Where Home Improvement, Homesteading, Organization, and Self-Reliance Meet.
Stop Working For Your House. Put Your House To Work For You.
A Family-Friendly Podcast.
WELCOME to Homestead Dividends. I’m Dan Vamos.
This site is dedicated to: Organization, Do-It-Yourself, Homesteading, Self-Reliance, and Practical Knowledge for living a better life. For the person who wants to take control of their life, be more self-reliant and put their most valuable asset (their home) to work for them, I say, “You are in the right place.”
Homestead Dividends is a site designed to do several very specific things:
- Save you money
- Save you time
- Give perspective
- Give support/encouragement
I want you to make the shift from being a consumer to a producer. Houses consume time, money, and effort. Turning your house and you into producers takes that same money, time and effort…and puts it to work for you
I will help you build a better life!
I am doing it, and so can you!
Contact me at: homesteaddividends@gmail.com
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Best Basic Prepper's lists, do-it-yourself, gardening, glass block installation, hobbies, home renovation, homesteading, horticulture, investment, organization, painting, self-reliance, survival
Purifying Household Water
The treatments described below work only in situations where the water is unsafe because of the presence of bacteria or viruses. If you suspect the water is unsafe because of chemicals, oils, poisonous substances, sewage or other contaminants, do not use the water for drinking.
Storing water safely
Store one gallon of water per person per day.
Store at least a three-day supply of water per person.
Collect the water from a safe supply.
Thoroughly washed plastic containers such as soft drink bottles are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums.
Seal water containers tightly, label with date, and store in a cool, dark place.
Replace water every six months.
Never reuse a container that contained toxic materials such as pesticides, solvents, chemicals, oil or antifreeze.
Water purification
There are two primary ways to treat water: boiling and adding bleach. If tap water is unsafe because of water contamination (from floods, streams or lakes), boiling is the best method.
Cloudy water should be filtered before boiling or adding bleach.
Filter water using coffee filters, paper towels, cheese cloth or a cotton plug in a funnel.
Boiling
Boiling is the safest way to purify water.
Bring the water to a rolling boil for one minute.
Let the water cool before drinking.
Purifying by adding liquid chlorine bleach
If boiling is not possible, treat water by adding liquid household bleach, such as Clorox or Purex. Household bleach is typically between 5 percent and 6 percent chlorine.
Avoid using bleaches that contain perfumes, dyes and other additives. Be sure to read the label.
Place the water (filtered, if necessary) in a clean container. Add the amount of bleach according to the table below.
Mix thoroughly and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes before using (60 minutes if the water is cloudy or very cold).
Treating Water with a 5-6 Percent Liquid Chlorine Bleach Solution
Volume of Water to be Treated Treating Clear/Cloudy Water:
Bleach Solution to Add Treating Cloudy, Very Cold, or Surface Water: Bleach Solution to Add
1 quart/1 liter 3 drops 5 drops
1/2 gallon/2 quarts/2 liters 5 drops 10 drops
1 gallon 1/8 teaspoon 1/4 teaspoon
5 gallons 1/2 teaspoon 1 teaspoon
10 gallons 1 teaspoon 2 teaspoons
Courtesy Washington State Department of Health
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/purify.htm
So everyone talks about having an Emergency Evacuation Bag (EEB) or Bugout Bag…But what do you put in them? A good question. In fact, that’s what today’s episode is all about.
I’ve put together a list from multiple sources and a little common sense. Let me know what you keep in YOUR EEB.
EEB Contents:
- Food–thing fast and filling: dried fruits/nuts, granola bars, candy bars, energy bars, energy drinks, powdered drinks, powdered coffee/tea bags, peanut butter
- AM/FM portable radio
- cell phone/coms
- First Aid Kit –
- Water – min 3 liters per person
- Water purification–filter/bleach/tablets
- lighter
- Mylar blanket or garbage bag
- Flashlight–at least 2: 1 headlamp and 1 tactical one made of ballistic material to use as a club
- personal hygiene–tp, tampons,soap, toothpaste,etc
- Medicine–3 days of your necessary doses antibiotics, first aid kit, bottle of aspirin, sleeping pills
- Nalgene/water bottles
- Knife/Multitool
- regional map
- mirror or cd for signaling, etc
- change of clothes, underwear, socks
- toys, coloring books, games
- paracord/light rope
- batteries for flashlights
- fishing line/basic fishing gear/hooks
- Ziploc bags
- Sunblock if in sunny area
- fleece jacket for cooler weather
- extra pair of shoes
- money
- copy of documents: driver’s license, passport, etc
- duct tape
- book
- A few pictures or a small pick-me-up item
- Gun (if your country allows and you feel you should)
- mace/pepper spray
Fema statement:
Grab And Go: Packing An Emergency Preparedness Kit Is Easy – And Essential
Release Date: June 2, 2009
Release Number: R4-09-107
ATLANTA, Ga. — Just as every home should have a smoke alarm, every home should have an emergency supply kit packed and ready at the start of hurricane season.
Preparing for the potential devastation of a hurricane isn’t just the job of emergency management officials. It’s also an individual responsibility, said Phil May, regional administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“You should be prepared to take care of yourself and members of your family for the first 72 hours – that’s three days – following a disaster such as a hurricane,” said May, who oversees operations for the eight Southeastern states that comprise FEMA Region IV.
“Packing an emergency preparedness kit helps ensure the safety and comfort of you and your family members at a time when basic public services may be disrupted,” said May.
An emergency preparedness kit needs to include food and water for each member of your family for three days, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, spare batteries, first aid kit, can opener, local maps, moist towelettes, toilet paper, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
Other items to consider include sleeping bags or blankets, paper towels, books, puzzles and games for children and pet food for family pets.
A complete list of recommended items for an emergency kit can be found at Ready.gov, FEMA’s emergency preparedness Web site.
The emergency supplies can be stored in an easy-to-carry plastic storage container or duffel bag, making them easy to grab and go when an emergency forces you to leave your home.
Putting together an emergency kit isn’t a costly enterprise. Many of the items that need to go into the kit are likely already scattered throughout your home.
An emergency preparedness kit will make your stay away from home during an evacuation more comfortable, ensuring you have foods you like, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, entertainment and even treats during a stressful time.
More information on emergency preparedness, including how to put together a family communication plan, can be found at www.Ready.gov.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
FEMA Go Bag
San Francisco Go Bag
Frugal Dad
economiccollapsesurvival.com
Ep 113_What to Put in Your EEB (Bugo
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A dog was about to cross a river in Africa. The water was deep and swift. A scorpion came alongside the dog and asked if he could ride across the water on the dog’s back. ”As long as you don’t sting me.” said the dog.
The dog and scorpion agreed and the scorpion forded the river on the back of the dog. When they reached to other side, the dog emerged from the swift waters. Just then, the scorpion stung him on his back. The dog protested,” But you said you weren’t going to sting me…why did you do it?”
The scorpion, now safely across the river, calmly replied,” It’s my nature.”
The lesson of this story fits in nicely with today’s topic: credit default swaps. ”How?” you say. Simple.
As Chase Announced its $2 billion dollar loss from another credit default swap, a scandal that plagued the economy in 2008 and created a crisis, it became clear to me that large banks that really aren’t banks anymore and arrogantly consider its retail customers “insignificant” will continue to gamble away their assets in risky and downright stupid ventures and pass the pain onto us.
“Why?” you ask. It is THEIR NATURE.
Didn’t this cause the banking crisis a few years ago? Weren’t credit default swaps supposed to be eliminated? Why are banks still using them? Why, despite a $2 billion loss, will Chase still turn a profit this year?
Interesting, very interesting.
ARTICLE
Definition of ‘Credit Default Swap – CDS’
A swap designed to transfer the credit exposure of fixed income products between parties. A credit default swap is also referred to as a credit derivative contract, where the purchaser of the swap makes payments up until the maturity date of a contract. Payments are made to the seller of the swap. In return, the seller agrees to pay off a third party debt if this party defaults on the loan. A CDS is considered insurance against non-payment. A buyer of a CDS might be speculating on the possibility that the third party will indeed default.
Investopedia explains ‘Credit Default Swap – CDS’
The buyer of a credit default swap receives credit protection, whereas the seller of the swap guarantees the credit worthiness of the debt security. In doing so, the risk of default is transferred from the holder of the fixed income security to the seller of the swap. For example, the buyer of a credit default swap will be entitled to the par value of the contract by the seller of the swap, should the third party default on payments. By purchasing a swap, the buyer is transferring the risk that a debt security will default.
Ep 112_Credit Default Swaps and the
Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/creditdefaultswap.asp#ixzz1v6LyuzcR
Credit default swap
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Didn’t this cause the banking crisis a few years ago? Weren’t credit default swaps supposed to be eliminated? Why are banks still using them? Why, despite a $2 billion loss, will Chase still turn a profit this year?
Interesting, very interesting.
ARTICLE
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Parachute cord
Ep 111_Paracord and Its Uses
Paracord seems to be in every blog and in every prepping store. At first, I was incredibly annoyed with all of the attention it was receiving in the usual blogs/podcasts/etc. Then, my brain turned on: MAYBE if it’s all the rage, it’s worth taking a look at. (Yes, I know I just ended that sentence in a preposition…get over it) I have this bad habit of avoid popular trends and fads. It definitely makes me unique, but it can also be a negative when I buck convention sometimes.
MIL-SPEC Paracord has 7 inner yarns each made up of 3 strands. Commercial 550 paracord imitations may not have 7 inner yarns or the inner yarns may not have 3 strands each.
Parachute cord (also paracord or 550 cord) is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II. Once in the field, paratroopers found this cord useful for many other tasks. It is now used as a general purpose utility cord by both military personnel and civilians. This versatile cord was even used by astronauts during STS-82, the second Space Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.[1]
The braided sheath has a high number of interwoven strands for its size, giving it a relatively smooth texture. The all-nylon construction makes paracord fairly elastic; depending on the application this can be either an asset or a liability.
While the U.S. military has no overall diameter requirements in its specifications, in the field 550 cord typically measures 5/32″ (4mm) in diameter.
| Type |
Minimum strength |
Minimum elongation |
Minimum length per pound |
Core yarns |
Sheath structure |
| I |
95 lb (43 kg) |
30% |
950 ft (290 m; max. 1.57 g/m) |
4 to 7 |
32/1 or 16/2 |
| IA |
100 lb (45 kg) |
30% |
1050 ft (320 m; max. 1.42 g/m) |
<no core> |
16/1 |
| II |
400 lb (181 kg) |
30% |
265 ft (81 m; max. 5.62 g/m) |
4 to 7 |
32/1 or 36/1 |
| IIA |
225 lb (102 kg) |
30% |
495 ft (151 m; max. 3.00 g/m) |
<no core> |
32/1 or 36/1 |
| III |
550 lb (249 kg) |
30% |
225 ft (69 m; max. 6.61 g/m) |
7 to 9 |
32/1 or 36/1 |
| IV |
750 lb (340 kg) |
30% |
165 ft (50 m; max. 9.02 g/m) |
11 |
32/1, 36/1, or 44/1 |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachute_cord
Uses of Paracord
________________ ____________________- ___________________- ________________________- ____________________________
From survivorgeek.com:
Emergency uses for Paracord
Emergency Uses for Paracord:
I highlighted some of the best ones. See their site for the full list.
#1 Belt…
#4 Rig a makeshift tow rope. A single length of paracord has been tested to handle 550 lbs of weight, so wrap it securely 10 times and you have the ability to pull 5500 lbs…
#6 String up a clothes line. Wet clothes are uncomfortable when you’re camping and dangerous when you’re trying to survive….
#8 Replace your shoe laces. Just burn the ends and thread them through…
#16 Rig a pulley system to lift a heavy object
#17 Make a ladder to get up or down
Roughing it in the outdoors…Many of the uses above could be handy in the woods, but here are some options specific to outdoor survival:
#22 Build a shelter using sticks or by tying up the corners of a poncho or tarp
#23 Rig an improvised hammock (in case you haven’t sprung for a real hammock)
#24 Make a snare out of the internal strands
Fishing applications:
#32 Make a fish stringer. If you’ve just pulled the strings out to make fishing line, the remaining kernmantle (the colored sheath) would be plenty strong enough to hold fish. Otherwise just cut a length, and tie through the gills.
#33 Secure your boat or raft
#34 Make a net out of the internal strands…if you have some time on your hands
First aid uses:
#35 Tie straight sticks around a broken limb to make a splint.
#36 Tie a sling to hold your arm…
#39 Make a stretcher by running paracord between two long sticks, or fashion a branch drag to move an injured person
http://www.survivorgeek.com/pages/Emergency-uses-for-Paracord.html
Paracord Resources
Warning; Audio Degraded due to Interference. Sorry the audio quality is poor. Next time will be perfect.
“Sweet Are the Uses of Adversity” –William Shakespeare
The Year 2000 (Y2K) crisis or glitch taught me a few things about prepping and life in general.
- If everybody’s talking about the crisis and preparing for it, it’s probably not going to happen or its effects are minimized
- Preppers preparing for a single event ALWAYS fail. ( Okay, ALMOST always fail)
- The homesteader/self-sufficiency model is better than the prepper model. Seriously. Why, you ask?
- BECAUSE prepping is a way of getting through a crisis. Homesteading is a PARADIGM SHIFT (what’s a paradigm?…A paradigm is a fundamental change in the thought or how the game is played) .
- The homesteading paradigm shift is turning your back on simply trying to wait out the crisis until systems of support come back on line, and instead look to find alternative methods of living by bypassing the traditional methods preppers are hoping will come back on-line.
- Focus onSelf-Reliance or Independence instead of self-suffiency for a short period of time.
- Ep 110_Lessons Learned From Y2k
This is Monday’s show, but I’m releasing it a day early as a Mother’s day treat. It’s an episode about staying positive and pulling your head out of the doom and gloom.
Ep 109_Prep, Don’t Panic
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH…
Can we just stop the hysteria, please?
The chance of a large-scale disaster worthy of discussing ad nauseum is just insignificant. Yes, fires, floods and job losses happen. Yes bad things happen to people every day. That does NOT mean we obsess about it every day. Worse, some bloggers and podcasters seem to be sitting around HOPING for something bad to happen so that they can use all these cool preps and skills.
Hoping for something bad to happen? Really?
Me…I don’t expect something bad to happen. I really don’t. So why do I prep? Because something bad MAY happen. Big difference. Just like the difference between the person who buys life and auto insurance in case something goes wrong as opposed to the person who buys insurance knowing they are going to get in a wreck or die of cancer.
Prepping is one facet of me and my well-adjusted life. I do not dwell on disaster, I do not lie awake at night contemplating disaster. I think about my family, my faith, and my life. Prepping is just a small part of my life.
Let me repeat myself: I do not plan on something bad happening. I plan on the idea that something bad may happen.
I’m sick of doom and gloom prepping talk that leads to paranoia and depression.
The world isn’t going to end. TEOTWAWKI isn’t here. The financial markets aren’t going to collapse. Probably.
Test those backpacking/outdoor skills on these trips of a lifetime
Backpacker
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A place to start for those into gardening
Link
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Guys, it isn’t even Memorial Day!!! There’s plenty of time to make beautiful container gardens for your home. While I tend towards the edibles, there’s plenty of room for in the yard for flowers and fruits.
Better Homes & Gardens has some great ideas worth checking-out.
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Don’t Fear Eating Your Own Food. We are so programmed buying food from other sources that we become fearful of eating food NOT bought in a store. It’s crazy but nonetheless true for many of us who’ve been brainwashed by modern society to think homemade is inferior or even dangerous.
Remember:
Your food is SAFER than what’s in the grocery store. Did YOU put chemicals and pesticides in your food? Of course not.
Did the grocery store? Yes they did!
Further, you know who picked your food. Have you heard the horror stories about people passing on hepatitis through green onions, lettuces and tomatoes?
Guys, don’t you REALIZE how much safer your food is you grow for yourself? Get over the hang-ups and eat your delicious food!
Ep 108_ Fear of Homegrown Food
Now, you have to be a member to get the coupon, but membership in the gardening club is free.
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The answer is probably “probably.” As a teacher, I get a newsletter from the NEA and I read it today.
ARTICLE
NOW: I AM NOT GETTING INTO THE POLITICS OF UNIONS, PEOPLE!!!
I am simply using this example article to generalize about the differences in compensation between the two plans.
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Are HOAs Heaven or Hell?
Depends on the person and the situation.
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Make a paneled room for a fraction of the price.
Learn a designer/DIY trick to save tons of money and add class to any room.
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On today’s podcast, I interview Bob Mayne: creator of Today’s Survival Show and Handgun World Podcasts. Bob discusses many aspects of modern survival, including food, finances, community relations, self-defense, guns rights and freedom.
Bob Mayne is many things, but at heart, he is a patriotic American with a passion for gun rights, individual freedoms and survival. Join us today as I interview BOB.
This is my FIRST interview (where I did the interviewing) and I couldn’t think of a better person to start off with. You see, Bob was the first person to interview me as the host of Homestead Dividends. Further, Bob has been a mentor to me in many ways in this business/hobby, always providing help and support without ANY strings attached. He is a down-to-earth man who doesn’t try to impress you by taking himself too seriously. Instead, Bob lets his wealth of knowledge and experience do all the impressing.
Today we discuss the importance of many aspects of prepping. They include:
- Why do you prepare
- Finances philosophy
- Food Storage
- Bartering
- Community Relationships
- Guns and gun selection, carry, and philosophy
- Common-sense applications of self-defense strategies
Ep 107_Interview w Bob Mayne
http://www.todayssurvival.com/
More people are turning to home safes and turning away from banks.
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