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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at Government Spending and Deficit Reduction.

Precious Metals:

Spot gold just posted another record high, yesterday. It was up $51.20 to $2,844.70 per Troy ounce at mid-day. That was a 1.8% gain for the morning.   Meanwhile, spot silver jumped $1.02 to $31.77. That was a 3.3% gain for the morning. Platinum was up 4.9% to $994.50. I expect to see some profit taking on Friday. Hang in there for the long haul, folks. The bull market is far from over.  And FWIW, I still favor silver and platinum, over gold. I hope that you reallocated your metals portfolio as I suggested. – JWR

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China Continues Making Covert Gold Purchases in London.

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Global Silver Market Forecast to Remain in a Sizeable Deficit in 2025.

Economy & Finance:

The on-again, off-again FinCEN small business owner-reporting scheme (“Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”) is back on again, after a Supreme Court ruling. JWR Adds: We’ll post the new self-reporting deadline, once it is firmly announced. (At last report, the FinCen gnomes were just accepting “Voluntary Submissions” and they hadn’t set a deadline.)

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AOL reports: China’s DeepSeek prompts global sell-off in AI-linked stocks.

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Wall Street Enters Darker Age With Most Stock Trading Hidden.

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Warren Buffett Sends Wall Street a Grim $127 Billion Warning: History Says the Stock Market Will Do This in 2025.

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Working Americans Turn to Food Banks as Fed Inflation Battle Drags On. JWR’s Comments:  If the Federal Reserve cartel really wanted to “fight” inflation, then it would simply stop expanding the money supply through fractional reserve banking.  We need to abolish the Fed!

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day: 

“One thing I hate about the New Deal is that it is killing what, to me, is the American pioneering spirit. I simply do not know what to tell my own boys, leaving school and confronting this new world whose ideal is Security and whose practice is dependence upon government instead of upon one’s self. All the old character-values seem simply insane from a practical point of view; the self-reliant, the independent, the courageous man is penalized from every direction.” – Rose Wilder Lane

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — January 30, 2025

On January 30, 1835 two single-shot muzzleloading pistols carried by Richard Lawrence both misfired when aimed at President Andrew Jackson in Washington, D.C.. This was the first recorded attempt at an assassination of a US President.

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“The Lone Ranger” debuted on WXYZ radio in Detroit on January 30, 1933. The masked vigilante lawman and his Native sidekick, Tonto, became a dynamic duo of multimedia fame.

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January 30th is the birthday of historian Barbara Tuchman (born 1912, died February 6, 1989). She wrote some very engaging history books.

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January 30th is also the anniversary of the 1945 Great Raid on Cabanatuan Prison Camp where US Army Rangers and Filipino Guerrillas liberated Allied prisoners. The book Rescue At Los Baños, by historian and bestselling author Bruce Henderson is fascinating reading. And the movie The Great Raid was loosely based on the history of the raid.

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Just one day left! In honor of the birthday of John Moses Browning (January 23rd, 1855), we are running a 10-day sale at Elk Creek Company.  This January sale is always our biggest sale of the year. These discounts range from 10% to 40%. All of our gun and knife inventory has been deeply reduced until Friday, January 31st, 2025.  I’ve just added two more antique guns to the inventory:  A Colt Model 1894 double action revolver and a W. Jeffery 12 gauge double-barrel  shotgun with new factory fluid steel barrels. Don’t miss out on these Browning Birthday Week sale prices!

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Today’s feature article is a guest post that was written by JWR’s #1 Son, Jonathan Rawles.  It is not part of the writing contest judging.

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We are now seeking entries for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. That round will begin on February 1st, 2025. More than $945,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 116 ends on January 31st. Get busy writing and e-mail us your entry fro Round 117. 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.

 

 

Today’s feature article is a guest post that was written by JWR’s #1 Son, Jonathan Rawles.  It is not part of the writing contest judging.

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We are now seeking entries for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. That round will begin on February 1st, 2025. More than $945,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 116 ends on January 31st. Get busy writing and e-mail us your entry fro Round 117. 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.

 

A Red State Manifesto: Two Americas in 2025 – Part 3, by Jonathan Rawles

(Continued from Part 2. This concludes the article.)

Red State Prospects

It seems almost redundant to try to list the benefits and advantages of “red state living.” Red America is vast and offers opportunities for every climate, lifestyle, regional culture, and personal preference or situation.

Red State America includes something of everything of America:

– Mountain West logging and mining towns. Lakeside resort towns. Ranching country. Vast empty spaces. Arizona sunshine.
– Midwest and Plains Americana, from small farming towns to prospering cities. The Great Lakes. America’s historic manufacturing and agricultural heartland.
– Texas, a nation to itself. The economic center of Red America, in the Texas Triangle.
– The Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their many tributaries.
– Eastern mountains and farmland. Appalachia and the “Eastern Redoubt.”
– The South. Florida. The Gulf Coast and Southeastern Coast.Continue reading“A Red State Manifesto: Two Americas in 2025 – Part 3, by Jonathan Rawles”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, reports on a couple of Chinese cyber advances.

A Major Kansas TB Outbreak

Recently reported by USA Today: Kansas tuberculosis outbreak is now America’s largest in recorded history.

COVID Vax Has Psychological Effects

SurvivalBlog reader D.S.V. sent this: Major Study Confirms Covid ‘Vaccines’ Change People’s Personalities, Emotions.

China’s Escalating Cyberattacks on Japan and US

An Epoch Times article, by way of Zero Hedge: Experts Warn Of China’s Escalating Cyberattacks On Japan And US Defenses. The article begins:

“Chinese cyberattacks on Japan’s defense, aerospace, and advanced technology sectors are increasing at an alarming rate, indicating what experts refer to as a broader strategy to undermine the technological and military strengths of democratic nations, particularly the United States.

The Japanese National Police Agency (NPA) has reported 210 such incursions since 2019, fueling calls for tougher legal frameworks and closer international coordination to protect critical infrastructure.

The NPA identified the hacker group MirrorFace, which shares traits with Advanced Persistent Threat 10, or APT10, a group linked to China’s Ministry of State Security. The agency noted that the timing of the cyberattacks frequently coincided with standard working hours in China and excluded Chinese holidays, leading authorities to believe that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been supporting such attacks.”

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

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — January 29, 2025

On January 29, 1879 the Custer Battlefield National Monument was established in Montana.

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Today is the birthday of actor Tom Selleck (born 1945), best known for playing the title role of Magnum, P.I. He is an avid shooter and quite pro-gun.

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Today is also the birthday of journalist and inventor Thomas Paine (1737–1809.)

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Just a few days left! In honor of the birthday of John Moses Browning (January 23rd, 1855), we are running a 10-day sale at Elk Creek Company.  This January sale is always our biggest sale of the year. These discounts range from 10% to 40%. All of our gun and knife inventory has been deeply reduced only until Friday, January 31st, 2025.  Don’t miss out on these Browning Birthday Week sale prices!

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Today’s feature article is a guest post that was written by JWR’s #1 Son, Jonathan Rawles.  It is not part of the writing contest judging.

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We are now seeking entries for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. That round will begin on February 1st, 2025. More than $945,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 116 ends on January 31st. Get busy writing and e-mail us your entry fro Round 117. 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.

 

A Red State Manifesto: Two Americas in 2025 – Part 2, by Jonathan Rawles

(Continued from Part 1.)

Political Migration: Origins of the Big Sort

In 2008, demographers Bill Bishop and Robert G. Cushing put a name to a trend that had been going on in America since the 1960s with their book The Big Sort. The authors’ contention is that Americans are sorting themselves geographically and that as a consequence, all areas are becoming more politically polarized.

In their model, people do not necessarily move for explicitly political reasons, but based on lifestyle and cultural choices, which tend to correlate with political outlooks. As they describe it: “People who move to Portland want good public transportation and city life. People who don’t give a hoot about those things migrate to Phoenix, suburban Dallas, south of Minneapolis, or north of Austin.”Continue reading“A Red State Manifesto: Two Americas in 2025 – Part 2, by Jonathan Rawles”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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This article was posted back in December: Costco now has truncated book sections at only 100 of their 600 stores. JWR’s Comment:  The good old days of book shopping at Costco (as pictured above), are over. I suppose this change explains why Costco did not place a repeat order for my book The Ultimate Prepper’s Survival Guide from Thunder Bay Press, even though the first printings sold out very quickly. That book was primarily sold through Costco.

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Over at the WRSA site: Buppert Sends: Memo To DOGE. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog reader Tim J. for the link.)

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Legal Victory Secured for Young Adults in Pennsylvania Open Carry Case.

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PayPal Admits Freezing Account Over Covid Mandate Criticism.  JWR’s Comment:  Personally, as someone who was de-banked without any explanation or warning by my regional bank (headquartered in Las Vegas), I can relate to the experiences of those who were targeted by PayPal. De-banking is beyond just inconvenient. It is stifling!

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Blog reader D.S.V. suggested this: Limiting Ultra-Processed Foods This Year? Experts Recommend Starting With These Three.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — January 28, 2025

On January 28, 1813, Jane Austen‘s “Pride and Prejudice” was first published by Thomas Egerton in the United Kingdom.

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January 28th is the anniversary of the rescue of General James L. Dozier from his Italian Red Brigades kidnappers. Tangentially, Colonel Jeff Cooper created a shooting drill in honor of those who freed him – The Dozier Drill.

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Today’s feature article is a guest post that was written by JWR’s #1 Son, Jonathan Rawles.  It is not part of the writing contest judging.

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We are now seeking entries for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. That round will begin on February 1st, 2025. More than $945,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 116 ends on January 31st. Get busy writing and e-mail us your entry fro Round 117. 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.

A Red State Manifesto: Two Americas in 2025 – Part 1, by Jonathan Rawles

The Landscape

In 2025, the divide between red states and blue states has not gone away, but only become more distinct. The decisive results of the 2024 election saw all the swing states shift significantly toward the Republican candidate, and even typically “purple” metros like Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Houston voted for Trump. This victory has further cemented the idea of Red America as a distinct entity, directly opposed to what is happening in Blue America. It’s a clear cultural and political divide cutting across the country.

The electoral map makes this abundantly clear: The core of America is firmly conservative, while the Pacific and north and central Atlantic coasts (along with Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, and Illinois) are still dominated by the progressive agenda.

Over the past decades, this divide has become more and more pronounced. Numerous commentators and analysts have pointed out the growing divide. Bill Bishop first brought it to national attention with his 2008 book *The Big Sort*, and it’s been an ongoing topic of discussion with every election since.

However, the overwhelming support for Trump’s second term slightly muted the divide in this election. In 2024, every single state and 90% of all counties had a more Republican vote, and Democratic margins were narrower in every state. While this did not erase or reverse the divide overall, it does paint a hopeful picture of future gains for conservatives.Continue reading“A Red State Manifesto: Two Americas in 2025 – Part 1, by Jonathan Rawles”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, a round-up on winter sports in the American Redoubt.

Idaho

Funky Towns & Awesome Skiing – Northern Idaho Ski Resorts.

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Southern Idaho Skiing & Snowboarding Road Trip.  Here is a quote:

“SKI Magazine ranked Sun Valley the #1 resort for the 2020 season and if you have ever skied here you know why. It isn’t the 2,434 ski able acres and 3,400 vertical feet, “What seems to capture the hearts of most visitors right off the bat is the authentic Western town of Ketchum that anchors the ski resort” said SKI Magazine.  Sun Valley has a rich and storied history, but also looks forward with recent investments and innovations including a terrain expansion this season of over 380 acres of expert terrain, featuring chutes, glades and bowls, called Sunrise, and new high-speed quad chairlift named Broadway. Sun Valley has terrain for everyone from the beginner slopes over on Dollar to the leg burners on Baldy as well as plenty off mountain activities to keep everyone entertained no matter how long your stay.”

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In McCall: 2025 Bring Back Biathlon.

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Video: Idaho’s Impossible Rainforest. JWR’s Comments:  Though the commentator oversimplifies much of the history of the region, he does make some valid points. He also glosses over the fact that the B.C. government plans to kill moose, mountain lions, and bears, ostensibly to save caribou.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

Preparedness Notes for Monday — January 27, 2025

On January 27, 1649: The English High Court of Justice found King Charles I  “…guilty of the crimes of which he had been accused, did judge him tyrant, traitor, murderer, and public enemy to the good people of the nation, to be put to death by the severing of his head from his body.”

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January 27th 1880: Patent No. 223,898 was granted to Thomas A. Edison for “an electric lamp for giving light by incandescence.”

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In honor of the birthday of John Moses Browning (January 23rd, 1855), we are running a 10-day sale at Elk Creek Company.  This January sale is always our biggest sale of the year. These discounts range from 10% to 40%. All of our gun and knife inventory has been deeply reduced until Friday, January 31st, 2025.  Don’t miss out on these Birthday Week sale prices! By the way, if you’d like to pay in pre-1965 U.S. junk silver coins, just select “cash or check” in our automated ordering system but then divide the total for your order by 22.5 and mail us that face value in silver coins.  (Triple-wrapped in plastic in a well-padded sturdy box, insured.)  You can round down to the nearest 10 cents. For example, a $395 rifle would cost just $17.50 face value in pre-1965 quarters.

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Today’s feature article is a review penned by SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Christianson.

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We are in need of entries for Round 116 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $935,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 116 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.