10. Get solar power
Having solar panels on your roof not only reduces your utility bill, but also puts you in the enviable position of having power when nature strikes down the energy grid. They'll eventually pay for themselves and they're also a great hedge against future spikes in energy costs. In the event of a disaster, you'll have power to fend off the zombies, nuclear mutants and ninja biker gangs that will inevitably rise up from the ashes of polite society.
Time for a "back to the land" movement in America, if not....then do it in your back yard.
I figured I’d just go around and take every body else’s stuff.
Don’t forget to build that “smoker” for all that venison you will harvest ( without a license)
10 ways? Well #1-4 all have to do with firearms and ammunition.
Ping
For those who would like you can download a copy of my Preparedness Manual at:
http://www.mediafire.com/?zx5772aa15x6xga
PING!!!!
I have a friend who owns cabins by a remote lake. On the property is a working gas-well, dug by his grandfather for $200 back in the 50’s, which still supplies each cabin. I’ve put dibs on one for TEOTWAWKI!
I’ll just need to get there somehow....
First pass:
None of the items noted are mobile except the stored food.
As a side. Yesterday I was in the local grocery store. They had several cases of off brand rum in the clearance section for a ridiculous price. I swept it all up. When I got to the check out the clerk said “Wow you must like rum!” I said “Not really it is going into my barter pile for when things get bad.” She had no clue what I was talking about and decided to help the next customer immediately. Funny stuff. I am sure she thinks I am crazy.
Several very useful appliances if you live out in a rural area, and want to be more self-sufficient. And have some money.
1) Heat your home with an oven-stove. One of the coolest low tech, energy saving inventions Europeans and Americans never really embraced.
http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2008/12/tile-stoves.html
2) If you’re going to make your own biodiesel (I would prefer algae based), you’ll need ethyl alcohol to add to it. And ethyl alcohol has lots of other uses as well. Fortunately, you can buy a good quality columnar still and make your own. One example:
3) If you’re going to make your own biodiesel, get a stripped down diesel powered motorcycle with trailer, modified for biodiesel. It works for short, medium and long range transportation with minimal fuel. Be sure to have plenty spare parts. Diesel has a lot more energy than alcohol, so makes a more potent fuel.
4) There are three different ways you can use solar power: passive, for electricity generation, and for very high temperatures.
Passive mostly means heating water in a tank for future use. Heating water this way means that it takes less fuel to heat it up for other reasons. It also can be used for heating a water solar still, to recycle water.
Using solar panels for electricity is good, and a top notch panel will charge a car batter in 4-5 days. But it also means that every appliance you use has to be powered by car batteries.
Very high temperature solar power is somewhat dangerous, but can be obtained through the use of a “Fresnel lens”, taken from a wide screen TV. These can create extremely high temperatures over a small area. A “linear lens” can heat a 55 gallon drum of water fairly quickly, whereas a more focused lens can be used to melt some metals. Like lead (hint, hint).
http://www.wikihow.com/Heat-Hot-Water-Using-a-Large-Fresnel-Lens
5) Water purification the easy way can be done as simply as obtaining a large block of limestone. Hollow out the top as a water reservoir, then carve the bottom to a point. Limestone strains out the metals, arsenic, other contaminants and pathogens, and raises the pH of the water to help keep it clean.
6) A below ground ice house, and an above ground smoke house, can do a lot to keep food from spoiling. And any extra vegetable matter can be turned into alcohol. Herbs can be turned into essential oils, which have all sorts of practical uses.
7) Learn how to make your own lye soap. It is an art form.
http://farmgal.tripod.com/lyesoapconcoctions.html
My neighbors do think I am an end-times lunatic and are afraid of me. This image I have carefully crafted to discourage them from inviting themselves to my stores post-catastrophe.
These ducks lay triple the eggs and convert feed to meat much faster and more efficiently than chickens. Neighbors who would complain about chickens (especially if you have roosters crowing), will probably think a few ducks wandering in your yard are “cute”. They may even want to bring their kids over to feed them for you. And they will keep your garden free of snails and slugs.
ping
Mrs. Crusher and I are way ahead of their curve.
Remote defensible retreat in a self reliant community?
Check.
Independent energy source (microhydroelectric)?
Check.
Independent water source (artesian well just up the hill)
Check
Clear line of sight?
Check.
Variety of projectile throwers?
Check
Disposables for projectile throwers?
Check
Variety of useful skills (carpentry, wiring, plumbing, machinist, foundry, etc.) ?
Check (and always acquiring more. this year is my time to learn welding and electronics)
Food storage?
check big time (5,000 pounds and increasing)
Debt eliminated?
check
The only people I’m telling I’m prepared is others who are preparing, our ‘network’. We’re also preparing for the leaches. Those of us who prep need to realize, the sloths will be out if force. That is a topic we should have a discussion on. How to fight off the clueless.