Personal Prepping

on December 12, 2012 at 4:08 am
Posted In: Prepping

Personal Prepping

personal prepping

Personal Prepping is the most important prepping you can possibly do. Personal prepping is about taking car of your self. It is certainly about watching what you eat and maintaining a good exercise program. It is also about keeping up with routine maintenance. I Just went to the dentist last week and had two new cavities. I had those filled as well as having two older fillings replaced. Yes, it was a bit of a bite to the budget, but it is a great investment. Simple things like going to the dentist are easy to put off. Some times we are so busy, it is hard to get time to do it. We may also be tempted to put things like that off until we can save a few more dollars.

Don’t put off til tomorrow.

When it comes to personal prepping, make the time and spend the money. If we do indeed have a financial meltdown, basic health services may become harder to get; particularly if the population centers become unlivable. In  all likelihood, these are the good old days. Don’t look back on them with regret. Getting your teeth taken care of or any other personal prepping may become nearly impossible post collapse. Skipping a filling now may mean a make shift extraction latter.

Your Second most important prepper tool.

Your most important prepper tool is your mind. You should do all you can to keep it sharp. Your second most important prepper tool is your body. All the guns, ammo, bunkers and MREs in the world won’t make up for bad physical or mental health. Personal prepping is about taking care of that.

The Obama X factor

The effects of Obama care are also a great unknown. Many commentators have suggested that health care professions nearing retirement may just retire early as opposed to deal with the additional layer of bureaucracy that is sure to accompany full blown Obama care. If there were to be a mass exodus of early retirement in the health care field, basic health services will be much harder to schedule.

Personal prepping is the most important step in preparedness. Make sure you are taking care of yourself before you think about the beans, bullets and band-aids.

Happy Prepping!

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“Founders” Book Review

on December 10, 2012 at 5:17 am
Posted In: Book Review

“Founders – a Novel of the Coming Collapse”  By James Wesley Rawles- Book Review

founders

“Founders – a Novel of the Coming Collapse” is the new book by author James Wesley Rawles. It is his third novel about the coming collapse. It chronicles the lives of several different individuals around America and how they attempt to survive. James Wesley Rawles is a former Army Intelligence Officer as well as a popular survivalist author. He has written “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know it” which is a basic preparedness manual. He is also the author of Survivalblog.com which is loaded with incredible prepper information. He has released two previous books in the coming collapse series entitled “Patriots” and “Survivors“.  The coming collapse novel series are fictional accounts of life after the collapse but provide useful information on how to prepare.

“Founders” is written in the same time period as “Patriots” and “Survivors“. A person could read them in any order and not be lost. Several of the main characters show up in two or three of the books. Two of the main characters in “Founders” are Ken and Terry Layton who spent too much time packing and decided to bug out a little too late. As they try to get out of Chicago they are ambushed and forced to shoot their way out of the city. This costs them their cars and most of their provisions. They are part of a retreat group in Idaho, but are forced to get there on foot. They show up as a side story in “Patriots” which focuses on the retreat group in Idaho. “Founders” gives a much more detailed account of the Layton’s journey.

After the collapse, the US government falls. It is replaced by a repressive illegitimate government that attempts to disarm the American people. Some areas of the country go more quietly than others. A strong decentralized militia rises and gives the rouge government a run for it’s money.

I really enjoyed “Founders” and recommend all of James Rawles books. They are entertaining and they really get the prepper juices flowing. You will find that you begin to think about the level of your preps as you consider how well you are prepared for the situations of the characters in the book. James Rawles is a Christian author and you won’t have to worry about illicit sex scenes, F words or The name of GOD being used as a curse word. Books that contain those elements are not reviewed by Prepper Recon.com. The book is available through the link on the right hand side bar of this post from Amazon.com. It will make a great Christmas gift to a fellow prepper or to a loved one that you are trying to convince of the need to prep.

Have a blessed day and happy prepping!

 

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Sunday Prepper Bible Study- Doomsday Dec 21, 2012

on December 9, 2012 at 5:44 am
Posted In: Bible

Sunday Prepper Bible Study- Doomsday

Doomsday

December 21, 2012 is that last day on the Mayan calendar. Several people have  interpreted this to mean Doomsday and the end of the world as we know it. Hollywood made a very action pact film about Doomsday. The film “2012” featured John Cusak who makes a last ditch effort to bug out and get his family to a government “Ark” to weather the cataclysms unleashed by the end of time. The special effects were great and it was terrifically entertaining. Several people are actually expecting quite an eventful day on Dec 21st. The film  is about the only significant thing I can see coming from this prophecy.

Why am I so sure Doomsday wont come on  on Dec 21, 2012?

Jesus said in Matthew 24:36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” No one knows when the end will come. When it does come, it won’t be all in one day. God has a plan to systematically rip this planet to shreds over what many Bible scholars  believe will be  a 7 year period. This process begins in Revelation 6 with the 7 Seals. This period of time is  termed by Escotologist( those who study end time prophecy) as the tribulation. The tribulation begins with the 4 horse men of the Apocalypse. The fourth of which is death who kills  25% of the earths population. Revelation 6:8 reads “I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” We currently share the planet with about 7 billion people. 25% of them would be roughly 1,750,000,000 people. That is about 5 times the total population of the United States. Shortly after that, we have a world wide earth quake. Then things start to get nasty.The earth gets smacked by a meteor, the water turns to blood, and everyone who does not commit their lives to God are plagued by stinging insects and boils.

Will Christians have to live through this period of time?

That is the million dollar question. The answer deserves a well thought out response. Yes, I have one and I will give it to you in next weeks Bible study! The important thing is to be sure you are always ready to meet your maker. Jesus comes back for people on an individual basis everyday. If you don’t believe me, check your local obituary page.  The most important prep of all is knowing GOD. Jesus said “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul?” Prepper translation: “What good will it do you to survive the coming economic collapse, nuclear war or even a zombie apocalypse if you don’t know you will go to heaven when you die.” A recent study found that 10 out of 10 people die! On that day we will meet our Maker. It only makes sense to be prepared for that day. Click here to learn more about knowing GOD.

Have a blessed day and Happy Prepping!

 

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Jim Rickards- Currency War Simulation

on December 7, 2012 at 4:05 am
Posted In: Economy, Potential Threats

Jim Rickards- Currency War Simulation

jim rickards

The Pentagon and the CIA often run simulations for different types of war and disaster scenarios. In terms of money spent and overall preparedness, the number one prepper in the world is the United States government. They have spent trillions on self preservation and planning for every contingency. While no one knows for sure , it is estimated that Mount Weather cost over $1 billion to construct. Mount Weather is one of many US government underground doomsday bunkers designed for continuity of government. Other underground doomsday bunkers operated by the government include Cheyenne Mountain Air force Station. There are several others that we simply can not know about. In addition to the bunkers, the president has his own fleet of bug out planes. I am not talking about Air Force 1 or Marine 1, I am talking about the fleet of 3 EMP proof, radiation proof doomsday planes.

The culmination of all of the government’s planning and research which was paid for by the American tax payer is to recommend that you keep 3 days worth of food and water on hand. Here at Prepper Recon, we believe that is a bit disingenuous. With all that has been spent to ensure the survival of the government, it seems they would recommend a little more. We will take advantage of any chance we get to relay the information they are working with to you. After all, you paid for the information. Then you can make your own informed decision about how many days worth of food and water you should have on hand.

Rickards is a well respected expert in the field of finance.

The CIA and Pentagon use people who are experts in their field to to run financial disaster simulations. One of the people they use is Jim Rickards. Jim Rickards is the author of Currency Wars and has an excellent understanding of global currency markets. In this simulation that was presented to the government, Jim explains different catastrophes that could cause a global currency crisis. This presentation  shows how China uses sovereign wealth funds to purchase futures contracts on gold. Those contracts could be executed at any given time and cause a shortage of physical gold.

Currency War Simulation

Perhaps it is time to consider adding gold and silver to your preparedness plan.
If any of these situation were to ever materialize, silver and gold would be the best possible form of insurance that you could have bought. Besides these scenarios, there are a myriad of other catastrophic events that could take place which would cripple the dollar. Gold and silver would also be a good hedge against those risks. But lets say Jim Rickards is completely wrong and none of these threats ever come to be. Let’s say we are able to continue on printing money with impunity.  Let’s say we can continue on the same path of total fiat currency we have been on for the past 40 years. Perhaps the powers that be can manipulate and maneuver this same strategy for the next 40 years. Then what is to become of the money I have “wasted” on Gold?

Well, let’s mirror the performance of the last 40 years to the next. If you bought an ounce of gold in 1972, you paid $38. It is now valued roughly at $1,750. If it were to grow at the same rate over the next 40 years, it will be worth $80,500. Wow, do you think Apple stock will preform that well? If you do decide that gold and silver are right for your situation, don’t go overboard. 10 to 20% of your total asset allocation is what is generally recommended. Don’t buy everything at once. Spreading your purchases out over time will keep you from buying everything at the top of the market.

I currently hold a degree in Accounting and am perusing a degree in Finance. I mention my investment strategies from time to time, however, I am not a financial adviser and I don’t make specific recommendations on these posts. Everyone’s situation is different and therefore everyone’s investment style is going to be different. Before investing in any instrument, you should fully understand the instrument and the risks associated with it. All investing is inherently risky and can lose money.

Happy Prepping!

 

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Ohio Food Stamps Cut/ Will We See Riots Like Greece?

on December 5, 2012 at 3:43 am
Posted In: Economy

Ohio’s Hope in  The False “Profit” ends in  $50 food stamp cut.

profit

 

“The government consists of a gang of men exactly like you and me. They have, taking one with another, no special talent for the business of government; they have only a talent for getting and holding office. Their principal device to that end is to search out groups who pant and pine for something they can’t get and to promise to give it to them. Nine times out of ten that promise is worth nothing. The tenth time is made good by looting A to satisfy B. In other words, government is a broker in pillage, and every election is sort of an advance auction sale of stolen goods.” H. L. Mencken

It seems the modern messiah of the masses has fallen short on his promise. The Toledo Blade has just reported that Ohio’s food stamp recipients will be getting a $50 a month cut to benifits. After falling for a campaign that promised a robbinhoodesque economic policy of wealth redistribution, Ohio will be asked to get by on a little less. Those who had hope to profit from the false prophet are receiving their due. I do not mean to sound heartless for those that truly can not provide for themselves. However, I do not believe that charity is the role of the government. There are very few things that The Constitution  has tasked the government with doing. Charity is certainly not one of them. This is the role of the Church, who, without the bureaucracy of the government, can discern between the truly needy and the lazy.

There are about 869,000 households in Ohio who receive food stamps. This will reduce the drag on the Ohio government spending by about $520 million a year. In Florida, I have never seen anyone with an EBT card (food stamp card) using coupons. Evidently there has not been a need to. And if there is no need to, why do it? After all, they didn’t have to work for that money. Why should they put any effort into saving it. When charity comes from the government, it is easier to forget that “the government” is made up of the people. Someone else had to do without the money they worked for in order for you to get something you did not work for.When charity is dispensed from the Church, the recipient sees a human face that they can connect with. They more readily understand that it required a sacrifice on someone else’s part.

On a positive note, couponing is a quick way for Ohio food stamp recipients to increase their buying power. Our household receives no government assistance but our budget requires Mrs. Recon to vigilantly clip coupons to make ends meet. She keeps the two of us very well feed on $200 a month. That also includes the cost of storing emergency food. She does that by matching buy one get one deals with manufacturer and store coupons. She has listed several resources in our Coupon Corner page.

Could these austerity measures blow up like they have in Greece?

At some point, all government entitlements will have to be cut. The money to sustain them simply is not there. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in Ohio. Similar austerity measures certainly have  not went well in Greece. I fear we have fostered a culture that feels very entitled to what they have not earned. To deny them of it may prove to be quite disastrous. This could easily spark civil unrest among the entitled as it has in Greece and Spain. The major difference between us and Europe is that we are a much more inherently violent culture. Being prepared is getting to be a better idea by the day. At a minimum, have a one month supply of food and a means of defending your life and property.

Have a blessed day and happy prepping!

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Peter Schiff on Capital Account/ The Dollar Crash

on December 3, 2012 at 4:27 am
Posted In: Economy, Potential Threats

Peter Schiff on Capital Account

Peter Schiff

 

Peter Schiff is the guest on this edition of Capital Account. Peter Schiff is the author of several books including “Crash Proof” and his latest book “The Real Crash”. I have read both and both were excellent reads. Peter Schiff accurately dissects the fiscal dilemma that we are in In both books. He points outs ways you can get financially prepared for economic collapse. Peter is also well known for having predicted the collapse of 2008 housing bubble several years before it popped. Peter Schiff is the CEO of Euro Pacific Capital which is a wealth management and precious metals company. He  has a daily talk radio show which is available to listen or download free at Schiff Radio.com.

Capitol Account is a finance show produced by RT. They bring the guest rarely seen on Bloomberg, CNBC, and FOX Business. Lauren Lister, the host of Capitol Account, brings  full length interviews with her guests rather than sound bite snippets. Capitol Account is on Monday through Friday on RT or can be seen via their YouTube channel.

In this interview, Peter Schiff discusses why we have not yet seen hyperinflation yet. He also explains that whether we see hyperinflation or simply high inflation, the economy is in grave danger. Peter explains that the current inflation metrics are skewed to reflect much less inflation than is actually occurring.

Lauren asks Peter Schiff why we have not seen US Treasury bond yields go up over the past years. Peter explains that the bond market is irrational and in a bubble which is hard to predict when it will pop. As we mentioned before, Peter did accurately predict the collapse of the housing bubble, so he is worth paying attention to.

Lauren Lister Interviews Peter Schiff on Capitol Account

I hope you enjoyed this interview and found it informative. If you are new to prepping or would like to learn more, read our 7 Step Preparedness Plan which focuses on prepping on a budget.

 

Happy Prepping!

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Complacency- Sunday Prepper Bible Study- Proverbs 1:32

on December 2, 2012 at 4:26 am
Posted In: Bible

Complacency- Sunday Prepper Bible Study

complacency

Proverbs 1:32  “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them”

Complacency is defined as a  feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy. After reading this definition, we can see how deadly complacency can be. We live in a culture that is steeped in complacency and God’s Word has already predicted how that will turn out.

As preppers, we must guard against complacency. We must ever be vigilant and on the watch. After several years of prepping, it is tempting to begin to doubt the necessity of continuing to build your preps. Sometimes we can think that the masses might be right. Maybe nothing will happen and everything will go on as it has. This thought actually has a more technical name. It is called Normalcy Bias. Normalcy Bias is what causes people to believe that something won’t happen to them, because it hasn’t happened to them before.  It is a fancy word for complacency. Even though our government is running trillion dollar deficits every year, people believe that the dollar is solid because they have never witnessed a currency collapse before. There are swarms of professionals sounding the alarm about the impending crisis but the general public chooses to stick their heads in the sand.

Many people, myself included, have been astonished by the ability of the Treasury and the Fed to keep up the current level of borrowing and spending with out serious economic consequences. The BLS has co-conspired to keep us believing, against all common sense, that inflation rates are low. Despite their manipulation of the numbers, we can see how much more we are paying at the grocery store. Even products that have not risen in price have lost volume, there by raising the cost per unit.

Several people like Porter Stansbury have made predictions of the timing of the collapse. In his End Of America videos, he predicted the crash in 2011, then 2012. His latest video now simply states it will be in the next 12 months.  Most of the things he says in the video is true. It is a very good synopsis of what is wrong. However, when listening to people who try to time the coming crisis, it is easy to make mistakes. If you became a sold out true believer of Porter in 2011, you are now on your 3rd year of living in your bunker and are probably running out of supplies. Some of those dedicated followers may also be leery of prepping at all. Despite the fact that economic instability is at an all time high some of these people have returned to complacency.Because they feel like they were made a fool of, they have now become complacent about the true state of our economy.

Continue to be watchful and prayerful. Keep prepping. Do what you can when you can to keep building a better foundation of readiness. Pray that God will help you make the right decisions to best position yourself for what ever the future may bring.  If you are new to prepping, check out our 7 Step Preparedness Plan. It focuses on preparing on a budget and being ready for every possibility.

The most important prep of all is knowing GOD. In the Bible, Jesus said “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul?” Prepper translation: “What good will it do you to survive the coming economic collapse, nuclear war or even a zombie apocalypse if you don’t know you will go to heaven when you die?” A recent study found that 10 out of 10 people die! On that day we will meet our Maker. It only makes sense to be prepared for that day. Click here to learn more about knowing GOD.

Happy Prepping!

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“Last Light”- Book Review

on November 30, 2012 at 3:20 am
Posted In: Book Review

“Last Light” by Terri Blackstock – Book Review

“Last Light” is the first book of four in Terri Blackstock’s “Restoration” series. It begins with Doug Branning picking up his daughter Denny at the airport. Just minutes after she gets off her plane, other planes begin to fall out of the sky.  The fireball from the explosion narrowly misses Doug and Denny. They are in shock from the incident, but wonder where the fire and rescue vehicles are. The entire airport is in total chaos. As they get to their car to get away from the madness, it becomes apparent that no cars are functioning. The first thought is “terrorism”. They are force to walk home to their upper middle class home in the suburbs of Huntington Alabama.

After some close calls and minor scuffles, Doug and Denny finally get home to find that the rest of the Branning family has also managed to make it home safely. They scramble to ensure their immediate safety.The event seems to have been some type of EMP. Its precise nature is not fully disclosed until the beginning of the second book.

By the second night, chaos is already running rampant. People in the neighborhood are being robbed and killed. Everyone begins to suspect each other as desperation takes hold. The Branning family begins to stand guard with the limited  firepower they have.

If you have read “Patriots” by James Wesley Rawles, you have seen how a prepared group of individuals react to a complete breakdown. “Last Light” is the polar opposite of “Patriots” as most of the characters in this book have scarcely thought about having groceries for Morrow, much less provisions for a catastrophe of this magnitude.

“Last Light” is a great book and is also available as an audio book. You can listen while you work out or while you are working in the garden.  You will find that you begin to think about the level of your preps as you consider how well you are prepared for the situations of the characters in the book. Terri Blackstone is a Christian author and you won’t have to worry about illicit sex scenes, F words or The name of GOD being used as a curse word. Books that contain those elements are not reviewed by Prepper Recon.com

Have a blessed day and happy prepping!

 

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