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Well, folks, it’s pouring the rain here as I write this but I’m not complaining because, well, I like the rain. It’s relaxing and most of the time it has a positive effect on my allergies. So it’s a win for me… well until I have to mow my grass which grows faster after it rains and the grass messes with my allergies… I just can’t win…

Anyways, I’ve read a few comments (on another site) that suggest that I’m getting rich running a website, and even though I wish that it were true the reality is far from it.

Below is a pic of my earnings from Amazon… most days are in the $2 to $5 range…

And here is one for my book earning for the month (for all 4 books)…

Also, keep in mind that this is from two sites! I could make more money working part time at a fast food restaurant but I continue to do it because I want to share information that I hope will help someone.

Anyways, over to you what did you do to prep this week?

Showering while hunting, fishing, camping and just being outside after a good hike is something that is essential and refreshing. Personally, my family has used, abused and gone through 3 or 4 solar/camping showers in the past decade.

When the creator of Handy Shower contacted me I decided to accept his offer to review the product in exchange for the product. This is one of the ones I am certainly glad I accepted and did not turn down.

Due to former jobs and current hobbies and by virtue of maintaining a network of individuals I have been able to stay ahead of many of the innovative approaches that have come into the camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, prepping and general out-doors world!

While this invention has a distinctly European feel, especially when you realize it has a bidet head attachment, this is what really makes it a worthwhile investment. I will say again, in any situation cleanliness is absolutely an essential need to remaining disease-free and comfortable.

In the out of doors one can easily work up a good sweat and honestly, I find that if you are consuming enough water and not gorging on typical sodium rich, carbo based fare you will rarely actually smell and a simple rinse with clean water a couple times a day is enough to keep you healthy.

However, I can also say that from experience any time you transition into a changed diet or set of external circumstances our internal setup will often rebel and the result can be mudslides or concrete if you know what I mean!

If you do not have adequate toilet paper or facilities this can easily lead to potential infections not too mention looking and smelling like the hind end of a Russian hog after a Texas mud bath! I devised some fun approaches over the years and get really tired of needing to always be prepped for this. To this end I adjusted my diet permanently and my exercise level as well. That being said, keeping clean is still an essential part of daily hygiene!

Handy Shower is pump based and is not gravity or battery powered. You can use your hand or the included foot-pump to keep water flowing. The way it is built you do not need anything more than a simple canteen to supply the water, though I did like and recommend the awesome bag that is included in their Premium version.

The different heads for showering or washing with are fun to test and take seconds to attach and detach. As with everything, make sure you are washing your body over 50 yards from your drinking water and any open sources of groundwater or food as well as living space! I cannot stress enough the importance of having a very select place for washing up!

Hand Shower which is currently active on IndieGoGo found here, offers an all in one package at a reasonable price. And after testing our unit over the course of the last week with a teenager, 9-year-old and adults attached, I can honestly say it is a winning option for campers, day hikers, climbers and virtually anyone that is active and out of doors. Let’s go over the features offered!

• You control the water exactly, no long turn on and shut off approaches, using a simple pull line or included folding foot pedal (which seems rickety but really does work well) you remain in control of the water flow, how fast, how much or how little is your choice!
• It works for washing your hands, hair or privates if and when needed and is easily switched between roles, with little fuss and no overt mess! (for we Americans bidets are a bit odd, but they really do work quite well!) never use it for that and still benefit!
• Empty it weighs right at 400 grams or 14 ounces, which is really quite light and packages into a small easily managed package!
• Set up really is very simple, first I did it without using instructions. I than checked the instructions and with one exception had everything put together properly. Easy to setup definitely easy!
• Durability, mine withstood the onslaught of a teen boy, pre-teen girl and other adults for several days without incident. In fact, it was so easy and fun to use that everyone kept coming to the camp to check it out as my children got around the area and met other youngsters. This led to additional uses for testing and showing them as well.
• It comes in a few different forms, I suggest the premium kit, however, the magic happens with the shower head and attachments themselves. So any of the kits will work for you.

Unfortunately, this shower is only available on IndieGoGo. I can recommend it with two thumbs up and 5 stars all the way. As long as you treat it well it should treat you well for many years to come.

The pump and attachments are well built the only real weakness I see would be in the foot pedal, it is definitely built to run with a lighter touch and not push the pedal through the floor. A harder pump does not cause it to work better, rather be smooth and consistent like you are spray painting a car and it will run well and for a long time to come!

Make sure to check out the websites linked to the name Handy Shower in the article and let them know I sent you over! Get on their mailing list and definitely get one of these amazing products today! It was designed and is being made in Poland at the moment but they have plans to produce in many other places as demand increases.

I have a few items I love from Poland, and they do tend to engineer in a robust manner. Additionally, it is a family run business venture and the included talent is downright amazing!

Free the mind and the body will follow!

You Might Also Like:

• You Don’t Need To Be Wealthy to Homestead
• Urban Survival Basics: How to Survive in the City When Disaster Strikes
• Moving Toward Self-Reliance for the Working Poor

This open discussion forum is just that an open discussion where you can post your preps and homestead progress for the week, or ask questions about any topic that you need help with.

All that I ask is that you keep the discussion somewhat related to the topic of prepping and or homesteading.

Worth Checking Out:

• My Newest Blog Project – TN Concealed Carry
• My Brothers New YouTube Channel Tennessee Redneck.
• And a new fiction book that one of my readers just released Alien Outpost.
• And last but not least check out Concealed Carry Resources and Knife Laws in Tennessee.

Alright… now over to you all…

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: 

• You Don’t Need To Be Wealthy to Homestead
• Start Saving Today and Live Your Homesteading Dream Tomorrow
• How To Sleep Better At Night Naturally – Tips For Getting A Good Night’s Sleep