Preparedness

Oh! Isn’t that EXPENSIVE now…?

~ grant.gallagher ~ 2 Comments

Author ScotShot Scott is an NRA and USCCA certified Instructor and Training Counselor in a range of firearms, and home and personal defense disciplines. In an Alternate Universe, he is a husband, father, grandfather, scientist, musician, educator and grumpy old professor. Just your average reactionary, short, fat, old, bald guy!

I was chatting with my aunt in Glasgow recently, and she was telling me that they had been told by Scottish Gas that the Government has agreed to a price rise for natural gas. In April, their bill is going up from eighty pounds a month to one-hundred and sixty. It is about to double. What’s more, they have been told that a further increase has been approved for October, just in time for winter. She also mentioned that gas (‘petrol’) is currently up to 1.70 pounds per litre and was expected to reach 2.00. At the current exchange rate ($1.33 per 1 GBP), that’s $2.66 per litre x 3.79 litres per US gallon = $10.08 per gallon.

Her husband suggested that they “start stocking up on things we use” and in the course of doing this, she noticed that something she had last paid 0.68 GBP for, now cost 0.75, which is a 10.3% increase. It’s happening everywhere and across all commodities. She mentioned that it was difficult to get meat (“shelves are empty”).

So I decided to ask the Silver Tigers what they were observing, and what they were doing about it. I asked who has seen food shortages and/or price rises, and what action were being taken. The answers are illuminating. People are seeing shortages everywhere – for example:

  • John R: Not necessarily shortages but certain items were out. For example, yesterday I stopped at a Sam’s Club to get coffee and nuts. They had plenty of coffee but no peanuts or mixed nuts. I did buy an extra can of coffee to be prepared.
  • Chet W: Meat prices are insane, shelves run empty but are filled in a day or two.
  • Heidi BS: Definite food price rises! Prices are high particularly for meat. Occasional short term shortages, usually of chicken. But still seeing areas of empty shelves on occasion.
  • Theresa RM: Rising prices for almost every products for groceries. Our local ‘Giant’ stores in SE PA, have had low inventory on canned goods, and some other items. Other stores are ok.
  • Debbie M: Certain items, like aluminum foil, have been quietly increasing in price for the past 3 years. I was buying extra when it was on sale but am not seeing sales anymore. Check out the aluminum price increases. Aluminum Price is at a current level of $3245.79 per metric ton, up from 3005.98 last month and up from 2078.59 one year ago. This is a change of 7.98% from last month and 56.15% from one year ago.

People are up-stocking and gardening more, too – for example:

  • Lateif D: I can’t fit any more in my freezers.. need to start rotating food…
  • Chet W: We have a freeze dryer and preserve our own food. We go to the local farmers’ markets, and have our own chickens.
  • Dawn D: My ‘hoop house’ [what is a hoop house – Ed] is full of seedlings and we’re doubling the garden size this year. We’ve added additional chickens. We have all the freezers full and I’m prepared to can all the meats if needed. I want a freeze dryer and have been sporadically researching them for what seems like years. I’ll get there eventually.
  • Matthew M: I just bought a meat canner.
  • Heidi BS: We started raising meat chickens last year, have had laying hens for years. This year we’re raising 2 hogs. And we hunt. Thankfully an option for us

So the question is – is this a Real Thing? If so, what are YOU doing? Not all of us has a big garden, or are fit enough to use one. My township prohibits the keeping of chickens. Are you allowed to have them? What about rabbits?

Do you even think it’s serious? If you do, then maybe start by buying an extra jar of your favorite pasta sauce and see where that takes you (if you can still get it, of course…).

Basic Preparedness – One Woman’s Journey, Part 2

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Tara Fleming is 56 years old, a 25 year resident of NJ, mother of 3 and employed in financial services. This is the second of two blog posts.

We reviewed some ideas for how to prevent and avoid emergencies in Part I. Now we will review some ideas for preparedness for disasters, small and large.

If you are comfortable, you may want to learn to safely and responsibly operate a firearm. Many ranges offer their own training courses, but there are great independent trainers, such ScotShot LLC and Compass Defense LLC, who may work better for you. If you are a woman, you may want to join an association such as Armed Women of America, which has Shooting Chapters across these United States. This really does make it much more comfortable for the beginner to learn along with others at the same level, or benefit from the wealth of knowledge of more experienced shooters.

If you do decide to explore this self-defense option, it is incumbent upon you to undertake the appropriate training for safe handling and operation of a firearm. Be prepared to spend time and money. Understand that training and practice should be continuous and consistent. It is a serious commitment, but very rewarding and worthwhile. You will need to check the laws in your state regarding required permits and licenses. The best place to start is with your local police department website, where you will be able to find the necessary forms and applications. You will also want to join an association such as US Law Shield, to protect yourself from legal events.

Pay attention and be aware of your surroundings! This is super important, especially as we age. It may seem obvious and natural but I guarantee you that it is not. We must make a conscious effort when out and about to keep our minds clear of distractions, eyes up and forward and remain aware. This is not saying to be paranoid and fearful when out and about, in fact it is the exact opposite. It is not complete relaxation, such as when we are at home, but neither is it a state of high alert, which would be very stressful. It is somewhere right in between. Just a slightly elevated state of awareness is what we should work towards. This takes practice, but it can become intuitive.

If able, you should consider learning a self-defense skill, such as Krav Maga, which does not depend solely on strength or size for effectiveness.

Learn about long term food and water storage. An organization called Outdoor Core has an excellent set of short on-line classes that covers a wide range of preparedness ideas and skill-sets, including one on preparing food storage in your home.

Form or join a preparedness group or club in your local community. Your friends and neighbors are a good place to start. It is good to have a reliable local network of like-minded individuals. Take advantage of free resources, too – the Federal Government makes a great starting point.

Prepare a “bug-out bag”. This will help you get to safety if you have to move in a hurry. You can buy them, or build one of your own, that is tailored to your specific needs. This can be as simple as a back pack with some basic supplies, or as much as you can reasonably carry.

Have a plan to get in touch with family members, understanding that cell towers may be down or overwhelmed. Agree on a meeting place out of town for extended communications disruptions or emergencies. Many towns and cities have citizen volunteer organizations, such as fire departments, police auxiliary and emergency management offices. Consider joining one of these organization as the training and knowledge you will gain is priceless.
Consider getting your HAM radio license so that you can be a communications resource for your community. This is a bit involved but if you are mechanically inclined, you may want to give it a go. Again, you may want to start with Outdoor Core and their Ham Cram course.

Take a first-aid and/or CPR course from the Red Cross. I’ve taken a few courses and really learned a lot. You would probably want to take some of the courses every year or every other year to keep your skills sharp.

Please keep the gas tank full or nearly full in all of your vehicles. Please. If you have to leave the vicinity in a hurry, chances are so will everyone else. You do not want to be stuck on a gas line or worse if the gas station is closed. I have gone from someone who drove around perpetually on “E” to now filling my tank once it is half empty.

There is a lot to learn in the world of preparedness. It is important not to become overwhelmed and discouraged. Remember, take it one step at a time and do your best within the scope of your finances, skills, ability and available space. If you are able, consider dedicating one evening per week or one day per month to preparedness activities. This can be done in an enjoyable and fun way, especially along with family and friends. It should not take away from your other regular life activities, but rather should enhance them. It is very likely that some of the things you already enjoy doing or skills and knowledge that you already have (exercising, gardening, firearms training, canning, fixing cars) are also prepping activities!

So have fun, learn new skills and share your knowledge with others. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem! To quote the great Creek Stewart, “It’s not if, but when.”

How to survive, just in case SHTF.

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Frank Liso is an avid coin collector and Silver & Gold stacker.

It’s no secret that we are seeing high inflation. In parallel, we have historically low interest rates. The Federal Reserve could reduce inflation by restricting the money supply through increasing interest rates, but that is a precarious position, since it could crash the Stockmarket, which is already spiraling downward.

Inflation is being driven in part by the eight trillion Dollars of stimulus money that has wreaked havoc in the US stock market, falsely inflating stock values, and real estate values. The Pandemic has not only destroyed supply chains but also, world economies.  Inflation may be just the beginning of the bad effects. 

World leaders are taking full advantage of the Biden administration and USA’s assumed weakness. This has led to the current War in Ukraine, and may lead to another one potentially over ownership of Taiwan. In addition, we have the Iranians apparently itching to nuke the USA and Israel. Then there is our good buddy in N. Korea with his twitchy missile finger.  Wow, what a difference a year makes!

Russia and China are trying to overtake the US dollar as the world currency and truthfully, they have a shot at it. The only reason the dollar hasn’t been dethroned is that the dollar is the currency for Oil world wide. Imagine if Iran (say) decided only to accept payment for oil in Rubles, or Yuan, or Euros for that matter, something other than US dollars.

So, what can the average person do about it? People can protect themselves and their loved ones with a little planning and proactive preventative measures. What is important in uncertain times like these is hoping for the best, but being prepared for the worse.

Financially speaking the secret is how to deal with it at minimum risk and a potential upside should there be a bull market in commodities. 

I am offering a few things to consider, based on how I am dealing with the present situation. Think about whether these are right for you and your family.

My priorities for 2022 are straightforward. 

  • Food: have a few months of food stored staples that can keep you from starving should supplies get low at the local market. Ideally, this should be a mix of your favorite regular food and some food designed specifically for long-term storage.
  • Water: we use a lot more water than we think. It takes a lot of water to get by for a 3-month period. If you can’t store water, then get a water purifier – they are relatively inexpensive.
  • Get your home secured: consider a system such as ADT or Ring, perhaps get a firearm and training, reinforce your window and door locks, and get a dead bolt system for your front door. These will all help in the event of potential gang violence, robberies and break-ins.
  • Get some gold and silver: if you don’t have any it would not be a bad idea to have a few months of living expenses worth of it. After all, paper money might not be trusted. Also, what happens if the banks don’t you allow access to your bank accounts for any reason? What happens if there is an EMP strike? If the internet goes down, do you have Silver or Gold to get you through when traditional paper money fails?
  • Bartering: can you Barter goods or services?  Do you have a trade or a skill that you can barter for meat, veggies, etc..
  • Keep your expenses as low as possible: think about how to reduce your credit card balances as much as possible.
  • Don’t talk about your hoard or stockpile: Why attract attention to yourself from people who are less prepared?

Basic Preparedness – One Woman’s Journey, Part 1.

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Tara Fleming is 56 years old, a 25 year resident of NJ, mother of 3, and employed in financial services. This is the first of two blog posts.

As part of the 55 and older crowd, we should be leading the charge in terms of preparedness and guiding our younger friends and family members to incorporate preparedness as part of everyday life. The preparedness lifestyle should not be looked upon as panic-mongering or hoarding. That perception among the “unprepared” needs to change. It should be part of our culture as Americans so that when an emergency comes, and come it will, we can be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

Admittedly, I joined this community very late in the game and I am still a beginner. It was after Hurricane Sandy, that it first dawned on me that I needed to change things. I just was not sure of exactly what to do, and still it took me years to really get started. There is so much to know and learn. But it is important to understand that it is never too late to adopt this survival and preparedness mindset. I would recommend taking it one step at a time, and breaking it down into small steps. There are many great resources available and especially for beginners.

To start let’s split this down into two main areas: 1) Steps you can take to help prevent emergencies from occurring and/or avoiding them in the first place,and; 2) Steps you can take to be prepared for unavoidable emergencies that cannot be prevented or avoided. Here we will focus on prevention, and in the next post we will focus on preparation. You may probably heard some of these things before, but they are crucial to a preparedness mindset, and so they bear repeating.

Physical fitness and health. This cannot be emphasized enough. Become as physically fit as you can, considering any limitations you may have. At a minimum, take a daily walk and get outside. If you cannot walk, invest in a punching bag and throw punches. If a punching bag is not feasible, you can throw air punches. Punches will blast your heart rate and boost your cardio health. Consider programs such as Yoga and Pilates to improve your balance, flexibility and range of motion.

Get an annual physical, including bloodwork. Discuss any findings with the doctor to determine next steps, such as supplements if necessary. Maintain a healthy diet and weight. Of course, consult your doctor before starting any physical activity or adding or removing anything from your diet. Here is a great resource to keep up on all the latest health science and studies – The Andrew Huberman Lab.

Mental and spiritual fitness are also important and all 3 pillars should be in balance. Learning new skills or reading/listening to a book will certainly contribute to mental fitness. If you have a religious affiliation, consider renewing or reconnecting with it. If that is not your thing, just getting out there in nature or learning to meditate or volunteering to help others in some capacity can nourish your spirit. However you choose to do it, balance of the 3 pillars will put you in the best possible position for whatever comes. Our duty as American citizens is to be physically, mentally and spiritually prepared to the best of our ability.

Around your home, make sure you have fire and carbon monoxide detectors installed and working as well as easily accessible fire extinguishers in your place of residence. Plan for how you will exit your home, from any floor, in the event of a fire.

Know what emergency and contingency plans your town or city has in place. Contact your local township committee, city council, etc. or even better, attend the meetings regularly and stay informed.

Read, learn, know, understand and educate others on the Constitution! Understanding freedom and liberty, where it comes from, and how to protect and defend it, is an often-overlooked subject in the preparedness community, but it is crucial for a self-governing citizenry that wishes to remain so – (“A republic, if you can keep it!” -Benjamin Franklin). Here are some great resources that you may not have come across before. You may be shocked at how much you actually do not know and stand to learn about the foundations of freedom and our Constitution!

We can find ways to incorporate these prevention plans into our existing schedules. Try swapping a monthly lunch date with a friend for a skills class together every other month. While you are doing household chores, commuting to work or exercising, listen to an informational podcast or audible book. These are just a few ideas to help you get started along your self-reliance and preparedness journey. Safe travels!

Welcome to Silver Tigers!

~ grant.gallagher

Silver Tigers is a blog dedicated to awareness and preparation in the growing community of active over 60s.

Hello! and “Thank You” for joining us at the “Silver Tigers Training and Preparedness Blog”. Please bookmark the site and subscribe to receive updates. There’s also a Newsletter where we will send ideas, information, classes and so on. You can sign up for that, here.

So, what, or rather, ‘Who’, IS a “Silver Tiger”? It’s you, it’s us, it’s our contemporary friends and family members. We’ve learned a few things in our time and we know how to put them to good use. However, while age brings experience, it also brings vulnerabilities, not least in terms of declining physical ability and unfamiliarity with new technologies. There’s also a more aggressive criminal community out there, perfectly willing to take anything from a computer to our entire life-savings.

As it says, Silver Tigers may be Older, but we are also Bolder, and more willing than ever to take responsibility for ourselves and our loved ones in order to make sure we are safe and secure. Nobody is getting one over on us, not today!

Here at Silver Tigers, we cater to this more experienced league of individuals. People who are well-versed at life in general. There may be things you’re hearing about, such as general preparedness, firearms, a defensive mindset. You’ll learn more about these and other related things here at the Blog. Perhaps you know someone who fell for a con such as the horrible gift-card scam. Perhaps you have experiences you’d like to bring to people. Or, perhaps you just want to be connected to people who share your values. These blog posts give you a chance to increase your knowledge in things that may help you, you family and friends, or even save a life.

As you read through our blogs, you’ll see our goal is to introduce you to topics you may not have considered before or have had minimal contact with. Through our wide variety of contributors, you will experience thought provoking topics, learn new skills and hone talents you might not realize you already have.

You’ll learn about subject matter that will help you navigate this changing world more comfortably and confidently. The posts will highlight things you can personally do to keep yourself safe, warm, dry, fed and aware.

Join us on this journey and keep checking the new topics in each weekly installment. The posts will be waiting for you with your Saturday morning coffee.

Share your experiences, good or bad. Never think you have nothing important to say. Everyone has a fresh perspective and viewpoint about what has helped them and their families. All of us has a list of things we wish we’d been told and hadn’t had to discover the hard way. Share them here. We welcome you to write about experiences you’d like to share. Email them to “author-at-silvertigers-dot-blog”. We shall publish them here on the blog. Slots are open specifically for your contributions.

So, let’s hear from you, and we will contribute $20 to a charity of your choice in your name when we post your contribution for everyone to read.

Hope you had a good day! Join is for many more!