Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

So, as far as I can tell, there are a few predominant lines of logic at play in this forum:


One view is that the sky is falling; and we should all get ready right away - so as to survive the impending doom. This one brings to mind (at least mine) images of people in loin cloths pounding corn the steps of the White House, and laying strips of venison on I-75 in Atlanta.

These people encourage the Boy Scout approach - raising chickens in the living room, hoarding salt and refined sugar, buying tons of guns and ammo, canning and preserving, etc...



Another view, is that the totalitarian autocracy is going to come through and make everything illegal.

This view seems to express the desire to "fall off the grid." Wherein there is absolutely no trace of them in "the system" at all, thereby refusing ALL government services, public activities, and utilities (grid-based electricity, phone, cable, etc...)


Another view is that group One and Two are nuts, and absolutely nothing is going to happen.



I personally think that all three views have merit, and some basis in reality. I think that the right approach to surviving in the 21st century, is to stay off the grid as much as possible, but don't fall off completely. I think that hoarding some essentials, and being capable of preserving food is a really good idea, but keeping chickens in your living room is a bit excessive. I think that barter will be a perfectly reasonable form of acquiring goods and services in the future, however it will be a subversive act (note: subversive, not anti-anything.)


So, what are some common-sense things that people can do to survive with as little exposure to the grid as possible? What are some things that people can do in the present geo-political scenario to help make their lives better, and stock up for the future in case there is a bad recession (or even worse a depression?)



Think simple here. Offer up ideas that don't require moving to Montana and constructing a "compound."

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

I'll play. These are things that I do; 1) I use phone cards to keep my phone bill in check hence no debt. 2) Keep minimal fiat in my acct just enough to cover. 3)I keep all autos at least 1\2 full at all time and keep at least 10 gal in jugs. 4) We try to keep grocery shopping to once a month. 4) We installed 2 ventless heaters for alt. heat. No elec necessary. 5) She decorates with functional oil lamps.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Like I said before...

:offtopic:

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

If you own a home, plant food trees now!
We have a modest house on a modest lot.
When we moved here 14 years ago, it already
had orange, lemon, lime, peach, avocado,
olive trees. We added two plums, a nectarine,
a grapefruit, two apple trees. Two peach
trees added to replace the fabulous one that
died, have not done well. I don't know
of any nut trees that would do well here.
My point is get food trees in the ground as soon
as possible. Some won't make it, and the others
that do will take a few years or longer to start
producing well.

Oh, and we will soon get a backyard little chicken
hut and two egg-laying pet hens.

dtnwn

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Attachment 21145

You disparaged the ideas already offered.

:smile:

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Why should I waste my time doing that when I believe something close to the 'compound in Montana' is what you're truly going to need ?


I think Sukhoi_fan sums it up in a nutshell:

The potential is there for an economic trainwreck on a magnitude which could make the depths of the 'Great Depression' seem like a pleasant day at the church social, indeed there may be no comparsion which is conceiveable.

If one cannot produce sufficient foodstuffs for one's self and to exchange wtih one's neighbors in a community of folks with the same perspective, then one will be beyond totally hosed.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

You can choose to believe it or not.....it's your life.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

:D I can't say I subscribe to any one theory more than the other...

They all have merit and they are all insane at the time...depends on your perspective of humanity and what depth an individuals' sense of survival might evolve into under desperate or unusual circumstances.

Without a common goal humanity tends to become fragmented and vicious...the law of the jungle just might wipe out 50% of the population in a month or less.

Statistically there is no reason the population needs to retain law of any flavor since it outnumbers present law enforcement and the military a hundred to one...it would be impossible to sustain a semblance of armed authority when the populace outguns the government from all sides.

Can this happen ? You bet...it is a more than probable possibility.

This is what you should fear above all things. A complete breakdown of all authority where the law of quick and smart prevails over the mob.

What determines quick and smart ? Common sense and the abilty to think outside the box,something that has been eliminated from our education system and replaced with group think and political correctness.

If you buy into the system...you will go down with the system...pure and simple.
Not many of us here at GIM are in the system by choice,we just inherited the mess from the generation before us...and we don't like it worth a damn.
Some of us are quitely slipping away and dropping under the radar...a good choice under the present circumstances.
Others are preparing for brutal self preservation...nothing wrong in that.

Whatever type of avenue or method you choose remember nothing is ever what you imagined it to be once you're involved in it.

Prepare for war and economic chaos ...because you can.
Any preparation,no matter how small,is better than none at all.
And that includes your mental attitude...the first place to start.

:coolbeer: :coolbeer:

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

I like the pic. I didn't mean to disparage Floyd. In fact, Floyd and Sam actually offered up exactly what I was looking for.

Everything else has been soap-boxing; and there's an entire Forum for that...

:albertein

I made a point to present the philosophies that seem to dominate this part of the forum so that we could have less "The sky is falling," and "No it's not;" and more "Here's what I'm doing," and "Here's what I would do if I had..."

:banghead:

Does that make sense?


I'm well aware of the pending financial crisis. However, I'm willing to bet that the global banking cartel won't let it get to the point where the US looks like Ethiopia did in the early 80's. I highly doubt that another Great Depression is knocking on our doorstep - although it certainly is possible... just as much as it's possible for me to run for president - but what would be the point?

I definitely see a fleecing of the middle class coming up. I can picture the big fat cats hanging Mr. MiddleClass by the foot, and shaking him for his loose change, cars, house, and retirement... but I don't see Mr. MiddleClass' children drinking from oil-filled mud puddles - nor do I see Mrs. LowerClass' children dying in a refugee camp.


Hence the request for ideas - not hypothesis and prognostication... there's other topics in this forum that cover that...

Thanks!!!
:wavey:

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Oddly phrased question. My wife and I are highly paid professionals in the tech industry. We live on a small farm outside the city. Do small farms count as a compound these days?

If you can't move out of the city or suburban tract housing for practical reasons, I can understand. It took me a decade and a half, about 50% of my life, to claw my way up from abject poverty to become a wealthy landowner. If you can't even concieve of not living in cookiecutter tract homes in the city or densely packed suburbs than you are actually what is called a refugee, not a survivalist. Refugees should invest in a good pair of hiking shoes and handkerchiefs to wipe away the tears are a good bet, too.

If you're just stuck where you are for the time being but are a survivalist than you should start addressing a number of issues.

Self Defense.

This comes first simply because the most immediate danger facing you has been said to be a house fire but you should already have a fire extinguisher. The second most immediate threat is probably random crime.

If you are useless in a fight buy a shotgun, a can of pepper spray and if you can get a concealed carry license get yourself a smallish handgun you're likely to carry. It helps to have a flashlight and a cellphone.

If you have some ability or potential you're probably going to want a more advanced setup that incudes things like a carbine or assault rifle and some body armor. You'll probably want to pursue some training, too. A kevlar vest will protect you in a car crash as an added benefit, I wore one when I was a taxi driver primarily for that reason, too many hours on the road means too many chances for something to go wrong. You have to live to spend it.

Food.

If you're not eating organic, everything you eat is bad for you and doesn't have much nutritional value. In the long run this will hurt your health. The first step would be to start buying organic foods, they cost a little more but taste way better and you're health is definately worth it.

The next step would be to start growing your own food. This has the added benefit of offering some protection against starvation due to disruptions in delivery systems or else disruptions in your ability to earn money. My wife and I will realize a yearly savings of $10,000 once our farm is fully operational and supplying all our non-entertainment related food.

There are a number of ways you can grow your own food. You should probably start with fruits and veggies. If the quality of your soil is suspect take a look at hydroponics, it works great. We did a hydroponic project at school when I was 12. If twelve year olds can build and produce food with a hydroponic greenhouse anybody should be able to. Give some thought to herbs and spices.

Once you've done that you should think about some meat, unless you are a vegetarian and that is irrelevant to you. Chickens are the easiest livestock to raise and you don't have to kill them for the protein because the hens lay tons of eggs. Tilapia and catfish are also successfully raised in containers and small ponds other people might raise koi or similar useless but pretty fish in. You can get very creative with aquaculture. Snails reproduce like mad if you're into escargot.

You'll need water, too. Any fool can store water but stockpiles eventually run out. Try for a well with a manual hand pump for a backup, a cistern or a method of purifying water from an abundant aboveground source. I have a well and a half acre pond at my place.

Financial.

FRN's suck. You'd have to be retarded to save the fruits of your labor in constantly devaluing frn's. Most people who are actually retarded would probably reject saving in frn's if it was explained to them. Anyway, gold and silver are good ways to go if you already have the basics put aside. Consumer electronics are a terrible way to store value, as are cars. Try to consistently buy things that hold or increase in value, spend as little as possible on things that depreciate in value.

Works sucks even more than frn's. You should find a perfect way to make money without actually having to work for anybody. This will also make it impossible for you to be laid off. You can do this through savvy investing, I'm up 90% so far this year. You can also work for yourself doing something you're good at, which still beats being somebody else's monkey.

You'll also want to not carry any debt. This is usually a goal people work towards, not something immediately within reach. If you don't owe anybody any money and you're making most or all of your own food(completely possible even on small lots if you're creative) then you will be much more free. You'll also get filthy rich even if you only earn a meager wage, simply because almost all of your takehome pay goes into your savings which you can in turn earn intrest on or invest.

Power:

Fuel and the powergrid being what they are, someday you'll want to be able to generate your own power. You can die without heat in many places, it is at least an inconvenience in others. Have a fireplace, franklin stove or one of those terracotta chimneys handy and some wood for it, at a minimum. Electricity is awesome. Get a diesel or gas generator as a quick fix if you don't have the guts to go whole hog with wind, solar or other more renewable sollutions. It will at least carry you through the rough spots.

DIY.

The more practical things you can do for yourself the better, but this requires tools and skills. Invest some time in both, at least enough to repair and service all the systems your life absolutely depends on.

You should learn to tie knots, too. A man who can tie a good knot can stop a lot of things from happening.

Networking.

Most people are useless sheep. Make friends with some who are not and they can do good things for you.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

REV-

Yes, fancy koi are kept for beauty
and competition, but lesser koi are
also farmed for food.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

...here's the very very EARLIEST-STAGE game of what I am doing: (and I am: living in apartment, w/ 1 rommate, urban dweller, high denstity pop, very humble income right now, beginning to wake from my IGNORANCE )

* stocking up on water, starting to stock food

* keeping road map handy - familiarizing self w/ best ways out of densely populated urban sprawl

* not buying christmas presents or any holiday items ( i know, this is already starting to sound pathetic ) - however I have been charging items like blankets, clothing, undies to department store credit card since I figure before long it won't matter any way. Not going on a splurge anymore, tho - just what is required for living/ for the winter season.

* purchasing a handful of PMs as a stash (ah, ok - there's something significant)

* selling off consumer goods, entertainment items, etc on eBay - my intention is to really clear out my closets in order to live w/ very little "stuff" and earn some cash in process

* beginning to employ BARTER for what I need - looking for likeminded folks on craigslist and other places

* wondering if I should plan to prevail upon my partner to make a plan for us to cut out in the next few months and go to friends/family in rural parts of country.

and that's about it! I've played fairly stupid with money, buying consumer goods and nonessentials, impulse/splurge buying, and yes - ha! now find myself "paycheck to paycheck" (have some mercy - I'm pretty young, not that far out of college)

SO, I'd like to hear ideas too. Especially for budget-constricted slow-to-reform apartment dwellers. ...LOVE the idea of keeping car gas tank full... maybe I can also stock trunk up with some water, blanket, emergency gear, & road map. Also love the idea of writing down my plan, thanks. ...When I dwell too much on the unknown future, I can see that does me no good ~~ so seeking a balance of information worth knowing and concerted practical ACTION.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

I didn't know any koi were edible. They look kind of carpish to me and carp are generally lowly regard in the West but I do know they are eaten in Asia. If that is the case I would advise against feeding any edible koi a pelleted fishfood just based on previous experiences. Well, that is unless you like the hearty taste of concentrated liver. :tongue: FWIW emus that have been fed ratite pellets have a similar taste. I imagine much organ meat must end up in those feeds.

That's nothing though. I was once eating a spicy pickled sausage and readd the label. It ends up that beef lips and hearts were the main ingredients. Those are not meats I typically would choose to eat, to say the least!

Phantasmagoria, what's your apartment like? Do you have a balcony? A spare room? Do they let you keep an aquarium or birds as pets?

There's a lot you can do from raising veggies in hanging planters to maximize use of vertical space to raising catfish, turtles, quail and other ideas. Seeds are super cheap and heirloom seeds, which can even be found at hardware stores from time to time, are self-replenishing.

Put in a false wall plate like an electrical outlet or phone jack to make a secure location to stash valuables. If you live on the second story or higher you might want a rope ladder or similar to get out through a window in case of fire.

You have a good thing going with selling off your excess junk. You can up the ante by visiting the college again around vacation time when all the rich kids are throwing out their tv's, microwaves, fridges, etc from their dorm rooms. If you have a circular saw and some other basic handtools you can rent out your services removing any lofts somebody built but doesn't want to deal with.

Considering your position I'd close out those credit cards ASAP. It's too easy to end up in a situation where you have to make minimum payments and watch your balances increase. Credit is a useful tool when you have savings and earnings to balance out the equation. Right now you should be looking more at your monthly expenses than any other single aspect of your financial situation. Every needless expense you can cut and every bill you can eliminate is more money in your pocket. Sometimes that means paying off a smaller debt first simply to free up extra funds every month to pay off a much larger debt.

What kind of car do you have? If it's worth several thousand dollars still you might consider trading out to a cheaper clunker you can keep running for a year or two just so you have some extra cash to pay off debts and tide you over till you come into your own. The older Japanese jobs have some longevity in them, I drove a $500 20yr Toyota for 2 years before I got married. A car is usually the most highly valued asset a young adult owns, but they unfortunately devalue to zero rather quickly.

Sacrafice a little upfront and reap the benefits for the rest of your life.

Otherwise it looks like you've got the right idea. I remember clearing $1,000/wk cash for the first time in my life. I thought I was rich and I spent it like water, until 9/11 shut the valve on me. It took me two years to get back on my feet but I learned a lot. I guess that's what I was really paying for in those early fat times, experience.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

It's difficult to google for koi as human food
because most keyword combos cough up stuff
about fancy show koi.

Anyway, here's one I found...
In other words, some of you could raise
koi to sell for the pet trade, and have a
stealth supply of protein, .... just in case.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Not really. The first step to any action is sizing up the situation. You may go directly to step two if you wish...if you think you know where step two is...without digesting all the forum comments regarding step one. If so, please refrain from pointing ridicule at those who are fleshing out step one.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Try not to insult or otherwise piss off too many members of a chosen 'community'. Practicing 'on-grid' may help when 'off-grid'.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

All of us find ourselves in different circumstances. My partner and I are considered senior citizens (61 and 71) and have health problems (beyond simple aging) that make bugging out to live in the wilderness impractical. We're too old to become farmers and need to stay near hospitals and health services. So, if TSHTF and hordes of rampaging city folk kill us, we're dead. Fair enough.

But, knowing what we know, is there anything we can do? Of course there is. We've improved the insulation in our attic to R57, replaced the seals on our Anderson casement windows to make them more air-tight, and put new weather stripping on all exterior doors in anticipation of higher energy costs.

I've been vegetable gardening for the past couple of years, on the theory that any food we can grow ourselves will be an asset. I've learned to dehydrate and can make scalloped potatoes from dry ingredients off the shelf -- including potatoes I grew myself. This evening I'm canning 7 quarts of beef stew. While I purchased the stew meet and celery, the carrots, onions and potatoes all came from my garden this past summer. We've stored basics (beans, rice, honey, etc.); we've stored what I consider to be survivalist convenience foods (Mountain house #10 cans); we've stored canned goods. And we've stored what we've canned and dehydrated.

We've purchased a water filter and I'm looking into collecting and caching rainwater from the roof, if only for irrigating the garden in the summer. I don't like the idea of drinking water that has drained off asphalt shingles; but, in a pinch, it's better than dying of thirst.

The only debt we have is the mortgage on our house. No credit card debt. No car loans. No revolving charges. And we aren't sucking into the Christmas merchandising scam either. So, for those of you who are spending little or nothing on Christmas presents, don't feel bad. Take care of those you love all year long is my motto. Of course, if I had small children, I'd probably make different choices.

Our investments are well diversified. Stocks and bonds, yes; we don't know when the system will implode. So, in the meantime, we're participating. But we also have PMs and paid-for rental properties.

I've sold our second car since we're both retired and don't need two. Last year I bought a bicycle that I ride for short trips -- even have studded tires so I can go on packed snow and ice. I sent Walgreens a letter a couple of weeks ago because their new store has no bike rack; and low and behold, today a replly came in the mail announcing that they've reconsidered and have ordered a new rack for their new store.

Lesson learned. You can make a difference. And most of the changes that we've made in anticipation of the after-shocks from peak oil and financial chaos have made our lives more comfortable, more healthy and more enjoyable.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Floyd, Sam, Phantasmagoria, Rev:

Great input!

Growing veggies in hanging planters... now that's a great idea.


I'm currently in a condo that I own (bad investment, I know... but I took it over from a relative, and it saves me TONS on the monthly... so I can't complain.) I have about 10 sq. feet behind my unit for growing stuff in the dirt. I have an uncovered second floor balcony with about 120 sq. feet. I figure I could dedicate 1/3 to some potted stuff on some shelves. I live in an area that gets hit by hurricanes on a fairly frequent basis, so I'd need to be able to pull the second floor garden back inside within an hour or so (other hurricane preparations take time as well.)


I'm not all that concerned with the Alas Babylon approach to survival, as much as I am concerned with financial independence, and doing my part by not feeding the global banking cartel or the corporate machine. I'd like to accumulate a reasonable stockpile of reserves (I live in the hurricane zone, gotta have it anyway!) But again, I don't see a need for hoarding barrels of sugar...

I have the option of placing PV cells on my roof, and could probably even get away with a couple of smaller windmills (as long as the committee doesn't try to shoot them down.) I could even try to convince the entire community to go renewable... hmm.... If I told them that we could all split a refund check from the power company every month, they might just go for it...

The only problem, is that a solar system (a practical one anyway,) cost a lot of money (the kind that I don't have...)

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Hi Merlin-

Yup. It was only a few days ago that we
(me and my Honey) admitted to ourselves
that we are too old and not in good enough
physical shape to realize our dream of moving
out of the city and "farm" a few acres.

BTW, I heard on the radio that there are
cheap electrical switch cover and receptacle
cover seals available that are supposed to
help a lot with insulating your home.

dtnwn

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Condo and apartment dwellers-

If you have a balcony, you can grow
tomatoes in a plastic garbage can,
carrots in a tub, green onions in
a shallow wood box. No hydroponics
needed. Tomatoes can make it without
full sun all day. Once it gets big, you will
have to water a tomato plant EVERY day.

That said, I do want to set up a hydroponic
system in my backyard. Maybe in the
spring. Toooo many things I want to do!

dtnwn

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Sam,
I KNEW I liked you.

And I'm very envious of your setup. You are having problems growing peaches? And consider pecan trees. Good source of protein. Taste pretty good and you can make pies out of them...

Try finding a book called "The Have More Plan" By Robinson (last name). It gives insight into raising almost ALL animals and plants. Plus it gives great insight into 'escaping' the city. It was written in the late forties or early fifties.

Not from a survival point of view. More of a 'get out of the crowd' type of thing. Or would that be considered survival?

Firearms. Yes - so much so that after retiring from computers I went and got a degree in gunsmithing

Food. Yes - but only what you eat now. Unless you expect company, then your needs change - also learning how to can is also a good thing - as it's becoming a lost art

COOKING - not on this list, but LEARN HOW TO COOK. Everybody seems to take cooking for granted. But if you don't know how to do this from scratch you could waste a lot of your preps when you might need them the most.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

REV-- excellent writeup, you took the words right out of my uh... fingers? hehe. I am not there yet, but I am aspiring to get near the level of what you have written above.

In the meantime, I am a financial youngin' and am doing the most basic things I can. I have eliminated more than $20K in debt this year, and am planning on eliminating about the same amount next year.

I'm investing in firearms and other equipment like utility tools, knives, and flashlights. Next up is some protective armor. www.bulletproofme.com has some very inexpensive police surplus.

Living in a rented house with roommates makes it difficult to do a lot of real preps that can only come with owning your residence. In the meantime I've been accumulating canned goods, dry goods, etc. In the interest of health I have been cooking nightly, and I don't mean top ramen. One of the best recommendations I have for everyone is to LEARN TO COOK! Not only is it good for you, but it's cheaper than eating out, it saves money, and when cheap&easy fast food becomes unavailable, you'll still be living large.

Even though I don't have land yet, I've been researching homesteading, gardening, and the like. I cannot wait until I own my own land upon which I can plant an orchard , build a greenhouse ,make a pond, garden, and even raise some basic animals. I am also planning on investing in solar when I get there. Knowledge is power. Buy books. Research.

That's my opinion.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Your barbs and criticisms are understood.

Just understand... I was asking people to share what they are doing, or plan to do - not what they think is going to happen.

Is this something that can be left as it is? Or is there more arguing and finger-pointing ahead of us?
:shakehand

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

I will also add that I now am driving a beater car, and am looking into getting a cheap, efficient, and reliable used 4x4 (paying cash of course). I am also "cleaning house" of all useless/costly electronics, and am ebaying a lot of it, as well as using the barter section on craigslist. A few weeks ago I even made about $400 at the local swapmeet by selling junk that I haven't used in years.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Not bad! I could put an extra $400 to good use!

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Hi Wallew-

Honey just went off to the acupuncturist.
Hope it helps you.

Flashlights were mentioned here.
I have a bunch of Sure Fire incandescents.
My EDC BASIC 60 GT is expensive
and for me not all that user friendly.
I lost my nice keychain ARC AAA.
My ACR LS has been great for years,
and I still use it but the switch cover is
starting to crack. Mind you this is after
being in my pocket for years, and
perhaps ten thousand on/off cycles.

So? So, I felt it was time to get a back-up
every day pocket flashlight. Was looking for
an OMBU single cell, but discovered that
Nuwaii has a knockoff, but it puts out 3 watts!
They are so cheap I bought two single cell
3 watters and two double cell lights.

Been using the single cell light for a month or
so. It is awesome! (for its intended purpose)
Don't even bother with the two cell model.

quantum3

If you get one (or two) be sure it's the
new 3 watt version.

I got fast service from this vendor

eliteled/

dtnwn

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

In your case with Water and food covered I would focus on AC. get a small generator for a window unit.

Power outage in the summer made me a sleepless grumpy man. I assume your in Southeast so I'm sure it gets hot. Maybe a Camping trailer with AC and rechargeable batteries from solar.

I would look at routes to get out of dodge if something stupid happens.

Hope this is helpful.

E-A

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Rev...thank you again. I just printed off your 1st post this thread. I must admit, there are a few people who I don't even read their posts at all. Yours I actually search for. Thanks again.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Haha... funny you should mention AC...

I come from back in the swamp so I thought I could take some heat and humidity. When I moved into my new place the AC was down and I think I made it two nights before I bought a window unit. I learned that modern housing is completely different than a chikee or any sort of camping. All they do is bottle in heat, ventilate poorly and trap humidity!

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Thanks WyldWil, I appreciate it. I've gotten a lot of information off the boards that has been beneficial to me, I try to add something of value where I can.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Hi REV... Balcony: CHECK. Raising veggies sounds like a simple thing to do and makes sense. Maybe from there I can graduate to an aquarium.

NICE... thanks. Yea, eBay is a great thing.

Cool... I think I needed to hear that...

I have a little Hyundai, paid off. :ARMS1: Believe me, if I had an SUV I'd be sellin' that sucker.

I hear ya! I feel like I'm paying for it in SPADES. So it goes though.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE INFO REV.

Great thread ~ Learnin alot, seein lots of possibilities. Thanks all, keep it coming.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Buff01 -

Perhaps something like this? And it might be in your price range. If you know where to look - http://cgi.govliquidation.com/auctio...tionId=1048036 - OR occasionaly here - http://www.steelsoldiers.com/modules...le=index&cat=1

Here's mine - Right at $5k for both

http://goldismoney.info/forums/attac...1&d=1164848811

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Attachment 21163

The Arc uses the available-everywhere AAA battery while the Nuwaii needs the CR123A battery. Sam: my Arc AAA is minimalist perfection when it comes to a keychain flashlight. Check out this link and please reconsider:

http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/third/arcp.htm

:yippee:

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

KG-

Don't get me wrong, I am going to replace
the ARC AAA. The one I lost was an early
model, I understand that the new version
is brighter.

dtnwn

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Let me add a lil more.

The ARC AAA is probably the best
keychain light out there IMO.

But for an every day workhorse pocket light,
(example: peering into three foot sections
of 5/8 diameter aluminum tubing in daylight.)
I need a more powerful flashlight.
I don't know if any are familiar with
the ARC LS but the Nuwaii Quantam III
puts out LOTS more light at only a slight
increase in size.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

I also own the original model and it is an awesome little survivalist flashlight. Can't praise it too much. By the way, a little-known fact is that only yellow and red LED bulbs last 120 hours in Photon mini-flashlights while all the other colors, including white, only last 12 hours per battery. The Photon website has a chart.

Sam: the new and improved Arc AAA will be a nice Christmas present to yourself. Cheers!

:smile:

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Further yet-

I got some purposefully dim yellow
single cell AA cheap but reliable
CMG flashlights for our truck and car,
for map reading and other tasks where
low intensity light is preferable.
Photons would serve this purpose but
would likely get lost in my truck, they
would certainly instantly get lost
Honey's car.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

KG-

Minimalist, eh?
Then you probably already have one of these
Swiss-Tech tools. That's a phillips head and
flat blade screwdriver that really work, and a
plier that really works too, ... for small stuff.
Brilliantly clever design.

http://www.militaria.pl/cocoon/gfx/p...lkosci_det.JPG

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I need to find the INS auction site because I live in prime territory and I see ex-border patrol (pea green) SUVs all the time around here! If not something like that, I might just invest a little more in a 1994-6 dodge ram 4x4 with cummins turbodiesel. I've seen them for well under $10k. They get at least 20 MPG and will go 500,000+ miles.

Re: Intro to self-reliance, and other things to keep in mind...
 

:shakehand