M.D. CREEKMORE

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Smart Spending for Preppers Looking for Financial Freedom


by Jerry M

Using your money wisely can pay many dividends for you over time. Learning to spend your money wisely is a habit most people must learn through discipline, it is usually not inbred into a person’s lifestyle (please read: The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness). All, or at least most, of today’s advertising is focused on emotional appeal for your money, not logic and common sense. If we can think logically instead of emotionally we will be far better off in almost every situation we find ourselves in, especially financial ones.

We got serious about a self-reliant lifestyle several years ago and this article is designed to give the reader some food for thought, some direction, and glimpses of things that worked for us.

One of the first things we had to adapt to was determining a “want” from a “need”, it took a while to develop that mindset, It was not easy and it took discipline, lots of discipline.

The ability to purchase things you need is governed by your own personal cash flow. Remember that cash flows both ways, in and out just like the tide. Our goal was to plug the money leaks in our cash flow pot. We are retired, so we are on a fixed income. Increasing inflation over time has eroded the buying power of everyone’s dollars. This really hits home when you are on a fixed income.

Let’s look at food purchase of a few items that just about everyone uses. We buy larger quantities of food where and when we can. We buy 5-gallon food grade buckets and gamma lids for daily use and buckets and solid lids for long-term storage. Don’t forget at least one lid wrench for the solid lids. A bucket and gamma lid cost us $ 11.00 and a bucket with a solid lid about $6.50.

If you stack buckets, put a 15”x15” piece of plywood between the buckets to avoid cracking the bottom lid because of weight. We don’t stack them more than 3 buckets high.

We recently bought table salt in a 50# bag for $12.50 which is $.25 a pound and it fills 2 buckets. Buying salt in the convenient 1# containers at $.85 each is far more convenient but cost considerably more money. Another example is white flour in a 50# bag for $11.97 or $.24 per pound. Buying flour in a 5# bag for $3.19makes it $.64 per pound.
We buy a 50# bag of sugar for$27.61 or $.55 a pound or a 32 oz. bag for $2.29 which is $1.14 per pound.

Learn to look at your cost per pound or per ounce when buying food and also know the storage life of the food. We shop at WINCO and Cash & Carry in our area for large quantity items in bulk.
We also cruise through the thrift stores and find lots of “bargains” on a variety of things. We are seniors and a veteran so we receive a 20% discount at our Good Will thrift store.

Most of us carry insurance of some type. Our experience has shown that we get the best coverage and the best price by dealing with an independent insurance agent. The independent agent will have several companies to choose from, they are not locked into one company. We stay away from “company” agents such as State Farm, Safeco, Farmers, etc. and have always done better.

We will never purchase a new car again. The purchase of a new vehicle is probably the worst investment that you can make. As soon as you drive off the lot you have lost at least 10% of the value of what you just paid for the vehicle. We will purchase a vehicle about 2 years old and preferably one from a rental car agency. They will have had a regular service schedule and not a lot of miles on them. We have had good experiences doing this over the years.

We think having a cash stash in a safe place is of paramount importance. Unexpected emergencies will happen from time to time. A safe deposit box is not a safe place, the banks are closed weekends and holidays and every evening too, giving you limited access to your cash. Even though there is lots of talk of eliminating cash in favor of a totally digital system, we think and hope that is a far-off future thing. Our goal is to have enough cash to pay 1 year’s taxes, utilities, and make small purchases for a while.

Beyond that, if things get that bad, who knows? We keep a cash stash in a small fireproof box that is easily hidden as well as transportable. You can find these at Walmart and other retailers. We also keep another fireproof box with our important papers in it.

Some folks are in favor of having precious metals stashed away. We feel that is fine if you have everything else that you need in place. Keep in mind however that in the 1930’s gold was confiscated by the federal government. The use of gold and silver may also be made illegal under a martial law situation.

You can save money by eliminating cable TV, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, dining out, unnecessary car trips, cigarettes, and perhaps other areas as well. Grow as much of your own food as possible and learn to preserve it. Getting out of debt and staying out is one of the first steps toward financial freedom.

Financial freedom is a big stepping stone to self-reliance. Reevaluate your finances from time to time to help you keep on a sound financial pathway.

Remember, these are things we have done that over the years have worked well for us. Your situation may differ a little, but the same principles apply: common sense over nonsense, needs vs. wants and logic over emotion.

Enjoy the journey.

Related: 

How You Can Get By With Less and Still Be Happy…

by Sarah L

I was raised in a very religious, conservative family. My parents had several of us kids that they were putting through private schools, so there was never any extra money. We lived below “paycheck to paycheck”. I’ve been to food pantries, salvage stores, garage sales, and used coupons. Anything to save money. I decided when I was grown I was living high on the hog…no more pinching pennies for me!!

Well, turns out saving had become a way of life. When my ex-husband left us, I discovered he had taken my credit cards and charged thousands of dollars. At the time I was working a part-time job (and recovering from cancer and had 2 toddlers). I immediately was put into a dire situation of paying these bills off or ruining my credit. I used a debt consolidation place for over a year only to discover the total amount of my bills wasn’t coming down. I then got a signature loan from a credit union and was able to pay off my bills within the next year.

One way I used to mentally trick myself into paying off more of the debt faster was to pay a few extra dollars on my monthly utility bills (works best with utility bills as they credit your account). If I owed $60, I’d pay $65. I would do this every month until I was one full month ahead on that bill.

Then I would move on to another utility bill. I would do the same thing there. Eventually, I had enough paid ahead that I would “cash in” and use my credits to pay those bills that month. That way, the month I used all the utility credits, I would be making a double payment on my debt. I know this is really just a mental trick, but it was easier to put a few extra dollars onto a small bill and then be able to make a larger payment on the big bill as opposed to putting a few dollars on the big bill and not really being able to see any progress in paying it off.

You have to have a mentality that you will not spend unless it’s absolutely necessary. We were eating as frugally as possible, not going out to eat, not going anywhere that cost anything. We found lots of free entertainment and activities to do!!

Another way of saving money or stretching what you have is to use coupons. I’m not into the “Extreme Couponing” craze. If I have a coupon for something I normally buy, I will use it. However, if I don’t normally buy name brand products, then I’m not saving money by switching to a name brand to use a coupon when it’s still more expensive then the off brand. I know how much money I can spend each month. If I don’t have extra money, I don’t look at the ads that come out (other than grocery stores). I don’t go to a garage sale (no matter how tempting it may be) if I don’t have money to spend. I also weigh the cost of saving a few cents with driving across town (is it worth the gas to save a penny-probably not!).

During this time when I was newly divorced and had NO money, I picked up a deer that had been hit on the road in front of me. I called a friend and he helped me field dress it. We had been eating tuna helper with no tuna so having a freezer full of meat was a huge blessing. Another friend invited me to go deer hunting the next year.

He loaned me a gun and took me with him to some property he had permission to hunt on. It took 2 years but I finally got a deer and have every year since. When my son shot his first deer at 8 he was so proud to tell everyone that he had brought Bambi home for his family! Now, we bag at least 3 deer a year and that’s our meat for the year unless I can shoot something else we can eat (squirrel, rabbit, etc.).

I’ve learned how to hunt all kinds of game (and cook with the meat – it’s all in the way you cook it.) Hunting is a great way to get inexpensive meat for the table. Most hunters would gladly help a newbie and show them the ropes, lend a gun, etc. I would encourage anyone interested in taking up the sport to go to a Hunter’s Education Class. Most state Fish & Game Departments have programs to teach new hunters (or anglers). Most Departments have hunts for new hunters where they provide the gun & the place to hunt.

I’ve gardened and canned since I was a little girl. Most University Extension offices have canning classes. If you buy a “Blue Book” it walks you through the process step by step. A canner is a big expense but well worth it as it will last for years. If you can find someone who cans they can mentor you and help you along the way.

I’ve been fortunate to garden my whole life. I always meet people who are just starting to garden and decide to grow 50 tomatoes or 20 zucchini plants. They are just setting themselves up for a failure (with the weeds alone). I advise going slow if you are new to gardening.

Plant a FEW plants, that you know you’ll like. Learn about gardening, then plant a few more the next year. I tell new gardeners to plant what is native to the area or will grow well in the zone you’re in. If you’re in northern Wisconsin, for example, peanuts and okra won’t be good plants for you!!

Plant both vegetables and flowers that are native to your area and you will have a lot fewer headaches trying to grow them. Do some research…there is a ton of information online. Go to a garden center…go to a garden club…stop by someone’s house that has a garden and ask for help. I’m always excited when someone stops by my house and asks for gardening help.

There are also a lot of free edible things out there in parks, cemeteries, etc. It’s amazing how many people I meet picking mulberries that don’t know what a mulberry is! Do a little research and learn what’s out there. It’s exciting to get food for your family from little seeds or from areas that people don’t think of.

I hope these hints can help someone.

Mississippi Knife Laws: A Guide for Knife Carriers!

Mississippi knife laws
Mississippi Knife Laws

In Article 3, Section 12, the Mississippi State Constitution authorizes and protects the right of every citizen to own and bear arms. The generally written constitutional statute applies to the defense of people and property.

Under Article 3, Section 12, Mississippi legislators can regulate and prohibit the concealed carrying of weapons. Mississippi laws addressing the ownership and carrying of knives are found within the Mississippi legal code in Chapter 37, Title 97.

Overview of Mississippi Knife Laws

Most legal scholars view Mississippi as a free and open knife ownership state. However, The Magnolia State imposes a few restrictions on the concealed carrying of long types of knife blades. As far as knife ownership goes, the state does not ban any style of knife, including knives other states forbid for ownership, such as gravity and ballistic knives.

The allowance of ballistic knife ownership in Mississippi contrasts to the strict regulation of the self-propelled knives put in place by other southern American states like Florida. In Mississippi, knife ownership regulations apply to felons and minors younger than 18 years old, although the regulations are not complete bans.

Knives Eligible for Legal Ownership in Mississippi

Mississippi has established the legal age for knife ownership at 18 years old. Adults that do not have any felony convictions are allowed to own, sell, and purchase any type of knife. The only exception to permissive Mississippi knife laws concerns selling a dirk, Bowie knife, butcher knife, or switchblade to a minor or anyone that is legally intoxicated at the time of a sale.

Section 97 of the Mississippi grants residents and visitors the right to own the following types of knives:

  • Pocket Knife
  • Butterfly Knife
  • SwitchBlade
  • Machete
  • Balisong Knife
  • Dirk
  • Dagger
  • Ballistic Knife
  • Hunting Knife
  • Sword
  • Misleading Knife
  • KA-BAR Knife

Mississippi does not place a limit on the length of knife blades for ownership purposes, which means you can store a knife of any length of blade in your home. However, concealed carry knife statutes in The Magnolia state mandate the prohibition of carrying concealed longer knives, although state law does not define the meaning of “longer knives.”

Open Knife Carry Law in Mississippi

Mississippi treats open knife carry in the same manner the state treats knife ownership. There are no laws currently on the books that prohibit the open carrying of any style of knife, at any blade length. Nonetheless, anyone living or passing through The Magnolia state cannot display a knife in a threatening way or open carry a knife with the intent to cause harm to other people. Premeditation is a difficult act to prove in court, as several Mississippi court case have ruled on the side of self-defense over the explicit intent to harm other residents by using a knife.

Mississippi and Concealed Carry Statutes

You have the right to conceal carry any type of knife Mississippi if you are over 18 years of age and conceal carry a knife inside your home or any real property that is part of your home. Courts have issued conflicting rulings on the legality of qualifying residents conceal carrying any kind of knife at their places of employment. Outside of your home or place of employment, concealed carry is prohibited for Bowie knives and butcher knives, as well as dirks and switchblades. Mississippi also has banned concealed carry for trench knives and other types of knives that contain finger rings.

Miscellaneous Knife Laws in the Magnolia State

Although considered a knife ownership friendly state, Mississippi knife laws have one major flaw the legal system has tried to fix several times over the past couple of decades. The Magnolia State does not have a preemption statute on the books, which means counties and municipalities can pass knife laws that are more restrictive than what state legislators have passed. For example, Tupelo, MS prohibits concealed carry for knives that have blades spanning longer than 3.5 inches. Vicksburg sets the concealed carry limit for knife blades at four inches. Mississippi knife laws ban knives of any kind on public school property, which includes buses and athletic venues.

Mississippi Knife Laws in 2018 and Beyond

In January of 2018, Mississippi state representative Gary Staples introduced legislation to remove the concealed carry restrictions pertaining to knives. HB 924 removes dirks, switchblades, Bowie knives, and butcher knives from the list of knives prohibited for concealed carry. As of June 2018, HB 924 is still moving through the legislative process, with its future up in the air because of amendments unrelated to knife laws attached to the bill. There is also momentum in the House to introduce a bill that gives the state preemption power to unify knife laws in cities like Vicksburg and Tupelo.

None of the material in this article should be interpreted as legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  Never take any action with legal consequences without first consulting with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.  This article should not be relied upon for making legal decisions.  This information is provided for scholarship and general information only.

[ Note: Out of all of the pocket knives available on Amazon.com this one is my favorite everyday carry knife – click here to see what it is on Amazon.com. I love this knife! It’s built like a tank and holds an edge better than any other knife that I’ve owned…]

Check out these related articles:

Texas Knife Laws: A Guide for Knife Carriers!

texas knife laws
Texas Knife Laws

“Don’t Mess with Texas” is an appropriate slogan for a state that takes pride in protecting individual liberty. However, The Lone Star State lives up to its independent reputation when it comes to knife laws.

According to Article 1, Section 23 of the Texas State Constitution, Texans enjoy a broadly interpreted right to bear arms that include knives. However, Article 1, Section 23 also grants the Texas legislature the legal right to regulate weapons to prevent violent crimes.

The variation of federal Second Amendment rights has prompted numerous lawsuits challenging the legal validity of Texas constitutional law.

Overview of Texas Knife Laws

Texas laws place no restrictions on knife ownership. Part of the reason for the knife ownership friendly statute stems from clear wording in the Texas State Constitution. However, knife-friendly statutes also have gained momentum because of the commitment Texas lawmakers have made to preserve the vibrant recreation industry in the state. Knife laws in Texas often contain wording that focuses on the rights of outdoor enthusiasts such as anglers and hunters.

Here is the list of knives Texas allows residents to own:

  • Pocket Knives
  • Butterfly Knives
  • Ballistic Knives
  • Stilettos
  • Daggers
  • Misleading Knives
  • Machetes
  • Bowie Knives
  • Switch Blades

Open and Concealed Carry Statutes

In response to the growing threat on Capitol Hill to regulate firearms, the State of Texas enacted several laws granting residents the right to open and conceal carry a wide variety of guns. The lenient open and concealed carry statutes for firearms eventually persuaded Texas legislators to apply the same open and concealed carry rights to knives.

As of June of 2018, Texas does not place any restrictions on the open and concealed carrying of any style of knife, except in the special cases clearly outlined by other Texas knife laws.

Major Knife Law Changes in 2017

Texas legislators made several significant changes to state knife laws during the 2017 session. Lawmakers removed legal language that restricted specific knife designs. Formerly regulated knives like Bowie knives had all restrictions removed.

Texas law also changed by increasing the blade maximum size allowed for “location-specific” knives. With all the changes in favor of knife, owners came one important strengthening of knife statutes in regards to minors under the age of 18 years. Texas law forbids minors from buying or selling most styles of knives, as well as open or conceal carrying knives in “location-specific” venues.

Miscellaneous Texas Knife Laws

Before the sweeping changes made in 2017 to Texas knife laws, legislators addressed the lack of statewide preemption in 2015. In September of 2015, the Texas legislature passed a law that required counties and municipalities to comply with state knife laws. The result has been the removal of statutes that place additional restrictions on knife ownership at the local level than what the state has on the books.

Texas law also includes “location-specific” knife-carrying restrictions. Residents and visitors cannot carry knives on school property, which includes Texas colleges and universities. You cannot bring a concealed knife into a polling place or any judicial venue such as a courtroom.

Knives are prohibited at airports and bus terminals. Businesses that generate more than 51% of sales from liquor must place a sign at the front entrance informing customers not to bring knives into the establishment. Knives are banned at sporting events in Texas and in places of worship.

Texas Knife Laws 2018 and Beyond

The state law passed in 2017 that allows adults to open carry knives measuring more than 5 1/2 inches has come under fire from law enforcement. Open carrying potential weapons such as swords and stilettos should be the focal point of hotly debated proposed laws in 2018 and beyond.

The legal momentum that helped enact the recent open carry changes appears to remain strong on the Texas legislature. The thinking is the same open carry leniency for firearms should also apply to any type of knife. Although no bill has reached the Texas legislature floor that proposes regulating longer bladed knives, many legal experts expect a bill to come up for debate in 2019 that addresses the issue.

None of the material in this article should be interpreted as legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  Never take any action with legal consequences without first consulting with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.  This article should not be relied upon for making legal decisions.  This information is provided for scholarship and general information only.

[ Note: Out of all of the pocket knives available on Amazon.com this one is my favorite everyday carry knife – click here to see what it is on Amazon.com. I love this knife! It’s built like a tank and holds an edge better than any other knife that I’ve owned…]

Check out these related articles:

Alabama Knife Laws: A Guide for Knife Carriers!

Alabama knife laws
Alabama Knife Laws

With the Gulf of Mexico at the southern edge of the state and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains rolling near the Georgia and Tennessee borders, Alabama is a state rich with recreational opportunities. Hunting, fishing, cycling, and backpacking all require the use of a knife.

However, Alabama knife laws take root in the state’s Constitution, which residents recently amended to bolster the right to bear arms.

Section 26 of the Alabama Constitution reads “Every citizen has a fundamental right to bear arms in defense of himself or herself and the state.” Several court decisions have ruled on the legality of owning and carrying different styles of knives in the State of Alabama.

An Overview of Alabama Knife Laws

Alabama has one of the most streamlined sets of knife laws in the United States. The state imposes legal restrictions on only one type of knife. Residents and visitors to Alabama enjoy the legal right to own and carry any other type of knife. Most of the court decisions pertaining to knife ownership have addressed weapons issues, such as carrying knives in public places that include airports and bus terminals.

Alabama is one of the rare southern states that allow municipalities to pass unique knife laws that implement stricter ownership and carrying conditions.

The following is the list of knives that are legal to own in Alabama:

  • Pocket Knife
  • Dirk
  • Butterfly Knife
  • Stiletto
  • Dagger
  • Ballistic Knife
  • SwitchBlade
  • Misleading Knife

Alabama permits machete and Bowie knife ownership, with a couple of legal restrictions. The legalization of ballistic knives contrasts with how some other states in the region deal with the self-propelled knife. For example, Florida forbids ownership of ballistic knives for all purposes.

How Alabama Regulates Knife Length

Alabama does not have a statute on the books that regulate the length of knives residents and visitors are allowed to own. A handful of court decisions have addresses knife length issues, but the premise of the lawsuits dealt with a local authority to regulate the size of knife blades. Until the state legislature passes a law that specifies knife length restrictions, residents and visitors can own knives of any length except in certain cities.

Knife Open Carry Law in Alabama

Alabama law permits knife owners to open carry any style of knife, except for the machete and Bowie knife. You cannot open or conceal carry either knife in a vehicle. The permissive open carry knife law in Alabama makes the state popular among outdoor enthusiasts that visit from nearby states.

Alabama and Conceal Carry

Section 13A sets the legal guidelines for Alabama concealed carry. “Except as otherwise provided in this Code, a person who carries concealed about his person a bowie knife or knife or instrument of like-kind or description or a pistol or firearm of any other kind or an air gun shall, on conviction, be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months.” A couple of court decisions have included machetes and butcher knives in the same knife classification as Bowie knives. The Bowie knife is mostly used as a hunting knife, although the straight section of the blade works well as a knife used to cut meat.

Alabama Miscellaneous Knife Laws

Alabama law prohibits weapons on school property. Section 16 states “ Any person who sells, gives or lends to any minor any pistol, except under the circumstances provided in Section 13A-11-72, bowie-knife, or other knives of like-kind or description, shall, on conviction, be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).”

State law does not include a preemption clause, which many other states use to prevent municipalities from placing stricter restrictions on knife ownership. For example, Montgomery, Alabama has passed an ordinance limiting knife blade length to a maximum of three inches.

Alabama Knife Laws Beyond 2018

Political momentum continues to grow for creating a preemption clause for Alabama knife laws. Many state legislators on both sides of the political aisle want to eliminate the inconsistent statutes that vary between Alabama municipalities. The goal is to prevent cities such as Montgomery from passing laws that place restrictions on the length of knife blades.

Although there is not any legislation on the docket to address preemption in 2018, many political observers believe one or more bills might come to the House floor in 2019.

None of the material in this article should be interpreted as legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  Never take any action with legal consequences without first consulting with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.  This article should not be relied upon for making legal decisions.  This information is provided for scholarship and general information only.

[ Note: Out of all of the pocket knives available on Amazon.com this one is my favorite everyday carry knife – click here to see what it is on Amazon.com. I love this knife! It’s built like a tank and holds an edge better than any other knife that I’ve owned…]

Check out these related articles:

Camping & Woodcraft by Horace Kephart: a weekly product review

Horace Kephart was an amazing individual who assisted by George Masa a brilliant photographer they tramped the Appalachian and Smoky Mountains. It these individuals who did the most work in establishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mr. Kephart is best known for having written two of my favorite books, Our Southern Highlanders and the focus of this review, Camping & Woodcraft or The Book of Camping & Woodcraft as it is also known. For legal purposes, this is a book I have owned for many years and purchased of my own accord.

A few weeks back I reviewed a compilation titled, The Lost Ways, at the time I had read it and reviewed it I did not realize that many of the compiled articles and pieces within the book were taken piecemeal and in some cases without any adjustment whatsoever from The Book of Camping & Woodcraft as well as several other sources I personally own and love such as the 12 book Foxfire series.

While I am still supportive of The Lost Ways book, I do need to mention this, as someone on a limited income I realize that adding many of these items can be cost prohibitive. I hope to help you see the benefit of this and other books to be reviewed so that you can make well-informed decisions.

When you have a lower income than some it is imperative to take advantage of deals and options that allow you to benefit the greatest for the least amount of monetary spending. The Book of Camping & Woodcraft is such a book.

While the medical sections of the book are not completely out of date, there are definitely areas that have moved ahead of what was and what we know now. Outside of these areas which only take up a chapter, the book is literally full of some of the best camping, woodcraft, outdoors information ever penned and many modern “survival/ bushcraft/ wilderness/ camping/ primal”gurus have read this book and others like it at some point.

Mr. Kephart takes you through Outfitting your individual or group expedition all the way through dealing with accidents when they occur. In between, he goes into great detail on how to make real buckskin, tan leather and use wild greens and other items found all around us for eating, clothing and shelter.

While many of the items he speaks about are no longer in legal use due to any number of reasons, from modern drug laws through bans on use of various woods and or permitting required the essence of the book is such that you can easily utilize modern equivalents to fill the gaps. Some items of interest are his insistence on getting a solid, comfortable nights sleep.

For this purpose, he suggests the following, paraphrased, “while a good wool blanket is sufficient cover to keep you alive, a cot or bedroll will always be better. Understanding that exposure kills more soldiers than bullets (at the time this was the case).” He then proceeds to go into great detail outlining why sleeping raised above the ground or with sufficient layers of insulation between you and the ground will not only allow for better sleep but also better spirits!

His suggestion regarding the use of a sleeping bag you can open all the way up and air out daily prior to sleep (something that makes a large difference in comfort) added into his description of several mattresses, which I revised personally and have purchased 4” thick Memory Foam full-size bedrolls, are just some of the many areas he deftly describes making it impossible to not be comfortable.

As we head deeper into this fascinating book we discover his desire to use gold coin versus banknotes and his advocacy of a well-stocked medical kit. Now his list of medicines are completely outdated, though his insistence on including a good surgery kit is admirable and agreed upon by myself. Forceps both artery and tooth.

Surgeons needles, suture thread as well as several other additions are important. I carry a large medical kit with several full regimens of 6 different antibiotics both cillins and other. Additionally, I carry wound wash, and topical antiseptics as well as pain medication from Asprin through ibuprofen. He suggests using chloroform on those nasty critters in the South, chiggers or redbugs. There are modern alternatives that work well also.

Next, he suggests a small but complete repair kit for your firearms. I myself have adapted this to mean a spare bolt carrier group and an AR15 small parts kit with a small set of appropriate tools. I also carry a Glock 19 emergency parts kit and spare springs and followers for magazines.

These parts take another pound of weight and barely any space but can mean the difference between life and death should you have an issue. Some of my friends also carry a spare gas tube, this I do not carry with me though I have them at home, the reason being it is impossible to properly change one out without a vice and tools that you will not have with you!

Now while his rifle was not an AR15 the premise is the same regardless your firearm of choice, have a set of parts that are both easy to replace and are most likely to fail with you as well as the where with all to do the work should you need to.

All of this information is in the first 35 pages, the last 200+ pages are filled with diagrams, explanations and step by step instructions that you can adjust and add too based on modern equivalents to his suggested approaches. Chapter 16 begins with some sage advice regarding weight and living off the land.

He states that weight and keeping it down is everything when it comes to long trips where you may be subsisting off the land in part or fully. He makes the brilliant point that soldiers meals (modern equivalents) are often not good for the active individual living off the land except as an addition to your diet. I agree with this and make a point of introducing my children to new edibles each and every time we are out.

Over the last few chapters, his advice and well-mapped approach shows you how to use everything around you as a potential tool and what each and every plant, bark type and animal can be used for while living with the land. While his scope is limited to the Smoky Mountains, the approach can be easily modeled for the Rocky’s as well as any location you reside in.

This is why I believe so strongly in understanding what lives around you and how to use it if needed. He truly enjoys the use of well-made pemmican and even extols the value of dog meat as being quite healthy overall if necessary.

The last chapters are regarding accidents and how to set bones, suture wounds and address issues. These chapters I would not take at face value or would ensure the information is medically appropriate for modern times. After all, we do have many advances that were not in use at the time of original publication. This being said, there is much good to be had especially in these chapters!

My personal opinion is that this is a must-have book for the self-motivated individuals library. It can be had on Amazon for as little as $2 via kindle or my preferred method in paperback for $9. I am linking it here for you all and again I can highly recommend it. I currently have two copies and am going to buy another so that my children each have their own! Five stars and two thumbs up for this amazing book. Remember, while some of the information is dated, apply it using modern equipment and you will easily have a solid setup and approach!

Free the mind and the body will follow