Early Is Almost Over….
There’s only one advantage fiat can’t fake.
Being early.
And once it’s gone?
You don’t get it back.
You can buy in later.
You can still participate.
But the leverage? The edge? The outsized upside?
Gone.
See, being early isn’t just about timing.
It’s about asymmetry.
It’s about getting 10x return while others get 2x.
It’s about moving before the headlines, the hype, and the herd.
Right now, 0.01 BTC still feels early.
Still skippable.
Still “not urgent.”
Still something people plan to do… eventually.
But what happens when the window slams shut?
When 1 million sats costs $10,000…
Or $50,000…
Or worse, when access disappears before price even spikes?
Because that’s how it always happens:
People ignore the quiet phase.
They wait for approval.
They wait for proof.
They wait until it’s trending.
And by then?
The leverage is gone.
The upside is priced in.
And early is just something other people were.
Don’t fall for it.
Because stacking 20,000 sats a week isn’t about becoming rich overnight.
It’s about positioning.
It’s about claiming your share before it’s swallowed.
And that’s the thing no one tells you:
📉 Fiat rewards followers.
📈 Bitcoin rewards foresight.
So if you’re waiting for a “better” entry point?
You’re not being cautious.
You’re trading the most valuable asset of all: your early status.
You will never get to be early again.
Unless you move now.
Stay early, stack sats.
Anarko
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The Meaning of Happiness Without Alcohol: Alan Watts’ Lessons on Presence and Escape.
by Quint | Aug 15, 2025 | Alcohol, Anxiety
life without alcohol presence blog image
The Meaning of Happiness Without Alcohol: Lessons from Alan Watts’ Life and Death
Alan Watts once wrote that happiness is not something we pursue but something that arises when we stop resisting life as it is. His 1940s book The Meaning of Happiness argued that contentment is discovered, not manufactured. The irony is stark. Watts himself died of alcoholism at the age of 73, undone by the very escape his philosophy rejected.
As a UKCP psychotherapist with over thirty years of practice, and as someone in recovery, I find this tension profoundly human. Watts understood that happiness comes from presence, yet like so many of us, he turned to alcohol when faced with unease.
What Watts Meant by Happiness
In The Meaning of Happiness, Watts drew on Eastern philosophy, psychology, and Christian mysticism to show that happiness does not lie in possessions or altered states but in learning to accept the present. We suffer, he believed, because we cling to illusions of control and separateness. The answer is not to strive harder but to yield to life as it is.
Happiness, in his view, is not a prize but a recognition. It is what remains when we stop fleeing the moment in front of us.
Why Alcohol Could Never Be Part of This
Alcohol numbs and distances us from experience. It interrupts emotional processing, fragments sleep, and leaves us more restless than before. Watts’ philosophy insists that we meet life directly. Alcohol teaches us to avoid it.
Modern neuroscience reinforces this. Alcohol briefly boosts GABA and dopamine, which bring calm and pleasure, then rebounds with cortisol and disrupted REM sleep. The cycle leaves us anxious, tired, and unbalanced. Far from a gateway to happiness, alcohol undermines the very clarity Watts described.
The Paradox of His Death
Watts’ own struggle makes his work more poignant, not less. It shows the gap between knowing and living. Philosophy is not the same as practice, and even the wisest thinkers falter.
In my practice, I often see this gap. People know alcohol worsens their anxiety, yet reach for it in the evening. They understand it fragments sleep, yet pour a glass to quiet their thoughts. Watts embodied this paradox on a grander stage: he wrote brilliantly about presence but succumbed to absence.
His death does not discredit his message. Instead, it shows how difficult the work of acceptance really is. To know that happiness lies in presence is one thing. To practice presence in the face of discomfort is another.
Happiness as Presence, Not Avoidance
Watts’ central claim is as relevant as ever: happiness is inseparable from presence. It cannot be manufactured or drunk into existence. Alcohol offers sedation but not integration. It soothes for a moment and leaves us emptier after.
This is why alcohol is not simply missing from Watts’ thesis. It is the opposite of it. His philosophy asks us to face anxiety and joy alike without clinging or escape. Alcohol interrupts that work.
A Lesson for Today
In therapy, I hear many clients say, “I can’t fall asleep without alcohol,” or “It’s the only thing that helps me cope.” These are modern echoes of the same paradox. People know escape does not last, but the lure of quick relief is powerful.
Watts’ life and death highlight this truth. Happiness cannot be thought into being. It must be lived, day by day, in the way we meet our discomforts. Recovery from alcohol, in particular, teaches this: the only way through is to stay present.
What We Can Learn from Watts’ Paradox
The tragedy of Watts’ alcoholism does not undermine his philosophy. It deepens it. His life shows the difficulty of living the insights we hold dearest. His death shows what happens when the urge to escape wins out.
For those of us working to live with anxiety, stress, or sobriety, the lesson is clear. The meaning of happiness lies not in avoidance but in presence. Alcohol, however seductive, can only offer the illusion of relief. The real thing is already here, if we dare to stay with it.
About the author:
Quint Boa is based in London has two complimentary professions.
Twenty years ago he founded Synima, a video & animation production company which works with organizations to produce bespoke video content in finance, technology, L&D and the healthcare sectors. Synima has grown from its London base and currently has offices in Amsterdam, New York and Los Angeles. Quint is personally very keen to develop ways in which AI based animation can be used to support mental health services.
Quint is also a qualified psychotherapist (UKCP, COSRT, ACAT). As such he uses media appearances to advocate for the role of animation in psychotherapy, and the use artificial intelligence (AI) where appropriate.
He has created free to download, peer-reviewed animations to support individuals with various presenting problems.
They are available for download here, and through his Instagram (@quintboa), YouTube, and TikTok channels. They have garnered several prestigious awards in both the UK and USA, with over 250,000 views, saves, and downloads.
For a deeper exploration of how animation can be effectively integrated into psychotherapy, check out his book, ‘To Infinity and Beyond’. Quint also delves into this topic regularly on his weekly podcast, ‘Shrinked by Quint’.
Quint is available for all media and press appearances, you can download his press kit here.
Interested in learning more?
Contact Quint today.
Video and animation production services (through his company, Synima)
Consultancy (on healthcare, AI, mental health and more)
Media Psychotherapist
(Qualified: UKCP, BPS COSRT)
"Pure signal, no noise"
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On this day in 1986, the Genesis single “Land of Confusion” debuted on the UK Singles Chart at #28 (November 22)
The band’s bleak, but cautiously hopeful assessment on the state of the world, features lyrics by Mike Rutherford, and appeared on their thirteenth studio album “Invisible Touch”.
On the charts “Land of Confusion” was a worldwide hit, peaking at #4 in the US, #7 in Germany, #8 in Canada and Switzerland, #9 in New Zealand and Ireland, #10 in Sweden and the Netherlands, #14 in the UK and Belgium, #18 in Finland, #21 in Australia, and #27 in Austria.
Of course, you can’t hear the song without thinking of the iconic video clip, featuring the brilliant caricature puppets by the popular British television show Spitting Image.
The video, directed by John Lloyd and Jim Yukich, and produced by Jon Blair, won the short-lived Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video during the 30th Annual Grammy Awards.
The video was also nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year in 1987, but lost to "Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel (coincidentally, former lead vocalist of Genesis).
This post is dedicated to @inpc. Not sure why, but I thought you might like it.
#Genesis, #LandOfConfusion, #philcollins, #mikerutherford, #TonyBanks, #mtv, #80srock, #80smusic, #dailyrockhistory, #thisdayinmusic, #onthisday, #invisibletouch
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Four men from the Baining people of Papua New Guinea, participating in a traditional ceremony, probably a fire dance.
The men wear elaborate, traditional masks made of bark cloth, which are a central part of Baining culture.
The masks usually represent forest spirits or ancestral spirits and are meant to be frightening.
Their bodies are painted with natural pigments, and they carry traditional accessories such as spears and claws.
The fire dance is an important ceremony performed on special occasions, such as thanksgiving, initiation rites, or to exorcise evil spirits.
This photograph is a famous image by photographer Jimmy Chin, who documented the traditions of the Baining people.
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Thailand…🇹🇭.
4 More Stoic reminders from
Marcus Aurelius and Seneca.
Thailand is a Southeast Asian country.
It's famous for its tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and temples adorned with Buddha statues.
In Bangkok, the capital, an ultramodern cityscape rises alongside tranquil canal-side communities and iconic temples like Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew).
Thailand…🇹🇭
"Pure signal, no noise"
Credits Goes to the respective
Author ✍️/ Photographer📸
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5 Stoic quotes from Marcus Aurelius
and Seneca.
BCD VOYAGE/JACKET 35LB
BRAND: AKUANA
₱19,920
PARAMETERS:
*Outer shell Material:1000D Ballistic Nylon
*Material Tensile Strength Test: 0.37KN
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*Buoyancy lift:31lb/37lb/39lb
*Sizes: S/M/L
It's a good day to dive". 🤿
This Is What ‘Safe’ Really Means….
They told you to play it safe.
Get a job.
Save money.
Invest in index funds.
Diversify.
Retire at 65.
They sold it like it was wisdom.
But here’s what they didn’t say out loud:
Every part of that plan?
Still trapped inside a fiat system that’s collapsing in slow motion.
Let’s break it down:
🔒 Bonds?
Backed by governments that print money like it’s a game.
📉 Stocks?
Inflated by cheap credit and policy, not productivity.
🏠 Real estate?
Propped up by debt, zoning, taxes, and politics.
💼 Retirement accounts?
Locked until you’re too old to truly live off them… and still taxed.
See, the “safe” plan was never about freedom.
It was about control.
Because when your wealth depends on their system…
You stay in line.
You obey.
You conform.
You wait.
All while inflation quietly bleeds your savings.
And “growth” means maybe beating 5% while groceries double.
But there’s another path.
Quieter.
Smaller.
Permissionless.
Stacking sats.
Because when you hold 1 million sats in cold storage, you’re not just holding Bitcoin.
You’re holding:
→ Value they can’t inflate
→ Wealth they can’t freeze
→ A future they can’t rewrite
And the truth is, that scares them.
Because the more you stack, the less you need them.
The less you ask.
The less you wait.
And here’s the irony:
They’ll call your strategy “risky.”
But they trust systems that can be hacked, taxed, censored, and printed into oblivion.
That’s not safety.
That’s dependency.
So if you’re still clinging to the plan they sold you?
Ask yourself:
“Safe compared to what?”
Because the most dangerous plan of all…
Is the one where they stay in control.
Stay free, stack sats.
Anarko
"Pure signal, no noise"
Credits Goes to the respective
Author ✍️/ Photographer📸
🐇 🕳️
Amish Survival Tips for Off-Grid Living.
The Amish first arrived in the United States in the mid 1700’s. Of course it was still a British colony at the time but since that time the Amish population in the U.S. has grown to almost 300,000. They live in communities across the country and are known for their firm commitment to a simpler, pioneer lifestyle.
Contrary to some assumptions, the Amish do not shun all technology. They have been known to use diesel powered generators, propane powered refrigerators and freezers, and commonly use solar, wind and water power. The only issues they have with technology are when it is interconnected.
The Amish believe that to retain their independence and freedom from the temptations and evil of modern society, they must avoid those technologies that connect to society in general. This would include the power grid, Internet, broadcast TV and radio signals, and any other technology that is part of a network or system connected to the general public.
The Off-Grid Pioneers
As a result, the Amish have been pursuing an off-grid lifestyle for more than 500 years. And while there was no such thing as a power-grid 500 years ago, there were still networks of connection that they avoided. They have occasionally if not reluctantly accepted some forms of technology, but it usually requires approval from the local Amish community. This approval varies from community to community.
One surprising example is that some Amish farmers have wireless mobile phones. They don’t usually access the Internet nor do many of the other things most of us do, but many Amish are in business to sell products they produce and need some way to connect to stores and suppliers.
In spite of their occasional use of cell phones they still don’t have hard line phones in their homes. That would be “too connected” to the outside world.
Centuries of Preparedness
As much as some of us worry about a massive grid failure, water shortages and cyberattacks on the Internet, the Amish have been calmly living a prepared life as a matter of course and a matter of choice. There are lessons to be learned here and they go beyond skills and hand tools to a mindset and a state of mind.
A Life Defined by Self-Reliance
It would be a stretch to believe that the Amish never go to a store, but it’s a rare occurrence and their shopping is both specific and limited. One store that has both a catalog and an online presence is Lehman’s. They sell a line of products uniquely tailored to the Amish lifestyle and work style. This includes many of the hand-powered tools and equipment that is no longer made, or only found in antique stores and flea markets.
Just about everything else they need they either grow, make, build or barter for. It’s a lifestyle motivated by a daily commitment to self-reliance and the discipline to make that happen.
One of their mindsets is the fact that every day is a to-do list of chores; some routine, some seasonal, and others necessary or pursued. Kids are often involved in the daily chores both as a means of learning self-reliant skills, and as a necessary set of extra helping hands. To the Amish, hard work is both noble and expected.
They dress very traditionally and their fashion choices haven’t changed for more than 100 years. Their clothes are usually handmade, their food is homegrown, and everything is home cooked, canned or preserved.
We’re going to step back and look at the various actions, skills and behaviors of a typical Amish community to identify some of those actions, skills and behaviors we could and maybe should adopt for our own self-reliance and independence.
The Basic Skills
To begin, the Amish are predominantly farmers. They chose farming because it allowed them to not only live independently but to locate in rural areas away from the sins and opinions of the city.
√ Farming
This isn’t about farming in the traditional sense. Few Amish actively grow, harvest and sell large quantities of a single crop to sell on the open market.
Most of their farming activity is focused on growing their own food to eat, growing some to sell either at their own farm stand or to local grocers, and food as barter for other goods and services they might need within the Amish community and the local community at large.
Mechanical, motor driven equipment is rarely used and instead horses are the literal horsepower of choice.
It’s rare that you would see a gas powered roto-tiller, but some Amish have used diesel powered hay bailers and other diesel-powered equipment for tasks that are either too difficult or too dangerous to do by hand.
Every aspect of farming and gardening is mostly done by hand from tilling to planting, harvesting and storing. Horse-drawn wagons and equipment pull the heavy loads but tasks that can be done by hand are done by hand.
The Amish always harvest seeds from every crop and store them for the next season. They compost everything from weeds to straw to table scraps to manure and chicken droppings.
√ Building
The Amish are master builders. They are known for their carpentry skills and their handmade furniture is highly regarded. They are also masters of timber frame construction and work together in their community to raise barns, sheds and homes for their families and neighbors.
Many are accomplished masons and their sturdy brick walls have rolled across the hills and valleys of their farms for centuries. From barn foundations to bricking a water well; masonry and the ability to use stone, mortar and masonry tools are second to only carpentry in their wheelhouse of skills.
√ Harnessing Water
Many Amish farms and properties feature water wheels powered by creeks and streams to grind flower, pump water to their homes and to irrigate their farms, and even to power saw mills and timber pulleys.
They are accomplished at digging wells and their use of hand pumps to pump water is not only common but expected. They are expert at collecting rainwater and harvesting water from lakes, ponds and streams.
They are accomplished at crafting water filters from gravel, sand and charcoal and heat their water with wood-fired cook stoves with a reservoir attached. They also heat water with rooftop solar water heaters and sometimes simply heat the water in a large stockpot over an open fire.
√ Harnessing Wind
Few Amish farms are without their share of windmills. They’re used to do everything from pumping water to generating electricity. Long before wind-power became a buzzword for green energy, farmers like the Amish were harnessing the wind.
The wind was also used to dry the laundry and of course separate the wheat from the chaff. Windmills also powered small grain mills and even small water pumps to direct water to a livestock trough or small garden.
If there was a force of nature that could provide power to accomplish a task, the Amish harnessed it and put it to good use.
√ Preserving Foods
Food preservation was another primary skill pursued by the Amish. Canning was a regular activity and their pantries and root cellars were always filed with the results of their canning efforts.
They were also expert at curing and smoking meats and a smokehouse was a common and often necessary addition to any Amish farm. The smokehouse was used to both smoke the cured meats and to store them over time.
Dehydrating foods and vegetables using the sun was another common Amish practice. From raisins to sun-dried tomatoes, if it could be sun-dried it found its place in the Amish sun.
Just as many foods were fermented and given the German origins of some Amish communities, sauerkraut was often found in every Amish pantry.
√ Animal Husbandry
Amish livestock went well beyond the standard flock of chickens. Horses had a constant and necessary presence in every Amish barn. Cows were raised for their milk and other dairy products. Pigs, goats and sheep were also on the farm. And of course, there were always chickens.
√ Off-Grid Heating
Wood burning stoves were a standard addition to an Amish farmhouse and chopping wood was a daily chore. Most homes also had fireplaces both for heat and cooking.
Many Amish farms also had “summer kitchens.” These were dedicated structures removed from the main house where wood-fired stoves could be used for daily cooking without making the heat unbearable in the main house in summer.
√ Off-Grid Cooking
Wood burning cook stoves were the primary centerpiece in any Amish kitchen and they not only provided additional heat in winter, but were used to cook everything.
The Amish also cooked outside whether they were roasting whole hogs, chickens on a spit or boiling down tree sap for syrup.
√ Off-Grid Cooling
Many pioneers and native people across North America used innovative ways to keep cool in summer. The Amish kept cool using many of those traditional techniques from well designed venting to the use of cold traps.
Basements and root cellars were always a cool location and the Amish were also mindful about keeping their animals cool.
Foods were kept cool in root cellars, basements, and with modern conveniences like propane powered refrigerator/freezers.
Ice was often harvested from ponds and lakes in winter and dedicated ice-houses were used for year-round cold storage of foods. They also were quick to use ice-boxes in their kitchens and have even been known to use old electric refrigerators without electricity to both contain the ice for cooling, and to take advantage of the insulation properties of any refrigerator.
√ Alternative Power
Off-grid doesn’t mean the electricity is always off to the Amish. It means they are not connected to a networked power grid, but they still find ways today to generate electricity.
Solar power is both used and embraced by many Amish communities as an independent source of power. One reference to the use of solar power by the Amish referred to it as connecting to “God’s-grid.”
The solar panels are sometimes hooked to a solar generator, and rooftop solar setups even heat water for use in the Amish household.
Windmills to generate power are also embraced, and if a stream or creek is running through their property both ram pumps for pumping water, and water wheels for power generation are quick to appear.
Much of the electricity generated is used to power wood working tools like planers, saws and other workshop tools. The power is also used to generate electricity for basic lighting and appliances.
√ Let There be Light
Lighting options for the Amish are wide-ranging from oil filled hurricane lamps to kerosene lanterns, candles and candle lanterns, and even LED flashlights and lamps powered by solar rechargeable batteries. Hand-cranked flashlights are another option.
Some of it sounds like technology the Amish would shun and some Amish communities would agree. On the other hand, they are embraced by other Amish communities given the fact that these off-grid lighting options are independent of the grid.
√ Transportation
A horse and carriage are the traditional mode of transportation for the Amish. But they also use bicycles often with an attached buggy-cart, and some of the younger Amish generation has been spotted on roller skates and skateboard scooters.
Whenever long distance travel is required the Amish usually arrange for someone else to drive them to their destination. They won’t own or drive a traditional car, van or truck but when necessary will accept the need to travel as a passenger.
√ First Aid & Herbal Medicine
It’s rare for the Amish to visit a doctor or hospital with any frequency, although they will not hesitate in a desperate emergency. In many instances, the Amish turn to herbal medicine and natural treatments for their ailments.
The Amish are generally in very good health due to the amount of their strenuous physical activity and their essentially organic diet of farm raised foods. They also shun alcohol, tobacco and the other excesses of society that often lead to health issues.
There are books about Amish natural remedies and many of their herbal treatments that have been used and improved over hundreds of years.
√ Crafts
Some of us think of crafts as a hobby. To the Amish, crafts are a way of life. In a social group that typically avoids the commercial offerings of modern society the ability to do-it-yourself is both necessary and expected. Here are just a few of the craft skills the Amish have both mastered and pursue on a regular basis:
Furniture making
Quilting
Candle making
Soap making
Pottery
Beekeeping
Maple sugaring
Cider making
Cider Vinegar
Sewing
Knitting and crochet
There’s more and if there’s something that needs to be made by hand it’s a good bet the Amish are making it.
√ Home Schooling
It didn’t take a pandemic to motivate the Amish to home-school their children.
It’s totally consistent with their philosophy and the fear that outside and corrupt influences will affect their children and their community.
Traditionally, the Amish home-schooled their children up through 8th grade. At that point, some shifted their children’s education to mastery of a specific trade as a source of future income and security.
√ Self-Reliant Trades
The trades taught to Amish children started much like all trades are acquired. It started with an apprenticeship usually guided by an expert in the community. The product of their trades were then used to either generate income; used as barter or to supply the immediate family with necessary goods and skills.
These dedicated trade skills were in addition to the previously mentioned craft skills that were seen as expected and common knowledge. The trades that the Amish are known for include:
Carpentry
Masonry
Blacksmithing
Food Preservation
Farming and Gardening
Wheelwright
Cobbling
Barrel Cooper
√ Foraging
In addition to farming and animal husbandry, the Amish are expert at wild foraging. Their ability to recognize trees, wild berries, wild mushrooms and other edible wild plants not only supplemented their farming efforts, but provided additional nutrition beyond conventional vegetables and fruits.
√ Barter
Traditional commerce was often a challenge for the Amish. As a community that actively avoided the outside world, the idea of a traditional job with a paycheck was not always a viable possibility. As a result, barter was a very important part of Amish commerce and trade.
The barter items ranged from eggs to fruits and vegetables and even meat and dairy products. They also bartered their crafts from handmade furniture to anything else they could craft or make.
In addition, the Amish bartered their skills for goods and services both within their community and the surrounding local community as well.
√ Acquiring an Amish Mindset
Beyond the skills, crafts and creations generated by Amish communities is a mindset worth considering.
It begins with a dedication to self-reliance.
It’s built on a work-ethic that embraces and respects hard work.
It’s fueled by an independent spirit.
It is fortified by a community designed around cooperation and sharing.
It’s dedicated to a commitment to preparedness.
It’s very accomplished at meeting the challenges of living off-grid.
Anyone with a mindset towards preparedness and self-reliance would be well-served by some of the behaviors and lessons from the Amish communities. It’s gotten them through the last 500 years, and there’s no reason to believe it won’t take them well into the next millennium.
"Pure signal, no noise"
Credits Goes to the respective
Author ✍️/ Photographer📸
🐇 🕳️
Boracay Island today, November 23, 2025
100 Life Hacks for Preppers and Homesteaders.
Who doesn't love life hacks? They offer clever solutions to everyday problems, making life easier.
Unfortunately, most “life hack articles” are aimed at people who just want to fix scratches on furniture (use a walnut) or freshen their shoes (use baking soda). There aren't any life hack articles that are specifically for preppers and homesteaders… Until now.
In this guide, I’ve compiled 100 life hacks that preppers and homesteaders will find very useful. These hacks cover everything from food storage to home security. You’ll learn how to turn a trash bag into a poncho, how to use a crayon as a candle, how to use bay leaves to keep pests away from your emergency food, and much more.
So whether you’re new to prepping or a seasoned homesteader, these life hacks will make your self-sufficient lifestyle easier and more efficient. From simple garden tricks to unique storage solutions, this list has something for everyone who wants to be prepared, resilient, and ready for disaster.
To make this list easier to navigate, I organized them into 9 categories, which you can view in the table of contents below. For most of these life hacks, I also included links to articles with more details for those who are interested.
Table of Contents
Energy and Light
Fire and Cooking
Food and Storage
Gardening and Composting
Health and Hygiene
Security and Defense
Storage and Organization
Tools and Gear
Water Collection and Purification
Energy and Light
Aluminum Foil to Fit AAA Batteries in AA Slots
If you only have AAA batteries but need AA batteries, you can fold up a small piece of aluminum foil and place it at the negative terminal end of the battery compartment. The foil will bridge the gap and allow the device to work with AAA batteries. Here's how.
Crayon as a Candle
If you run out of candles, you can use crayons instead. Just light the paper wrapper and the crayon will burn for about 30 minutes. Here's how.
Crisco as a Candle
If you have a can of Crisco, you can turn it into a long-lasting candle. Insert a wick or piece of string into the center, light it, and the fat will burn for hours. Here's how.
DIY Lantern from Headlamp and Milk Jug
Fill a clear milk jug with water and strap a headlamp around it with the light facing inward. The water will diffuse the light, creating a DIY lantern. Here's how.
Glow Sticks to Mark Pathways at Night
Glow sticks can be incredibly helpful during a power outage or at a campsite after dark. If there are any paths used frequently, such as the path to and from the bathroom, hang glow sticks along the path so people can find their way. Here are some more uses for glow sticks.
Olive Oil as Fuel for a DIY Oil Lamp
If you run out of lamp oil, you can use olive oil instead. It is clean-burning and lasts a long time. Here are some more uses for olive oil.
Solar Garden Lights for Indoor Lighting
Get some solar-powered lights for your garden or walkway. If there’s a power outage, you can bring them inside at night for a battery-free light source.
Fire and Cooking
Buddy Burner with a Tuna Can and Cardboard
Cut a long piece of cardboard that is about the same width as the height of a tuna can. Roll it up, place it inside the tuna can, pour melted wax over it, and light it. This will create a makeshift burner that can be used for light, heat, and even cooking. Here's now.
Build a Haybox Cooker for Blackout Cooking
If you can’t use your slow-cooker due to a power outage, use a haybox cooker instead. Simply insulate a pot inside a box filled with hay or blankets. Heat up the pot, place it inside the haybox, and close it. The pot will stay hot for hours, slow-cooking the food inside. Here's how to build a haybox cooker.
Chips as Kindling
If you’re in a survival scenario and are having trouble starting a fire, greasy chips like Fritos, Doritos, and potato chips can be used as kindling. They catch fire quickly and burn hot due to the high fat content.
Construct a Brick Rocket Stove
If you don’t have a stove, you can quickly construct one from a few bricks or cinder blocks. This is called a rocket stove, and it will create enough heat to cook just about anything. Here's how to build a rocket stove.
Create a Portable Stove with a Tin Can
Another way to construct a makeshift stove is with a large tin can. Simply cut holes in it for air flow and place kindling inside. Use it to heat small meals or to boil water. Here's how to make a tin can stove.
DIY Solar Oven with a Cardboard Box
If you don’t have any kindling or firewood, make a solar oven by lining a cardboard box with aluminum foil. Place a dark pot of food inside and cover the top with plastic wrap, then leave it in the sun. The reflective surfaces will focus the heat and cook the food in the pot. Here's how to make a solar oven.
Dryer Lint as Fire Starter
If you need some good tinder, try dryer lint, which lights very easily. As you use your dryer, save the dryer lint in a plastic bag so it stays dry.
Egg Cartons as Fire Starters
Fill the cups of a cardboard egg carton with dryer lint or sawdust, then pour melted wax over them. Once they cool, break off the individual cups and use them to help start fires. Here's now.
Hand Sanitizer as a Quick Fire Starter
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is flammable, making it a great fire starter. Just apply a small amount to your kindling, and it will light easily, even in damp conditions.
Pencil Shavings as Lightweight Tinder
Pencil shavings make for great tinder. If you haven’t already, put a pencil and mini pencil sharpener in your bug out bag so you’ll always have a good source of tinder.
Pine Resin as Fire Accelerant
Collect dried pine resin to use as a natural fire starter. Pine resin is highly flammable and can help you start a fire even in damp weather. Here's how.
Steel Wool and a Battery to Start a Fire
Stretch out a piece of steel wool and touch it with the terminals of a 9-volt battery. The electrical current will cause the steel wool to spark, making it an easy way to light tinder. Here's how.
Store Apples with Potatoes to Prevent Sprouting
Store apples and potatoes together to stop potatoes from sprouting. The ethylene gas from the apples slows down the sprouting process.
Use a Shoe Lace as a Bow Drill for Fire Starting
Remove a shoelace from your boot and use it as the cord in a bow drill. This ancient fire-starting method takes practice but has stood the test of time for a reason. Here's how to use a bow drill.
Vaseline-Coated Cotton Balls as Fire Starters
Soak some cotton balls in Vaseline and save them to use as fire starters. The Vaseline will make them burn hotter and longer. Here's how.
Food and Storage
Acorns as Survival Food
If you can’t find anything to eat, look for an oak tree and gather acorns. Once you prepare them properly, you can grind them into flour and use them in any recipe that calls for flour. Here's how to eat acorns.
Bay Leaves to Repel Insects
To keep insects out of food storage containers, place a few bay leaves inside of them. Many insects hate the smell of bay leaves, so they’re likely to stay away.
Canning Jars for Dry Goods
You can use canning jars to store dry goods like pasta, beans, and flour. Use a vacuum sealer, or seal them up and place them in an oven set to low. Here's how to dry can food.
Dental Floss as Emergency Fishing Line
Dental floss can be used as fishing line in a survival scenario. As long as it’s good quality floss, it should be durable enough to catch small fish.
DIY Food Dehydrator Using a Window Screen
If you don’t have an electric dehydrator, use two clean window screens to air-dry fruits, vegetables, and meat. Simply lay the food between the two screens to protect it from insects, and let it dry in the sun. Here's how to build a solar food dehydrator.
Freeze Flour to Kill Pests
If you plan on storing flour long-term, first put it in the freezer for 48 hours to kill any insect eggs.
Make a Zeer Pot to Keep Food Cool
If you need to keep food cold without electricity, make a Zeer pot refrigerator from two clay pots and some sand. This will keep food cool and significantly extend its shelf life. Here's how to make a Zeer pot refrigerator.
Open a Can by Rubbing it on Concrete
If you don’t have a can opener, you can rub the top of a can on rough concrete to weaken the seal. After several minutes, you should be able to pry open the lid. Here's how.
Pantyhose for Storing Root Vegetables
You can make root vegetables like onions and potatoes last longer by hanging them up inside pantyhose. This allows air circulation and prevents rot. Just be sure to tie a knot between each vegetable. Here's how.
Soda Can Tabs as Fishing Hooks
If you don’t have any fishing hooks, you can use a soda can tab by cutting away part of the tab to form a sharp hook shape. File down the edge to sharpen the point and attach it to your fishing line. Here's how.
Turn an Old Fridge or Freezer into a Root Cellar
If you have an old non-working chest freezer or mini fridge, you can bury it in the ground for a makeshift root cellar. Just be sure to bury it so that the lid is on top, making it easy to open. Here's how.
Use a Coin to Check if Freezer Food Thawed
If you have to evacuation due to an impending disaster, place a coin on top of a frozen cup of water in your freezer. When you get back, if you find that the coin has sunk to the bottom, that means your freezer food thawed and refroze, meaning it’s no longer safe to eat.
Gardening and Composting
Banana Peels as Fertilizer
Bury banana peels around plants in your garden, or blend them with water to create a natural fertilizer rich in potassium, which is important for healthy fruits and vegetables.
Build a Compost Bin from Pallets
You can build a compost bin by arranging 4 wooden pallets into a square frame, allowing you to recycle food scraps and yard waste into rich compost for your garden. Here's how.
CDs to Deter Birds from Your Garden
If you have any old CDs or DVDs, hang them up around your garden to keep birds away. The reflective surfaces create flashes that scare off birds.
Coffee Grounds to Acidify Soil
Add used coffee grounds to your compost or to your soil around acid-loving plants like blueberries and tomatoes. Coffee grounds will acidify the soil and provide important nutrients.
Create Seed Bombs with Paper and Soil
Mix seeds with a bit of soil and wrap them in small pieces of paper. When tossed into neglected areas, they will break down and the seeds will take root. This method is perfect for guerrilla gardening or reseeding pastures. Here's how.
Eggshells as Seed Starters
Use eggshell halves as tiny biodegradable planters for seedlings. Once the seeds sprout, place the entire eggshell in the soil. Here's how.
Eggshells to Deter Slugs
Crush eggshells and sprinkle them around your plants. The sharp edges will keep slugs and snails away.
Epsom Salt as a Magnesium Boost
Sprinkle a bit of Epsom salt around the base of plants. The magnesium in the salt will help plants like peppers and tomatoes.
Fake Snakes or Owls Around Garden to Deter Pests
Place some rubber snakes or plastic owls around your garden to scare off small animals and birds. Be sure to move them occasionally or they’ll stop working.
Grow Potatoes in a Trash Bag
If you don’t have any good planters, you can grow potatoes in plastic grocery bags or even small garbage bags. As they grow, add more soil to cover the stems. Here's how.
Mini Greenhouse from a Plastic Bottle
Cut off the bottom of a large plastic bottle and place it over seedlings in the garden. This will create a mini greenhouse that protects young plants from the cold. Here's how.
Newspaper for Weed Control
Lay sheets of newspaper around your garden plants and cover them with mulch. This will suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.
Old Tire as a Planter
Fill an old tire with soil and plant vegetables inside. This will create a raised bed that warms up faster in spring.
Sprout Seeds for Fresh Greens
For some fresh fiber and nutrients, sprout seeds like alfalfa, lentils, or broccoli in jars. It takes very little space and only takes a few days. Here's how.
Repurpose Old Windows for Cold Frames
If you have some old windows, you can use them to create cold frames for your garden. This will significantly extend the growing season by keeping soil warmer during cold months. Here's how.
Turn Toilet Paper Rolls into Seed Starters
You can use empty toilet paper rolls as biodegradable seedling pots. Just fill them with soil and plant your seeds. When the plant is ready, transfer the entire roll into the ground. Here's how.
Wine Bottle Slow-Drip Watering System
You can repurpose an empty win bottle to create a slow-drip irrigation system for your plants. Just fill the bottle with water, quickly turn it upside down, and push the neck a few inches into the soil near the plant. The water will gradually release as the soil dries. Here's how.
Wood Ash as Natural Fertilizer
Sprinkle wood ash around your garden to enrich the soil with nutrients such as potassium. Here are some other uses for wood ash.
Health and Hygiene
Baking Soda as Toothpaste
If you run out of toothpaste, mix baking soda with water to create a DIY toothpaste that will neutralize acids, freshens your breath, and even whitens your teeth. Here's how.
Clove Oil for Toothaches
If you have a bad toothache, rub some clove oil on the affect area for temporary pain relief. The clove oil will keep the area numb until you can get to a dentist.
Cornstarch as a Natural Deodorant
If you don’t have any deodorant, apply some cornstarch to your underarms to absorb moisture and neutralize odors.
DIY Saline Solution for Wound Care
If you run out of saline solution, dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in 4 cups of boiled water and allow it to cool completely. You can use this for cleaning wounds or flushing out eyes. Here's how.
DIY Toilet with a Bucket and Pool Noodle
Create an emergency toilet but cutting a pool noodle to fit the rim of a five-gallon bucket. Don’t forget to put a trash bag and kitty litter (if you have it it) in the bucket before using. Here's how.
Dried Sage as Mosquito Repellent
The smell of sage can repel mosquitoes and other insects. Take a small bundle of dried sage leaves and place it near the edge of the fire or on a hot rock next to the flames. You can also sprinkle a handful directly into the fire if you’d like a quicker burst of smoke.
Essential Oils as a Mosquito Repellent
Mix essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, and citronella with a bit of water for a natural mosquito repellent. Simply apply a little bit to your skin or clothing.
Honey as a Wound Dressing
You can use honey as a natural antiseptic to cover wounds and prevent infections. Honey has antibacterial properties that promote fast healing. Here are some medical uses for raw honey.
Poultice from Plantain Leaves
Crush plantain leaves and apply them to bug bites, rashes, or small wounds. Plantain has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, making it great for first aid. Here's how to make a DIY poultice.
Sanitary Pads as Wound Dressings
Sanitary pads are highly absorbent and can be used as an emergency bandage. However, be sure to use pads and not tampons, which can do more harm than good.
Use Saponin-Rich Plants as Soap
If you run out of soap, look for a plant that contains high amounts of saponins. You can boil pieces of these plants in water to create a natural soap alternative. Here's how.
Vinegar to Neutralize Odors
To neutralize bad odors, soak a cloth in white vinegar and leave it in smelly areas. The vinegar will absorb and mask odors.
Security and Defense
Broken Glass or Gravel Near Entry Points
Scatter broken glass or gravel near doors or windows. The noise when someone steps on it will alert you that someone is outside.
Create a Fake Wall or Floor Panel
Create a hidden compartment in your home by creating a fake wall or floor panel. Use this to hide emergency supplies, weapons, valuables, etc. Here's how.
Create a Perimeter Alarm with Fishing Line and Bells
Attach small bells to a fishing line and string it up around your camp or home’s perimeter. If someone crosses the line, you’ll hear the bells. Here are some more DIY trip wire alarms.
Fake TV Light to Deter Intruders
Use a small LED device that mimics the glow of a television screen. If you place this near a window, it will look like someone is home with the TV on.
Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Use motion-activated sprinklers to deter intruders or animals. The sudden burst of water will usually cause intruders or animals to leave.
Thorny Bushes as a Natural Barrier
Grow thorny plants like blackberry bushes or roses in front of windows or fences to create a natural barrier. These plants can make breaking into your home seem like more trouble than it’s worth. Here are some more home security plants.
Use a Decoy Safe to Distract Intruders
Place a decoy safe in an obvious spot with a small amount of cash or inexpensive items inside. This will distract intruders and hopefully cause them leave before finding your real safe.
Storage and Organization
Altoids Tin as a Mini Survival Kit
Fill an empty Altoids tin with survival items like a fire starter, fishing hooks, a small knife, etc. This compact kit will easily fit in your pocket or bug out bag. Here's how.
Binder Clips to Seal Bags and Organize Cords
Use binder clips (or “chip clips”) to reseal bags of food or seeds, or to bundle or organize small cords or other items.
Create a Vertical Storage System with Shoe Organizers
Use a hanging shoe organizer in your pantry or storage area to organize small items like bags of food, toiletries, first aid supplies, etc.
Create Emergency Supply Caches
Stash some survival caches filled with food, water, or gear in hidden locations so you have backups in case your main supplies are stolen or destroyed. Here's how to make a survival cache.
DIY Fishing Kit in an Altoids Tin
Fish an Altoids tin with fishing essentials like hooks, lines, weights, and a few lures. Here's how.
Keep Documents in Ziploc Bags
Store important documents such as IDs, passports, insurance papers, etc. in Ziploc bags. This will ensure they don’t get wet when you’re bugging out.
Old Pill Bottles for Storage
Use old pill bottles to organize small items like buttons, needles, matches, etc. You can even use them to make a mini survival kit. Here's how.
Store Important Documents on an Encrypted Keychain Drive
To keep your important documents safe, scan them and store them on an encrypted flash drive that’s attached to your keychain. This way you’ll always have them with you and they can’t be stolen.
Store Spices in Drinking Straws
Seal small amounts of spices inside sections of drinking straws. This is a great way to bring along some spices when bugging out. Here's how.
Tools and Gear
Bandana as a Multi-Tool
Keep a bandana with you at all times. It can be used for dozens of things including: as a tourniquet, pre-filtering water, tying things together, protection from the sun, etc. Here are some other uses for bandanas.
Can Lid as a Cutting Tool
If you don’t have a knife, take the lid from a tin can and fold it in half to create a sharp edge that can be used for cutting.
Dental Floss as a Clothesline
String up some dental floss between two trees or poles to create a temporary clothesline.
Hide Cash or a Survival Card Inside Your Phone Case
If your phone has a case, slip some folded bills or even a survival card between your phone and its case. This creates a discreet hiding spot for cash or essential tools.
Knife as a Screwdriver
If you don’t have a screwdriver, you can use the flat edge of a sturdy knife as a flathead screwdriver. Just be careful not to cut yourself.
Plastic Bottle as a Funnel for Transferring Liquids
If you need a funnel, cut the top off of a plastic bottle for an instant funnel that you can use for transferring water, fuel, dry goods like rice, etc.
Sharpen Knives with the Bottom of a Ceramic Mug
Flip a ceramic mug upside down and use the rough ring on the bottom as a sharpening stone. This quick hack will keep your blades nice and sharp.
Turn a Trash Bag into a Poncho
Create an emergency poncho by cutting three holes (one for your head and two for your arms) in the bottom of a large trash bag.
Turn Trash Bags into Rope
Twist and braid heavy-duty trash bags to make durable, improvised rope. This can be used for securing tarps, building shelters, or even tying down gear. Here's how.
Wrap Duct Tape Around a Lighter for Emergency Repairs
If you don’t have room in your pockets or bag for a roll of tape, wrap your lighters with duct tape. Then, if you need a piece of tape, you can just cut a section of it off your lighter.
Water Collection and Purification
Boil Water Using Stones
If you don’t have pot for boiling water, heat up some stones in a fire, then place them in a container of water to bring the water to a boil and kill any pathogens. Here's how.
Coffee Filters for Water Pre-Filtering
Before purifying water, be sure to pre-filter them. Coffee filters are great for this as they will catch debris and sediment.
DIY Water Filter with Charcoal and Sand
Create a simple emergency water filter by layering charcoal, sand, and gravel in a container. Pour dirty water through to filter out contaminants before boiling or further purification. Here's how.
DIY Water Purification with Bleach
In an emergency, you can purify water by adding 8 drops of unscented household bleach (5.25–8.25% sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water, shaking it, and letting it sit for 30 minutes. Make sure the water smells slightly of chlorine to ensure it’s been disinfected. If not, add a few more drops of bleach and wait another 30 minutes.
Disinfect Water with Sunlight
Fill a clear plastic bottle with water and place it in direct sunlight for 6-8 hours. The UV rays will kill harmful bacterial. Here's how.
Get Emergency Water from Your Water Heater
In a pinch, you can drink the water in your water heater. Most tanks hold 30-50 gallons that can be drained in an emergency. Here’s how.
Hydrogen Peroxide for Water Purification
Add 10 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water and let it sit for 30 minutes. This will kill bacteria and make water safe to drink.
Plastic Shower Curtain for a Solar Still
If you run out of drinking water, use a clear plastic shower curtain to create a solar still. This will allow you to extract a bit of water from plant material. Here’s how.
Solar Shower with a Black Trash Bag
Fill a black trash bag with water and leave it in the sun to warm up. Tie it to a tree branch and poke small holes in the bottom to create a simple solar shower.
Store Water in Reused Plastic Bottles
Save 2-liter soda bottles or juice containers, thoroughly clean them, and use them to store water for long-term emergencies.
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