The Prepper’s Guide To Holiday Shopping 4 Tips for Protecting Your Family’s Future

Corrupt bankers, a practically valueless dollar,  hyper-unemployment and underemployment, home-grown terrorism, the uptick in natural disasters and the overall lack of trust in our most important institutions – these are some of the reasons all Americans should be very, very concerned, according to Peter Dash (www.peterdash.ca), a world-traveled researcher for Harvard University's Center for International Affairs.

“I predict a brutal world ahead of us,” says Dash, author of “ZUrabia,” www.zurabia-peterdash.com, a book about rogue forces taking over the world’s most important institutions.

“Unfortunately, I have been right since my research at Harvard in 1986, when I questioned the viability of government institutions to meet general needs and growing problems, both domestically and abroad.”

The pragmatic holiday shopper this year will purchase items to safeguard their families against these threats, which have been long in the making and won’t disappear quickly, he says.

“Terrorism wasn’t inaugurated with 9-11; extremism in Muslim sects has been growing for decades, and Neo-Nazi groups are starting to flourish in failing states like Greece,” he says. “The dollar has been steadily losing its value since the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913; climate change has been on the radar for quite a while; and there have been greedy bankers since, well, banks have existed.”

“If you’re confident that everything is sure to be okay, then you’re not paying attention,” he says.
He offers a four-point survival strategy for holiday shopping:

• Gold is good: The dollar has lost 95 percent of its value in 100 years, and it will continue losing value. As   the Reserve continues to flood money into the system, thereby reducing current   or potential value, more inflation is inevitable, acting as yet another tax on wages. So, collect and buy any gold that you can and consider spending federal notes while they’re still worth something to businesses. Think about your jewelry, and buying more. Silver is a good option if gold is too expensive, and there are Exchange Traded Funds, or ETFs, that are backed by physical gold. A reputable banker or broker can help explain for those who are interested. “TD Ameritrade or Charles Schwab may be good places to start getting information on gold and silver ETF trading,” according to Dash.
 
• Inflation: Spend your money now or smartly invest it before you lose it. Remember, banks often give clients less than one percent on many accounts, but inflation on food and real items we use, like gasoline, are going up by much more. In essence, your banker is stealing your money through the assistance of the Fed, which is killing your savings rate by cheapening money. As if to pour salt on this wound, the bank, in many cases, lends money at four percent or higher. Rerouting some bank savings/wages by investing in canned food, for example, may protect you against the scourge of food inflation, as well as other disasters.
 
• Worthy purchases: With food and water, a failed society puts a premium on additional goods. They include home insulation, gardening tools and materials, computer programs and language learning kits – perhaps Spanish or Chinese – because of the increasing prominence of other cultures. Guns, security systems and other measures to protect one’s home will likely prove extremely valuable should law enforcement be spread too thin, or fail as an institution.
 
• Buy in bulk: Places like Wal-Mart or Costco will help you get the most value with large purchases of food. It’s important to be well-stocked if something happens that results in the emptying   of grocery markets, but remember to have adequate space in your house, apartment or cabin for a “safe” room, which is part of a sound strategy for protecting you and your family.

About Peter Dash

Peter Dash has been a teacher, professor and corporate trainer for the last 17 years, working in Saudi Arabia, the former Soviet Union and China. He has an applied science degree in forestry from the University of British Columbia and a Masters in applied teaching from Southern Queensland in Australia. He was a researcher in world (dis) order and youth groups at Harvard University's Center for International Affairs, started by Henry Kissinger. He follows the investment field intensely, focusing on commodity funds and trends. Fifteen percent of his book’s royalties will go to needy students consistent to the many years Dash has worked in assisting voluntary youth organizations. He lives on a small tropical island that is stocked with the finest well water, fish and food. Dash invests in Gold ETFs and commodity trading companies.

Picture Yourself Here – American Girl Book Review

I just received the Picture Yourself Here from the people at American Girl.  In the book Picture Yourself Here girls can explore wacky ways to have fun, snap photos of the fun and then turn the pictures into silly scenes.  Punch-out illustrations and captions will help girls get started on their art pages.  The book includes dozens of activities in a variety of themes—from food and fashion to seasons and sports.  When the readers have finished, their books will be one-of-a-kind works of art. 

If you have a young girl that enjoys taking photographs, this book can provide a way to display her photography.  The book also introduces the hobby of scrapbooking to your child. 

As usual the thing I love most about American Girl Books is that it gives your child a chance to explore her creative side.  For this reason, the Thrifty Maven it’s no wonder that I give Picture Yourself Here four photogenic flash bulbs, I mean stars. 

American Girl books are available wherever books are sold, as well as through American Girl's consumer catalogue, at americangirl.com, and at American Girl retail stores. To place an order or request a free American Girl catalogue; call 1-800-845-0005.

In keeping with the FTC rules I would like to inform you that I received no financial compensation for this post. The people at American Girl provided me a copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Find Your Way! - American Girl Book Review

This Find Your Way!: Move to the head of the class with geography puzzles to help you pass! (American Girl) is packed with tricky trails, state stumpers, and other terra troubles. Take a trip to Innerstar University and try to make sense of the misprinted maps, muddled directions, and other puzzling problems on campus, in the United States, and abroad. Plus, 50 tear out flash cards will help make learning facts about the states fast and fun!

Readers can take a trip to Innerstar University™, where Paige and her friends will lead the way on a fun-filled expedition! Girls can try to untangle the misprinted maps, muddled directions, and other puzzling problems on campus, across the United States, and abroad. Plus, 50 tear-out flash cards will help make learning facts about the states a snap. A special access code for even more twisting, turning puzzles online is also included.

So how does the Maven rate this book? I give it an untangled, twisting, turning four snaps up.  It’s the perfect book to take on your next road-trip or the next time your child claims she has nothing to do!

Disclaimer:  In keeping with the FTC rules I would like to inform you that I received no financial compensation for this post.  I received a copy Find Your Way for review purposes from the people at American Girl.