Preparedness doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, if you’re working within a budget—and with the current economy, most of us are—getting prepped should be a strategic, steady process, not a mad rush to spend your last cent at the nearest outdoor store. You build your supplies like a brick wall: one smart decision at a time. So, whether you’re brand new to all this or just tightening up your existing setup, here are 21 budget-friendly essentials worth stockpiling now, before things get dicey. These relatively low-cost, high-value items’ll help keep you ready, comfortable, and ahead of the curve when…

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe shelves might look full today—but what happens when the US-China trade war kicks in and they don’t? What happens when that tool, med, or food item you count on suddenly spikes in price—or disappears entirely? That’s not a preparedness doomsday fantasy. It’s the growing possibility of the U.S.–China trade war. With tariffs now heading north of 125%, all eyes are on the global supply chains to see if they begin to wobble. And like we saw during COVID, it doesn’t take much to begin limiting access to everyday essentials. This article isn’t about…

DAMASCUS, Syria — President Donald Trump said Saturday that “there will be very serious retaliation” after two U.S. service members and one American civilian were killed in an attack in Syria that the United States blames on the Islamic State group.“This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them,” he said in a social media post.The American president told reporters at the White House that Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was “devastated by what happened” and stressed that Syria was fighting alongside U.S. troops. Trump, in…

When you survive a self-defense shooting, your next move could make or break your future. The physical threat may be over. But legally and emotionally, the most dangerous part may just be starting. Most people think the biggest challenge is pulling the trigger. But if you’ve defended yourself with a firearm, the real test begins the moment the sirens start heading your way. That’s why it’s critical to understand how to safely and smartly handle law enforcement after a self-defense incident—before you’re in the middle of one. Rachel Moss, a veteran criminal defense attorney with Attorneys for Freedom and Attorneys…

A disaster can strike any time so learning what to do in an emergency is best accomplished before anything happens. Whether you face a power outage, economic collapse, or getting lost in the wild, these 10 survival skills could help you and your family survive the emergency without panicking. Learn them now—before you actually need them. Quick Look at What You’ll Learn Toggle 1. Purify Water According to the survival rule of three, a person can survive three minutes without air, three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food. Water is essential to life, and…

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadEvery day, the world around you is sending signals — some obvious, many subtle. The ability to pick up on those signals, to read the situation before it unfolds, can mean the difference between success and failure in overcoming the problems that may head your way. In today’s world of uncertainty, sharpening your situational awareness training isn’t optional. It’s a necessity. And the truth is, situational awareness training isn’t about fear. It’s about living consciously, stacking the odds in your favor, and putting yourself in a position to better manage both life’s opportunities and…

From hurricanes and wildfires to power grid failures and civil unrest, emergencies can upend normal life with little warning. When that happens, the time to prepare is already over. That’s why building a reliable emergency response kit is one of the most essential steps anyone can take toward personal resilience. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has developed a clear, evidence-based disaster supplies kit checklist of what every American should have on hand to survive for at least 72 hours during a disaster. This isn’t just for people living in high-risk areas—electricity, water, food supply, or communications disruptions can happen anywhere,…

This article was originally published by Willow Tohi at Natural News.  Elon Musk hinted at a potential SpaceX IPO in 2026 via a social media post, lending credibility to recent reports. The offering could raise over $25 billion, valuing SpaceX at more than $1 trillion. A public listing at that scale would make it the second-largest IPO in history, behind only Saudi Aramco. The move would provide massive capital for SpaceX’s ambitious projects, including its Starship program and Starlink satellite constellation. The IPO is a pivotal step in Musk’s financial trajectory and the commercialization of space. In a move that…

Shots were fired at Syrian and U.S. forces on Saturday during a visit by American troops to a historic central town, leaving several wounded, Syria’s state media and a war monitor said.The shooting took place near Palmyra, according to the state-run SANA news agency, which said two members of Syria’s security force and several U.S. service members were wounded. The injured were taken by helicopters to the al-Tanf garrison near the border with Iraq and Jordan.SANA said the attacker was killed, without providing further details.A U.S. defense official told The Associated Press that they are aware of the reports and…

The Mountain Readiness Expo is a hands-on, three-day preparedness gathering held at Van Hoy Campground in Harmony, NC. It brings together survival instructors, authors, homesteaders, and everyday people for skills-based learning and community building. Held May 2-4, 2025, at Van Hoy Campground, Mountain Readiness isn’t just another gear show or lecture circuit. It’s a practical, skills-first gathering of everyday people who care about one simple goal: being more self-reliant in a world that seems more important everyday. This wasn’t my first Mountain Readiness event. I taught at the Fall Out event last October and knew the community was special. But…

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWhat if I told you that when the next major disaster strikes—you’ll most likely be behind, not ahead? That’s part of what SHTF mindset is all about. No matter how prepped you feel, when you’re at the epicenter of a serious crisis, you’ll likely start off scrambling to get ahead. You’ll start as the underdog. You don’t control the clock. You don’t get to pick the terrain. And the systems you thought you could count on? Nothing is guaranteed when the worst happens. Minor emergencies? Sure, you might be able to muscle through. Those…

You see an coyote in the street—middle of the day. You’re not in the woods or on some remote trail—this is suburbia. Your kid’s school is a block away. And this isn’t some rare event. Urban coyotes are showing up more frequently in neighborhoods, school zones, and parks—a change in your environment that we should pay attention to. While coyotes are probably not your most significant risk, they are wildlife doing what wildlife does. Unfortunately, when wildlife like coyotes are out living their best possible urban lives, that sometimes means doing so at the expense of you, your families, and…

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe Boiling Point We’re Ignoring Political violence preparedness in America isn’t new—but as 2025 unfolds, it’s need is rising fast and hitting closer to home than many people realize. While still statistically unlikely, the sheer increase in frequency, along with political tension, raises the chance that you or someone you care about might get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. This article isn’t here to scare you. It’s here to give you clarity: So you can understand the trend—uncomfortable or not—and how it shifts your risk profile. And so you can…

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Increases yield without increasing footprint. Plants that grow well vertically include strawberries, leafy greens, pole beans, and trailing herbs. Starter tip: Water from the top and let gravity help distribute moisture downward through each level. 6. Edible Cacti – They’re Not Just Decorative Did you know that there are certain species of cactus that are both pretty and edible? Some of these consumable succulents include: Aloe vera: While not used as food, aloe vera is good for treating scrapes and burns. Sea beans (salicornia): They can be boiled, fried, or raw and have protein, iodine, and calcium. Pitaya (dragon fruit):…

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Sign up for the Outdoor Life Newsletter Get the hottest outdoor news—plus a free month of onX Hunt Elite. This story, “Deadhead,” appeared in the August 1953 issue of Outdoor Life. You can find more stories by Jack Tooker here. My job was driving a locomotive for the Santa Fe but my hobby was big-game hunting and guiding. The guiding was more a labor of love than anything else; I just wanted to be with people who liked hunting as much as I did. I took out such noted men as Theodore Roosevelt, Zane Grey, Rex Beach, and Fred Stone.…

The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) is a decision-making approach used by military personnel that works in daily life, too. Whenever you enter a new environment—a parking lot, a coffee shop, a subway platform—run through these steps: observe, orient, decide, and act mentally. It helps you stay engaged and ready to respond. 3. Scan and Assess Train yourself to glance around and take note of exits, people around you, and anything that doesn’t seem to belong. You don’t need to stare at people or be nervous. Just be aware. Make a practice of scanning your surroundings, and it will…

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