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Will the Dollar Lose Global Reserve Status – Epi-3277

The Survival Podcast Posted on March 27, 2023 by Jack SpirkoMarch 27, 2023  
https://survivalpodcast.net/audio/2023/03/epi-3277-reserve-currency.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:45:16 — 30.1MB)

The U.S. dollar is currently the dominant global reserve currency, meaning that it is held by central banks and other financial institutions around the world as a store of value and a medium of exchange. If the dollar were to lose its status as the global reserve currency, several significant consequences could occur:

  1. Decreased demand for U.S. assets: As central banks and other financial institutions reduce their holdings of U.S. dollars, demand for U.S. assets, such as Treasury bonds and equities, would decline. This could lead to lower prices for these assets and higher borrowing costs for the U.S. government and American corporations.
  2. Increased inflation: The loss of the dollar’s reserve currency status could lead to higher inflation in the United States, as the value of the dollar falls and the prices of imports rise. This could also lead to reduced purchasing power for Americans, as the cost of imported goods and services would increase.
  3. Weakening of U.S. geopolitical power: The dominance of the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency has given the United States significant geopolitical power, as other countries rely on the U.S. for access to financial markets. If the dollar were to lose its reserve currency status, the U.S. may find it more difficult to project its power and influence globally.
  4. Increased volatility in global financial markets: The U.S. dollar’s status as the global reserve currency has contributed to stability in global financial markets. If the dollar were to lose this status, there could be increased volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets, as other currencies and assets compete to fill the void left by the dollar.

 

The loss of the U.S. dollar’s status as the global reserve currency would have significant economic and geopolitical consequences, not only for the United States but also for the global economy as a whole.  It is something people don’t think can happen, but every reserve currency that ever has existed, has eventually failed.  Today we examine what it might really look like if it happened and how it actually could.

Join Us Today to Discuss…

  • What is the BRICS alliance and what does it have to do with all of this
    • The stated goals of the BRICS alliance
      • Promoting Economic Growth and Development
      • Enhancing Geopolitical Influence
      • Addressing Common Challenges
      • Strengthening Cooperation and Partnerships
  • What does the media say would happen if we lost reserve status – link
  • China’s peace deal with Saudi Arabia and Iran is bigger news than you think – link
  • What really happens if the US Dollar Loses Reserve Status
    • Decreased Demand for US Assets (dollar/bond dumping)
    • Increased Inflation (crippling)
    • Weakened US Geopolitical Power (reduced soft power)
    • More volatility in global markets (real price discovery)
  • Is this likely, well it is eventually inevitable but when is the real question
    • What prevents it for now
      • A lot of nations benefit from it
      • Our military despite being work is still incredibly powerful
      • The system is highly entrenched
  • The era is ending but there is no way to know what the “end” really looks like yet

 

Resources for today’s show…

  • Join the Members Brigade
  • TspAz.com
  • TSPC on Discord
  • TSPC Group on Telegram (group chat)
  • TSPC Telegram Channel (just messages from me)
  • Jack on MeWe
  • Join Me on Odysee
  • All My Recommend Bitcoin Tools and Resources

 

Sponsors of the Day 

  • Paul Wheaton’s Kickstarter is Amazing – Get in on This!
  • Butcher Box – A Giant Box of Meat Right to Your Front Door
  • Get the Fold Card – Stop Hating Money
  • Find all My Product Recommendations at TspAz.com

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

 

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged economics | Leave a reply

Paul Wheaton is Heaping Stretch Goal Value Onto His Kickstarter

The Survival Podcast Posted on March 27, 2023 by Jack SpirkoMarch 27, 2023 2

If you haven’t backed Paul Wheaton’s latest kickstarter arleady, it’s time to get on it, because this thing is absolutely bonkers.

Learn All About it Here

As is typical though with Paul he isn’t happy to just count his money, he always brings out more value.  Here are the stretch goals that have already been met and will go to anyone backing the project at 100 dollars or more.

  • Greenwood Apprenticeship Course from Mortise & Tenon Magazine (40K goal smashed)
  • Soil-First Gardening Extended Edition by Anna Hess (45K goal smashed)
  • Saving the Life Keepers: The New Science of Sustainable Beekeeping documentary (50K goal smashed)
  • Kelly Hart’s Sustainable Architecture Movie (55K goal smashed)
  • Tiny House Magazine – Complete 2022 set (60K goal smashed)
  • Home Grown Humus and Bug Free Gardening by Anna Hess (65K goal smashed)
  • Golden Goat Herbals’ Herbalism and Fermented Sodas Video Course + eBook (70K goal to be smashed soon)

 

So now by backing the project for 100 bucks you don’t just get all the great stuff that was already included you also get all of the stuff listed above and I know Paul, more will be coming.

As of this writing, they’re 6X-funded.  They gave me a sneak peak of the movie, and it is outstanding.  That, coupled with all the project plans that come with the different rewards tiers makes this one a no-brainer.  There really is something for every member of the TSP community.

Jump on it – the rewards are getting better with every passing day.

As Awesome as the Movies is What if You Could be there in Person?

But another aspect of this thing that I want to remind you about is that the event that produced this film, the Permaculture Technology Jamboree, is turning into one of the can’t-miss events of the year for a community like ours.  A lot of you come out to my place every year, and for good reason – I bring out the best instructors and we have a blast.

But if there’s one other event that holds a candle to my yearly throw-down, it’s the Permaculture Technology Jamboree at Wheaton Labs.  This is the event that turned into the Low Tech Laboratory Movie that the kickstarter is all about.

If you watched the video on the kickstarter page, you know you don’t want to miss it.  Regular ticket prices are $1650, but Paul has extended the Earlybird pricing to use for a little while longer so you all can have a chance to capitalize.

Grab your ticket now.  Click here: https://wheaton-labs.com/permaculture-tech/?f=479

Posted in Podcasts | 2 Replies

Anker PowerCore Slim 10000mAh Portable Charger

The Survival Podcast Posted on March 27, 2023 by Modern SurvivalMarch 27, 2023 1

Every day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day is Anker PowerCore Slim 10000mAh Portable Charger.  This is the little brother to my favorite back up power system from Anker which is the Anker Astro E7 26800mAh Portable Charger.   If you missed the recent sale on that one, here is your chance to beef up your back up power on the cheap.

Now look the PowerCore Slim 10050 is not the beast the larger unit is, but it has a lot going for it.  Let’s start with price.  Today you can pick this little guy up for only 21.99 on sale.  Next it is still a good amount of back up power and can charge an iPhone over 2 times from dead to full before needing to be recharged itself.  Not bad for about 20 bucks huh?

Next small is beautiful to many, unlike its big brother that is like well two old school lap top batteries merged together, this little guy has a smaller foot print.  I’d say it takes about as much room up in your Go Bag as say a 2 decks of playing cards.

Basically while there is no way you can stuff the capacity of the larger Anker charges into something this small, not with today’s batteries anyway, this thing rocks.  It is from my research the most powerful charger in this size range on the market.  And made by Anker who has always stood behind everything they make.

I have recommended a large number of Anker products on TspAz now for over 4 years.  In total I have sold literally thousands of them.  I have yet to hear a single complaint about a problem that Anker didn’t make right.  Take that plus 18 bucks for the Anker PowerCore Slim 10000mAh Portable Charger and this is an easy one to add to the TspAz catalog.

To me your phone is your lifeline.  It brings you news, it lets you call for help, communicate with loved ones and more.  While I have a generator and several battery banks in my home I am not always in my home.  So I always keep one of these in my pack fully charged as a final back up on power needs.  I recommend you consider any of the Anker back up power devices to fill this need.  They are and have always been the best option for the money I can find on the market.

Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com

 

 

Posted in Amazon Reviews | Tagged amazon item of the day, bob az, bok az, cell phone az, edc az, electronics az, energy az, technology az | 1 Reply

Expert Council Q&A for 3-24-23 – Epi-3276

The Survival Podcast Posted on March 24, 2023 by Jack SpirkoMarch 24, 2023  
https://survivalpodcast.net/audio/2023/03/epi-3276-experts-3-24-23.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:31:39 — 26.2MB)

Today on The Survival Podcast the expert council answers your questions on the banking system, canning, pruning, plant propagation, knife sharpening, medical care, generators, hiking, business and more.

Make sure if you submit content for an expert council show you do the following….

      1. Email it to me at jack @ thesurvivalpodcast.com
      2. Put TSPC Expert in the subject line
      3. Ask you question and state the expert you have the question for in one coherent sentence
      4. Hit the return key a few times and then give all the details you think are necessary

 

Following that procedure makes it about 100X more likely your question will get though screening and sent on to one of our experts.  All expert council members can be found on the Meet the Expert Council Page.

Join Me Today As I Respond to Your Calls and Discuss…

  • In the Ron Paul Liberty Highlights
    • Regulations can never fix the banking system – Dr. Ron Paul
    • Big changes with stronger China/Russia relations – Dan McAdams
    • The new deal’s FDIC and SSI were really a false sense of security – Chris Rossini and Dr. Paul
  • Gearing up for canning season – Nicole Sauce
    • Nicoles Links
      • All American Canners
      • Presto Electric Canner
      • Canning Tool Kit
      • NESCO/Cary Canner Jack Recommends
  • Function stacking pruning and propagation with fruit trees – Nick Ferguson
  • Thoughts on “knife sharpening systems” – Patrick Roehrman
    • School of Traditional Skills (Patrick’s course is included with a subscription)
  • Thoughts on doctors being disincentivized to order certain labs – Doc. Bones
  • How to know if your generator is a “lemon” – Shawn Mills
  • Choosing a trail section for a multi day first overnight hike trip – Jessica Mills
    • Jessica’s Links
      • Video Of Virginia Section
      • Virginia Section Blog Post
      • VT Section Video
      • VT Section Post
  • Working for experience is fine, until you have enough of that particular experience – Jack

 

Resources for today’s show…

  • Join the Members Brigade
  • TspAz.com
  • TSPC on Discord
  • TSPC Group on Telegram (group chat)
  • TSPC Telegram Channel (just messages from me)
  • Jack on MeWe
  • Join Me on Odysee
  • All My Recommend Bitcoin Tools and Resources

 

Sponsors of the Day 

  • Paul Wheaton’s Kickstarter is Amazing – Get in on This!
  • Get the Fold Card – Stop Hating Money
  • Find all My Product Recommendations at TspAz.com

 

Websites of the Expert Council Members

  • Ron Paul’s Liberty Report
  • A Farmish Kind of Life
  • Tim the Toolman’s YouTube
  • Dr. Berry.com
  • Home Made Wonderlust
  • Hack My Homestead
  • MT Knives
  • Living Free in Tennessee
  • Investable Wealth
  • GeoffLawton.com
  • Whole Systems Design
  • Doom and Bloom

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged expert coucil | Leave a reply

Fertility and Composting for a Resiliant Homestead – Epi-3275

The Survival Podcast Posted on March 23, 2023 by Jack SpirkoMarch 27, 2023  
https://survivalpodcast.net/audio/2023/03/epi-3275-fertility-homestead.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:58:53 — 34.0MB)

The average farmer and even large scale gardener in the US spends a great deal on fertilizers and fertility aids to gain a good yield on their efforts.  Due to modern chemistry mankind was gifted or cursed depending on how you look at it, by learning two things…

  1.  Plants can grow and be productive with only three primary nutrients (NPK)
  2.  We can make NPK cheaply from industrial processes

 

This is what led to the “green revolution” credited today with feeding the planet with almost 8 billion people on it.  I want to point out before turning the corner that this isn’t all wrong.  In fact it is how we fed people with enough consistency to grow global population from about 2.5 Billion in 1950 to 7.7 billion today.

There are four primary problems that have come from this though…

  1.  Chemical fertilizer was the first step in the “biocide cocktails” we have today
  2.  The use of NPK as primary fertility has lead to biologically dead soils
  3.  The cost of NPK continues to increase and drive up production costs of food
  4.  The use of excessive amounts of NPK (necessary to gain yields) creates massive toxic run off

 

In short the entire thing is an ecological disaster and a human health disaster at the same time.  Our food supply is threatened with collapse, our nutrient density in our food (including organic) is crap compared to a century ago and we are destroying the productive capacity of our most arable lands.

If you are going to grow your own food or have a market garden or small farm this is not the model you want to follow.  It is unsustainable, expensive and produces a second rate quality product.  The good news is you likely have all the fertility you need already and you need living soils far more so than you need NPK.  Today we talk about harvesting waste streams and function stacking on the homestead in a way that will make your land more fertile every year and allow you to rely less and less on expensive outside inputs over time.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • Fertility is far more about life in the soil vs. raw NPK and other nutrient amounts
  • If a key nutrient is totally lacking though it still will require amending
  • Remember one of my earliest permaculture principles “the forest floor is a lake”
  • We need to remember we can literally grow fertility
    • Cover crops
    • Azolla and other aquatic plants
  • Composting methods with a bit of commentary on each
    • Remember, “perfect is the enemy of the done”
    • Large pile and frequent turning (Berkley Method 18-21 days)
    • Johnson-Su and other no turn methods
    • Forced air zero turn methods
    • Black solider fly composting
    • Vermicompost
  • Sources or waste
    • Bedding (coop, barn, caged animals, etc.)
    • Kitchen scraps
    • Prunings, weeds, etc (greens)
    • Wood chips, straw, etc. (browns)
    • Human urine (one person equals 300sf of Nitrogen per year)
  • Keys to growing soil life long term
    • Build, hold and increase (the base formula for all soil management)
    • Compost teas
    • High fungal compost
    • IMO (it can be really simple some times)
    • No to minimal tilling
    • Constantly increase carbon content of soils
    • Keep soil covered (dark, cool/warm, moist)
  • Key amendments that really get you started right
    • Inoculated biochar
    • Mycorrhizal fungi – Brand I am Using Now
    • A good organic fertilizer like Dr. Earth or similar – Dr. Earth 4-4-4 (MSB gets 10% off direct purchases at Dr. Earth’s Website)
    • A good beneficial bacterial/fungal amendment – (Happy Frog Cavern Culture is outstanding)
    • Kelp meal and/or liquid kelp (GS Plant Foods Liquid – Kelp Meal)
    • Green sand, rock minerals, etc.
    • Specific nutrient if deficiency is evident, most common are
      • Cal-Mag
      • Zinc-Iron
  • Final Thoughts – what ever you do personally create an integrated approach (self automation)

 

Resources for today’s show

  • Follow Life With Jack on Instagram
  • Join the Members Brigade
  • Join Our Forum
  • Walking To Freedom
  • TspAz.com
  • TSPC on Discord
  • TSPC Group on Telegram (group chat)
  • TSPC Telegram Channel (just messages from me)
  • Jack on MeWe
  • Join Me on Odysee
  • All My Bitcoin Tools in One Place
  • How to Self Custody Your Bitcoin

 

Sponsor of the Day…

  • JM Bullion – Stack Silver with Free Shipping
  • Bulk Ammo – Get Your Ammo in Bulk, Fast.
  • The Self Reliance Festival in Camden TN
  • Paul Wheaton’s Newest Super Awesome KickStarter
  • Join the MSB Here
  • Redneck Hippy Duck Farmer T-Shirts at TspSwag.com
  • The Urban Worm Bag Composting Bin – Item of the Day
  • Flat Bottom Reusable Grocery Bags – Item of the Day

 

Video Version of this Podcast Episode

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

 

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged farming, fertility, gardening, permaculture, soil building | Leave a reply

Raising Children into Strong Independent Adults – Epi-3274

The Survival Podcast Posted on March 22, 2023 by Jack SpirkoMarch 22, 2023 1
https://survivalpodcast.net/audio/2023/03/epi-3274-raising-kids.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:09:45 — 37.1MB)

Brian Perry and Luke Grim are the creators of these16things.com. Brian is a long-time listener of TSP and got the original idea when he heard Jack’s podcast titled, “15 Things to Teach Kids that Government Schools Never Will“. Brian is a Christian, husband, has 7 kids, homeschools his kids (his wife does all the work), and owns his own painting and pressure washing business.

He used to be the typical adult male – out of shape, ate a poor diet and worried more about watching sports than taking care of himself. Since finding Jack’s show, he has changed his diet, is in much better shape, raises chickens and has a small garden.

Luke is a Christian, husband, father of 8 kids, homeschools his kids (again, his wife does), retired Army and teaches 12th grade Government at an online high school.  Luke was brought into this project recently because Brian values Luke’s ability to teach. Luke is especially good at discussing today’s “woke” culture and why/how most of it is built on lies and deception.

Together they created a project called These 16 Things.  Their mission can be summed up as teaching things that schools don’t. To prepare kids for a self-sufficient life when they are ready to leave the house and live on their own. To prepare parents to have critical conversations necessary to move kids in the right direction, which includes: knowing truth, taking a stance for Christ, having confidence with humility, and standing against the pull of modern-day culture.

Resources for today’s show

  • Follow Life With Jack on Instagram
  • Join the Members Brigade
  • Join Our Forum
  • Walking To Freedom
  • TspAz.com
  • TSPC on Discord
  • TSPC Group on Telegram (group chat)
  • TSPC Telegram Channel (just messages from me)
  • Jack on MeWe
  • Join Me on Odysee
  • All My Bitcoin Tools in One Place
  • How to Self Custody Your Bitcoin

 

Sponsor of the Day…

  • JM Bullion – Stack Silver with Free Shipping
  • Bulk Ammo – Get Your Ammo in Bulk, Fast.
  • The Self Reliance Festival in Camden TN
  • Paul Wheaton’s Newest Super Awesome KickStarter
  • Join the MSB Here
  • Redneck Hippy Duck Farmer T-Shirts at TspSwag.com
  • The Urban Worm Bag Composting Bin – Item of the Day

 

Brian and Luke’s Links

  • These16Things.com
  • These 16 Things YouTube
  • Spartan Races – used code 16things for a 25% discount

 

Video Version of this Podcast Episode

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

 

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged homeschooling, kids, parenting | 1 Reply

Flat Bottom Reusable Grocery Bags – Item of the Day

The Survival Podcast Posted on March 22, 2023 by Jack SpirkoMarch 22, 2023  

Every day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day are Flat Bottom Reusable Grocery Bags.  This is one of those items that you don’t realize how great it is until you use it.  Let’s start out with how I found them.  A couple years ago we were at Albertsons Grocery and they had some similar bags for sale.  I wasn’t totally sold as the bottom material seemed a bit thin.  I bought two anyway.  Figured if they work out, I’ll buy more.

Well they did work out and yet I did not buy more.  Why?  I never saw them again in a grocery store.  Instead I see the common shitty reusable ones.  The ones that don’t hold jack, are a pain in the ass to put items into and fall over when you are loading them.  Sure they are like 2 bucks, but they are total garbage which is why so few people actually use them.

This flat bottom stye of bag works and works great.  Note, I said stye, so if you find another brand you like and it holds up, great.  All I can say is we own these and they have held up and seem well built.   The primary marketing point of bags like these is ecological and I agree.  However, when ecologically sound meets a better and more convenient solution to a problem, you really have something.  Then make it affordable (8 bucks a bag) and long lasting (our oldest bags are 2 years old and still work fine) and you really have something that people will use.

Let’s break this down…

Ecological – I get labeled a planet hater because I don’t fall in lock step with the cult of global warming/climate change/carbon tax, etc.  I am not, I am a stark raving environmentalist.  I garden, compost, recycle, reuse, upcycle, raise my own meat, buy grass fed what I can’t raise, etc.  And when it comes to bags from stores I am 100% on board with reusable bags.

It seems everywhere I go outside I see those stupid plastic thin bags most stores use.   Look at the picture above, how many places have you seen this type of thing?  Hung up in blowdowns in creeks, up against the fence at parks, everywhere.  Garbage laying around that just doesn’t need to be there.  And said garbage is persistent plastic that is bad for the environment and persists as micro plastics in our soil, food and water.  We can and should do better. I could go on, suffice to say, this checks the box of being environmentally friendly in an affordable, easy to adapt way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Connivance and Function – I will be honest, we were first drawn to these for convenience, function and value.  Which by the way eco-fascists is how you should actually sell people on good “green” ideas.  Make them affordable and better options and the market will chose them.   Yes I hate seeing those shitty plastic bags all over, what I hate more is that they suck.

They hold so little, rip easily, fall over in your trunk and spill stuff all over.  They are the ultimate result of a society that went all in on cheap junk beginning in the 1980s.  Not so long ago heavy duty, flat bottom paper bags were the default at the grocery.  I still remember my grand mother saving and reusing them.  I remember making book covers out of them in school for text books, etc. They were good but still mostly a single use item.

Despite seeing so many bags laying around in nature I do know it is the minority of them, most do end up in the garbage but the problem is that is what they are, GARBAGE.  They don’t work, they are total crap, everyone hates them, yet they remain the standard.  Unless forced by regulation people just don’t use the reusable bags like you see at most stores.  The reason why is simple, they just do not function well enough for people to pay for them or want to use them.

Here is what makes this stye work so well.  First the sides are rigid, they stand up stiff.  Next the bottom has a rigid insert.  When not in use the bag folds flat and the bottom is stored inside (you don’t loose it).  When opened the bottom panel is inserted into the bottom.  The bag stand up, the bottom is flat, you can add items like you are putting them in a box.  Essentially that is what they are cloth boxes that fold up to store away in a few seconds.  Use them and you will never go back to shitty plastic bags or the pathetic bags most stores sell ever again.

Bluntly yes this is better for the environment.  However, even if you personally murder baby seals with a coal powered cannon, you will love these.  Again this is how you get eco friendly things in use by society, make it so good people that don’t care about your cause will want it anyway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Long Lasting – Okay these are not super tough, tactical, double stitched, reenforced nylon bags.  They will last a long time or a short time depending on how they are used.  My wife is at the store once or twice a week (fricken spoils the kids).  We do quite a few really big Costco runs a year, etc.  Our oldest such bags are two years old and still seem brand new.  That said I am not using them to store loose hand tools or rocks.  They also stay in my car trunk or inside our truck, etc.  Not on the porch in the sun.  I am sure such things would seriously reduce their life expectancy.

Like I said the bottom of them seems thin (before the insert is installed) and all the bags like this I have examined like this are exactly the same.  Still we have stacked them with cans of dog food and other heavy items, literally as heavy as we want a bag to be just to see, no trouble (yet).  I checked a lot of varieties on Amazon before settling on this set of 5 for 40 bucks.  Some did show damaged bags, none though a blown out bottom.  I think most were likely poorly treated.  I mean this is an 8 dollar bag, not a 50 dollar rip stop tactical unit.  It is a shopping bag, not a tool bag.  Use it accordingly.

I have to say this also makes them great for organizing stuff you keep in a vehicle, a closet, a pantry.

The set above is for 5 bags, there are options on Amazon for less or more, again I don’t have huge brand loyalty here, this item is about the size you want, and just being well built for the purpose.  That said I own, use and have tested these and they pass.  Take that as you will.  We keep some in each vehicle and everything just works better with them.  Even the check out people at Costco love them.

So if you are tired of tying up shitty plastic bags that hold almost nothing, picking up your groceries off the floor of your car, having everything tip over and nothing really work, give these Flat Bottom Reusable Grocery Bags a shot.  It won’t totally change your life but it will make one part of it a bit better and yea it really is an environmentally friendly move at the same time.

Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com

* P.S. – Here is a brief video of these bags.

Posted in Amazon Reviews | Tagged bags and packs az, car and truck az, food storage az, kitchen tools az | Leave a reply

Bitcoin as a Strategy for an Uncertain Future – Epi-3273

The Survival Podcast Posted on March 21, 2023 by Jack SpirkoMarch 21, 2023 15
https://survivalpodcast.net/audio/2023/03/epi-3273-btc-4-future.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:04:15 — 35.5MB)

We are heading into the back half of the current bitcoin halving cycle.  Simply put the next halving will be sometime in March of 2024, and the reward per block will drop from 6.25 to 3.125.  We call this a supply shock.  Simply put Bitcoin has put in its bottom for this cycle and it will be a bumpy up and down journey from here that will trend upward likely for the next two years.

This means the excitement will pick up, tons of misinformation from both the pro and anti bitcoin sides will flow.  Bitcoin is going to zero, bitcoin is going to 10 million, and all things in between.  But what about practical, real world, common sense wealth building, commerce and practical understanding of bitcoin?  That is what we will cover today.

First I will be answering some very beginner type questions on a few things and some basic definitions we tend to take for granted in the bitcoin community.  Then let’s talk about the future of bitcoin, fears of CBDCs, etc.   How we can use Bitcoin right now, what is coming next and why Bitcoin is superior to old forms of money like silver and gold as “uncensorable money”.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • Some definitions to basic terms we throw around a lot
    • Node
    • Full Node
    • Lightning Node
    • UTXO
    • Account
    • Taxable Event
    • Private Key
    • Decentralized
    • Consent of the Governed
  • Why I don’t recommend Coinbase Wallet as a wallet
  • What is cold storage vs. hot storage
  • The real weakness of gold/silver as uncensorable money
  • Why Nostr marketplace will in time become a foundational parallel economy
  • How Bitcoin monetizes stranded energy and why not doing so is fiscally irresponsible
  • Why I pretty much ignore all Bitcoin FUD, claims they will ban it, etc.
  • The lesson of “The Walls of Babylon”
  • Why I am not afraid of CBDCs

 

Resources for today’s show

  • Follow Life With Jack on Instagram
  • Join the Members Brigade
  • Join Our Forum
  • Walking To Freedom
  • TspAz.com
  • TSPC on Discord
  • TSPC Group on Telegram (group chat)
  • TSPC Telegram Channel (just messages from me)
  • Jack on MeWe
  • Join Me on Odysee
  • All My Bitcoin Tools in One Place
  • How to Self Custody Your Bitcoin

 

Sponsor of the Day…

  • Start9.com – Take Back Your Digital Sovereignty
  • Ridge Wallet – Minimize your EDC and Protect your Identity
  • The Self Reliance Festival in Camden TN
  • Paul Wheaton’s Newest Super Awesome KickStarter
  • Join the MSB Here
  • Redneck Hippy Duck Farmer T-Shirts at TspSwag.com
  • The Urban Worm Bag Composting Bin – Item of the Day

 

Video Version of this Podcast Episode

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.

Join the MSB Today

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Posted in Podcasts | Tagged bitcoin breakout | 15 Replies

Ready or Not The Shift Has Begun – Epi-3272

The Survival Podcast Posted on March 20, 2023 by Jack SpirkoMarch 20, 2023 3
https://survivalpodcast.net/audio/2023/03/epi-3272-shift-happens.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:43:38 — 29.7MB)

 

Today we stick to the economic and political shifts occurring and accelerating right now. Society is continuing to fracture along all class/race lines, the big fish are eating the little fish, money printing continues and we are indeed at the the end of not just a cycle but a mega cycle of civilization.

If you want to submit content or questions for a show like today’s the best thing to do is send an email about your topic or question to jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with TSPC in the subject line.  Ask your question up front in one sentence or do the same with your point.  Then provide any additional details, references, links, etc. after that.  This is the best way to get though my show screening process.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

    • Twitter poll results from last week – Twitter Polls Here
    • Now coffee is racist, the logic on this one is just amazingly tarded – link
    • Have you ever considered that real and solid science doesn’t require any “belief”?
    • Banks – the big fish are eating the medium fish and the medium fish the small fish – link one – link two – link three
    • Some don’t believe individual banks print money, this is incorrect – Modern Money Mechanics
    • Some courts are not accepting jury candidates because they don’t have the CoVid vax, here’s why I think they are doing this
    • Amazon just laid off another 9,000 employees, nothing to see here, no recession is coming, move along
    • What success does the US actually have after WWII that makes us worthy of controlling the world
    • Homesteading and home ownership is even recommended in “The Richest man in Babylon”
    • The shift is coming, it will be faster than you think & take longer than you think at the same time

 

Resources for today’s show…

  • Join the Members Brigade
  • TspAz.com
  • TSPC on Discord
  • TSPC Group on Telegram (group chat)
  • TSPC Telegram Channel (just messages from me)
  • Jack on Flote
  • Jack on MeWe
  • Join Me on Odysee
  • All My Recommend Bitcoin Tools and Resources

 

Sponsors of the Day

  • Paul Wheaton’s Newest Super Awesome KickStarter is Live
  • The WealthSteading Podcast – Grow Your Wealth Like a Garden
  • Join the MSB Here
  • Redneck Hippy Duck Farmer T-Shirts at TspSwag.com
  • Urban Worm Bag Composting Bin – Item of the Day

 

Video Version of Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want all the Early TSP Episodes?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 80 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

Posted in Podcasts | 3 Replies

Urban Worm Bag Composting Bin – Item of the Day

The Survival Podcast Posted on March 20, 2023 by Jack SpirkoMarch 20, 2023 4

Every day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day is the Urban Worm Bag Composting Bin.  Many of you know I have been looking for a way to do worm composting on my property that would not be invaded almost instantly and colonized by fire ants.  I believe I have not only found that but that I have found a superior way to compost with worms over many designs with this “bag system”.

Innovative Design and Ant Resistant by Proxy

The design is the type of thing where simple meets innovative.  This model is the second the inventor has put out.  It has an improved bottom that I think makes a ton of sense.  The metal frame (despite claims to the contrary by some in reviews) is very sold and sturdy as are the nylon corner brackets that you use to assemble it.

Assembly is a 5 minute and zero beer operation.  Seriously if you want a beer drink one and admire your 3 minutes of handy work after you put it together, if you really think that rates a beer.  The beauty of this system is for my situation is it is suspended and all zipped up, there is one vector of entry for ants and it is where the zippers on the top come together.  They do leave a small gap, as of yet I have had no issues but if it becomes a problem I will plug the hole with same some petroleum jelly after closing.  Lubed zippers and stuck ants, done.

The over all design though is not really anti ant, it is more pro air flow.  The bag is very well built and durable, think rip stop nylon on the best tactical bag brands.  Solid double stitching everywhere but it breathes.  This allows good airflow at all times, good airflow is happy worms.

I quickly figured out that there are two real keys to this worm farm, the first is you don’t need as much moisture as you think you do.  Damp is all you need and remember almost everything we feed to worms is wet and lets go a lot of water.  I cover problems next but most stem as you will see from people using too much water and not enough bedding.  I watched a ton of youtube videos on this and everyone that is really happy says the same thing, not too wet and good bedding.

For bedding you can used shredded paper, coco coir, prepared bedding, etc. but you should be adding bedding in addition to food, not every time but say weekly may be every other week.  Let me say I really like the Frabill Product for a prepared bedding for initial set up.  I use paper and coir after initial set up though. You really just need to keep an eye on stuff, if it seems really wet, add some bedding and stop feeding for a bit.

You should not have worm juice dripping from your bag, ever.  With this system that is way to wet and I think the desire some have for it, is a source of trouble for many people.  If you want worm tea, put some castings in a big “tea bag”, set that in a 5 gallon bucket and pump air into it for 24 hours.  That will do more then leached fluid ever could hope to anyway.

When ready to harvest you remove the bottom pouch, open the bottom draw string and take out as much of the castings as you want, then close it back up and keep going.  I am sure some worms will come along for the ride, you can just sort them (most anyway) and return them to the top.

The Negative Reviews and Why the Problems Exist

I am not going to say that the negative people in this one are “God’s special children” likely some are but mostly I think it is one small assembly error and again adding too much water.  Let’s start with the assembly error.

I should of video’d this before putting it together but when assembling I noticed that the brackets do have a right and a wrong way to go together.  You will notice two of the three holes have a stop in them, one goes deeper.  The deeper hole is for the vertical arms, the more shallow for the horizontal.  I noticed this instantly but get how the less mechanically inclined may not, the instructions on this one could use a bit of an upgrade.

Simply put though if someone does this wrong; assembly will become very difficult near the end and the angle will never be square.  You might even break a bracket or bend a frame piece if you never workout what is wrong and try to force stuff.  So don’t do that.  My video below will make it pretty clear what I am talking about if you don’t quite follow what I am saying here.

Next is the wetness factor, one reviewer actually said, “Staining When Too Wet” and included a picture with a large puddle at the bottom. Okay how about, IDK, not making it too wet?  They also complained it “doesn’t keep mites in”, um okay not even sure how to respond to that.  Again this is not a bath tub bin you are going to harvest worm tea from it isn’t designed that way.

Next there is an excellent video available in the product listing by the inventor and he states that it is “important that it be installed on level ground” because the bin and stand are designed to support vertical force not side shear. That bit about side shear are my words, he didn’t say it that way but it is the logical conclusion.

Something bigger is at work here though, yes I am sure some “special people” set it on a 30 degree hill but you know where you don’t have 30 degree hills?  Inside a building.  Unless you are on some hell scape version of Hoarders anyway.  And while I am sure a hill is bad, I think outside especially without over head cover is worse.

Let’s start with the obvious, sun on a worm farm is bad, m’kay.  Sun on material like ripstop nylon and resin brackets in time is also bad.  Going to say right out of the gate this belongs in a garage, out building, shed, etc.  If not at minimum somewhere sun never hits directly and a roof of some kind blocks all rain.  I am back to wet but this time wet equalling weight.

It is a bag, if it sits in rain even though nylon like this is great at shedding water to a degree it will accumulate on the lid, form a pond and then really seep into the interior.  Simple question would you rather carry a 5 gallon bucket filled with lightly moist soil or one with very wet soil in it.  The dry one right?  Because at 8.3 lbs a gallon water is heavy.

What I noticed if that almost every picture of a structural failure was outside on a lawn and such.  The stand is designed to support the weight of a full bin with damp material, not even a 75% full one with waterlogged material.  I think that is easy enough to understand. In other words one way or another I think more that 90% of people who have had issues with this product simply got it too wet.  So don’t do that and I expect you will love it.

Final Thoughts

Honestly while as I said my great battle over 10 years on this property with the fire ant plague is what made me try this, I just think it is a better way to vermicompost.  If I have enough success I will likely buy a second one to up production further.  With the addition of biochar on our homestead adding it to our new worm bins is a natural fit.  And, while I have no designs on selling worms, I do have another reason for creating a worm surplus.

As many of you know I have developed a method I call “Johnson-Su Lite” composting with a simplified version of the Johnson-Su bioreactor.  The people behind the original deign add 2 pounds of worms to a batch to finish it.  Their batches are much larger than mine so half a pound to a pound will likely be enough for mine.  I am unwilling to pay for worms for this purpose due to the fact that again the dang ants sooner or later invade and kill them, but I don’t mind if the worms are essentially free.

Anyway for me the Urban Worm Bag Composting Bin closes a loop I have had open since I moved to our little farmstead in 2013, but for everyone again I think this is a better way to compost so check it out today.  I also wanted to point out if you want to build your own stand you can buy just the bag.  I don’t really think you can save money this way but you could over build your stand or may be put it on castors if you plan to keep it in a building with a hard floor.

There other way I can see this working is if you wanted to do a “rack stand” that may be holds multiple bags, but I think most will do bet just buying the full kit and putting it together correctly as described here.  Again see my video below for clarity on that.

Lastly while I encourage you to watch my video and by all means check out some of the YouTube videos by happy users, really watch the video on the product page.  You will find it at the top where you can view the various images, there are two videos.  The second longer one is by the owner and it shows me a guy that helps his customers and cares about the quality of his product.  The kind of guy I want to do business with.

So check out the Urban Worm Bag Farm today and see it if is right for your homestead.

Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com

PS – Here is a quick video over view of my Urban Worm Bag Farm

Posted in Amazon Reviews | Tagged fishing az, gardening az, homestead az, livestock az, permaculture az | 4 Replies

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Recent Comments

  1. Ethan L. on Bitcoin as a Strategy for an Uncertain Future – Epi-3273March 26, 2023

    Exodus. Jack and others recommended it and it's fairly simple to use. Just remember to make a couple of copies…

  2. Mike Getting on Bitcoin as a Strategy for an Uncertain Future – Epi-3273March 25, 2023

    Ethan, thanks for the advice. Which wallet are you using?

  3. Surfivor on Bitcoin as a Strategy for an Uncertain Future – Epi-3273March 23, 2023

    I do feel like bitcoin is a very significant technology and thanks for pointing out the strengths of a hardware…

  4. Ethan L. on Bitcoin as a Strategy for an Uncertain Future – Epi-3273March 23, 2023

    Mike, A little suggestion. Don't be afraid to take some profit back into dollars if it goes up during another…

  5. mikha El on Ready or Not The Shift Has Begun – Epi-3272March 23, 2023

    Much coffee is also grown in the sun due to Starbucks attempting to industrialize its production in Cenral America 10…

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