Are bug out bags a good idea? A respected Wall Street Advisor not only thinks so, but highly recommends that you get one ASAP.

SOURCE: Washington Examiner, Author Paul Bedard

Source: Marotta Wealth Management

A top financial advisor, worried that Obamacare, the NSA spying scandal and spiraling national debt is increasing the chances for a fiscal and social disaster, is recommending that Americans prepare a “bug-out bag” that includes food, a gun and ammo to help them stay alive.

David John Marotta, a Wall Street expert and financial advisor and Forbes contributor, said in a note to investors, “Firearms are the last item on the list, but they are on the list. There are some terrible people in this world. And you are safer when your trusted neighbors have firearms.”

His memo is part of a series addressing the potential for a “financial apocalypse.” His view, however, is that the problems plaguing the country won”t result in armageddon. “There is the possibility of a precipitous decline, although a long and drawn out malaise is much more likely,” said the Charlottesville, Va.-based president of Marotta Wealth Management.

Marotta said that many clients fear an end-of-the-world scenario. He doesn’t agree with that outcome, but does with much of what has people worried.

“I, along with many other economists, agree with many of the concerns expressed in these dire warnings. The growing debt deficit spending is a tax on those holding dollars. The devaluation in the U.S. dollar risks the dollar”s status as the reserve currency of the world. Obamacare was the worst legislation in the past 75 years. Socialism is on the rise and the NSA really is abrogating vast portions of the Constitution. I don”t disagree with their concerns,” he wrote.

In his latest note, he said that Americans should have a survival kit to take in case of a financial or natural disaster. It should be filled with items that will help them stay alive for the first 72-hours of a crisis, including firearms.

“A bug-out bag is a good idea depending on where you live even if the emergency is just power outages, earthquakes and hurricanes. And with your preparedness you will be equipped to help others who might be in need,” he wrote. “Be prepared. Especially because it keeps you from being scared.”

He provided a list of items and even a link to bug-out bags on Amazon.

Recently and over the years I’ve had a few instances where having survival gear in my car has really helped. Although I’m not always consistent on what gear I actually have due to multiple vehicles in our family, there are a few things that have made a significant difference.

Here are some of my favorite items for every day carry in the car:

In a survival situation their value would dramatically increase.I’ve also included some other odds and ends that seem pretty logical and common sense…. But I’ve noticed not too many folks actually carry or have them in mind for survival/preparedness use.

Jump Starter 12V

I’m sure most of you are sick of hearing about this as I constantly write about it. However, it is one of the best purchases I have made this year! This thing has saved my bacon, and helped a few stranded motorists along the way. I ended up with a dead battery during our first blizzard this winter, and even almost totally discharged, my jump starter STILL started my vehicle. It also has an outlet for other 12v devices, and a built in flashlight. Some come with compressors. You can get a really decent one for $50.

Multi-Tool

There are so many multi-tools out there I won’t try to name them all. Leatherman and Gerber are well known. Personally I have a Victorinox that I really like. I use it all the time, especially the Phillips head screwdriver, and the serrated knife blade. I have found that although most own one, very few people actually carry it WITH them during the day. I lend mine out a bunch.

If you have one strap it to your belt, or throw in it in your glove box or purse. In an emergency it could be your only toolbox for a long time.

Large Flat-Bladed Screwdriver

Beyond opening paint cans, these super tools can pry, dig, wedge, chisel, and lever things loose. Get a good quality one that has the handle made of indestructible materials so you can hit it with a hammer and generally abuse it.

Also make sure it has a thick shaft so you can pry. In a pinch it is also a weapon! Throw one in the trunk, backpack or BOB they are light weight and easy to carry. Sure most multi-tools have a flat driver, but this one you can really beat up without ruining the whole pocket tool kit.

Battery Powered Alarm Clock

Not only great for travel! Power outages suck and you lose your computer time. After the cell phone battery dies you have either your watch or nothing to tell time. My watch has crap for an alarm, so I use a battery powered alarm clock. There are also wind-up alarm clocks for travel but the battery powered ones seem to last longer and tell time more accurately. They are also so light weight and great for many other tasks. If you have a watch you probably don’t need this but some of us don’t wear one. During a power outage you still have to get up in the morning, right? My battery powered clock runs about 8-12 months on one AA battery.

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Surefire Flashlight or other Tactical Flashlight

No a Maglight will not suffice. I specifically said Surefire. Period. There are other good flashlights out there, but few even compare to a Surefire from my experience. I have owned Pelicans, Maglights, Innova, Streamlights….just about every fancy super flashlight that has come down the pike. Dig deep in the wallet and get one. You will not be disappointed. It works when you drop it, get it wet, etc these lights are rugged and I really like the brightness and long-lasting CR123A lithium batteries. The light bulb is LED and doesn’t crap out when you need it the most. I have a L2, a G2 and a E2 and am really pleased with them even though each can be sort of cumbersome in my pocket. I bought my L2 used on eBay for a good price.

Hammer

It doesn’t matter what brand as long as you can hit things with it. Harbor Freight has hammers on sale all the time for less than $7-$8 so don’t go dropping big money on one. It just needs to hit things like nails, metal, wood, and such. There are some neat survival hammers out there that have some cool features, but really any hammer will be better than none. Hitting tent stakes with a rock works, but hitting a padlock with one sucks beans. Couple the hammer with your large flat bladed screw driver and you can just about get into anything, break anything, or fix anything. Side note: a variety of hammers might be even better.

Laptop/Tablet with 3G or 4G wireless card

This is the ultimate information gathering tool, record keeper, communicator, and entertainment tool all in one package. Refurbished laptops or import tablets can be had for $70- $200 and the WiFi cards are only $40 a month with Cricket. Unless you have a large screen Android or iPhone, there is no other way out there to stay in touch with what is going on. You can email, you can look up useful YouTube videos on any subject, you can go to the FEMA website, check bank accounts, etc etc. Couple this with your Jump Starter and you can get online anywhere and re-charge the laptop battery for extended periods of time in remote places.

Spare House and Car Keys

Seems pretty simple right? I don’t know any starving locksmiths, however. This is a no brainer but easily overlooked. Spare keys to all your locks might take a while to track down in an emergency, so make a ring of spares and throw it in your safe. You might even hide a spare key for your car or home in a locking realtor box or with a very trusted member of nearby family or friends.

Household Battery Tester

Saves time and hassle by showing you which batteries have what charge left. Simple! Newer models can test watch batteries and the Lithium CR123A types as well. Another thought this brings up is using rechargeable batteries instead of throw aways.

Spare Jacket and Knit Cap/Gloves

Spare meaning beyond what you normally wear. You never know when you are going to get wet, sweaty, or the temperature suddenly dramatically drops. Recently here in Colorado we had a cold snap that followed a significant snow storm. Temperatures here were lower than in Alaska! My winter jacket didn’t cut it and I had to buy another. I also had to wear extra socks, thermal underwear, and two knit caps. I work outside both night and day at times, and it was very cold. I found that my normal gloves didn’t cut it either and had to dig up a second pair to wear over my current pair. Wow very cold! We had a few nights wear it was -7 degrees PLUS wind chill, so we are talking cold. Ever touch metal when it’s that cold? It hurts pretty badly. We also used a plug in heater to keep the basement warm as freezing pipes can really ruin your day.

Waterproofing Agents

Wax, Snow seal, aerosol sprays, etc. I had to re-waterproof my “waterproof” boots during the thawing out period after our recent storms. Luckily I had the products to do it and had dry feet the rest of the week. In a survival situation either on the road or hiking out, where are you going to acquire snow seal wax or shoelaces? Plan ahead, it just makes it better.

Power Inverter

This is like going from the stone age to the modern age with the flick of a switch. Power inverters convert 12 Vdc to 120 AC with the use of your car battery. You can use this in addition to having a jump starter. What is it good for? Charging or powering any household device up to a point…. Depends on your car battery and the size inverter you buy. You can get one from $40 up to $600 depending on what you want. These are used on RV’s and in boats. Great for hunting trips, camping and any emergency where household electricity would be useful.

Folding Shovel

Cold Steel and Glock both make entrenching tools or survival shovels that are well made. Even REI sells a little camping trowel that can really be used for many purposes. Digging a snow cave, digging out of mud or snow, making shelter, or even as a weapon! The Cold Steel shovel can be sharpened to a knife edge or thrown much like a tomahawk. The Glock shovel is super lightweight, has a hand wood saw, and is a decent well made tool for snow or digging in the ground. Many soldiers including special forces have used these items to save their own life in many ways. A tomahawk is very similar; just not as versatile as the shovel in that it isn’t a very good digging tool….heck, why not have one of each?

Cell Phone Charger

There are a few types: the type that plugs into the accessory/cigarette lighter, the type that plugs into AC plugs and the type that is a battery with USB port built in. All are nice to have and without them many of your electronics would be useless like: GPS, Tablet, Laptop, Camera, Cell phone, etc. Yet another variety of items where “why not have one of each” might be a good mantra.

Compass and GPS

One of each, ‘nuff said.

Toilet Paper and Paper Towels

The primary use of TP is well known at least around these parts…. But there are other uses; wick for a survival stove, kindling, dressing minor wounds, cleaning firearms, used to pad fragile items etc. Paper towels are even more versatile. This is so overlooked but is handy for maintaining hygiene and personal morale.

Other Odds and Ends

My goal is NOT to make you look like you live in your car! But many items can be packed in a very small container or space if you are creative. Anyway, maybe you already have these items, but maybe not. Either way many are worth honorable mention!

• WD40
• Duct Tape or Electrical Tape
• Bottled Water
• Beef Jerky or snack food
• First Aid Kit
• Saline Solution, Contact lenses or spare glasses
• Emergency roadside kit with flares
• Survival Knife
• Spare work and leisure clothes or shoes
• Deck of Cards
• Blowgun, crossbow, bow, sling, slingshot or firearm for gathering food or protection
• Pepper Spray
• Spare Gas Can and Tire Fix a Flat
• Car Jack and Spare Tire
• Spare belts, fuses and basic tools
• Snow Chains or carpet remnant pieces
• Cash both coins and bills
• Wallet, ID & credit cards (many people go places without them in their pocket!)
• Padlock and chain to secure items overnight

Please be sure to check out our selfdefenseandsurvivalforum on Yahoo! Groups for more articles and interactive discussions.

Copyright 2008 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

Just thought since EDC has been the focus of the month for us, that I would post a quick blurb about Every Day Carry Cash. Most of us carry our credit cards, and even check books, but cash is still the emergency currency form of choice. Cash is bulky, so most of us just get by using debit or credit cards on daily purchases.

You don’t have to be Papillion to carry a hidden cache of paper money. There are sock wallets, bra wallets, money belts, neck wallets, and travel wallets usually worn under the clothing around the waist like a fanny pack. Depending on the local pick pocket culture, you may want to go with a hidden pouch. A large Pen can even carry a rolled up $100 bill inside the body, but don’t let anyone walk off with it!

As for amounts, I would hazard to say this depends on what you can afford to carry. Tying up $1000 in cash for emergency carry may or may not be too bright depending on your financial situation. You may want to keep large amounts where they can earn interest. If you can afford to carry a large amount, don’t tell anyone!

It may seem so simple that it’s stupid, but just keep it to yourself.

Image courtesy / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

To keep from spending it, pretend its not there. Do not dip into it unless…. Get this…. It’s a bona fide Emergency! A soda and candy bar is not an emergency; stranded on the bad side of town at 2 am alone definitely is an emergency. You may want to carry small denominations so that you aren’t jumped the second you hand someone a $100 bill. You will also want to separate the bundle to many parts of your kit and clothing in case there is a chance of being robbed and searched.

Change is important for things like parking and phone booths, but I haven’t seen too many phone booths in the last couple of years. A pay as you go cell phone is a good thing to have, even if you particularly hate them in general. Or add a lineman’s test set phone to your kit. Either way change can be useful, especially the gold $1 coins. They are very shiny and distracting to most.

If you can swing it, $200-$500 in different denominations is most likely the best bet. This will cover cab rides, bribes, food, clothing, equipment, communications, and hotel/motel fees. Travelers Checks are good for foreign trips, but I would still include actual cash both US dollars and the local equivalent. Kept in a hidden pouch and wrapped in waterproof material, you have a way to get out of most jams.

Each adult in your family should do this, and don’t forget the teenaged kids. They may need to get a cab, ride the bus, call home, or some other emergency, so instruct them the same way you would another responsible adult. The VISA and American Express pre-paid cards would be a good alternative if they just can’t handle the pressure. Keep some cash in the house too, either hidden or locked in a safe.

Copyright 2009 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

It is interesting to me that as Hurricane Gustav neared, people watching TV just casually said “Well, they better evacuate.” Which brings to my mind a nagging question:

“Have YOU ever been forced to evacuate?” Rapidly followed by “How easy is it?”

I mean really, how easy is it to get the kids, family, pets, and all the gear necessary to leave for an unexpected event together and leave. I have never been forced to evacuate, but damn the headache involved is pretty stressful in itself for me. I also don”t live in Louisiana, but I do live in a state where there has been forced evacuations due to chemical spills, shootouts, tornadoes and floods.

First, how do you afford it? It can”t be cheap to just miss work, use extra gas, stay in a hotel, eat on the road, and pay for any tolls, medical emergencies, and whatever else you encounter during the hopefully motorized vehicular evac. That is if you have a vehicle road-worthy enough to make a trip somewhere out of state. How many of us have the sick days at work? What if you have a job where you simply cannot leave, and the rest of the family must leave without you, what then?

That”s a short look at the financial end. If it is life or death, and you must do it with what you have on hand I guess there is no choice. What about logistical concerns such as vehicle, gas, food, where to stay, where to go, who to leave, take, and whom to contact etc. If I were to pack up now tonight, I simply wouldn”t have enough clean underwear to begin with. Sounds humorous but its true. What would I do with my pets, plants, collectibles, valuables, trash, dirty dishes and so forth?

At the least I”d have a smelly place to come back to. With a hurricane or other disaster. you might NOT have a place to come back to. So with this reality plainly for folks to contend with, how do you not prepare?

The question is not easy to answer.

Image courtesy of Witthaya / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Back to financial concerns. Who has the money when life is hectic enough and filled with mini-disasters. My kid got sick, the car broke down, I”m late on the mortgage, I had to wire my parents some money, birthdays, it just never stops!

How many of us have life insurance? Health insurance? Car insurance? Investments or investment properties? We need to change our perspective on disaster preparation and begin to consider it a long term and low-risk investment. It”s really as easy as that. And it is just like car insurance; when you need it you REALLY need it and right now!

Example: A high quality tent is about $400.00 and I”m talking a four-season tent designed for three people. Basically the kind that houses people on Everest and on the Appalachian Trail. These tents can be lived in rough, hard conditions for fairly long amounts of time. A tent like this CAN be used to camp, hunt, fish, or use for the kids in the backyard. You can definitely use the tent, and still have it for emergencies. A long-term low-risk investment with the added benefit of “you can use it now.”

Let”s look at another example: Bottled water. Same thing as the tent. Durable design, safe, lasts a long time, can use it now or save it for an emergency. Need I go on?

It really is as easy as buying a few things when you have the cash. You can use a credit card if you want, but most gear is under $500 and this includes firearms. Why not save a little cash in the savings account, earn some interest and then get the money one day and buy some gear. No interest to pay this way. Some survival gear makes good presents too. Who hasn”t given someone a flashlight, Swiss army knife, or a pair of gloves as a gift sometime in their life?

Cash on hand is good too. You really need to have a little cash to grab for an emergency. Believe me, there will be a line at the ATM when you are evacuating the city in an emergency. Everyone will be doing the same stuff, so don”t be surprised when bottled water, flashlight batteries, and fuel is gone or tripled in price. There is always someone out there ready to capitalize on your misfortune, emergency or not.

For those of us without any extra funds: You can do allot by simply using what you have. If you have a suitcase, gym bag, or even a trash bag that you can use. pack it now. Put in extra clothes, blanket, shoes, kitchen knife, tools, canned food, jar of pennies etc. Just because you are broke doesn’t mean you don”t have the gear needed, you might have to search or be creative but what matters is that you pack it now.

In closing, although survival and disaster preparations are somewhat expensive it really pays to have the gear when you really need it. Ever have your car run out of gas in the middle of nowhere? Or gone to change your flat tire and realized you had no lug wrench? No car jack? No spare tire? It is easy to sit in an armchair and watch television and carelessly judge people and their choices. But when the person is you or your loved one, judgment could be very harsh. It could come in the form of needless suffering, hassle, or even cost one their life.

Basic Evacuation Kit:

• Backpack or duffel bag
• Bottled water, water purification pills or pump, container to carry water, and to boil water
• Lighter, matches, magnesium starter, cotton & Vaseline
• Map of state
• Identification, vehicle papers, phone numbers
• Cellular phone
• Set of good rugged travel clothes and shoes/boots
• Hat, jacket, gloves, sunglasses
• medications, medical kit
• Travel foods such as jerky, dried fruits, fresh fruits, chocolate, snacks for kids
• Camp Axe and folding shovel
• Tent
• sleeping bags or blankets
• camp mattress
• Flashlight, extra batteries, lantern, candles
• Toilet paper, paper towels, wash soap, towel, mirror
• Cash
• Radio and batteries
• Knife, can opener, eating utensils
• Camping or backpack stove, pots and pans for cooking, cooking oil, wash cloth
• Some form of personal protection: Mace spray, legal firearm, baseball bat. something!
• Automotive parts, spare tire, gas can, jumper cables, fix-a-flat, jack, basic tools

Disaster kits must be portable, water resistant, and ready to go. Place it in the trunk, by your door, in the garage, or in a closet by your entry/exit. Remember to keep it light, quiet, and pack essentials. Should not weigh so much that it cannot be carried for long distances on foot. Avoid military bags if possible, and make it something less obvious. Do not pack illegal items.

Copyright 2008 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

This is a sort of re-write of an older post on specialized items and ideas for your Bug Out Bag (BOB) or other survival kits. Sometimes we need to think outside the box, or plan for real life disasters that could happen during an evacuation. Obvious things like a flat tire could slow you down or not so apparent things like spare house keys for someone arriving after an event. Do you really want to leave your doors unlocked or have to break in to get a forgotten item? Other things are for counter-surveillance, repairs, or often overlooked items. Planning for the unknown is as important as planning for known hazards. Weather, chemical hazards, earthquakes and the like are more common scenarios….but what else can happen? Terrorist attacks, riots, psychotic gunmen, looters, even roving groups of refugees; many things happen that people do not plan for.

Please post your unconventional or specialized survival kit items as well. No illegal gear please.

• Spare Keys to Home, Car, & Work- It is really expensive to call a locksmith in the middle of the night, let alone a huge disaster or evacuation. Spare keys to home, cars, and businesses will save hassle, and possibly help someone arriving late or bugging out in a separate vehicle. Keep keys on person, hide them, or lock them in a special outdoor box.
• Fix a Flat- This stuff works pretty well. It isn’t the same as a spare tire, but it usually takes less time and gets you pretty far. It may just get you to a safer place to repair the tire or put on a spare.
• Camouflage Netting- Need to hide a car fast? Netting is much faster than using cut bushes and branches. Also works well to hide a tent, or other make-shift shelter. Why hide? Looters, beggars, bad-guys, the unprepared, etc may be out to take your stuff. This item isn’t for everyone, but those by wooded areas, or remote areas could benefit from this item.
• Digital Voice Recorder– Note ideas or routes during emergency, record message to loved ones (on route, important items, where things are, where you will go, etc), and keep a sort of journal of events. Usually they are somewhat cheap $30-$100 and fit in a pocket. They are about the size of a pack of gum. Stash it in a place only you and family members know about at home, work or cache site.
• Rechargeable Spotlight- Many of these recharge with a 12v lighter adapter, and use bright bulbs. Many are waterproof, and some come with the built in tripod. Have used these hunting, searching for addresses, and for signaling. Most are $20-$80.
• Night Vision- This can be anything from a hand held scope to a pair of military goggles. Night vision is cheap these days; you can find decent scopes online @ Cabela”s, Harbour Freight, and Wal-mart. Most run on regular batteries. Prices around $80-$1000 depending. Most inexpensive digital video recorders have built in night vision or low-light of some kind.

• Set of basic hand tools- Just get a selection of pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, and other hand tools. Most of us include a multi-tool of some type, but real construction grade tools can make a big difference. Hard to replace a drill, socket set, or crowbar with a multi-tool. Many times just getting a bunch of spare tools from the garage will suffice. Usually due to weight, this type of addition to a kit is for vehicular use, but not always.
• Binoculars, monocular, spotting scopes, etc- Self-explanatory but the ability to see far away is pretty advantageous. You can get cheap binoculars starting around $12 and go up from there. Rugged rubberized or armored sets are better, especially those that come weatherproof.
• Directional Listening Device- These are illegal in some area’s so check laws. Basically this is a sensitive listening device to hear things far away like animals, bad guys, etc. There are also heat sensing devices, blood tracking lights, etc that are more specialized for counter-surveillance preparedness. These types of items vary greatly in price and can be easily found online.
• Car Battery Jumper Kit- This is usually available at Sears and other hardware or automotive stores. Basically it is a 12v battery that comes with built in cables to jump  a dead car battery. Very handy! Also some models come with hazard signal, radio, spotlight, and power inverter. The power inverter is very hand to power communications equipment, recharge batteries, run power tools, and the like. Usually these run $60 and up.
• Insulated Coveralls- Carhartt makes this type of clothing, so do many manufacturers. What I really like about these is that they quickly go on OVER the clothes you are wearing, including boots. Fast to put on, warm, and usually somewhat weather-proof; this is a great addition to your kits. The only downfall is the bulky nature of the clothing when stored. Being able to don your coveralls with out getting undressed will save time. Usually they sell these in camo, brown, and black. Some are reversible as well. Many brands are out there and start at $20 and go up.
• Laptop Computer- These are very important for communication, news, and storing personal info. Spare batteries are nice, but expensive. Strangely, many accounts during Katrina show people ONLY able to contact family by email instead of cellular or land lines. Great for watching movies, and other entertainments especially when children are there. You can get used or refurbished laptops for anywhere from $150-$400.

• Pets & Pet Food- Don’t leave your little buddies behind! It may take a while to get back to rescue them. Bring food, water, etc. Dogs will be handy for carrying gear and some are good for an early warning system. Dog backpacks are available so Rover can carry his own food and treats. There are also rubberized dog boots for paw protection. For smaller pets you may need pet carriers…especially to board any type of transportation other than the family car.
• Misc. Personal Necessities- Can’t live without your special neck-pain pillow? Orthopedic devices for daily function? Can you only use certain soaps, lotions, or other hygienic agents? Seriously, many folks need specific items to be able to function on a daily basis. Personally, I have a few that would make my time a mess if I were bugging out without them. This also includes things like spare contact lenses, spare eyeglasses, prescription medications and the like. I have a buddy that gets migraines and if he doesn’t pack his meds, the stress of an evacuation could render him helpless and/or useless to his family.
• Map books, GPS, State Maps, Recreational Maps- Get these things now before you need them. If you intend to bug out to another city or state, get maps to these areas. Plan out an escape route, then plan a 2^nd and 3^rd. Map these on Google Maps or the like, and give copies to family. You can also keep them in your car, in your safe or safety deposit box at the bank for others to claim later. GPS is very convenient, fast, and cheap but keep paper maps as a back up. I like to coat maps with waterproofing, or have them laminated. Some companies sell pre-laminated map books as well.

Keep this gear with other emergency gear to grab fast. Keep near the door, in a car, or cached for emergency access. Other survival kit basics such as food, water, shelter, signal, fire, and defensive gear should be kept there as well.

The Wild fires in CA are a good example of needing to go in a moments notice. Some things cannot be taken, or are too bulky….Home fire safes are good for family pictures, jewelry, and important documents such as ID, wills, deeds, and other banking information. If you live in a fire danger area get the highest fire rating possible. Most quality safes are rated for a 1 hour burn time. Cheap safes are only rated for ½ hour. All safes should be screwed down, or bolted to the floor to prevent easy removal by a thief. Keep safes hidden or low-profile in the home.

Copyright 2009 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.