Free Garden Layout Software, Humble Pile Project, More

Bruce’s Poor Man Survival Bulletin
Your choice for Urban Survival Resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com


In This Issue:

1. DIY backyard smoker
2. Humble Pile project-human waste compost
3. Free garden layout software, one in 3-D
4. The only fuel/mileage enhancer that works
5. Farm Bill Help Line-Free
6. DIY Solar Kettle


"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The path of least resistance, picking the low-hanging fruit

The path of least resistance is used to describe certain human behaviors, although with much less specificity than in the strict physical sense. In these cases, resistance is often used as a metaphor for personal effort or confrontation; a person taking the path of least resistance avoids these.

This is how many of go about our life especially when it comes to being frugal, prepared or self-sufficient. Too many of us want life insurance after we’re dead.

When I interviewed potential employees at my business publishing company, I would always pose the question “if you had no money worries, enough money to last a lifetime without problem, what is it you would do with your life?”

Sometimes this posed a challenge for some. They had never thought about it in this fashion before. Others answered immediately, already knowing what their true vocation in life was.

Many surveys done over the years show most of us are not satisfied with their current job, often hanging onto the job until something better comes along. Few will devote the energy or study needed to become what they truly desire,instead choosing the path of least resistance.

I’m fortunate. I am pretty much living my passion, that of researching and writing about government waste, helping fellow citizens to become more self-sufficient and so on. It doesn’t always earn much money, but it is satisfying.

The Poor Man projects aren’t without its share of frustration. For example, I experiment with many ideas, such as our Suggestion Box promotion. The response has been tepid at best. That sometimes leads me to believe I’m just spinning my wheels, that I should go back to the corporate or non-profit world. I’ve had some tempting offers (I don’t feel like driving every day to either Detroit or Lansing and/or living the cubicle life) and if the right non-profit venture came along, I might take it.

My auto mechanic feels the same way - frustrated. He’s reliable and has served the community for nearly 20 years. Last year he ran a coupon good for a free oil change and NOT one person redeemed the coupon! No one seems to know what motivates people. Any longer.

Life in the business world was certainly more profitable for me, but I enjoy this. Doing this has also forced me to learn many new skills such as social networking and some website construction.

The bottom line: what is your passion? What inspires or motivates you? Are you performing the tasks necessary to accomplishing those ideals in your life?

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Approximately half of all American workers make $25,000 a year or less.
During this most recent economic downturn, employee compensation in the United States has been the lowest that it has been relative to gross domestic product in over 50 years!


Resources worth checking out…

This site is worth bookmarking in order to find the best deals when you're shopping online! Check it out today!
http://www.retailmenot.com/

Craig Ballantyne is one of the most sought-after experts in the fitness industry, Craig also runs a 7-figure business, entirely online. It generates significant wealth, and also provides him the freedom to live and work anywhere in the world.
http://internetindependence.com/100k-in-12-months-part-1

Useful tool to safeguard your privacy-Evidence Eliminator
There is no need for you to continue to take risks with your job, family, car, property or everything else that could be negatively impacted by someone snooping or stealing from your personal computer. Evidence Eliminator can protect you from the dangers of the Internet. It will transform your computer into a safe, clean and faster machine. If you have a business, protect your workplace and computers with Evidence Eliminator. Don't get investigated, instead get protection with Evidence Eliminator.
http://evidenceeliminator.org/

A recent job fair in Massachusetts was shut down because of a lack of jobs.
In fact, with jobs so scarce these days, more Americans than ever are willing to work for free.

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More thoughts on self-protection (Thanks Jim for sharing this)
On the heels of a break-in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self-defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."

WASP SPRAY…Spray the culprit in the eyes!

A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection.

"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."

Maybe even save a life. A few more tips on self protection…

Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr.'s office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around.

After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want
that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. Watch this cute ‘self-defense’ spoof.

http://www.lowtechcombat.com/2009/02/self-defense-against-mugger-funny-video.html



Build Your Own Backyard Smoker-You can print out the plans
Since I was a kid I always loved Popular Mechanics-it’s a whole lot better now-some samplings

Real barbecue involves cooking tougher, fattier cuts of meat like pork butt and beef brisket over a duration of 4 to 6 hours or longer at temperatures near the boiling point of water. The payoff: tough meat becomes flavorful and succulent, fat is rendered out and the low, smoky fire leaves the aroma of smoke permeating the meat. A good cook can make good BBQ in anything. I decided after years of working with a small water smoker--and recently acquiring a vacation house--to build one of my own. This project involves a lot of welding, but several wire-feed welders are sold at The Home Depot and Sears, and you can learn to do simple welding with only an hour or two of practice. Salvaged materials will be fine for your smoker's frame. You can use old water pipe, rebar or even electrical conduit.
Read more: Build Your Own Backyard Smoker - Popular Mechanics
Also…read their story on the King of Handguns, the Smith & Wesson, 10 best wind turbine plans and more.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/recreation/1277336?click=pop_more
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/solar-wind/4324331?click=pop_more

Cheap n easy tin can survival stove-video
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-make-tin-can-survival-cook-stove-169431/

Avoid fuel additives promising better mileage-the only ones that work are fuel injector cleaners AND better driving habits (avoid the jackrabbit starts and speeding, keep your tires inflated properly and so on). This according the Green Car Journal
http://www.greencar.com/

Free Garden Planning software/downloads
Use software to plan, re-plan your garden layout
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/design/nature-lovers/welcome-to-plan-a-garden/

This one is a free download from Google…3-D layouts
http://sketchup.google.com/download/gsu.html

http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Page-KitchenGardenDesigner

Add coffee filters to bug out or emergency kit for initially filter water prior to purifucation

Humble Pile: Human Waste Composting Project
Turning brown green with human waste…Early last year, the Poor Man wrote about composting toilets, including money-saving DIY plans…here’s an update.

Poop. Everybody does it.
That adds up to a lot of waste - waste that could potentially build soil and fertilize gardens. But most of us don't want to think about it. We just want to flush it and forget it.
Enter the Humble Pile. An enterprising gardener in Chicago wants to green the city with that waste, and right now, it's strictly guerilla-style, as it's an 'unspeakable' subject, and against the city's ordinances.
43-year-old Nance Klehm, an urban grower, started the do-it-yourself human waste composting project, turning brown into green, one bucket at a time. Read the full story:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/human-waste-compost-chicago.html?campaign=daylife-article

Other suggestions for preparedness when there is no electric: hand grinder, one for meat & one for grain, old fashioned coffee maker, lidded cast iron Dutch oven & fry pans.

Get Farm Bill Questions Answered…Often a confusing maze of forms & information overload at many of the USDA sites. Here’s a resource from the Center for Rural Affairs in NE.
www.cfra.org/sustainable-options-hotline
Or give them a call at: 402-687-2100 As for the Farm Bill Hotline

Solar Vacuum Glass Tubes: The Econ-Eco Friendly Method
Hitherto, boiling water takes time, effort and uses up scarce fuel resources.
However, with the advent of the that delivers free solar energy generated boiling water within two hours without costing an arm or a leg. The solution to end unnecessary suffering and death from drinking microbes contaminated water is perhaps now upon us. You can even cook food!
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Solar_Kettle-Thermos_Flask
DIY resource: http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Hot-Water-Kettle-From-Plastic-Bottles-and-G/
http://solarexergy.com/

Your last issue was incredible. I liked the sharecropper analogy…the difference however, in the old days a sharecropper paid rent after the crops were harvested. Nowadays, everyone (bankers, landlords, franchisors, etc.) want their money now!
I own a small farm & would like to pass it on to my kids, however the mountain of taxes, regulations, cost of diesel fuel and the price of feed have me rather doubtful. Our government is like a cancer, destroying all in its path...unless you’re one of the big boys.
--Dizzy Dee, FL

Political Poop…

Reason.tv: Nanny of the Month (March 2011) - Drug Warrior-in-Chief Barack Obama!
Last month, Reason.tv recognized Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) as our nation's most irritating scold after he busted out a sneak attack on the the world's oldest profession. This time top dishonors go to the Drug Warrior-in-Chief Barack Obama, whose DEA banned fake pot, thwarted a scientist's decade-long campaign to study marijuana, and raided dispensaries in Montana and California-all in one month!


The Unconcealed Truth About Carrying Guns: What the gun control lobby doesn't want you to know
Gun control advocates are alarmed that the Illinois legislature may vote to let licensed individuals carry concealed handguns. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence calls the measure "dangerous." Kristen Rand of the Violence Policy Center says that it would lead to Tucson-style mass shootings as well as the killing of police. But as Steve Chapman explains, concealed-carry, as it is known, is not a radical notion in most of the country. Thirty-seven "shall-issue" states grant permits to carry to anyone meeting certain requirements, and 48 allow citizens to carry guns under some circumstances. Moreover, Chapman notes, the record of the past two decades demonstrates that you can strengthen the right of law-abiding adults to protect themselves against crime without making the world more dangerous
http://reason.com/archives/2011/03/31/the-unconcealed-truth-about-ca

The Parting Shot…it takes some cajones

You may have read about the independent Radio Shack dealer in Montana who is giving away a new gun and background check to anyone who purchases a two-year Dish Network contract from his store.

Radio Shack is howling, Dish Network doesn’t have an opinion one way or the other. I love it…it’s tough to standout in the crowd of small business and this certainly has helped promote his store.

I believe that’s what it might take to succeed today in America. Most of my colleagues believe you can longer make a living in America by coming up with a product or service which is better, faster, cheaper. The big guys will squash you like a bug and make every attempt to undercut your prices if you appear to be succeeding.

Another fellow we know feels the same way. He invented a syringe that won’t accidentally poke a nurse or doctor, but is having a dickens of a time selling it as the entire US market is dominated by one play who sells disposable syringes with fixed needles…making them dangerous in terms of accidents and disease and prone to misuse. Of course, it all goes back to the focus of the last issue, almost every industry in America is run by a monopoly.

That’s my two-cents for this issue-the Poor Man!

Check our Resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com

Cultivate your mind-new books added weekly
http://www.OldBookNook.com

Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics

Go Green-save money!
http://www.GreenIrene.com/Poorman

Free Money assistance for women, businesses, more.
http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?poorman11/mlesko

YOUR FREE FOOD 2 GO: Site to be ready April 9th
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www.4051.freefood2go.com


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