Archive for September, 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:05 — 42.2MB)
SteriPEN Freedom
Episode 199: Bug Out Bags From Around The World – Outdoor Athletics And The SteriPEN Freedom(9/29/2012)…
Show Notes/Topics And Links:
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Certain types of outdoor athletics requires a tremendous amount of water for rehydrating
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Bicyclist, mountain bikers, cross country runners, and people training for marathons sweat and need to rehydrate
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Sometimes their supply of water that is carried with them is exhausted
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And clean sources of water are not available for these endurance athletes
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Some type of sterilization process is needed for this type of athlete for quick replenishment of body fluids
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Additionally, this type of athlete should carry an emergency kit with them in case Murphy rears his ugly head(and likes to do this from time to time)
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Considering the SteriPEN Freedom as a means for sterilizing water quickly
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Disclosure: SteriPEN sent me a Freedom for review
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I have not given the SteriPEN a rigorous amount of field testing yet, but I will tell you my experience so far – with pictures
A Little Info About The SteriPEN Freedom Before I Get Started:
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UV water purifier that will sterilize 16 ozs of water in 48 seconds
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The Freedom does not use reusable batteries for an energy supply, but has a built in rechargeable battery
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This battery has a micro-USB B port that can be plugged into a wall outlet(comes with detachable AC adopter), computer, or a portable solar panel for recharging
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And it is friggin light and small – coming in at 2.6 ounces in weight and right at 5 inches in length
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Also, the Freedom comes with a built in LED light that needs to be rotated three times quickly(180 degrees turns) with the wrist – this takes a little practice to get right at first
The Pictorial:
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I tested the SteriPEN Freedom at a local greenway in Salem, VA – this waterway is the Roanoke River
Local Greenway In Salem, Va
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Picture of water coming downstream
Roanoke River
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Collecting water
Water Collection – Notice The Water Is Clear
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Humans are not the only animals that share this waterway – and that is why you should sterilize you water to make sure that it is potable
Ducks Swimming
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Using two bottles here – one for collecting and one for purifying
Outdoor Brand Wide Mouth Bottles – Green Bottle Is Filled With Non-sterilized Water
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SteriPEN suggest using a pre-filter such as a handkerchief or coffee filter if the water is murky with silt, as the SteriPEN effectiveness is diminished when the water is not clear – SteriPEN also sales a pre-filter for large mouth water bottles
Pre-Filter Before Pouring
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Notice that the water is clear
Transferring Untreated Water To Empty Bottle
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Poured off excess water so that only 16ozs of water is in bottle for treatment
16 OZs For Treatment
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SteriPEN suggest to clean off any water inside the drinking container that will not be treated before consumption, as that water could be unsafe for drinking
Cleaning Excess Water That Will Not Be Treated Before UV Sterilization With Dry Part Of Handkerchief
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SteriPEN Freedom with carrying case
Make Sure To Keep Plastic Cap Secured Over UV Lamp When Not In Use
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The probes/sensors needed to completely immersed in the water or SteriPEN Freedom will not work
The Two Probes Are Located At The Base Of The Freedom – On Left And Right Side Of The UV Light
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Once submersed the SteriPEN will display a green blinking LED Light and the 48 second timer has been activated, the SteriPEN UV Light needs to be rotated/agitated in the water, as part of the purification process until a solid green LED Light has been achieved
The Outdoor Water Bottles Offer A Wide Mouth – But My Large Fingers Still Had Some Difficulty Submersing The SteriPEN – Practice Makes Perfect – Notice The Green LED Light On The Top Left-Hand Side Of The SteriPEN
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And you get a red LED light when the probes are not making contact with the water
Red Light – Probes/Sensors Are Not Making Contact With The Water
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Business end of light during sterilization – DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO UV LIGHT WHILE ON – I held my iPhone at an angle so that I was not looking into the light for this picture
SteriPEN Freedom In Action
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Clean probes/sensors after cleaning
A Slight Pat Dry Is All That Is Needed For Cleaning – Don’t Drop(Duh)- And Secure Plastic Case Of UV Light When Finished
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Yes – I consumed the water out of the bottle after sterilization and I did not get sick
Finished – 16 ozs of Potable Water 
Final Notes:
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I would consider the SteriPEN freedom as a sensitive item – so definitely waterproof when not using so that internal battery stays dry – I dropped the Freedom completely into water and it still worked, but one should be careful to make sure that the USB – B port stays closed and sealed when not in use
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The lamp is supposed to last for 8000 treatments – after that the manufacturer or a qualified technician needs to replace the UV light – battery repair should also be done by the manufacturer or qualified tech
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The product is pretty decent in my book because of the size, weight, and means for recharging, but still needs more testing – Hardcore backpackers might need something that can take a tremendous beating – I am talking about the people who stay on the Appalachian Trail for weeks at a time or the people operating in very harsh environments consistently
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Probably perfect for the outdoor endurance athlete that I mentioned earlier, survival kits/bug out bags, day hikers, and travelers to foreign lands where water treatment is suspect at best
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SteriPEN suggest carrying backup means of water purification – just in case
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Off Amazon – you are currently looking at about $100 – $105 clams depending on shipping options
Later,
Lat Cozad
latcozad@poormanprepper.com
Forum Is Now Open – Poor Man Prepper Forum
My podcast can be found on iTunes, Bluybrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. Also, I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. And don’t forget to drop by my website and become a member of my email mailing list.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:17 — 25.0MB)
Photo Curtsey Of Duncan Harris
Episode 198: The Need For Flexibility In Your Life…
Show Notes/Topics:
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No – I am not talking about stretching or Yoga on this podcast
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I mean flexibility in your personal life – the ability to change and adapt
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Exploring all the resources in your life – your personal abilities, friends, community, networks
Three Different Types Of People In The World:
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The people who know were they are going in the world from a very early age – choose a career and stick with it
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Some careers for this type of person entails a tremendous amount of time and devotion to their profession – once learned, the acquired skills needs to be maintained
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But so much time is dedicated to their professions that it becomes very difficult to pick up new skills
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A horrible problem, especially in this day and age with the internet
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The second type of person finds out what they want to do – but chooses a life that does not require as much time to dedicated to a profession
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This person has more free time available to adapt
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That leads to the crux of this podcast – being placed in a position where you have to change to survive
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Imagine being placed in an alley way with no way out – but there is a way out if you do not accept that reality
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And that brings us to the last person – the person that has little stability in their careers, but needs challenge of adapting to new situations
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These people are sometimes considered to a bit wishy-washy because of the lack of stability
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But in my experience this third type of person are more likely to adopt and be flexible when confronted with new challenges
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Preppers need to adopt as situations always change overtime and sometimes we get thrown a Black Swan event to deal with
Branching Out From Individuals:
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Building communities of like-minded people
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Communities of go-getters do not need alphas males or females/administrators to take charge
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Go-gitters dive into problems and find solutions
Options:
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Allow yourself to be flexible and adopt
Later,
Lat Cozad
latcozad@poormanprepper.com
Forum Is Now Open – Poor Man Prepper Forum
My podcast can be found on iTunes, Bluybrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. Also, I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. And don’t forget to drop by my website and become a member of my email mailing list.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:32 — 44.4MB)
Photo Curtsey Of Oliver Kurmis
Episode 197: Basics For Purchasing Precious Metals…
Show Notes/Topics And Links:
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I have never purchased gold before – only silver
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Watch the daily spot prices
Physical Product:
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Own the actual physical product
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Remember what happened with the commodities brokerage, MF Global
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Gerald Celente was burned because he was purchasing gold futures before taking delivery
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The same goes for silver and gold certificates, and ETFs, stocks, or other instruments
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If you don’t physically own it – you DO NOT OWN IT
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The United States Gold Reserve Act of January 30, 1934 and Executive Order 6102
Buying:
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Understand that dealers will ask for a price higher than the spot price
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And when you sell, expect to receive less than the spot price in return – my own story with this
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Understand that you might have to pay a sales tax and possibly shipping – also if you sell, taxes will need to be paid on investments(gold) and I do not know how the Obamacare tax revisions work or if these revisions were ever revoked by Congress – DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH ON THIS ONE.
Junk Silver:
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Pre-64 Silver, War Nickles(1942[partial] -1945) 35% silver, Kennedy Half Dollars(65-70) – 40% silver
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Coinflation.com
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Melt value – While you may be hard-pressed to find a definition for “melt value” in the dictionary, it is relatively easy to define. Simply put, it is the value of a coin (or coins) based on the metals contained within them. For example, an American Silver Eagle contains one ounce of .999 fine silver. Thus, if the precious metal was currently trading at $30 an ounce, a Silver Eagle melted down would yield approximately $30 worth of silver.
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Buy from reputable dealers or people you have done business with in the past
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If you buy from E-Bay – make sure the buyer has a high-ranking with plenty of positive reviews
Forgeries:
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Beware of forgeries
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Several articles, Curtsey of ZeroHedge
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I’m skeptical of those ads on TV that say send in your gold and we will send you money back
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That deal that seems to be just to good to be true – my own story – silver coins with no mint stamped on the coin – was selling at spot price?
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I passed, even though I personally thought the dealer was legit – just a feeling
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Plus – if I wanted to sell those coins later I would probably run into the same suspicion that I felt at the time(probably)
Patience:
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Finally, understand that there might be opportunities to buy at great times – be vigilant
Later,
Lat Cozad
latcozad@poormanprepper.com
Forum Is Now Open – Poor Man Prepper Forum
My podcast can be found on iTunes, Bluybrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. Also, I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. And don’t forget to drop by my website and become a member of my email mailing list.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:02 — 35.7MB)
Photo Curtsey Of Corey Balazowich
Episode 196: Protecting Yourself From A STD Epidemic…
Show Notes/Topics:
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This is an an adult podcast – so be forewarned
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I might say things on this podcast that might piss you off or make you feel uncomfortable – so there you go
Future:
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If there is a break down of society/SHTF event – protecting yourself during intercourse will be an absolute most
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Why? Probably a severe lack of medical services and you might not receive the needed treatment
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Imagine having a STD, no medical treatment, and dealing with pain and dread in a sensitive area
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Prep condoms
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Polyurethane condoms – store longer and have less storage requirements, but are more expensive – can use oil based lubricants with this type of condom – some people are allergic to latex – maybe more likely to slip or break compared to latex
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Latex condoms – less storage life in comparison to polyurethane and oil based lubricants can help to break the latex
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Sometimes condoms are actually handed out by health departments at particular times of the month/year, planned parenthood, and HIV prevention organizations
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Even if there is not a societal breakdown, I am still worried about the healthcare system of the future
Present:
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Look at what HIV has done to Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia, and the tropics
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HIV is a killer of the poor because they cannot afford the medical treatments
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But even in Western societies, people cannot afford the cocktails of different drugs
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Abstinence is always an option as well
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Do not use sheepskin condoms – they do not work for STD prevention and are expensive
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The responsibility of the male and female to be prepared
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Talk to your partner and get tested before becoming active
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One night standers – make damn sure YOU USE PROTECTION
Later,
Lat Cozad
latcozad@poormanprepper.com
Forum Is Now Open – Poor Man Prepper Forum
My podcast can be found on iTunes, Bluybrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. Also, I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. And don’t forget to drop by my website and become a member of my email mailing list.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:23 — 26.0MB)
Photo Curtsey Of Hartwig HKD
Episode 195: Fitness Prepping – Low Carb Diets/Weight Loss And The Upcoming Holiday Season(9/25/2012)…
Show Notes/Topics And Links:
Low Carb Diets:
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Why I personally like a low-carb lifestyle – problems with to many carbs/digestive system – just seems right
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My problems and success with low-carb diets in the past
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If you decide to use a low-carb diet, don’t feel boxed in
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There is a lot of variety out there
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Atkins, Zone, and the Paleo diets are a few examples of low-carb diets
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The previous spring was the first long term success that I had with low carb diet and then I started running
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Endurance training like running and bicycling seems to put a strain on the body and I personally started to crave carbs
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There are probably ways to get around this – for instance the Paleo diet suggests using sweet potatoes and yams as an alternative source of carbohydrate
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And don’t forget about those hidden grams of crabs – you see them on the back of food products – check the label
Weight Loss And The Upcoming Holiday Season:
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No matter what type of diet you use – DO NOT GIVE UP!
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Take advantage of the time you have now during this time of the year and while the days are pleasant
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Everyday is a gift – USE IT!
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The holiday season is upon us and most people splurging during this time of the year – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and the New Year
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And splurging is okay – but do not make up excuses to put off your goals
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Like – “I am going to wait until after the Holidays to start losing the weight.”
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Wrong answer, but thanks for coming out.
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How many new years resolutions regarding weight loss fails every year – I am statistic myself
Later,
Lat Cozad
latcozad@poormanprepper.com
Forum Is Now Open – Poor Man Prepper Forum
My podcast can be found on iTunes, Bluybrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. Also, I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. And don’t forget to drop by my website and become a member of my email mailing list.
Photo credit: h.koppdelaney via photopin cc
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:00 — 31.1MB)
Photo Curtsey Of Roberto Ferrari
Episode 194: 30 Minutes With The Poor Man Prepper(9/24/2012)…
Show Notes/Topics And Links:
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No Weekly Economic Update this week – will be back Sunday
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My Twitter account was hacked this weekend – Sorry!
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Schedule is back – this will get me back on track so that shows are on everyday
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Spambots are taken care of now on the forum – to register a person only needs to answer a very simple question
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Speaking of the forum – I would like to get the forum going, so send me suggestions on how you would like the forum structured
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Sci-Fi Saturday will back when I get a new crib
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Prepper fatigue? Take a breather – don’t get stressed out – just by prepping and taking in minimal preps, you are doing better than most people in America
Presidential Election:
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Quick update on where I think the election is heading – you will see a break to the winning candidate before the election
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Pledge allegiance to Obama? Sounds a lot like Nazis in the past
Geopolitical Update:
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Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands – will it come to blows – I doubt it
Weekly Schedule:
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Tuesday – Episode 195: Fitness Prepping – Low Carb Diets/Weight Loss And The Upcoming Holiday Season…
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Wednesday – Episode 196: Protecting Yourself From A STD Epidemic…
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Thursday – Episode 197: Basics For Purchasing Precious Metals…
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Friday – Episode 198: The Need For Flexibility In Your Life…
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Saturday – Episode 199: Bug Out Bags From Around The World – Outdoor Athletics And The SteriPEN Freedom…
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Sunday – Episode 200: Weekly Economic Update…
Later,
Lat Cozad
latcozad@poormanprepper.com
Forum Is Now Open – Poor Man Prepper Forum
My podcast can be found on iTunes, Bluybrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. Also, I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. And don’t forget to drop by my website and become a member of my email mailing list.
Photo credit: Roby Ferrari via photopin cc
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:38 — 29.9MB)
Photo Curtsey Of Eric
Episode 193: Bug Out Bags From Around The World – Why You Should Waterproof Your Gear(9/21/2012)…
Show Notes/Topics And Links:
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The answer to this question seems pretty obvious, right?
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To keep your gear DRY!
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Well here is the reality to this statement
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Despite your best efforts, you still might not be able to keep your gear dry
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A sustained rain – talking about 1-3 days here(depending on the heaviness of the precipitation)
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If not wet – definitely damp
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Certain types of gear need special care
Sensitive Items:
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Electronics, navigation devices
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Your means for creating fire – protection, warmth, utility, and signaling
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But also clothes – because regulating the body temperature is so important
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Wet clothes in the winter time can kill quickly
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Changing out of those wet clothes into dry clothes could save you from dying from hypothermia
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Morale boost of getting into dry – warm clothes
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This alone could be enough to help you survive – as the mental struggle with survival is a significant part of the battle
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Especially important – keeping your socks dry
Trench Foot:
Curtsey of Wikipedia
Trench foot is a medical condition caused by prolonged exposure of the feet to damp, unsanitary, and cold conditions. It is one of many immersion foot syndromes. The use of the word “trench” in the name of this condition is a reference to trench warfare, mainly associated with World War I.
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Lots of ways to get wet weather gear – the market is full of dry bags/compression sacks, plastic baggies, and even soap box containers
Later,
Lat Cozad
latcozad@poormanprepper.com
Forum Is Now Open – Poor Man Prepper Forum
My podcast can be found on iTunes, Bluybrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. Also, I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. And don’t forget to drop by my website and become a member of my email mailing list.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:51 — 20.9MB)
Photo Curtsey Of Tez Goodyer
Episode 192: Fitness Prepping – Jogging, Body Fat, And Creative Weights(9/18/2012)…
Show Notes/Topics And Links:
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Brief description of how I edit my podcasts
Jogging:
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Jogging as opposed to running/sprinting
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Finding your rhythm – enjoying the workout and thinking
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Why you should use the stop watch/heart rate monitor
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Remembering to set your pace and taking a buddy with you
Body Fat:
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Just some basics here
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Men disproportionately carry fat around the mid-section as opposed to women
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Women have their body fat distributed throughout their body
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Best way to get rid of fat cardio, resistance training, and dieting
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A low-carb diet helps as well – if you can stick with it(talking from my own past experience here)
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No way to spot reduce the mid-section
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Ab crunches and sit-ups help to strengthen and develop the mid-section, but will not get rid of the blubber
Creative Weights:
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Remember the movie Desperate Measures(1998), when Michael Keaton was doing curls with gallon jugs of water
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There are lots of different ways to push weights without actually having weights around in the classical sense
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If you do not know the actually weight(specifically), don’t worry about it
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If it is heavy and you are getting a workout out of it, then that is better than nothing at all
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And a variation from boring old calisthenics
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Do not be afraid to be creative
Later,
Lat Cozad
latcozad@poormanprepper.com
Forum Is Now Open – Poor Man Prepper Forum
My podcast can be found on iTunes, Bluybrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. Also, I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. And don’t forget to drop by my website and become a member of my email mailing list.
Photo credit: Cirrus Sky via photo pin cc
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:58 — 34.8MB)
Photo Curtsey Of David Shankbone
Episode 191: Weekly Economic Update(9/18/2012)…
Show Notes/Topics:
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Talking about money printing this week
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QE(Quantitative Easing 3)
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What the Fed is planning on doing
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Purchase $40 billion dollars of MBS(Mortgage Backed Securities) every month until, whenever – indefinite
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What the ECB(European Central Bank) wants to do
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Indefinite purchases of short term debt on the secondary markets – only with maturities of three years – OMT(Outright Monetary Transactions)
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Apparently, both the Fed and ECB will do everything that they can to inflate the economy
Problems with this strategy:
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Inflation concerns(maybe and maybe-not) – there are serve deflationary forces on the economy
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Hyperinflation – I doubt it
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But inflation in energy and food – Yep, that is probably coming down the road, as commodity prices will continue to go up
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There will probably be gains in the stock markets(bubble in the market), but I think there could be a chance for a significant drop even with QE
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Don’t be fooled by central banking, there is no sure thing
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Savers will get hammered – especially people in retirement looking for save options to protect their money
Pluses:
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If you own gold, silver, and other commodities you will be looking good – epically as a hedge against the dollar
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You should still save even with no return
The End Result:
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Not good – they are in because the economy is crap
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What is it a political move? More on this tomorrow
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And all of this QE will do nothing to stop the global downturn that is underway
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Prepare while you can – regular Jane and Joe on Main Street will get screwed on this one(not like we haven’t been) – but try not be this person
Later,
Lat Cozad
latcozad@poormanprepper.com
Forum Is Now Open – Poor Man Prepper Forum
My podcast can be found on iTunes, Bluybrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. Also, I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. And don’t forget to drop by my website and become a member of my email mailing list.
Photo credit: david_shankbone via photo pin cc
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:22 — 31.5MB)
Photo Curtsey Of Gfpeck
Episode 190: 30 Minutes With The Poor Man Prepper(9/17/2012)…
Show Notes/Topics:
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My iPhone ate my Weekly Economic Update podcast yesterday
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So I have to record that podcast again – should be out later tonight
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There will probably will not be anymore YouTube videos until the beginning of the new year
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Hopefully, I should have my own crib by then – the tally section will be going bye, bye until I start again
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War with Iran
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The economic implications – oil prices going through the roof
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The military implications – we will probably suffer some significant military losses(particularly with the Navy)
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The terrorist implications – possibility of a dirty bomb, because of our open borders
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Are we pushing Iran over the brink
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A word on gas stations on how they make their scratch
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A gas stations’ margin at the pump is crap
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The make their real money inside the store
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Where you buy coffee, snacks, and 3 week old hot dogs
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Ben Bernanke and the possibility of QE3 as a political move on his part
Later,
Lat Cozad
latcozad@poormanprepper.com
Forum Is Now Open – Poor Man Prepper Forum
My podcast can be found on iTunes, Bluybrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. Also, I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. And don’t forget to drop by my website and become a member of my email mailing list.
