Read a Book!

Happy Forgetful Frugal Friday!

It has been stated multiple times that knowledge is power, and that the more you know how to do, the less you have to carry. Both are ideas that I believe in.

On the internet, he world's freest information resource is fraught with landmines like fake news, irresponsible videos (not us, of course! 😉 ) sensationalistic clickbait and misleading infogrpahics. However, another information powerhouse is available in every community, and it's free!

That's right, it's your local public Library. So get over there, prowl around the shelves looking for new and innovative ideas and skills, and check out some books.

My first recommendation is Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.

Emergency Rations Test #4: Grizzly Gear

Grizzly Gear Emergency Rations are a new-to-me brand, but I added them to the batch because they were in the same price range as the other brands I was ordering. This is the fourth brand tested with one more to go in this series; if there are any other brands any of you would like to see tested, please let me know in the comments here or on our Facebook page and I'll see about setting up another series of tests in the near future.

I tested these the same way I am testing all of the various emergency rations: by using them to replace a meal or two during my spring hectic period at work. I'm out in a field or driving a truck for 12-14 hours a day (when it's not raining) and have to pack a lunch anyway, so this is an easy test for me. Having something quick and easy to eat comes in handy, even if it's not an emergency -- I can be lazy when it comes to food.

Information

Photo my own work

• This one is a 3600 Calorie bar that is scored into 9 pieces of 400 Calories each. By eating 3 pieces a day, it will provide 1200 Calories per day for 3 days.
• The ingredients are fairly simple: flour, vegetable oil, sugar, corn starch, corn syrup, flavor, color, and preservatives.
• This is one of the few brands that doesn't use palm oil, if that is a concern for you.
• No soy, dairy, or nuts, but it is wheat-based for those who have wheat or gluten issues.
• USCG approved, so it meets the temperature and shelf-life requirements.
• The nutritional content is from the enriched flour and meets the USRDA of several vitamins and minerals.
• Halal and Kosher, this brand is suitable for giving to people with religious dietary restrictions.
• I bought my test product through Amazon for $11.95 which breaks down to about $4.00 per day or $1.33 per piece. You can get them for less from the manufacturer/distributor by buying them in cases of ten for $64.99 ($6.50 per pack, which makes it $2.17 per day or $0.72 per meal) if you can catch them in stock. That's cheaper than a meal at any fast-food restaurant I know!

Testing

• The package was tougher than some of the other brands and difficult to tear open. This also means that it is less likely to lose its vacuum seal due to accidental punctures.
• The pack I received was manufactured two months before I got it, so it still had its full five-year shelf life left.
• The scoring on the bar was deeper than that on the E.R. Bar I reviewed two weeks ago, making it easier to break evenly into more uniform pieces.
• The flavor was a light lemon, sweet and palatable.
• Not dry or thirst-provoking and it held together well.
• The pieces weren't as filling as some of the other brands.
• There were clumps of granulated sugar in some of the pieces, evidence that the recipe wasn't mixed well enough.

Verdict

• This one falls in the middle of the pack. The flavor and texture were good, but this ration bar meets the definition of the “$10.00 cookie”.
• For a 72-hour pack or life-boat ration it would work well, but there isn't anything that really stands out about it.
• I liked the quality packaging, but it could be improved by the addition of a resealable closure.
• I was not impressed by biting into semi-solid chunks of granulated sugar as I was trying to eat the pieces. Quality control seems to be a rare commodity these days.
• I can only recommend buying this brand if  I also give the caveat that it is neither the cheapest nor the best. It will work, but the makers need to fix their mixers.

Prudent Prepping: Passing The Torch

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Follow along as I build a long term plan via Prudent Prepping.

In my last few posts, I've talked about visiting my son and his wife in their home for the first time. I bought him an 80% lower that we finished together, and then we had some fun just talking and hanging out.

While I was there, we talked about safety and disasters they face in their area. Tornadoes are rare, but not unknown, and ice storms, snow and high winds are what usually cause problems. My son camps and goes 4-wheeling with an off-road club, so they have some supplies, but nowhere enough for a prolonged power outage or other disaster.

I suggested starting simple.

Starting Out
While I did mention looking at "Some Guy's" posts on 72 Hour planning, I suggested starting at the beginning and reading everyone's posts and the different perspectives to prepping people have.

Lokidude and Chaplin Tim cover vehicle preps (too many to link) along with many other preps; Erin brings the Gun Blog Variety Podcast while wearing the Jill-of-All-Trades, Editrix and Chief Cat Herder hat; Evelyn Hively, OkieRio, Firehand and The Discerning Shootist bring even more and different sets of skills to the group.

That being said, I wanted the first thing for my son to build is a Get Home Bag for each vehicle. These posts are where I want him to start, and adapt his gear to his situation.

• Chaplin Tim talked about bags here
• Evelyn started a discussion here (well, slightly before, but it really got interesting at part 2)
• Erin tweaks her gear regularly, with first aid always on her mind.

There are some core items in everyone's bags.

Must Haves

• Food: Whether stuck at work or on the road home, something quick and easy to fix is best. Personal taste and budget will influence what is bought. 
• Water: Bottled and or some way to purify water, like a Sawyer Mini Filter or similar. 
• Fire: Useful for heating your food, staying warm or signalling your location.
• Pot/Pan and Stove: A way to heat food and hold it above the fire. 
• Weather Protection: This varies by location and season. This can be a permanent addition to a bag like a poncho, or as simple as an emergency 'space blanket'. 
• First Aid Kit: This can be as simple, or as elaborate, as your training allows. 

All of the listed points have each of us choosing slightly different products to fill their needs, with no one doing it 'wrong', just a bunch of personal 'right' ways to do it.

Home Preps
As I said, my son camps and has some food in his house, but not enough to be secure if power is out or the roads are blocked for too long. He is on the way to building a good base.

Must Haves

• Food: 72 hours worth (minimum) for each person. 
• Water: 72 hours worth, and a way to filter more if needed. 
• Pet Carriers: The two cats may need to be confined if there is damage to the house.
• Emergency Repairs: This is a good start on basic supplies. 
• Tent: An extra shelter if the house is too damaged to occupy.

He owns a 4-wheel drive truck and is a skilled driver in difficult situations, so I don't worry about him in bad weather. His wife is also experienced with bad weather driving.

Reading the links will give him info that will guide him in doing what is right for his situation.

I am very proud of the decisions he has made and how he is living his life.

The Takeaway

• Plan for your local disaster, be flexible in what you do, and be open to teaching. 
• Start small, start easy, and build from your foundation of knowledge. 

The Recap

• Nothing was purchased this week or replaced in my stores.

If you plan on buying anything through Amazon, please consider using our referral link. When you do, a portion of the sale comes back here to help keep this site running!
If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.

How I Know What I Know

I don't have money... but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. -- Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), Taken, 2008

I fix a lot of things for people, both professionally and in my personal life. Very frequently, folks are amazed that I have these skills and want to know how I learned them. Honestly, acquiring skills is a skill itself, and is one well worth focusing some time on.

There are three basic routes to learning and developing skills:

Find a Mentor
Mentors are the traditional method of passing along skills from generation to generation. Much of this comes in the form of parents teaching children, but other mentors can greatly open your skill set.

My dad taught me most of what I know about fixing things, general construction, camping and fishing. My scout leaders greatly expanded on my camping and bushcraft skills. My friend Kevin taught me how to hunt and track, and our own Firehand has taught me a lot about metalworking.

Finding a mentor can be a bit intimidating, especially as an adult, but joining a club or hobbyist organization for the skills you want to learn makes finding mentors much easier. You can also reach out to friends who have the skills you seek.

Take a Class
Formal classes are an easy way to learn new skills. These classes can range from professional and trade instruction to basic skill overviews. Community colleges, gear and equipment retailers, and enthusiast groups all are known to offer classes in useful skills.

The downside of class work is that it often has an associated price tag. It also cannot provide the one-on-1 focused instruction of a mentor.

Learn Through Independent Study
The third way I've acquired skills is through independent learning. This is also known as Reading The Freakin' Manual (RTFM). Books, schematic diagrams, and videos are great for teaching very specific, niche skills. When I need to take the door panel off my truck or something similar, YouTube has step-by-step videos so that I don't destroy things in the process. When I'm working on a device I've never disassembled before, a schematic drawing makes sure all the parts go back where they belong. Reference books are available for almost any topic, and can teach new methods and techniques even for skills you already have. All of the BCP crew are library types, because there is a wealth of knowledge in books.

Learning something is a skill. Practice it!

Lokidude

Gun Blog Variety Podcast #146 - The Jesus Number

Three contributors are on assignment this week. You'd think that would make for a short podcast, right? Not to worry, Erin fills the time with an Epic Rant.

• Beth, Barron, and Tiffany are all on assignment this week.
• A shooting somehow *leads to* violence on I-40. Sean helps you figure out how that's possible.
• It’s getting hot out there. Miguel uses his vast personal knowledge of heat injuries to tell you how to avoid suffering in the summer heat.
• In the Main Topic, Erin talks about Christianity, Pacifism, and "The Jesus Number".
• Last week was so much fun, and the Demanding Mommies' protest at the NRAAM was so long, that Weer'd gives us Week Two of his Protest Audio Fisk.
• And our plug of the week is Anova Culinary Bluetooth Sous Vide Precision Cooker. Yes, Sean is plugging cooking equipment. But in his defense, A) John Doughty recommended it to him, and B) Sean's wife really likes it.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and subscribing. You are subscribed, right? We are available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, and Google Play Music!

Listen to the podcast here.

Read the show notes here.

Thanks to LuckyGunner and Remington for their sponsorship, and a special thanks to Firearms Policy Coalition for their support.

Blue Collar Prepping Transcript -

Event Preparation for Leaders

I don’t really have much to say on this topic, since I’ve been scrambling to find a new venue for the Free Community Seminar, but I’ve certainly learned a few things from what happened to me and I’ll implement these the next time I try to run something:

One: Thoroughly investigate ANY venue where Operation Blazing Sword plans to hold an event, to determine if they might find our politics objectionable.

Two: EXPLICITLY STATE that we are both pro-gun and pro-LGBTQ to the venue owners, because we can’t trust them to figure it out on their own in a timely fashion, or to keep their word if they find us objectionable.

Three: Do not advertise the event unless points One and Two have been checked off.

Four: Don’t have the venue be the sole point of contact for people making reservations. I don’t know how many people have tried to reserve a spot after FCCWP decided not to host, but I rather expect they won’t refer those people to me, but will instead say “We aren’t hosting the event” and hang up.

Five: Consider having our corporate lawyer draw up a quick contract, so that if the venue backs out on little to no notice, there is a penalty. I don’t know how well this will work, as suing a church rarely ends well, but just having a written penalty clause might reduce the chances of broken promises.

Six: Always, always, ALWAYS have a backup venue ready to go on short notice. I’m scrambling right now because, to be honest, I don’t trust churches any more; any LGBTQ-friendly church is likely to be politically anti-gun. At this point I’m going to find a secular venue.

And that’s all I have for this week. If it’s any consolation, I wrote about three pages of notes for the Main Topic.

The Steady Strap: an (almost) $5 Solution to Terrorism

Holy Cow! It's time for another Forgetful Frugal Friday!

This week I've gone old-school with some out-of-the-box thinking in regards to long distance shooting with your handgun.

Terrorism here at home is a legitimate concern, and being able to respond, whether it is to run or fight, is a valuable asset for everyone. However, folding stock AR pistols, EVO Scorpions, and Sig MPX's are not available to everyone. And even if they are, they really a marketing solution in search of a problem sometimes.

So how does a concealed carrier defend against terrorists and other bad guys at great distance with a handgun?

I present to you the Steady Strap from Cylinder and Slide! For just $5.95, this handy little thing helps you create a much stabler shooting platform with your concealed carry pistol by incorporating the SAS Sling Method into your handgun.



Check out the video, and in a couple of weeks I will demonstrate using it, it so be sure to check out my Youttube channel.

Emergency Rations Test #3: Datrex Bars

Datrex Bars have been around for years; the company was founded in 1970. I recall seeing them advertised decades ago and had fairly high expectations for this brand. Generally, a product doesn't stay on the market this long unless it is suitable for the intended purpose.

I tested these the same way I am testing all of the various emergency rations, by using them to replace a meal or two during my spring hectic period at work. I'm out in a field or driving a truck for 12-14 hours a day (when it's not raining) and have to pack a lunch anyway, so this is an easy test for me.

Information

• Datrex sells their rations in two packages, white and blue.
• Each blue pack contains 18 small bars that are individually shrink-wrapped inside a foil and plastic bag. The white packs contain 12 bars, wrapped the same way. The bars are each about the size of a hotel bar of soap, or two Zippo lighters side by side.
• I bought a two-pack (blue) of Datrex bars from Amazon for $22.51. That breaks down to $11.26 per pack, and since each pack is intended to last three days, that's $3.75 per day or $1.25 per meal. You can get them cheaper directly from the manufacturer if you buy them by the case.
• Each bar provides 200 Calories. The instructions are to eat six of them a day, for a total of 1200 Calories per day.
• Ingredients are simple: flour, palm oil, sugar, water, coconut, salt.
• US Coast Guard approved, so they are safe to store in extreme temperatures and have a five-year shelf-life.

Testing

• The outer packaging on both of the packs that I received had lost their vacuum seal, rendering them useless.
• The inner wrapper on each bar is a tight shrink-wrap. While this is a good way to keep them separated, it is not air-tight.
• The inner wrapping is a pain to get off of the bars without destroying the bar. Due to the loss of vacuum seal, I'm not sure if the bars I received were normal or not. They were very dry and crumbly, falling apart as I tried to unwrap them.
• The texture of the bars is coarse and hard, coarse enough that you can feel lumps through the outer packaging. This may be part of the reason they lost their vacuum seal - the coarse texture creates wear points.
• The taste was awful - think burnt, dry oatmeal, thirst-provoking and hard to choke down. These are going into the bird feeder. 
• I want to believe that the breached packaging caused them to go stale, but would have to buy a sealed pack to see if it is any better and I'm not sure I want to take the chance of getting more useless rations. If I can buy some at a store where I can be assured that the vacuum seal is intact, perhaps I will update this test.

Verdict

• Poor packaging means that this is a poor choice for emergency rations. I looked through other reviews on Amazon and a few other places, and found that it is common to receive them with breached vacuum seals.
• Given the negative reviews I've found online as well as my own experience, the outer packaging needs to be rethought or their quality control needs to be slapped with a clue-by-four. 
• Amazon may be convenient for purchasing things like this, but the importance of having an intact vacuum seal means that they are best bought from a source where you can inspect them before purchase. Always check the packaging before accepting anything that is supposed to be vacuum sealed and when you do your periodic check of your supplies! Amazon doesn't like to handle returns on food items, so I have some expensive bird feed now.
• I like the simple ingredients and the individual inner wrapping. Once the package is opened, the individual bars are easy to dole out and carry in a pocket or pouch.
• However, the taste is terrible.
• I cannot recommend this brand.