Survival Planning - Food, Labor and Materials,....Not Gold!

UrbanSurvivalSkills.com received this this comment via e-mail: "I really appreciate the practical information on your site, without all the 'kill Bama' crap you get from most sources. I've done my homework and collected my emergency food, learned heirloom gardening, purchased a few firearms with ammo... But I can't wrap my head around the Gold and Silver.....I keep some bug out cash on hand, but after paper money has lost it's value... I'm having trouble picturing anyone trading a box of ammo for a silver coin. I certainly won't be selling any of my ammo for a hunk of metal. A bag of rice on the other hand? I just tend to think of food, tools and labor being the only real currency after TSHTF."

UrbanMan's comments: I rarely get around to other Survival Sites, but I have not seen any real radical written crap about anything including threats to President Obama. It would be unfortunate if Survival Sites became known for that as it would feed one common perception that people who are taking responsibility for their own lives and prepping for bad things to come, aka SHTF, are extremists or even racists. Nothing in my interaction with preppers leads me to believe that most of us are like that. Still you have Homeland Security reports about lumping gun owners, veterans and survivalists with extremists,.....go figure.

I think you are on the right track,...food, firearms, preparing to grow your own food. Keeping some Bug Out cash on hand is also a good idea. I look at Gold and Silver,..primarily Silver,..but the same concept,....as another necessary survival item. The long term value of precious metals is anyone's guess, but I am pretty certain that there will be a time span after the dollar starts to go south (more so than it is now) and before straight barter for food (primarily) and materials (secondarily) where Gold and Silver will be a commonly acceptable (and perferred) commercial exchange method.

Plus these are facts or opinions weigh on the side of having at least some physical silver or gold:

There will certainly be an instance or two of a survivalist bartering with another who does not really need anything, but precious metals may make the deal.

There are just way too many people, among the respected financial advisors and even the unknown that recommend buying physical gold and silver.

If and when QE3 is announced,....QE is Quantitive Easing, where the Government prints more money further reducing the value fo the dollar, .....gold and silver will just go absolutely bonkers. Just way too many people saying you have to own it.

Here's a recent article from Chris Martenson's site: Prepare for Bullion Prices to Go Supernova

I started buying Silver around 1980 or there abouts, when it was $4.50 an ounce. I was lucky enough to inherit a large cigar box of Silver coins as well......I'm holding onto these for their Silver Melt value. I have even bought small amounts of silver rounds at $33 an ounce, just before it went up briefly to $50.

None of this is for investments. This is for straight survival purchasing during or after a collapse. Silver and the small amount of Gold I have hold the same significance to me as does everything else I have collected in preparing for SHTF,....firearms, ammunition, solar power systems, water storage, seeds (both non-hybrid and hybrid), sleeping bags, manual tools, dehydrated foods, cases of MRE's,....as well as all the vacuum packed food and canned or dried pantry food that I stock.

It's just my humble opinion that the complete Survivalist's would hold some Silver (and maybe Gold) just "in case". How much is necessary? I don't know. But say ten ounces in your safe or Bug Out bag is better than not having any at all.

Survival Planning - The Argument Against Precious Metals

Starting to get a "back and forth" on Precious Metals whether or not this is an essential item for the well prepared survivor. Anonymous has left this new comment" "I didn't sink all my available liquidity into gold and silver. I suppose I could have just left it there. My point was that for 20 years I could not make a profit with it and in fact since those were to 20 go-go years of the stock market I probably could have turned all that into a million dollars. So I don't have a problem with some PMs but keep in mind the silver you buy today for $38 may drop like a rock and not reach that price again in your lifetime. I don't like to gamble and PM investing is gambling. Yes it is a viable way to prepare for an economic collapse but hopefully you have other plans as well. Today I am PM free but I am a prepper never the less. When TSHTF I my well sell you some food for gold and silver."

UrbanMan replies: Nor did I sink anything but what I could afford to spend on Gold and Silver,...mostly Silver. I don't think the word "profit" should even in the equation when it comes to talking about the validity of having Gold sand Silver in case of a major collapse.....again, the lifeline purpose as opposed to investment.

Sure there are many investors who think the coming collapse, as bad as it may be, will also be fairly short and the Country will come out of it on the good end and those with Gold and Silver will be the new rich people. This is what George Soros and many others are doing and that is ensuring they have a lot of Gold and Silver so they can ensure they will be among the riches when this Country comes out of a major collapse.

I have been talking to a friend of a friend, who is a local investment advisor from a national chain. Aside from the fact that he is very close to having to find another line of work because of the downturn in investing and returns, he recognizes the probability of a collapse. With two small children under 6 years old, he is very scared. Even this guy who made his living helping people with financial planning and investing has now bought some physical Silver as a lifeline......as well as stockpiled some food and bought a handgun to supplement his hunting firearms.

Without a doubt there are Preppers, and I know some of them, that refuse to buy PM's, even coins for Silver melt value, because they believe they won't be able to buy enough to make a difference. I think that's just crazy. If you didn't have a firearm, would you not buy one even though you couldn't afford a high end AR? To me this is the same line of thinking.

I have never placed PM's in a priority position unless all of your other needs are met. Everyone has to determine what that is on their own. In fact, I would consider many other items more essential than Gold or Silver. Those items would be: firearms and ammunition; food and more food; water purification means (in depth meaning many systems); seeds; tools; radios, flashlights, batteries and recharging systems to include solar panels; good clothing and footwear and other personal survival gear. There should not a major issue with one getting better in all areas at the same time to include purchasing PMs even if you only can afford one Silver ound at a time.

I won't be using Gold or Silver to buy food, firearms, ammunition, batteries, seeds, clothes as I have enough of those items already,...at least for the short term.

I have PM's in case I need something I forgot, or maybe a fuel purchase or just about anything that cannot be foreseen, hence stocked.

Urban Survival Planning - American Survival Redoubt Re-visited

UrbanSurvivalSkills.com received a comment from Anonymous on the article.... Urban Survival comments on Rawles' American Redoubt....."We are in a bad recession possibly even a depression. Our leaders seem clueless and will not do what it takes to get us out of it. But that's about it. Nothing I see now or on the horizon that indicates I should run for the hills. I'm sorry to have to say that I seriously question the wisdom and even sanity of anyone who would advise such a "

"Sure if it's already in your heart to move to the country then why not move to someplace where you can be self-sufficient and defend your land. But if you have a job and a family for crying out loud don't go running to the hills. And certainly don't buy this myth that the mountains of Montana or Idaho is going to be safe while everywhere else will be Armageddon. This is ludicrous and naive. Of course if I lived in Detroit I would be looking for a way out but most of the country is as safe as any of the country is. Let's not go off the deep end here......"

UrbanMan replies: If you were in Detroit, there would be alot of competition on the roads leading out of town. It is rapidly becoming a ghost town with a reported 50% of the urban schools now empty.

Anyway, let's say for sake of the argument that this double dip recession leads to hyper inflation with the dollar collapsing. With the resultant skyrocketing of commodities and fuel prices and the availability of those items declining, heading for the hills ain't going to make things better. Safer maybe from two legged threats, but unless you go into a community that is self sufficient then this is not an option and certainly not an option for the majority of Americans.

The sad fact is that things are probably not going to get better. I do not see Congress getting the big recession under control. I see the U.S. credit and bond rating falling taking the U.S. dollar out of World reserve currency status which will of course lead to hyper inflation and rising prices of commodities and fuels. Food is going to be expensive and less available. Fuel the same. No matter where you are at, you are going to have to consider what these threats mean to you. A lot of people are going to be layed off. The 50 million or so people on food stamps and other government assistance will not be able to live off of what the government gives them anymore, creating a pool of people, actually 1/6th of our population hungry and mad.

People will have to resort to family and community gardens just to provide some of what they need to eat. This of course if best done outside of Urban Areas. Best course of action fr people who are not familial restricted or bound to a certain geographical area is to re-locate to outside a small farming or other rural, agricultural based area. Maybe you are a Diesel Mechanic, EMT-Paramedic, Nurse, Doctor or have some other skills that would fit in to the community needs in order to turn a small paycheck and be within that support group,......survival is a team sport. Do you know just how much land it would take you to grow the crops to feed your family for a year, assuming you had the ability and materials to can goods?

I am not planning on getting out of the urban/suburban area I am presently in, unless a job opened up in a rural place I would like to go. I would have to intentionally leave the support system I have so carefully built over the years here. So I am not planning on heading to Mr Rawles' American Survival Redoubt area,....most of it is too cold for my tastes anyway and growing food year round would be very hard to do without having some large heated greenhouses.

Urban Survival Planning - Gold and Silver just an Anchor?

UrbanSurvivalSkills.com received a comment from Anonymous on the article Survival Planning - Validity of Gold/Silver in Trade or Barter....."I have purchased more gold and silver then you can carry, twice as much as you can carry. I held it for 20 years, no exaggeration. When prices went up I sold it and was so happy to get my money back and make a profit. Even so I could have made more if I had invested it or put it in CD's. A little gold or silver bought at a bargin price is insurance or even an investment. A lot of gold and silver at any price or a smaller amount at a high price is like an anchor."

UrbanMan replies: Have to disagree with you here for the most part. Sure, if you sink all of your available liquidity into Gold and Silver then it can become a problem several ways: finding vendors to cashing it in or accept it in trade in this current economy; or even moving and/or safeguarding a weighty amount.........unless your primary reason is that you have bought your Precious Metals in support of a collapse survival plan.

That's what I have bought my Silver for. Last month when Silver was briefly $50 an ounce, I could have sold all the silver I bought for less than $5 an ounce and made a 500% profit (someone please check my math!). However, I bought that silver and continued to buy small amounts over the years so I would have some way of purchasing necessary items when cash, or what we call fiat currency, failed.

But it certainly is interesting that some financial institutions and higher institutes of learning have taken physical possession of the PM's. In some cases that weight amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars of annual storage and security fees. Why would they do this if they felt Gold and Silver were an anchor? Why would they incur the storage and security costs unless they thought there was a possibility of not being able to take possession at a later date?

Just food for thought and of course all this depends upon one's definition of how much, weight wise, is enough,...or how much weight wise is too much to safeguard or transport. Certainly if you were located in your final Safe Location than storage in safes and hidden below ground caches would be an option.

Thanks for your comment and chance to think. After all, if we do not analyze the problems and develop workable solutions, considering the threats and the environment, then we have a good chance of missing something.

Urban Survival Planning - Another Portable Solar Solution, Guide 10 Power Pack

When most people think of solar power they envision larger solar panel's on roof tops providing power to lights or refrigerators. UrbanSurvivalSkills.com has written several times about the need to consider alternative power sources in depth, meaning having the capability to recharge and/or power items at your Safe location and on the move.

Power requirements in a base camp setting will be much bigger than when you are on the move simply because of size constraints and time restraints.

I have several solar power options. One large, really non-manportable (unless in a vehicle) solar power system that charges deep cycle batteries for use with a power inverter so 110/115v tools can be used and small appliances such as refrigerators can be powered.

My other man-portable solar charging systems is a fairly expensive (around $1,000) kit that I can carry in a Bug Out bag or a rucksack in order to charge radio, flashlight and lantern batteries when I am on foot.

UrbanSurvivalSkills.com recently found out about another small man-portable solar panel provider from a company called GOAL ZERO.

From their website, GOAL ZERO states they are innovators of portable solar power systems that power a variety of USB, AC and DC devices anywhere and at anytime. Providing a perfect blend of portability, power, and ease-of-use, GOAL ZERO products feature full solar energy systems -solar panels, power packs and accessories - each designed to work in concert with each other.

Guide 10 Power Pack
Guide 10 Power Pack is an Ultra-Lightweight USB solar charging system that fits in your pocket. Use as a single unit power pack to power your device or as a power source to recharge the batteries for use in AA or AAA battery powered devices. Recharge you cell phone 1-3 times per charge with the Guide 10 Power Pack. Charge up the Guide 10 Power Pack with the Nomad 7 Solar Panel in 1.5 hours or via USB in 6 hours.

The Guide 10 Power Pack consists of two components:

Guide 10 Battery Pack
- Charge AA/AAA batteries from the sun in 1.5 hrs with Nomad 7 solar panel
- Recharge your cell phone 1-3 times per charge
- Built-in LED flashlight that runs 20+ hours per charge
- Stores power for charging devices day or night
- Very small, about the size of a cell phone
- Can also charge via USB
- Includes 4 pack of AA rechargeable batteries
- AAA Battery insert available with AAA battery purchase

Nomad 7 (folding) Solar Panel
- Collect 7 watts of power from the sun
- Use solar power with USB or 12V devices
- Solar charge cell phone is 1 to 2 hours
- Protect devices with built-in pocket
- Foldable rugged design
- Weather resistant

Watch the video below to learn more about this manportable solar charging technology.



For more information contact:

Goal Zero
14864 Pony Express Road
Bluffdale, UT 84065
phone: 1.888.794.6250
e-mail: support@goalzero.com
web site: http://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/79/Guide-10-Adventure-Kit/1:1/

Survival Preparation - Getting Others to Prepare for the Collapse

I was listening to Glenn Beck this morning and a caller was asking for advice about his wife whose beliefs about the coming collapse were described as “ostrich like” – meaning she was putting her head in the sand. The caller said that when he mentioned to his wife about buying additional food or maybe buying some precious metals she would freak out.

The caller also asked Glenn Beck how he can get his wife to see the need to prepare. Glenn said something to the effect that “how can anyone not see what’s coming?” – a rhetorical question to be sure. He then further asked the caller if his wife had any friends that saw the future the way the caller did. When the caller replied yes, Glenn then suggested he get the friends to help get the wife to see the aspect of “preparing for the worst, hoping for the best”.

When your wife or family doesn’t want to listen to your perspective on Survival prepping, this is called “There is No Expert in the Village” syndrome. Where because of the simple fact you are so close to your family and friends, they think you cannot possibly know much more than them. It doesn’t help your credibility for them to have seen you crap faced drunk on occasion (come on that’s a joke).

But what is not a joke is that if your family and friends do not prepare they will be a burden on you come collapse time. Plus if you cannot get your immediate family to see the need to prepare, even just a little, then it could even lead to a break up of the family unit. I have a friend who follows what I say,....he bought an M-4 carbine and his wife freaked out. They are currently separated and heading for divorce court where I’m sure the wife will paint her soon to be ex-husband as a Survivalist Loon.

If you have a wife or even close family members who are in the "denying the coming collapse camp", then you need to be in a careful hurry to get them to see the light. Short papers or conversations on facts, and short videos may work the best. This is called “Dripping”. Sometimes if make take five, ten, maybe 20 drips for your intended audience to say “tell me more”. This may seem like a chore, but it is absolutely critical that you get the immediate family on board and build a survival team with your close family, close friends and even neighbors.

I recently got a close friend of mine not only interested in prepping but on a frenzied pace to prepare. All I did was call him up and say “Hey buddy, I know you go camping often, can you use a case of MRE’s that will expire in 6 months?” He replied “Heck yes, I would love a case of MRE's. Why are you giving them up?” I told him “I bought a bunch more long term food and am trying to make room.” He asked “Why are you buying a bunch of food?” and I simply said “mainly for insurance, but lately I’ve been thinking I’m going to need it.” He asked why and I went into some financial factors indicating a coming collapse,.....then I said, “on a lesser extent preparing for bad things such as terrorist nuclear events or pandemics is a good idea also.”

So I drop the MRE’s off and have lunch with this friend of mine where he proceded to ask me a laundry list of questions pertaining to survival prep....stocking food, building Bug Out Bags, buying cold weather gear, developing power supplies during a infrastructure collapse, etc. He had did some research on his own and he was prompted by “fear of loss or fear of being left behind” by me NOT trying to convince him. I then let him in on the fact that this website was mine - he was floored which even add fuel to his prep fire. The good news is that my friend is more than an avid gun collector,...he has a Class III license, owning some belt fed weapons, and many others. So he doesn’t have to prepare for that aspect. And in fact, part of my strategy on getting him focused on survival preparation was that he can be a big asset, as I can to him, when the collapse comes.

So if you’re having problems getting people to listen to you may try the short survival prep drips,...remember that there is no expert in the village,…use the fear of loss/being left behind concept. Some recent facts that can help are posted on the fuel price signs at your local gas station! with no reduction in price on the horizon; commodities such as Gold, Corn, Cotton and Sugar up 60%, 78%, 43% and 164% respectively in the last 12 months; Food stamp recipients up 35%; number of people in poverty up to 43.6 million an increase of almost 10%; and most importantly the National debt up 32% to a level that cannot be fixed – yes we are heading for at least an economic collapse.

Good luck, prepare well and preach preparedness to the extent you are willing to compromise your OPSEC.

Preparing Now and Talking to People

Tim Ralston has left a new comment on the "Survival Planning - Inflation Likely to Drive Food Prices Up" post,...When it comes to emergency preparedness, most people I talk to think that nothing will ever happen to them - so why should I bother? It drives me NUTS - but I know I am not nuts. As a father of 3 small children, I have always tried to protect and provide for all their immediate and future necessities.

We have grown up in the age of consumerism and take for granted that there will always be food on the shelves. But in this economy, it will only take a small natural disaster, declaration of hyper-inflation, a truckers strike or possibly a shortage of water or gas to empty the stores shelves within hours. Just look what happened in Boston! Read it here: http://survivalist-hub.blogspot.com/

Now, I can sleep in peace! I love having the peace of mind, the feeling of being empowered-- that my family and I are covered with the necessary emergency food, and survival supplies for the next 20 years at TODAYS prices for what ever comes our way.

Tim sounds like he has a good understanding of what he faces. Many more people need to get on board and quickly. A trip yesterday to the grocery store revealed that many commodities are way up in price, especially vegetables. Fuel is up in my area 22 cents in two weeks. The Fed wants to infuse more cash,...that's a nice way of saying "printing more money", and is pushing the Government to pass another stimulus bill. Spending ourselves into prosperity doesn't work for families,...it's not going to work for this Country.

Always wanted to keep this site apolitical despite my conservative views,...but the cliff we are heading for is nasty. If you watch Glenn Beck, you'll hear him say "Buy clothes, buy food, buy gold and silver." Hell even George Soros, who is a billionaire and makes his living bankrupting countries and pushing a one world government is buying Gold like mad.

We need to do something each and everyday. Yesterday for me was restocking the pantry for immediate use foods. Today I bought some more "AA" LED lanterns,...it is hard to beat a portablel solar power to 12v battery to AA/AAA battery charger and power inverter for small power needs. I think AA/AAA batterys are going to be so important. I use them for flashlights, radios, lanterns, and scanners and cannoot do without them. I also bought a couple more 8x10 foot green tarps - which I'll spray with a light brown vinyl paint, and I bought some small packaged thermal underwear kits for our emergency extra clothing kit bags.

Back to Tim's comment: Yes, it is aggravating to try and tell people about the need to prep. And yes, a lot of them will think you are nuts, but you never know you try and talk to them. I talk to people for several reasons: 1 - get them to prepare for their own good and 2 - the better they are prepared, the lesser burden they will be on me, my family and my survival group.

I talked to a guy just two days ago and was surprised that he said words to the effect "that I was thinking about what I would do if everything crapped out. I have plenty of guns, but not alot of food." So I wrote down a couple websites for him to go to and gave him a copy of "Patriots",..in fact, what brought the conversation up was that he picked up "Patriots" from a chair and asked what this book was about. I'll give him a copy of "One Second After" to read once he returns "Patriots".

Anyway, this is my rant for the day.

The Dollar Meltdown and the Looming Financial Crisis

Yesterday I had a conversation with several people who just did not understand what inflation and the devaluation of the dollar on the world stage meant to them and their stability and survival. I told them I would get some short pieces of information together, but in the mean time to take a few moments and consider what sky rocketing prices of commodities means to them and their families.

Imagine all manner of foods we take for granted to be on store shelves not only costing hundreds of percent more, but becoming scarce. What are the tens of millions, if not over a hundred million, people who live hand to mouth going to do when they can no longer even afford simple foods?

When the Fed announced they were monetizing the debt and printing more money to buy government debt, I immediately ordered two more cases of long term storage food and finally bought the backup .308 rifle that I have been wanting.

On my immediate list (buy this week) are additional boots for my family. What are your plans?




For those of you really into the "why's" and "what for's" of the coming collapse of the dollar, you may find these books valuable.

Survival Planning - Inflation Likely to Drive Food Prices Way Up

Most of you are already keeping track of the soaring prices of Gold and Silver, of course caused by the Fed's decision to print more money to buy U.S. Debt that nobody else will buy,...not even China who already holds massive amount of U.S. Debt.

The following is a article from the National Inflation Association that projects a large increase in U.S. food prices. And of course, Food, gold, silver won;t be the only things increasing,...fuel, commodities,...EVERYTHING will go up except your salary to keep pace. This my friends will also create shortages, increase the have not and have separation and likely set the stage for a economical collapse.

The NIA Article of 5 Nov 2010:

The National Inflation Association today announced the release of its report about NIA's projections of future U.S. food price increases due to the massive monetary inflation being created by the Federal Reserve's $600 billion quantitative easing. This report was written by NIA's President Gerard Adams, who believes food inflation will take over in 2011 as America's greatest crisis. According to Mr. Adams, making mortgage payments will soon be the last thing on the minds of all Americans. We currently have a currency crisis that could soon turn into hyperinflation and a complete societal collapse.

"For every economic problem the U.S. government tries to solve, it always creates two or three much larger catastrophes in the process," said Adams. "Just like we predicted this past December, the U.S. dollar index bounced in early 2010 and has been in free-fall ever since. Bernanke's QE2 will likely accelerate this free-fall into a complete U.S. dollar rout," warned Adams.

NIA projects that at the average U.S. grocery store it will soon cost $11.43 for one ear of corn, $23.05 for a 24 oz loaf of wheat bread, $62.21 for a 32 oz package of Domino Granulated Sugar, $24.31 for a 32 fl oz container of soy milk, $77.71 for a 11.30 oz container of Folgers Classic Roast Coffee, $45.71 for a 64 fl oz container of Minute Maid Orange Juice, and $15.50 for a Hershey's Milk Chocolate 1.55 oz candy bar. NIA also projects that by the end of this decade, a plain white men's cotton t-shirt at Wal-Mart will cost $55.57.

The report highlights how despite cotton rising by 54%, corn rising by 29%, soybeans rising by 22%, orange juice rising by 17%, and sugar rising by 51% during the months of September and October alone, these huge commodity price increases have yet to make their way into America's grocery stores because corporations have been reluctant to pass these price increases along to the consumer. In today's dismal economy, no retailer wants to be the first to dramatically raise food prices. However, NIA expects all retailers to soon substantially raise food prices at the same time, which will ensure that this Holiday shopping season will be the worst in recorded American history.

Survival Chronicles of Jim – Chapter 12

Continuing my Urban Survival Preparation with Survival Gear and Equipment procurement, I ordered and received two Motorola MR350 FRS/GMRS radios and charger. Although I preferred to have FRS radios that worked on replaceable AA batteries so I could simplify my power supplies through recharging the AA batteries with my 12v Energizer vehicle charger, these radio came with re-chargeable batteries. I can charge the batteries, in a crisis, using a 12v to 110/115v vehicle inverter which I’ll need to buy.

Before my son left for college, when he was in middle school through high school, I was in the habit of putting all my change in a glass jar for him. Once a year or so he would take the coins to the bank and convert to paper money. I have continued to do that but the glass jar has grown to several containers. A few days ago I emptied out the jar and found six pre-’65 Roosevelt dimes, four pre-’65 Washington Quarters and eleven post-’64 Kennedy Half Dollars.

Using the Silver Coin Melt Value Calculator from http://www.silvercoinstoday.com, I determined that the Roosevelt dimes were worth $7.98 (from a $0.60 face value); the Washington Quarters worth $13.30 (from a $1.00 face value); and, the Kennedy Half Dollars worth $29.92 (from a $5.50 face value). Wow! Now I have over $50 in melt value of silver coins to add to the 10 one-ounce Silver Rounds I just bought for close to $200.

I am going to re-double my efforts to look at every coin that passes through my hands,...maybe I can find some more old Silver coins valuable for their silver melt value.

I also went to COSTCO and bought three 50 lb bags of dog food, two 10 lb bags of rice, and two cases each of Green Beans, Peas, Dinty Moore Beef Stew and Campbell's Vegetable Soup. As I finish up each case or bag, I’ll replace it so I always have a supply on hand. Remember it’s just me. Although Neomi may end up staying with me in the immediate aftermath of a collapse, my Urban Survival Plan includes Bugging Out to the family cabin in the mountains.

I still plan on buying some more dehydrated food, mainly fruit and powered eggs, from EarthWaveLiving.

Be ready.

Urban Survival Planning – Losing Focus and Fighting Complacency

It is easy to get caught up in your day job and life and lose focus on your Urban Survival Planning.

You’ve got to stay focused my friends. Do not let the talking heads on television or cable news lull you into a false sense of security telling you the economy is getting better, the threat of recession has passed, etc.

The best way to stay focused is to build an Urban Survival Tasks List. Start by writing a list on everything you need to do and all the Survival Gear and Equipment you need to procure. This is going to be a “living” document, as many tasks will be added and some even crossed off. You can prioritize these tasks and the easiest way to do this is to assign a priority number such as 1 – immediate tasks, 2 – near term tasks, 3 – long term tasks. Sometimes the circumstances may allow you to fulfill or complete a long term task before you can get to a near term or immediate task.

These may be simple tasks such as buying Silver rounds or collecting Silver coins for their silver melt value; could be tasks (or re-occuring tasks) such as firearms or tool maintenance; or could be larger tasks requiring a commitment of money such as to procure another firearms or a an expensive item of Survival Gear or Equipment.

Maybe one of your tasks is to read a survival book either a “how to” or a fictionalized account on survival, such as “Patriots” or “Lights Out”. Maybe the only thing you get done that day is to read a Chapter. That’s fine, at least you’re moving forward and rest assured that even if you are just thinking about Urban Survival Planning and Preparation you are still ahead of the vast majority of the American population.

But don't rest here. Just being ahead of the vast majority of the American population is going to be of little solace when a collapse hits and catches you unprepared or less than optimally prepared. Instead, ask yourself each day “what have I done today to get better prepared”? Work your list. Review it each day. Add tasks as necessary. Get Prepared!

Survival Chronicles of Jim – Chapter 1

My name is Jim and I must admit that prior to meeting these guys who call themselves the “Survival Cadre”, I would have defined survival as making it through Christmas dinner at my ex-wife’s, and would have defined preparation as having two days worth of snacks at the house during football weekends.

I’m a computer programmer by trade and my work brought me in contact with two of the survival cadre who work for a Federal Law Enforcement Agency. I would often find myself in the fringes of conversations about guns, repelling home invasions and preparing for some sort of infrastructure failure. Got me thinking, they did.

Living in a fairly secluded cul-de-sac near the center of a large metropolitan area I soon took their advice and bought a gun. $350 dollars later I was the proud owner of my first gun, a twenty two caliber Semi-Automatic Handgun with a couple of spare magazines. A concealed carry class soon followed with practice draws and magazine changes at my house in the evenings. I live alone, not counting my rather large dog, which I am told is another step towards personal protection – a living alarm system.

I intend to write posts for this site, in a semi organized Chapter format, as I become mentored and coached towards a better prepared lifestyle with a much higher survival quotient. I think about my next steps as the “Survival Cadre” coach me in my options and possible survival situations. I’m not necessarily buying into the total Armageddon concept, but I do see their point as storms and floods degrade the South California infrastructure and make many residents dependant upon themselves, as well as the recent earthquake in Haiti depicting looting and anarchy in that country.

I have been asked to imagine large banking failures and high inflation creating another Great Depression and to determine what preparations, survival equipment and skills I may find not only handy but vital in a situation where a large section of the population is unemployed and hungry; gas supply short and lines long, and, food expensive and getting short of supply.

Follow me as I learn survival skills, procure survival gear and make plans for my survival.