Ep 179_Odds ‘n Ends
In Today’s Show, I’ll cover some of the things that have been on my mind lately
A trip to the gun range and how it effected my security plans
- I never tried my wife’s gun but was willing to rely on it in an emergency.
- After a trip to the range, I’ve discovered that my wife’s gun is a piece of junk and there’s NO WAY I will trust our family’s lives on this gun.
A review of the Sig Sauer Model 230 .380 auto
- The magazine release is on the BOTTOM of the handle–Yuck. Makes removing the mag awkward and dumb
- The handle fell apart only 30- rounds into shooting it
- Too Many Clogs (Fail to Feeds(FTF) and Fail to Ejects(FTE))
- Even blowing wd-40 down the pipe didn’t help.
- Yes, Sig has a great reputation, but this one just sucks.
- This was great to learn: better to learn now than when I need it for a life-and-death situation.
IRS and why we CAN’T trust our government
- http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/14/Progressive-Group-Says-IRS-Gave-Them-Confidential-Docs-On-Conservative-Groups
- http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/14/inspector-general-corrective-actions-have-not-been-fully-implemented/
- http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/14/irs-official-lerner-approved-exemption-for-obama-brothers-charity/
- http://www.htrnews.com/viewart/20130513/MAN0101/305140099
- http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/mcconnell-we-ve-only-started-scratch-surface-scandal_724420.html
- http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/dc-turns-on-obama-91386.html?hp=t1_3
Categories: Corruption, do-it-yourself, Guns & Self-Defense, self-reliance, survival Tags:
No Ammo, ‘Yo Mammo!’
Homeland Security Mamma Denies Hoarding Ammo
LINKS:
http://www.citytalk.fm/news/uk-and-world/20130425-ammo-factory-all-fired-up-amid-gun-ban-threat/
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Ep 175_Guarantees That Aren’t, Nuke Danger, Ammo Suggestion
Ep 175_Guarantees That Aren’t, Nuke
I just had a run-in with a manager at a big box store. I bought two fruit trees last month that died. I bought them on clearance, and they looked iffy. I felt confident giving them a try because I figured I could return them back to the store because of their one year-guarantee.
That goes for all guarantees. Companies promise the moon. Collecting on a warranty is very hard in the real world.
NUKES
Get some Potassium Iodide–With the North Korean wackos and our governmental cover-up of elevated radiation levels of kids born on the US west coast since the Fukushima nuclear disaster–you need it and the government won’t tell you that you do.
Cheap Ammo > No Ammo
In an ammo shortage, why are people looking down their noses at cheap ammo. Given the choice between cheap amm and no ammo, I’ll take cheap ammo every time. You can always sell or trade it, give it to a friend or neighbor in need.
Some gun purists look down their noses at steel-case Russian ammo. I don’t have that luxury. Neither should you.
http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_22971340/lines-ammo-long-at-crossroads-west-gun-show-ontario
Categories: Corruption, do-it-yourself, Freedom, Guns & Self-Defense, Health Tags:
Assault on Guns & Ammo AGAIN!
ARTICLES:
Conn. lawmakers unveil bipartisan gun control plan
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/04/01/connecticut-lawmakers-reach-deal-on-gun-control-laws/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21997806
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/02/us-usa-georgia-guns-idUSBRE93102820130402
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/04/01/free-guns-for-high-crime-neighborhoods/
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Working on a book EATS all of your time.
One of the things that sucks about writing a book is that you spend less time elsewhere.
I wanted to tell everyone on the forum and who listens to my podcast SORRY for being so darn busy.
I promise it’ll be worth it when it’s published.
Thanks for listening and thanks for being part of the community.
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No podcast this week.
Due to a serious illness to a family member, I will not be publishing a podcast this week. Please enjoy one of my previous episodes you haven’t already heard.
Please pray for my extended family.
Dan
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A simple way to tackle the ammo shortage
Did you know that many walmarts put out their new shipments at 7:00 am? There is usually a line and a 3 box limit. Do this several times and you can stock up. I got 3 boxes of TULA 50 rounds of 9mm for $11.00 a box.
I can even get better grade ammo for a VERY reasonable price.
My Wal-Marts receive shipments and put them out at 7 Mon-Sat. BUT MAYBE YOURS DOESN’T! No big deal…ask them when they DO stock their ammo. Most stores have a routine time for putting out new stock. Ask them and know for sure. Give it a try.
A Listener told me that the sporting goods store Academy (at least in his area) puts out ammo at 8 am. Do you know when your supplier does the same? You should know and be the early bird with a worm, or in this case, rounds of ammo.
It’s hit and miss, though. Some days there’s 380, others, .45. Be flexible and take three boxes of whatever you can use. It will balance out over time…and STAY POSITIVE.
I know this is a super tiny article, but if it’s been helpful, please like me on facebook or give me a thumbs-up on your social media of choice…
or just leave a little note down below…
and keep your powder dry!
Links
articles on Ammo Shortage
********************UPDATE****************
President’s Day–For those who can’t be at their ammo store of choice when they put out their stock, did you go today, President’s Day?
I did. There was NOBODY there. I picked up two 100 round boxes of winchester 9mm for $25. and a cheapie box of brass .380
NOBODY was there. If you really want to stock up…there’s a way.
Don’t forget Saturdays if your 9-5 weekday job gets in the way of stocking up.
Are you prepping?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++UPDATE+++++++++++++++
2/21
Guess what? That hard-to-find .22 ammo…I picked it up by patiently and consistently going to you know where.
I brought my dad and got some.
This plan works, but you need to be committed to getting up early and getting it.
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HD Welcomes Our New Sponsor: Vegas Bling
Homestead Welcomes our New Sponsor: Vegas Bling (LINK). Vegas Bling is an independent designer of Origami Owl. Folks, if you’re looking for charm bracelets and necklaces for your wife…or ladies, for yourself or a family member or friend,check Vegas Bling out.Feel free to contact Colleen. I urge all of you men out there to check out the site. Get your wife a gift from the store.
With Valentine’s Day coming up, forget the MREs and ammo….and flowers and candy are only around for a short while. Jewelry lasts forever, and creating keepsakes creates lasting memories. Your wife will love it.
For ordering, email cwalker70@yahoo.com
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Ep 170_The 5 Stages of the Prepper’s Journey
Almost every relationship goes through stages. Relationships with friends, colleagues, family, and spouses. I especially think of people in Christianity talking in terms of their “walk” with Christ. All of these have stages along the way. Prepping and Homesteading and Survival are no different. So here I offer to you a re-working of the five stages in relationships, viewed through the lens of the prepper. Here are The Five Stages of the Prepper Journey.
1. Courtship and Infatuation.
Love at first sight. Infatuation. Interest. Not sure. These all describe this initial stage. You’ve been awakened to the need to be more self-sufficient/self-reliant lifestyle. You take tentative steps. You read a little. You check out some blogs. You may even listen to a podcast or two (may I suggest Homestead Dividends on itunes?). Your relationship is far from mature, but you’ve taken the first step and the hardest one. You did something.
- One of the most important things to do in this phase is to get your finances in control. Being debt free probably isn’t realistic. Getting a hold on you finances and formulating a plan IS realistic and downright essential.
- You should find a way to spend less than you earn and begin the difficult process of digging out.
- This is where you have to decide…is this crazy or do I want to learn more?
- You look into prepper lists and see what may lie ahead.
- Consider buying one prepping item at the store each week or pay. Even if it’s a buck at the dollar store. Think essentials. Food, clothing and things for an emergency, like flashlights and back-up heat are to be considered.
- If you camp/hunt, you’re off to a good start. Since camping is cool, having a sleeping bag and some candles doesn’t seem weird.
2. The Power Struggle
As your infatuation with prepping grows inside you, you reach out. Some people think you’re nuts. You hear about militias, wackos and other fringey groups. Are you heading there? Can you still be accepted by friends/colleagues/family and do this? I want to be seen as normal, and external forces say I’m not. (I have to add that these feelings are perfectly normal…and so are you.) FEMA itself asks all people to have an emergency bag to be able to run out the door with in case of a disaster. You’ve seen hurricane, earthquakes, and fires, civil wars and riots on tv…being prepared isn’t crazy. Create your EEB–emergency evacuatiuon bag (or bugout bag)…one for you and every member of the family. See my website for packing lists for your EEB.
3. Re-evaluation and identity formation
This stage begins with a fork in the road, when the prepper/homesteader/survivalist begins to evaluate whether he or she wants to continue to prep. You reflect and re-evaluate
- You miss being in love with the idea of prepping.
- Paying off debt is less fun because the wasteful spending and irresponsibility stop. What’s fun about being responsible?
- Keep your eyes on the prize. The debt-free, independent prepper life is on the other side of the mountain, and you’re half-way up the side… and the summit, still far off…is now within view.
- You’re closer than you think and you’re also feeling more distant than ever before. The people who used to enjoy wasting money with you notice your absence on shopping trips or wasteful, expensive dinners out. Your not mr. moneybags anymore…you’re more serious and you worry about the future because you have woken up.
- What’s worse, you still have many people in your life living the same old way: clueless, in debt, and ill-prepared for the emergencies of life.
4. Awareness, Transformation, Synergy
If you have survived until this point, there is an interest in reconnecting.You begin to change INSIDE. You feel different. You’re more confident and secure about the choices you’ve made. This lifestyle does make sense. Preparing for emergencies, getting out of debt, planning for your (and your family’s) future all makes perfect sense. You have a garden, an orchard and notice you are more self-reliant. You’ve developed skills you never thought you’d have. You see problems as things to be solved, not obstacles to ignore or hide from.
5. Reconciliation, Acceptance
This final stage–completion. You take responsibility for your life. You prep, you save, you live deliberately, and you love who you’ve become.
There is an acceptance of you are: YOU ARE A PREPPER/HOMESTEADER/SURVIVASLIST/D-I-Yer
Ep 170_The 5 Stages of the Prepper’s Journey
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Travel Banned In Blizzard: You PREPARED?
This is why we prep. No armageddon…no black helicopters. Just the normal, run of the mill emergency. How nice would a month’s groceries and back-up power be to some of these people right now?
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Ep 168_From The Desk of Engineer Ray_Post-Election
My father penned me a letter a little while ago. It was just after the election and I was so excited when I received it. Unfortunately, a few family emergencies pushed it aside and it’s now January and I’m finally getting around to publishing it.
From the Desk of Engineer Ray (November 2012)
The election is over and we lost.
The people that get freebies won.
It is quite clear that the US will have an economic meltdown; so get ready for it.
Hurricane Sandy proved to all of us that our government cannot handle emergencies (if Katrina and Hugo didn’t already). I hope Sandy was a wake-up call for you.
Let’s get prepared NOW!
Number one is food. Build up a FULL Year’s Supply! I have mine and but I’m still stocking up. A few days ago, I went into a dollar store. and loaded up on pie filling. The due date on the cans was May 2015. Not bad…
In a few weeks, they’ll have after Christmas sales. There should be great sales. Load up. Stores like Costco, Sam’s and Wal-Mart should be great for food stocking.
Load up on flashlights and batteries. You NEVER have enough of them. Dollar stores are a good place to find them for cheap. I like the small ones. They’re handy, you can put them in your pocket. Always keep a couple in your car.
We all need water. Stock up. [ Bottled water] lasts a long time. Since I live in the country, water is not a big problem for me. (We who live in the country have so many more advantages over the city people). You people that live in the cities: find storage places out in the country. I see a lot of storage facilities out by me.
If you have a friend or family member in the sticks–use them…like I’m being used.
Heating plans are a must, especially in the north. You MUST be prepared to lose your main supply of heat. Not having a backup supply of heat is not an option. What would you do if you lost your electricity (and presumably your heat…as most heating systems have electrical components). My main heat source is oit, but my back-up options are electric, propane, a wood burning fireplace, and a wood stove.
2013 is going going to be a very interesting year. The workforce will be paying more taxes and the people receiving wil still be getting their freebies along with an extra million or two on the dole. With a federal deficit 16 trillion and spending full speed ahead, it’s not IF we have a financial meltdown but WHEN.
There was a news item I heard the other day…
The city of Los Angeles is losing a congressional seat. Why? People are moving out (they see the handwriting on the wall).
Not only are people moving out of Los Angeles, but they are moving out of MANY major cities in the US. Most of them (cities) are in huge debt. People who can…are moving out. Why should they pay higher taxes for failing services and poorer schools?
So if you live in a city and have a chance to move out–GO FOR IT! If we have a meltdown, the city is where you do NOT want to be.
As a veteran who has seen most of the world, I never dreamed we would be in a third-world we find ourselves in today.
So, I beg you: PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE NOW!
Your truly,
Engineer Ray
Ep 168_From The Desk of Engineer R 1
Ep 056: Flashlights 202
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