The Prepared Ninja

Win SafeGuard StealthPRO Body Armor

Tom — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:48:11 +0000

SafeGuard Body armor is giving away a set of their new StealthPRO™ Body Armor in celebration of the release of this new product. The StealthPRO™ armor features SAPI Pockets inside (Front and Back) for Hard Armor Plate Inserts! So You Get All The Benefits of The Breathable and Comfortable Stealth™ Vest With Extra Level 4 Rifle Protection.

As SafeGuard states, “Basically We Have Created the Ultimate Covert Bullet Proof Vest!”

The winner of this contest will win a StealthPRO with Level 3a Vest With Additional Stab, Spike Level 2 Protection AND Two Level 3 Polyethylene Plates!

Available in Black or White.

To enter the contest:

Go to SafeGuard Armor’s Facebook Page.
Share the StealthPRO™ Giveaway post.
Like their page.

The winner will be selected at random.

Closing Date: 28th June 2013 Good Luck!

Privacy, And Why It Matters

Tom — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:52:24 +0000

The following is a guest post from JV:

Assistant Dear Leader Nancy Pelosi has told us explicitly- “Every aspect of our lives must be subjected to an inventory.” And who better to inventory it, than the compassionate, caring, DMV-like state! And I just can’t wait until we have those Red Guard-like “self-criticism struggle sessions!” I’m sure that will fix things in a jiffy!

“If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know,” Google non-Einstein CEO Eric Schmidt said in 2009, “maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.” Really, Eric? How’s that prostate health of your’s going along? And tell us what you REALLY think of those Kate Upton pix on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Y’know….what you really think. Anything else about your health or, um….marital and/or sex life you care to let us all know about? If not, “maybe you shouldn’t be doing ‘it’ in the first place,” right? BTW, care to tell us how you ran Novell into the ground, Mr. Schmidt? Full details, please! Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder, says the same thing as Herr Schmidt. Just curious though: Does Mr. Zuckerberg mind if the paparazzi join him in bed tonight? Would be great to get some close up photos of him in his PJs clutching his fuzzy yellow teddy bear! Does he close the door when in the washroom, or taking a shower? Care to give us the complete details of your latest spat with your significant other? Or is that others? And DO tell us all about your early dating life, struggles with pimples, and how you felt when you didn’t make the football team when you were 15. Oh yes…can you provide your SSN, Visa card number and cell phone number while you are at it?

Photo Credit: RadioBigBoy.com

And why, exactly, are Obama’s records – like his medical or university ones – sealed? Can we start with this new Pelosi-esque open “inventory” of our lives with our Dear Leader? No? Why not?? And why did Lisa Jackson, EPA czar, feel a need for a fake email account, if Obama appointees are also so on board with this approach? Why is Kathleen Sibelius doing the same thing with her fake email account? Can we get the details on half of Obama’s cabinet that cheated on their taxes, while we are at it?

Of course, when the First Congress enacted the original Crimes Act in 1790, there were only 17 recognized Federal crimes, and it was reasonable to assume that as long as a person was a law-abiding citizen, he was not at risk of arrest. Today there are more than 4,500 Federal crimes and tens of thousands of Federal regulations – and this is JUST at the federal level I’m sure I must be guilty of at least a few of them, so perhaps Nancy Pelosi could just go ahead and sign me up for a few at random ones at one of the government levels (federal, state or municipal)? The Federal Register –comprised of government agencies’ new regulations, proposed rules, and presidential papers – is, according toPolitifact.com and Rep. Randy Forbes (R—4th District of Virginia) 34,000 pages in length. The Government Printing Office stated on June 14, 2011, the actual number of pages was 34,844, but then, as pages are added every day, whose counting! But that was actually just the running tally of the number of pages published in 2011 to date. According to Jim Hemphill, Assistant to the Director of the Federal Register, the 2010 total was actually 81,405 pages, of which “only” 46, 758 were dedicated to rules or proposed rules (Whew! I was worried there for a minute!). The rest were agency hearings, meetings, investigations, etc.

As Tim Carney writes in the Washington Examiner, “Citizens that the federal government wants to indict, the federal government can indict if it monitors them closely enough. That’s why it’s so disturbing to learn that the federal government doesn’t need to obtain a warrant on us in order to get our emails and phone records…. One threat to privacy is Congress expanding the use of these Big Brother tools. Another threat is an administration using it illegally. This happens. President Bush used surveillance powers inappropriately. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer targeted political opponents with state surveillance. So what’s next? A president targeting hard-core environmentalists or pro-life activists on the suspicion they’ll carry out terrorist attacks? This may not sound likely, but recall scare stories about “ecoterrorists,” and how Obama’s Department of Homeland Security has warned that Tea Partiers are serious threats.You don’t need a new Nixon for this to become reality. You just need a president convinced that his political opponents are not only incorrect, but positively dangerous.” We know the “Yes we can” chanters aren’t on board with this, so what about Bush? Or Nixon? As the Verizon commercial might say to these leftists, “Can you hear me now?!!!”

But the very best response to the utterly absurd contentions of Komrades Schmidt and Zuckerberg – and all their ilk – is found at lawyer Harvey Silverglate’s, Three Felonies a Day website. The website has exactly what you think it does: a rendering of how you, dear average citizen, are literally guilty of three felonies a day. Yes, you!

I did not retain the source for the information below, but let me cite this excerpt: “Legal experts such as retired Louisiana State University law professor John Baker say, “There is no one in the United States over the age of 18 who cannot be indicted for some federal crime… That is not an exaggeration.” It is because more than 4,500 federal laws exist. These laws crisscross 50 titles and roughly 27,000 pages of the U.S. Code. And to complicate matters, at least another 10,000 regulations from dozens of disparate federal offices and agencies carry severe and criminal punishments. Adding to this volatile mix is the established trend that government seeks to “criminalize nearly every aspect of our lives,” says The Heritage Foundation in its ‘You Could Go To Prison for Five Years By Making a Clerical Error’. Here’s how: “The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA), an agency within the Transportation Department, recently proposed a regulation that would make filing duplicate applications to transport fireworks a crime punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.” In other words, if you’re overly cautious and submit more than one application, you could go to federal prison. And we’re not talking here about nuclear material, hazardous waste, or toxic chemicals. We’re talking about firecrackers and bottle rockets used by patriotic Americans to celebrate what’s left of our independence. The report continues: “Why such a severe punishment for merely filing a duplicate application?” To quote PHMSA, “The submission of duplicate applications under both processes may result in confusion, slower processing, and diminished safety.” Ah yes… that old “safety” thing again! Heck, we are so “safe” that 75% of us could be in jail – unless you have a good lawyer like Jon “I lost $1.6 billion” Corzine does, or are a special crony of the elite.

Traditionally, we have a separation between civil and criminal law. The reason is so punishments fit the crime. Also, for a crime to exist, there ought to be criminal intent. None of these factors fit the example above, because common sense and decency by central powers have been thrown out the window. In another example from the report, under current law, if you’re negligent and drop a banana peel on the floor, and a customer slips on it and gets injured, the customer has the right to sue for monetary damages. That’s fair. No one gets locked up in jail; it was just a mistake.But under The Clean Water Act, simple, unintentional accidents are crimes. You can get charged with a felony and sent to prison for three years because your employees accidentally installed the wrong water filter. This happened to Mr. James Hong [United States v. James Ming Hong]. If your employee drives heavy equipment and accidentally punctures a buried petroleum pipe, and the contents spill into a waterway, you’ll have a felony on your personal record for life, and also sit in prison for six months, just as it happened to Edward Hanousek, Jr. [Edward Hanousek v. United States].

Civil forfeiture (as opposed to criminal forfeiture) happens when law enforcement agencies “seize property upon the mere suspicion that it may have some connection to criminal activity,” says president and general counsel of the Institute for Justice, Chip Mellor. “Under civil forfeiture, police and prosecutors can seize your car or other property, sell it and use the proceeds to fund agency budgets–all without… charging you with a crime… with civil forfeiture, owners need not be charged with a crime… to lose homes, cars, cash or other property.”

This nightmare is happening now to Mr. Russ Caswell…

In United States v. 434 Main Street, Tewksbury, Massachusetts (The Motel Caswell), the Justice Department teamed up with the local police department to strip Caswell’s ownership of his motel. Notice the case title, United States v. 434 Main Street, Tewksbury, Massachusetts. The defendant is an actual street address, not a legal entity; the government is suing the property. Caswell and his family are NOT accused much less convicted of any crime. The government’s position: Over the last 20 years, this motel, which has been in the Caswell family for two generations, is the location where some lodgers have been arrested for crimes. (So, apparently that makes the cops entitled to the property.) It’s important to mention that throughout this time “the Caswells themselves have worked closely with law enforcement officials to prevent and report crime on their property,” says the Institute for Justice. The Caswells have been responsible and diligent owners. Their motel is worth at least $1 million and is owned free and clear, making it a juicy prize. For perspective, in 1986, the year after the U.S. Department of Justice’s Asset Forfeiture Fund was created it took in just $93.7 million. According its Annual Financial Statements for the year 2011, the fund increased to $2.85 BILLION in 2011, up from $2.58 BILLION in 2010, nearly an 11% increase in one year.

Does anyone still have questions on why this issue is important?

Preparing For Hurricane Season

Tom — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:45:33 +0000

Whether we like it or not, hurricane season is upon us and there are several predictions that the 2013 season will be worse than average. When I think about it, it does not matter whether tropical storms actually convert into hurricanes or not, the potential for adverse effects is great. Even a tropical storm has the capability of causing significant property damage, flooding, loss of power and utilitities, and delays to everyday activities. So what does this mean for preparedness?

Photo Credit: Ready.gov

1. Have A Plan

Fortunately, technology has evolved to allow early warning of storm systems and their potential to cause catastrophic damage. Such technology has minimized the loss of life that occurs as a result of storms. This is only beneficial though when residents and those in the effected area heed the warnings they are given and evacuate before a storm hits. If an evacuation order is given, the prudent thing to do is leave the area but not without having a plan first! A plan should include:

The location where you will go if you must evacuate (hotel, friend or relatives house, shelter, etc.). Ideally, you should have a primary and secondary location. Wherever it is that you decide to go, it should be outside of the area of the evacuation order (I hope that part is kind of obvious).
Determine the route of travel. It is possible that a route could be congested or unusable as a result of the need to evacuate or storm system. Consider a route that is on major interstates/highways and one that is on lesser used roads. Another contingency could include having a route in each direction from the area that you will evacuate. Many hurricane prone communities will have designated evacuation routes that are typically the best option.
If you have pets, have a plan for them as well. Shelters will normally not allow the presence of pets except if necessary for a service capacity. It is also possible that the hotel you end up at does not allow pets and a friend or relative could have an allergy. Clear up any questions about these possibilities before it is too late.
Make a load out plan. The time that you have to evacuate could be extremely limited and as a result of this possibility you should make a plan that includes the items that you will take with you and how it will all be loaded into the vehicle(s) that you will take with you.

2. Keep Supplies On Hand

If the decision is made to evacuate, ensure that your property(home, business, etc.) is properly secured. Often times this involves boarding up doors and windows and sandbagging perimeters.

In the event that an evacuation order is given there will undoubtedly be a rush to purchase the necessary items to complete these tasks. The best way to put yourself in a position where you do not end up short of the necessary supplies to secure your property is to complete an accurate estimate of the materials needed, purchase them, and have the materials staged prior to actually needing them. Covering doors and windows is best completed through the use of purpose built storm shutters but the next best option is use of 1/2″ to 5/8″ marine-grade plywood, cut to fit the door or window, and secured using screws.

Some may say that spending time and money to gather materials is a waste. This is a determination that each individual must make. It seems reasonable to me that if you live in the Gulf Coast Region and Eastern Seaboard of the United States that having necessary materials on hand is just being prepared for the inevitable. In other regions it may not be as likely that a large storm will hit your area and such materials are not necessary. What I can tell you though is that the same materials that are used to secure a property for a tropical storm or hurricane can also be used to secure a property from a number of other situations up to, and including, the rising of the dead*.

If the decision is made to stay in place during a hurricane or tropical storm it is imperative to have the additional items necessary to sustain life in addition to those needed to save lives and safeguard property. Some of these items include:

Generator w/ Supply of Fuel
Food
Clean Water for Drinking and Hygiene
Weather Radio
Emergency Light Source
First Aid Kit
Whistle For Signaling
Sanitation and Hygiene Supplies

Other precautions that can be made to prevent or minimize damage include trimming back shrubs and bushes, removing dead trees, cleaning out gutters and downspouts, and clearing exterior areas of items that could become projectiles in high winds.

3. Other Considerations

Evacuating from an area or deciding to shelter in place can be made even more complicated when there are children, pets, or those with medical concerns involved. Keep in mind that children as well as pets may be made more comfortable in strange environments when they have a few of their favorite items to remind them of home. Make sure that these items get taken with you if at all possible. Children may also need to have additional changes of clothes as compared to older family members. When medical concerns are present, ensure that additional necessary items are taken with you to include medications, medical equipment, and important paperwork.

*Please forgive me. I could not help myself and included the possibility of a zombie apocalypse.

Top 5 Summer Food Storage Tips – Guest Post

Tom — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 02:28:05 +0000

Top 5 Most Important Summer Food Storage Tips

By Lee Flynn

Whatever time of year it is, and whatever your situation in life, it is always important to keep a good supply of food for emergencies. What this entails, is creating a store of nonperishable food, enough for you and your family in case of any kind of emergency that might make you unable to leave your house or purchase food for whatever reason. Natural disasters are the most cited reason for needing food storage, but anything from a blackout to the loss of a job could make a person unable to buy food. And when it comes to the summer, there are certain factors that you should take into consideration. Here are five important food storage tips for the summer.

1. Store Food Properly

With the summer, there comes a swarm of unwanted visitors in the form of pests, insects, and rodents. Bacteria also grows faster when it is warmer. If you don’t store your food properly, you could quickly run into trouble with contaminated food and infestations of certain creatures. Make sure that your food is stored in tightly sealed containers. As it is the summer, it is also likely to be much warmer. This makes it equally important to choose a good location for you food storage somewhere that is cool and out of the sunlight, preferably insulated.

2. Check the Type of Food You Store

Sometimes the only space that you have is in a basement or attic, or somewhere else with little to no insulation. If this is the case, you will have to be incredibly careful with the type of food that you store. Don’t store anything that can easily melt or suffer other alteration because of extreme temperatures. In fact, even if you do have an insulated storage space, you will still need to only include non perishable items in your food storage, as they are the items that will last until you need them.

3. Store Other Necessities

In any emergency food supply, there needs to be a stock of other important items to prepare for any eventuality. Such items include a first aid kit, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and medication. But in the summer, there are also other circumstances to take into consideration. Sunblock and insect repellant are both things for which you will be grateful, should you be forced to leave your house at a moment’s notice. Hay-fever medicine should also come in handy.

4. Plenty of Water

Any emergency that could occur would, more likely than not, affect the availability of good, clean water. For this reason, it is recommended that we store a gallon of water for each person who lives in the household. In the summer, you may need more; let’s not forget that we need water for washing, cleaning, and cooking as well as drinking.

5. Store Food that You Like!

You don’t know how long you may be stuck eating the food that you store, so it only makes sense to store food that you like and that is sure to be different in the summer from how it is in the winter. So if you are going to create food storage, why not make the most of it, and have some fun!

Lee Flynn is a freelance writer interested in helping others develop self reliance through food storage.

Q & A with Tess Pennington of Ready Nutrition

Tom — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 02:37:11 +0000

This week’s prepperview is with Tess Pennington of Ready Nutrition, a site packed with information on homesteading, preparedness, disaster and emergency planning. Whether you are looking for prepping supplies, recipes, information, or alternative medicine, Ready Nutrition has it. Thank you to Tess for the time and effort that she took to answer my questions.

The Prepared Ninja Prepperview

A 10 QUESTION INTERVIEW WITH PREPAREDNESS INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

1. If I were limited to only one firearm for survival, I would own a: Wow… that’s a tough one. We have a few different types of guns and rifles around here, but I’m pretty partial to my .9 mm Smith and Wesson M&P. I have been training with this handgun the most and feel very comfortable using it.

2. The single most overlooked prep item is: A very practical but overlooked prep item is duct tape. Preppers should have a large supply of this stuff.

You can protect your home and windows from storms
Waterproof essential gear ( In WWII soldiers used duct tape to keep water out of ammunition cases)
Fix leaks in gear or boats
Make emergency shoes
Winterproof shoes and boots
Make cordage
Repairs glasses
Makeshift band-aid
Can be used to repair leaking hoses in cars

Just to name a few…

3. The first thing to disappear following a disaster will be: Water. At the last minute, the unprepared will flock to the stores to purchase water and the demand will be so high the stores will be unable to fill it. Having water stored as well as ways to filter and treat it will give you an advantage.

4. If I could have a retreat anywhere in the world, it would be: My ideal retreat would be in the mountains of Oregon on 30+ acres with a large water source nearby. Although the terrain can be rough, it would be nice to be nestled in a valley where I can have a large garden, timber for fuel and a large grazing area for livestock. And let’s not forget about a fantastic view.

5. In my opinion, the best commercially produced survival food on the market today is: You can never go wrong with beans and rice. Both foods are extremely versatile, can be eaten for any mealtime, have long shelf lives and best of all – they are cheap! But, when they are combined together, they make a complete protein, which would be essential in a survival situation.

6. The items that I have on me at all times include: As a mother of three, I have to be ready for all types of “mini” emergencies that will come up. So, I carry a hiking daypack with me and include a pocket knife, 1 water bottle, granola bar/snacks, emergency whistle, $20, notepad/pen, chapstick, cell phone and a small first aid kit.

7. The last book that I read was: Self-Reliance and Other Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson

8. One thing that I would miss the most if an EMP shifted my lifestyle back to the 1800’s would be: I would definitely miss the constant supply of running water. I’ve been in off-grid situations before, one event was for 2+ weeks and not having water was tough.

As a prepper, I have water stored as well as multiple ways to filter and treat it, but it sure is convenient to have large amounts readily available for laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.

9. Stuck on an island and forced to choose one person to survive with, I would pick: My husband, Mac. He is a partner in many ways, we understand each other on many levels, are both like-minded and we both know that we can rely on each other. You can’t ask for anything better than that!

10. The vehicle I drive is: I am a mom of three, a Girl Scout leader and soccer mom – so I’m sporting the mini-van. I’d love to say that I have a souped up survival truck, but I don’t.

We are planning on investing in some mountain bikes for the family. It’s a great way to exercise, cut down on gasoline and it’s the ULTIMATE off grid form of transportation.

Tess Pennington is the author of The Prepper’s Cookbook: 300 Recipes to Turn Your Emergency Food into Nutritious, Delicious, Life-Saving Meals. When a catastrophic collapse cripples society, grocery store shelves will empty within days. But if you follow this book’s plan for stocking, organizing and maintaining a proper emergency food supply, your family will have plenty to eat for weeks, months or even years. Visit her web site at ReadyNutrition.com.

10 Essential Foods To Include In Your Food Storage – Guest Post

Tom — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 02:00:21 +0000

Hey, Preppers! It’s almost Summer. That means increased chances of heat waves, wildfires, monsoons and hurricanes. So, what have you done to prepare for such disasters? Well, we’re here to help you be prepared by starting your food storage.

When starting your food storage, experts suggest keeping things simple. That means beginning with your most immediate needs. We’ve put together a prepper’s list which contains items required to meet those needs. Feel free to print it out and take it with you when you go shopping. You can even print out copies to pass out to your loved ones for their food storage.

10 Food Storage Essentials

The list below contains 10 essential foods you should include in your food storage. Our calculations are based on the needs of one person, for six months. These products can be purchased at your local supermarket. All of them can have a very long shelf life, as long as they’re stored properly.

Wheat or White Flour – 10 lbs – It would be best to store both for variety.
Rice – 20 lbs – White rice has a longer shelf life than brown rice. But, both is best.
Beans – 20 lbs – For larger quantities, pinto beans are recommended.
Sugar – 5 lbs – Granulated sugar stores quite well if sealed tightly.
Salt – 2 lbs – This is a multipurpose product for emergency preppers.
Cooking Oil – 1 gallon
Powdered Milk – 5 lbs
Baking Soda – 1 lb
Baking Powder – 1 lb
Yeast – 5 lbs

Be Prepared for Emergencies with Food Storage

The shopping list above contains very basic foods to help you survive an emergency or disaster for six whole months. Be sure to add other products to meet your daily nutritional needs. Some of these include vitamins, health shakes and various healthy snacks.

One of the best ways to add some variety to the list above is to include canned foods and freeze dried foods in your emergency supply. Canned fruits, vegetables, beans and meats will help your family maintain a healthy diet during these times.

However, canned foods are very bulky and heavy to carry. So, if you ever need to evacuate, you’ll need foods that are easier to travel with on the road. Freeze dried foods come in many varieties, just like canned foods. Yet, freeze dried food weighs much less, making it best for evacuations.

Check the labels of the foods you purchase. You want to be sure that they contain loads of proteins and vitamins. Also, when buying products for your stockpile, make sure to purchase foods you and your family normally eat. For example, if you like to cook with canned tomatoes a lot, make sure your food storage also contains lots of canned and freeze dried tomatoes.

This article was written by Dirk Puckett of Daily Bread. They provide the essentials needed for your stockpile needs. Get prepared by starting your Daily Bread Food Storage today.

Prepperview With The Berkey Guy

Tom — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:51:05 +0000

This week’s prepperview is with Jeff “The Berkey Guy” Gleason of LPC Survival, a powerhouse dealer of survival products that specializes in Berkey Water Filtration Systems. I would like to thank Jeff for his time and willingness to share some of his thoughts and insight into preparing for an uncertain future.

The Prepared Ninja Prepperview

A 10 QUESTION INTERVIEW WITH PREPAREDNESS INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

1. If I were limited to only one firearm for survival, I would own a: Just cannot narrow it down to one, but having a handgun is a must.

2. The single most overlooked prep item is: Water Storage and a Water Purification System to purify the water.

3. The first thing to disappear following a disaster will be: Water in stores and preparedness products.

4. If I could have a retreat anywhere in the world, it would be: Any place away from big cities.

5. In my opinion, the best commercially produced survival food on the market today is: Mountain House – Any of their food.

6. The items that I have on me at all times include: Great question, but keeping it personal, other than keys for cars and house.

7. The last book that I read was: The Survival Medicine Handbook by Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

8. One thing that I would miss the most if an EMP shifted my lifestyle back to the 1800’s would be: Internet

9. Stuck on an island and forced to choose one person to survive with, I would pick: My wife, she’s my life.

10. The vehicle I drive is: A silver car and a blue car, no other info forthcoming.

Thanks again to Jeff for his time and thoughts. If you get the chance, make sure to swing by LPC Survival and check out all the great products offered for sale on Jeff’s website.

The True Meaning of Memorial Day

Tom — Mon, 27 May 2013 23:46:31 +0000

Today I write to encourage everyone to take a minute to remember the real reason for Memorial Day. Like all holiday’s, there has been a commercialization that leads many to forget the real reason for the day. Today is not about selling cars, saving up to 50% off at your favorite department store, or getting a free day off. Memorial Day is about remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in armed combat. Whether you find yourself on the right or left side of the aisle, agree or disagree with the military or war, or the decisions that are being made, America’s service members elect to serve our country and to support and defend the Constitution regardless of how they feel about those in command and the orders they are given.

Always remember that those who die in service to America, do so for you.

I will never forget the men and women who I have served with, that made the ultimate sacrifice. Please take a moment of your day to memorialize the brave men and women of the United States Military who gave everything for us.

Please Welcome JM Bullion!

Tom — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:05:00 +0000

There is a new dealer in town! I am pleased to welcome JM Bullion as the exclusive precious metals partner of The Prepared Ninja.

JM Bullion is a premier online dealer of precious metals that offers an extensive range of products and specializes in top notch customer service. Unlike many precious metals dealers, JM specifically sells coins, bars, and rounds that are intended to be physically held in the owner’s possession, making it the perfect solution for preparedness minded individuals searching for precious metals.

If you are new to precious metals, never fear! JM Bullion offers the Beginner’s Guide to Precious Metals for those who might want to learn more about the various types of metals, how to purchase precious metals, the types of investments available, as well as how to store and sell precious metals. For those who would like to make regular investments, check out JM’s Automatic Investment Program.

JM Bullion offers the following products:

Gold Bars
Gold Coins
Certified Gold Coins
IRA Eligible Gold
Silver Bars
Silver Coins
Silver Rounds
“Junk” Silver Coins
Certified Silver Coins
IRA Eligible Silver
Platinum Bars
IRA Eligible Platnium
Precious Metal Bar and Coin Accessories

JM Bullion also strives to ensure the utmost security for their customers. Every transaction with JM is completed through their website that features a 256-bit SSL certificate, credit card transactions are completed through authorize.net (a verified 3rd party processor), and all orders are shipped discreetly with no mention of precious metals anywhere on the packaging as well as insurance, shipment tracking, and signature confirmation.

The pricing model used by JM is fair and there are no hidden fees making them a very straight forward source for your precious metal purchases. You will not find small print, scams, or mediocre products. For all of your precious metal needs, look no further than JM Bullion.

10 ?’s with Damian Brindle of reThinkSurvival

Tom — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:56:07 +0000

This is the first of what I hope to be a series of several “prepperviews” (interviews with preparedness professionals).

Damian Brindle from reThinkSurvival was kind enough to give us some insight into his views on preparedness and survival. I found his answers both informative and entertaining. For those that are not familiar with his site, make sure to check it out at reThinkSurvival.com. It is loaded with great information, YouTube videos that are posted daily, and the Pathway 2 Preparedness course.

Here is what Damian had to say…

Please don’t consider me a professional. I’m just another American trying to better prepare his family for whatever might come our way… nothing more, nothing less.

1. If I were limited to only one firearm for survival, I would own a: Ruger 10/22 (or something similar) for a variety of basic survival reasons, including cost of ammo, ease of use, versatility around a homestead, etc.

2. The single most overlooked prep item are: buckets—and plenty of them—in all sizes. They have so many uses, from hauling water to storing food, caching supplies, as a makeshift toilet, wash station, and plenty more uses. Be sure to include the lids too!

3. The first thing to disappear following a disaster will be: whatever it is you failed to stock up on yesterday. But, if I had to be pinned down then I would say gasoline because nobody knows how to do anything if they can’t use their cars.

4. If I could have a retreat anywhere in the world, it would be: wherever nobody else has thought of and, sadly, I’m pretty sure there are no more hiding places on Earth. That said, it would probably still be here in America, specifically the northwest. I would need a plentiful water resource and a lot of trees to harvest. Beyond that, I could make do fairly well with whatever I’m presented with.

5. In my opinion, the best commercially produced survival food on the market today is: anything made by Mountain House. I know there are plenty of freeze-dried food choices but I tend to like their products, particularly the spaghetti and lasagna meals.

6. The items that I have on me at all times include: my keys, cell phone, a USB drive with pertinent info (encrypted, of course), a photon keychain light, CRKT folding knife, kubotan, wallet with assorted supplies (e.g., credit card Fresnel lens, bandages, some OTC meds, duct tape, etc), and occasionally a Leatherman Wave with a firesteel and another mini light.

7. The last book that I read was: a review of Fight, Flight, or Hide. The Guide to a Mass Shooting. One of these days I’ll get to reading classic novels instead of survival and preparedness info… one day.

8. One thing that I would miss the most if an EMP shifted my lifestyle back to the 1800’s would be: music. But, if we’re relatively prepared then we should be able to play a few favorite tunes every now and then without much trouble.

9. Stuck on an island and forced to choose one person to survive with, I would pick: my wonderful wife as my survival partner. Gee, how could I not… she might read this?

10. The vehicle I drive is: a lowly Saturn Sedan. Some day it will be a tank, I swear it.

Thank you to Damian for sharing with us. Keep an eye out for future prepperviews with professionals from the survival and preparedness niche.