SCP Survival

Best Survival Gear and Supplies

5 Ways To Be Green and Sustainable at the Individual Level

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A lot is being done at the local, state and federal level to conserve the planet’s resources and to help lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Thankfully, many utility companies have started to implement renewable and alternative energy into the power that it sends to houses and businesses. Cities have started composting programs, have (controversially) banned plastic bags, and implemented “pay as you throw” trash programs.

With so much being done at higher levels to increase conservation and sustainability, it’s understandable that people have started to slack off at the personal level. If this sounds familiar, here are some things that you can do to get back on track. Each of these is a simple, reasonable change you can make in your daily life.

1. Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deals on your utilities.

If you live in a state like Connecticut, Ohio or Texas, where the energy industry has been deregulated you’ve got more wiggle room here. Spend some time researching different Texas electric companies (or Ohio or Connecticut, or wherever you live). Look for programs with sustainable or renewable power sources that you can opt into. Consider switching to natural gas, which is better for the environment and your pocketbook all at the same time.

2. Make some eco-friendly changes to your house.

Tankless water heaters will give you permanent hot water, less water use and a tax credit. Solar panel installation can also save you money on your taxes while helping you reduce your electric bill and energy usage all at the same time. Energy efficient appliances save money and use less power as well. You get the idea.

3. Set up a compost pile in your yard.

This reduces the amount of trash that you toss into landfills (in plastic bags so it can never biodegrade). It also provides you with an eco-friendly alternative to fertilizer for your yard. If you live in an apartment or do not have a yard, set up a compost bin. Your town probably has a community composting program that will take your drop offs.

3. Build a rainwater collection tank if you have the space for it.

Rainwater can be used for things like watering the lawn, washing the car, etc. It reduces your water consumption which, in addition to being environmentally friendly, saves you money on your water bill.

4. Use cloth bags at the grocery store.

This is better for the environment than using plastic bags. If you live in a city with a plastic bag ban (like Portland or San Diego) it can save you from having to cart paper bags around. It might even save you money since many of the cities with the bans also charge for paper bag usage.

5. Use reusable coffee cups, cold beverage containers, and water bottles.

These save you from having to use paper or plastic cups, which even though these are recyclable now, isn’t as good for the environment as a washable beverage container. It’s also worth noting that many coffee shops will give you a discount off of your coffee if you bring in your own cup, so that’s a money saver on top of being an environment saver.

There are lots of little but important things you can do to help save the world. How many more can you think up?

How To Get Free Mulch for Back To Eden Gardening

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Wood chips and mulch for back to eden gardening

If you have seen the “Back to Eden” video, you might be rethinking the way in which you garden. I know it opened my eyes to the value of wood chips and mulch, especially wood chips.

For those of us who garden, you know one of our biggest problems are weeds and grass strangling the life blood out of our gardens, and the energy out of us as we try to keep them under control. Oh, I know some may be saying, “Just go get some Roundup and that will solve the weed and grass problem.”

And you would be right. However, the problems it solves are more than offset by the problems it creates. But, that’s an article for another time.

After watching the “Back to Eden” video, I was convinced that this was the answer to our weed problem for our new enclosed, raised bed garden (future article forth-coming). However, finding the solution created an even bigger problem. Where to obtain large quantities of wood chips, without breaking the bank?

After several months of looking, I finally found the answer! It was here all the time.

We live in a rural portion of the Mid-South, and our county is served by a local Electrical Co-Op. One of their big problems is maintaining their power line right of ways. They have two crews that cut, trim, and chip trees and limbs all year. Recently I was driving home and observed one of the crews in action. I was so fascinated by what I saw. I pulled over to the side of the road and watched for a while. When they took a break, I walked over and started asking questions about their operation.

sky trim machine for mulch

Their odd looking piece of equipment is called a Sky Trim, which has a large skill saw type blade on the end of the long poll, and will reach 75 ft. vertically, and rotate 33 degrees to either side. I saw it in action, and believe me, it can do some trimming.

As we continued our conversation, I asked them, “What do you do with all those wood chips?”

The foreman told me “We’re always looking for places to dump them. On a good day we may fill as many as 5-10 truck loads.” The light bulb came on.

I asked what did they charge for the chips, and the answer was, “Nothing, nada, free! Just show us where you want them, and if we can get our equipment where you want them dumped, we will deliver them to you for free.” He said they would even drive 3-5 mile sometimes looking for places to dump the chips.

Wow! I had been looking and looking, and the answer was there all the time.

2 men feeding wood chipper Pic #3

We have since made friends with the crews, and now have wood chips delivered almost to our door steps. They have brought numerous loads to me and to my brother-in law as well. They told us when things dried up a little they would bring us all the chips we wanted. We have a 3 acre orchard already picked out.

These crews really work hard and the work is dangerous. After storms they really earn their money. They told me so many people are impatient and just plain rude; all they want is their power back on, the first thing they ask is, what took you so long? Those people didn’t realize that the crew may have been working all night, in the wind and rain, and sometimes ice and snow.

The point I am laboring with is this: Show these guys a little respect and kindness, and they will bend over backwards to help you whenever they can.

The crew you see are cutting a few extra trees near the power line that we wanted cut down.

If you don’t live in a rural area, get to know the tree trimming services in your area, they may be willing to give you the same deal. You never know, till you ask!

Top 5 Vegetables to Plant this Spring

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Here are the Top 5 Vegetables to Plant this Spring.

1. Lettuce

I love Black Seeded Simpson. Years ago I figured lettuce would be hard to grow but have since found it is very easy. Lettuce will grow in a large garden, a raised bed, or even a flower pot.

2. Cucumber

These things crawl all over the place but produce pounds and pounds of tasty treats. Boston Pickling and National Pickling are my favorites.

3. Zucchini

I have found zucchini to be one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Over the past 9 years no matter how the rest of my garden is doing – I have plenty of zukes!

4. Summer Squash (crookneck)

Another plentiful vegetable – Summer Squash can produce pounds and pounds of nutritious sustenance. The more you pick – the more you get.

5. Okra

I planted my first crop of these last year literally had okra TREE’s providing so much okra we were begging people to take ’em. Pick when small and the plants will continue to produce and produce.

p.s. I live in the Southeast – Zone 7b.

gar
Rourke’s garden a couple years ago.

Social Security, Earned Retirement and Disability Income, and the Baby Boomers

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You know, it is no surprise that the Baby Boomers contributed MORE to Social Security and have taken less than any other generation. We are barely getting to the age where we can collect! But now it is almost gone!

Now, just take a moment, sip a cup of coffee or tea, and think about this. Most of us here are of the Baby Boom generation. Most of our grandparents didn’t contribute much to Social Security, but got some after 65. Most of our parents contributed to Social Security, but not nearly as much as we did and our payments are supporting them.

The Baby Boom generation has been followed from the beginning. The politicians knew we were going to get old someday and that most of us would need Social Security for our retirement—FACT. But basic math seems to elude our politicians in both parties.

BUT, I do resent being made to feel like I am a moocher, an entitlement brat sucking off the government teat. I paid Social Security all of my life! My employers paid their share for me! No choice—we paid!

Plus, I don’t think that people realize that once you are disabled or retired that you MUST continue (It is simply deducted from your Social Security check.) to pay for Medicare. Medicare only covers 80% of part B medical expenses. And there is the donut hole for medical prescriptions which is about an additional $2,500 a year. Plus, you are almost (may be) required to carry some kind of Medicare Supplement.

That average $12,000 a year EARNED RETIREMENT BENEFIT just went down to about $7,000 a year to live on. Hmmmm, about $550 a month IF you averaged $30,000 a year all of your life–Under 30 y.o. and over 50 y.o. and you made it to 65 without becoming disabled by accident, health, or service to your Country.

And now you are probably at poverty level and Medicaid (Medical Assistance) kicks in to help out with home care and/or nursing home assistance. I don’t know the laws in other states, but if you own a home in Minnesota and use Medical Assistance at any time after the age of 55, that home will be CONFISCATED by the County when you die or go into a nursing home.

ENTITLEMENT????  NO!  PONZI SCHEME? Maybe. RIP OFF, YES!!!

Just My Humble Opinion.

Top 20 Preparedness Items You Own Right Now (and don’t even know it)

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  1. A jack knife and a pair of pliers and you can fix, cobble, etc. most anything!
  2. Pots and Pans! Handy for oh so much!
  3. Solar landscape lighting! Bring them in for a much safer night time lighting than candles! Their batteries work in other things too! And they can recharge rechargeable batteries!
  4. Kitchen knives! You have a whole rack of tools there to cut, scrape and chop with!
  5. Garbage bags! Again so handy for anything from keeping warm and dry, to personal sanitation, to creating shelter and ropes!
  6. Aluminum foil! Handy for so much, ex. Cooking in, candle holders, reflect heat in and keep heat out!
  7. Heavy duty extension cords! They work to bring electric in if only you are the one without power and also as rope!
  8. Electric fence wire! That stuff practically holds my place together anyway!
  9. A chainsaw! No gun and you have intruders? Start the chainsaw! They won’t stay and you don’t have to be accurate!
  10. Your dog! Both an alarm and protection, even if it is an ankle biter!
  11. Duck Tape! What can’t you do with it!
  12. Whiskey/Alcohol! Sterilize a wound or tend to the pain!
  13. Car Radio! Emergency news at your fingertips!
  14. Deck of Cards! Yup, no electric, no lights, no sound, and those cards become mighty appealing!
  15. Aloe Vera Plant! Burn treatment!
  16. Anything in your freezer can be used as a cold pack if needed!
  17. Shower curtain! That is a large hunk of plastic to fix the roof, keep you dry, catch water in or line the bathtub and drain the rest of the water out of your system!
  18. Tarps, plastic sheeting, etc. Tack them to the walls and ceiling to create one warm/isolation room!
  19. Hammer! Way better than a rock for almost anything you want to pound on including an unwelcome guest!
  20. Grill lighter! It makes fire!

100 Items That Disappear First in a Disaster

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This list has been around for a while. It has been posted, torn apart, praised, and ridiculed many times, but in case you have not seen it yet, it’s worth reposting.

It was apparently put together on a forum thread, so it’s not like it was etched in stone by the finger of God, but there are some great ideas in here.

My opinion? Great list of things to stock up on. Many are common household items while others are not.

100 Items That Disappear First in a Disaster

1. Generators
(Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy…target of thieves; maintenance, etc.)

2. Water Filters/Purifiers

3. Portable Toilets (Increasing in price every two months.)

4. Seasoned Firewood
(About $100 per cord; wood takes 6 – 12 mos. to become dried, for home uses.)

5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps
(First choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)

6. Coleman Fuel
(URGENT $2.69-$3.99/gal. Impossible to stockpile too much.)

7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats and Slingshots

8. Hand-Can openers and hand egg beaters, whisks (Life savers!)

9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugars

10. Rice – Beans – Wheat
(White rice is now $12.95 – 50# bag. Sam’s Club, stock depleted often.)

11. Vegetable oil (for cooking)
(Without it food burns/must be boiled, etc.)

12. Charcoal and Lighter fluid (Will become scarce suddenly.)

13. Water containers
(Urgent Item to obtain. The Waterbob bathtub water storage container is a good place to start)

14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won’t heat a room.)

15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)

16. Propane Cylinders

17. Michael Hyatt’s Y2K Survival Guide
(BEST single y2k handbook for sound advice/tips.)

18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc.
(Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)

19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula/ointments/aspirin, etc

20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)

21. Cook stoves
(Propane, Coleman and Kerosene)

22. Vitamins
(Critical, due 10 Y2K-forced daily canned food diets.)

23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder
(Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item.)

24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products

25. Thermal underwear
(Tops and bottoms)

26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets and Wedges (also, honing oil)

27. Aluminum foil Reg. and Heavy. Duty
(Great Cooking and Barter item)

28. Gasoline containers
(Plastic or Metal)

29. Garbage bags
(Impossible to have too many.)

30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, paper towel

31. Milk – Powdered and Condensed
(Shake liquid every 3 to 4 months.)

32. Garden seeds (Non-hybrid) (A MUST)

33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)

34. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit: 1(800) 835-3278

35. Tuna Fish (in oil)

36. Fire extinguishers
(or.. large box of Baking soda in every room…)

37. First aid kits

38. Batteries (all sizes…buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)

39. Garlic, spices and vinegar, baking supplies

40. BIG DOGS (and plenty of dog food)

41. Flour, yeast and salt

42. Matches
(“Strike Anywhere” preferred. Boxed, wooden matches will go first.)

43. Writing paper/pads/pencils/solar calculators

44. Insulated ice chests
(good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime)

45. Work boots, belts, Levis and durable shirts

46. Flashlights/Light Sticks and torches, “No.76 Dietz” Lanterns

47. Journals, Diaries and Scrapbooks
(Jot down ideas, feelings, experiences: Historic times!)

48. Garbage cans Plastic
(great for storage, water, transporting – if with wheels)

49. Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc

50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)

51. Fishing supplies/tools

52. Mosquito coils/repellent sprays/creams

53. Duct tape

54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes

55. Candles

56. Laundry detergent (Liquid)

57. Backpacks and Duffle bags

58. Garden tools and supplies

59. Scissors, fabrics and sewing supplies

60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.

61. Bleach
(plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)

62. Canning supplies (Jars/lids/wax)

63. Knives and Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel

64. Bicycles…Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc.

65. Sleeping bags and blankets/pillows/mats

66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)

67. Board Games Cards, Dice

68. d-Con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer

69. Mousetraps, Ant traps and cockroach magnets

70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks…)

71. Baby Wipes, oils, waterless and Anti-bacterial soap
(saves a lot of water)

72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.

73. Shaving supplies
(razors and creams, talc, after shave)

74. Hand pumps and siphons
(for water and for fuels)

75. Soy sauce, vinegar, bouillons/gravy/soup base

76. Reading glasses

77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)

78. “Survival-in-a-Can”

79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens

80. BSA – New 1998 – Boy Scout Handbook
(also, Leader’s Catalog)

81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)

82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky

83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts

84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)

85. Lumber (all types)

86. Wagons and carts
(for transport to and from open Flea markets)

87. Cots and Inflatable Mattresses (for extra guests)

88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.

89. Lantern Hangers

90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts and bolts

91. Teas

92. Coffee

93. Cigarettes

94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc.)

95. Paraffin wax

96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

97. Chewing gum/candies

98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)

99. Hats and cotton neckerchiefs

100. Goats/chickens