The Home You Choose Can Make All of the Difference

If you are buying a new home or thinking about moving, you probably have a list of wants and needs, such as the number of bedrooms, an updated kitchen, or a pool in the backyard. While these things can certainly make your home enjoyable and fit your lifestyle, there are probably some other considerations that you should make as well. Looking beyond the usual things that make a house or property attractive to the average buyer can make all the difference in the world in the event of a crisis. If you have the chance, make it easier to be prepared from the beginning, with your choice of a home.

When it comes to protecting and sustaining your family, choosing a home with the following features whenever possible.

Real Working Fireplace or Wood Stove

A real working fireplace can be a source of heat, as well as a resource for cooking. Our fireplace is deep and came with a swing arm on which we could hang a pot. Along with a fireplace or wood stove, it helps to have a source of wood to fuel it, such as a wooded backyard to free access to collect dead wood off of town or state property.

Adequate Storage Space

Will you have enough storage space to be able to store extra food and tools for survival.  Food especially needs to be keep cool, dry and pest free. The more members of your family there are, the more food storage you will need.

Easy Evacuation

In the event that you will need to One is None: Don’t Ignore the Importance of Redundancy

KiP 2: Finding Accurate, Non-bias News Reports

Knowledge is Power (KiP)  I first saw very bias reporting during my combat tour in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War in 1990/91.  I had been in country for about three months when I had a chance to call home and talk with my mom.  She was telling me things she had seen on CNN and other major news networks and I said WHAT!  And then I told her what was really going on and she said she saw none of that on any of the major news networks.  I realized then that most of the major news networks were bias in not reporting the whole story or the facts.  I further saw more of this bias reporting when I was in Iraq in 2005.  With the exception of Fox News, ABC, CBS, CNN, MSN, NBC and Public Radio only told part of the story and/or part of the truth.  Corporate media only gives you what they want you to know and nothing else.  They also say that the public can’t handle the truth, that we would panic or protest or do the wrong things knowing the truth.  And if you listen and watch them long enough, you will start to believe all their lies and BS.

Making life decisions with all this inaccurate misinformation can cause you extreme hardships and even death.  So getting accurate, informative information is extremely important for making those life decisions about your own preparedness and survival.

So where do you go to get the real story and the un-bias facts on what is really happening here in the U.S. and around the world without reporters trying to blow light where the sun don’t shine?  The following is a list of independent news websites that are not controlled by corporate media.  Read them with an open mind and come to your own conclusions about the truth.

The number one web site that I would recommend would be that of Stan and Holly Deyo.  Interviewed several times on Coast to Coast with George Noory and a co-sponsor for E-Foods Direct, they have a great web site for the latest news headlines from all around the world and on preparedness.  One thing about Holly is she verifies all the news reports for truth and accuracy before she posts the links on their web site.  

http://www.standeyo.com/

Next would be Alex Jones, another co-sponsor for E-Foods Direct.  Alex is a DJ out of Austin Texas and a very tireless investigative reporter who digs for the whole truth and nothing but the truth to inform the public.  He back up all his reports with documented evidence collected by his team investigators.  He is also a producer who has done numerous documentaries to inform and open the eyes of the people on what is really going on with our government and the elite of the world.  He has two very informative websites.

http://www.infowars.net/

http://www.prisonplanet.com/

Along with these great and very informative websites, the following list are several more great websites to get informed on what is really happening here in the U.S. and all around the world, both with the political climate and with the natural climate.

Coast to Coast radio with George Noory

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/

Earth Changes Central

http://earthchangescentral.com/

Freedom 21

http://www.freedom21.com/

Good for the Country

http://www.goodforthecountry.com/

Information Liberation

http://www.informationliberation.com/

John Moore

http://www.thelibertyman.com/

Natural News

http://www.naturalnews.com/Index.html

News Max

http://www.newsmax.com/

Oath Keepers

http://oathkeepers.org/

Sheriff Mack

http://www.sheriffmack.com/

Steve Quayle

http://www.stevequayle.com/

The New American

http://www.thenewamerican.com/

What Does It Mean

http://www.whatdoesitmean.com/

World Net Daily

http://www.wnd.com/

Check these websites out with an open mind and judge for yourself what the real truth is.

The New Soup Lines

Last Sunday our local news here in Sacramento covered a story that was heartwarming, inspiring -and to the discerning eye, a bit frightening.  Over two thousand volunteers donated their time and substance to help the many families who are having difficulty keeping it together during these hard times. The event, dubbed Convoy of Hope, was so large it had to be held at the sprawling California State Fairgrounds, and was sponsored by 250 local churches that provided 400,000 pounds of food and four large truckloads of clothing.  Thirteen dentists and staff offered free dental care, and other professionals provided free haircuts, eye exams, and resume services.

As heartwarming and inspiring as this outpouring was, what I found frightening about it is the clear sign that America is in deeper trouble than many will admit.  This is the third year this event was held, and many of the families waiting in line for hours in near-hundred degree heat were present for their first time.

Until recently, these newcomers had not really known what it was like to be down and out, but now they were really feeling it. I could see from the interviews with some of these folks that it took a certain amount of humility -not to mention resignation- to go on camera and admit to finding themselves newly desperate. Yesterday many of them were normal, middle class folks with a house and a job. Today they don’t know what is going to happen to them next.

I didn’t catch how many thousands of people showed up for the event this year, but 13,000 arrived for help last year, nearly double the number from the year before.  It is clear that things are getting progressively worse for a progressively larger number of people. Convoy of Hope has sprung up in many parts of California and across America. Still, the needs this program fills are only a drop in the bucket.

I am not by nature a pessimist. Really, I’m not. But I do think of myself as a realist and so it irks me to hear the media spout the continuous lie that this “economic downturn,” we are facing is temporary and recovery is just around the corner.

The longer we remain in denial, the longer this will last. We should call this what it is: a severe economic Depression; just as serious as the depression America went through 80 years ago.  The Average Joe doesn’t recognize it as a depression because there are no visible soup lines. But if there are no soup lines, what was that I just witnessed on TV?

During the Great Depression of the 1930′s, churches and charitable organizations would set up Soup Kitchens at churches and other locations where a person could get a bowl of soup and a chunk of bread.  For many people, this was their only meal of the day, and the lines would sometimes stretch for blocks.

To most folks today, it doesn’t look like we’re in a depression because we’re not seeing those soup lines.  But as radio host Alex Jones and others have aptly pointed out, because a majority of the needy are receiving food stamps, those soup lines are invisible. Food stamps and EBT cards are the new soup lines. You can’t readily see America’s new “soup lines,” but they are everywhere.

With over one in ten Americans finding themselves in such straits that they are forced to apply for aid under the food stamp program, the situation in America today is actually a lot more desperate than surface images would indicate.

Just as in the 1930′s, we are in this one for the long haul. There’s no sense hoping the economy will turn around any minute; this is going to take some time, and it is bound to get worse for a lot of us long before it gets better.

This is why I and my fellow bloggers at this site continue to plead about the need to make preparations.  Like I said, I found this report on the Convoy of Hope inspiring, but it also shook me up. For heaven’s sake, do what you can now; get as much storable food as you can manage, even if it doesn’t seem like it will be enough, and especially if you think you can’t afford to.  You must do what you can to provide some kind of a buffer for yourself and your family against what is coming.

The day may soon arrive when food stamps won’t be available; certainly the typical family’s allotment is already insufficient against rising prices.  Those dentists and optometrists who volunteered at Convoy of Hope were sorely needed because California recently had to stop providing dental and eye care to the poor.  California had to drop dental services for the poor because there just isn’t enough money in state coffers. Something had to go; it was either food or dental.

How long, I wonder, will a bankrupt state continue to be able to provide funds for food?  At some point even that will run out.

Meanwhile, those lines are only going to get longer; do what you can now to make sure you won’t have to stand in one.

Previously by Rock: “Is It Worth It To Go To College In Times Like These?”

Protecting your Preparations: Defense options – Guns and Ammo

[This article is part of a series.  If you’re interested in protecting your preparations, that’s GREAT, but please do not start with guns!  Start with keeping quiet, planning to share, or passive defense options.]

A discussion on preparation and emergency preparedness is incomplete without addressing the issue of guns as part of preparedness.  In my last post I explained why guns and ammo are a totally inadequate (and even embarrassing) preparation item on their own…but you can be well prepared and include firearms as part of your preparations.  The decision to own a gun as part of your preparation is a personal decision, and one you will want to consider thoroughly before you buy one.  For some readers, adding a gun (or multiple guns) to your existing emergency preparedness will absolutely be the right thing.  Other readers may not feel comfortable having a gun in their homes.  Both of these options are workable, and you need to do what you feel comfortable with.  Either way, I hope this post will give you some things to think about as you decide whether to own a gun (or guns) as a means of protecting your preparations.

Before You Buy a Gun

1. Know that after an emergency, people may try to collect your guns.  After Hurricane Katrina, people posted videos on YouTube of police going around trying to collect people’s guns for the safety of the community.  An emergency does not negate your Constitutional right to own a gun.  You’ll need to do what you think is best, and what you feel comfortable with, but you may want to strongly consider temporarily forgetting that you own guns when someone comes to your door to collect them.  Giving away your firearms just leaves you vulnerable, and it makes your community weaker.  Also, as they say, “When seconds count, the police are only minutes away!”  You need to be prepared to be responsible for your own protection, and that may mean that you need to hang onto your guns at a time when you are most vulnerable.  Again, you’ll need to think about this and decide what you’re comfortable with.

I hope this discussion has been helpful.  We could talk about guns in all of my posts and we wouldn’t run out of topics for a very, very long time, but this post is just meant to be a basic overview to help you think about whether a gun (or guns) should be part of your emergency preparedness.

So readers, what do you think?  What guns do you think are the best choices for people who want to be prepared?  Do you have any other suggestions for people who are trying to prepare by including a gun in their preparations?

If you’re looking for an everyday personal protection solution, sometimes people recommend a taser or pepper spray.  Especially if the idea of owning a gun makes you uncomfortable, you may be wondering if those items are a good substitute as you’re trying to protect your preparations.  In my next post, we’ll look at why a taser or pepper spray may have a place in your preparations, and what that place would be.  That will wrap up this series on protecting your preparations.

Hurricane Isaac

As extended periods of time enables you to rest easy even in the face of extreme destruction and adversity. Every little bit you do to build reserves will pay off in the moment that disaster hits and others are sent scurrying about in search of safety when disaster strikes.

Use the images and news reports of Hurricane Isaac and still fresh memories of Katrina to spur you to do something to prepare yourself for the inevitable circumstance that we will all find ourselves in eventually. You will be glad you did.

Uncle Sam Day

“The tall, white-haired figure of Uncle Sam – his stern, sagacious face graced by a flowing beard, and his distinguished top hat adorned by stars and stripes – is a beloved symbol of the United States. Recognized around the world, the striking visage of Uncle Sam recalls the pride and strength of the American people, as well as the freedom we enjoy.” – President George Bush.

Most Americans are familiar with the character described in the above text, but did you know that in 1989 George Bush Senior, then President of the United States, declared September 13^th Uncle Sam day? There are a few different stories, but the most accepted one, and the one President Bush alluded to in his Michelle May

Peachy Keen

I recently spent the weekend at my parents’ home in Salt Lake City, Utah. While I was in their backyard visiting with my sisters and my nieces, I noticed that the lawn was absolutely covered in peaches. I thought about this delicious little fruit that is so often overshadowed by your typical apples and oranges, and I believe it’s time to give the peach its moment in the sun.

For such a little fruit, the peach has quite a large history. According to the first volume of the Chelsea Nunez

Responsible Target Shooting

Those of us who like to target shoot outdoors are finding it increasingly difficult to find areas legal to do so.  Unincorporated county areas that were legal to shoot in are quickly being annexed by cities with ordinances prohibiting the discharge of firearms within city limits. However, most of us have likely found a favorite shooting spot on BLM (

We have all gone to our favorite shooting spot to see it littered with thousands of spent casing. We have even left behind what is being called “trigger trash,” such as televisions, glass, furniture, mattresses and anything else that can be used for target practice.

Continued behavior of this kind will lead to further resistance from the non-shooting public and anti-gun politicians, cause more wildfires, cost states millions of dollars and potentially cause loss of life.  If we are to preserve our access to outdoor shooting areas and our constitutional right under the second amendment to bear arms, we must become more responsible sportsmen and encourage others to do the same.

Back To School: Make it a Great Year for Your Little One

In my last post we talked about little things you can to do prepare your college student in case of an emergency. (We touched on everything from car problems to date dilemmas). In this post, we are going to take a look at back-to-school time for elementary-age students. We’ll focus on ways to make this school year one to remember, through quick and easy breakfast options as well as tried and true daily routines.

For your children, Chelsea Nunez

How to Keep the Worry Away

Why do you prepare for disaster? Is it because you are being a responsible citizen, morgueFile

Preparedness Questions and Answers #12

Natsumi from Honolulu, HI asked:  A cousin of mine got to attend one of your disaster preparedness classes back in New Mexico a while back and she mentioned something about “What If” questions.  What was she talking about?

Ms Natsumi, while there are a lot of things that we can plan for while preparing for future disasters, we can’t plan for everything, especially the “What if”.  For example, your disaster plan should work in real life situations like these what ifs:

One of your family members is injured and can’t be moved or travel when it’s time to bug out?

The emergency build-up is gradual and there’s no clear signal when all hell breaking loose?

Traveling by your bug-out vehicle is not an option?

You’re a 1000 plus miles away on a business trip when the SHTF?

Your children are on a school fieldtrip when it’s time to bug out?

These are just a few of the many What if that folks don’t consider when planning.  This is something to seriously think about and try planning for the unexpected depending on your particular situation and location?

Buck from Billings, MT asked:  My wife, kids and I just moved up here from Florida where it will be much safer when the SHTF.  We are new to this part of the country and I was wondering what do we need to know to live off the land?

Interesting big question Buck…  Hopefully you and your family have a good working knowledge of farming with animals, gardening and hunting both with guns and bow & arrows.  But for some other need-to-know knowledge and skills would be the following:

Knowing how to read the signs of weather changes.

Identifying edible and medicinal wild plants.

Knowing and administering wilderness/disaster first aid when needed.

But all in all, your best bet is to find a local preparedness group to network with for knowledge, skills and information that will help you for your particular location and situation.

Oksana from New Haven, CT asked:  I keep hearing stories at work from co-workers who are in the National Guard and reading miscellaneous news reports and stories in the media about our government implementing Martial Law very soon and that U.S. Army troops and local law enforcement will fire upon unarmed civilians.  Will this really happen?

Unfortunately Ms Oksana, I’m afraid there is a very strong possibility that martial law will happen as soon as this October.  Our own government is so corrupt and money greedy, they want total control over the American people and turn them into a slave nation making us totally dependent on them for food and shelter.  While most people will follow this path, others will start a second civil war / revolution to fight the socialist tyranny coming from Washington.  Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of American men, women and children will die during this process.  Some of our famous founding fathers once said:

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed

from time to time

with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.”

Thomas Jefferson

“Is life so dear or peace so sweet

as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God!

I know not what course others may take,

but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Patrick Henry

I will die on my feet before I will live on my knees

George Washington at Valley Forge

When I joined the military, I swore an oath to “Support and Defend the Constitution against all Enemies Foreign and Domestic, So Help Me God”.  When I went through basic training back in 1980, we had an eight hour class on Constitutional Law.  This was taught through the early to mid 80’s.  Starting in the late 80’s to the present, the military stopped teaching Constitutional Law.  With the dumbing down of the military over the last twenty plus years, it is not surprising that there will actually be civilian law enforcement and military personnel that will fire on and kill unarmed American men, women and children.

Any civilian law enforcement and military personnel that follows unconstitutional and/or unlawful orders to fire upon American civilians just became a Domestic Enemy of the United States.  And from my experience in the military, talking with military vets and National Guard personnel and multiple news reports, I would say about 50% of both civilian law enforcement and military personnel will keep their oath and refuse to follow these illegal orders.  Unfortunately, that leaves the other uneducated 50% that will become Domestic Enemies of the United States and fire upon American civilians, killing untold numbers.

Ilona from Nome, AK asked:  I heard that once our economy collapses and there is mass rioting across America, that foreign troops will brought in suppress and even fire upon unarmed American civilians.  Is this true?

Well Ms. Ilona, I’m afraid it’s true that our government is preparing for social chaos, mass riots and lawlessness all across the U.S.  And with millions of Americans taking to the streets to protest the collapse of the dollar with hyperinflation, there is not enough civilian law enforcement or military to suppress all the masses.  Therefore, the president will call in foreign troop to quell to violence.  For starters:

On March 23, 2005, then President Bush signed away all vestiges of national sovereignty and the constitutional rights of the American people with an agreement with Canada and Mexico known as the “Security and Prosperity Partnership”.  This agreement will allow both Canadian and Mexican military troops to enter the United States to quell civil unrest, WHY?

In 2008 before President Bush left office, he signed an agreement with China to let their Para-Military Police into the U.S. to protect their interest. Currently, there are well over 100,000 Chinese troops here in the U.S., WHY?

On Dec. 17, 2009, Mr. Obama by executive order placed the U.S. under the authority of INTERPOL, with full immunity to operate within the United States, WHY?

There are 10,000 German NATO troops stationed in Texas (Fort Bliss) and New Mexico (Holloman AFB), WHY?.

There are well over 250,000 United Nation vehicles that are staged all across the United Stated, WHY?

And just recently on May 21, 2012, a few hundred Russian Spetsnaz troops moved into Fort Carson, Colorado to train with U.S. troops to fight domestic terrorist here in the U.S., WHY?

And this does not count the estimated 500,000+ Chinese and other foreign troops down in Mexico ready to come across the border when the call from Washington comes.

Questions:  Why did the DHS purchase 450 million rounds of hollow point ammo earlier this year?  Why is the DHS purchasing another 750 million rounds of ammo?  Why is the DHS ordering 100,000 new armored vehicles?  Why is the “Social Security Administration” purchasing 174 thousand rounds of hollow point ammo?  Why is NOAA (National Weather Service) buying ammo?

http://www.infowars.com/dhs-to-purchase-another-750-million-rounds-of-ammo/

http://www.infowars.com/social-security-administration-to-purchase-174-thousand-rounds-of-hollow-point-bullets/#

http://www.infowars.com/national-weather-service-follows-dhs-in-huge-ammo-purchase/

Why are U.S. Military officers being told to plan to fight Americans?  Why our Government purchase of ammunition should Scare The Hell Out Of You. http://pprnnews.prepperpodcast.com/govt-purchase-ammunition-scare-hell/#axzz23kEMmodk

Update:

Preparing for Mass Civil War’, Obama’s Homeland Security Department Buys 1.2+ BILLION Rounds of Ammo, WHY.

http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/2012/08/preparing-for-mass-civil-war-obamas.html

So yes our government is preparing for massive civil war, martial law and the end of the United States as we know it.  Are you prepared for this?

I do ask folks not to beleive me…  Read these articles for yourself and ask the questions yourself, WHY?

This is the last in my Q&A series.  I hope the information has been helpful in getting folks better prepared for a very uncertain future.

The High Cost Of Donuts

Last Saturday I was horrified to step out of a donut shop and suddenly realize I had turned into my father.

My wife has already labeled me “The Grand Curmudgeon of Rising Prices” because of my penchant for coming home from the grocery store and announcing how much more I had just paid for, say, a loaf of potato bread than the last time I bought one.  I had already grumbled when the price of potato bread rose to $3.99, and it seems like that was just last week.

“Guess what potato bread costs now at Safeway?” I asked Connie early this morning.

“I don’t know,” she ventured, “sixty-seven dollars?” I’m beginning to suspect she’s getting tired of this game.

“$5.29,” I replied. “That’s not two for $5.29. That’s five dollars and twenty-nine cents for just one loaf.”

“Did you buy any?”

“No, I bought a cheaper loaf of cracked wheat.”

“Good. Now can I go back to sleep?”

I like potato bread, but if this keeps up I may have to finally pull out my bread machine and go back to making my own.  If I can ever find that missing paddle.

My parents used to come through Sacramento in their giant RV to see us on their way to Alaska where dad would spend the summer fishing for salmon off the Kenai peninsula.  Since my mother had taken ill, Dad did all the grocery shopping for the two of them and seemed to take pride in knowing the current price of pretty much every item  in every supermarket up and down the pacific coast.

My father, who had been a gruff sergeant in the marine corps, was now retired with no one left to boss around.  So he found a new calling in life as an outspoken comparison shopper.   He would complain about prices to anyone within earshot.  If you were the type who was easily embarrassed, you did not want to be in a grocery store with my dad.

My problem in those days was that I did want to be in a grocery store with my dad, because when he came through he was usually paying for a cart full of food for my young family. But Dad’s generosity came with a price. I remember one particular trip to Albertson’s while we were pushing our carts down the aisle.  He picked up a bottle of ketchup and showed it to me.

“You see how much this ketchup is here?” Dad asked.

I looked over at the shelf and read the price. “87 cents,” I answered.

“I bought this same bottle at Von’s in Santa Barbara for 79 cents,” Dad declared, as if he had just caught Joe Alberston himself trying to pull a fast one on us.

What was worse was Dad almost always harped on the poor checkout clerk, who never knew how to respond. “Von’s has this same ketchup for 79 cents,” he would announce loud enough to be heard by everyone in line behind us. “You people are charging 87 cents for the same size bottle.”

The poor girl just looked at him, not sure what she was supposed to say. I appreciated my father’s visits, but I was always glad to get our little shopping trips done with.

But I digress. I was going to tell you about my recent experience at the donut shop.

This past Saturday I left early without eating breakfast because I had to get the car smog-checked.  Big surprise, my 22-year-old jalopy failed the test. So, hungry, depressed, and in need of some comfort food, I went across the street to a donut shop.

Although I can tell you how much the price of potato bread has increased in recent weeks, I’m kind of out of the loop on the price of donuts, since I made a decision last year to start eating better.  Donuts have not been on my radar in a while. The last I remember, a simple glazed donut ran about 54 cents.

So I asked the clerk for two glazed and a maple cruller, then pulled out a couple of one dollar bills to pay for my purchase, thinking I would be getting some change back.

I was surprised to find my purchase came to $2.75.

For just three donuts!

This is where I realized I was turning into my father.  I actually looked around the store hoping to find someone I could commiserate with.  “Can you believe I just had to pay two dollars and seventy-five cents for three measly donuts?!”

That’s what I wanted to say, but fortunately there were no other customers in the store at the moment.  So I saved myself some embarrassment.

I sometimes have to remind myself that it isn’t the merchant’s fault the dollar is in decline.  I’m sure the donut lady is as upset about the rising costs of her ingredients as I am over the price of the finished product.

One reason all this struck me as such an outrage was because I’m old enough to remember when the dollar was still tied to gold, and glazed donuts cost 6 cents each. That price held steady all the way into my college years.

Of course, everything is relative, and in those days I only made $1.60 an hour.  Still, I would bet that whatever you are making an hour these days, the percentage of your paycheck that it would take to buy three donuts is a bigger chunk percentage-wise than it would have been if you were making $1.60 an hour and three donuts only cost you 18 cents.

The reason I’m bringing this up is because, sadly, it’s a sign of the times.  To my mind, a donut is supposed to be one of those insignificant little purchases that you never have to think about (aside from what it’s doing to your waistline.)  You should be able to grab a couple of donuts with the change in your pocket.  When the price of a few donuts exceeds what you might have paid last year for an entire fast-food breakfast, you know we’re heading into gloomy economic times.

Well, I’ve learned my lesson. My daddy didn’t raise no fools.

On the other hand…

All this talk of glazed donuts has given me a bit of an appetite.  I see by the clock that the donut store is still open for another half hour.  I think I can just make it.

I wonder if donuts are cheaper by the dozen?

Back To School: Peace of Mind in Preparing Your College Student

Across the nation parents are sending their college students off on a new adventure. However, between registering for classes, buying textbooks, and furnishing a dorm, emergency preparedness is one aspect of college preparations that can get lost in the shuffle.

It may not be very practical for college students to haul around years’ worth of food reserves, but there are little things you and your college student can do that will make quite a difference in an emergency. Yet, as a college sophomore I have realized that parents and college students often define “emergencies” in quite a different way.

The key to the best preparation is looking at emergencies from both points of view. A parent’s point of view From a parent’s point of view, emergency preparedness often concerns a child’s physical safety and well being. My parents addressed these concerns by making sure I knew where the nearest hospital was to my apartment. Throughout the year I always had my health insurance card in my wallet along with a paper that had the address and phone number of the nearest emergency care center. Another preparation that I was repeatedly grateful for was the car maintenance my parents had done before I left for school, and the first aid kit that didn’t leave the trunk of my car. A road side emergency kit as well as the ability to change a flat tire are also important preparations for any individual and especially for a college student.

A family plan in case of a disaster is also an easy and priceless preparation a family can sit down and make together. Decide what your family will do should a disaster happen and there is no means of communication. Knowing exactly what you are supposed to do in case of an emergency can offer peace of mind to parents and their children.

A student’s point of view

Now let’s look at emergencies from a college student’s point of view. Along with the physical safety that we mentioned before, your student may also face emergencies in his or her studies and social life. For example, finals week constitutes and emergency for any college student. A way to prepare your college student for this might involve sitting down together and exploring the academic resources your student’s university offers, many of which can be found on the university website. By doing this, you can help your student know where to turn to for support when the school work gets overwhelming. But college is as much about the social life as it is about the school work and there can be just as many emergencies in that area. What is your son going to do when he scores a dinner date with the girl of his dreams only to realize he has absolutely nothing to cook for her? I can tell you that his date will be impressed when she sits down to a plate of Chelsea Nunez enjoys reading and writing in many genres and is an avid blogger.She enjoys tending to her many orchids and her cat, Wendy.Chelsea loves to learn about new things, especially little things that make a big difference in emergency preparedness.

A Return to the Dust Bowl?

As the current U.S. steps are necessary to protect our families from losing it all.

How to Be Prepared When You Can’t Afford It: The Down and Dirty Plan

Let’s get tough!

In previous posts, I talked about some creative ways that we can find the money to be prepared and to make that money stretch as far as it can. Easy to follow plans to live frugally and save the difference, or the right way to use coupons and sales to stockpile supplies, can produce solid results and allow you to be prepared for a disaster when you otherwise couldn’t afford it financially.

Now, since this is the end of the series, I would like to take a different approach, getting down and dirty. If you find yourself at the point where you are anxious to get prepared now, right now, but just can’t seem to afford it, you can try the following ideas. If you are committed, you should have enough cash in a couple of weeks or months to buy what you really need.

While some of these measures are meant to be temporary, you may find yourself wanting to continue practicing them, to save even more.

Stop Buying Food

(I told you this was going to get down and dirty). See how long you can go without that trip to the grocery store and put the $200 a week or so into your emergency supplies fund. To get by:

• Cook from your non-emergency pantry. Dig through the back of shelves and come up with meals based on whatever you happen to have. Even those fancy olives could be put to good use.
• Reduce the serving sizes for the adults. We all tend to eat too much anyway.
• Drink water because it is free.
• Glean fields (with permission) or dumper dive behind grocery stores.
• Barter services or other products for food.
• Check freecycle.org for offers of free food.

Get Rid of Non-Essentials

No, I don’t mean the in-laws. Suspend or cancel services that are not essential to survival. This might include everything from the cable television to hair cuts (we are getting down and dirty after all). If it doesn’t add to your survival, do without it for a few weeks or months and save the difference.

Get down to the bare bones of running your household. Each family will have their own tolerances and needs, so work with that to stretch them a bit. If something doesn’t immediately contribute to your well-being then ask yourself, “Would I trade this item or service for my survival?” If not, get rid of it or put the money drain on hold until your family is prepared with enough essentials to deal with disaster.

Look at getting down and dirty as an adventure. At the end of the journey, you’ll have a treasure trove of emergency supplies, and the peace of mind that comes with it will be well worth the effort.

Preparedness Questions and Answers #11

Electra from Bismarck, ND asked:  Yonis, in a TEOTWAWKI scenario when people have to walk long distances, what type of footwear would you recommend?

A Great question Ms Electra.  This is a very common item that is overlooked in folks bug out back packs.  “Survival Footwear” is a very crucial item that everyone needs to consider when prepping.

When considering “Survival Footwear”, I strongly recommend Waterproof Hiking Boots over sneakers or tennis shoes.  When walking in any post disaster situation, you could easily be walking cross-country and you will definitely need something on your feet that will support your ankle and that protect your feet.  Proper hiking boots will, sneakers will not.  You want a boot with a good thick soul to protect against stepping on sharp objects and thick canvas or leather sides to protect the sides of the feet against sharp objects.  And you need to keep your feet dry with the waterproofing.

There are numerous companies out there that sell different types of hiking/walking boots.  You have both civilian and military brands/styles available.  Civilian type hiking boots come in a very wide variety and are usually cheaper than the military styles.

As testified by numerous returning vets from both Afghanistan and Iraq who spent a good portion of their tours walking, a good, reliable, durable and comfortable footwear on your feet is crucial in any survival situation.  Military venders have quality, combat proven styles that are great for any post disaster bug our back pack.

Just remember, once you purchase your hiking boots you will want to put them on and wear them out hiking cross-country to get use to the feel.  The last thing you want is to wear bad/uncomfortable boots or shoes and get blisters.  This will absolutely put a stopper in your survival bug-out situation.  The raw skin under the blister is very sensitive and painful once the loose skin is torn off.

And don’t forget, along with your boots you will want several thick new pairs of both cotton/nylon and wools socks (seasonal) in your bug-out bag along with some quality foot powder.  It is a MUST to keep your feet DRY, if not, another strong possibility would be Trench Foot.  Remember: If you cannot walk, you cannot survive.

Bo from Sandpoint, ID asked: What food is recommended for pets in a TEOTWAWKI scenario?

Well Bo, when stocking up on your survival supplies, it’s important to remember (a lot of folks forget) food for your guard dog/s and/or farm animals.  Space is a very important factor when considering this issue for sheltering in place vs. bugging out. 

Most preppers would/should have at least a good large watch dog.  So a good question to ask would be is your dog going to eat dog food or people food?  To store a year or more worth of dog food, both wet and/or dry, will take up a lot of space.  Eventually you will run out of dog food and then your dog will have to eat what everyone else is eating, eating food gathered off the land.  And remember, larger dogs eat a lot more than smaller dogs.

And when it comes to farm animals, most of them can just graze providing you’re in a good area of green pasture grass and fresh water.  Chickens know well how to find all those pesky bugs around your home or shelter. 

Keep those questions coming…

How to Protect Yourself Against the Rising Cost of Food

By Steve Shenk

Recently, I have discussed with you the sobering consequences of the recent U.S. drought on our nation’s food supply and the effect it will have on our food prices both short- and long-term.

The current drought that is affecting over half of the country has left many farmers and ranchers in a situation where either lost crops or increasing costs for feed are placing them in a situation with no other choice than to pass along the rising costs to you in the form of higher food prices.

All of this should serve as a voice of warning for you and your family. While the politicians are promising change and better days ahead, one thing is certain, because of the severity of the drought, the price of food will continue to rise and do so at a rate that far exceeds the norm.

However, there is no need to fear, for if you are prepared you can make it through this period virtually unscathed, but this is only if you are prepared.

As I promised in my last post, I want to share with you a simple yet extremely effective method for offsetting rising food prices. The technique is called “hedging.”

Hedging is nothing new. Financial and commodity markets use it all the time. Unfortunately, very few have learned how to apply it to their family’s food bill.

To understand hedging, let us look at a very simple example–a farmer protecting his livelihood.

Every spring, our farmer faces a decision over what to plant. He could choose wheat, alfalfa, corn, or any number of crops. While a number of factors contribute to his decision, he is a businessman and will select the crop which he feels will produce the highest return on investment.

He chooses a crop to plant, cultivate, and harvest for the upcoming season, based on current prices and forecasted demand at harvest time. For purposes of this example, let us say that wheat makes the most sense for him and his business this season.

Now if all goes according to forecasts, our farmer should be in good shape. However, forecasts are only forecasts. Let us say that the forecasts are off and market demand is far below what the markets anticipated. This will drive prices lower than what people anticipated. Depending on the state of our farmer’s business, this is something that could easily drive him to ruin.

So in order to protect himself against the volatility of wheat prices, the farmer sells wheat future contracts equivalent to his anticipated crop size. In other words, he locks in his harvest at a set price with a buyer by agreeing to deliver a certain number of bushels of wheat on a specified date in the future for a fixed price. Our farmer is now no longer exposed to the risk of falling wheat prices. The buyer of the farmer’s wheat is also protected in the event that prices go above forecast.

Just as hedging protected the farmer, hedging can also help protect you against rising food prices.

As we have discussed in my last few posts, because of the U.S drought, food resources will be at a premium and this will drive prices up. If one continues to buy food at the grocery store on a week-to-week basis, he or she will be at the mercy of the market. Each week the dollar buys fewer bags of groceries.

However, just like our farmer, you can protect yourself by locking in at today’s prices.

If you purchased your family’s meals for the future by purchasing food today at today’s prices, you will have what amounts to a contract to have dinner delivered to your table at a future date at an established price.

You lock in all the food you buy at today’s price at that price until you eat it. Since most people buy and consume on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, this method exposes you to the upcoming price increases. However, if you buy greater quantities of food that have a long shelf life, you have extended the amount of time you can eat at today’s prices.

If you already have food storage, you are practicing hedging whether you know it or not. Using your food storage for daily meals lets you eat at the price at which you purchased the food. I encourage you to keep your food storage reserves.

If you do not have food storage, it is not too late. You can still protect your family if you start today.

Prices are going up. You have the means to offset the effects for you and your family. Will you start hedging for a brighter future?

How to Be Prepared When You Can’t Afford It: Using Coupons and Sales

You can be fully prepared sooner when you stretch your money using coupons and sales to get the groceries and household supplies that you need for less. The right couponing strategies can help you have shelves full of emergency supplies for your family, despite a tiny budget.

People can be very passionate about coupons. Either they love them with an obsession or they don’t want to be bothered. Reality shows, such as Extreme Couponing, are quick to create couponing myths in order to grab ratings. Ignore all of this and consider coupons and sales as tools that you can use to mine for inexpensive food and supplies.

1. First, start with a list. Having a list of the supplies that you need will ensure that you focus your energies on stockpiling the right items for the cheapest prices possible. You will also avoid purchasing impractical impulse buys just because you see a sale or have a coupon.
2. Next, gather those coupons. Pick up a couple of Sunday papers, ask friends and relatives to save coupons for you, go through the town recycling bins and ask stores if they will save the coupons for you to pick up on Monday. You can also look for printable coupons, magazine coupons and sign up for coupons online. Have multiple copies of the same coupon is important, both for getting good deals when you have to buy a minimum and for stocking up when prices are low.
3. Keep track of sales cycles. Most grocery stores and box stores follow both seasonal and weekly cycles for sales. By studying the sales flyers, you will quickly learn when certain items are likely to go on sale. For example, March is usually a good time to buy generic canned goods. Pay special attention to the first page of the flyer. Stores often sell items for less than cost her in order to bring people into the store. These items are called “loss leaders.”
4. Match the sales with your coupons. When an item on your list goes on sale, let us say a brand of tuna, go through your coupons and find a coupon for that sale item. By combining the sale and the coupon, you can get the very lowest price available. Combining a buy one get one free sale with a buy one get one free coupon (more common than you think), will result in you getting two products for free. Free is very affordable!

Preparedness Questions and Answers #10

Aurora from Lexington, KY asked:  My question is about looters.  Unfortunately with time getting very short before the economic collapse later this year and with planet X comes a calling, my husband, five kids and I have nowhere to go.  We live on the outskirts of Lexington and will be sheltering in place.  We’ve been prepping for just over three years now and have another family that will be joining us.  When all hell breaks loose, what kind of looters can we expect in our area? 

Great question Ms Aurora, I understand your situation.  With the population of your area at around 300,000, things will not be good due to the fact yall have no other place to go.  If you have been reading any of my past articles on this blog, you have a very good idea of what to expect.

When it comes to looters, there are five basic types.  You can read about then in this great article I come across recently on Urban Survival Guide.

http://www.secretsofurbansurvival.com/1486/five-types-of-looters-you-must-prepare-for/

I would also strongly recommend finding another like-minded families to join yalls small group.  Remember, there is safety and strength in numbers.  Twelve to twenty well armed adults age thirteen and older.  And if you have not done so, fortify your home and property.  I have covered these topics is some of my past articles.  I would also advise to see if yall can get a armed neighborhood group together to help watch out for each other like these Good Ol Boys did after Hurricane Katrina.  I wish yall luck…

Chrystal from Provo, UT asked:  Greeting Yonis, I really enjoy your articles.  My question is I’m wondering what items I should put in my bugout bag?  I’m looking forward to reading your response.

Being a Boy Scout in my youth and a current Boy Scout leader, I learned over thirty-five years ago about the “Ten Essentials” that are the bare minimum that one should have in any survival situation.  Even today when my scouts go backpacking, camping or hiking, they all carry the 10 Essentials.  When I teach my Disaster Preparedness class, I recommend the 10 Essentials to have first in everyone’s bugout bag.  The Essential 10 are as follows:

#1  A good heavy-duty multi-blade pocket knife, and a good heavy-duty sheath / skinning knife, and a good heavy-duty multi-tool with a good wet stone or sharpening tool.

#2  A well stocked emergency disaster first aid kit and first aid book.

#3  Extra clothing, socks, footwear and a broad brimmed hat (seasonal) all in heavy-duty zip-lock bags to keep items dry.

#4  Raingear

#5  Water, as much as you can carry (Camelback).

#6  Weatherproof LED flashlight with extra batteries X2 minimum.

#7  Emergency food rations with a knife, fork & spoon – recommend “Survival Tabs”, a fifteen day supply of food in a bottle, they come in Chocolate and Vanilla.

#8  Weatherproof matches and additional fire starter items.

#9  SPF30+ sunscreen and sunglasses with multi-UV A, B & C protection.

#10 A Lensatic type compass with a topographical map of the area/region you will be traveling in. 

Along with these 10 Essentials, the following are additional items that will greatly help in your survival situation.  Just remember, whatever you put in your bag needs to be a necessity, not a luxury.  Ask yourself, will this item help me survive and stay alive?  If the answer is no, don’t put it in your bag.

Pistol and Rifle or Pistol and Shotgun

Ammo, as much as you can carry

Gun cleaning kit

Toilet paper / Personal hygiene items

Insect repellent

Contact information of family and friends

Important papers in heavy-duty zip-lock bags

Small pad of weatherproof paper and pencils

Towel

Rope or 550 cord, 50 feet minimum

Silver coins for bartering

Prescription medicines

Pocket chainsaw

Cloths line and pins

Pocket thermometer

Small spool of nylon thread with needles

Earplugs

Folding hand shovel

Hand hatchet

Extra glasses with heavy-duty frames

P-38 or P-58 can opener

Space blanket

Ground tarp

Fishing kit

Sewing kit

Survival playing cards

Edible plant cards

Mosquito net

Jungle hammock

Wash cloth

Diapers (for babies)

Small cooking pot

Cup or mug

Magnifying glass

Duct tape

Bandage scissors

Wire ties – assortment

With you bugout bag, you will want to make sure that it is a good heavy-duty weatherproof earth-tone color.  If it has a built in canteen, the better. 

It is also very important to remember that once you acquire all the items that you will carry in your pack, you know exactly how everything works and how to use it.  For example, do you know how to use a Lensatic compass?  Do you know how to read a topographical map?  If you had to navigate across country to keep away from road gangs, could you do it with these two items?  This is something that you need to seriously think about when planning items for your bugout bag.  I hope the list helps you get your bag ready.

Keep those questions coming.

The Recent U.S. Drought and the Food Supply

Almost anywhere you go this summer, the heat is brutal. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently stated this month that the last twelve months (July 2011 to June 2012) were the warmest on record for the contiguous United States. In fact, with the exception of Washington, every single state in the contiguous United States saw warmer-than-average temperatures during that period. Add to that the fact that the first six months of 2012 have been the hottest half-year on record and you can see why plenty of people are concerned.

One of the biggest areas of concern from the ongoing heat is how it has been contributing to the nation’s drought and the impact it is having on our food supply.

In their recent report, the NOAA went on to say that 56 percent of the contiguous U.S. experienced drought conditions. This marks the largest percentage in the U.S. Drought Monitor’s 12-year record. To get more specific, more than 70 percent of the Midwest Corn Belt was in some stage of drought in the middle of July (a number up 63 percent from just a week earlier).

Even more disheartening is that the NOAA does not see much to be hopeful for in the near future. In fact, some government forecasters have not ruled out drought conditions in the U.S. heartland lasting beyond October.

All of this means that with high temperatures and little to no water, our nation’s crops are in rough shape.

Just last year, the percentage of corn crop with a top-quality rating was at 69 percent. It is now 48 percent. On the other end of the spectrum, corn rated poor-to-very poor has ballooned to 38 percent compared to just 11 percent a year ago.

With farmers plowing under the crops in favor of the insurance claim rather than harvesting what has been baking in the sun, the U.S. stockpile is diminishing at a rapid rate. More and more fields will produce a zero gain this year. Between March and June, corn stockpiles have seen a 48 percent drop, the largest drop since 1996.

The ripple effect of the U.S. drought is and will continue to have an impact beyond our farmers. The diminishing supply will pinch ranchers, who use corn for feed. For the global market, the U.S. is number one exported of many types of grain. And you can bet that other countries—especially those that have first hand experience with food riots—will be watching closely.

In the coming weeks, I’ll explore this ripple effect more closely so you can better understand what the future holds and what steps you can take to help diminish the impact this drought has brought upon us all.