Bruce's Poor Man Survival Bulletin
Your choice for urban survival resources!
Http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
Inside this issue:
1. What will November elections bring?
2. Nine things you should be doing right now
3. The Armchair Survivalist Speaks
4. Home made radiator charger-easy!
5. Start a hand-me-down club
6. More broken promises from eBay
"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." (Ronald Reagan)
What will the November elections bring?
Two main scenarios loom with the November elections...more of the same government swill in terms of bailouts and deficits or perhaps enough Americans will show they are fed up with garbage as usual and they'll remove career politicians who don't know how to zipper the federal wallet.
For thirty years the feds have been trashing freedoms of Americans, ignoring the Constitution and have been spending us into financial Armageddon...they need to pay a price for this anti-citizen behavior.
Given that our government is already insolvent and that ever since the Federal Reserve ripoff was put into place in 1913 (along with the shakedown called income tax) our dollar has lost 95-1/c cents of its value...I'm unsure how it will continue plodding along as if everything is just fine in Mayberry, especially knowing that roughly 25% of our total foreign debt will come due in the next 12 months!
All of the known government held reserves, including oil, gold, cash on hand and foreign reserves only total $511 billion...but we owe $1 trillion by the end of the year just to foreign creditors!
The $13 Trillion National Debt is only a down payment on our actual debts when we factor in liabilities from Medicare, Social Security, and the money that will be required to continued funding for our wars and for Fannie and Freddie. As of March 26th of this year, the Congressional Budget Office announced that our projected deficit total for the next 10 years will grow to at least $9.75 trillion. If you add up all of the unfunded liabilities the real number is $109 trillion...foreign creditors are already jumping ship and investors are fleeing the US for greener pastures elsewhere.
In July '09 at the G8 Summit, Russian President Medvedev showed off a new coin minted with the words “Unity in Diversity,” a prototype of a future world currency. China, our biggest lender, has quietly been opening currency swap lines with other countries in order to bypass American currency in order to do business.
What happens when our creditors abandon the dollar?
Alan Greenspan and Pablo Cuidotti came up with this theory about the collapse of any economy (keep in mind, NEVER in the history of the world has a country outlasted its fiat currency): To avoid a default, a nation has to maintain hard currency reserves equal to at least 10% of its short term debt.
As I showed earlier, this rule will be used by our creditors to cut off our credit.
For the first time in history, we have a global monetary base that's not anchored to any real asset!
In this country I always said our money was based on the faith of its people in the government since nothing of value backs it, or as my friend Mike says “IOU Nothing.”
It's predicted 700 US banks will likely close within the next 18 months (see last issue for a list of such banks on the endangered list...much of this fueled by bad commercial real estate paper...something I've told our readers about beginning 16 months ago or so).
If major investors such as George Soros and others are buying more gold than ever before, you know we're in trouble. If the system collapses, as it did not long ago in Argentina, watch for common services you now take for granted to vanish. Your credit & debit cards won't work, no gasoline, empty store shelves, government workers won't be paid on time.
People were selling their family heirlooms for 10 cents on the dollar. When their banks reopened, 75% of everyone's savings was gone – stolen by the government (recall in previous issues that I've been warning readers that Obama is figuring out a means to tap your retirement accounts...it will happen). In essence, the middle class in Argentina was wiped out.
Can it happen here? Well, let's just see how the elections come along...my guess – the US has 18 months tops before it officially goes bankrupt. But alas, most Americans are oblivious to the crisis and I must admit, I need to get the last of my cash out of my retirement IRA!
NOTE: Compiled and edited from various sources, newsletters, etc. which the Poor Man subscribes to
"Government," as Frédéric Bastiat, expressed it, "is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else."
Weekly Resource
s & Tips
Skip 'prime' cuts of beef & other supermarket savers
Go for choice cuts instead of prime to save money. You may have to use a crock pot or marinades to make the meat tender, but you'll save dough and be sure to look for meat markdowns in the morning as that's when they're placed for sale before the 'sell by' date.
For bargains on pantry staples look at the top and bottom shelves. Stock up during sales and opt for house brands.
Home Made Radiator Supercharger
If your home uses radiators for heat, take a piece of cardboard from a box you were going to pitch and cut it to the size of your radiator, cover one side with aluminum foil (shiny side out), then place it between the wall and your unit creating your own reflective insulation for free. Save some $$$
Looking for a lost love?
Sure, you can Google people but getting additional info can be gotten from this free site which has three times as many listings as Pipl.com or White Pages.com
www.ZabaSearch.com
Hand me down club
The Poor Man has featured many kinds of co-ops including food, babysitting and services but here's another suggestion from reader Barb...avoid childrens' clothing stores since kids grow so fast, clothes are quickly outgrown. Instead of buying new clothes all the time, organize a club of parents from your church or daycare or the school to exchange clothing twice a year – fall and spring. Try to arrange it so each family brings clothing in good condition and from a variety of ages. NOTE: Though the Poor Man no longer has small children, this is a good idea & we're sending you a new DVD of the Disaster Preparedness series which also features terrific activities for preparing your children for natural disasters and 46 other projects (also available from our OldBookNook.com – eBay storefront).
I suppose this concept could be applied to many areas of life.
TO DO NOTHING IS TO RISK EVERYTHING.
Winterizing Tips for Your Auto-Free Checklist
It's been many years since I've had to think about winterizing something...but a bit of prevention will go a long way in avoiding trouble not only for your home but for your auto as well. Indeed, the Poor Man finally resolved an issue he's wondered about for years...synthetic oil – YES, it is better to change over to this once your vehicle hits 100,000 miles. May cost a bit more, but you won't need to change oil as frequently and it does a better job of reducing friction in your engine.
Of course, a winterizing checklist for your car should include:
--battery, belts, tires, all fluids, exhaust system, batter terminals & cables, hoses, plugs, change to winter blades, air filters, etc..complete printable list you can use at:
http://frugalliving.about.com/od/affordabletransportation/tp/High-Mileage-Vehicle-Maintenance-Checklist.htm?nl=1
How to Solve Problems & Prevent Problems-Free ebook (interesting group)
http://www.alphapub.com/howtosolve.html
The Super-Saver's Guide to Grocery Shopping at Dollar Stores
...a few errors in this Rachel Ray piece, but a good one overall
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/financiallyfit/the-super-savers-guide-to-grocery-shopping-at-dollar-stores-2394411/
How to Know where you're calling from...
If you ever find yourself in an unfamiliar place and need to use an unmarked phone, call the ANAC (automatic circuit number that phone repairmen use)-when you dial the number from a land line, it reads back the number from which you called. You can Google local ANAC numbers but here are a couple of common ones to use: 800-444-4444 or 444-3333...good to use if you find yourself in danger in unknown territory.
Stop eavesdroppers...you know something is fishy when a phone repair guy shows up even though no one has contacted him...if there is interference on your home phone, home radio or car radio...strange sound comes from your phone like static and squealing or if sound continues after you hang up...most likely means you're being bugged. Note: sophisticated methods also include picking up phone conversations from ¼ mile away with eavesdropping dishes or scanners...used by law breakers and law enforcement. Fun way to screw with them is to give the mouthpiece a blast from an airhorn.
Instant 'Mace' to protect your homestead...
I know some do not like to use guns and some states have stupid laws preventing people from owning tools such as mace or tear gas to defend themselves with...keep cans of Raid hornet & wasp killer handy at each door. A solid blast to the face and eyes will achieve nearly the same effect allowing you to slam the door shut, bolt it and grab your pistol. (from our Poor Man Homestead Defense CD).
"To the extent that these [New Deal policies] developed,
they were tortured interpretations of a document
[the Constitution] intended to prevent them."
-- Rexford Tugwell
(1891-1979) American agricultural economist
The Armchair Survivalist
I’ve lived through floods, fires, riots, earthquakes, hurricanes and massive snow storms. I’ve seen two types of people in each calamity.
There are those spent their time insulting those of us that prepared – calling us “kooks”, “right-wing conspirators”, “fear mongers”, and other degrading epitaths.
These are the type people we’ve all watched on TV after Katrina whining “who’s gonna feed me???”
Then there’s the other type:
Me. and you’ll never see me, or others like me, begging for food, clothes or protection from the worthless government after a disaster.
But you will see people like me, helping the idiots amongst you that were too stupid to even THINK AHEAD!
But it could never happen to you…….
http://www.armchairsurvivalist.com
Crock Pot Beef
1 (3-4 lb) pot roast or 2 pint-sized jars home-canned beef
1 (11 oz) can cheddar cheese soup
1 (11 oz) can condensed golden mushroom soup
1 (11 oz) can French onion soup
Mix soups together.
Place roast in crock pot. Cover with soups.
Cook on low for 8-9 hours or just heat through if using home-canned beef
“Made this for dinner the other night with two pint-sized jars home-canned beef. Just add the beef and broth from the jar and shred the meat. Stir in the soups and heat through. Bet this would work nicely with a deer roast too. I thought it was pretty good for a really easy meal. We served it over egg noodles since that’s what I had. Would be really yummy over mashed potatoes. I think a hot beef sandwich would be good too. Consider adding a bit of red wine and rosemary or parsley. Would be delicious with mushrooms or peppers too. Completely change it up and add dehydrated potatoes, carrots, celery and make it a stew."
Nothing worse than a dull knife-here are some DIY ways to sharpen-The Poor Man just bought a bench grinder & it works well for me for quick sharpening of axes, etc.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Knife-Sharpening-Tricks/
http://video.about.com/culinaryarts/Sharpen-Knives-With-a-Whetston.htm
AuctionBytes Publishes Guide to Forthcoming eBay Changes
eBay company management break their promise to their customers.
AuctionBytes published a cheat sheet in the September 26th issue
of AuctionBytes Update to help sellers navigate changes eBay is
making next month. The guide includes a roundup of policy changes
along with answers to some frequently asked questions sellers had
about the announcements.
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y10/m09/i27/s02
Amazon recently sent an email to thousands of their associates (affiliates) inviting them to sell on Amazon for the holidays. If you are an eBay seller, you might want to consider that as Amazon continues to surpass eBay as a sales platform and it is really easy to sell on Amazon.
Everyone is holding his or her breath to see how the holiday season works out this year. Although unemployment is still high and shows no signs of getting better, about 85% of Americans still have a job and those folks have been saving instead of spending. In fact the savings rate in the United States is at a 30-year high. Usually when Americans have money it tends to burn a hole in their pockets –but that isn’t happening. Retail sales last month came in at an anemic 0.4% growth –and only 3.5% higher than the same month last year. But August of last year was in the depths of the recession –so that isn’t saying much.
As a seller this is not the time to have all your eggs in one basket. Let’s face it: eBay’s strategy to reposition the platform as a fixed price marketplace hasn’t worked too well. Personally when I am looking for a new product at a fixed price I almost always go to Amazon first. And so do most other people. Amazon continues to grow while eBay is still stagnant.
Does that mean you should leave eBay altogether? No! There are still billions of dollars worth of goods sold on eBay every year and you want a piece of that –but why sell only on eBay, when Amazon is just as easy. This way you get the best of both.
Bragging rights for a knife...
I just purchased a great Herter (Murphy) knife from an eBay seller who provided precisely what he advertised, delivered quick and I wanted to share it with our readers. Check out Mike's Elliptical Knife site at:
http://ellipticalknives.com
The very first law in advertising is to avoid the concrete promise and cultivate the delightfully vague.
Bill Cosby.
The Nine Things You Should Be
Doing NOW and Everyday
by Henry Daniels
http://www.whiskeyandgunpowder.com
“Must Do” #1: Stay Alert and in the Know.
New economic realities confront us on a daily basis. Our discussion has centered on a groundbreaking documentary, “The Fall of America and the Western World” which let us in on the thoughts, principles and policies of right wing, left wing, centrist and independent economic and political thinkers.
Each week we’ve offered practical advice on things you can do to prepare for further economic deterioration and ultimately, your survival. This marks the last of our articles — we thought it would be advantageous to summarize our previous tips on what you should be doing starting right now and going forward to best position yourself to keep your head above water…
TIP ONE: Get Real. You must realize you are being lied to by the media, the politicians and the experts. If you don’t accept this reality, then you will not be serious in your efforts to change your situation.
TIP TWO: Be Prepared. Figure out what you’ll need to survive and examine what you have. This will tell you what you don’t have. Start a plan so you can get what you need, but don’t yet have.
TIP THREE: Become Self-Sufficient. The more dependent you are on others, the less likely your chances of survival. Start with the basics: food and water. Do you have a plan for feeding yourself if the food supply chain breaks down, supermarkets go out of business and your cupboards are bare?
TIP FOUR: Be Secure. As things get worse, those that have will become targets of those who have not. Is your home secure? Are you hiding your “wealth” and looking poor? Are your assets easy to get to but securely protected?
TIP FIVE: Get Off the Grid. As resources dwindle a steady, reliable source of power will become a necessity. Solar, wind and hydropower are all within the reach of the individual, depending on your location. Transportation needs also must be considered, especially if you are reliant on public transit. Do you have a bicycle?
TIP SIX: Get Out of the Dollar. You will need an emergency fund. Dollars are not the currency you want this fund in. Think precious metals and buying a safe to store them in as your bank may not be around much longer.
TIP SEVEN: Think Individually, Act Privately. Be brutally honest about your skills. If your skill set will enable you to do things that others are going to need, you’ve just improved your odds of survival.
TIP EIGHT: Educate Yourself and Your Family. Go old school. Read books. Don’t satisfy yourself reading just those who mimic your beliefs; read about alternative viewpoints, too. The more you know, the more you grow. The wise man learns something new every day. When was the last time you learned something new?
TIP NINE: Investigate the Opportunities. Every situation has opportunities, even our current economic climate. Keep your outlook positive, surround yourself with upbeat people and keep your eyes open for opportunities to present themselves. They will. Just make sure that you seize them when they do.
America Loves Crap...Parting bittersweet thoughts!
Am I the only one who realizes what’s happening globally…how America is losing its stature, how China is coming into a dominate role with Russia coming in as number two? Hell, the US won’t compete any longer in space as NASA retires its space fleet soon with nothing to replace it…you can bet this is not the case in China or Russia. China in particular, is investing in every sort of technology and hedging its natural resources bets though investment throughout Asia and Africa.
The US still maintains a dominant military role, but that won’t last much longer.
What kills me is how stupid most Americans have become in terms of world affairs. The flatworms who run the network news have helped to dummy down America through its infotainment empire, no hard news, no documentaries, just crap. Dateline and shows of that ilk have become murder nonsense of the week. There is no journalism because Americans are more concerned with American Idol malarky than world affairs.
It breaks my heart to witness how our country is taking a back seat to just about everything meaningful and becoming a second class debtor nation...it's especially painful to see how few of the younger generation seem to care. So long as they have their cell phone, it doesn't seem to bother them.
The Washington-Wall Street Cartel has been torching the Bill of Right and the Constitution for 30 years while Wall Street has destroyed the middle class...hey, who needs a job in the USA, everyone can just become a burger flipper or work for the government! Most recently, the FBI staged raids against peace activists (guns drawn of course). I thought this type of government folly had gone the way of Viet Nam antiwar protestors but apparently it's not. Video at: http://www.utne.com/Politics/FBI-Raids-Unite-Left-Right-in-Reaction.aspx?utm_content=09.29.10+Spirituality&utm_campaign=Emerging+Ideas-Every+Day&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email
“The income gap between the richest and poorest Americans grew last year to its widest amount on record as young adults and children in particular struggled to stay afloat in the recession.” (USA Today)
Yeah, I know, there are always a few bright spots but they are getting harder to find.
Here are Signs the U.S. Is Losing Its Influence In Its Own Backyard:
Our most powerful regional ally--Brazil--refuses to follow our orders on Iran
Hillary Clinton went to Brazil to beg support for sanctions against Iran and came away empty handed. Now the UN is counting on Brazil, which is friendly with America and Iran, to lead nuclear diplomacy.
The World's Richest Man is now a Mexican, not an American.
For the first time in 16 years, the World's Richest Man is not an American. Carlos Slim, worth $54 billion, is the first Latin American to hold that title and one of many emerging market billionaires to eclipse the U.S.
Three years after a US financial crisis, Latin America is again growing rapidly. The U.S.? Not so much...read more at:
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/10-signs-the-us-is-losing-its-influence-in-the-western-hemisphere-535456.html?tickers=eem,ewz,fxi,eeb,jjm,^dji,xle
The end of the USA, just like the end of Rome won't come all at once...the plug won't mysteriously be pulled in the middle of the night. Short of a nuclear attack, it most likely will be a gradual thing. As we see our rights gradually erode, our incomes slide, further declines in government services, etc.
That's all for this week from your lamentable latitudinarian – the Poor Man!
Send us your suggestions and news poormansurvivor@yahoo.com
http://www.PoorManSurvivor.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/PoorMan
http://www.OldbookNook.com
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
Our Mission: To protect and promote your freedom, civil rights, financial well being and overall self reliance in these turbulent times.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Is the Day of Reckoning Near? Will Your Bank Fail Next?
Bruce’s Poor Man Bulletin
Your choice for urban survival resources!
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
In This Issue:
Is the Day of Reckoning Near?
Weekly freebies
Septic tank safeguards
Vulnerable banks
Save the economy by starting a sideline business
Seasoning & caring for your CI Cookware
The 4th Amendment-May it Rest in Peace!
How Far Off is our National Day of Reckoning?
The world has changed so drastically over the past 10-years:
1) The endless War on Terror and the rise of police states around the world
2) Elimination of financial privacy
3) The bursting of four major bubbles-- stocks, credit, derivatives, property
4) Developing nations' increasing economic dominance
5) The end of America's economic and diplomatic primacy
6) The greatest global economic decline since the Industrial Revolution
7) Rising world population coupled with food and water shortages
8) Loss of confidence in major institutions: government, banks, corporations
9) The growing, addict-like social dependency on technology
10) Central planning in the world's most "free" economies
When you throw a frog in a pot of boiling water, he immediately senses danger and jumps out. When you put him in cool water and slowly bring it to boil, the frog won't sense danger until it's too late.
Many would say the system has collapsed or is about to. There are a lot of people who still cling to it, who put their trust in their governments... they'll keep buying bonds, CD's, etc….however, even government workers are now feeling the pinch as we predicted.
Over the next 10-years as governments continue to put the squeeze on the middle class you can be certain things like rising taxes, capital controls, further erosion of financial privacy, increased regulation, will take place at an even faster pace.
I would suggest asking yourself one simple question: Will the paper currencies of the largest debtor nations in history continue to be reasonable stores of value?
Very unlikely and a complete loss of confidence is coming, and this will have hugely negative effects on your lifestyle. Although it seemed a 100 years ago, my political science professor to me that when enough people begin to ask such questions, we’re in trouble. When a country stops producing goods, it is in trouble and I believe we’re nearly there.
With the loss of jobs and confidence in the president & Congress, we can see that…
The number of people in the U.S. who are in poverty is on track for a record increase on President Barack Obama's watch, with the ranks of working-age poor approaching 1960s levels that led to the national war on poverty…which ultimately led to the war on the middle class by the Washington-Wall Street Cartel.
We know that at least 75% of the population is still employed in some fashion, usually at a lower wage and without benefits, than previously in this country…further, we know the recession won’t be over until people are making a living wage or have become income generators of sorts. Take a look at one of our reader’s resources, Dave Roman, to help you develop other sources of income-more at the end of this week’s letter.
"It is not the function of the government
to keep the citizen from falling into error;
it is the function of the citizen to keep
the government from falling into error."
-- Justice Robert H. Jackson
(1892-1954), U. S. Supreme Court Justice
Weekly Freebies & Tips
1. FREE CAR-REPAIR HELP
It won't fix your car free (darn), but RepairPal.com will help you find out whether your mechanic is quoting a fair price.
Enter your car's make, model and year, plus your zip code. Then choose among dozens of fixes to get a price range for the job at dealerships and independent shops in your area.
2. FREE TECH SUPPORT
If you're a member of Sam's Club or Costco, you can get free tech support -- even if you didn't buy the device at their store.
Or, for PC problems, anyone can head to TechGuy.org or 5starsupport.com for free help. You can search the forums for your computer's particular ailment or post a question to receive a timely response from the sites' groups of geek volunteers. And don't forget to try the manufacturer's Web site. Many post user manuals and FAQs to help you solve your dilemma.
3. FREE TREATS
Your favorite snack shop or fast-food restaurant may have an annual freebie day. Mark your calendar for free IHOP pancakes in February; free Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Rita's Italian ice, and a Starbucks pastry in March; free Pretzel Time pretzels and a Cinnabon treat in April; free Haagen Daas ice cream in May; a free Krispy Kreme doughnut, Sonic root-beer float and TCBY frozen yogurt in June; and a free Chick-Fil-A meal in July -- to name a few.
You can also sign up to score free food on your birthday from Famous Dave’s BBQ, Cold Stone Creamery, Denny’s and other eateries. Search the Web for "birthday freebies," or call your local restaurants to ask whether they offer such a deal.
4. FREE FINANCIAL APPS
There's a slew of free apps for your mobile phone that can simplify your financial tasks.
Among our favorites are apps from Mint.com to track your spending and investments, Allpoint and Moneypass to find surcharge-free ATMs nearby, Yowza for coupons on the go and CheckPlease Lite to easily calculate a tip or divide a restaurant check.
5. FREE BOOKS, MUSIC, MOVIES AND MORE
You'll find the mother lode of freebies at your public library. All the books, magazines, audio books, video games and CDs you can carry won't cost a cent. Many libraries also have free Wi-Fi, DVDs and e-books. You may be able to go online to place your order for materials and a librarian will have them waiting for you when you arrive.
And that's not all. Your library may host free book clubs, lectures, film screenings, children's story times, craft activities and other community events.
6. FREE DIAMOND-RING INSPECTION
One loose prong can weaken the setting on your diamond ring, risking the loss of your sparkler -- and thousands of dollars with it. Most jewelers will inspect your ring free of charge, especially if you purchased your jewelry from their shop. Many will even throw in a free cleaning.
It's a good idea to take advantage of this freebie at least once a year.
7. FREE COMPUTER PROTECTION
Is your computer vulnerable? You can download malware-protection services available free online.
We recommend PC Magazine's Editor's Choice: Panda Cloud Antivirus, AVG anti-virus or try Microsoft's Security Essentials, which PCWorld.com says renders subscription antivirus services unnecessary.
Read more: http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/fabulous-freebies-2010.html?kipad_id=x#ixzz0yrmuQtUG
"The history of government management of money has, except
for a few short happy periods, been one of incessant fraud
and deception." --Frederich on Hayek, Nobel Laureate
Free textbooks (aka open textbooks) written by scholars are a relatively new phenomenon. Below, find a meta list of 150 Free Textbooks, and check back often for new additions. Also see our online collection of Free Courses.
http://www.openculture.com/free_textbooks
Free Short Course-Broken Window Myth & No Free Lunch Economics-Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG3AKoL0vEs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmqoCHR14n8&feature=related
Cast Iron Cookware-Caring for it
Some of the best fried chicken I ever tasted was cooked in a cast iron skillet and these long lasting tools are good for outdoor or indoor cooking. This cookware heats slowly and evenly, and holds heat well - great for fried food, stews and soups (and even camp biscuits). The only drawback is that it rusts easily and needs to be ‘seasoned’ periodically prior to use.
Although I prefer the older Wagnerware to some of the new stuff I see on the market all of it should be pre-seasoned by scrubbing it thoroughly: coat the inside thinly and evenly with melted, unsalted shortening or vegetable oil (don’t use olive oil) and place into a pre-heated 350 oven for two hours. When finished, allow to cool and then wipe off the excess oil, rinse and dry it on a burner set at low heat (I would discourage doing this on a flat top electric range though for fear of potential damage).
After each use, wipe the utensil out with a towel and dry immediately. If food has burned on or stuck to it, scour with table salt.
Store in a dry area, leaving the lid off to prevent buildup of moisture; some place towels or paper towels in them. Never store food in them either. In my younger, restaurant days, we just dropped the cast iron skillet into the deep fat fryer to achieve this seasoning within a few minutes!
Safeguarding your Septic System tips…
Nothing worse than an overloaded or malfunctioning system…smells swell! Most people don’t give much thought to their system until a problem occurs and the longer you wait, the worse it gets. As a young man I got talked into digging out an old system by hand and brother, even though I was in terrific physical condition, it was hard work!
Keep in mind the following tips and hints:
Routine maintenance is required - it should be pumped out every two or three years depending on usage.
Keep the crap out (pun intended)-avoid putting such items as kitchen grease, kitty litter, sanitary products, cotton swabs or balls, etc. as it will block the lines.
Repair leaking pipes & fixtures asap as an excess amount of water will also damage your system
Use shorter showers and water miser shower heads (order them via our GreenIrene.com/Poorman site)
Direct rainwater away from the septic field - use rain barrels
Keep vehicles off the field and other heavy equipment
Remove trees and heavy shrubbery from the field to prevent roots from screwing up your drain lines. Remove roots using copper sulfate (2 lbs per 300 gallon tank capacity but no more than twice a year)
Do use baking soda or some yeast every so often in your toilet to keep the bacteria going - DON’t use bleach.
Your local health department or county extension office can provide useful assistance (see a link to every extension office at the PoorManSurvial.com DIY links section)…or watch the Red Green show for tips from his buddy, the ‘septic sucking service guy!”
What the Poor Man is reading this week (of course, that means you should too)!
Thomas Woods, New York Times bestselling author of 10 books, a senior fellow at the Ludwig von Mises Institute and author of "Nullification: How to resist federal tyranny in the 21st Century".
Professor Woods is a frequent critique of the abuse of power by the federal government and our nation's social decay and has spent years documenting the centralization of power. In today's episode, you'll discover:
The mechanism the founding fathers put in place for resisting abusive government
All the ammunition you need to fight back against angry liberals....and win
What it will (unfortunately) take before most people realize the extent of our problems
The one question to ask any politician to find out where their true loyalties are
Most Vulnerable Large U.S.
Banks and Thrifts
(with a Weiss Rating of D+ or lower and assets of $25 billion or more)
Institution Weiss Rating Bank of America D Citibank D Wells Fargo Bank D US Bank D PNC Bank D+ HSBC Bank USA NC D+ Suntrust Bank D- Regions Bank D- Capitol One D+ RBS Citizens D- KeyBank D- ING Bank FSB D Union Bank D+ Sovereign Bank D- Compass Bank D- Huntington National Bank D- M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank D- E*Trade Bank D- Wells Fargo Bank South Central D Bank of America California .
If our Trade be taxed, why not our Lands, or Produce in short, everything we possess? They tax us without having legal representation.
-- Samuel Adams
(1722-1803), was known as the "Father of the American Revolution."
A 15% Poverty Rate in America? Parting shots…
How to fix the economy…
You’ve probably seen the reports as to how number of taxpaying Americans are falling as poverty rates climb to as high as 15%...but we‘re now out of the recession…nearly half the households in America now get some sort of government assistance (Social Security, disability, food stamps, etc). I’m unsure why they include Social Security as a form of government assistance, after all, most folks pay into that and are entitled to it. Yet, we also see record amounts of cash being donated to various political groups and elected reps in Washington still taking pay raises, people still stand in line to buy the latest overpriced cell phone but are complaining they don’t have enough to buy school supplies! What’s wrong with this picture?
Even a blind man could see Washington and Wall Street are lying through their teeth…
Much of this is contradictory. We have two wars and no rationing at home as we did during WWII. No politician has given up their annual pay raise that I know of. We have no fiscal restraint in Washington, except when it comes to main street. We have a president who pushed for a national health care plan, which is great, but who can afford it when there are no jobs?
We face an essential takeover of retirement plans to cover the irresponsible spending of Congress, yet most US firms no longer even offer a pension. None of this makes sense to me.
Perhaps what we need is a return to the old homestead act which opened up with west to American settlement while offering a free plot of land to citizens willing to work that land and to build on it…reconfigured for the 21st century to perhaps include a better, fairer means of taxation, a better means of educating our young (not by simply throwing more money at it), a better means of keeping jobs in America vs. shipping them to other countries which does not benefit this country, a better means of equipping interested citizens in the ways and financing of entrepreneurship to create US jobs, etc.
America needs to fuel small business growth. In the Netherlands, citizens can opt out of getting unemployment and instead, use that money to start a business. The only thing that will save this country (beyond getting rid of politics as usual) is to foster job growth through small business - even if it’s on a sideline basis…and it provides a good tax reduction strategy. Here’s where my old friend Dave Roman can help you.
Dave has one of the longest running newsletters in the nation and has filtered through countless numbers of scams and featured only the good stuff…check out his book and be certain to use the discount code.
The book/manual normally sells for $39.95. If our readers go to the second page of the book web page (by clicking on the link on the bottom of the first book web page - the 7 techniques page) then they can go to the very bottom of that page to the "special offer" page. Clicking this link will take them to the special offer page where they can put your code in the offer box. The code is BD001. That way they will get the $29.95 price.
There is a bonus report that comes with the book. They get the names of 50 Mystery Shopping companies. I've mystery shopped many a restaurant in NE Ohio. The company pays for your meal. They will also get the updated version of the book when it's complete in about 3 months.
I have created two links to get to the book ad page and order info:
http://tiny.cc/profitable.ideas this link goes directly to the book web page
http://www.homebusinessguru.net this link goes to my home page. On this page, they have to click on the "7 Techniques" link to get to
the book page.
Something akin to the old biblical teaching - teach a person how to fish, give them the tools to fish, get out of their way and let them fish so they won’t go hungry!
Our goal is to help you become more self sufficient!
Yours for better living,
The Poor Man…your new director of the International Security Agency
Visit our sites. Find useful how-to information such as this terrific resource we first offered in 1999!
"Making the Best of Basics-Family Preparedness Handbook" is a literal treasure trove of information. You'll discover:
How to determine if you're emotionally and mentally prepared (Chapter 1, page 3)
The spiritual foundation you absolutely must have (Chapter 4, page 2)
What you should have in your 3 Day Survival Kit (Chapter 5, page 2)
Suggestions for organizing all your information (Chapter 6, page 3)
How to put together your personal in-home grocery store (Chapter 7, page 1)
And much more. For example, you'll learn:
How to manage your long-term storage
Locating, purifying and storing water
Step by Step guide to healthy kitchen gardening
The basics of wheat, sourdough and flour cookery
In home drying of fruits and vegetables
As well as the basics of preparing game meats, fish and fowl. There's so much more in "Making the Best of Basics-Family Preparedness Handbook" that I'd like to tell you about, but I just don't have the space in this email to cover everything. Rest assured that over the course of 28 chapters you'll learn how to put together a well-rounded preparedness plan that anyone can use to prepare for natural disasters, terrorist attacks, economic collapse, epidemic, martial law or even just a short-term disruption in normal life that might otherwise be catastrophic.
Just imagine how much more at peace you'll be with "Making the Best of Basics-Family Preparedness Handbook" in your household, available even for a child to read and learn from. The peace of mind you'll have knowing that you've got a proven, time-tested guide for preparing is invaluable.
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/PoorMan
http://www.OldBookNook.com
A Shallow Planet Production
P.S. If you haven't already noticed, be prepared as commodity prices head up higher beginning this month. Things such as sugar, gold, etc. which means end products made from these will spike higher as well. Just look at what you're now paying for a 4lb bag of sugar – more than what you paid for a 5lb bag last year.
Your choice for urban survival resources!
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
In This Issue:
Is the Day of Reckoning Near?
Weekly freebies
Septic tank safeguards
Vulnerable banks
Save the economy by starting a sideline business
Seasoning & caring for your CI Cookware
The 4th Amendment-May it Rest in Peace!
How Far Off is our National Day of Reckoning?
The world has changed so drastically over the past 10-years:
1) The endless War on Terror and the rise of police states around the world
2) Elimination of financial privacy
3) The bursting of four major bubbles-- stocks, credit, derivatives, property
4) Developing nations' increasing economic dominance
5) The end of America's economic and diplomatic primacy
6) The greatest global economic decline since the Industrial Revolution
7) Rising world population coupled with food and water shortages
8) Loss of confidence in major institutions: government, banks, corporations
9) The growing, addict-like social dependency on technology
10) Central planning in the world's most "free" economies
When you throw a frog in a pot of boiling water, he immediately senses danger and jumps out. When you put him in cool water and slowly bring it to boil, the frog won't sense danger until it's too late.
Many would say the system has collapsed or is about to. There are a lot of people who still cling to it, who put their trust in their governments... they'll keep buying bonds, CD's, etc….however, even government workers are now feeling the pinch as we predicted.
Over the next 10-years as governments continue to put the squeeze on the middle class you can be certain things like rising taxes, capital controls, further erosion of financial privacy, increased regulation, will take place at an even faster pace.
I would suggest asking yourself one simple question: Will the paper currencies of the largest debtor nations in history continue to be reasonable stores of value?
Very unlikely and a complete loss of confidence is coming, and this will have hugely negative effects on your lifestyle. Although it seemed a 100 years ago, my political science professor to me that when enough people begin to ask such questions, we’re in trouble. When a country stops producing goods, it is in trouble and I believe we’re nearly there.
With the loss of jobs and confidence in the president & Congress, we can see that…
The number of people in the U.S. who are in poverty is on track for a record increase on President Barack Obama's watch, with the ranks of working-age poor approaching 1960s levels that led to the national war on poverty…which ultimately led to the war on the middle class by the Washington-Wall Street Cartel.
We know that at least 75% of the population is still employed in some fashion, usually at a lower wage and without benefits, than previously in this country…further, we know the recession won’t be over until people are making a living wage or have become income generators of sorts. Take a look at one of our reader’s resources, Dave Roman, to help you develop other sources of income-more at the end of this week’s letter.
"It is not the function of the government
to keep the citizen from falling into error;
it is the function of the citizen to keep
the government from falling into error."
-- Justice Robert H. Jackson
(1892-1954), U. S. Supreme Court Justice
Weekly Freebies & Tips
1. FREE CAR-REPAIR HELP
It won't fix your car free (darn), but RepairPal.com will help you find out whether your mechanic is quoting a fair price.
Enter your car's make, model and year, plus your zip code. Then choose among dozens of fixes to get a price range for the job at dealerships and independent shops in your area.
2. FREE TECH SUPPORT
If you're a member of Sam's Club or Costco, you can get free tech support -- even if you didn't buy the device at their store.
Or, for PC problems, anyone can head to TechGuy.org or 5starsupport.com for free help. You can search the forums for your computer's particular ailment or post a question to receive a timely response from the sites' groups of geek volunteers. And don't forget to try the manufacturer's Web site. Many post user manuals and FAQs to help you solve your dilemma.
3. FREE TREATS
Your favorite snack shop or fast-food restaurant may have an annual freebie day. Mark your calendar for free IHOP pancakes in February; free Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Rita's Italian ice, and a Starbucks pastry in March; free Pretzel Time pretzels and a Cinnabon treat in April; free Haagen Daas ice cream in May; a free Krispy Kreme doughnut, Sonic root-beer float and TCBY frozen yogurt in June; and a free Chick-Fil-A meal in July -- to name a few.
You can also sign up to score free food on your birthday from Famous Dave’s BBQ, Cold Stone Creamery, Denny’s and other eateries. Search the Web for "birthday freebies," or call your local restaurants to ask whether they offer such a deal.
4. FREE FINANCIAL APPS
There's a slew of free apps for your mobile phone that can simplify your financial tasks.
Among our favorites are apps from Mint.com to track your spending and investments, Allpoint and Moneypass to find surcharge-free ATMs nearby, Yowza for coupons on the go and CheckPlease Lite to easily calculate a tip or divide a restaurant check.
5. FREE BOOKS, MUSIC, MOVIES AND MORE
You'll find the mother lode of freebies at your public library. All the books, magazines, audio books, video games and CDs you can carry won't cost a cent. Many libraries also have free Wi-Fi, DVDs and e-books. You may be able to go online to place your order for materials and a librarian will have them waiting for you when you arrive.
And that's not all. Your library may host free book clubs, lectures, film screenings, children's story times, craft activities and other community events.
6. FREE DIAMOND-RING INSPECTION
One loose prong can weaken the setting on your diamond ring, risking the loss of your sparkler -- and thousands of dollars with it. Most jewelers will inspect your ring free of charge, especially if you purchased your jewelry from their shop. Many will even throw in a free cleaning.
It's a good idea to take advantage of this freebie at least once a year.
7. FREE COMPUTER PROTECTION
Is your computer vulnerable? You can download malware-protection services available free online.
We recommend PC Magazine's Editor's Choice: Panda Cloud Antivirus, AVG anti-virus or try Microsoft's Security Essentials, which PCWorld.com says renders subscription antivirus services unnecessary.
Read more: http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/fabulous-freebies-2010.html?kipad_id=x#ixzz0yrmuQtUG
"The history of government management of money has, except
for a few short happy periods, been one of incessant fraud
and deception." --Frederich on Hayek, Nobel Laureate
Free textbooks (aka open textbooks) written by scholars are a relatively new phenomenon. Below, find a meta list of 150 Free Textbooks, and check back often for new additions. Also see our online collection of Free Courses.
http://www.openculture.com/free_textbooks
Free Short Course-Broken Window Myth & No Free Lunch Economics-Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG3AKoL0vEs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmqoCHR14n8&feature=related
Cast Iron Cookware-Caring for it
Some of the best fried chicken I ever tasted was cooked in a cast iron skillet and these long lasting tools are good for outdoor or indoor cooking. This cookware heats slowly and evenly, and holds heat well - great for fried food, stews and soups (and even camp biscuits). The only drawback is that it rusts easily and needs to be ‘seasoned’ periodically prior to use.
Although I prefer the older Wagnerware to some of the new stuff I see on the market all of it should be pre-seasoned by scrubbing it thoroughly: coat the inside thinly and evenly with melted, unsalted shortening or vegetable oil (don’t use olive oil) and place into a pre-heated 350 oven for two hours. When finished, allow to cool and then wipe off the excess oil, rinse and dry it on a burner set at low heat (I would discourage doing this on a flat top electric range though for fear of potential damage).
After each use, wipe the utensil out with a towel and dry immediately. If food has burned on or stuck to it, scour with table salt.
Store in a dry area, leaving the lid off to prevent buildup of moisture; some place towels or paper towels in them. Never store food in them either. In my younger, restaurant days, we just dropped the cast iron skillet into the deep fat fryer to achieve this seasoning within a few minutes!
Safeguarding your Septic System tips…
Nothing worse than an overloaded or malfunctioning system…smells swell! Most people don’t give much thought to their system until a problem occurs and the longer you wait, the worse it gets. As a young man I got talked into digging out an old system by hand and brother, even though I was in terrific physical condition, it was hard work!
Keep in mind the following tips and hints:
Routine maintenance is required - it should be pumped out every two or three years depending on usage.
Keep the crap out (pun intended)-avoid putting such items as kitchen grease, kitty litter, sanitary products, cotton swabs or balls, etc. as it will block the lines.
Repair leaking pipes & fixtures asap as an excess amount of water will also damage your system
Use shorter showers and water miser shower heads (order them via our GreenIrene.com/Poorman site)
Direct rainwater away from the septic field - use rain barrels
Keep vehicles off the field and other heavy equipment
Remove trees and heavy shrubbery from the field to prevent roots from screwing up your drain lines. Remove roots using copper sulfate (2 lbs per 300 gallon tank capacity but no more than twice a year)
Do use baking soda or some yeast every so often in your toilet to keep the bacteria going - DON’t use bleach.
Your local health department or county extension office can provide useful assistance (see a link to every extension office at the PoorManSurvial.com DIY links section)…or watch the Red Green show for tips from his buddy, the ‘septic sucking service guy!”
What the Poor Man is reading this week (of course, that means you should too)!
Thomas Woods, New York Times bestselling author of 10 books, a senior fellow at the Ludwig von Mises Institute and author of "Nullification: How to resist federal tyranny in the 21st Century".
Professor Woods is a frequent critique of the abuse of power by the federal government and our nation's social decay and has spent years documenting the centralization of power. In today's episode, you'll discover:
The mechanism the founding fathers put in place for resisting abusive government
All the ammunition you need to fight back against angry liberals....and win
What it will (unfortunately) take before most people realize the extent of our problems
The one question to ask any politician to find out where their true loyalties are
Most Vulnerable Large U.S.
Banks and Thrifts
(with a Weiss Rating of D+ or lower and assets of $25 billion or more)
Institution Weiss Rating Bank of America D Citibank D Wells Fargo Bank D US Bank D PNC Bank D+ HSBC Bank USA NC D+ Suntrust Bank D- Regions Bank D- Capitol One D+ RBS Citizens D- KeyBank D- ING Bank FSB D Union Bank D+ Sovereign Bank D- Compass Bank D- Huntington National Bank D- M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank D- E*Trade Bank D- Wells Fargo Bank South Central D Bank of America California .
If our Trade be taxed, why not our Lands, or Produce in short, everything we possess? They tax us without having legal representation.
-- Samuel Adams
(1722-1803), was known as the "Father of the American Revolution."
A 15% Poverty Rate in America? Parting shots…
How to fix the economy…
You’ve probably seen the reports as to how number of taxpaying Americans are falling as poverty rates climb to as high as 15%...but we‘re now out of the recession…nearly half the households in America now get some sort of government assistance (Social Security, disability, food stamps, etc). I’m unsure why they include Social Security as a form of government assistance, after all, most folks pay into that and are entitled to it. Yet, we also see record amounts of cash being donated to various political groups and elected reps in Washington still taking pay raises, people still stand in line to buy the latest overpriced cell phone but are complaining they don’t have enough to buy school supplies! What’s wrong with this picture?
Even a blind man could see Washington and Wall Street are lying through their teeth…
Much of this is contradictory. We have two wars and no rationing at home as we did during WWII. No politician has given up their annual pay raise that I know of. We have no fiscal restraint in Washington, except when it comes to main street. We have a president who pushed for a national health care plan, which is great, but who can afford it when there are no jobs?
We face an essential takeover of retirement plans to cover the irresponsible spending of Congress, yet most US firms no longer even offer a pension. None of this makes sense to me.
Perhaps what we need is a return to the old homestead act which opened up with west to American settlement while offering a free plot of land to citizens willing to work that land and to build on it…reconfigured for the 21st century to perhaps include a better, fairer means of taxation, a better means of educating our young (not by simply throwing more money at it), a better means of keeping jobs in America vs. shipping them to other countries which does not benefit this country, a better means of equipping interested citizens in the ways and financing of entrepreneurship to create US jobs, etc.
America needs to fuel small business growth. In the Netherlands, citizens can opt out of getting unemployment and instead, use that money to start a business. The only thing that will save this country (beyond getting rid of politics as usual) is to foster job growth through small business - even if it’s on a sideline basis…and it provides a good tax reduction strategy. Here’s where my old friend Dave Roman can help you.
Dave has one of the longest running newsletters in the nation and has filtered through countless numbers of scams and featured only the good stuff…check out his book and be certain to use the discount code.
The book/manual normally sells for $39.95. If our readers go to the second page of the book web page (by clicking on the link on the bottom of the first book web page - the 7 techniques page) then they can go to the very bottom of that page to the "special offer" page. Clicking this link will take them to the special offer page where they can put your code in the offer box. The code is BD001. That way they will get the $29.95 price.
There is a bonus report that comes with the book. They get the names of 50 Mystery Shopping companies. I've mystery shopped many a restaurant in NE Ohio. The company pays for your meal. They will also get the updated version of the book when it's complete in about 3 months.
I have created two links to get to the book ad page and order info:
http://tiny.cc/profitable.ideas this link goes directly to the book web page
http://www.homebusinessguru.net this link goes to my home page. On this page, they have to click on the "7 Techniques" link to get to
the book page.
Something akin to the old biblical teaching - teach a person how to fish, give them the tools to fish, get out of their way and let them fish so they won’t go hungry!
Our goal is to help you become more self sufficient!
Yours for better living,
The Poor Man…your new director of the International Security Agency
Visit our sites. Find useful how-to information such as this terrific resource we first offered in 1999!
"Making the Best of Basics-Family Preparedness Handbook" is a literal treasure trove of information. You'll discover:
How to determine if you're emotionally and mentally prepared (Chapter 1, page 3)
The spiritual foundation you absolutely must have (Chapter 4, page 2)
What you should have in your 3 Day Survival Kit (Chapter 5, page 2)
Suggestions for organizing all your information (Chapter 6, page 3)
How to put together your personal in-home grocery store (Chapter 7, page 1)
And much more. For example, you'll learn:
How to manage your long-term storage
Locating, purifying and storing water
Step by Step guide to healthy kitchen gardening
The basics of wheat, sourdough and flour cookery
In home drying of fruits and vegetables
As well as the basics of preparing game meats, fish and fowl. There's so much more in "Making the Best of Basics-Family Preparedness Handbook" that I'd like to tell you about, but I just don't have the space in this email to cover everything. Rest assured that over the course of 28 chapters you'll learn how to put together a well-rounded preparedness plan that anyone can use to prepare for natural disasters, terrorist attacks, economic collapse, epidemic, martial law or even just a short-term disruption in normal life that might otherwise be catastrophic.
Just imagine how much more at peace you'll be with "Making the Best of Basics-Family Preparedness Handbook" in your household, available even for a child to read and learn from. The peace of mind you'll have knowing that you've got a proven, time-tested guide for preparing is invaluable.
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/PoorMan
http://www.OldBookNook.com
A Shallow Planet Production
P.S. If you haven't already noticed, be prepared as commodity prices head up higher beginning this month. Things such as sugar, gold, etc. which means end products made from these will spike higher as well. Just look at what you're now paying for a 4lb bag of sugar – more than what you paid for a 5lb bag last year.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Beating High Cost Traffic Tickets
Bruce’s Poor Man Bulletin
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
In this issue:
Beat a traffic ticket
Favorite hiding spots for cash, etc.
10 Green moves to save cash & the planet
Guest editorial from Mort Z-America's 'Public Servants'
Ethan Harris, a Bank of America Merrill Lynch economist says of the recovery: “We were waiting for the second stage of the rocket, and it just fizzled out” ...
Top 10 “industries” which will never come back…
The Wall Street Journal featured a story this week announcing which industries will never recover and at the top of the list were city and state government workers. The Poor Man has always stated the “G” in government stood for two things - Gouge the citizen and Growth Industry.
We’ve reported several times that government workers make more than private sector employees for some time now and many studies have verified this…but “government” was never supposed to be an industry!
With the exception of Hamilton, our founding fathers warned us repeatedly about the central government becoming too strong. Of course, leftists, socialists and other democrats have long ignored that and in many cases, so have the republicans. Both parties have proven themselves a danger to the national trust and interest and have imperiled our nation. The feds have routinely ignored the Constitution or have bent it to suit their purposes and few objected to these traitorous actions and now we’re all paying the price for their greed and folly.
Local government too have grown beyond its responsibility and cost communities dearly. If you follow us on Facebook you have seen our reports on local government folly such as the one community which fined a resident $5000 for growing too many vegetables on his 10 acres! What arrogance - these local politicos need to be tarred & feathered.
Also, as we reported at the beginning of the year, the feds will be targeting your retirement accounts soon to cover their debts (not our debt).
Standard and Poor's, a top rater of debt instruments, issued a statement in August “that Congress must act soon to control its spending in order to protect the government's so-called "AAA-rating" status. If the U.S is downgraded to a "AA" credit rating, attracting bond buyers will be an even dicier proposition.”
The London-based office of Morgan Stanley flashed a warning on August 24 that government debt defaults are all but inevitable…
"The sovereign debt crisis is global, and is not over," noted a top Stanley Morgan official. While Stanley Morgan soft-peddled Uncle Scam's financial dilemma, the warning was clearly aimed at the United States Congress and the Obama Administration. "We don't think these political decisions on tackling the public finances can be put off forever," their spokesman said sheepishly.
In concert with the Labor and Treasury Departments' joint initiative on retirement nationalization, Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-MN) and John Kerry (D-MA) introduced legislation on August 5. Their bill, S. 3760, would impose mandatory IRAs on the employees of most companies in America, requiring them to deposit 3% of employee earnings into government-approved "investments" unless those employees specifically opt out. (And their wages would be automatically sunk into "principal preservation investments," which is French for government bonds.)
On the table is the subject of new regulations governing how 401(k) and IRA fund managers and account holders invest their funds, with bureaucrats searching for ways to "encourage" or outright mandate purchase of government bonds or annuities (fixed-income instruments which hold government bonds).
Meanwhile, it is anticipated the threat of revoking tax-advantages of 401(k)s and IRAs will be used as a tool to impose the potential new rules.
Wall Street Journal pulled no punches this morning. It said: “Hopes of a U.S.-led recovery have faded as American consumers retrench. Bursts of growth in Japan and Germany are waning or expected to do so. China and other big developing nations are still growing strongly, but at a slower rate than they were not long ago.”
Help keep your septic system fresh by flushing a cup of baking soda down the toilet ever so often
...we also put a few small packets of baking yeast down too.
Favorite Hiding Spots for Cash
WalletPop recently did a story about favorite places folks hid there money…usually from a significant other vs. burglar. In our Poor Man’s Guide to Homestead Protection we have an entire PDF devoted to that as compiled by the DEA & other government snoops and I won’t tell you where we hide our millions but…here are a few of the favorites.
Inside fake or real potted plants
In the toilet paper roll - the spare one most folks put on the tank
Inside the Tampon box - guys gotta love that one as we’d never think of it!
Inside old purses hanging in the closet
My favorite…inside fake PVC plumbing pipes set up to look like the real deal
Actually, using PVC pipe to store foodstocks, ammo, cash, etc and bury them on your property isn’t a bad idea as most often it will fool metal detectors and offers good, long-lasting protection from the elements.
Road sign seen while entering the nation’s capitol “Welcome to Washington DC -’damn the citizen’
The number of unique visitors (shoppers) to eBay have dropped from this
time last year.
Let's look at the numbers.
In July 2009, there were 33.7 million listings on eBay. (source: medved)
In July 2010, there were 133 million listings on eBay .
In July 2009, there were 73 million unique visitors on eBay (source: compete)
In July 2010, there were 68 million unique visitors on eBay
>>>Find a Kennel Fast if you're leaving for a quick trip and are unable to find someone to watch your pet at:
www.KennelFinder.com
If you're worried about the environment, here are 10 "green" moves you can make that also have a payback—they'll help the earth and your wallet.
1. Stop the energy leaks from your home. Just over a fifth of U.S. energy consumption happens at people's homes, says the Department of Energy. That costs the average homeowner $2,400 a year. Half of that goes to heating and cooling, much of which is pure waste. Insulate ceilings and walls. Seal cracks and gaps. "Often people have so many small leaks around the home that it's the equivalent of having a three-foot by three-foot window wide open," says Kateri Callahan, president of the Washington-based nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy. More at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703431604575468132402883368.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalFinance_PF5
Store brands vs. name brands
In our latest taste-off, store-brand foods were often at least as good
Any smart supermarket shopper knows that buying store-brand products instead of big names can save big bucks. In our latest price study, filling a shopping cart with store brands saved us an average of 30 percent. If you spend $100 a week on groceries, those savings add up to more than $1,500 a year. Source: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/october/shopping/store-brands-vs-name-brands/overview/index.htm
This Week’s Video Clips (something I include periodically. Our PM videos have already received more than 1200 views)!
Gerald Celente’s prediction-Greece was the canary in the economic mineshaft; the bubble is bursting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdxgWQWqsS4&feature=player_embedded#!
Cute song about our leaders in Washington-When you’re holding the hammer, everything looks like a nail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfH46DTAkxo&feature=player_embedded#!
As you probably already know, Liberty.com recently finished building a state-of-the-art, high-definition online TV studio in our Las Vegas headquarters.
We're currently in the process of developing five different channels of content, and we've partnered with TeaPartyHD.com to feed their content through our sites as well.
Remember when Ronald Reagan was president, we also had Bob Hope and Johnny Cash still with us...
Now we have Obama... and -no Hope- and -no Cash-!
Tips for beating a traffic ticket…
Government at every level is desperate for your cash and are stepping up enforcement of what I’ve always called “create-a-crime” rules in order to collect more cash-fines are now at abnormally high rates and no longer fit the ‘crime.’
If you do get pulled over, remember these tips:
Don't admit guilt. It's the police officer's duty to tell you what you did wrong. If he asks a question like, "Do you know how fast you were going?" he's only giving you rope with which to hang yourself. Instead, simply state that you believe you were driving safely.
Be polite and cooperative. Don't start antagonizing the officer. If he questions you, don't be sarcastic or condescending. Police have tremendous discretion, and being polite may result in you being cut some slack. If you end up in traffic court, testimony that you were belligerent won't earn you any sympathy from the judge either. Just remember that you have to walk a thin line. Be courteous but brief, not volunteering any information unnecessarily. Generally, keep your mouth shut and let the officer do the talking.
You Can Beat the Traffic Nannies
If you're given a ticket, you have a right to defend yourself in a courtroom. Most people opt to avoid the hassle and simply pay the ticket, which is exactly what the greedy town bureaucrats want to happen. If you have the time and think you have a case, take your ticket to court.
First, there is a reasonable chance the police officer won't show up in the first place. Cops are busy on their beats during the day and sometimes don't have time to attend traffic trials. If the officer is not present in court and you are, the ticket automatically gets dropped.
Most states technically view traffic infractions as criminal matters, rather than civil. This means that the burden of proof is higher – requiring your guilt to be established "beyond a reasonable doubt."
If the traffic violation is a civil matter in your jurisdiction, you are innocent until proven guilty by "a preponderance of the evidence." In either case, your goal is not necessarily to establish your total and undeniable innocence, but to show why the evidence presented against you is inaccurate, unreliable, or insufficient to establish your guilt.
Regardless of which standard of proof applies to your case, here are a few pointers:
Don't rely on your word alone. Against the word of a law enforcement officer, the judge will side against you virtually every time absent any documents, photographs, witnesses, or other evidence to corroborate your testimony.
Request a copy of the radar gun manual. Most speeding tickets are issued with help from a radar gun. Fortunately, these instruments are unreliable. Inside the manual will be a list of things that can cause inaccurate readings, such as wind and metal railings. Use this to further muddy the waters.
Check the speed written on the ticket. Sometimes the officer will write a lower speed on the ticket than the speed at which he clocked you. This is often done to compensate for faulty radar guns, which are sometimes calibrated too high. If you can credibly suggest the information on the ticket is inaccurate, you could win the case.
Consult with an attorney if you're confused about the law. Although the fine imposed by a traffic citation might be relatively small, the negative impact on your driving record and future insurance rates can be significant. Having a lawyer on your side improves your odds of defeating or reducing a costly ticket.
If you are convicted, attend driving school if it is presented as an option. While it may be a hassle, it could not only reduce the fine, but also save you hundreds of dollars in higher car insurance costs over time.
Avoid plastering your car with bumper stickers of any sort
Don't assume it's safe to follow a cop, especially if they're speeding
Don't hit the brakes when you see a cop; instead slow down naturally-keep an eye on traffic ahead of you for brake lights which often indicate a speed trap
For more information, check out the National Motorists Association (www.motorists.org). The NMA provides a directory of traffic attorneys and other valuable benefits. It will charge you $35 per year ($45 for your family) for membership.
Once upon a time, a college education in America was a one-way ticket to a high-paying job and a lofty socio-economic status. Part of its value derived from the fact that a college education was relatively rare. In 1950, only about 5% of all Americans held a bachelor's degree…now it’s a one-ticket to hefty debt and living at home again as the value of a degree is now questionable. Only 20% of graduate got a job offer last year.
America's public servants are now its masters
By Mort Zuckerman
There really are two Americas, but they are not captured by the standard class warfare speeches that dramatise the gulf between the rich and the poor. Of the new divisions, one is the gap between employed and unemployed that President Barack Obama seeks to close with yet another $50bn stimulus programme. Another is between workers in the private and public sectors. No guesses which are the more protected. A recent study by the Mayo Research Institute found that "private-sector workers were nearly three times more likely to be jobless than public- sector workers".
Political tension is bound to grow when jobs disappear faster in the private than the public sector, just as compensation in the former is squeezed more. There was a time when government work offered lower salaries than comparable jobs in the private sector, a difference for which the public sector compensated by providing more security and better benefits. No longer. These days, government employees are better off in almost every area: pay, benefits, time off and security, on top of working fewer hours. Public workers have become a privileged class - an elite who live better than their private-sector counterparts. Public servants have become the public's masters.
Take federal employees. For nine years in a row, they have been awarded bigger average pay and benefit increases than private-sector workers. In 2008, the average wage for 1.9m federal civilian workers was more than $79,000, against an average of about $50,000 for the nation's 108m private-sector workers, measured in full-time equivalents. Ninety per cent of government employees receive lifetime pension benefits versus 18 per cent of private employees. Public service employees continue to gain annual salary increases; they retire earlier with instant, guaranteed benefits paid for with the taxes of those very same private- sector workers.
Read the rest of this at our site under the Guest Column tab-PoorManSurvival.com
Parting thoughts…
Where will you get your food in the event of a collapse?
A reader wrote to let me know he’s new to self sufficiency practices and lives in an apartment, has limited income, lots of debt…where does he begin?
Most folks will look to stockpiled food supplies initially in the event of a complete collapse and this will work well for many who have taken the time put aside dehydrated and canned foods…but that will typically last about a year for most as expiration dates and supplies will dwindle.
Of course, you can and should begin to look at growing a garden - even if it is a container garden and perhaps raise a few rabbits or chickens. Stockpile items you can barter with such first aid supplies, liquor and ammunition. But I always ask…
What would you do if your sole source of income dried up tomorrow?
Would you be prepared? Do you have a plan?
In these times, many income sources that were considered 'stable' in the old system will be at risk; this includes retirement pensions, investment income, salaries and wages, and small business profits.
For example, retirees living on company pensions could easily see their monthly stipends fall due to corporate bankruptcies. And while public pensions like Social Security are unlikely to change in the short-term, this broken system will undoubtedly see massive restructuring in the next decade.
Meanwhile, many small business owners and self-employed professionals may suffer reduced revenue as market conditions and consumer priorities shift; this has already happened to many businesses in the retail and real estate sectors.
For salaried workers, we live in a rather bizarre time when corporate profits are surging, yet revenue growth is lackluster. Companies are cutting back on expenses by reducing their headcounts and squeezing every ounce of productivity out of a smaller workforce.
Millions of people are now unemployed and without a backup plan. Politicians make empty speeches about hope and better times ahead, but they offer little more than hot air and higher deficits.
The thing is, there is a way out... self-reliance is the way to survive and …
At the end of the day, we only have ourselves to rely on, and our own livelihood and that of our families hinges on this fact. As such, it's critical to declare economic independence by seeking alternate sources of income.
In a down economy, it's not like all economic activity stops; unemployment may be 10%+, underemployment may be 20%+, but there is still 80% of the workforce that is getting paid and allocating their income towards purchases each and every month.
The critical difference is that their priorities have shifted. In general, people are no longer looking to spend their money on useless trinkets or expensive consumables. But they will gladly spend on the things that they actually need.
That’s it for now from that damnable citizen, the Poor Man!
Feel free to send your tips and suggestions to us at: PoorManSurvivor@yahoo.com
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/PoorMan
http://www.OldBooknook.com
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
In this issue:
Beat a traffic ticket
Favorite hiding spots for cash, etc.
10 Green moves to save cash & the planet
Guest editorial from Mort Z-America's 'Public Servants'
Ethan Harris, a Bank of America Merrill Lynch economist says of the recovery: “We were waiting for the second stage of the rocket, and it just fizzled out” ...
Top 10 “industries” which will never come back…
The Wall Street Journal featured a story this week announcing which industries will never recover and at the top of the list were city and state government workers. The Poor Man has always stated the “G” in government stood for two things - Gouge the citizen and Growth Industry.
We’ve reported several times that government workers make more than private sector employees for some time now and many studies have verified this…but “government” was never supposed to be an industry!
With the exception of Hamilton, our founding fathers warned us repeatedly about the central government becoming too strong. Of course, leftists, socialists and other democrats have long ignored that and in many cases, so have the republicans. Both parties have proven themselves a danger to the national trust and interest and have imperiled our nation. The feds have routinely ignored the Constitution or have bent it to suit their purposes and few objected to these traitorous actions and now we’re all paying the price for their greed and folly.
Local government too have grown beyond its responsibility and cost communities dearly. If you follow us on Facebook you have seen our reports on local government folly such as the one community which fined a resident $5000 for growing too many vegetables on his 10 acres! What arrogance - these local politicos need to be tarred & feathered.
Also, as we reported at the beginning of the year, the feds will be targeting your retirement accounts soon to cover their debts (not our debt).
Standard and Poor's, a top rater of debt instruments, issued a statement in August “that Congress must act soon to control its spending in order to protect the government's so-called "AAA-rating" status. If the U.S is downgraded to a "AA" credit rating, attracting bond buyers will be an even dicier proposition.”
The London-based office of Morgan Stanley flashed a warning on August 24 that government debt defaults are all but inevitable…
"The sovereign debt crisis is global, and is not over," noted a top Stanley Morgan official. While Stanley Morgan soft-peddled Uncle Scam's financial dilemma, the warning was clearly aimed at the United States Congress and the Obama Administration. "We don't think these political decisions on tackling the public finances can be put off forever," their spokesman said sheepishly.
In concert with the Labor and Treasury Departments' joint initiative on retirement nationalization, Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-MN) and John Kerry (D-MA) introduced legislation on August 5. Their bill, S. 3760, would impose mandatory IRAs on the employees of most companies in America, requiring them to deposit 3% of employee earnings into government-approved "investments" unless those employees specifically opt out. (And their wages would be automatically sunk into "principal preservation investments," which is French for government bonds.)
On the table is the subject of new regulations governing how 401(k) and IRA fund managers and account holders invest their funds, with bureaucrats searching for ways to "encourage" or outright mandate purchase of government bonds or annuities (fixed-income instruments which hold government bonds).
Meanwhile, it is anticipated the threat of revoking tax-advantages of 401(k)s and IRAs will be used as a tool to impose the potential new rules.
Wall Street Journal pulled no punches this morning. It said: “Hopes of a U.S.-led recovery have faded as American consumers retrench. Bursts of growth in Japan and Germany are waning or expected to do so. China and other big developing nations are still growing strongly, but at a slower rate than they were not long ago.”
Help keep your septic system fresh by flushing a cup of baking soda down the toilet ever so often
...we also put a few small packets of baking yeast down too.
Favorite Hiding Spots for Cash
WalletPop recently did a story about favorite places folks hid there money…usually from a significant other vs. burglar. In our Poor Man’s Guide to Homestead Protection we have an entire PDF devoted to that as compiled by the DEA & other government snoops and I won’t tell you where we hide our millions but…here are a few of the favorites.
Inside fake or real potted plants
In the toilet paper roll - the spare one most folks put on the tank
Inside the Tampon box - guys gotta love that one as we’d never think of it!
Inside old purses hanging in the closet
My favorite…inside fake PVC plumbing pipes set up to look like the real deal
Actually, using PVC pipe to store foodstocks, ammo, cash, etc and bury them on your property isn’t a bad idea as most often it will fool metal detectors and offers good, long-lasting protection from the elements.
Road sign seen while entering the nation’s capitol “Welcome to Washington DC -’damn the citizen’
The number of unique visitors (shoppers) to eBay have dropped from this
time last year.
Let's look at the numbers.
In July 2009, there were 33.7 million listings on eBay. (source: medved)
In July 2010, there were 133 million listings on eBay .
In July 2009, there were 73 million unique visitors on eBay (source: compete)
In July 2010, there were 68 million unique visitors on eBay
>>>Find a Kennel Fast if you're leaving for a quick trip and are unable to find someone to watch your pet at:
www.KennelFinder.com
If you're worried about the environment, here are 10 "green" moves you can make that also have a payback—they'll help the earth and your wallet.
1. Stop the energy leaks from your home. Just over a fifth of U.S. energy consumption happens at people's homes, says the Department of Energy. That costs the average homeowner $2,400 a year. Half of that goes to heating and cooling, much of which is pure waste. Insulate ceilings and walls. Seal cracks and gaps. "Often people have so many small leaks around the home that it's the equivalent of having a three-foot by three-foot window wide open," says Kateri Callahan, president of the Washington-based nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy. More at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703431604575468132402883368.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalFinance_PF5
Store brands vs. name brands
In our latest taste-off, store-brand foods were often at least as good
Any smart supermarket shopper knows that buying store-brand products instead of big names can save big bucks. In our latest price study, filling a shopping cart with store brands saved us an average of 30 percent. If you spend $100 a week on groceries, those savings add up to more than $1,500 a year. Source: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/october/shopping/store-brands-vs-name-brands/overview/index.htm
This Week’s Video Clips (something I include periodically. Our PM videos have already received more than 1200 views)!
Gerald Celente’s prediction-Greece was the canary in the economic mineshaft; the bubble is bursting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdxgWQWqsS4&feature=player_embedded#!
Cute song about our leaders in Washington-When you’re holding the hammer, everything looks like a nail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfH46DTAkxo&feature=player_embedded#!
As you probably already know, Liberty.com recently finished building a state-of-the-art, high-definition online TV studio in our Las Vegas headquarters.
We're currently in the process of developing five different channels of content, and we've partnered with TeaPartyHD.com to feed their content through our sites as well.
Remember when Ronald Reagan was president, we also had Bob Hope and Johnny Cash still with us...
Now we have Obama... and -no Hope- and -no Cash-!
Tips for beating a traffic ticket…
Government at every level is desperate for your cash and are stepping up enforcement of what I’ve always called “create-a-crime” rules in order to collect more cash-fines are now at abnormally high rates and no longer fit the ‘crime.’
If you do get pulled over, remember these tips:
Don't admit guilt. It's the police officer's duty to tell you what you did wrong. If he asks a question like, "Do you know how fast you were going?" he's only giving you rope with which to hang yourself. Instead, simply state that you believe you were driving safely.
Be polite and cooperative. Don't start antagonizing the officer. If he questions you, don't be sarcastic or condescending. Police have tremendous discretion, and being polite may result in you being cut some slack. If you end up in traffic court, testimony that you were belligerent won't earn you any sympathy from the judge either. Just remember that you have to walk a thin line. Be courteous but brief, not volunteering any information unnecessarily. Generally, keep your mouth shut and let the officer do the talking.
You Can Beat the Traffic Nannies
If you're given a ticket, you have a right to defend yourself in a courtroom. Most people opt to avoid the hassle and simply pay the ticket, which is exactly what the greedy town bureaucrats want to happen. If you have the time and think you have a case, take your ticket to court.
First, there is a reasonable chance the police officer won't show up in the first place. Cops are busy on their beats during the day and sometimes don't have time to attend traffic trials. If the officer is not present in court and you are, the ticket automatically gets dropped.
Most states technically view traffic infractions as criminal matters, rather than civil. This means that the burden of proof is higher – requiring your guilt to be established "beyond a reasonable doubt."
If the traffic violation is a civil matter in your jurisdiction, you are innocent until proven guilty by "a preponderance of the evidence." In either case, your goal is not necessarily to establish your total and undeniable innocence, but to show why the evidence presented against you is inaccurate, unreliable, or insufficient to establish your guilt.
Regardless of which standard of proof applies to your case, here are a few pointers:
Don't rely on your word alone. Against the word of a law enforcement officer, the judge will side against you virtually every time absent any documents, photographs, witnesses, or other evidence to corroborate your testimony.
Request a copy of the radar gun manual. Most speeding tickets are issued with help from a radar gun. Fortunately, these instruments are unreliable. Inside the manual will be a list of things that can cause inaccurate readings, such as wind and metal railings. Use this to further muddy the waters.
Check the speed written on the ticket. Sometimes the officer will write a lower speed on the ticket than the speed at which he clocked you. This is often done to compensate for faulty radar guns, which are sometimes calibrated too high. If you can credibly suggest the information on the ticket is inaccurate, you could win the case.
Consult with an attorney if you're confused about the law. Although the fine imposed by a traffic citation might be relatively small, the negative impact on your driving record and future insurance rates can be significant. Having a lawyer on your side improves your odds of defeating or reducing a costly ticket.
If you are convicted, attend driving school if it is presented as an option. While it may be a hassle, it could not only reduce the fine, but also save you hundreds of dollars in higher car insurance costs over time.
Avoid plastering your car with bumper stickers of any sort
Don't assume it's safe to follow a cop, especially if they're speeding
Don't hit the brakes when you see a cop; instead slow down naturally-keep an eye on traffic ahead of you for brake lights which often indicate a speed trap
For more information, check out the National Motorists Association (www.motorists.org). The NMA provides a directory of traffic attorneys and other valuable benefits. It will charge you $35 per year ($45 for your family) for membership.
Once upon a time, a college education in America was a one-way ticket to a high-paying job and a lofty socio-economic status. Part of its value derived from the fact that a college education was relatively rare. In 1950, only about 5% of all Americans held a bachelor's degree…now it’s a one-ticket to hefty debt and living at home again as the value of a degree is now questionable. Only 20% of graduate got a job offer last year.
America's public servants are now its masters
By Mort Zuckerman
There really are two Americas, but they are not captured by the standard class warfare speeches that dramatise the gulf between the rich and the poor. Of the new divisions, one is the gap between employed and unemployed that President Barack Obama seeks to close with yet another $50bn stimulus programme. Another is between workers in the private and public sectors. No guesses which are the more protected. A recent study by the Mayo Research Institute found that "private-sector workers were nearly three times more likely to be jobless than public- sector workers".
Political tension is bound to grow when jobs disappear faster in the private than the public sector, just as compensation in the former is squeezed more. There was a time when government work offered lower salaries than comparable jobs in the private sector, a difference for which the public sector compensated by providing more security and better benefits. No longer. These days, government employees are better off in almost every area: pay, benefits, time off and security, on top of working fewer hours. Public workers have become a privileged class - an elite who live better than their private-sector counterparts. Public servants have become the public's masters.
Take federal employees. For nine years in a row, they have been awarded bigger average pay and benefit increases than private-sector workers. In 2008, the average wage for 1.9m federal civilian workers was more than $79,000, against an average of about $50,000 for the nation's 108m private-sector workers, measured in full-time equivalents. Ninety per cent of government employees receive lifetime pension benefits versus 18 per cent of private employees. Public service employees continue to gain annual salary increases; they retire earlier with instant, guaranteed benefits paid for with the taxes of those very same private- sector workers.
Read the rest of this at our site under the Guest Column tab-PoorManSurvival.com
Parting thoughts…
Where will you get your food in the event of a collapse?
A reader wrote to let me know he’s new to self sufficiency practices and lives in an apartment, has limited income, lots of debt…where does he begin?
Most folks will look to stockpiled food supplies initially in the event of a complete collapse and this will work well for many who have taken the time put aside dehydrated and canned foods…but that will typically last about a year for most as expiration dates and supplies will dwindle.
Of course, you can and should begin to look at growing a garden - even if it is a container garden and perhaps raise a few rabbits or chickens. Stockpile items you can barter with such first aid supplies, liquor and ammunition. But I always ask…
What would you do if your sole source of income dried up tomorrow?
Would you be prepared? Do you have a plan?
In these times, many income sources that were considered 'stable' in the old system will be at risk; this includes retirement pensions, investment income, salaries and wages, and small business profits.
For example, retirees living on company pensions could easily see their monthly stipends fall due to corporate bankruptcies. And while public pensions like Social Security are unlikely to change in the short-term, this broken system will undoubtedly see massive restructuring in the next decade.
Meanwhile, many small business owners and self-employed professionals may suffer reduced revenue as market conditions and consumer priorities shift; this has already happened to many businesses in the retail and real estate sectors.
For salaried workers, we live in a rather bizarre time when corporate profits are surging, yet revenue growth is lackluster. Companies are cutting back on expenses by reducing their headcounts and squeezing every ounce of productivity out of a smaller workforce.
Millions of people are now unemployed and without a backup plan. Politicians make empty speeches about hope and better times ahead, but they offer little more than hot air and higher deficits.
The thing is, there is a way out... self-reliance is the way to survive and …
At the end of the day, we only have ourselves to rely on, and our own livelihood and that of our families hinges on this fact. As such, it's critical to declare economic independence by seeking alternate sources of income.
In a down economy, it's not like all economic activity stops; unemployment may be 10%+, underemployment may be 20%+, but there is still 80% of the workforce that is getting paid and allocating their income towards purchases each and every month.
The critical difference is that their priorities have shifted. In general, people are no longer looking to spend their money on useless trinkets or expensive consumables. But they will gladly spend on the things that they actually need.
That’s it for now from that damnable citizen, the Poor Man!
Feel free to send your tips and suggestions to us at: PoorManSurvivor@yahoo.com
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/PoorMan
http://www.OldBooknook.com
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Winter Disaster Preventionn Tips, Pemmican Recipes & More Tips
Bruce's Poor Man Bulletin
Your choice for urban survival resources!
Http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
Inside this issue:
Don't worry-be happy
New free resources-Unlocking the Code
End of season tomato recipe
Winter Weather Disaster Proofing Tips
Pemmican recipe
Senator Ernest Hollings, pointed out: "Obviously the first way to save social security is to stop looting it."
Don't Worry-Be happy! FEMA Coffins?
As many of you already know, our government is a master of manipulation, bender of the truth, princes of propaganda and what's left of mainstream media can no longer be relied upon to report the unbiased facts. Indeed, the challenge for any journalist is to sift through the many conspiracy theories in the search for truth.
Before he passed away, Ed, my longtime friend and CPA warned me against trusting the government and it took a long time for me to swallow that advice. But as many of us have discovered over the years, the government is organized crime and they have stolen the American Dream.
It hasn't been to tough to see how our fiat currency and its purchasing power has been diluted during my lifetime. When I was in high school our neighbor predicted houses would eventually cost $200,000 and everyone thought he was crazy. A brand new VW cost $1700 then – try to find a good sized lawn tractor for that today!
As we all know, the government is solely responsible for this decline in our standard of living...or was it you?
Recently, a new subscriber sent me websites showing FEMA coffins (which look like human-sized plastic totes) stacked up in a warehouse and with it a videotaped interview of two workers who spoke of the FEMA camps set up for dissident citizens and how the coffins were short term, used for body storage only until they were transported to a crematorium. Is there any basis of truth for this? I simply do not know. Rumors and urban legends all have some basis in truth which is how they are spread about the planet.
Some of the great government lies include the income tax, which when 'passed' the American public was told “this will never affect more than the top one percent of income earners in the country,” and everyone cheered! After all, we all want to 'stick it to the rich' until we become rich.
Another favorite was the great tobacco settlement done with the cooperation of all state governments and some legal vultures. The states made solemn promises to the public that all the money would be put into educating the young about the evils of smoking. Well, after all the lawyers made their millions and the states got their cash, guess what happened? Only one state lived up to their promise and the others promptly blew the money on pet projects until they were broke again – giving credence to that old saying about spending like drunken politicians!
Like the proverbial frog placed in a pot of cold water set to boil, none of us notice the Gestapo like methods and rules forced upon us in the name of protection or freedom (how much 1984 government double-speak can you take)?
So it's no wonder I take anything the government tells us with a grain of salt as like Native Americans are fond of saying...they “speak with forked tongues,” and that's not a conspiracy theory!
...excerpted from my forthcoming book, Lies My Government Told Me
“Our 4th Amendment & Constitution – May it rest in peace”
This week's resources, freebies & money saving ideas...
Extras for creative learning-good resource for teachers. Site redistributes excess inventory, outdated stock, overruns or seconds to artists, teachers, group leaders, etc.
www.EXCLRecyles.org
Team EcoEtsy...members share eco-news, eco-tips, member features and how-to's-good resource for reducing, reusing and recycling.
Www.Blog.EcoEtsy.com
Find healthcare coverage fast
Researching health care coverage can be a lot of work. Here's a new government resource designed to make things easier (I've not checked it out). Find the right policy by logging on, select your state, answer a few questions, etc.
www.HealthCare.gov
At our recent family reunion many attendees remarked they disliked using facebook to share details of their lives with the entire universe (you know those aliens are watching)...here's a site that is free and provides a way to share news, events, photos, etc.
www.ChatterTree.com
Sneaky bankers want your cash...despite new laws designed to protect consumers from fees that gouge, banking lawyers are paid the big bucks to figure out new ways to continue fat banking profits at your expense. That means services such as free checking will likely vanish...be sure to double check your statements for sneaky fees as they will not be announced boldly.
A code which unlocks big savings. Sunday newspaper circulars still provide a bountiful harvest of coupons and you can use their online sites for added savings. For instance, at www.RedPlum.com, you normally type in your zip code to instantly get coupons. Here's the secret...enter a different zip code and get a whole new set of coupons.
Quick fix for dull scissors...I learned this from my late mother (she should have written her own book). Make a few cuts through a sheet of sandpaper...works every time!
...here's another I learned from her: kill those annoying weeds which grown between sidewalk cracks with common table salt (apply to base of plant) and they will soon die. Cheaper than commercial sprays.
“Can you say 'quantitative easing?'
---2025 Government Theft Chapter from the Controlled Collapse Chronicles
End of season tomatoes...
Our crop was darn good n tasty this year but everyone always ends up with a final crop which can be canned in order to enjoy over the winter. Canning is a lot of work so here's a recipe which can be frozen...quick n easy gazpacho.
In a blender, mix 4 whole tomatoes-chopped
2 cucumbers,chopped
1 bell pepper-stemmed, seeded & chopped
1 large onion-chopped
1 bunch of cilantro
2 cloves of garlic and splash of red wine vinegar.
Blend till somewhat soupy but chunky and add salt and/or pepper to taste
Freeze in ziploc or other containers-thaw by placing in the fridge overnight.
Save $$$ on home repairs...leaky faucet, jammed window or other problem? Try the easy repair instructions at:
www.FixitClub.com
Need Parts for that car or truck but unwilling to buy them new? It's been reported that using parts from a store to build a car from the ground up would cost 10-30 times higher than off the showroom floor! Try the largest online USA recycling directory at:
www.junkyardjeffs.com
Hamburger Pemmican Bars
The Poor Man first tried pemmican while in the Boy Scouts – yech! This food bar started with the Native Americans who used mostly buffalo meat. It was a staple item among Indians and fur traders and some camping supply places sell it too. For this recipe it's recommended that some of the fat can be eliminated by tilting the pan when heat drying and pouring it off. You can add some berries for flavor or a crushed vitamin C tablet to prevent scurvy. Here you go:
1lb lean hamburger
¼ tsp black pepper, 1tsp garlic salt, 1 tsp salt, 1tsp honey, 1 vitamin C tablet powdered
1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp liquid smoke or soy, some red wine to soak
Soak all ingredients overnight in fridge, flatten on a cookie sheet and place in low over (300); tilt pan to collect melted fat and pour it off, then slice into bars and complete by air drying.
Thanks Sam for this recipe. I met Sam at the Woods n Water Expo in MI this weekend-a well attended outdoors festival where I also met many more like-minded folks, some of which I'll be writing about in future issues (especially about the S510 so-called food bill which threatens your right to grow food).
3/2010...Rasmussen Report Shows 59% of Americans
believe states should opt out of unconstitutional federal programs.
56% favor getting out of Obamacare!
Disaster Proofing Tips-Winter Weather
In this part of the world it seemed as if summer ended and autumn started overnight. Winter can bring on a new set of challenges during emergencies as snow and ice storms can paralyze entire regions as we witnessed last season in the north east and Atlantic seaboard states. Power outages can last for days and it's important to have backup power supplies as we wrote about a few issues back in regard to choosing a generator.
Long-lasting cold can burst your water pipes, so prepare your home by shutting off the water supply at the source; then open the lowest faucet and drain your pipes...be sure to save some water for drinking and cooking and cleaning. Remember: eating snow is a dangerous way to hydrate and can lead to hypothermia.
Stay home during storms. Nearly 70% of winter fatalities occur in cars...so stay indoors and off the road! That's why it is important to stockpile extra food – this helps you avoid dangerous trips to the grocer. Camp out in your living room if you don't have a generator, it will keep the family warmer.
If your toilet freezes or you want to prevent it from freezing, pour some RV grade anti-freeze into it or in a pinch, some vodka.
Remember to clean your gutters before winter hits so they don't back up and freeze.
Recent large-scale blackouts/power outages have lasted as long as three weeks and can happen anywhere, anytime due to our aging power grid. It's important to keep a generator or other means of power, crank-style radio, flashlights and batteries, candles, emergency food supply on hand. Landlines and cell phones may not always work. A useful and free service called “I'm OK” can create an emergency contact list for you which will allow a single text message to get out. Go to: www.imokapp.appspot.com
You're always ahead of the game by making weatherization improvements to your home before winter arrives. Have your furnace, wood stove, sump pump, etc. checked beforehand and make necessary adjustments.
Keep a supply of candles, oil lamps & lamp oil on hand and board games and books to occupy yourself and family during power outages. DIY video on lighting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUS6oBcI1h8&feature=related or this site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgDWjESSuLk&feature=related
Most folks, especially retirees, opt for keeping money in the bank as opposed to making simple home improvements and other damage preventing tasks...most think damages only happen to others and are willing to gamble against natural disasters such as winter storms, hurricanes, floods, and the like. You can't protect your home and family while the damn wind is blowing over your home as it is too late then. Don't be one of those fighting over the last bag of Frito-Lays at the grocery store, take steps now to assess the range of threats you might face in your neck of the woods.
On the general side of preparedness, experts suggest that families plan out escape routes, have an emergency 'get-away' kit always packed (see PM issue from three weeks ago), create a plan for contacting family members during a crisis. Contact your local Red Cross for more information on such planning or visit the Poor Man site for additional resources.
Government workers don't pay taxes-they consume them!
Parting thoughts-gems of wisdom
I recently read of a study performed on the fate of lottery winners in Florida...kind of interesting and its matches other studies I've heard about. The majority of them had declared bankruptcy in the 5th year and had few or no assets to speak of.
Few schools teach money management or even how to balance a checkbook; they do teach you how to graduate college with a useless degree and tens of thousands of dollars of debt as a means of starting out in life. The study concluded that many of these lottery winners typified many of us during the go-go years in that we all needed to join Spendthrifts Anonymous. Many had wasted their winnings on depreciating assets such as cars, boats, jewelry and other baubles and toys.
Others looked to instant gratification, buying friendships and other status enhancing items to blow their funds. Few had a home to show for their efforts, though some might say how homes have lost their value too and that is true...if you have a mortgage, this would not be a good thing.
I've been poor and I've been rich. In a previous life I learned the richer I became, the faster my former spouse would blow our money on many of the above items...none of it ever made her happier as there was always something else she wanted. If and when she got that next 'thing' she'd be happy – for about a minute and then she'd begin plotting her next 'gotta have it' purchase.
My basic rule of thumb for purchases falls into the following categories:
Buy for resale – buy cheap, sell for more>>basic business
Buy to make my business run better, faster, cheaper, make more money
Buy assets that will increase in value (generally not the stock market)
Invest in learning new skills to improve my life or business
After I sold my business and got divorced, losing a half million or more in the process, I managed (through creative financing) to purchase an 18,000 sq ft mansion where I was able continue selling my seminar and marketing services and a how to manual I had written...boy, did that piss off the ex! The point is...you should always be looking to acquire new skills for yourself and/or upgrade old skills and your network of contacts. When the publishing business was lost and newspapers in general began their decline, I had already developed other skill sets to keep afloat – and some months, that was all I could do!
I had managed to hang onto an extensive coin collection, something the ex knew nothing about, otherwise that too would have become hers. Cashing that in became somewhat of a salvation as it gave me the working capital I needed at the time.
The point is even during tough times, rough real estate markets and so on, opportunities exist. If I were a younger man, now would be the time for instance, to snatch up bargain properties. Fix them up and rent them out – even to Section 8 renters...at least you know you'd get a rent check each month and if you maintain or improve the property, some equity is built and you could eventually sell them. I have done this after the divorce and poured sweat equity into the homes and due to a bad economy then, I sold them all on a special lease-option program that I adapted from some how-to courses I had taken!
Living frugally even during good times allows you to live well. When you subscribed to this letter did you take advantage of our Eco Guide to Saving Money on Utilities? The money you save is like having it in the bank as opposed to making the utility company wealthier.
The Profits I generated allowed me and my current wife to live well without an income for nearly two years...what opportunities are you overlooking?
Finally, you've probably seen the national news regarding the 7-year-old Oregon girl who faced up to $500 in fines for selling lemonade due to some government creep; she was eventually given a reprieve after a public outcry but it smacks of Gestapo like action.
I keep getting reports regarding the coming war with Iran and how it will sink our economy and it wouldn't surprise me...as I reported last week, Israel now has a flight corridor open to them straight to Iran...won't surprise me if that country takes out Iran soon as it has performed similar actions in the past.
See the Voice of Reason to learn how our economy has become socialistic
http://www.voiceofreason.ws/
Yours for better living – your patriot poor man!
Patronize and share out sites...
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/Poorman
http://www.OldBookNook.com
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down – the all time best book on family preparedness has been updated & now includes an online video segment as well. Highly recommended 11th Edition. http://tinyurl. com/PMBasics
A Shallow Planet Production*
*NOTE: we're no longer mailing the Poor Man Guide to Homestead Protection & BoobyTraps
... available now as a download only (you get it faster and we now include other bonuses too)
Your choice for urban survival resources!
Http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
Inside this issue:
Don't worry-be happy
New free resources-Unlocking the Code
End of season tomato recipe
Winter Weather Disaster Proofing Tips
Pemmican recipe
Senator Ernest Hollings, pointed out: "Obviously the first way to save social security is to stop looting it."
Don't Worry-Be happy! FEMA Coffins?
As many of you already know, our government is a master of manipulation, bender of the truth, princes of propaganda and what's left of mainstream media can no longer be relied upon to report the unbiased facts. Indeed, the challenge for any journalist is to sift through the many conspiracy theories in the search for truth.
Before he passed away, Ed, my longtime friend and CPA warned me against trusting the government and it took a long time for me to swallow that advice. But as many of us have discovered over the years, the government is organized crime and they have stolen the American Dream.
It hasn't been to tough to see how our fiat currency and its purchasing power has been diluted during my lifetime. When I was in high school our neighbor predicted houses would eventually cost $200,000 and everyone thought he was crazy. A brand new VW cost $1700 then – try to find a good sized lawn tractor for that today!
As we all know, the government is solely responsible for this decline in our standard of living...or was it you?
Recently, a new subscriber sent me websites showing FEMA coffins (which look like human-sized plastic totes) stacked up in a warehouse and with it a videotaped interview of two workers who spoke of the FEMA camps set up for dissident citizens and how the coffins were short term, used for body storage only until they were transported to a crematorium. Is there any basis of truth for this? I simply do not know. Rumors and urban legends all have some basis in truth which is how they are spread about the planet.
Some of the great government lies include the income tax, which when 'passed' the American public was told “this will never affect more than the top one percent of income earners in the country,” and everyone cheered! After all, we all want to 'stick it to the rich' until we become rich.
Another favorite was the great tobacco settlement done with the cooperation of all state governments and some legal vultures. The states made solemn promises to the public that all the money would be put into educating the young about the evils of smoking. Well, after all the lawyers made their millions and the states got their cash, guess what happened? Only one state lived up to their promise and the others promptly blew the money on pet projects until they were broke again – giving credence to that old saying about spending like drunken politicians!
Like the proverbial frog placed in a pot of cold water set to boil, none of us notice the Gestapo like methods and rules forced upon us in the name of protection or freedom (how much 1984 government double-speak can you take)?
So it's no wonder I take anything the government tells us with a grain of salt as like Native Americans are fond of saying...they “speak with forked tongues,” and that's not a conspiracy theory!
...excerpted from my forthcoming book, Lies My Government Told Me
“Our 4th Amendment & Constitution – May it rest in peace”
This week's resources, freebies & money saving ideas...
Extras for creative learning-good resource for teachers. Site redistributes excess inventory, outdated stock, overruns or seconds to artists, teachers, group leaders, etc.
www.EXCLRecyles.org
Team EcoEtsy...members share eco-news, eco-tips, member features and how-to's-good resource for reducing, reusing and recycling.
Www.Blog.EcoEtsy.com
Find healthcare coverage fast
Researching health care coverage can be a lot of work. Here's a new government resource designed to make things easier (I've not checked it out). Find the right policy by logging on, select your state, answer a few questions, etc.
www.HealthCare.gov
At our recent family reunion many attendees remarked they disliked using facebook to share details of their lives with the entire universe (you know those aliens are watching)...here's a site that is free and provides a way to share news, events, photos, etc.
www.ChatterTree.com
Sneaky bankers want your cash...despite new laws designed to protect consumers from fees that gouge, banking lawyers are paid the big bucks to figure out new ways to continue fat banking profits at your expense. That means services such as free checking will likely vanish...be sure to double check your statements for sneaky fees as they will not be announced boldly.
A code which unlocks big savings. Sunday newspaper circulars still provide a bountiful harvest of coupons and you can use their online sites for added savings. For instance, at www.RedPlum.com, you normally type in your zip code to instantly get coupons. Here's the secret...enter a different zip code and get a whole new set of coupons.
Quick fix for dull scissors...I learned this from my late mother (she should have written her own book). Make a few cuts through a sheet of sandpaper...works every time!
...here's another I learned from her: kill those annoying weeds which grown between sidewalk cracks with common table salt (apply to base of plant) and they will soon die. Cheaper than commercial sprays.
“Can you say 'quantitative easing?'
---2025 Government Theft Chapter from the Controlled Collapse Chronicles
End of season tomatoes...
Our crop was darn good n tasty this year but everyone always ends up with a final crop which can be canned in order to enjoy over the winter. Canning is a lot of work so here's a recipe which can be frozen...quick n easy gazpacho.
In a blender, mix 4 whole tomatoes-chopped
2 cucumbers,chopped
1 bell pepper-stemmed, seeded & chopped
1 large onion-chopped
1 bunch of cilantro
2 cloves of garlic and splash of red wine vinegar.
Blend till somewhat soupy but chunky and add salt and/or pepper to taste
Freeze in ziploc or other containers-thaw by placing in the fridge overnight.
Save $$$ on home repairs...leaky faucet, jammed window or other problem? Try the easy repair instructions at:
www.FixitClub.com
Need Parts for that car or truck but unwilling to buy them new? It's been reported that using parts from a store to build a car from the ground up would cost 10-30 times higher than off the showroom floor! Try the largest online USA recycling directory at:
www.junkyardjeffs.com
Hamburger Pemmican Bars
The Poor Man first tried pemmican while in the Boy Scouts – yech! This food bar started with the Native Americans who used mostly buffalo meat. It was a staple item among Indians and fur traders and some camping supply places sell it too. For this recipe it's recommended that some of the fat can be eliminated by tilting the pan when heat drying and pouring it off. You can add some berries for flavor or a crushed vitamin C tablet to prevent scurvy. Here you go:
1lb lean hamburger
¼ tsp black pepper, 1tsp garlic salt, 1 tsp salt, 1tsp honey, 1 vitamin C tablet powdered
1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp liquid smoke or soy, some red wine to soak
Soak all ingredients overnight in fridge, flatten on a cookie sheet and place in low over (300); tilt pan to collect melted fat and pour it off, then slice into bars and complete by air drying.
Thanks Sam for this recipe. I met Sam at the Woods n Water Expo in MI this weekend-a well attended outdoors festival where I also met many more like-minded folks, some of which I'll be writing about in future issues (especially about the S510 so-called food bill which threatens your right to grow food).
3/2010...Rasmussen Report Shows 59% of Americans
believe states should opt out of unconstitutional federal programs.
56% favor getting out of Obamacare!
Disaster Proofing Tips-Winter Weather
In this part of the world it seemed as if summer ended and autumn started overnight. Winter can bring on a new set of challenges during emergencies as snow and ice storms can paralyze entire regions as we witnessed last season in the north east and Atlantic seaboard states. Power outages can last for days and it's important to have backup power supplies as we wrote about a few issues back in regard to choosing a generator.
Long-lasting cold can burst your water pipes, so prepare your home by shutting off the water supply at the source; then open the lowest faucet and drain your pipes...be sure to save some water for drinking and cooking and cleaning. Remember: eating snow is a dangerous way to hydrate and can lead to hypothermia.
Stay home during storms. Nearly 70% of winter fatalities occur in cars...so stay indoors and off the road! That's why it is important to stockpile extra food – this helps you avoid dangerous trips to the grocer. Camp out in your living room if you don't have a generator, it will keep the family warmer.
If your toilet freezes or you want to prevent it from freezing, pour some RV grade anti-freeze into it or in a pinch, some vodka.
Remember to clean your gutters before winter hits so they don't back up and freeze.
Recent large-scale blackouts/power outages have lasted as long as three weeks and can happen anywhere, anytime due to our aging power grid. It's important to keep a generator or other means of power, crank-style radio, flashlights and batteries, candles, emergency food supply on hand. Landlines and cell phones may not always work. A useful and free service called “I'm OK” can create an emergency contact list for you which will allow a single text message to get out. Go to: www.imokapp.appspot.com
You're always ahead of the game by making weatherization improvements to your home before winter arrives. Have your furnace, wood stove, sump pump, etc. checked beforehand and make necessary adjustments.
Keep a supply of candles, oil lamps & lamp oil on hand and board games and books to occupy yourself and family during power outages. DIY video on lighting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUS6oBcI1h8&feature=related or this site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgDWjESSuLk&feature=related
Most folks, especially retirees, opt for keeping money in the bank as opposed to making simple home improvements and other damage preventing tasks...most think damages only happen to others and are willing to gamble against natural disasters such as winter storms, hurricanes, floods, and the like. You can't protect your home and family while the damn wind is blowing over your home as it is too late then. Don't be one of those fighting over the last bag of Frito-Lays at the grocery store, take steps now to assess the range of threats you might face in your neck of the woods.
On the general side of preparedness, experts suggest that families plan out escape routes, have an emergency 'get-away' kit always packed (see PM issue from three weeks ago), create a plan for contacting family members during a crisis. Contact your local Red Cross for more information on such planning or visit the Poor Man site for additional resources.
Government workers don't pay taxes-they consume them!
Parting thoughts-gems of wisdom
I recently read of a study performed on the fate of lottery winners in Florida...kind of interesting and its matches other studies I've heard about. The majority of them had declared bankruptcy in the 5th year and had few or no assets to speak of.
Few schools teach money management or even how to balance a checkbook; they do teach you how to graduate college with a useless degree and tens of thousands of dollars of debt as a means of starting out in life. The study concluded that many of these lottery winners typified many of us during the go-go years in that we all needed to join Spendthrifts Anonymous. Many had wasted their winnings on depreciating assets such as cars, boats, jewelry and other baubles and toys.
Others looked to instant gratification, buying friendships and other status enhancing items to blow their funds. Few had a home to show for their efforts, though some might say how homes have lost their value too and that is true...if you have a mortgage, this would not be a good thing.
I've been poor and I've been rich. In a previous life I learned the richer I became, the faster my former spouse would blow our money on many of the above items...none of it ever made her happier as there was always something else she wanted. If and when she got that next 'thing' she'd be happy – for about a minute and then she'd begin plotting her next 'gotta have it' purchase.
My basic rule of thumb for purchases falls into the following categories:
Buy for resale – buy cheap, sell for more>>basic business
Buy to make my business run better, faster, cheaper, make more money
Buy assets that will increase in value (generally not the stock market)
Invest in learning new skills to improve my life or business
After I sold my business and got divorced, losing a half million or more in the process, I managed (through creative financing) to purchase an 18,000 sq ft mansion where I was able continue selling my seminar and marketing services and a how to manual I had written...boy, did that piss off the ex! The point is...you should always be looking to acquire new skills for yourself and/or upgrade old skills and your network of contacts. When the publishing business was lost and newspapers in general began their decline, I had already developed other skill sets to keep afloat – and some months, that was all I could do!
I had managed to hang onto an extensive coin collection, something the ex knew nothing about, otherwise that too would have become hers. Cashing that in became somewhat of a salvation as it gave me the working capital I needed at the time.
The point is even during tough times, rough real estate markets and so on, opportunities exist. If I were a younger man, now would be the time for instance, to snatch up bargain properties. Fix them up and rent them out – even to Section 8 renters...at least you know you'd get a rent check each month and if you maintain or improve the property, some equity is built and you could eventually sell them. I have done this after the divorce and poured sweat equity into the homes and due to a bad economy then, I sold them all on a special lease-option program that I adapted from some how-to courses I had taken!
Living frugally even during good times allows you to live well. When you subscribed to this letter did you take advantage of our Eco Guide to Saving Money on Utilities? The money you save is like having it in the bank as opposed to making the utility company wealthier.
The Profits I generated allowed me and my current wife to live well without an income for nearly two years...what opportunities are you overlooking?
Finally, you've probably seen the national news regarding the 7-year-old Oregon girl who faced up to $500 in fines for selling lemonade due to some government creep; she was eventually given a reprieve after a public outcry but it smacks of Gestapo like action.
I keep getting reports regarding the coming war with Iran and how it will sink our economy and it wouldn't surprise me...as I reported last week, Israel now has a flight corridor open to them straight to Iran...won't surprise me if that country takes out Iran soon as it has performed similar actions in the past.
See the Voice of Reason to learn how our economy has become socialistic
http://www.voiceofreason.ws/
Yours for better living – your patriot poor man!
Patronize and share out sites...
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/Poorman
http://www.OldBookNook.com
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down – the all time best book on family preparedness has been updated & now includes an online video segment as well. Highly recommended 11th Edition. http://tinyurl. com/PMBasics
A Shallow Planet Production*
*NOTE: we're no longer mailing the Poor Man Guide to Homestead Protection & BoobyTraps
... available now as a download only (you get it faster and we now include other bonuses too)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Bruce's Poor Man Bulletin
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
Inside this issue:
•Big Government Gets Bigger
•Top 10 Tips for Surviving Simply
•Farewell from Journalist, Charlie Rose
•This week's freebies & resources
"It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." --Samuel Adams
Many more comments from new subscribers this week including one wondering if the FBI is keeping tabs on me since I am so direct in my disgust with government...you never know but keep in mind, I never advocate violence.
Apparently many are finding the Poor Man YouTube movies and signing up as fans...we're already seeing comments on Facebook and other sites....
Bill Clinton once said: "It's not acceptable for an American to love his country and not respect its government."
What strange logic! Of course you can love your country and dislike the government that runs it, that's what a democracy is all about !
Like Thomas Paine and other Patriots of the Revolution, I consider myself more a pamphleteer, something the founders often did anonymously. Unlike them however, I do not advocate the overthrow of the government but rather a return to what made this country great...a small government that didn't interject itself into every aspect of our lives; one the respects the Bill of Rights.
When I attended journalism school there were more than 200 media firms in this country but we're down to five major, mega-corporations which rule and the media has gone from watchdog to lapdog, serving up their corporate masters.
That's one of the reasons the internet has become so popular, though filled with mis-information, it has become a valuable tool and often reports corporate and political shenanigans before mainstream media can blink.
September 17th is Constitution Day, something many in Congress have forgotten about. Check out a new book and website that offers a game plan for restoring a Constitutional government at: http://restorethebalance.us
>>>
I invite you to read the Charlie Rose's farewell article below sent to us by subscriber Jim to see why I feel patriotic, but why I find Washington's lack of feeling for the common person so terrible. It also makes me recall the three boxes of freedom:
•The Soap Box
•The Ballot Box
•The Ammo Box
As I mentioned last week, September is also National Preparedness Month and you will find loads of useful resources on our site under the Citizen Preparedness section. I was looking through the new Emergency Essentials catalog and they feature a variety of books on getting prepared – all in the $12.95-$18.95 range plus shipping...nothing wrong with that but it reminds me of what a bargain the Poor Man CDs are at only $4.95 and they contain two to five times as much information! Our Poor Man III has over 270 files alone. We offer the largest amount of info on the net at the best price and consistently receive positive feedback on eBay and from our site.
I just started reading Jim Marrs book Trillion Dollar Conspiracy: how the new world order, man-made diseases, and zombie banks are destroying America.
I've read some of his other books including Rule by Secrecy and feel his work is always well researched and dovetails my own. Of course, all of us enjoy it when someone else provides additional veracity for our material...get your own copy today.
"I never let schooling interfere with my education"
--Mark Twain
This Week's Resource Roundup & Money Saving Tips
Go to the Crime Doctor for personal safety videos-free
www.crimedoctor.com
NOTE: Many have used the Poor Man's Guide to Home Defense CD which sells for only $4.95+$2.25 shipping – or save on shipping by getting the download link. Available at our site using PayPal or by emailing Poormansurvivor@gmail.com
Get Free Medical Care
A week in the IC unit once cost me $165,000 and I didn't have insurance so I wish I had known about these resources then...you can qualify for assistance even if your income is double the poverty level or if your account has been turned over for collection. Try these:
www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/compliance-recovery.htm or call 800-638-0742
National Inst. Of Health (medical research you may qualify for)
www.cc.nih.gov or call 800-411-1222
DIY Animal Repellent Spray
Probably not good to mix around young children as hot pepper sauce is the main ingredient. Effective against cats, dogs, mice, rabbits, and deer. You can use spreader to apply.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce such as Trappey's Red Devil
1 tablespoon commercial spreader such as Dragon or Science or ½ cup nondetergent soap
1 gallon water
Yield=1 gallon
Test a leaf before using.
Useful financial blogs to save some bacon
--One guy's efforts to save a buck by cutting grocery costs & more.
Http://www.fivecentnickel.com
Best Practical Advice from several sources:
www.tipd.com
Inspiring blog according to Money magazine
www.GetRichSlowly.org
Save on car insurance if you're out of work or...
--Driving less could save you anywhere from 5%-15%...call your insurer and ask. Also, consider dropping coverage to liability only if your car is worth less than $3500 or so. If you're retired and drive less, ask for a better rate and...never drop coverage if you're, for instance, out of the country for several months. Insurers look at your coverage history (among a dozen other things) so if coverage lapses it could cost you more to get insurance again. If you don't need coverage for an extended period of time, drop it to liability only.
Finally, if you can, pay your premium annually or semi-annually which often reflect a savings over $2 a month billing fees!
Thinking of a new, 'greener' vehicle?
Consider getting a diesel which are considered greener than hybrids. Modern diesels that run on low sulfur fuel are very clean and get nearly the same mileage AND they don't require disposal of non-recyclable battery packs...also, they're dependable and more easily serviced.
Quick n Easy Portable Root Cellar
Although we were mighty pleased with our first year garden, one crop failed and it looked as if it were due to some kind of fungus – our corn was crap...everything else was great...here's an easy way to make a portable root cellar.
Store your carrots, for instance, in an unglazed flower pot filled with clean sand. Cover the roots, and pick them out as you need them and keep the pot in a dry, cool, dark spot. We'll be experimenting with a larger garden in the coming year with the log house area.
Saving money with junk mail.
This is an easy one, even for those not accustomed to negotiating. When you get coupon mailers or other advertisements in your mailbox, check out offers made by competitors for such services as cell phones, TV, etc. When a better deal arrives, call your current provider and read them the offer – many will match or beat that deal!
>>>>
Charlie's Farewell Address to the American People
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations
and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the President,
can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can
pass it over his veto if they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that
what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red ..
If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's
because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan...
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement
plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they
hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice
they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from
whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the
belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy,"
"inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what
they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power..
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.
Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.
---thanks for submitting this Jim!
The late, great comedian George Carlin once said, "I have certain rules I live by. My first rule: I don't believe anything the government tells me."
Big government getting bigger
by Donna Parrey
Filed under: Government spending, Private sector, public sector, Tax dollars, Federal budget
Nowhere is America's obesity epidemic more apparent than in our own government. We've already pointed out the decade-long trend in public sector job growth, but the underpinnings of that growth go beyond the simple addition of more jobs; it's indicative of the burgeoning infrastructure of government itself.
We examined the U.S. Census Bureau's "Census of Governments," which is conducted every five years and counts the number of "governments" in the country (federal, state, local). In total, it identified 89,527 governments in its latest published census from 2007 (the 2012 census has not yet been conducted). Keep in mind that our federal government accounts for "1" of these governments and our 50 state governments account for another "50" of this number. The huge remainder represents counties, municipalities, towns/townships, special districts and school districts. We found that in the decade from 1992 to 2002, the number of "governments" rose from 85,006 to 87,576, an increase of 2,570 entities requiring staffing and, of course, taxpayer support. Then in just half that time, from 2002 to 2007, the government count rose by another 1,951 entities! For more of the story, go to:
http://www.thefreeenterprisenation.org/blog/FEN-Blog/July-2010/Big-government-getting-bigger.aspx
"Guys like Clinton & Obama have never had a real job, never created a product or service, were never responsible for a payroll, they've primarily fed themselves at the public trough."
New Orleans TV Broadcast Showing Martial Law Fears-Helped by Clergy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK2g0TGaAZA&feature=related
Mother Earth News Fair in Pittsburgh, PA – Sept 25-26
http://www.motherearthnews.com/fair/home.aspx?utm_content=GRT+eNEWS+09.03.10&utm_campaign=E-+Newsletters&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email
>>>
Ten Top Tips For Surviving Simply
In today's shattered economy, there has never been a better time to emulate the Amish a bit more...the Poor Man has written extensively about the Amish in previous issues. Ironically, we're working with an Amish carpenter to construct our cabin foundation.
•Food preservation. To survive in a crisis, you may need your food to last as long as possible. Canning can preserve your food for up to a year or more. Basic fruit canning is so simple that all you need are vacuum jars (like those glass ones you see in your grocery store) and a big pot. Low-acid foods, such as meats, fish, and vegetables, need to be prepared in a pressure canner like one sold by Lehman's which comes with a 100% bacteria-kill guarantee. Make sure you store all canned foods in a dark, damp location, such as a basement.
•Illumination. One of the first things you'll need in any emergency is light. The Amish have many traditional solutions such as a Roman-type olive oil jar-lamp, and a Victorian kerosene lamp. But they also use solar-power (remember they're not anti-science, they're just anti dependence). If you're using gas or oil – be careful! There's always a spike in house fires during a power outage. You can even obtain a solar-powered attic fan – a boon if your house loses air conditioning during a summer storm or power outage!
•Water. One of your biggest survival problems will be finding clean water. Then you have to ask the question: Do you purify or filter? Fortunately you can find items to meet all your needs (including how to sink a pump in your yard!) For on the move, or short-term needs, try emergency water purification tablets. Each one cleanses a quart of water and takes only four hours to work its magic. Colloidal Silver Generators are also fantastic for purifying water. NASA even uses silver to purify spacecraft systems!
•Composting toilet. If water shortages become more widespread, you'll need a safe and clean way to go to the bathroom. A composting toilet is the perfect way to go. (Make sure you keep a fan nearby to provide a good draft as well.) For emergency, non-permanent use, you can obtain a portable toilet that works with plastic sacks and sanitary gel. (It's also useful for camping and RV trips.)
•Gas refrigerator/freezer. This is a great alternative to electricity for storing food and drink. The Amish use versions powered by either gas or kerosene. (Make sure you stock up on wicks.) .
Tip: Another essential emergency tool you should consider is a treadle (pedal) sewing machine. Not only is it useful for your own needs – it could even provide a source of barter/income in a pinch.)
•Laundry. A hand washer is a great way to get your clothes clean without electric power. Some even have a wringer to squeeze excess water from the fabric and speed up drying time.
Tip: Consider getting some clothesline and clothespins for the drying process as well.
•Coffee. You're going to need a pick me up, but forget the electric grinder – you're going old school. Hand-cranked items like a coffee mill (and grain mill for making your own bread), ice-cream maker, butter churner, and even a hand-wound clock will make difficult days when you're literally powerless, much, much nicer.
I urge you to consider the items above. Perhaps you can share the costs with neighbors of like mind? Just like the Amish, preparedness and pulling together may be key to our survival in the coming years.
Take a look and begin familiarizing yourself with these options at the Amish informational shopping website: http://www.lehmans.com
Parting Shots...We need a working press
Due to a little known, unpublicized quirk in the law dating to 2006, the IRS may revoke the nonprofit status of nearly one in five organizations this week...if they hadn't filed an 8-question 'postcard' return. The exception would be churches but this stupid law affects nearly everyone else from 4-H groups to Amvets.
It used to be those groups with less than $25,000 in revenues would not be affected but that changed too as the IRS wants more information from these organizations. (The Poor Man sits on the board of a not-for-profit group which was not affected).
Most groups claim they've never heard of this new requirement despite the IRS mailing of more than 650,000 notices. I see two problems with this government crap.
•Where was the mainstream press on all of this? Have they relinquished their role as a watchdog of government? Of course they have. The media in this country is now owned by only five corporations...when I taught marketing at CSU that number was over 150 so it's apparent profits of corporate/Washington masters is the only thing that matters.
•Who comes up with these invasive, stupid laws and rules? Why aren't these people properly identified to the public so they my be properly vilified? The one exception was the MN Congressman who came up with the idiotic No Tobacco to Military law...his site has been swamped with angry emails to the point where he cut all contact off with non-residents.
No person or entity can logically keep up with the massive amount of laws and rules created each week at the federal and state level making everyone a lawbreaker of some sort and I believe that is what they want.
A reader sent me this thought upon hearing of the pullout of troops in Iraq...."The fighting for US troops isn't truly over with. After all, we still have 50,000 there...but the rest will probably be deployed to Iran as global sentiment builds to attack that country. All middle eastern & Gulf leaders want Iran taken out of the nuclear arms business & they know sanctions won't work."
Thanks Paul for your input and nothing would surprise me...basic military practice is to plan for all scenarios.
Finally, as I've been saying for some time, feebay has some expensive and nutty policies so I finally launched my Amazon account and sold a book within 24-hours. The entire process was mighty easy and there are no upfront listing fees. At one point, the Poor Man had over 10,000 books to in his personal library and through donations and sales, that number has been whittled down quite a bit and just in time...as of 2011 the IRS will stick its far-reaching nose into your business even further. Anyone who has sales exceeding $20,000 or more than 200 transactions in a single year will see PayPal providing that info to the feds...you need to practice what the Romans called "cervuslacessitus leo," or the stag at bay becomes a lion.
Until next time...I remain your contrarian, muck-raking Poor Man!
Please visit our sites in order to support our efforts!
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/PoorMan
http://www.OldBookNook.com
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
A Shallow Planet Production
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
Inside this issue:
•Big Government Gets Bigger
•Top 10 Tips for Surviving Simply
•Farewell from Journalist, Charlie Rose
•This week's freebies & resources
"It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." --Samuel Adams
Many more comments from new subscribers this week including one wondering if the FBI is keeping tabs on me since I am so direct in my disgust with government...you never know but keep in mind, I never advocate violence.
Apparently many are finding the Poor Man YouTube movies and signing up as fans...we're already seeing comments on Facebook and other sites....
Bill Clinton once said: "It's not acceptable for an American to love his country and not respect its government."
What strange logic! Of course you can love your country and dislike the government that runs it, that's what a democracy is all about !
Like Thomas Paine and other Patriots of the Revolution, I consider myself more a pamphleteer, something the founders often did anonymously. Unlike them however, I do not advocate the overthrow of the government but rather a return to what made this country great...a small government that didn't interject itself into every aspect of our lives; one the respects the Bill of Rights.
When I attended journalism school there were more than 200 media firms in this country but we're down to five major, mega-corporations which rule and the media has gone from watchdog to lapdog, serving up their corporate masters.
That's one of the reasons the internet has become so popular, though filled with mis-information, it has become a valuable tool and often reports corporate and political shenanigans before mainstream media can blink.
September 17th is Constitution Day, something many in Congress have forgotten about. Check out a new book and website that offers a game plan for restoring a Constitutional government at: http://restorethebalance.us
>>>
I invite you to read the Charlie Rose's farewell article below sent to us by subscriber Jim to see why I feel patriotic, but why I find Washington's lack of feeling for the common person so terrible. It also makes me recall the three boxes of freedom:
•The Soap Box
•The Ballot Box
•The Ammo Box
As I mentioned last week, September is also National Preparedness Month and you will find loads of useful resources on our site under the Citizen Preparedness section. I was looking through the new Emergency Essentials catalog and they feature a variety of books on getting prepared – all in the $12.95-$18.95 range plus shipping...nothing wrong with that but it reminds me of what a bargain the Poor Man CDs are at only $4.95 and they contain two to five times as much information! Our Poor Man III has over 270 files alone. We offer the largest amount of info on the net at the best price and consistently receive positive feedback on eBay and from our site.
I just started reading Jim Marrs book Trillion Dollar Conspiracy: how the new world order, man-made diseases, and zombie banks are destroying America.
I've read some of his other books including Rule by Secrecy and feel his work is always well researched and dovetails my own. Of course, all of us enjoy it when someone else provides additional veracity for our material...get your own copy today.
"I never let schooling interfere with my education"
--Mark Twain
This Week's Resource Roundup & Money Saving Tips
Go to the Crime Doctor for personal safety videos-free
www.crimedoctor.com
NOTE: Many have used the Poor Man's Guide to Home Defense CD which sells for only $4.95+$2.25 shipping – or save on shipping by getting the download link. Available at our site using PayPal or by emailing Poormansurvivor@gmail.com
Get Free Medical Care
A week in the IC unit once cost me $165,000 and I didn't have insurance so I wish I had known about these resources then...you can qualify for assistance even if your income is double the poverty level or if your account has been turned over for collection. Try these:
www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/compliance-recovery.htm or call 800-638-0742
National Inst. Of Health (medical research you may qualify for)
www.cc.nih.gov or call 800-411-1222
DIY Animal Repellent Spray
Probably not good to mix around young children as hot pepper sauce is the main ingredient. Effective against cats, dogs, mice, rabbits, and deer. You can use spreader to apply.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce such as Trappey's Red Devil
1 tablespoon commercial spreader such as Dragon or Science or ½ cup nondetergent soap
1 gallon water
Yield=1 gallon
Test a leaf before using.
Useful financial blogs to save some bacon
--One guy's efforts to save a buck by cutting grocery costs & more.
Http://www.fivecentnickel.com
Best Practical Advice from several sources:
www.tipd.com
Inspiring blog according to Money magazine
www.GetRichSlowly.org
Save on car insurance if you're out of work or...
--Driving less could save you anywhere from 5%-15%...call your insurer and ask. Also, consider dropping coverage to liability only if your car is worth less than $3500 or so. If you're retired and drive less, ask for a better rate and...never drop coverage if you're, for instance, out of the country for several months. Insurers look at your coverage history (among a dozen other things) so if coverage lapses it could cost you more to get insurance again. If you don't need coverage for an extended period of time, drop it to liability only.
Finally, if you can, pay your premium annually or semi-annually which often reflect a savings over $2 a month billing fees!
Thinking of a new, 'greener' vehicle?
Consider getting a diesel which are considered greener than hybrids. Modern diesels that run on low sulfur fuel are very clean and get nearly the same mileage AND they don't require disposal of non-recyclable battery packs...also, they're dependable and more easily serviced.
Quick n Easy Portable Root Cellar
Although we were mighty pleased with our first year garden, one crop failed and it looked as if it were due to some kind of fungus – our corn was crap...everything else was great...here's an easy way to make a portable root cellar.
Store your carrots, for instance, in an unglazed flower pot filled with clean sand. Cover the roots, and pick them out as you need them and keep the pot in a dry, cool, dark spot. We'll be experimenting with a larger garden in the coming year with the log house area.
Saving money with junk mail.
This is an easy one, even for those not accustomed to negotiating. When you get coupon mailers or other advertisements in your mailbox, check out offers made by competitors for such services as cell phones, TV, etc. When a better deal arrives, call your current provider and read them the offer – many will match or beat that deal!
>>>>
Charlie's Farewell Address to the American People
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations
and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the President,
can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can
pass it over his veto if they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that
what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red ..
If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's
because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan...
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement
plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they
hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice
they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from
whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the
belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy,"
"inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what
they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power..
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.
Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.
---thanks for submitting this Jim!
The late, great comedian George Carlin once said, "I have certain rules I live by. My first rule: I don't believe anything the government tells me."
Big government getting bigger
by Donna Parrey
Filed under: Government spending, Private sector, public sector, Tax dollars, Federal budget
Nowhere is America's obesity epidemic more apparent than in our own government. We've already pointed out the decade-long trend in public sector job growth, but the underpinnings of that growth go beyond the simple addition of more jobs; it's indicative of the burgeoning infrastructure of government itself.
We examined the U.S. Census Bureau's "Census of Governments," which is conducted every five years and counts the number of "governments" in the country (federal, state, local). In total, it identified 89,527 governments in its latest published census from 2007 (the 2012 census has not yet been conducted). Keep in mind that our federal government accounts for "1" of these governments and our 50 state governments account for another "50" of this number. The huge remainder represents counties, municipalities, towns/townships, special districts and school districts. We found that in the decade from 1992 to 2002, the number of "governments" rose from 85,006 to 87,576, an increase of 2,570 entities requiring staffing and, of course, taxpayer support. Then in just half that time, from 2002 to 2007, the government count rose by another 1,951 entities! For more of the story, go to:
http://www.thefreeenterprisenation.org/blog/FEN-Blog/July-2010/Big-government-getting-bigger.aspx
"Guys like Clinton & Obama have never had a real job, never created a product or service, were never responsible for a payroll, they've primarily fed themselves at the public trough."
New Orleans TV Broadcast Showing Martial Law Fears-Helped by Clergy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK2g0TGaAZA&feature=related
Mother Earth News Fair in Pittsburgh, PA – Sept 25-26
http://www.motherearthnews.com/fair/home.aspx?utm_content=GRT+eNEWS+09.03.10&utm_campaign=E-+Newsletters&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email
>>>
Ten Top Tips For Surviving Simply
In today's shattered economy, there has never been a better time to emulate the Amish a bit more...the Poor Man has written extensively about the Amish in previous issues. Ironically, we're working with an Amish carpenter to construct our cabin foundation.
•Food preservation. To survive in a crisis, you may need your food to last as long as possible. Canning can preserve your food for up to a year or more. Basic fruit canning is so simple that all you need are vacuum jars (like those glass ones you see in your grocery store) and a big pot. Low-acid foods, such as meats, fish, and vegetables, need to be prepared in a pressure canner like one sold by Lehman's which comes with a 100% bacteria-kill guarantee. Make sure you store all canned foods in a dark, damp location, such as a basement.
•Illumination. One of the first things you'll need in any emergency is light. The Amish have many traditional solutions such as a Roman-type olive oil jar-lamp, and a Victorian kerosene lamp. But they also use solar-power (remember they're not anti-science, they're just anti dependence). If you're using gas or oil – be careful! There's always a spike in house fires during a power outage. You can even obtain a solar-powered attic fan – a boon if your house loses air conditioning during a summer storm or power outage!
•Water. One of your biggest survival problems will be finding clean water. Then you have to ask the question: Do you purify or filter? Fortunately you can find items to meet all your needs (including how to sink a pump in your yard!) For on the move, or short-term needs, try emergency water purification tablets. Each one cleanses a quart of water and takes only four hours to work its magic. Colloidal Silver Generators are also fantastic for purifying water. NASA even uses silver to purify spacecraft systems!
•Composting toilet. If water shortages become more widespread, you'll need a safe and clean way to go to the bathroom. A composting toilet is the perfect way to go. (Make sure you keep a fan nearby to provide a good draft as well.) For emergency, non-permanent use, you can obtain a portable toilet that works with plastic sacks and sanitary gel. (It's also useful for camping and RV trips.)
•Gas refrigerator/freezer. This is a great alternative to electricity for storing food and drink. The Amish use versions powered by either gas or kerosene. (Make sure you stock up on wicks.) .
Tip: Another essential emergency tool you should consider is a treadle (pedal) sewing machine. Not only is it useful for your own needs – it could even provide a source of barter/income in a pinch.)
•Laundry. A hand washer is a great way to get your clothes clean without electric power. Some even have a wringer to squeeze excess water from the fabric and speed up drying time.
Tip: Consider getting some clothesline and clothespins for the drying process as well.
•Coffee. You're going to need a pick me up, but forget the electric grinder – you're going old school. Hand-cranked items like a coffee mill (and grain mill for making your own bread), ice-cream maker, butter churner, and even a hand-wound clock will make difficult days when you're literally powerless, much, much nicer.
I urge you to consider the items above. Perhaps you can share the costs with neighbors of like mind? Just like the Amish, preparedness and pulling together may be key to our survival in the coming years.
Take a look and begin familiarizing yourself with these options at the Amish informational shopping website: http://www.lehmans.com
Parting Shots...We need a working press
Due to a little known, unpublicized quirk in the law dating to 2006, the IRS may revoke the nonprofit status of nearly one in five organizations this week...if they hadn't filed an 8-question 'postcard' return. The exception would be churches but this stupid law affects nearly everyone else from 4-H groups to Amvets.
It used to be those groups with less than $25,000 in revenues would not be affected but that changed too as the IRS wants more information from these organizations. (The Poor Man sits on the board of a not-for-profit group which was not affected).
Most groups claim they've never heard of this new requirement despite the IRS mailing of more than 650,000 notices. I see two problems with this government crap.
•Where was the mainstream press on all of this? Have they relinquished their role as a watchdog of government? Of course they have. The media in this country is now owned by only five corporations...when I taught marketing at CSU that number was over 150 so it's apparent profits of corporate/Washington masters is the only thing that matters.
•Who comes up with these invasive, stupid laws and rules? Why aren't these people properly identified to the public so they my be properly vilified? The one exception was the MN Congressman who came up with the idiotic No Tobacco to Military law...his site has been swamped with angry emails to the point where he cut all contact off with non-residents.
No person or entity can logically keep up with the massive amount of laws and rules created each week at the federal and state level making everyone a lawbreaker of some sort and I believe that is what they want.
A reader sent me this thought upon hearing of the pullout of troops in Iraq...."The fighting for US troops isn't truly over with. After all, we still have 50,000 there...but the rest will probably be deployed to Iran as global sentiment builds to attack that country. All middle eastern & Gulf leaders want Iran taken out of the nuclear arms business & they know sanctions won't work."
Thanks Paul for your input and nothing would surprise me...basic military practice is to plan for all scenarios.
Finally, as I've been saying for some time, feebay has some expensive and nutty policies so I finally launched my Amazon account and sold a book within 24-hours. The entire process was mighty easy and there are no upfront listing fees. At one point, the Poor Man had over 10,000 books to in his personal library and through donations and sales, that number has been whittled down quite a bit and just in time...as of 2011 the IRS will stick its far-reaching nose into your business even further. Anyone who has sales exceeding $20,000 or more than 200 transactions in a single year will see PayPal providing that info to the feds...you need to practice what the Romans called "cervuslacessitus leo," or the stag at bay becomes a lion.
Until next time...I remain your contrarian, muck-raking Poor Man!
Please visit our sites in order to support our efforts!
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/PoorMan
http://www.OldBookNook.com
Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics
A Shallow Planet Production
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