Thinking about a Great Smoky Mountains National Park camping trip? What are you waiting for?

There is not question that the Great Smoky Mountains is the most popular national park in the country. In fact, more than 10 million people visited the Smokies last year. The park is considered an international biosphere reserve by the United Nations because it has hundreds of species of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles.

About Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Quick Facts

• The park covers an area roughly 800 square miles or 520,000 acres.

• It is located in the Haywood and Swain counties in North Carolina and in the Blount, Cocke and Sevier counties in Tennessee.
• Great Smoky Mountain was established as a national park on June 15, 1934.
• The Smokies is a hiker’s paradise with 800 miles of trails which includes seventy miles of the Appalachian Trail.
• Over a hundred native tree species call the Great Smoky Mountains home, more than can be found in the northern part of Europe.

• Before the European settlers arrived, the inhabitants of the park were Cherokees.
• The Smokies is known for being a haven for bears with a population of roughly 1,500.

• Other animals that can be seen here are woodchucks, turkeys, raccoons, elk and white-tailed deer.
• Thousand of different plants can be found in the Smokies from azaleas to mountain laurels, mosses to hornworts.

• Its name came from the smoke-like haze that envelops the mountains.
• The Great Smoky Mountain National Park also carries the distinction of being the Salamander Capital of the World; 30 different species are found here.

• Close to a hundred log buildings are scattered around the Smokies, which have either been restored or preserved.

Preparing for a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Camping Trip

Camping in the Smoky Mountains will definitely be fun as long as you are well-prepared.

Majestic as it may look, it is important to remember that the park is 95% forest. You will need to be ready for the possible hazards that come with camping in this environment. The following are some of the considerations:

Camping Facilities

You have many choices when it comes to campsites, from backcountry to frontcountry, group campgrounds to horse camps.

Fees and Permits

Not many national parks offer free entrance and the Smokies is one of them. However there are fees to pay if you are camping overnight. There are also permits needed for the said activity.

Weather

Spring is unpredictable especially in March, switching from sunny to snowy in a matter of hours. April is milder and May is warmer. Summer is hot and humid in the Smokies recording high 90s in low areas while it is more comfortable up in the mountains. Skies are clear and the weather is cool in the fall, giving cool nights and warm days. Winter is moderate but it can also be harsh in higher elevations.

Cellular Service

There are no cell towers operating within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cellular service that may be picked up are coming from sites located outside the park. High elevation areas can access services but they can easily be obstructed by rocks, hill and even clouds. To put it simply, there is no stable cellular coverage in the Smokies.

Restaurants and Gas Stations

None of these can be found in the Smokies so be sure to fill up your gas tank before getting into the park. The same is true with food; bring plenty on your camping trip.

Black Bears

These are dangerous animals and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has thousands of them. Bears are wild and unpredictable so it is best to be watchful. Maintain a safe distance in case you see a bear. Do not feed or annoy them.

Pets

Dogs are allowed in the Smokies but only in specified areas. Pet owners must keep them on a leash. Roads, picnic areas and campgrounds are open to dogs as well as the Oconaluftee River Trail and Gatlinburg Trail. In addition, dogs cannot be left in your car or recreational vehicle.

What to Pack for a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Camping Trip

DAYHIKING

Clothing:

• 1 synthetic baselayer T-shirt (dries faster than wool in the soggy Smokies)

• 1 pair synthetic hiking shorts (pants in colder weather)
• 1 synthetic, breathable midlayer shirt
• 1 synthetic puffy jacket or sweater
• 1 bombproof rainshell (don’t forget, or you’ll be sorry)
• 1 bombproof pair of rainpants
• 1 pair waterproof gaiters
• 1 rain hat
• Wool socks
• Undies of choice
• Sturdy hiking boots that can handle steep, rocky trails
• Sturdy sandals for creek crossings
• Shades and sun hat—but only if you’re heading to the high ridges
• Gloves/mittens and a hat if it’s cold

Gear:

• Backpack
• Map and compass or GPS

• Snacks
• Water
• First-aid kit (make sure it has blister dressings)
• Trekking poles
• Emergency gear (space blanket, firestarters, lighter, headlamp)
• Camera
• Field guide (with the thousands of plant, animal, and insect species, you’ll need it)

BACKPACK

• Add the following to the dayhiking list:

Clothing:

• 1 baselayer top for sleeping
• 1 baselayer bottom for sleeping
• 1 pair extra socks
• Camp shoes (I like waterproof Chacos because they double as creek-crossing shoes)

Gear:

• Backpack
• Tent (make sure it’s rainworthy and breathable for humid nights)
• Synthetic sleeping bag (15 to 30 degrees for three-season use)
• Inflatable sleeping pad
• Bandanna or camp towel for mopping up any rain puddles
• Stove and fuel

• Cookset
• Lighter and waterproof matches
• Bowl, spoon, mug
• Headlamp
• Water bottles/reservoir with treatment method of choice (there’s water everywhere!)
• Multitool Extra carabiner and stuffsacks for hanging a bear bag (many sites have cables)
• Zip-top bags
• Lip balm
• TP, trowel, and hand sanitizer

To know more, click here.

What to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Now that you’ve prepared and packed for your trip, it’s time to explore some of Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s beautiful sights and exciting activities. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Camping

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service maintains developed campgrounds at ten locations within the park. These campgrounds have restrooms with cold running water, flush toilets, fire grates and picnic tables. For the avid backpacker, backcountry camping is another option. 

2. Mount LeConte

One of the Park’s finest features – from afar or up close – Mt. LeConte hosts five great hiking trails to the top. One of the most popular hikes to Mt. LeConte is the Alum Cave Bluff Trail. Mt. LeConte also boasts the only lodging within the Park: Mt. LeConte Lodge – Cabins. Accessible only by trail and available only by reservation, Mt. LeConte Lodge and the views of the Smokies Mt. LeConte affords the hardy hiker are well worth the effort. See more…

3. The Sugarlands

One of the prettiest parts of the Smoky Mountains, Sugarlands is a valley named after the area’s once dominant sugar maple trees and is extremely popular as a day trip destination from Gatlinburg. The area stretches from the aptly-named Roaring Fork in the east, all the way to the slopes of Sugarland Mountain in the west and is overlooked by the 5,000-foot Mount le Conte. Continue reading

4. Mountain Farm Museum & Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Located at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, see historic farm buildings is an open-air museum. A half-mile north historic Mingus Mill. See more…

5. Mingus Mill

The 1886 Mingus Mill , 2 miles west of Cherokee, a turbine-powered mill that still grinds wheat and corn much as it always has. The on-site Mountain Farm Museum is a restored 19th-century farmstead, complete with barn, blacksmith shop and smokehouse (with real pig heads!), assembled from original buildings from different parts of the park. 

6. Clingman’s Dome

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Only Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) and Mt. Craig (6,647), both located in Mt. Mitchell State Park in western North Carolina, rise higher. The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep half-mile walk to the tower at the top. 

7. Appalachian Trail

The 2,200-mile journey from Maine all the way down to Georgia is as scenic as it is daunting. If you want to pull a “Forrest Gump” and go from the start to finish, you deserve major bragging rights and will join the ranks of other “thru-hikers.” However, you can also just check out the Smoky Mountains’ portion of the trail, which does not disappoint. It is home to the 5,499-foot Standing Indian Mountain (along the Nantahala River) and Clingman’s Dome, another one of our picks for the top 10 Smoky Mountain attractions. Read more…

8. Cades Cove

Cades Cove is a large valley surrounded by mountains that was once home to Native Americans and, subsequently, a group of settlers somewhat isolated from the outside world. This popular area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that features a number of preserved 19th-century homesteads and churches along an 11-mile one-way loop that includes a visitors center and a variety of other trails radiating oRut from it. It’s also an easy spot to find a variety of wildlife, ranging from deer to black bears. See more…

9. Road to Nowhere

A six-mile scenic drive that was planned in the early 1940s and never completed, the Road to Nowhere, which ends at the mouth of a tunnel, offers a wealth of scenic mountain views, wildlife and hiking trails. 

10. Whitewater Rafting & Tubing

Whitewater rafting and tubing down a cool mountain river are some of the most popular things to do in the national park. Whitewater rafting is available from mid-April to early November. Several rafting posts can be located near the park. This sport is enjoyed by children and adults. Tubing is a fun activity and is available from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Click here for the full post.

11. Fishing

The park has about 2,115 miles of streams within its boundaries, and protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. Fishing is permitted year-round from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The park requires a Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license, which can be purchased in nearby towns or online. Read more…

12. Biking

There are many opportunities to bike on roads in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but none as popular as the 11 mile one way Cades Cove Loop Road. This loop provides bicyclists with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and touring of 19th century home sites. Deer and black bear are the most popular animals sighted along the way. 

13. Experience Mountain Culture

Visit restored mountain cabins and tour “ghost towns” in the park, with old frame and log buildings preserved much as they were 100 years ago. Read more…

14. Hiking and Waterfalls

The best way to experience the Smokies is to do what the original settlers and explorers did: hit the trails. From the original Appalachian Trail to breathtaking wildflower walks, there are 150 Smoky Mountain trails covering 800 miles of pristine backcountry. Waterfalls, wildlife, valleys and vistas are everywhere. Keep reading

15. Picnics

The national park has many picnic areas for visitors to get away to break bread with family or friends. Pack up a meal and find a natural nook for couples or a table outside or under a pavilion(some can be reserved in advance) in one of eleven designated picnic grounds, or simply plunk down on a rock off the trail or scenic overlook and enjoy! Click here for additional information. See more…

16. Horseback Rides

Guided horseback rides are available at four concession horseback riding stables in the park from mid-March through late November. Rides on scenic park trails are offered lasting from 45 minutes to several hours. All rides proceed at a walking pace. Read more…

Want to know more about Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Check out the video below!

Did we miss anything in our Great Smoky Mountains National Park camping guide? Let us know in the comments!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest!

***Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.***

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November 12, 2019, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Save

Today I’ve got something really important to share…

A Complete Guide To Finding A Quiet Camping Generator For You

Everyone starts camping quickly realizes how much better it is with a few extra luxuries….

• Perhaps it’s upgrading to better cots or tents.
• Maybe it’s hammocks, meals, or lanterns.

And all camping gear requires a delicate balance between size, weight, price, etc.

There are ALWAYS tradeoffs!

But the last thing you want is to regret a purchase.

And THAT goes double for expensive gear – like a camping generator…

TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE…    ↓(click to jump)

• Best Camping Generators Today
  • Best Lightweight Generators
  • High-Powered Generators
  • Solar-Powered Generators
• Why Get A Portable Generator
• Best Camping Inverter Features
• Sizing A Generator For Camping
• Quieting A Generator For Camping
• Where To Run Your Generator

Want a free camping essentials checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Best Camping Generators On The Market Today

Let’s break things down into 3 main portable generator categories:

1. Best Lightweight Options

Lightweight generators can supply smaller camper setups.

They’re often paired with teardrops, truck bed campers, popups, or bug-out trailers.

↓ New Honda Bluetooth Generator EU2200i Exposed

↓ Briggs And Stratton P2400 Generator Review

↓ Westinghouse iGen2200 Portable Generator Review 2022

2. High-Powered Portable Ones

Larger campers and motor homes require more power.

Why? Because they have extensive lighting, advanced climate controls, entertainment, and kitchen appliances.

↓ Westinghouse WGen6000 Portable Generator Review

↓ Champion Dual Fuel Generator Long-Term Review

3. Solar-Powered Ones

And the newest segment is solar “generator” systems (i.e., Power Stations).

These combine large solar panels with self-contained battery banks.

Newer ones even have electronic current management hardware.

This advanced hardware gives users on-demand energy harvested and stored from the sun.

↓ Off Grid Power – Goal Zero Yeti 400 & Boulder 50 Solar Panel Review

↓ Reviewing The Jackery Explorer 500 Power Station

Why You Should Get One

We go camping to escape the noise and technology of our daily lives.

But while we’re away – there are a few luxuries we don’t think we can live without.

For example, most of us use our phones for photos, maps for navigation, and coffee makers for a morning brew!

At night, we depend on lights to make camp chores easier and prepare for bed, plus a bit of winddown reading.

And for some of us, critical medical devices (like CPAP machines) require power no matter where we are.

And there are always those times when the power goes out at home.

That’s when these portable “camping” generators can quickly become survival heroes.

It can function as a small backup generator for your home.

Sure, it won’t power your entire house, but it will run a few appliances – which is better than nothing!

I work from home, so I feel the full effects of every small blip in our power.

So I have to think about how I work from home without power.

Not to mention the stress of keeping the food in the fridge and freezer from spoiling in an emergency.

The right “camping” generator can be a good option for both scenarios.

They’re perfect for prepping and filling the gap between battery banks and massive stationary generators.

A camping one is portable, compact, and easy to use.

Plus, most come with convenient connectors and user-friendly controls.

Many are incredibly fuel-efficient and quiet enough to use in a crowded campground.

So you can use one without making the neighbors angry, whether at a campground or home.

This quiet feature becomes a significant benefit in a long-term survival scenario.

It’s a way to keep your power capabilities to yourself!

Want a free camping essentials checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Best Camping Inverter Features To Look For

There are several factors to selecting the right generator.

So it’s best to start working through these factors by honestly evaluating your needs.

This process will help narrow down your options.

This analysis will ensure you get one that fits your needs.

But without paying extra for features you’ll never use.

Power Output

Watts is the way generators measure power output, just like light bulbs.

An incandescent lightbulb usually consumes between 50-100 watts of power.

In contrast, newer LED bulbs consume about 90% less for the same light level.

Using watts makes it easy to compare how powerful each model is.

There is a wide range of power levels on the market:

The 400-watt solar power systems could only power a few incandescent lights.

To 10,000-watt gasoline-powered generators, which could light up a whole field.

Understanding your power needs comes down to knowing what appliances you need to run.

AND how power-hungry each device is over time.

Quiet Operation

A noisy generator is one of the most universally hated sounds in camp.

This is even more true if you plan to camp near others or need to keep the generator on into the evening.

Decibel (dB) is the measurement of Sound level.

A typical conversation is around 60dB, while a vacuum cleaner is roughly 70 dB.

Prolonged exposure to anything higher than 80dB is considered hazardous.

And high levels of sound exposure can cause permanent hearing loss.

So, the quieter, the better.

But there are also ways to muffle a noisier one with baffles and enclosures.

We’ll cover a few tricks and DIY options to lower noise later in this article.

Portability

A combination of size and weight, portability is vital with a camp generator.

My truck is ALWAYS full when I leave for a camping trip with lots of camping essentials.

So a big generator that takes up half of the back doesn’t make sense.

Many of the larger models are portable with wheels and handles.

But they’re still difficult to pick up and put in the bed of a truck or trailer when it’s time to pack up.

Working with a smaller generator is much easier if your power needs are smaller.

The size most people are comfortable carrying around is usually smaller than 60 lbs.

Fuel Options

There are two main fuel options: gasoline and propane.

Gasoline is readily available in most places.

And you may already be carrying it for some of the other toys you take camping.

Most smaller ones use gasoline.

But it’s not the most efficient fuel available.

Make sure to check the run times for a single tank.

Why? Because many gas-powered generators need 5-10 gallons of fuel per 24-hour operation.

The other option, propane, can be a little harder to find.

But most outdoor stores and home centers have a BBQ canister exchange or filling station.

Propane is much more efficient and clean-burning.

So a dual-fuel generator is a nice compromise.

But this second option is unusually only available on larger units.

One thing to consider when you evaluate fuel options and efficiency:

Manufacturers list fuel efficiency and run times at 25-50% power capacity.

But as the engine ramps to full capacity, its fuel intake will increase dramatically.

Remember this when sizing, as you don’t want to always operate at full capacity.

Traditional Inverter vs. Solar Generators

Most of the generators we’ll cover in this article are “inverter” generators.

These provide clean, stable A.C. power as their primary output.

A.C. ones are more fuel-efficient.

That’s why they can manage the engine throttle and provide the power needed at any given time.

You can also run a solar generator can in parallel to provide more power on the same circuit.

This advantage is thanks to advanced power management circuitry.

They’re an excellent choice for situations where you need power for extended periods.

Nowadays, the newest trend for camping is portable solar “generators.”

These are just large battery banks with advanced electronics.

These electronics help manage the charging and distribution of power.

And they also include a regulated D.C. or A.C. power on demand from stored energy.

Their silent operation and smaller footprint make them an attractive option for many.

But they have a smaller capacity and often take long periods of direct sun to charge fully via solar panels.

How To Size A Generator For Your Needs

The RIGHT size for YOU depends upon your power needs:

For example:

• Do you plan to charge a few phones and your laptop?
• OR do you need to run an entire Class A motor home?

The difference in size is massive, depending on these needs.

Think about the situations in which you might want to use it.

Then sum up all the devices you need to run or charge simultaneously.

Here are some examples of the power needs for some common types of devices:

• Smartphone (charging): 6 watts
• Laptop (charging): 30 watts
• LCD TV (operating): 50-100 watts
• Portable Air Conditioner (operating): 600 – 1700 watts
• Mini fridge (starting watt): 2200 watts
• Mini fridge (running): 700 watts

These are just average ranges.

You can see that larger appliances take much more power to run.

A.C. and refrigeration units need even more power on startup when the compressor kicks on.

These power spikes can cause peak loads 2-3 times the normal operating range.

As stated earlier, it’s best not to run it at 100% capacity all the time.

You’ll want to avoid hitting full capacity at all times.

For example:

During peak times (like the compressor loads) or steady loads.

A margin of safety will help prevent premature wear and tear on the engine.

So you’ll want to add a safety factor of at least 30%.

With this total in mind as a guideline, you can weed out generators.

Those that are either too small or way too large for your needs.

As a very rough guideline:

Generators under 3000 watts are suitable for smaller camps.

But these will not consistently and efficiently run the larger appliances in an R.V.

↓ Generator Sizing For RVs With Josh, The RV Nerd

Want a free camping essentials checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

How To Make A Generator Run Whisper Quiet

It’s always best to start with a quiet one in the first place.

But sometimes, you must muffle noise from even a quiet generator.

There are lots of ways to minimize the sound.

Solutions range from:

• Better positioning
• Adding noise baffles
• Or installing larger, higher noise-reduction mufflers.

Check out these options for some inspiration.

You can also make a small noise-muffling enclosure, which serves double duty as a rain shelter.

Keep in mind that any engine needs adequate fresh air intake and cooling.

So any enclosure needs ventilation, or you risk tripping the carbon monoxide sensors.

Or overheating the engine and reducing the lifespan.

↓ How To Make A Generator Quieter

Where To Run Your Generator (Or Where Not)

One of the most common questions is:

“Where do I put it while it’s running?”

It’s a question with a lot of considerations.

When finding a spot, look for a clean, dry surface with no flammable leaves or grass.

This is very important as the exhaust gasses and muffler are very hot.

They could start dry vegetation on fire if they come in contact with the muffler.

You also need protection from the rain/snow.

Always keep your generator dry and protected from moisture.

This helps to extend its life by keeping it from harmful corrosion.

Keep it under an awning, under the tailgate, under a rear bumper, or R.V. stairs.

They are all decent storage/run location options.

You can also reduce noise by putting it on the other side of your vehicle.

This setup is a simple solution unless you have close neighbors in camp on that side of your vehicle.

Final Thoughts

A small, portable generator is an excellent camping and survival gear addition.

It gives you the option to charge devices and run some essential appliances.

However, be sure to evaluate your needs realistically!

This is because you go up in price fast as you get to larger power ratings.

Even if you’re far from home, you don’t have to give up all the comforts of modern life.

You’ll appreciate the conveniences on a particularly cold or rainy day in camp.

Why Trust Skilled Survival…

Go here now to review a full breakdown of:

Who We Are

Our Credentials

Our Mission

& Product Recommendations…

Here are a few highlights of our teams credentials & certifications:

• Certified Member of a Mountain Search & Rescue Organization
• Plant Emergency & Safety Leader for a Major Food Manufacturer
• Member of the 10TH Mountain Division Hut Association
• Certifications: Avalanche 1, WFR, CPR
• Official Gear Tester for Numerous Outdoor Gear Companies
• Countless Multiday Backpacking trips into Remote Wilderness
• Bachelor’s Degree In Mechanical Engineering 
• Bachelor’s Degree In Civil Engineering
• Bachelor’s Degree In Biomedical Engineering

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” – Warren Buffett

We’re fully aware that TRUST is NOT something you GET but is EARNED.

And we’ll continue to earn YOUR trust through our forthright and honest approach with each new Blog Post, Guide & Product we create…

Jason K.

Born & Raised In The Remote Woods Of Michigan

Engineering Degree From A Major University

Long Standing Member Of Mountain Search & Rescue

Offical Gear Tester For Several Outdoor Companies

Avid Outdoorsman: Backpacking, Camping, Fishing

Years Researching & Writing About Survival & Gear

P.s. Do You Live In A ‘Danger Zone’ County?

Find out now using my Danger Zone County List & Special Report it’s absolutely FREE.

In minutes you’ll know EXACTLY where you stand and if you should be worried or not..

So click here to get my FREE Danger Zone County List & Report…

The post 7 Best Camping Generators For Whisper Quiet Power appeared first on Skilled Survival.

Oh, is this a question that I am not supposed to be asking?  Following the earthquake that shook up the Big Apple on Friday, a lot of people were suggesting that it seemed really weird that a magnitude “4.8” earthquake would hit our largest metropolitan area just days before the Great American Eclipse of 2024 passes over the United States on “4/8”.  It isn’t as if New York regularly experiences these sorts of quakes.  In fact, it is being reported that this was the largest earthquake in New York City since 1884.  So the truth is that this was a very rare occurrence.  And we are just supposed to believe that this extremely rare earthquake that just happened to be precisely magnitude 4.8 has absolutely nothing to do with the Great American Eclipse on April 8th?

Okay…

Over the weekend, so many people wrote me about this.

So I decided to write an article about it.

It turns out that the war between Israel and Hamas was being discussed at the UN at the exact moment that the earthquake hit…

At the United Nations in Midtown Manhattan, a Security Council address on the Israel-Gaza conflict was interrupted as cameras began shuddering.

That is certainly very interesting.

And we have also learned that the earthquake struck very close to a location in New Jersey known as “Lebanon”…

A rare earthquake rocked the New York City area Friday morning, swaying buildings and sending terrified residents into the streets — the strongest temblor to strike near the Big Apple in 140 years.

City officials quickly warned people of the danger of potential aftershocks — which began in the early afternoon in New Jersey, a report said.

The preliminary 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Lebanon, NJ, around 10:23 a.m. and was potentially felt by more than 42 million people, according to the US Geological Survey.

When the war in the Middle East goes to the next level, southern Lebanon will be one of the key battlefields.

It is also being reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was a place called “Whitehouse Station”…

The epicenter of the earthquake was in Whitehouse Station, Hunterdon County, at 10:23 a.m.

That is certainly weird.

And as I pointed out to my core supporters on Friday, Donald Trump actually owns a golf course that is approximately 7 miles away from the epicenter of the earthquake…

Donald Trump’s New Jersey golf course was rocked by a 2.0 magnitude aftershock from the 4.8 earthquake that shook the Northeast on Friday morning, with residents warning tremors could last a week.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported a quake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8, centered near Lebanon, New Jersey, about 50 miles west of New York City at 10.23am and was felt by more than 42 million people.

The Trump National Golf Club Bedminster is less than seven miles from the epicenter of the quake and was rocked by an aftershock hours later – it is unclear if the club sustained any damage.

Interestingly, this quake occurred exactly 7 months before the presidential election happens on November 5th.

So the epicenter of the earthquake was in “Whitehouse Station”, and a man from New York that owns a golf course that is 7 miles away from the epicenter will be one of the candidates for president on election day exactly 7 months after the earthquake.

And all of this happened the day after the Statue of Liberty was struck by lightning.

Statue of Liberty gets zapped with lightning yesterday, has an earthquake today, & will experience a total eclipse on Monday.
New York better get it together! pic.twitter.com/rjxnSCAfKd

— ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) April 5, 2024

Yes, there is a possibility this is just one really long string of incredibly bizarre coincidences.

And a lot of people are trying to make that argument.

But I am not buying it.

I think that God has been trying to get our attention.

But most of the population is not listening.

On Monday, the eclipse that many of us have been waiting to see for more than 7 years will finally be here.

Of course it isn’t just people like us that have been anticipating this eclipse.  NASA will be firing three rockets toward the eclipse on April 8th, for some reason CERN selected that specific day to fire up the Large Hadron Collider, and a state of emergency has been declared in many areas that will be along the path of totality.

And as Trey Smith has pointed out, the U.S. Space Command logo actually bears a striking resemblance to the giant “X” over America that will be completed by the Great American Eclipse of 2024 on April 8th…

As I discussed earlier today, having a giant “X” painted in the skies over America that intersects directly in the middle of the New Madrid fault zone is probably not a good sign.

Right now, speculation about this eclipse has reached a fever pitch on social media, and some people are even suggesting that what is happening in the heavens is making them feel ill…

One person said: “Been feeling physically sick for a few days now and I feel like it’s because of the Mercury retrograde and the upcoming solar eclipse. Does anyone else feel off/sick these days?” while another said: “Any of u also experiencing headache bc of the solar eclipse??”

One user said they had been feeling “wiped out”, writing: “A lot of people talking about the Total Solar Eclipse and Full moon… but us anyone else actually FEELING it?… This just has me wiped out feeling weird “. Another claimed it had thrown her menstrual cycle off and their period was now “synced” with the eclipse.

Other social media users revealed they’ve been battling insomnia too, one user said: “Anyone else suffering from weird insomnia, no appetite and other weird s**t that can’t be explained? Someone told me the eclipse might have something to do with it but I don’t get how.”

Personally, I think that what a lot of those people are experiencing is just being caused by anxiety.

As for what may or may not happen on April 8th, I am not expecting any sort of a major disaster or emergency to happen on that specific day.

But I could be wrong.

We shall see.

It is entirely possible that something could happen.

But the main point of April 8th is going to be what is going on in the heavens.

I believe that this eclipse is a sign, a warning and a threshold.

It is what is going to happen during the days, weeks and months after April 8th that people should be concerned about.

Of course most of the population does not believe that April 8th is any sort of a warning at all.

Most of them think that the eclipse does not have any sort of special significance, and once it has passed most of them will just keep doing what they always do.

Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.

About the Author: Michael Snyder’s extremely controversial new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.  He has also written seven other books that are available on Amazon.com including “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  You can connect with Michael on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and sharing his articles on your own social media accounts is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post Is It Just A Coincidence That A Magnitude “4.8” Earthquake Hit Our Largest Metropolitan Area Just Days Before “4/8”? appeared first on End Of The American Dream.

We are living in an era of endless disasters.  Over the past several years, we have been hit with one thing after another, and the pace of events seems to have picked up steam in 2024.  Just think of all the things we have seen in recent days.  There was the historic terror attack in Russia, then the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed, and then Israel’s strike on a building right next to Iran’s embassy in Damascus threatened to spark a major regional war.  Less than 24 hours ago, a catastrophic earthquake hit Taiwan, but that is already starting to fade from the news cycle because so much else is happening right now.

In this article, I want to focus on two things: pestilences and earthquakes.

The bird flu plague has already killed millions upon millions of birds all over the planet, but now it has made a major resurgence in the United States.

In fact, the largest egg producer in the U.S. is “temporarily” closing a facility in Texas due to a local outbreak…

The largest producer of fresh eggs in the United States says it has temporarily closed one of its facilities in Texas after highly pathogenic avian influenza, otherwise known as H5N1 bird flu, wiped out nearly two million birds.

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. said one of its facilities in Parmer County “tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, resulting in depopulation of approximately 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets, or approximately 3.6% of the Company’s total flock as of March 2, 2024.”

Just like that, nearly two million more birds are gone.

Egg prices have already been spiking, and we are being warned that they will soon go up even more…

Egg prices have now been steadily rising for months, and your omelette could become even more expensive as poultry farms around the country deal with an outbreak of bird flu.

The average price of a dozen Grade A large eggs was $3 in February, according to the latest Consumer Price Index, up from around $2 in the fall.

Alarmingly, this time around it isn’t just birds that are catching the disease.

The USDA is telling us that dairy cows in several U.S. states have been recently infected…

Bird flu has been confirmed in dairy cows across several states, with the USDA saying Monday it has been found in New Mexico and five additional herds in Texas.

In addition, we have learned that “three pet cats” in Texas have died after catching the bird flu…

Meanwhile, three pet cats have died from bird flu after catching the disease on dairy farms in Texas, according to reports — as fears are raised that infected animals living near humans could spread the disease to people.

Mammals all over the globe have started to get infected, but up until now the bird flu has not posed a serious threat to humans.

Is that about to change?

A dairy worker in Texas has tested positive for H5N1, and that represents only the second case ever recorded in the United States…

A Texas dairy worker has tested positive for the avian flu, marking the first identified human case of an illness in the U.S. that has sickened cattle across several states over the past few weeks.

The infection, only the second human case of H5N1 ever recorded in the country, is worrying public health experts who for decades have cautioned that avian flu could pose a serious threat.

Hopefully this will turn out to be just an isolated incident.

But the CDC is telling us that testing has shown that H5N1 has mutated into a form that could potentially spread more easily among people…

The strain of bird flu that infected a person in Texas has mutated to spread more easily, officials say — amid growing alarm the disease could spread to more people.

The CDC said tests on the H5N1 sample showed it had a mutation that was ‘known to be associated with viral adaptation to mammalian hosts’ – but insisted the mutations were minor and the overall risk to the public was low.

This is a bombshell.

If H5N1 starts spreading from person to person on a widespread basis, that will be far more serious than anything that we have experienced over the last several years.

I hope that you understand what I am saying.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases of dengue fever in Brazil already exceeds 1.5 million…

An unprecedented outbreak of dengue fever is surging across Brazil, as the nation battles an epidemic that is straining resources and spreading well beyond the areas traditionally affected.

In cities across the vast country, hospitals and doctors are being stretched to the limit as more than 1.5 million people have already caught the virus – also known as “breakbone fever” – this year.

Dengue fever is an issue in Brazil every year, but they have never seen anything even close to this.

Now let me switch gears and talk about earthquakes for a bit.

Less than 24 hours ago, we witnessed the worst earthquake in Taiwan in 25 years…

Taiwan was struck by its strongest earthquake in 25 years on Wednesday when a 7.4 magnitude tremor struck the island’s eastern coast, collapsing buildings, killing at least four people and triggering tsunami warnings across the region that were later lifted, CNN reported.

The tsunami warnings also prompted airlines and airports to suspend flights, which were later resumed.

CNN reported that the powerful tremors that rocked Taiwan morning have damaged 125 buildings across the island, according to the National Fire Agency (NFA).

That quake was later downgraded to 7.2, but it sure shook a lot of people up.

At one point, a building that is 10 stories high started to fall over as those in the streets nearby ran for cover…

A group of terrified Taiwanese citizens looked to be heading to an early grave as a huge earthquake sent a 10-storey building hurtling towards them – only for the structure to grind to a halt at a near-45-degree angle.

Shocking footage captured by security cameras showed the moment the red brick building shook violently and began to fall, spraying dust and debris into the street below as the people below sprinted for safety or dove into their cars for protection.

This is yet another example of how unstable our planet is becoming.

In recent months we have seen so much unusual seismic activity all over the globe, but most Americans haven’t been too concerned about this because it hasn’t really affected us too much.

But there has been unusual shaking here in the U.S. too.

For instance, earlier this year there was a swarm of more than 270 earthquakes near Reno, Nevada…

Residents of the south Reno area have likely noticed a few earthquakes in the last couple weeks. The Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL), a unit within the University of Nevada, Reno, has identified and located over 270 small magnitude earthquakes in the last 30 days so far. The largest related quake to date has been a magnitude 3.5 in the afternoon of Jan. 28 that was felt and heard through much of Reno.

Groups of small- to moderate-sized earthquakes, such as those recently occurring in south Reno, are often called a “swarm.”

“We have termed this swarm the South Reno Swarm,” Kyren Bogolub, a network seismologist with the NSL, said.

Do you know what else is south of Reno, Nevada?

A volcanic field known as “Steamboat Springs” is located in the area, but it has been quiet for a very long time.  The following information comes from Wikipedia…

Steamboat Springs is a small volcanic field of rhyolitic lava domes and flows in western Nevada, located south of Reno. There is extensive geothermal activity in the area, including numerous hot springs, steam vents, and fumaroles.

Is that volcanic field starting to wake up?

Let’s hope not.

But as seismic activity increases all over the globe, it is inevitable that the U.S. will experience great shaking as well.

In addition to natural disasters, our world is being troubled by wars, pestilences, famines, economic problems and political turmoil.

A period of great chaos has arrived, and I am entirely convinced that the pace of events will accelerate even more during the months ahead.

Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.

About the Author: Michael Snyder’s extremely controversial new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.  He has also written seven other books that are available on Amazon.com including “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  You can connect with Michael on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and sharing his articles on your own social media accounts is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post Pestilences And Earthquakes appeared first on The Economic Collapse.

When is the last time that there was so much buzz about one month?  As we enter April, there is so much anticipation in the air, and it isn’t just because of the Great American Eclipse on April 8th.  In recent days, I have heard from so many people that feel like something really big is about to happen.  I can feel it too.  It is almost as if we are all holding our breath as we wait for the next shoe to drop.  Chaos is threatening to erupt all over the globe, and meanwhile signs in the heavens are literally screaming at us to pay attention.  The following are 8 extremely unusual events that will happen during the month of April…

#1 As we enter the month of April, the “Devil Comet” has become visible to the naked eye in the northern hemisphere…

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks – also known as the “devil comet” and the “Mother of Dragons” comet – is currently visible in the night skies of the northern hemisphere, providing a unique spectacle for both amateur stargazers and professional astronomers.

This Halley-type comet, which orbits the Sun every 71 years and has a nucleus about 30 kilometers in diameter, is known for its impressive outbursts of gas and dust during its voyages through the inner solar system.

This is the very first time that we have been able to see this comet with the naked eye in 71 years, and it will continue to be visible for those of us living in the northern hemisphere during the weeks ahead.

#2 On April 4th, that will be an extraordinary alignment of 4 planets just 4 days before the Great American Eclipse of 2024…

The next planetary alignment takes place on April 4, 2024. It will feature four planets – Venus, Neptune, Saturn, and Mars. The planets will align in the morning sky. Venus, Saturn, and Mars will be visible to the naked eye, but you’ll need a telescope or high-powered binoculars to see Neptune.

#3 On April 8th, the seven other planets in our solar system along with the sun and the moon will appear to form a straight line in the sky when looking from Jerusalem toward the east.  This was discovered by a friend of mine named Rachel Baxter, and the following is a graphic of that “line in the sky” that she sent to me…

Rachel asked ChatGPT to tell her how rare it is to have a straight line like this, and she was told that it would only happen once every 32 million years.

#4 Also on April 8th, CERN is planning to fire up the Large Hadron Collider…

The world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator is set smash protons together on April 8 to search for invisible particles secretly powering our universe.

Theories have suggested there are 17 different particle groups and the European Organization for Nuclear Research, better known as CERN, confirmed the existence of one using its Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012.

Now, the team has restarted the LHC with hopes of unraveling more mysteries of the universe – specifically dark matter.

Why in the world would CERN choose to do this on April 8th?

We are being told that they plan to shoot particles “down a 17-mile-long tunnel at nearly the speed of light to recreate conditions a second after the Big Bang”.

That doesn’t exactly sound like it is a good idea.

Let us just hope that nothing goes wrong.

#5 The most anticipated event of April is the Great American Eclipse of 2024.  USA Today is calling it “the astronomical event of the decade”…

We’re less than two weeks away from the astronomical event of the decade: A total eclipse of the sun, which will grace the nation’s skies from Texas to Maine on the afternoon of Monday, April 8.

Millions of people are expected to travel to see the spectacle, which will also attract scientists from across the country to study its unique effects on the Earth and its atmosphere.

#6 As the eclipse passes over America on April 8th, NASA will be firing three rockets “into the moon’s shadow”…

NASA has announced it will fire three scientific sounding rockets into the moon’s shadow on Monday, April 8 during a partial solar eclipse across North America.

In what will be a total solar eclipse for a 115 miles-wide path through parts of Mexico, 15 U.S. states and Canada and a partial solar eclipse for the entire Americas, the event will see a sudden drop in sunlight.

For some strange reason, NASA has chosen to name this project after a serpent deity that was popular in ancient Egypt…

The space agency’s project, Atmospheric Perturbations Around The Eclipse Path, will investigate how that drop in sunlight and temperature affects Earth’s upper atmosphere. APEP is named after the serpent deity from ancient Egyptian mythology, nemesis of the sun deity Ra, according to NASA.

#7 Ominously, on April 8th the Great American Eclipse of 2024 will complete the giant “X” over the New Madrid fault zone that the Great American Eclipse of 2017 began.  I feel so strongly that this is a very important warning to America that I put it on the cover of my latest book.

#8 During the month of April, the “cicadapocalypse” is coming.  As I discussed earlier this year, for the first time since Thomas Jefferson was president billions of 13-year cicadas and billions of 17-year cicadas will emerge from the ground simultaneously…

“Billions, even trillions, of cicadas are going to emerge at the same time across 17 states,” Chris Simon, a professor in UConn’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, told Live Science.

Brood XIII and XIX have been living underground for 17 and 13 years respectively.

They will soon emerge at the same time for the first time in 221 years.

Shockingly, the emergence of these two groups will overlap in central Illinois…

What’s more, this year’s cicada groups, known as Brood XIII and Brood XIX, happened to make their homes adjacent to one another, with a narrow overlap in central Illinois.

By now, most of you already know that the path of the Great American Eclipse of 2024 overlaps with the path of the Great American Eclipse of 2017 in Illinois.

Is someone trying to tell us something?

In addition to everything that I have already covered, many on social media are speculating that a red heifer sacrifice could take place at some point during the month of April.

But so far I have not been able to find any solid evidence that such a sacrifice is imminent.

As I discussed last week, the red heifers that were transported to Israel from the state of Texas in 2022 need to be used before they are too old to qualify, and the priests that will conduct the sacrifice are ready to go.

However, if a red heifer sacrifice was imminent an altar for that purpose would be put up on the Mount of Olives, and so far that has not happened.

CBS News previously reported that a “massive while altar” for a red heifer sacrifice had been constructed…

A massive white altar awaits, where they are to be burned on a plot of land overlooking the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Mamo said the ceremony must be performed looking directly into where the ancient Second Temple stood, until it was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70.

Unfortunately, that CBS News story was not accurate.

According to Israel365News, the altar that CBS News showed to the world is simply a model that is used for “Temple service reenactments and educational purposes”…

The structure in the video is a model of the altar as it stood in the Temple. The real altar must be made of stone. The model, located in Mitzpe Yericho, is used for Temple service reenactments and educational purposes. It is not made of stone and cannot be used for the Temple service.

So CBS News was wrong about the altar, and a lot of us were fooled by their report.

Before I end this article, I want to discuss something that happened at the end of March.

Joe Biden officially declared March 31st to be “Transgender Day of Visibility”.  Of course many people pointed out that this was the same day that many Christians were celebrating Easter.  The following comes from Joe Biden’s official pronouncement…

On Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor the extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans and reaffirm our Nation’s commitment to forming a more perfect Union — where all people are created equal and treated equally throughout their lives.

I am proud that my Administration has stood for justice from the start, working to ensure that the LGBTQI+ community can live openly, in safety, with dignity and respect. I am proud to have appointed transgender leaders to my Administration and to have ended the ban on transgender Americans serving openly in our military. I am proud to have signed historic Executive Orders that strengthen civil rights protections in housing, employment, health care, education, the justice system, and more. I am proud to have signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law, ensuring that every American can marry the person they love.

If you can believe it, America now has more than 50 different holidays that celebrate alternative lifestyles…

The Biden administration’s decision to honor “Transgender Awareness Day” on Easter Sunday has caused widespread controversy.

However, many Americans may be unaware that there are more than 50 LGBTQIA2S+-themed holidays.

When you add them all up, all of those holidays cover a grand total of 145 calendar days.

America has been fundamentally transformed, and our nation is racing in the direction that it has chosen as fast as it can.

This month, we will witness the most ominous signs in the heavens that our country has ever seen.

Will those signs be a wake up call, or will most of the population continue to remain asleep?

Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.

About the Author: Michael Snyder’s extremely controversial new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.  He has also written seven other books that are available on Amazon.com including “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  You can connect with Michael on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and sharing his articles on your own social media accounts is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post 8 Extremely Unusual Events That Will Happen During The Month Of April appeared first on End Of The American Dream.

I am seeing IBC totes sitting around homesteads and homes more and more. People are discovering the many uses these…

This article %6 Ways to Use IBC Totes on a Homestead% appeared first on %Survive Doomsday%.

Officials had been greatly puzzled by a “mystery disease” that has been making dairy cattle in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico very sluggish and has been causing them to produce much less milk.  So they decided to do some testing, and we now have the results.  It turns out that the mystery illness is actually “the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that’s been in the U.S. for two years”…

A mystery illness that’s impacted dairy herds in the Texas Panhandle, New Mexico and Kansas now has a diagnosis: Influenza A. USDA says genetic sequencing revealed it’s the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that’s been in the U.S. for two years.

APHIS says the “National Veterinary Services Laboratories” detected Influenza “A” in samples from several impacted herds in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico. The virus is carried by wild waterfowl, which experts think is how the illness is spreading.

The experts did not think that bird flu would be a threat to dairy cattle.

Unfortunately, the experts were wrong.

Scientists were able to confirm the presence of the bird flu by testing samples of milk from sick cows…

According to USDA, as of March 25, unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for the virus.

Now that bird flu has been identified as the culprit, dairy farmers are being urged to strictly implement “all standard biosecurity measures”…

Officials are strongly advising dairy producers to use all standard biosecurity measures. They note it’s important for producers to clean and disinfect all livestock watering devices and isolate drinking water where it might be contaminated by waterfowl. Farmers are also being asked to notify their herd veterinarian if they suspect any cattle within their herd are displaying symptoms of this condition.

I was quite shocked to learn that this was happening right here in our own country.

The good news is that all milk from sick cows is being kept out of the food chain…

“Also, routine testing and well-established protocols for U.S. dairy will continue to ensure that only safe milk enters the food supply. In keeping with the federal Grade ‘A’ Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), milk from sick cows must be collected separately and is not allowed to enter the food supply chain. This means affected dairy cows are segregated, as is normal practice with any animal health concern, and their milk does not enter the food supply. Consumers in the United States and around the world can remain confident in the safety and quality of U.S. dairy,” the statement said.

Will we eventually get to a point where entire herds of dairy cows have to be killed in order to prevent the spread of the disease?

Let’s hope not.

Earlier this month, we learned that a goat in Minnesota has also tested positive for bird flu…

A goat in Stevens County, Minnesota, has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), becoming the first U.S. detection of HPAI in a domestic ruminant. The goat contracted the virus after a poultry flock on the same premises was depopulated in February due to the virus. Following the confirmation of HPAI in the goat, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health quarantined all other species on the premises. The Board said is working with USDA to investigate the transmission of the virus in this case.

It appears to be just a matter of time before the bird flu starts becoming a significant threat to humans as well.

According to Dr. Chris Walzer, “dozens of mammalian species” have already been infected…

In January, Dr Chris Walzer, the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Executive Director of Health, in a statement, said: “It (H5N1) has infected over 150 wild and domestic avian species around the globe as well as dozens of mammalian species. The bird flu outbreak is the worst globally and also in US history, with hundreds-of-millions of birds dead since it first turned up in domestic waterfowl in China in 1996.”

We better hope that the bird flu does not mutate into a form that can spread very easily among humans.

Because according to the NIH, bird flu can have a death rate of more than 50 percent in humans…

As of November 2022, 240 cases of human avian influenza A (H5N1) virus have been confirmed from the Western Pacific Region since 2003 with a case fatality rate of 56%.

A global bird flu crisis would be far worse than anything that we have experienced during the past several years.

Just try to imagine the panic that would ensue if H5N1 were to start killing millions of people around the world.

Hopefully that will not happen any time soon.

Earlier today, I did come across an article about a 21-year-old student in Vietnam that was just killed by H5N1…

A student in Vietnam has died of H5N1 bird flu, according to the country’s Department of Preventive Medicine.

The 21-year-old man developed symptoms of fever and a cough on March 11. A week later, he presented at Ninh Hoa Medical Center in Vietnam’s eastern Khanh Hoa province, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and transferred to Khanh Hoa General Hospital.

The student tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza on March 20, and further tests conducted two days later at the Nha Trang Pasteur Institute showed the patient was infected with the H5N1 subtype.

Let us pray that this was just an isolated incident.

Meanwhile, other pestilences continue to spread all over the planet.

For example, dengue fever has become a major problem in Brazil, and now government officials in Puerto Rico have declared a dengue fever epidemic…

On Monday, government leaders in Puerto Rico declared a dengue epidemic after a spike in cases of the mosquito-borne disease hit the island.

From the start of the year through March 10, there were 549 cases, including 341 hospitalizations and 29 severe cases, according to the most recent data provide by the Puerto Rico Department of Health. Cases are concentrated in cities including San Juan, Bayamon, Guaynabo and Carolina.

I have been repeatedly warning my readers that global pestilences would be one of the major themes of the next several years.

Bird flu has already killed hundreds of millions of birds, and now it is spreading in mammals.

A widespread bird flu outbreak among humans would have the potential to be absolutely catastrophic, and so we will want to watch this story very, very closely.

Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.

About the Author: Michael Snyder’s extremely controversial new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.  He has also written seven other books that are available on Amazon.com including “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  You can connect with Michael on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and sharing his articles on your own social media accounts is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post The “Mystery Illness” That Has Been Spreading Among Cattle In Texas, Kansas And New Mexico Has Been Identified, And It Isn’t Good News appeared first on The Economic Collapse.

Today I’ve got something really important to share…

A Complete Guide On Finding (& Using) A Survival Hatchet

Because I think hatchets are a very underrated survival tool.

But only if you choose the RIGHT one.

And nowadays, there’s an overwhelming number of brands and types on the market.

• So you must learn what features and qualities are best.
• And which ones you should avoid at all cost…

That’s what we’ll cover today in this guide…

TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE…    ↓(click to jump)

• Survival Axe Vs. Hatchet
• Basic Parts Of A Hatchet
• Amazing Hatchet Techniques
• The Many Survival Uses
• Pros And Cons Of A Hatchet
• New Hatchet Designs
• Should YOU Carry One?
• The Exact Hatchet I Carry

Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Survival Axe Vs. Hatchet

A hatchet is a type of axe.

It’s the smallest version of an axe with a hammer on the backside.

For example:

There are several categories of axes, such as Felling Axe, Forest Axe, Small Forest Axe, and Hatchet.

The hatchet is the axe in the smallest group.

A hatchet head weighs in the 1 to 3 lbs. range; it has a 3 to 5-inch blade and a 10 to 16-inch overall length.

These measurements are rough estimates since there are no exact standards for an axe to be considered a hatchet.

But hatchets are the lightest, shortest, and smallest axes available.

↓ New Gerber Bushcraft Axe and Hatchet

Basic Parts of A Hatchet

There are two essential parts of an axe or hatchet.

The blade and the handle.

It’s all there is to an axe or hatchet.

However, there are many facets of these 2 basic parts, such as:

1. Heel of Bit
2. Bit/Blade
3. Toe Of Bit
4. Axe-Side/Cheek
5. Poll/Butt
6. Belly
7. Shoulder
8. Back
9. Throat
10. Grip
11. End Knob

The Head

If you want a good hatchet, the head will be the most important part, so make sure its quality is high.

The head of your hatchet must cut…and cut well.

This is determined by sharpness (duh!) and the bit thickness.

If the area immediately behind the blade edge widens quickly, it will have a tough time getting good penetration, no matter how sharp the blade is.

Plus, it will tend to glance off a tree when swinging at a sharp angle instead of biting into the wood.

You also want to keep the head of your hatchet nice and smooth.

Any unnecessary abrasions or dings on the head (or cutting edge) will reduce penetration efficiency.

The Handle

The two primary aspects of a hatchet handle are the overall length and material.

The longer the handle, the better your ability to generate swing speed and force.

However, longer handles tend to weigh more and don’t fit in packs or bug out bags as easily.

Handle materials typically come in one of three options: metal, wood, or fiberglass.

Metal handles are strong and durable but are the heaviest of the three material options.

Wood handles are a decent choice since they are also rugged but can get slick if they get oil or lubricant.

You don’t want your hatchet slipping out of your grip mid-swing (that would be bad).

My favorite is the fiberglass handle.

Especially a hollowed-out fiberglass handle with a nice rubber grip.

Why? Because fiberglass is reasonably strong but light.

If it’s hollowed out, you’ll reduce weight significantly, and as long as it has a nice rubber grip, it won’t accidentally slip out of your hands.

Of course, I’m biased toward carrying my hatchet in my bug out bag.

So this type of handle might not be optimal for someone who isn’t planning on carrying it on a hike, backpacking, or bugging out.

Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Balance

It’s always good to ensure your hatchet has a good balance.

It is preferable to have the balance point of an axe or hatchet be located on the handle right up against the head.

This balance location offers the best control for both swinging and carving tasks.

↓ Top 10 Best Hatchet For Survival and Bushcraft

The 3 Survival Hatchet Techniques

There are three basic hatchet uses:

1. Chopping
2. Splitting
3. Carving

1. Chopping

A hatchet is an excellent tool for chopping smaller trees.

The larger a tree’s trunk size, the longer you chop.

Larger axes make large tree chopping easier, so remember this fact when choosing which trunk to attack with a hatchet.

Correct chopping technique is a vast topic, and I won’t cover it in the article.

However, I will say that you should plan your top and bottom attack angles to equal the trunk’s diameter.

So if the trunk is 4 inches thick, your total top and bottom cut gap should also be about 4 inches.

Check out this video for even more hatchet-chopping techniques and advice.

↓ Choosing A Proper Hatchet

2. Splitting

Splitting wood is necessary to make kindling.

It’s a relatively straightforward skill, but there are a couple of things to note when doing this with a hatchet instead of a full-sized axe.

First, I recommend you split wood from your knees and not stand up.

Hatchets are much shorter than standard-length axes, so if you try splitting a chunk of wood standing up and miss…the hatchet is going into your leg.

Also, don’t split wood on the ground.

This will prevent your hatchet from hitting the ground. Hitting the ground with your hatchet will ding the blade and damage your cutting edge…making it less effective.

↓ You’ve Been Splitting with a Hatchet Wrong!

3. Carving

To carve properly, slide your hand up to the head of your hatchet.

Now, slide the head of your hatchet down a piece of wood.

With this grip, you can control your bite angle pretty well, and you’ll also have a lot of leverage to power through sections as needed.

I find it easier to do rough wood carving with a hatchet than with a survival knife.

However, I prefer a sharp survival knife over a hatchet for detailed carving.

↓ Wooden Gransfors Bruks Axes

Maintaining Your Hatchet

Just a quick note on the maintenance of your hatchet…it’s very straightforward.

Maintain the blade sharpness like a knife by touching the edge with a sharpening stone.

Keep it dry, so it doesn’t rust, and that’s about it.

Also, you should learn how to sharpen your hatchet properly.

Another fantastic in-depth video from Wranglerstar.

↓ How To Sharpen An Axe

Here’s a solid Beginners Guide To Hatchets by Ross Gilmore that goes into more detail about choosing and using a hatchet.

Here’s a more in-depth guide to axe use.

Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Uses Of A Hatchet In Survival

Making a Fire

The hatchet is much more efficient than a survival knife for chopping and splitting wood for making kindling.

Plus, you can use the hatchet blade to strike a piece of flint to throw some sparks onto fine tinder.

Sounds easy, right?

Not so fast…it won’t be easy the first time, but if you follow this video by IA Woodsman, you’ll soon be a pro.

↓ Hatchet and firesteel fire

He makes it look easy…

Making Feather Sticks

Feather sticks help to create the fine kindling you need to help start a fire using sparks.

This is a must-learn skill for anyone in a wet weather climate such as the Pacific Northwest.

Why? Because creating a feather stick allows you to get to the dry portion of a limb.

Have you ever tried to light wet wood? Not smart.

Instead, create a feather stick with fine, dry feathers that will catch on fire with much less effort.

↓ Feather Sticks With Axe

Building A Shelter

You don’t have to have a hatchet to build a survival shelter, but it makes it much easier and gives you more options.

With just a survival knife (and no hatchet), you will have to limit the size of your shelter’s support branches or waste a ton of time and energy using a knife to cut your limbs to size.

Bottom line:

A survival hatchet will slash your shelter build time significantly.

Self Defense

Hatchet or Tomahawk throwing is an art, but it can be deadly if learned—just another survival self-defense tool to add to your arsenal.

You can never have too many self-defense skills.

↓ Throwing a Hatchet – Survival Skills

Make A Splint

You don’t necessarily need a hatchet to split a couple of pieces of wood for a makeshift splint, but it can do it…and quickly at that.

Chop Foods

Grip way down on just the head of the hatchet blade to make a nice chopping knife.

If your hatchet blade is sharp, it will slice through even soft foods such as tomatoes.

It will do fantastic on hardy foods such as chopping potatoes, onions, carrots, etc.

Make A Spear

You can quickly take a solid limb and make it into a sharp spear.

Just point the end of the limb you intend to add a point to and chop at an angle, swinging away from you.

Within minutes, you’ll have a very sharp, very effective spear or jabbing stick.

Hammering Stakes

You can use the backside of your hatchet as a hammer, perfect for hammering in shelter stakes.

Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

New Innovative Hatchet Designs

I recently stumbled across this innovative hatchet on the market.

While it might not be for everyone.

However, I felt it was worth sharing as another option and innovative design to appreciate in the hatchet market.

↓ Farson Hatchet: Unique Bushcraft Tool

Main Benefit Of Carrying A Hatchet

Well, this one is easy…we just covered all the uses of a hatchet above, so obviously, those are all pros.

Adding to the pros, carrying a hatchet gives you more versatility and options than a survival knife and weighs much less than an axe.

However, we touched on the one big con to carrying a hatchet: weight.

Whenever we’re talking about hiking, backpacking, or bugging out, we must consider weight.

3 lbs. might not seem like a lot, but when you add up all the other gear you are considering carrying…it all adds up.

Should You Be Carrying One?

The controversial Survival Hatchet…to carry or not.

We only have so much room in our bug out bags.

So we must justify every piece of survival gear we own, especially when talking up to 3+ extra lbs.

However, after weighing all the pros and cons, I believe the answer is yes if you’re backpacking, hiking, or bugging out.

That’s why I added one to my bug out bag checklist.

Want a free 104 item bug out bag checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Hatchet vs. Knife

There are just some things you won’t be able to do efficiently enough with a survival knife alone.

Sure, you can do most things with a good survival knife, but as Rocky Mountain Bushcraft states in their thorough hatchet vs. knife article:

One thing is certain though, when it comes to pure chopping power, hatchets are clearly the undisputed “king.”

If you have a well-designed hatchet with a sharp blade (and have the room in your pack), I suggest you add one.

I shouldn’t replace a survival knife, but I prefer to carry both if possible.

The Hatchet I Carry

I carry the Gerber 14 Inch Hatchet.

Why? Mainly because it only weighs 22.57 oz. (1.4 lbs.).

If you’ve read many of my blog posts, you probably know how much I focus on weight and keeping it reasonable.

So, of course, I’m always looking for high-quality, rugged, proven gear that holds up over time but is also lightweight.

That’s exactly what my survival hatchet is: high quality, rugged and lightweight.

Why Trust Skilled Survival…

Go here now to review a full breakdown of:

Who We Are

Our Credentials

Our Mission

& Product Recommendations…

Here are a few highlights of our teams credentials & certifications:

• Certified Member of a Mountain Search & Rescue Organization
• Plant Emergency & Safety Leader for a Major Food Manufacturer
• Member of the 10TH Mountain Division Hut Association
• Certifications: Avalanche 1, WFR, CPR
• Official Gear Tester for Numerous Outdoor Gear Companies
• Countless Multiday Backpacking trips into Remote Wilderness
• Bachelor’s Degree In Mechanical Engineering 
• Bachelor’s Degree In Civil Engineering
• Bachelor’s Degree In Biomedical Engineering

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” – Warren Buffett

We’re fully aware that trust is NOT something you GET but is EARNED.

And we’ll continue to earn YOUR trust through our forthright and honest approach with each new Blog Post, Guide & Product we create…

Prepare, Adapt & Overcome,

Cofounder Of Skilledsurvival.com & TheResilientLife.com

Born & Raised On A Rural Farm In The Midwest

Mechanical Engineering Grad From A Major University

Engineer With A Major Food Manufacturing Company

10+ Years Researching, Writing, & Teaching Preparedness

Mission: Help Folks Stop Living A Life Fragile To The Future

P.s. Do You Live In A ‘Danger Zone’ County?

Find out now using my Danger Zone County List & Special Report it’s absolutely FREE.

In minutes you’ll know EXACTLY where you stand and if you should be worried or not..

So click here to get my FREE Danger Zone County List & Report…

The post Best Survival Hatchets: Tough Enough To Outlast The Wild appeared first on Skilled Survival.

This article was originally published by Rhoda Wilson at The Daily Exposé.

The Global Public-Private Partnership (“GPPP” or “G3P”) is a global network of stakeholder capitalists and partners, including global corporations, philanthropic foundations, think tanks, governments, non-governmental organizations (“NGOs”), academic institutions, global charities, labor unions and selected “thought leaders.”

G3P fosters public-private partnership cooperation between an international intergovernmental organization, such as the United Nations, and private companies. 

G3P controls global finance and the world’s economy.  It sets world, national, and local policies via global governance and then promotes these policies using corporate media, which are also “partners” within the G3P.

Often these policies are devised by the think tanks before being adopted by governments, which are also G3P partners. Government is the process of transforming G3P global governance into hard policy, legislation, and law.

G3P is multistakeholder governance which is a key target of UN Sustainable Development Goal 17.

In the following, Escape Key describes how G3P works in practice using a simplified model and the example of a fictional project for the restoration of mangroves in Suriname.

“It’s the biggest scam ever devised and will empty the public coffers and drain the middle class of the West while stealing prime lands in third-world nations,” Escape Key wrote.  “Let’s run through how it works.”

By Escape Key (“Esc”)

The entire scheme can be approximated using the below flowchart. Sure, detail is missing in some regards, like the creation of the (politically expedient) “best available scientific consensus” which typically comes courtesy of Universities and NGOs, both of which generally receive generous ‘research grants’ courtesy of ‘philanthropes’ representing the ‘private investor’ which you can however find in the below. I highlight specifically this one, as it’s probably the most important link left out.

But the point here is to put the dynamic in simple terms, and consequently, some nodes will have to go.

Step 1 – Project Creation

It doesn’t really matter what said project is, but let’s say it’s claimed restoration of mangroves in Suriname, on a geographical range (‘landscape’) where some unfortunate native South American tribe has lived for many generations.

Step 2 – Assembling the Project Team

The Project Team is responsible for locating the “participating stakeholders,” as well as settling on the scope of the project itself, and its management structure. Said stakeholders could comprise a selection of NGOs, governments, representatives of the public, private… or even “indigenous peoples,” should the budget allow (no, really).

Step 3 – Locate the initial set of ‘stakeholders’

It doesn’t matter too much at this stage if any are “bad fits” (i.e., disagree with the project direction), but the first set of “stakeholders” is assembled, after several rounds of interviews and submitted forms, allowing said project team to discard those least likely to “fit in.”

Step 4 – Clarify who the decision makers are

In short, the project team here can decide that all the “participating stakeholders” are merely there in an advisory capacity. But should any at this stage cause a problem, hey, now’s a great time to “iterate” said, which, in short, means replace them with others who are more compliant. Because “agreement” is very, very important when it comes to these projects.

Step 5 – Objective clarification

At this stage, the project details are discussed and clarified – i.e., which geographic range is of interest, the duration of the project, and exactly what to “restore.”

At this stage, if further “participating stakeholders” disagree, these can then be “iterated,” ensuring everyone is “in agreement.” And finally, should the best available scientific consensus disagree, the project team can wholesale override all “participating stakeholder” input and just adopt that as policy.

And naturally, the management should be “adaptive,” meaning regardless of the scale of the disaster, or random changes halfway through the project – hey, they were simply following the “best available science,” and consequently, no further action needs to be taken, and certainly no legal action.

Step 6 – Project Details

With all “participating stakeholders” in “agreement” – as all those in disagreement were “iterated” out – three primary decisions are reached. Which geographic range must be “restored” (i.e., the “landscape”), the duration of the project, and which type of “ecosystem service” is of interest. In our case, the “landscape” – or “seascape” – is a patch of land/sea with mangroves in Suriname, the “ecosystem service” of interest is carbon credits and lease duration – let’s put that at 10 years.

Step 7 – The Blended Finance Deal

These three input parameters are then handed to the Global Environment Facility, which will structure a “blended finance deal” and go to find investors.

Step 8 – The Blended Finance Investors

With said deal structured, we need investors. We shall ignore claims of all others but two including “philanthropic capital,” because, in the grand scheme of things, those are utterly irrelevant.

Blended finance is titled as such because it draws in different types of investors, representing “different expectations.” In short, the private minority investor, and the much larger public investor – generally, the Multilateral Development Banks funded through public taxation.

And while the public shoulders the vast, vast majority of risk, the private receives a far more generous return. These “deals” are incredibly one-sided affairs.

Step 9 – The Lease

At this stage, we have a carbon credit lease for mangroves in Suriname, with a 10-year duration. What this essentially means is that all the carbon dioxide sucked out of the air by those mangroves in Suriname – or could equally be e.g. forests in Indonesia or Siberia; in short, ‘carbon sinks’ per the 1992 UNFCCC framework treaty – have been turned into carbon emission permits, because the flip side of the carbon coin is called a source and these require netting.

Net Zero, so to speak.

Step 10 – The Natural Asset Company

To extract maximum value from these carbon emission permits, the lease is placed into a holding company of type Natural Asset Company (“NAC”) and floated on the stock exchange. As these permits soon will be in short supply – as supply is gradually curtailed per the Paris Agreement as we close in on 2030 – their price will almost certainly rapidly increase vastly.

And, sure, while NACs were delivered a temporary setback, they will be pushed again and again until they pass. It’s just a matter of locating the right distraction. Or stock exchange, even.

Step 11 – Offsetting

The 1992 UNFCCC Framework Treaty not only made mention of “carbon sinks,” but also emitting “carbon sources,” like farming or energy (electricity generation, car emissions, …). The concept of “offsetting” relates to whatever a “carbon source” is alleged to emit, this requires netting out with a “carbon sink.”

And that means a farmer – or oil producer – now will be required to buy large quantities of “carbon emission permits” from those Natural Asset Companies – yes, those, now vastly increased in price.

Step 12 – Inflation

With farmers, energy producers, and transportation experiencing vast increases in input prices, they have no option but to push this onto the consumer, through cost-push inflation. And this leads to higher prices in supermarkets and more expensive fuel and heating.

Step 13 – The (largely) Western Taxpayer

And the people represented by governments, fully signed up for this scheme, will now feel the full brunt of said inflation. The West will be hit, full-force.

Step 14 – Taxes

Incidentally, it’s not the only direction from which the West will be hit. Recall those MDBs in step 8 above? Yes, their funding will also come, courtesy of said Western taxpayer. Taxes will increase, and subsidies will be reallocated, leading to even further price increases as the plan very much is to strip “harmful” subsidies from farming and energy.

Step 15 – The Biodiversity Restoration

Now, the GEF project outlined in step 7, using the “landscape” outlined in step 6 (mangroves in Suriname), requires “restoration,” and this is where the Convention on Biological Diversity rears its ugly head. And said “biodiversity restoration” will also be paid for using MDB funds, i.e., Western taxes.

Step 16 – The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

The “restored” “landscape” itself will typically be located on either a “Biosphere Reserve,” or a “Heritage Site,” both of which are UNESCO projects. But from where do said sites originate? Who submits these, and why?

Step 17 – The Debt-for-Nature Swap

Well, those reserves typically come courtesy of highly indebted third world nations, or should said not be, the aim is to have territorial rights handed over to “indigenous peoples,” who then will be pressured or bribed into accepting a such swap.

The objective of the swap is to eventually cause a debt spiral, eventually leading to circumstances of the exploitation rights of said lands being fully handed over to said UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. And those swaps, of course, are also financed courtesy of those MDBs, and ultimately, the Western taxpayer.

Step 18 – The Reward

While some rewards will be handed back to the MDBs through those blended finance deals, the simple fact is that the associated risk easily outweighs the gain.

Consequently, the gain is actually privatised and some of said can then be used to finance further GEF blended finance deals. But most will make it back to…

Step 19 – The Private Investor

Said gain will actually filter back to the private investor, who may or may not be selected as a stakeholder for the project in the first place. Hey, he might even be on the project team, or even fabricate the latest and greatest politically expedient “best available scientific consensus.”

Step 20 – The Net Result

Consequently, the net result of this “new economy” is that third-world nations will see their lands – or perhaps more correctly, the rights of exploitation thereof – stolen, all of it will be financed by the Western taxpayer, transferred to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, from where it will be “restored” through the Western taxpayer, and monetised for “ecosystem services” in GEF blended finance deals using more Western taxpayer cash, though practically entirely financially benefitting the Private Investors.

It is the biggest scam ever devised, and it needs to come to a prompt halt.

Further reading:

• What Is the Global Public-Private Partnership, Iain Davis, 6 October 2021
• Seizing Everything: The Theft of the Global Commons – Part 1, Iain Davis, 12 October 2021
• Seizing Everything: The Theft of the Global Commons – Part 2, Iain Davis, 7 November 2021
• A Destructive Plan to Transform the Global Financial System Under the Guise Of “Climate Change”, The Exposé, 20 January 2022
• UN’s goal to reduce carbon emissions is a scam to enable the rich to become richer off the backs of the poor, The Exposé, 14 January 2023
• Global Public-Private Partnership on Unlimited Hangout

Let’s face it…

“Super storms”… natural disasters… pandemic threats… rolling blackouts…

More than ever, we face a number of ugly threats outside of our control that have the potential to turn our world upside down at a moment’s notice.

That’s why those of us who are “awake” to these facts are preparing for the worst.

Unfortunately, I’ve found that most people have trouble finding the money they need to do their prepping.

This causes many to hold off and wait simply simply because of the cost, so, instead of prepping, they just hope for the best.

Trust me… the last thing you want is to look your family in the eye during a life-threatening disaster and “wish” you’d done more to prepare when you had the chance, so here are…

3 Ways To Prep Your Survival Gear On A “Super Budget”

The first thing you must do is to actually budget in your “prep money”.

Most everyone – no matter how strapped – can free up a few bucks by looking at where you’re currently spending your income.

For example… skipping just one Friday night eating out could give you a good $30-$50 that could buy you a bunch of survival supplies that will be there to serve you LONG after that Friday night.

Go through your current expenses and see what you can free up temporarily while you take action on getting better prepared.

Now, here are some ideas of what to do to get the most out of your prepping budget …

1. Slightly-Used Survival Gear

Garage sales are a secret love of mine (I admit it!) and I’ve found LOTS of barely-used camping gear and tools for just a few measly bucks that are perfect for prepping.

I also scour my newspaper’s classified section for anyone selling guns, camp gear, or other items, as these people are really easy to bargain with because they’re trying hard to unload their stuff.

(BTW… both options will help you fine-tune your bartering skills!)

2. Buy “Generic” In Bulk

You don’t need name-brand supplies in order to be prepared.

In a disaster, generic macaroni & cheese is going to taste the same as the expensive name brand stuff and the cheaper tools at your local Walmart will do just fine when it’s time to board up the house or make short-term repairs.

Same goes for “bartering supplies” like cigarettes, coffee, and alcohol – the desperate won’t care if it’s the cheap stuff when they’re jones’n for a fix.

Want to know more? Check out these related articles on our site:

• How to Manage Your Prepping Budget
• How to Prepare on a Budget
• Build a 6-Month Food Stockpile on a Tight Budget