Comments for American Survival Blog

Comment on So Socialism Doesn’t Work After All: Dow Below 9000, Hang Seng Down 8%, Asian Stocks Worst Week on Record by Stocks and Bonds » Blog Archive » So Socialism Doesn’T Work After All: Dow Below 9000, Hang Seng …

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:17:01 +0000

[...] Yesterday in the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell below 9000 for the first time since 2003. BHP Billiton Ltd. lost 7.2 percent after crude oil declined to the lowest in a year. “Investors are pricing in a reasonably significant …[Continue Reading] [...]

Comment on So Socialism Doesn’t Work After All: Dow Below 9000, Hang Seng Down 8%, Asian Stocks Worst Week on Record by Bailout » Blog Archive » So Socialism Doesn’T Work After All: Dow Below 9000, Hang Seng …

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:07:51 +0000

[...] The Dow Jones Industrial fell 678.91 points or 7.33%, to 8579.19, the broad S&P 500 dropped 75.02 points, or 7.62%, to 909.92 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 95.21 points, or 5.47%, to 1645.12. The consumer-friendly FOX 50 dropped 54.54 …[Continue Reading] [...]

Comment on Gold: The Sucker’s Bet for Long Term Survival by Rob Taylor

Rob Taylor — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:20:08 +0000

Exactly. People who purchased gold at $1000 an ounce were just hit with a $50 or so loss. Gold hording is just a simplistic form of commodity trading that targets investors who make decisions based on apocalyptic fantasy.

If you’re thinking the world is going to end, ammo and toilet paper is the way to go.

Comment on Gold: The Sucker’s Bet for Long Term Survival by InfoJunky

InfoJunky — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:14:31 +0000

I agree with you 100% on this post. If you look at historic averages for gold you’ll see that $1 worth of gold purchased in 1890 is worth $1 today adjusted for inflation. As you can see, the value of the gold doesn’t actually increase. It’s just a good hedge against inflation.

Gold will have a sharp decline after the recession panic settles down. I wouldn’t want to have a bunch of it put away when this happens. Gold is nothing but a gamble right now. At some point the hype will die away and a lot of people are going to be left out in the cold.

Gold is overvalued at this point and stocks are undervalued. Buy low and sell high, don’t buy high and hope it goes higher. I’m, at this point, putting my money in stocks that are getting slammed because of recession fears.

Comment on How to Survive a Sinking Vehicle by Jenn

Jenn — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 14:54:01 +0000

Good point, John. Thanks for bringing that up. Electric windows can continue to work under water for a short time, and trying windows first is something people should train themselves to remember in a vehicle submersion situation.

However, I’ve had enough odd electrical problems with my cars over the years that I would not rely solely on electrical systems that may be waterlogged or have sustained physical damage on impact.

Comment on How to Survive a Sinking Vehicle by John K.

John K. — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 11:37:58 +0000

I’ve also seen (where they tested this on Mythbusters) that electric windows work for several minutes, often longer, even after the car is fully submerged.

Comment on S&W Emergency Survival Kits: Good Buy or Kitsch in a Can? by Rob Taylor

Rob Taylor — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 23:03:17 +0000

That’s a good point. I live near the Hudson now, but I’m moving a few hours inland. Those who are on the coast or are near a big river should invest in sailing lessons and a boat if they can afford it. Finding a sea worthy ship in good condition is out of my price range though.

The water filter’s a great idea, I tend to go simpler and carry water purification tablets and a eye dropper bottle of bleach. Each can clean up the water in my area well, but I’ve heard in other regions those things don’t kill all the bugs that can hurt you.

Comment on S&W Emergency Survival Kits: Good Buy or Kitsch in a Can? by Just A Guy

Just A Guy — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 05:26:56 +0000

I agree with your assessment of Colt’s “survival” kit. Wrong gun, wrong stuff.
You’ve covered the weapon discussion, so I’ll skip that. I think a kit should include a good portable hand pump water filter and spare cartridge. If a true TEOTWAWKI situation ever happens, the kit should include directions about how to operate a sailboat. The ocean has everything needed to survive for a long, long time…and sailboats don’t require fuel. Also, being on a sailboat in the ocean eliminates the need to protect oneself from predators of all types. Blue Water Cruisers are typically outfitted to generate their own electricity and fresh water using wind energy for indefinite periods of time.