’s yuan-denominated oil futures – what took you so long? (From the perspective of a mainland Chinese reporter.)

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The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Each workman would receive two or three important parts and would affix them together and pass them on to the next who would add a part and pass the growing article to another who would do the same … until the complete arm is put together.” – Samuel Colt

Preparedness Notes for Sunday – April 01, 2018

April 1st is  Molly Ivins Day which refers to this key verse: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1 KJV)

April 1st, 1886 was the birthday of Arthur W. Pink, who died 15 July 1952 and was an English Christian evangelist and excellent Reformed Biblical scholar. It was his meticulously referenced arguments in his book, The Soverignty of God, that first convinced JWR of the truth of the doctrine of Election.