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Welcome to this week’s Sunday Survival Buzz – a roundup of preparedness news, tips, articles and recommendations from around the web.
But first, an update on my own preps.
The big push this week was to attempt to recharge the almost dead alkaline batteries that were recovered from the “to be recycled” box. I used the Maximal Power FC999 Universal Battery ChargerImage may be NSFW.
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that I purchased from Amazon a couple of weeks ago. So far, about a third of the batteries appear to have recharged successfully but I still have some testing to do. One interesting thing is the success seems to be brand dependent with the Costco batteries being the worst. Or perhaps they were so run down they were not salvageable.
Anyway, my testing will continue next week and I will report back with my final analysis.
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The Maximal Power Charger
I like that each of the four chambers operated independently
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I had good luck charging the Duracell batteries
The other news this week is that the Survival Husband surprised me with a Mossberg 17T 22 Long Rifle (AR22). I have not fired it yet but his thought was that the lighter weight would be easier for me to control and handle than the AR15. Pictures will be forthcoming next week.
Survival News & Articles from Around the Web
Economic Collapse 101: What Will It Look Like, and How It May Start: You know how I like simple, plain English descriptions of anything relating to economics. This starts out with Our Prosperity Is An Illusion and goes on from there.
Feed a family of 4 for 1 year, for less than $300: If your read nothing else this week, read this article from my friend Rourke’s website. Simply brilliant if I do say so myself!
Michigan Will Take Over Detroit: The City of Detroit is losing its ability to govern itself. This trend is worth watching since, as American citizens, we have the basic right to government that is by and of the people. Once we accept that a struggling city loses the right to elect their own leadership, we are a step away from this happening at the state level and more. Not, of course, that our elected officials are all that great but just saying . . . if you know what I mean.
In Stressful Wake of Fukushima Disaster, Japan Now Dealing With ‘Atomic Divorce’: I have written a number of articles that address the potential for “post disaster stress”. An interesting point in this article is that “There is also a perception of discrimination against people from the region, who are perceived as ‘tainted.’”
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Confirms HAARP’s Ability to Manipulate Atmosphere: Those of us that seek the truth have known this all along.
America Can be a Scary Place for Americans: The abuse of power can happen at all levels of government including local law enforcement. All the more reason to know now who you can and should trust.
Backdoor Survival Reader Tip
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While we are on the subject of batteries, this came in from reader “James”:
“Hi Gaye, your article about batteries prompted me to write concerning a recent discovery. I’m fairly knowledgeable about all things electrical. Last month when a smoke detector started beeping I simply removed the 9 volt battery and replaced it with a new one.
Well, it turns out when your smoke detector starts beeping the battery still has around 7 to 7.5 no load volts remaining. No good for the detector but it will run an LED flashlight for many hours.
Couple this with a little LED flashlight from Amazon called a Blocklite and you have the recipe for free light for life. The Blocklite is the same size as the 9 volt battery and simply clips on the top. It sports 6 LEDs and a switch on the side which allows you to select either 2 LEDs for low or all 6 for high and off in the middle. Not only are they great little lights for pocket, purse or glove compartment but you get to use up all those 9V batteries that would otherwise go into the trash.”
I am going to order one to test myself but in the mean time, here is a link to the Blocklite in case you want to test one as well (less than $10).Image may be NSFW.
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READY, SET, PREP
I have been invited to participate in the “Ready, Set, Prep” Summit that will take place later this month in Dallas. This event is being sponsored by FoodInsurance.com.
The participants will be discussing taking emergency preparedness to the mainstream and the future of prepping, among other topics, In addition, we have been invited to be a part of the studio audience on the Glenn Beck Show with perhaps some real-time participation on the show itself.
I will be posting more information about this event later this month.
Okay, enough about me. Let’s get on to the Sunday Survival Buzz.
News From our Sponsors
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The Final Word
With my trip to Dallas plus a vacation in April, things are really hopping right now. Coming up this weekend, the Survival Husband will be setting up a solar system for me. This is a modestly priced system from Harbor Freight and I am cautiously optimistic that it will work even in our cloudy NW climate. By the way, did you know that shipping from Harbor Freight is on $6.99 flat regardless of the size of your order?
Other tasks coming up include shopping for my spring seeds – no I have not done that yet – and getting some starts going.
Like you, staying one step ahead of the need to prep while continuing to live my life with gusto can sometimes be a challenge. On the other hand, seeking the truth and living a strategic life are to me, the only path to survival.
So until, next time, remember to make every day a prep day!
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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Bargain Bin: Here are links to the products mentioned in today’s article. In addition, as it turns out, the recent article on DIY cleaning turned out to be hugely popular all around the web. In cased you missed it, here is a link to the article Prepper Checklist: DIY Cleaning Supplies and to some of the products that I use to make my own cleaners.
Maximal Power FC999 Universal Battery Charger: This nicely built charger will charge charge AA, AAA, C, D, N, 9V, Ni-MH, Ni-CD, and Alkaline batteries. It has an LED display so that when you first put a battery in the charging bay, you know whether it is viable for charging or simply bad and ready to go back to the recycle box. Note: When I purchased the charger, it was on backorder. Oddly, it actually shipped the next day. Go figure.
Blocklite Mini Compact Size Ultra Bright 9V LED FlashlightImage may be NSFW.
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Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Liquid CleanserImage may be NSFW.
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Soft ‘n Style 8 oz. Spray BottlesImage may be NSFW.
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NOW Solutions Glycerin Vegetable, 16-Fluid OuncesImage may be NSFW.
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NOW Foods Peppermint OilImage may be NSFW.
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Microfiber “Magic” Rags: No list of cleaning supplies would be complete without these wonderful microfiber cloths. They will last you for years and will allow you to replace paper towels forever. Truly. I color code using green for glass and windows and the other colors for everything else. I love these.
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Mobile Washer: This is hand operated washing machine. Like a plunger, it uses a technique of pushing and pulling the water through clothes to clean them well without wearing them out. It uses a minimum of water and less soap due to the agitation motion. Use in a bucket (5-gallon suggested), sink or tub. The best part is that it is only $14.95.
Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials: The monthly specials at Emergency Essentials feature discounts of up to 35% off sometimes a bit more.
One item can recommend available is their Do it Yourself Super Pail Combo.Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. It includes 8 x 6-Gallon Buckets with Lids, 8 x Metallized Storage Bags and a 10-Pack of Large Oxygen Absorbers.
Don’t forget that you do not need fancy equipment to seal the metalized bag. A cheap hair iron will do the job.
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Conair Flat Iron 2″ Ceramic StraightenerImage may be NSFW.
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Amazon’s Most Wished For Items in Sports and OutdoorsImage may be NSFW.
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11 Steps to Living a Strategic Life: What? You haven’t picked up a copy of 11 steps yet? This little book will provide you with the motivation to get started or stay on track with a self-reliant life. 11 Steps to Living a Strategic Life, co-authored with my long time pal, George Ure, and can be purchased on Amazon.
The Sunday Survival Buzz – Volume 54 is the latest article from the Survival Woman at Backdoor Survival.