To give you an inside look at a prepper’s life, below are the entries in Pete the Pickled Prepper’s Diary, which are in order of most recent to oldest. If you look back, the earliest posts take place during initial COVID-19 quarantine in March of 2020.

A Prepper's Diary

Pete's "New to him" chain saw, a Stihl MS-261, came with a larger-than-recommended bar and a good chain.

Survival Supplies at the Pawn Shop?

Pawn shops can be a good place for preppers to cash in some gold or silver, buy a gun, pick up a knife, or purchase a chainsaw and other tools.
Is this a prepper or a survivalist? He could be both.

A Survivalist’s Look at the Issues of the Day

Are you a prepper or a survivalist? From the Iran blockade to Hanta virus risks, sometimes your mindset matters more than your gear.
If the bombs don't get you, nuclear winter will make a post-global nuclear war existence a struggle.

A Response to “The Day Civilization Runs Out of Bread”

Don't let defeatist propaganda trick you into giving up. Learn why nuclear winter isn't the end, but a challenge to be met with preparation.
Humanoid robots for caregiving and light housework and said to be right around the corner. I think it's going to be a while before a homestead-ready robot capable of using power tools is available.

The Dangers of Robotic Labor at Home

Robotic help is coming to homes near you, but at what cost? From privacy leaks to grid-down failures, they can be a prepping vulnerability.
The homeland defense pack is designed to allow us to fade into the woods and live to fight another day. Or two. They don't provide much sustainment, but enough to fight on or find a cache.

The Homestead Defense Packs; Preparing to Make our Last Stand

Are you ready to fight for your land? We are, if it comes to that. And the Homestead Defense Bag will help.
The shelves are still pretty well full if you want to stock up. But for how long?

Is the Iran War Resuming?

Things seem to be heating up in the Hormuz Strait, likely leading to a renewed outbreak of war with Iran. Are you prepped for that?
Russia has lost approximately 40 percent of its oil production because of repeated drone attacks.

Is Russia Following the USSR into the Dustbin of History?

Putin is ignoring the lessons of Afghanistan and may be domed to repat that failure. Will he survive a loss in Ukraine? Will Russia?
AI's idea of what Iranian shoppers look like,

U.S. Now Attacking the Iranian Economy

Gas is up, the Rial is dead, and the ceasefire is a head-fake. Here’s why the Iran war hasn’t broken the U.S., and why I’m still prepping.
If a beekeeper looks at this frame, the will see capped brood, uncapped brood, larva at various ages, nectar, bee bread (pollen), an a few drones mixed in with the worker bees.

It’s Been a Week for the Bees

Pete discusses the skills every new beekeepers should have, from overcoming the fear of being stung to learning to read a frame.
The early 1980s were a time of small cars, big hair and rising inflation.

What the 1970s Taught me About Survival

Preparation isn't more than food, water and shelter; it’s the discipline to sacrifice, to choose independence over convenience.
When the U.S. decide to hit Iran again, it will come as a surprise.

We’re Still at War, but the Economy Doesn’t Care

U.S. consumers were happily complacent while the Iranian war raged. Will what comes next result in economic shock?
Baking bread us a useful skill for a prepper or anyone looking to cut food costs.

Baking Bread, Broken Faucets, and Bar Oil

Mastering homesteading skills like baking, and DIY repairs is vital for preppers facing inflation and supply chain issues,
There are four charged queen cells on the bottom of this frame. Each one contains a larva about to become a pupa and then a queen bee. The cells are much larger than the worker bee and drone cells seen above them.

Swarming Bees and How to Prevent Them

Losing a swarm is a lost investment, but these bees are paying for themselves in more ways than one as the hives multiply.
Most of the country is in some stage of drought as a super El Niño readies to influence our weather

Drought, the Super El Niño, and Other Weather Threats

A forecast that is too hot and too dry threatens to exacerbate day-to-day problems and make the summer of 2026 a difficult one.
The U.S. Navy is now going to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.

Hormuz Blockade Signals the Closure of our Brief Window

As the Strait of Hormuz is throttled, the window for self-sufficiency narrows. I’m stocking up on Gold Dots and bacon.
Flammable aper products, including toilet paper and facial tissue, made this warehouse fire impossible to extinguish once it started.

I Hope You are Stocked Up on TP and Kleenex

A 1 million square foot warehouse that held toilet paper and Kleenex facial tissue was consumed in a six-alarm fire earlier this week in California.
B-52s were reportedly on their way to Iran and had to be called back on the ceasefire became official.

B-52s and Bank Accounts: Navigating the Iran Ceasefire

Trump’s ultimatum to Iran has secured a 14-day reprieve. Use this window to shore up your preps and build resilience.
It's important to remember that the pendulum always swing back when it reaches it's extreme point.

Is the Pendulum Swinging Back?

Society, the economy, and politics always swing back. Learn how preppers can adapt to cycles and embrace disruption.
From bees to butter flies, all the pollinators like the flox, one of our early bloomers.

Glory Bee, Spring is Here

Despite the calendar claiming it arrived two weeks ago, spring is finally here, and the bees and butterflies are thrilled.
An F-35 Lighting II stealth jet refuels in mid air.

Why Preppers Should Ignore the Geopolitical Noise

War in Iran and a looming global recession threaten supply chains. Why preppers should ignore political noise and focus on self-reliance.
The Vertx Gamut 26l when filled with Pete's EDC gear.

Why the Vertx Gamut 26 Became my New EDC Bag

Is this 26-liter pack and its smaller brethren the ultimate "gray man" bag for CCW and emergency preparedness?
Time to stockpile gasoline as oil prices will rise.

Is it Time to Reduce Your Fuel Footprint?

We're lucky to have more gas and oil than most country's, but the war in Iran is still driving up prices. Here's what you can do.
This hive has at least twice as many bees and it did three weeks ago. I split it to avoid overcrowding.

Honey as Hedge: Why Beekeeping is a Great Survival Skill

Tips and a budget for starting bees at home in the city or on the homestead. Plus, why bees are great for preppers.
These old mercury dimes have about $5.32 worth of silver in each one.

From Bullion to Bullets: The 2026 Prepper Price Squeeze

Silver crashes while ammo prices rise, creating prepper squeeze. What is the common denominator for this price action?
Candles should be your last choice for lighting during a power outage. Headlamps are brighter, hands fee, and won't sent things on fire.

The War Means Blackouts in Cuba, not the U.S.

Don't get caught in the dark like the Cubans. Learn a layered prepping approach to surviving long-term power outages.
I add Stabil to every gas can I fill, and I keep a supply of Sea Foam on hand in case water gets in my gas tank or cans.

Is Iran the Straw that Breaks the Economy’s Back?

The war is barely two weeks old, and people are panicking. But if you're prepped, you shouldn't be. Are you ready to weather a recession?
After my trip to Sam's Club, we vacuum sealed our lam chops and salmon for the freezer. Buying in bulk saves money while freezer storage is great for short-term emergencies.

A Tale of Two Road Trips and the Rising Price of...

As food inflation returns, the price of protein rises--driven by beef. What's a prepper to do? See Pete's recommendation.
Load more