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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…

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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…

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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…

The U.S. Air Force wants small one-way attack drones for its special operations forces, according to an Air Force Request for Information.“Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Special Tactics (ST) units currently lack a purpose-built First-Person View (FPV) unmanned capability,” warned the RFI, which is due April 17. “This deficit restricts the force’s ability to employ FPV systems in specialized mission sets and limits the development of standardized Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) essential for modern, high-intensity conflict.”The service is looking for a drone with a range of at least 10 kilometers, and ideally more than 20 kilometers. It…

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,…

Commissaries will soon start charging shoppers for paper and plastic single-use bags. Starting April 6, customers will pay 5 cents each for plastic bags and 10 cents for paper bags. The move will save the commissary system money, officials stated in their announcement about the change. It “will allow the Defense Commissary Agency to continue to offer its eligible patrons significant savings while strengthening its fiscal stewardship and reducing operating expenses,” officials stated. According to a DOD Comptroller document, the move will save the commissary system at least $17 million in fiscal 2026. But information wasn’t available about whether that…

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…

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) — President Donald Trump’s administration is considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East, as the U.S. military prepares for possible next steps in its campaign against Iran, said a U.S. official and three people familiar with the matter.The deployments could help provide Trump with additional options as he weighs expanding U.S. operations, with the Iran war well into its third week.Those options include securing safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a mission that would be accomplished primarily through air and naval forces, the sources said.…

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…

Russia’s efforts to assert its power in the Arctic are being undermined by the Ukraine war, according to U.S. intelligence.“While Russia has enhanced its ability to operate in the Arctic by focusing on combat readiness and using dual-use technologies and facilities for defense, its war with Ukraine has limited its ability to fully achieve its Arctic ambitions,” according to the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released Wednesday.Nonetheless, Russia still views the Arctic as vital to its security for a variety of political, economic and military reasons. “Russia has the largest Arctic coastline…

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…

Following the first combat launch of its long-range Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, Lockheed Martin successfully tested an upgraded version of the weapon that is designed to hit moving vessels at sea.While the PrSM Increment 2 is part of the U.S. Army’s long-range fire program, it is designed for sea denial. It features a seeker within its navigation system that provides targeting guidance and homes in on fast-moving threats, including ships. Its new capabilities will allow the Army to “strike relocating or fleeting targets in both land and maritime environments,” according to a statement released by Lockheed. The company said…

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…

Most critical energy headlines from the Middle East:  Iran says upstream oil and gas assets are under attack for the first time since the war began Iraq reroutes some flows through the Ceyhan Pipeline to Turkey Iran reiterates new rules in place for Hormuz transit as traffic remains de-minimus “The blockade is now the worst disruption to oil flows ever. Real barrels are now disappearing from global oil markets, which can lead to demand destruction in the weeks to come.” Iran set to retaliate against oil/gas assets in the Gulf area, including facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE Iranian outlet Fars says…

Before sending care packages to service members involved in Operation Epic Fury, check the U.S. Postal Service list of military post offices where mailing services have been temporarily suspended. With the U.S. and Israel attacks against Iran in their third week, Americans’ thoughts and actions have been turning toward sending care packages with various hygiene products, snacks and a host of other items.But according to the U.S. Postal Service, there are currently 28 ZIP codes where mail services have been temporarily suspended, all of which appear to be Army or Air Force post offices. No ships are currently listed, although…

Sign up for the Quick Strike Newsletter The hottest fishing news, tips, and tactics Idaho’s deepest water body, Lake Pend Oreille, is full of mysteries and massive fish. The huge glacial lake, which also holds the title of the fifth deepest lake in America, covers nearly 150 square miles of the Idaho panhandle and reaches 1,158 feet at its lowest point. (That’s roughly equivalent to the Empire State Building.) The lake is so big and bottomless that the U.S. Navy tests submarines on Pend Oreille (pronounced Pond-uh-RAY). Rumor has it there’s still a sunken sub down there somewhere. Kyle Hatrock,…

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):…

The chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee wants to develop a “must-pass” authorization bill process for the Department of Veterans Affairs similar to the legislative procedure used to approve the National Defense Authorization Act. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., kicked off a series of hearings Wednesday on legislation that would reauthorize several significant VA programs and said he wants to create a comprehensive authorization process — an omnibus-style procedure — that would ensure a yearly legislative review of all VA programs, some of which have not been reauthorized for 30 years. Bost said such oversight is needed to ensure that…