world according to jim

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JIM
After a firestorm of criticism leveled by one or two disgruntled readers and the many answers to them by my loyal minions, I felt that perhaps instead of being small minded malcontents just like me they were just not educated with my worldview. A lot of times I might not make myself clear if I am consciously or even sub-consciously assuming you have read my writing before. I might assume you know where I’m coming from. I know it is dangerous to assume. So perhaps if I laid out a menu of my basic survival commandments there will be less misunderstandings. Of course, there might not be as next month a new reader sees something that offends him and we have to start over. So here is the world according to Jim. If I forgot one or two, let me know. I might be skipping a tree or two looking at the forest.
*
WHEAT. I advocate storing wheat for a survival pantry. A years supply of wheat is only about $80 plus containers if you buy from a feed and grain store. Assumes $20 per hundred pounds, one pound a day for about 1500 calories. I know that this is an incomplete diet and you need a protein source. It would be far better to add a bean to this to get a complete protein. However, for those that are dirt poor this is better than no food storage at all. Better a years supply of incomplete protein than six months of a complete one. Assuming a social collapse. If all you are preparing for is a few weeks supply disruption you can just overstock on canned goods. I harp on wheat but only because I’m advocating as much food as possible as cheaply as possible.
*
BOLT ACTION RIFLES. From the standpoint of social collapse when ammunition disappears only bolt actions will stretch out your ammunition supply. I only call for war surplus because I think a bayonet is important and they can stand up to more abuse than hunting rifles. And only bolts can supply a full size round so cheaply. I know semi-auto is better. They give you much more flexibility and can save your life. But frugal preppers can’t afford five times the ammo or the rifle cost plus magazines. And I know most people live back East and the terrain is better suited for carbines instead of battle rifles. But I assume it is better to have too much gun than not enough. And I know it is far better to have more than one kind of gun, but again, if you are poor you take what you can get.
*
TRAILER. I understand most people hate the thought of living in a trailer. They are very small and poorly insulated. Other than a few years while married to The Most Evil One when I lived in an apartment, for the last twenty years I have lived in only trailers or mobile homes. I prefer the trailers since you don’t lose anything if a mobile home park closes and you have nowhere to move the mobile to. Too many people lose their investment that way. But I have never cared about what kind of shelter I live in, as long as it keeps the rain off my head and I can stay somewhat comfortable. When I implore you to live in one I realize I am projecting my preferences. But it is the cheapest and fastest way to provide a half way decent shelter for yourself.
*
CHEAP LAND. Cheap land has almost nothing going for it. It is miles from town and has no utilities anywhere close to it. It is generally in a less than desirable area. The water table is too far down or employment is non-existent or the road to it is in bad shape. But it gives you a place to legally park. Even if it can’t produce food, at least a banker can’t repo it. I know some folks have relatives to go stay with. Even better, that is your support group. Just position beforehand bulk food to help feed them as your admission ticket. But for those on their own, this is the ultimate legal squat and retirement haven.
*
POLITICS. I think the Libertarians are too soft on government. I believe we should have none at all. I think the Republicans are fascist and the Democrats are communists. But I also think it is okay to go on welfare ( yes, even Social Security even if I rant against the recipients ). The system is so far gone and so hooked on inflation that anyone getting benefits can’t harm anything at all. It is not like it used to be when a welfare draw meant an increase in taxes. You might as well take advantage as the ship is sinking. Just don’t become too dependant on them, use as a help only.
*
FRUGAL LIVING. One reader complained frugal living is a sign of failure. As if not making a lot of cash is a failure. In my eyes, not making much cash is a sign of success. I am living as stress free as possible and cutting back on my reliance to Greenbacks. I can be flexible when I am suddenly unemployed. I can have much more material goods for far less money. I look at non-tangible rewards as better than cash. Leisure time, lack of health robbing stress. Not being targeted for theft. Being satisfied with less. Not having material goods needing my attention.
*
LOW WAGE JOB. Again, why hurt yourself at working is other things are more important to you. I would rather enjoy a sunrise than an extra couple of bucks working overtime. But more importantly than leisure is flexibility. I can move anywhere and find employment. I don’t have to stress about job outsourcing. Or factory closures. I can move to a more survival friendly area if desired. Or one with better weather. Or be close to family. I am not tied to an undesirable area because the job is there.
*
HARMFULL ADVICE. I don’t think any of my advice harms anyone. If nothing happens you still have a toolkit in case of future disasters. All at very low cost. If you move away from a perceived threat and nothing happens, what is the worse that can happen? You save money again and move back where you were. Sure, you might dump assets and not be able to recoup them, but after a certain point with any advice you can take things too far. That is on you. I am not telling anyone to overthrow the government or acquire fully automatic weapons. I am just advising to live cheaper, to stockpile the cheaper alternatives. I try to highlight all the negatives, but I also can’t foresee everything. As you are mauled by rabid dogs you might curse me for advising against semi-autos, but at least you saved money and can afford that first aid kit if you survive.
*
NO CAR. Long before Peak Oil became a consideration, I hated cars because of the massive expense they represented. Hard to live frugal if you have a car expense. Hard to retire on Social Security while paying on a SUV. Peak Oil just makes a further case against cars. Sure, own one if you must. I own the Hippy Bread Van, a cheap step van doubling as my emergency shelter. But I don’t depend on it for transportation, just as homeless insurance. A car should be viewed as a luxury, not as a necessity. That opens up a lot more options to you.
*
SARCASM. I am sarcastic, I know. Much more than I used to be. I’m becoming a surly old fart. But I just entered middle age, so know that I have many decades left to get any worse. But know that I can be sarcastic to make a point and yet still like that person. I dig on Survival Blog, but they have a lot of good information. I solidified my views on where my retreat will be because of Rawles advice and insights. I rag on some of the views, especially the need for expensive solutions, but there is also good advice. So take the sarcasm for what it is, a tool to make a point.
*
ARMCHAIR COMMANDO. I lot of what I write about I have done. Some I have not. I try to always be clear to you on those things I am passing along as theory. Some are a hybrid such as when I tell you to live on the retreat but I have not yet done so. I have the land and the equipment but stay where I am at present to be near family. It is still good advice even if I haven’t followed it completely. Or, I own equipment but have never tried it, such as the Zip stove. I know, bad habit. I’m only close to perfect, just not quite there yet. I am not God, just a minor diety. Never claim the top spot or you might be struck with a bolt of lightning. Seriously, I try to stay humble and just present the facts. That is why I like criticism, to keep me honest. But remember, constructive only please. Only I am allowed to be sarcastic.
END
www.bisonpress.com for e-books,samples, address,Amazon books