Reinvent Yourself-Often!

 

Poor Man Survival

Self Reliance tools for independent minded people…

www.poormansurvivor.net

ISSN 2161-5543

A Digest of Urban Survival Resources

 

Reinventing Yourself

   My wife tolerates me, even loves me.  She loves my cooking which is one reason that she married me and has stayed with me for nearly 25 years despite my many foibles and oddities. At the very least [and this is the foundation for solid relationships] I do not use illegal drugs, engage in immoral behavior [I don’t cheat on her], I’m fiscally responsible, I’m hygienic and ambitious…yet, I wonder why she puts up with me.

 

I’m also impatient [I have been working on that especially since recuperating from open heart surgery], incredibly frustrated with the vast amount of stupidity I see in America, especially in public school curriculums and public television, continually amazed at how much time and money is spent by Americans on trivial matters such as sports [I believe they’ve become big business as opposed to sporting events] yet the average citizen could care less about political events or how they are being robbed of their rights and privacy.

 

Most people waste a lot of time on useless activities then complain they don’t have enough time in the day to get everything done – yet, never before in history have people had so many labor-saving devices at their disposal.

 

I read at least one book per week and several magazines in addition to several online periodicals and newsletters.  Many Americans boast about not reading books of any kind today.  That’s sad.  It’s also a factor which has contributed to the decline of our society and educational standards.

 

Yet, I sometimes find myself bored.  There are projects and endeavors I would like to attempt but forego them due to a lack of resources.  Most of those revolve around research, exploration of ancient Egypt, certain areas of cultural anthropology, etc.  Other areas include business startups that I feel would be successful…one in particular I put a lot of effort into and failed to find a partner, backer or any interest at all despite nearly two years of revision, advertising and travel to other states to meet with potential partners.

 

I have a lot of experience and even awards [and even a best - selling book to my credit] that would or should indicate to others my qualifications.  I offered my time and money to invest.  It is very frustrating when an idea does not bear fruit especially when previous efforts of mine have done extremely well…in other words, I have a track record.  I have always found it irritating that Starbucks became successful, for example.  I personally find their product over priced and the taste pretty crappy, but apparently the prestige factor for most Americans outweighs the cost and taste [I’m not alone in my thought…I taught marketing at the college level for nearly a decade and none of my colleagues thought the concept would fly].

 

I had no health insurance when I experienced my triple heart by-pass and the cost for surgery and related matters pretty much cleaned out most of my accounts and forced me to close out several of my revenue producing income streams…most of which no longer seem a viable option. 

 

I’ve always believed and taught others that one should have at least seven income streams, never relying on a single source of income. 

 

I recently finished a book by James Altucher called Reinvent Yourself which is his semi-autobiographical account of his many rebirths coupled with interviews he’s done with celebrities that inspired him.  I can identify with him as I have reinvented myself many times as author and columnist, to speaker and publisher to show producer to antique dealer and appraiser and more.

 

The world and the tastes of the public seem to change ever faster today and as a result, one must be prepared to adapt more quickly to the quirks and desires of the public you wish to serve if you want to have a viable business.

 

One important lesson I learned early on about success:  You must believe 100% in whatever you are selling/marketing in order to be successful.  It also helps to surround yourself with folks who believe in you and support you – as does my wife!

 

 

Bruce, the Poor Man, free thinker, social critic & cynic

 

Additional Resources

 

Contributors and subscribers enable the Poor Man Survivor to post 150+ free essays annually. It is for this reason they are Heroes and Heroines of New Media. Without your financial support, the free content would disappear for the simple reason that I cannot keep body and soul together on my meager book sales & ecommerce alone.

 

A portion of our profits are donated to various charities each year.  This year we donate to:  Red Cross [relief efforts due to all the storms], USO for our troops, St. Judes, which helps children & their families…

 

>>Want to improve your brain even more?  Learn how here:

 

Your brain is a magnificent organ! It is responsible for everything you do, say, feel and remember. It keeps your heart pumping and your lungs breathing, and it regulates your hunger and your body temperature.

It does so much for you, but how much do you really know about your own brain?

Take this quiz to find out…

https://bottomlineinc.com/health/memory/how-well-do-you-know-your-brain

 

 

 

You Have a 16-Cylinder Brain-Learn How to Use it & Re-Awaken the Genius Inside You!

 

I know everyone is short on time in this hectic world so I’ve kept this PDF short and to the point with links to expert how-to articles and guides including:

 

·         How to Increase Your Intelligence

·         6 Step Brain Exercise Steve Jobs Used to Boost Creativity

·         6 Simple Habits to Boost Your Intelligence

·         The Best Vitamins to Increase Brain Function

·         How a Harvard Brain Specialist Keeps Her Brain Healthy

·         A Review of the Top 10 Brain [Limitless] Pills

·         How to Protect Your Cognitive Function

 

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/You-Have-a-16-Cylinder-Brain-Learn-How-to-Use-it-Re-Awaken-the-Genius-Inside/423194447

 

 

Support our efforts by shopping my storefront…

http://RetroGuy.Net

 

A Smoking Frog Feature, Shallow Planet Production

 

Prepping for Retirees (And Those on SS & Fixed Income)

Poor Man Survival

Self Reliance tools for independent minded people…

www.poormansurvivor.net

ISSN 2161-5543

A Digest of Urban Survival Resources

 

Prepping for Retirees (And Those on SS & Fixed Income)

 

I read an interesting article this week. It's from The Wall Street Journal. The article looked at how state governments would fare if/when we have a recession. Nearly 47 states have pension plans which are broke or are unable to pay out their promised funds to retirees – Illinois is at the top of the list.

"If the next recession hit the U.S. this year, more than a quarter of states would be financially unprepared to weather even a moderate downturn, according to a new report. Fifteen states would struggle in the case of a recession-related tax revenue slump and spike in demand for services, such as Medicaid."

How would you fare if/when we have a recession. Have you taken steps to be ready for an economic downturn? Or would you face a potentially critical situation? You might want to ask yourself the same questions.

Do you have an emergency fund? If not, learn how to build an emergency fund.

Don’t Spend A Dime On These Resources

Many preppers forget that preparing for a crisis doesn’t just mean stocking up on supplies and hoarding survival food. It’s also about preparing your mind and your abilities to survive.   Being prepared beats being unprepared. That's true for hurricanes and earthquakes, and it is also true for recessions. Both are bound to happen. We just don't know when.

I hold a very strong belief that absolutely every person in this world can contribute something in a survival situation. Whether you’re elderly, have a disability, or have very little money, it doesn’t matter. Everyone has the ability – and the responsibility – to contribute something of value in a crisis.

That’s why it’s crucial to start learning all you can – and you can do this without spending a dime. For instance, there are TONS of videos and websites online that offer important information on how to survive. And, if you don’t want to pay for internet, you can always go to the public library and use theirs. You can also check out books on survival.

These resources can teach you incredibly valuable skills that’ll help you when SHTF. My advice? Pick a topic that’s interesting to you (or one that you already know about and want to learn more) and read deeper into it. Love to sew? Enjoy cooking? Interested in first-aid? Want the best ways to build a fire? How about shooting and hunting tips? No matter who you are, there is SOMETHING you can do (and actually enjoy learning about) that will help you prepare better for an upcoming emergency.

Note: Here’s another idea. Trade skills! For example, maybe you have a pressure canner and a smoker, which you use to preserve meats, fruits and veggies. Well, if you’ve got a buddy who just went fishing, you can offer to teach them how to smoke/preserve their bounty. In return, maybe they can share a few survival skills with you that you need help/practice with. The opportunities are endless!

Survival Supplies For Cheap

Needing a good deal? You can’t just expect to go to any store and expect that they’re giving you a good deal. If you really want to save money, you’ll need to do some price comparisons.

Many people forget that the Dollar Store has tons of items you can use for survival. It’s seriously surprising how much gear you can get for cheap! Don’t believe me? Look at the videos below (there are even more on YouTube) showing you just how far your money can go at the Dollar Store if you’re smart about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iczf9lHthac

https://youtu.be/BRDYYQuexvg

One of the best ways to do this is online. By simply searching for terms like “survival gear discounts” and “survival coupons” you can instantly get a ton of websites that have survival gear for cheap. I’ve even seen some that are 50-80% off retail.Heck, by doing a simple Google search I found First-Aid-Product.com, which offers 88% off survival gear. That’s hard to beat!

Amazon is also one of the best websites for this, as it allows you to search for specific items and do price comparisons in one easy site. Also, you can add the specific items you’re looking for to a wish list. The prices will automatically update over time, so you can keep checking back and seeing the prices increase and decrease. This will help you ensure that you really are buying at the lowest price.

Make Some Extra $$

Money is one of the primary stressors that people have – and it only gets worse when you’re living on a budget. That’s why it’s important to take advantage of all the opportunities out there to make some extra money for preps!

One of the best ways to make some extra cash is to go through your house and do some serious decluttering. Set aside the things you never use and don’t need, and put it in a pile. Then sell it to friends, or start a garage sale. It may surprise you how much stuff you have lying around that you don’t actually need!

Now this is just one example, but there are lots more ideas out there! Here are a few videos with more ideas on how you can earn some extra cash to help you prepare for the worst.

https://youtu.be/0MhJRvSi9mM

https://youtu.be/afxd4JeR9NI

 

Thanks to the ConcernedPatriot.com!

Postscript:

Like most Americans, our costs continually escalate, especially those relating to government [health insurance, property taxes, auto registration fees, etc.] yet our income seems to erode due to declining online sales.  Colleagues who also use the same selling channels [eBay, Bonanza, Facebook, Craigslist, etc.] report the same issue.  Many categories that used to be successful for me are now dead in the water or items that once sold well have become virtually impossible to find at reasonable prices [antiquarian books, for example]…even thrift stores such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army are now bypassing local retail customers & selling their better quality donated items online via their own ecommerce stores or through eBay.

I always like to have at least six streams of income and ever since I spent so much time in the hospital recuperating from heart surgery, that number has dwindled to three but our cost of living has increased by roughly 12.5% in that time period…not keeping pace. 

 

Now that I’m feeling almost back to normal I’ve contemplated seeking some kind of part time job however, where I live, opportunities are rare and honestly, I’m unsure anyone would hire an ‘old’ fart such as myself who has essentially been out of commission for the past few years.

 

Fortunately, we have virtually zero debt, no mortgage or car payments, no credit cards or other long-term interest payments but the ever increasing toll of government-related costs are taking its toll on us and most other Americans.  We’ve had to cut back on our charitable giving as a result.  Nor do we live the ‘high life’ as many others in our circles do…no casinos, no sporting events, no expensive vacations, etc. 

 

Any extra cash we get goes into improving our mini-farm and because we procrastinated on its expansion a year ago, costs have increased by 35% due to local officials enacting tighter regulations and the cost of building materials have skyrocketed due to all of the recent natural disasters.

 

Nonetheless, I still manage to give away highly useful reports and other goodies to our readers so why not take advantage?  See below for a selection.

 

 

 

 

How to Survive the War on the Middle Class

14 of the best reports I’ve assembled on protecting your freedom…Here is the download link.

http://1drv.ms/1d9kfiU

 

Related posts:

1.      6 Easy Ways To Make Money For Prepping

2.      The Survival Tool Burden – A Big Prepping Problem

3.      The Lazy Prepper’s Way To Sharpen A Knife

 

A Final Note…

Contributors and subscribers enable the Poor Man Survivor to post 150+ free essays annually. It is for this reason they are Heroes and Heroines of New Media. Without your financial support, the free content would disappear for the simple reason that I cannot keep body and soul together on my meager book sales & ecommerce alone.

>>Want to improve your brain?  Learn how here:

 

You Have a 16-Cylinder Brain-Learn How to Use it & Re-Awaken the Genius Inside You!

 

I know everyone is short on time in this hectic world so I’ve kept this PDF short and to the point with links to expert how-to articles and guides including:

 

·         How to Increase Your Intelligence

·         6 Step Brain Exercise Steve Jobs Used to Boost Creativity

·         6 Simple Habits to Boost Your Intelligence

·         The Best Vitamins to Increase Brain Function

·         How a Harvard Brain Specialist Keeps Her Brain Healthy

·         A Review of the Top 10 Brain [Limitless] Pills

·         How to Protect Your Cognitive Function

 

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/You-Have-a-16-Cylinder-Brain-Learn-How-to-Use-it-Re-Awaken-the-Genius-Inside/423194447

 

Support our efforts by shopping my storefront…

http://RetroGuy.Net

 

 

 

A Smoking Frog Feature, Shallow Planet Production

 

A Good Machete is a Useful, Multi-Purpose Tool, A Good Knife Basics,

Poor Man Survival

Self Reliance tools for independent minded people…

www.poormansurvivor.net

ISSN 2161-5543

A Digest of Urban Survival Resources

 

 

A Good Machete is a Useful, Multi-Purpose Tool, A Good Knife Basics, More

 

   In a pinch I have used machetes to cut brush around our mini-farm as I can never seem to find a weed-whacker that lasts very long!  A very useful, proven tool the world over it’s one which belongs in every prepper’s tool kit and you can learn its finer points below:

 

1. Point Taken: The point can drill, scrape, open cans and, of course, kill zombies. To skin big game, grip the spine with one hand and use the tip to do the work.

2. Leading Edge: The top of the blade is the machete’s sweet spot. Use it to bushwhack, dispatch game, clear shooting lanes and—if you’re brave and have a steady hand—shave your beard.

3. Middle Relief: The middle third will chop limbs, fell trees, head fish or game, and slice or dice meat. Grip the spine at both ends and push or draw this part of the blade to shape tools, strip bark for rope, or shave tinder or kindling.

4. Fine Touch: The bottom third is short, solid, and easy to control. It’s perfect for precision cutting, making fire sticks, whittling, and sharpening pencils or gigs.

5. Dull Moment: The bottom 2 inches are blunt. This part will hammer, strike fire steel, and open beer bottles. For precision work, move your grip up so your index finger and thumb are here. This shortens the tool and puts your hand at its center, giving you more control.

6. Back to Basics: The spine will scale fish, crack nuts, drive nails, or break off dead limbs. You can also hit the spine with a heavy stick to force the blade to split logs.

7. Flat Top: The flat side of the machete, toward the point, is a basic but effective shovel. And it’ll flip a steak in a pinch."

 

 

Here's a summary of the things you must know about Machetes and Machete use:

 

1. Cutting and maintaining trails

2. Clearing brush

3. Chopping compost

4. Carving & chopping wood

5. Clearing woody vegetation  

6. Campsite management

7. Hunting/survival

8. Trim overhanging branches

9. Remove invasive plants

10. Ruthless Self Defense Weapon (if necessary)

 

-End of Article. Credit: Field & Stream Magazine

 

On a related note:

 

A Well-Made Knife Consists of…

There is no tool as versatile, handy, and long lasting as a well-made knife. The only problem, however, is that telling a good knife from a bad one can be nearly impossible if you weren’t raised by a blacksmith. The biggest factor is the quality of the steel, and since steel is an alloy that’s made in about a zillion different ways, knowing what’s good and what’s not can be a dizzying experience. For this reason, we’ve put together a quick reference knife guide to some of the most common steels used in knives so that you can make a more informed decision next time you buy a blade.

Before we dive in, however, we’ll first go over the most common elements present in steel and the properties they give it.

·         Iron – The main ingredient in steel

·         Carbon – This is one of the most important elements in steel, as it functions as a hardening element and makes the iron stronger. Every type of steel will have some amount of carbon, and oftentimes the amount can be very telling of the quality of a blade. Low carbon means there is 0.3% or less carbon in the alloy, medium carbon is typically between 0.4-0.7 percent, and high is generally considered 0.8 percent and above.

·         Chromium – This is the element that makes stainless steel stainless. Technically all steel can rust, but types with more chromium (usually around 12-13 percent) are much less prone to it

·         Cobalt – adds strength to the blade

·         Manganese – hardens the blade, but also makes it brittle if added in high quantities

·         Nickel – adds toughness to the blade

·         Molybdenum – helps a steel maintain strength at high temperatures

·         Tungsten – increases wear resistance

·         Vanadium – increases wear resistance and makes the blade harder.

Now that you know a bit about the different elements used in the production of steel, here’s a quick rundown of a few of the most common types you’re likely to encounter in knives. This definitely isn’t an exhaustive list, however, so if you ever come across a steel you’re unfamiliar with, don’t hesitate to do some research.

The 400 Series:

420 Steel – Common in lower-end knives, this steel has about .38% carbon. The low carbon content means that it’s very soft in comparison to most others, and it doesn’t hold an edge well. Blades made from this material need to be sharpened frequently, and are more likely to chip. On the bright side, however, all 420 stainless steel is extremely rust resistant. This makes it a great material for diving knives, since their constant contact with saltwater makes them more likely to rust.

425M Steel – This is a material similar to the 400 series that has .5% carbon. Not a great steel by any means, but it’s not a bad one either, and it’s reasonably tough for the price.

440 Steel – There are three different types of 440 steel: 440A, 440B, and 440C. The further along in the alphabet, the better it gets. The only problem is that oftentimes manufacturers simply stamp “440” on the tang of the blade without the letter grade, so knowing what you’re buying is tricky. As a rule of thumb, if it doesn’t explicity say 440C, it’s most likely a lower-end version like 440A or B. Certain knife manufacturers have even gone so far as to rename 440C as other things in order to differentiate the quality of the product.

440A Steel – Has a carbon content range of .65-.75%. This is a low cost stainless steel. It is the most rust resistant of 440 steel, and 440C is the least rust resistant of the three. However, taken as a whole, the 400 series is comprised of some of the most rust resistant steel you can buy.

440B Steel – Very similar to 440A, but has a higher carbon content range (.75-.95%), so it has better edge retention.

440C Steel – This steel has a carbon content range between .95-1.20%, and is generally considered a higher end steel. It’s extremely common in knives because it provides a good mixture of hardness and corrosion resistance, but also isn’t terribly expensive.

The AUS Series:

Made in Japan, the biggest improvement of the AUS series over the 400 Series is the addition of vanadium, which improves wear resistance and provides great toughness. It also reportedly makes the steel easier to sharpen.

AUS-6 Steel – Has .65% carbon, and is generally considered a low quality steel. It’s comparable to 420, but with better edge retention and less corrosion resistance.

AUS-8 Steel – This fairly popular steel has .75% carbon, which makes it fairly tough. It also has more vanadium than AUS-6, so it holds an edge better. Cold Steel likes to use this stuff a lot in its blades

AUS-10 Steel – Has 1.1% carbon, and is roughly comparable to 440C. It has more vanadium and less chromium than 440C, which makes it slightly tougher in comparison, but also a little less rust resistant.

The ATS Series:

ATS 34 Steel – This steel is very similar to 154 CM (listed below), and is generally considered one of the best steels you can buy. It has 1.05% carbon, and there are lots of high-end custom knives that use it because it’s just excellent metal. Benchmade and Spyderco seem to be fans of this steel, as you’ll see it a lot in their products.

ATS 55 Steel – This steel (carbon content of 1.00%) does not have the vanadium that is present in both ATS-34 and 154-CM (see below). This means that it doesn’t hold an quite edge as well, and has also been reported to be less rust resistant than ATS-34.

The SXXV Series:

This series is becoming quite popular because of its strength, ability to resist rust, and how well it holds an edge. These are difficult steels to sharpen though, if you do need to give them an edge. All of these knives are very wear resistant. The 30, 60, and 90 you’ll see in this series stand for 3%, 6%, and 9% vanadium in the alloy respectively.

S30V Steel – This steel was designed to be used for knives. This steel is very tough, and yet still has great wear resistance. For how tough the steel is, it actually has very good hardness also, which is why many consider it to be one of the best choices for knife making. It has a carbon content of 1.45%.

S60V Steel – This stainless steel has high wear resistance. It has lots of vanadium, and also has a carbon content of 2.15%. It’s just a step above S30V, but is relatively rare in knives because it’s more expensive.

S90V Steel – This steel has superior edge retention, but due to it’s ridiculous hardness, it can be almost impossible to sharpen. You’ll typically only find it in custom-made knives, and it has a carbon content of around 2.30%.

Others Noteworthy Steels:

154 CM Steel – This is high quality steel – arguably one of the best available for knives. It has a carbon content of 1.05%. It holds an edge well and is hard steel. It actually has pretty good toughness for how hard the steel is as well. It is tougher than 440C, and is often compared to ATS 34 because the two are so similar. Some people prefer this steel to ATS 34, however, since this one is made by Crucible, an American company.

M390 Steel – Has 1.9% carbon, is very stain resistant, and has excellent wear resistance. It has vanadium as an additive, and consequently is a popular hard steel. This is also the type of steel used most often for surgical applications.

N680 Steel – Has .54% carbon. This is another very hard steel that is highly stain resistant, making it good for saltwater applications.

 

If you shoot someone, remember these four things.

 

1. When the police come. Stand still. DO NOT HAVE YOUR GUN IN YOUR HAND or within your reach.

 

2. Give your name. And say "I was in fear for my life. I want a Lawyer."

​​​​​​​

3. DO NOT! DO NOT! Talk with the police without a lawyer with you. Not one word. Just give your name & say. "I was in fear for my life. I want a lawyer." Keep in mind. The police come after the fact. Someone has been shot, someone has to go to jail. They are going to find a way to put you away. You are the shooter. The Public Prosecutor will try to put you away, you are the shooter, and it will look good on his record. Your lawyer will be the only ally you will have.

 

4. Just say "No Comment" to the news media. All they are looking for is a story, the more they can color it the better. Their job is to sell the "NEWS". Remember "NO COMMENT".

 

What’s On Your Mind? Please share & give us your feedback!

 

Yours for better living,

Bruce ‘the Poor Man’

 

Additional Resources

An extensive survey of hundreds of adults across the United States has just revealed that the thing most Americans fear—more than anything else—is their own government. In fact, according to the survey, no other fear even comes close to the percentage of Americans who worry about their corrupt government officials.

How to Survive the War on the Middle Class

14 of the best reports I’ve assembled on protecting your freedom…Here is the download link.

http://1drv.ms/1d9kfiU

The Poor Man’s Essential Survival Package

--The Doctors Protocol: Secrets of Survival

--How to Survive the Coming Economic Collapse

--Guide to Self Reliant Living

--Becoming Self Sufficient for Six Months

--How I Found Freedom in an Un-free World

http://1drv.ms/1d9kfiU

11 Websites to Find Odd Jobs to Earn Extra Cast

Whether you’re unemployed or just need a bit of extra cash, finding odd jobs online is a great place to start. These 11 websites can be good places to find odd jobs that make good money. 

What’s the Best Way To Find Health Insurance?

Choosing health insurance can be a nightmare if you don’t know what you’re doing. Learn the best way to find health insurance in this step-by-step guide.

 

Contributors and subscribers enable the Poor Man Survivor to post 150+ free essays & free reports that I provide annually. It is for this reason they are Heroes and Heroines of New Media. Without your financial support, the free content would disappear for the simple reason that I cannot keep body and soul together on my meager book sales & ecommerce alone.  You can make a donation at top of this page via PayPal.

Find survival related books here!

Support our efforts by shopping my storefront…

http://RetroGuy.Net

 

 

A Smoking Frog Feature, Shallow Planet Production