The Pickled Prepper

Our Latest Post

How to Prep for an Uncertain Economic Future

Are we heading into a recession or an economic boom? Does the future hold pain, or gain? Here's how to prep for an uncertain economic future.
California forest burns. Photo by Matt Howard on Unsplash

Prepping for a New Threat on the Homestead

Thanks to all the trees Hurricane Helene blew down, a large area of the Appalachian Mountains are now threatened by fire.
Gold coins and bars

Gold Breaks $2,900, Sets New Record

Spot gold touched $2,942 on Monday, before dropping to around $2920. That's a 43 percent increase in the past year.
This muddy hillside isn't pretty looking, but it is a big improvement over what was there immediately following the landslide, when the mud was four feet thick. You can see where a section of the hill just slide away, leaving a muddy scar. The row of rocks at the bottom were too big for us to remove, so we pushed them up against the hillside.

More Post-Helene Repairs get Done

A break in the winter weather led to a big thaw during which we got plenty of work done, including more Hurricane Helene clean up.
The U.S. is spending money like a giddy teenager and will soon have trouble paying all its bills.

Party Like its 1899

Back in 1899, there was no income tax, no federal reserve, and the U.S. was prosperous thanks to Tariffs. Trump wants us to repeat history.
Two winterized beehives

Beehives and Bullets

A trip to help a local beekeeper turns into an afternoon at the range as we try out his new build and have fun with suppressors.
Buckle up, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Buckle Up, Buttercup, Disruption is Coming

Tariffs, taking over the Panama Canal, arresting illegal immigrants, threating to buy Greenland. When does this crazy ride end?
Will an all-powerful AI be a danger to society or will it aid support us?

Will AI Become a Threat to Humanity?

Should we fear AI or the autonomous robots and weapons it will make possible? Will it threaten or benefit society?
We had a load of red oak delivered are are stacking it on pallets to dry. This is intended to burn next winter, but if it continues to be this cold, we may need it this spring.

Fire, Water, and Chickens

The road thaws out enough to become passable, the pipes are no longer frozen, and we take the opportunity to stock up on some critical items.
`

Water Woes Continue as we are Frozen Out

Five days later, we are still living without running water. It's a learning experience and we share some lessons and tools with you as well as our next steps.
Splitting firewood on a cold day.

The Big Freeze and Southern Snow

We don't get much snow, but our water freezes. We re prepped for that, but it is still an inconvenience. Nonetheless, live goes on.
Keltec Introduced the PR57 at SHOT Show 2025. it's an unusual but strangely appealing firearm.

New Guns and Accessories – SHOT Show Report

Guns should be an important component of your preparedness plan and may aid in your survival after the SHTF. Pete takes a quick look at some new ones.
Los Angeles County is about 4,800 square miles and has approximately 10 million residents. In addition to the city of Los Angeles, it includes Beverly Hills, Burbank, Glendale, Inglewood, Long Beach, Malibu, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Torrance, and more than 60 other cities.

Weather, Fire, the Economy, War and More

2025 is off to a rough start and more trouble brewing, but many positive things are as well. Will it be a good year or a bad year?
A side-by-side or UTV might be just what we need for our steep terrain.

Evaluating Transportation Options for Post SHTF

What kind of vehicle do we need that would be useful now and after the SHTF? Pete evaluates at several popular options.
Inflation has already hit eggs and is driving up prices of beef as well.

Time to do Some Stocking Up

Inflation, tariffs and international sanctions are some good reasons to make some strategic purchases before prices rise.
Flames rushing down a hillside in Los Angeles

The Death of the American Dream

When our politicians should be helping Los Angeles residents, they are laying blame and pointing fingers. Be prepared to get no help in a disaster.
Snowy road image by Ioannis Ioannidis from Pixabay.

Using Subaru’s X-Mode in some Ugly Conditions

We unintentionally test our Subaru's legendary snow performance in snowy conditions and it didn't perform as well as we had hoped.
Cutting firewood is one of the outdoor activities I don't mind doing in the snow or cold.

Snow on the Homestead and More to Come

We've been snowed in for a week, so we amuse ourselves by cutting firewood and baking bread,. Now more snow is expected.
Across the U.S., security has been updated because of the New Orleans new Year's Eve terrorist attack,

Security Increased as Terrorism Fear Builds

Government, military and private organizations have increased security after the New Year's terrorist attack in New Orleans. Should you worry?
The French Quarter, one of the most popular attractions in New Orleans.

How Many Coincidences are Too Many?

After being relatively free from terrorist attacks, two strike the U.S. on the same day and they share many similarities. What does this tell you?
This map shows how much the National Weather Service expects temperatures to vary from normal on Friday, January 10. In a large swatch of the country, expect temperatures 20 to 40 degrees colder than the average for that date.

Snow and an Arctic Blast to Blanket U.S. in Early 2025

Expect temperatures to plummet as a polar vortex brings cold temperatures from the artic circle as far south as Florida. Make your preps now.
A stack of firewood in the snow.

Bad Weather and Good Work

Bad weather limited what we can do outside and resulted in yet another power outage, but it was just as well. We needed the rest.
5 and 6-gallon pails of rice and beans

Thoughts on 2024 and Prepping Goals for 2025

Whatever 2025 holds in store, more food, more firewood, solar power, and plenty of fresh eggs will make it go easier for us. What are you planning for?
Seeing the fellow at the top of the landslide in Samaritan's Purse orange T-shirt helps put into perspective how large our landslide is.

We Tackle the Landslide and Make other Repairs

Twelve weeks after Hurricane Helene tore up our mountain, we continue to make progress with the cleanup. This time, we tackle the landslide.
My son-in-law snapper this somewhat blurry image on his cell phone one night last week. Drones over his neighborhood, and they don't live anywhere near New York or New Jersey.

Should we be Worried about Drones over New Jersey?

There are no mystery drones over my rural area, but my daughter's suburban neighborhood has been buzzed. I told her not to worry, and neither should you.
Bumpy Road Ahead Sign

Hang on, it Could be a Bumpy Ride

The governments of Canada, Germany, and France are in the midst of collapsing. What does this mean and why should it matter to preppers?
Will solar power make you money? Is it worth installing solar power? That depends on whether you are talking survival or return on investment.

The Economics of Solar Power – Will it Make you Money?

Is it worth installing solar power? That depends on whether you are talking survival or return on investment. Its a big investment with low return... unless you are a prepper.
Fallout Shelter Sign

Nuclear War is Back in the News and on Preppers’ Minds

In a nuclear war, will our enemies target our ICBM silos, our large cities, our military bases and industrial hubs, or all of the above? And what does it matter to you?
After eluding police for five days, it turns out the New York assassin was lucky rather than clever.

An Assassin in Action

After eluding police for five days, it turns out the New York assassin was lucky rather than clever. He got caught because he failed to plan for what happened afterwards.
This is a cluster of three intertwined fallen trees that were knocked down by Hurricane Helene

Eight Down, a Few Hundred to Go

Hundreds of fallen trees litter our land, making parts of the mountain impassible. We got some help removing some of the trees that blocked our access road.
the mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay .

Prepper Basics: How to Survive A Nuclear Attack or EMP

A quick recap of what to do to protect yourself in the seconds after an nuclear attack. Plus, Ttps on dealing with an EMP strike or other grid-down scenario.