This site supports the "No National Animal ID System" Campaign! Click here to find out what you can do to stop THEM from RFID chipping your livestock animals! Because if THEY can chip your chickens or horses, they can CHIP YOU!
FYI: PreparedSociety.com - International Survival and Homesteading Forum Community. Everything related to Preparedness from Survival to Homesteading plus Gallery, Groups and Links.
Thinking of moving to a rural remote location? Then read this first! Learn what you need to consider before you buy your land and homestead!
February 15, 2009 Newsletter
You Are Out of Debt with 10,000 Dollars in the Bank and Want to Spend Most of It to Prepare: What to Buy?
Note: If you are still in debt, pay off your debts, then come back to read the rest of this. If you are out of debt... Well, you could just leave all that money in the bank. The thing is, is anyone at that bank going to tell you "Oh! This bank is about to become totally insolvent and we don't want a run on it, so before everyone panics take your money out now, $3,000 at a time." Or, is someone going to tell you "We are closing our doors next Monday, so get your money out now." If your bank is going under you'll read about it in your local paper or read about it on Mortgage Lender Implode-O-Meter, or their sister Bank Implode site. Or, we could be talking about upward to $100,000! Even now, you could pay cash for a five-acre remote rural redoubt in one of the less desirable areas, such as the desert areas surrounding Presidio, Texas, as well as cash for a cabin kit, water well (if water is available), water tank, outbuilding, wood burning stove, swamp cooler (which you will need if you move anywhere near Presidio, the "Nation's Hot Spot," that sees 125 F temps in the summer, easily), furniture and the like, plus my other suggestions below. But for the purposes of this post, let's assume you have ten thousand dollars sitting in a cash or checking account at your bank, and you want to prepare now for whatever you think is coming.
However, before I give any sort of list, let me explain why NOW just might be the best time to buy these things. Now is the time, because the economy of the USA is slowing down: less credit means less production for businesses as well as consumers. Take electronics. Japan, for instance--which has been in a slump economically since the early 90s--is laying off thousands of workers at Panasonic, SONY, and other tech producers. And China is closing toy factories left and right. Just read the other day that call centers in India are laying off as well. Much of this is because American consumers are tapped out and/or not spending regardless. Much of this is also because credit is not only less available from banks to businesses, but because "letters of credit" that overseas shipping outfits need in order to exchange for "Bills of Lading," necessary to ship these goods, are getting harder to come by. You've no doubt by now heard of the "Baltic Dry Index (BDI)." According to Wikipedia: "Most directly, the index measures the demand for shipping capacity versus the supply of dry bulk carriers. The demand for shipping varies with the amount of cargo that is being traded or moved in various markets." In Wikipedia terms, this is what a falling BDI means for commerce: "In May, 2008, the BDI reached its record high of over 11,000 points, meaning the cost of shipping was low compared to the amount that would be paid to the shippers to ship the goods. But by December, 2008, the BDI had lost 94% of its index, meaning the cost of shipping was making shipping more unprofitable. Much of this was due to the rising cost of fuel and along with collapsing prices for raw commodities, but hidden in this is the fact that lack of credit by big banks meant fewer letters of credit." You can read the whole shebang here. So, you see, that is why I say NOW is the time to buy these things if that is what you want to do. Do NOT wait for "the crisis" to hit full force. And, having prepared for 25 years and being prepared now, I have no idea just how far along "the crisis" is, except that, misguided as it is, what Obama and Geitner are doing is "something" to try to avert "some crisis"! And since the MSM is reporting it, you know "something" is going on!
So, if you have 10,000 dollars you want to blow on preparedness, may I make the following suggestions (which complement my list in my Solutions post):
Food, Water, and Other Necessary Commodities in Bulk: In the US, there is little evidence right now of food or bottled water shortages. I said little evidence. That doesn't mean it couldn't happen in six months or six years. Still, beware of fearmongering sites, especially those that sell fear in order to sell "food preparation courses" that you really don't need. You don't need to spend $100 or more on these courses when what you really need is a $50-100 canner-pressure cooker for meats and vegetables, a $20-50 water-bath canner for tomatoes and fruit, a $50-100 food dryer to dry garden veggies for a year or more, or a freezer to freeze them for a few months, as well as an instruction manual for canning/drying/freezing that you can buy for $20 or less. In fact one can get all of these things for less than $100 (assuming you already have the freezer) if you shop around. For instance, years ago we purchased a huge food dryer for $5! All that was wrong with it was that the electric cord was ripped, and we fixed it. But you might also want a freezer for storage, anywhere from $500 to $1,000. For water, we have a Katadyne "Combi" water filter which we can use to filter rainwater and even "grey water" from the washing machine. These filter out bacteria and micro-organisms, as well as chlorine, and can filter out up to 13,000 gallons of water. And, of course, you can also buy replacement filters ($20). You can buy these from any survival supplies company usually for between $100 and 200 dollars each. But a water filtration system I think is a MUST. If this is too extreme for you, then start stocking up on bottled water now, as well as juices, and try to create at least a three-months supply. I recommend a year's supply...I don't think I am being fascitious here!
So, that takes care of food and water. Clothing can be had at any garage sale, charity store, Salvation Army, Army-Navy store or friends and relatives with spare clothes. Except for shoes. I do NOT recommend using shoes worn by another person, unless you want to wind up with toenail fungus, which is very expensive to treat and almost impossible to get rid of, or athlete's foot. Nor do I recommend wearing used underwear and socks, things that can be repaired. That brings up a sewing machine, about $150 or less (and, for another $150, a surger as well, to bind your clothes' seams if you make them by hand). It is very hard to repair clothing using just a needle and thread, and I think a sewing machine is a must. I am no sewer by any means, and generally I only sew when I have to, but I can no longer consider doing without a sewing machine. I don't know if high schools still provide Home Economics sewing classes. "Back in my day" only girls could take these courses (and only boys could take shop--this is the ONLY reason I wish I had been born ten years later! I love to fix things!) The converse, of course, is that boys could NOT take sewing classes. But the lack of ability of most men to sew, I think, is a sad commentary. Even my husband wished he knew how to sew. But he has no patience now to learn. He can, however, apply sutures to ambulance patients!). So that, if you have never worked a sewing machine, get yourself down to a woman (or man) who can teach you how a sewing machine works.
Paper Products: So that takes care of what goes in or on. What about what comes out? Toilet paper, that is. Toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels are usually high on everyone's list of things to stock up on. You are in luck if there is a SAM'S near (within 50 miles) you. Our nearest SAM'S is about 200 miles in either direction (El Paso or Odessa...we have Wal Marts within 100 miles, but Wal Mart does not have the bulk necessary). Or any other SAM's-like bulk store. If you don't have a SAM'S nearby, make the effort once every few months to go to the big city and stock up on these paper products. And other things, like large quantities of meat, cheeses, milk, spirits (booze, wine and beer make GREAT bartering commodities! And if you don't need to barter them, you'll find something to do with them!), canned goods like SPAM (which is supposedly now selling like hot cakes), juices, storage bins, barbeque grills, etc. But, if nothing else, make sure you have about three-months to a year's supply of toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels. Now, if you DO run out of toilet paper, I know and have used some extreme measures. men have no worries about urination cleanup, but women do, so I (wincing when I write this) recommend using your hand to wipe yourself IF you have clean water handy, or raggedy clothing that can be washed if you don't. (Note: what about when you have your "monthly"? Rags you can clean should work okay when and if you run out of "sanitary" supplies...another thing women must make sure is in year's supply! One year for each menstruating female in the house.) For "number two," use throw away rags, or would you believe, rocks? What do you think Native Americans used back in the old days? Or other naturally found materials. Believe it or not, rocks do work for this!
Other stuff: Other materials you should have three-months to a year or two supply of: duck tape to mend plastic and other items, as well as scotch-type tape; glue; containers of all kinds, including used; other washables like towels, wash clothes and dish cloths, and dish and washing/laundry soap and shampoos and toothpaste and hand creams; garbage and other plastic bags; coolers; calling-card minutes in-state and state-to-state; pots/pans/dishes/utensils of all kinds including cooking implements; food storage bins (garbage cans make great food storage bins!); recycled jars for storage, and "water marked" jars to cover your seedlings in spring so birds and grasshoppers don't eat up your young garden plants; flashlights; canned gravy; matches; outdoor cookstove supplies such as propane canisters; candles; mouse traps (or cats); sunblock; shaving cream/throw-away-shavers; condiments; any sort of cooking need and aluminum foil (great for use on barbeque grills); any sort of baby need you have in a year's supply...and other things listed here which are likely to disappear when panic hits.
Garden: I really do recommend now spending the extra money on organic seeds from a company that specializes in selling organic seeds. As far as I know, Wal Mart sells non-GMO seeds, but that could change. Because I have no idea what kind of seeds garden supply or Wal-Mart or anyone else commerical is selling, that is why I think you should get from proven organic sources. YOU DO NOT WANT GMO SEEDS IN YOUR GARDEN! In fact, you probably don't want ot use pesticides, either. Actually, the best way to know that you know where your seeds come from is to save your seeds year to year, if you can. Just don't let Monsanto know about it!
Animal Needs: Have pets and other animals? Figure out how much your dog or cat or whatever eats in one day, and multiply that by 365, and buy accordingly. Cats might need a 26-changing supply of cat litter (or, better yet, keep them outside!). If you have aquarium fish (for food or otherwise), have enough filters to change once a month, at least four cans or flake food, and a year's supply of another food source (such as frozen bloodworms...our fish love it!), as well as ick medicne/fish scale coat medicine. Only you would know how much food you need for your livestock.
Third to last, even if you have never camped out in your life and perish the thought, get yourself and all family memebers sleeping bags, tents, campout cooking and any other camping supply you might need, particularly when the lectricity goes out or you find yourself without heat. Sleeping bags rated at 40 degrees below zero are best, and cost about $150 each. Believe me they are worth every penny!
Second to last, hunting and fishing gear: guns, bullets, sites, rods, reels, line, tackle, etc. Hopefully, your homestead or redoubt is prepared to engage in these activities, or at least one of them! If you live in a dry area like West Texas or the Southwest, think about raising your own fish in large aquariums or in dammed creeks.
Finally, consider your meds. Folks, this might even be THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION, especially if you have asthma or COPD and need replacement inhalers. If it is at all possible--that is, if your insurance carrier, HMO, doctor, or other health provider allows it (including Medicare, and I have my doubts about them)--purchase now a year's supply of your medication. As I have said in a previous newsletter I use Imitrex for my migraines which are partially caused by female hormone levels. I get my Imitrex from Progressive RX, an American-based pharmacy which purchases it's meds from (mostly) India and China through Big Pharma affiliates in these countries (for instance, Glaxo-Smith-Klein in India). I buy from this company because I can pay for 30 Imitrex for $150 instead of $600! In the last four months TWO of my shipments have either come very late or not at all and have had to be resent, which means that I have just about run out of Imitrex on two occasions, and try telling that to my migraines! Because of the globally worsening ecomony, you simply cannot count on being able to get your meds on time every time anymore.
A final note: store these things in your house, because even if someone tried to break in they are likely to meet resistance, and a locked strorage room can be broken into. Or, get yourself a Fila Brasiliero dog or two, or Rottweiler, or Pit Bull. Robbers won't even think about taking on these dogs!
And now, for some good videos found the last few days:
Ron Paul: What if American People Learn the Truth?
Rahm Emmanuel's plan to disarm America
I do not have the embed code for this video, so here is the link for a video of ShadowStats.com's John Williams stating that soon $100 bills will be worhtless.
Another final note: someone or some entity has been hacking this site and taking down a few web pages without my permission or knowledge. Therefore, I am thinking about moving this site to another web server, or moving it to the free Typepad or WordPress sites (not Blogger, because Google likes to censor especially sites critical of Israel as this site is sometimes. I won't stand for censorship of any kind except porn.) Just letting subscribers know.
Don't forget, if you have a comment on this or other posts, e-mail me with your comment, and put the name of the article in the subject line.
Like what you read? Then subscribe to the Something Happening Here Newsletter! I do not have a set time for it to come out, but I try to make a newsletter once a week or as much as possible with hints and tips on how to live better and more naturally on your rural remote land. From handling garden insects to collecting valuable resources like water and firewood to raising your children to dealing with neighbors, I believe my 25 years experience living on the land can help you make the most of your rural remote life.
