Welcome back and look, its Friday again already? Where does the time go? We have our first book recipient all set. I’ll be mailing off the copy of “One Second After” to Matt our 15th email requester later this afternoon. I want to thank you all for the emails, yes I know its exactly what I asked you to do if you wanted a shot at a free book but your words of encouragement were very generous! I’ve received a few ideas for additions to the site so if these were from you, watch for them to be implemented in the coming weeks…

 

Side Note ~

  

   I had a few responses about the book from folks that were NOT subscribers yet, they were after the #15 had already been identified… Please subscribe to the email updates before you email me about the give-a-ways, I don’t want anyone to miss out! Also, I get a few emails from folks that are receiving an ERROR message when they try to subscribe. As far as I can tell, this happens only if you try to subscribe twice… There’s a delay built into the system that allows an administrator to approve anything submitted, including email subscribers. SPAM is ridiculously pervasive and this delay is a must. However, if you are getting an error or not receiving the email alert that a new post is available, email me right away and I’ll make sure I manually enter your email info and so we won’t have any additional problems. I appreciate your understanding as this site is giving me alot of enjoyment but I’m having to learn alot of the ins and outs as well! I will try to respond to any and every email you guys send me but it may be delayed as this is only a part time gig for me and of course the day you need me right away will be the day everyone else does to, please be patient as I do appreciate hearing from you guys!

 

    I owe Ranger a couple of email responses now, don’t give up on me and your support hasn’t gone un-noticed!

 

   Ok, were going to try this again and see if I can’t get through more than just a few emailed questions this time around. Please keep these things coming as this is thought provoking for me too. If you have additional information that we could all benefit from, please email me that as well and we’ll put it all together and be better informed with group participation!

 

Send your questions to prepper@preppernation.com

 

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Question #1 -     “Do I have any pictures from underneath the mobile home?”

 

   I actually have to admit that I don’t… I can try to answer any specific questions that any of you have. When I was working under there I had no idea that I would be doing this blog and therefore was only trying to get the job done. I can say that I don’t go very far without a camera now. I’m on the look out for anything I think the group might be interested in.

   I don’t have any current plans to be going under the house anytime soon but if I do I’ll get some shots. Please email me the specifics on what you are wondering about and I’ll see if I can help you…

 

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Question #2 -     “What exactly is my Real Estate background, am I a realtor?”

  

   No, I’m not a licensed real estate agent. I’m a little leery to say specifically what my business is (OPSEC) but I own and operate a business that handles paperwork for real estate transactions. This would make me as close to an expert in the real estate industry as a person could get. I am familiar with the forms and processes used by ALL the individual players in any transaction. If someone where to have a real estate related question, I would be glad to help. One caveat is that I’m in Washington State and our laws and standard practices could be different than those of your local. However, if I can be of assistance – just shoot me an email!

 

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Question #3 -     “Why don’t I say much about firearms in the blog?”

 

   Before I answer this, rest assured that I’m in no way anti gun. I just feel that since I’m not an expert in this field I should leave it to the guys that REALLY know their stuff. I can say that I have owned a large number of guns in many configurations over the years but there are just to many different variations for me to keep up.

   In addition to this, there are plenty of outlets for you to read about and participate in this specific interest group. I do like to discuss guns and I treat mine like the valuable possessions they are. I would be happy to take a guest article on this topic from anyone that cares to write one… I will try to verify that whatever information comes out of preppernation is completely factual, so please do your homework before sending me your article…

 

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Question #4 -     “What are good names in mobile homes?”

 

   I assume that what is being asked is referring to the different manufactures of mobile homes. I can honestly say I don’t know who makes the best product. I hear that this brand is great from one individual and then hear the opposite from another person?

   I’ve heard the most good things about two manufactures – Fuqua and Marlette… I can’t say for sure but I have heard that Fleetwood is a low end home. Our BOL is a Fleetwood and if this is low end, its good enough for us! We could go round and round with the finer points of this and that until we’re all just tired of talking about it but in the end it just doesn’t matter much… 

   First of all, you probably won’t have alot of choices in the used market, based on brand anyway. You should expect to find several homes of interest each month, if you diligently are watching for them. After you find something that looks promising, you will need to go and look at it for yourself. If you’re not handy, be sure to find a trusted friend that will come along with you to check it out.

   After you see a number of these homes up close, you’ll be able to spot a deal when you see it. I would look and see how the house is constructed and use this to make your final decision more than I would be concerned about the manufacture. Don’t get me wrong, it’s usually a good indicator what the homes construction will be like based off of a particular manufactures reputation. Having said that, you should expect to see alot of DOGS out there. You will see these in both the more expensive homes as well as the cheapies. Just get out there and start looking at them up close and personal, the education you get will be well worth the trouble.

 

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Question #5 -     “What do I consider to be reasonable OPSEC”

 

   First off, let me be sure that everyone is on the same page – OPSEC, is short hand for operational security, ie. privacy. This is a difficult question to answer. There are two distinct camps in our community. We have James Wesley, Rawles that won’t even tell the readers what State he lives in much less give out directions to the ranch. Then we have Jack Spirko over at www.thesurvivalpodcast.com  he’s the opposite and will go almost to the point of giving map coordinates to his home in Texas.

   I would have to say that I fall somewhere in the middle. I think that Jack has very good credibility with his audience because he’s so open. On the other hand I would rather avoid any future entanglements with uninvited folks dropping in to “Just Say Hi” and borrow a few cases of Mountain House meals or leave me any surprises when I’m not around.

   With the capabilities of the internet these days, I feel that its prudent to use a nickname and keep the detailed personal specifics to a minimum. I am always amazed at how small a world it really is. For all I know one of my employees could even be reading this and not have put 2 and 2 together, yet! 

   I’m not paranoid about this as you can see, you have all been inside my BOL – if you read Mondays post anyway. I would like to have a get together at some point, maybe next summer. This would be for anyone but particularly folks in the Pacific Northwest. I see the benefit of the camaraderie, we could all use more of that. However, we are a private animal and I see it as  first name basis only , unless an individual chooses otherwise. 

   I already know there’s one email in there from someone that thinks I’ve already shared to much about myself… I’m committed to sharing everything I can with the folks here but there is a line that can’t be crossed. My families safety and yours is paramount. When you email me a question or comment and give me permission to use your name or specifics than maybe I will but unless that is conveyed, forget it. I won’t out you on this blog.

 

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   Well, we have another week under our belts and I’m very encouraged by the responses I’m getting from all of you. I see this blog growing in popularity each week and that’s due to all of you helping me get the word out that we’re over here – You folks reading and contributing now are soon going to be the old timers here and have been in on the ground floor. There are other things coming as far as giveaways and long term projects that I’m putting together for greater group participation and input!

 

HOMEWORK – I am going to ask you all to do something for me, well, something else for me… Watch the “Mobile Homes for sale” sections in your local publications. I am becoming more convinced that these homes are going to play a role in getting us all more freedom than we have previously thought possible. I would like to start a page on this site dedicated to pointing out good deals for homes across the country. If I find a great deal in my area it won’t help you much in Texas but if we all are watching than the benefits will be greater to the group.

 

Thanks Again! Have a great, and productive, weekend and I’ll see you on Monday!

 

Prepper