Economics & Investing For Preppers

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 long-banned R-12 refrigerant.  (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

Precious Metals:

U.S. Mint Posts Weakest Coin Sales In A Decade As Gold Prices Rise

 

Stock Markets:

A record year for the S&P 500: The index finished 2017 with 12 months of gains

 

Commodities:

Oil Hits Highest Since Mid-2015, Then Dips
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 Darn Tough brand socks.  (See the Gear section.)

 

Books:

The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: KJV Edition, Hardbound

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Here is the latest from hard sci-fi novelist Andy Weir (the author of The Martian–which became a quite popular movie): Artemis: A Novel

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The Winter Harvest Handbook: Year Round Vegetable Production Using Deep-Organic Techniques and Unheated Greenhouse

Movies:

After umpteen recommendations from family and friends, I finally had the chance to see the movie Hacksaw Ridge. The combat scenes are brutally realistic, but the movie has a great message.  I highly recommend it to all adults.  It is not for kids!

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Sophie Scholl: The Finals Days. This is a good dramatization on the capture, interrogation, trial and execution of a White Rose German resistance movement leader. This was produced in German, with passable English subtitles. It is available on DVD, or free streaming to those with Amazon Prime.

 

Continue reading“JWR’s Recommendations of the Week”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day

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“There’s an ugly, unavoidable reckoning building. The cynic in me says however remote you are, or self-sufficient you are, however well-appointed your hidey-hole, however much ammo you have, however deep your deep larder, however much training and comms and meds you have, it probably ain’t enough for what’s coming.”  – Blogger Ol’ Remus, in his Yer Ol’ Woodpile Report

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – January 02, 2018

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January 2nd, 1776 is the anniversary of the first revolutionary flag to be displayed. Also on this date in 1936, the first night vision electron tube was revealed in St. Louis, Missouri.

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We are currently working on the 2017 SurvivalBlog Archive and hope to have information about it up within the week.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features another entry for Round 74 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. 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:

  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:

  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 74 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.

How To Prep For … Throwing In The Towel- Part 1, by DR in Tennessee

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Certainly if you read this blog frequently, you know why and how we prepare. The archives of SurvivalBlog are an unmatched treasure trove of practical and technical survival wisdom. This article is designed to offer practical guidance of another kind. It’s intended to encourage mature individuals to imagine a different type of prepping. I want you to think long and hard about your realistic future as successful long-time preppers. I write this based on personal experience and with firsthand knowledge of the experiences of others who share my age and attitude about preparedness. Those of you who may be relatively new to prepping can benefit from this reading as well because an exit strategy (for you or your heirs) should be part of your overall prepping stratagem, just like having a defensible fallback position if your retreat is overrun by bandits. Like most prepping, this advice is common sense.

Questions

I’ll be asking a lot of questions to help you think through where you, as veteran preppers, are today and where you want to be in say 10 years. Some of us who were full of piss and vinegar 15 years or so ago, when organized “prepping” was in its relative infancy, are getting longer in the tooth. If you fall into this category of aging preppers, I challenge you to do some soul searching.

Continue reading“How To Prep For … Throwing In The Towel- Part 1, by DR in Tennessee”

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 Salmon-Challis National Forest Plan.

Region-Wide

The Redoubt series appears to have been completed at The Sandpoint Reader tabloid newspaper. The latest (last?) installment was: The American Redoubt Series: The anatomy of a one-party state: How Idaho has become more conservative since the 1990s

That article had a bit of a “Sour Grapes” tone to it. The author seems to long for the bygone days of Democrat Governor Cecil Andrus and his cronies.  At least the author conceded that the Republican Party is now firmly controls Idaho’s legislature and governorship. This is in part confirmation that the American Redoubt relocation program is working. We are helping to make what was already a Red State a deeper shade of red. It is also noteworthy that the Redoubt movement is helping to seat more conservative, libertarian-leaning Republican candidates, to replace the old crop of “centrists”. (Some of these politicians were confirmed Republicans in Name Only (RINOs.)

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”. If you have chickens, you are going to want to see the videos on preserving eggs in today’s edition.

Farmers’ Markets are Racist

Two professors at San Diego State University have now criticized the whiteness of farmers’ markets in a chapter of “Just Green Enough”. From reader H.L. “Just when I thought that professors could not say anything more insane, I found this article. Of course, it is The Republic of Kalifornia, but more and more younger people want Socialism, and of course, they have been infected by schools, and their parents are clueless how to raise a child that loves freedom, and really understands the free market, and the evils of socialism/communism. I remember that in Germany of WWII, the teachers were requiring the school children to ‘rat’ on their parents if their parents did not like Hitler! Think it cannot happen here? Something like it is already happening. Some teachers suggesting that children need to “tell” someone in authority if their parents do something they do not like. Examples vary. Children “required” in some schools to answer on paper very intrusive questions about their home lives. The government wants to be in everyone’s life. George Orwell’s ‘1984’ is becoming our reality! We need to get our heads out of the sand.”

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I anticipate with pleasing expectations that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.” – George Washington, from his farewell address, September 17th, 1796

CRKT Crossbones Folder, by Pat Cascio

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Under review is one of the newest folding knives from CRKT. It’s the Crossbones, and it is one dandy gentleman’s folder, too.

Folding Knives

Regular readers will know that I’m a fan of folding knives with a blade between 3.5” and 4”. For my personal taste, that 3.75” blade is about perfect for my daily chores. I like a stout folder, because I never know what kind of chores I might have to use a pocket knife on. However, I certainly do appreciate smaller folders for every day carry as well; they have lots of uses.

Designer Jeff Park in Hawaii

Jeff Park, who resides in Hawaii, is an up and coming knife designer and maker, and he learned quite a bit about designing and making knives from world famous Ken Onion, who also resides in Hawaii. In the past, I interviewed Onion for an article in a knife magazine, and we had a great visit. To be sure, Ken is one wild man to talk to. In any event, Jeff Park learned from one of the best in the business, if you ask me.

Continue reading“CRKT Crossbones Folder, 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 2o17 Stock Rally. (See the Stock Markets section.)

Precious Metals:

Gold Pushes Toward $1,300; Can Rally Continue?

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All Bets On Silver In 2018 – Kitco’s Survey

Stock Markets (2017 Stock Rally):

Over at the CNBC Cheering Section: Strategist Jeff Saut: I’d expect 2018 to almost repeat 2017’s record stock rally. JWR’s Comment: The ongoing 2017 Stock Rally  (called The Icarus Rally, by some) is probably an aberration that won’t continue for all of 2018. If Saut’s prediction proves right, then I’ll eat my hat.  A Qualifier:  I always hedge, so I must clarify that the hat I just  mentioned is my smallest felt cap, so I guess I could cut it up into very small pieces…

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“They never fail who die
In a great cause: the block may soak their gore:
Their heads may sodden in the sun; their limbs
Be strung to city gates and castle walls—
But still their Spirit walks abroad. Though years
Elapse, and others share as dark a doom,
They but augment the deep and sweeping thoughts
Which overpower all others, and conduct
The world at last to Freedom.” – George Gordon, Lord Byron, Marino Faliero

Preparedness Notes for Sunday – December 31, 2017

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December 31st is the birthday of Dr. Cynthia Koelker, SurvivalBlog’s Medical Editor. It is also the birthday of Frederick Selous (born 1851, died 4 January 1917.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 74 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. 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:

  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:

  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 74 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.

The Measure of a Man, by J.H.

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Not too terribly long ago, I was at work and came across a young man. (The word “young” is used as a relative term. I am 37, and this young gentleman was approximately 20.) I work for the U.S. Army on a military installation in CONUS, and this young soldier out of uniform happened into my work area to ask me a question. And the manner in which he asked me the question made my blood boil. It wasn’t that he was disrespectful or rude. By those standards he was completely polite. But he looked at my feet and muttered, and then he repeated the process when I asked him what he said. Having noticed this trend among younger men of late, I couldn’t help but ask him, “Son, didn’t your father ever teach you look a man in the eye and speak up when you’re talking to him?”

Imagine my surprise when the young man literally turned red as a beet, raised his eyes to my chest, and said, “No, Sir, he didn’t.” I was floored. This wasn’t sarcasm or snark. This was legitimate ignorance. I softened my tone and explained the etiquette of the situation, and we moved on. But I began thinking; how many young men out there are not learning from their fathers what it means to be a man? I’m talking about the lessons that now seem obvious and like common sense for those of us fortunate to have been brought up in a world where conversations took place face-to-face and not over text message, but are becoming increasingly lost as our culture automates and emasculates itself.

Continue reading“The Measure of a Man, by J.H.”