Hi Folks,
As some of you already know, I'm undergoing a fairly big mid-career change and I have returned to college to earn another degree. (For the curious, I am studying at Belmont Abbey College in NC.)
Of course, this means I've had less time to work on my websites. Or, more accurately, no time to work on my websites. I've taken a couple completely off-line for now. This website is remaining up, as is my Modern Victory Movement website, but you will notice lots of dust as I completely redesign both sites.
I have big plans for this website. I am planning the re-launch to occur over my Christmas break. Please stay tuned...
Tim Gamble
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Thursday, October 18, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Top Ten Survival To Do List
I've noticed that on some prepper blogs and You Tube channels, the current "in" thing to do is a Top Ten Survival List for folks who are just getting started. Many of these are cast as "if I knew then what I know now" about prepping, then these are the things I would do differently. Here is my entry into the conversation:
Top Ten Survival "To Do" List
1) Develop Good Health and Fitness - This is a touchy subject for many people, but improving your health and fitness is one of the most important things anyone can do to increase their chances of survival during a disaster or in a post-SHTF world. This should be on top of everyone's To Do list, even above stockpiling food, water and ammo. Lose weight. Get into shape. Stop smoking. Eat healthy. Visit your Doctor for a checkup. Visit your Dentist and go ahead with any dental work you need.
2) Develop Good Mental Health - Mental attitude plays an enormous role in overcoming adversity, so develop good mental health. I suggest starting with your spiritual side, according to whatever spiritual beliefs you may have. Some suggestions: Pray. Read scripture. Go to Church or Synagogue. Get right with God. Reconnect with nature, family and friends. Work on building new, positive relationships. Don't be afraid of "weeding out" toxic people from your life (some relationships simply cannot, should not be saved). Get rid of any addictions in your life (not just drugs and alcohol, but gambling, porn, TV, junk food and even the Internet can be addictive). Reduce stress by taking up a fun hobby or two and learning to relax. Be a life-long learner by reading, taking classes, learning new skills...
3) Reduce Your Consumption of Everything - Adopt a simpler lifestyle. Live well within your means. Be a Saver, not a Consumer. If you had to, could you survive on half your current income? You may have to one day...
4) Adopt an Austerity Budget - Yes, this probably means lowering your standard of living, but it needs to be done. Greatly reduce your spending, especially on lifestyle items such as eating out, entertainment, vacations, new cars, designer clothes, useless smart phone apps and so forth. Consider eliminating your cable or satellite TV, or at the very least subscribing to only the basic package. Downsize your cars to get out from under your car payments. Having a couple of "meat free" days each week can save you big bucks over the course of a year. Take leftovers to work for your lunch.
5) Get Out of Debt and Stay Out - Use the savings generated by reducing your consumption of everything and adopting an austerity budget to pay off your car loans, credit cards, student loans, payday loans and other consumer debt. If at all possible, pay off your mortgage or at the very least refinance into a fixed rate.
6) Secure Your Current Assets - Make sure the banks and insurance companies you use are sound (there are rating services you can use, but most importantly ask questions and pay attention to the news). Put a portion of your savings into silver, gold and/or other hard assets. Again, pay off your mortgage if at all possible or at least refinance into a fixed rate. Guard against identity theft. Pay your taxes on time and in full (government has extraordinary powers to seize your savings, paycheck, investments and property to collect back taxes).
7) Become Self-Reliant - Don't wait around for the government, your parents, union leaders, community organizers or anyone else to take care of you. Don't sit around whining that life is unfair, or that someone else has it so much better than you. Learn to take care of yourself. Self-reliance is not anti-social or selfish. In fact, building self-reliance may be one of the most generous things you can do, because the reality is that you will be of no help to your family, friends or neighbors if you are the one in need of help.
8) Stock Up - Here is where most preppers start, but it is number eight on my list. Stock up on food, water, medicine, first aid supplies, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products and other items. Imagine that, for whatever reasons, you are unable to buy anything from any store for a month. What will you run out of first? Second? What else will you eventually run out of?
9) Become a DIY - "Do It Yourself" should become your motto. Learn to grow, make and repair things, and have the tools and supplies you need to do so. Learn to garden, and make sure you have all the hoes, shovels, seeds, rich dirt and other supplies you will need to do so. Learn to can and preserve food, and make sure your have the equipment and supplies you need. Learn to sew, and make sure you have the scissors, cloth, thread, needles and other supplies you need. Learn how to do basic home maintenance, including plumping and electrical work, and basic auto and small engine repair. Make sure you have the necessary tools and supplies.
10) Take Security Seriously - Own and learn how to use a gun (obeying all pertinent laws, of course). Learn situational awareness. Pay attention to what's going on around you. Take a course in self-defense. Consider moving if you live in a bad neighborhood or if your neighborhood is going downhill. Harden your home against outside threats (steps might include installing safety doors, dead bolt locks, bars on windows, additional outside lighting, getting a dog, planting thorny shrubs under windows, etc.). Discuss with your children how to deal with strangers in various situations.
Top Ten Survival "To Do" List
1) Develop Good Health and Fitness - This is a touchy subject for many people, but improving your health and fitness is one of the most important things anyone can do to increase their chances of survival during a disaster or in a post-SHTF world. This should be on top of everyone's To Do list, even above stockpiling food, water and ammo. Lose weight. Get into shape. Stop smoking. Eat healthy. Visit your Doctor for a checkup. Visit your Dentist and go ahead with any dental work you need.
2) Develop Good Mental Health - Mental attitude plays an enormous role in overcoming adversity, so develop good mental health. I suggest starting with your spiritual side, according to whatever spiritual beliefs you may have. Some suggestions: Pray. Read scripture. Go to Church or Synagogue. Get right with God. Reconnect with nature, family and friends. Work on building new, positive relationships. Don't be afraid of "weeding out" toxic people from your life (some relationships simply cannot, should not be saved). Get rid of any addictions in your life (not just drugs and alcohol, but gambling, porn, TV, junk food and even the Internet can be addictive). Reduce stress by taking up a fun hobby or two and learning to relax. Be a life-long learner by reading, taking classes, learning new skills...
3) Reduce Your Consumption of Everything - Adopt a simpler lifestyle. Live well within your means. Be a Saver, not a Consumer. If you had to, could you survive on half your current income? You may have to one day...
4) Adopt an Austerity Budget - Yes, this probably means lowering your standard of living, but it needs to be done. Greatly reduce your spending, especially on lifestyle items such as eating out, entertainment, vacations, new cars, designer clothes, useless smart phone apps and so forth. Consider eliminating your cable or satellite TV, or at the very least subscribing to only the basic package. Downsize your cars to get out from under your car payments. Having a couple of "meat free" days each week can save you big bucks over the course of a year. Take leftovers to work for your lunch.
5) Get Out of Debt and Stay Out - Use the savings generated by reducing your consumption of everything and adopting an austerity budget to pay off your car loans, credit cards, student loans, payday loans and other consumer debt. If at all possible, pay off your mortgage or at the very least refinance into a fixed rate.
6) Secure Your Current Assets - Make sure the banks and insurance companies you use are sound (there are rating services you can use, but most importantly ask questions and pay attention to the news). Put a portion of your savings into silver, gold and/or other hard assets. Again, pay off your mortgage if at all possible or at least refinance into a fixed rate. Guard against identity theft. Pay your taxes on time and in full (government has extraordinary powers to seize your savings, paycheck, investments and property to collect back taxes).
7) Become Self-Reliant - Don't wait around for the government, your parents, union leaders, community organizers or anyone else to take care of you. Don't sit around whining that life is unfair, or that someone else has it so much better than you. Learn to take care of yourself. Self-reliance is not anti-social or selfish. In fact, building self-reliance may be one of the most generous things you can do, because the reality is that you will be of no help to your family, friends or neighbors if you are the one in need of help.
8) Stock Up - Here is where most preppers start, but it is number eight on my list. Stock up on food, water, medicine, first aid supplies, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products and other items. Imagine that, for whatever reasons, you are unable to buy anything from any store for a month. What will you run out of first? Second? What else will you eventually run out of?
9) Become a DIY - "Do It Yourself" should become your motto. Learn to grow, make and repair things, and have the tools and supplies you need to do so. Learn to garden, and make sure you have all the hoes, shovels, seeds, rich dirt and other supplies you will need to do so. Learn to can and preserve food, and make sure your have the equipment and supplies you need. Learn to sew, and make sure you have the scissors, cloth, thread, needles and other supplies you need. Learn how to do basic home maintenance, including plumping and electrical work, and basic auto and small engine repair. Make sure you have the necessary tools and supplies.
10) Take Security Seriously - Own and learn how to use a gun (obeying all pertinent laws, of course). Learn situational awareness. Pay attention to what's going on around you. Take a course in self-defense. Consider moving if you live in a bad neighborhood or if your neighborhood is going downhill. Harden your home against outside threats (steps might include installing safety doors, dead bolt locks, bars on windows, additional outside lighting, getting a dog, planting thorny shrubs under windows, etc.). Discuss with your children how to deal with strangers in various situations.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Back To Basics - part 3
Twelve Ways To Spend Less Money
1- Avoid impulse purchases by shopping with checklists, and sticking to the lists.
2- See something you want that isn't on your list? Don't buy it, write it down and add it to your list next time. Chances are good that after you have had a day or two to think about it, the impulse to buy it will go away.
3- Avoid impulse purchases by paying with cash, not credit cards. This way you will immediately see & feel the pain of the purchase.
4- Avoid shopping for fun or entertainment. Don't go to the mall or shopping center just to have something to do.
5- Avoid social shopping with friends. People tend to talk each other into things, not out of them.
6- Do not watch infomercials or home shopping channels.
7- Do not catalog shop unless you are looking for something specific.
8- Shop for quality not quantity. Something that costs more because it is of better quality and will last longer will be cheaper in the long run than something that initially costs less, but will wear out or break much quicker.
9- Stick with classic styles and colors, rather than styles that are "in" at the moment. Avoid fads.
10- Consider renting something instead of buying it if you will only use it once or very occasionally.
11- Cancel newspapers and magazines that you don't read thoroughly or need professionally. Most will even refund the unused portion of your subscription.
12- Make use of your local library for newspapers, magazines, books, DVDs and CDs. Only buy those that you cannot get for free at the library or that you will use repeatedly.
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1- Avoid impulse purchases by shopping with checklists, and sticking to the lists.
2- See something you want that isn't on your list? Don't buy it, write it down and add it to your list next time. Chances are good that after you have had a day or two to think about it, the impulse to buy it will go away.
3- Avoid impulse purchases by paying with cash, not credit cards. This way you will immediately see & feel the pain of the purchase.
4- Avoid shopping for fun or entertainment. Don't go to the mall or shopping center just to have something to do.
5- Avoid social shopping with friends. People tend to talk each other into things, not out of them.
6- Do not watch infomercials or home shopping channels.
7- Do not catalog shop unless you are looking for something specific.
8- Shop for quality not quantity. Something that costs more because it is of better quality and will last longer will be cheaper in the long run than something that initially costs less, but will wear out or break much quicker.
9- Stick with classic styles and colors, rather than styles that are "in" at the moment. Avoid fads.
10- Consider renting something instead of buying it if you will only use it once or very occasionally.
11- Cancel newspapers and magazines that you don't read thoroughly or need professionally. Most will even refund the unused portion of your subscription.
12- Make use of your local library for newspapers, magazines, books, DVDs and CDs. Only buy those that you cannot get for free at the library or that you will use repeatedly.
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Back To Basics - part 2
Rethink your telecommunications expenses. When I was a child (the 1970s) the only telecommunications expense my family, most families, had was the telephone and that was a land line, of course. TV was over-the-air and free. There were no cell phones. And no one had a computer, much less an Internet connection.
Today, many (most?) families pay for a land line, multiple cell phones, special ring tones, texting privileges, unlimited data plans, cable or satellite TV, extra movie channels, Internet connections, and even satellite radio subscriptions. For most families, huge savings can be found in this bloated budget category.
Mostly, these things are used as distractions, and often are a major contributing factor to obesity and a lack of physical fitness. Replace these distractions with learning, reading, exercise (gardening, hiking, tennis, golf, swimming, etc.) and shared activities such as a family game night.
When I mention cutting back this category, I occasionally hear people whine that they really need a cell phone or Internet connection. Fine. You must decide for yourself what you really need and don't need. But even if you do need a cell phone for emergencies and such, you don't need a camera phone, special ring tones, texting privileges, unlimited data or the largest minutes package available. I have a cell phone myself, but it is the basic model that I got for free when I signed up. I don't have texting and I've never paid for a special ring tone. A cell phone may be a necessity for many today, but all the expensive bells and whistles are luxuries you can do without.
The same thing goes for cable or satellite TV. Do you really need to have all the movie channels? Do you really need the HD channels? Do you really need the expanded package with all the sports channels and all the music channels? Or can you get by just fine with the much less expensive basic package?
Reduce your entertainment expenses. We may hate denying ourselves, but entertainment is a purely optional budget expense. Eliminate it. Learn (or re-learn) how to have a good time for free or nearly free. Start a family game night. Play with your kids in the backyard. Invite friends over for a weekend cook-out or a movie night (with the DVD checked out from your local library for free). Next week they can invite you over.
Read a book (checked out from the library for free, of course) instead of going to a movie. Libraries are a wonderful source of free entertainment. In addition to books and magazines, many libraries today also offer audio books, movies on DVD, music CDs and even board games that you can check out. Many have story times for young children and lecture series for adults you can attend for free.
Give up the vacation away from home. Instead of heading for the beach or Disneyland or wherever, stay home. Spend a week visiting local museums, zoos, botanical gardens, historical sites, parks or wildlife refuges. Go on a picnic or nature hike. Go fishing at a local lake. Play frisbee with your kids in the backyard. Or just relax at home, thinking of all the money you are saving.
Reduce you home energy use. Turn off lights, TVs and electronics whenever you leave a room. Set your thermostat to conserve energy. Replace old appliances with new, energy-efficient models. Super-insulate your house. Consider installing energy efficient windows. Many power companies offer free or low-cost home energy audits for their customers, which can identify weak points in your home's insulation and other energy wasters, along with advice to reduce your energy use.
I do believe we are headed into a period of very high inflation, especially energy inflation, within the next few years. Spending money now to greatly reduce your energy use may be the best investment most people can make.
Reduce the amount of fuel you use. Make sure your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated and the engine is well-maintained in order to maximize mileage. Drive less by walking, car pooling and using public transportation, as well as planning & combining trips. Consider replacing your old vehicle with a newer one that gets much better mileage. Check out the essay Three Changes to Save Big on Gas.
NB: In addition to experiencing high inflation, energy is one area very likely to be heavily taxed to pay for all the bail-out plans and excess spending currently going on. The idea of taxing car owners per each mile they drive has already been floated by Obama's Transportation Secretary and others. An increase in the federal gasoline tax is being talked about by some in congress, as well as in the Obama administration. Some states are also looking to raise state gasoline taxes. Unfortunately, dramatically increased gasoline and energy taxes are likely within the next couple of years. Anything you can do to reduce your fuel & energy consumption will help lessen the impact on your wallet.
(Go to Back To Basics - Part 3 for more ideas on saving money.)
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Today, many (most?) families pay for a land line, multiple cell phones, special ring tones, texting privileges, unlimited data plans, cable or satellite TV, extra movie channels, Internet connections, and even satellite radio subscriptions. For most families, huge savings can be found in this bloated budget category.
Mostly, these things are used as distractions, and often are a major contributing factor to obesity and a lack of physical fitness. Replace these distractions with learning, reading, exercise (gardening, hiking, tennis, golf, swimming, etc.) and shared activities such as a family game night.
When I mention cutting back this category, I occasionally hear people whine that they really need a cell phone or Internet connection. Fine. You must decide for yourself what you really need and don't need. But even if you do need a cell phone for emergencies and such, you don't need a camera phone, special ring tones, texting privileges, unlimited data or the largest minutes package available. I have a cell phone myself, but it is the basic model that I got for free when I signed up. I don't have texting and I've never paid for a special ring tone. A cell phone may be a necessity for many today, but all the expensive bells and whistles are luxuries you can do without.
The same thing goes for cable or satellite TV. Do you really need to have all the movie channels? Do you really need the HD channels? Do you really need the expanded package with all the sports channels and all the music channels? Or can you get by just fine with the much less expensive basic package?
Reduce your entertainment expenses. We may hate denying ourselves, but entertainment is a purely optional budget expense. Eliminate it. Learn (or re-learn) how to have a good time for free or nearly free. Start a family game night. Play with your kids in the backyard. Invite friends over for a weekend cook-out or a movie night (with the DVD checked out from your local library for free). Next week they can invite you over.
Read a book (checked out from the library for free, of course) instead of going to a movie. Libraries are a wonderful source of free entertainment. In addition to books and magazines, many libraries today also offer audio books, movies on DVD, music CDs and even board games that you can check out. Many have story times for young children and lecture series for adults you can attend for free.
Give up the vacation away from home. Instead of heading for the beach or Disneyland or wherever, stay home. Spend a week visiting local museums, zoos, botanical gardens, historical sites, parks or wildlife refuges. Go on a picnic or nature hike. Go fishing at a local lake. Play frisbee with your kids in the backyard. Or just relax at home, thinking of all the money you are saving.
Reduce you home energy use. Turn off lights, TVs and electronics whenever you leave a room. Set your thermostat to conserve energy. Replace old appliances with new, energy-efficient models. Super-insulate your house. Consider installing energy efficient windows. Many power companies offer free or low-cost home energy audits for their customers, which can identify weak points in your home's insulation and other energy wasters, along with advice to reduce your energy use.
I do believe we are headed into a period of very high inflation, especially energy inflation, within the next few years. Spending money now to greatly reduce your energy use may be the best investment most people can make.
Reduce the amount of fuel you use. Make sure your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated and the engine is well-maintained in order to maximize mileage. Drive less by walking, car pooling and using public transportation, as well as planning & combining trips. Consider replacing your old vehicle with a newer one that gets much better mileage. Check out the essay Three Changes to Save Big on Gas.
NB: In addition to experiencing high inflation, energy is one area very likely to be heavily taxed to pay for all the bail-out plans and excess spending currently going on. The idea of taxing car owners per each mile they drive has already been floated by Obama's Transportation Secretary and others. An increase in the federal gasoline tax is being talked about by some in congress, as well as in the Obama administration. Some states are also looking to raise state gasoline taxes. Unfortunately, dramatically increased gasoline and energy taxes are likely within the next couple of years. Anything you can do to reduce your fuel & energy consumption will help lessen the impact on your wallet.
(Go to Back To Basics - Part 3 for more ideas on saving money.)
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Back To Basics - part 1
During times of change, uncertainty, and chaos, one of the safest and most effective strategies is to simply "get back to basics" - to do all those things we know we should be doing anyway, but which are so easy to get away from during the good times. But, what exactly are the basics? And how do we get back to them?
Get back to the financial basics. Make sure you are spending less than you earn. Avoid taking on any new debt - don't use credit cards, payday loans or installment payment plans of any type. Pay cash or make do without. Build some emergency savings. Get on a budget or spending plan and stick to it. Avoid impulse purchases. Scale back your lifestyle sharply. Find the best bargains by doing comparison shopping, use shopping lists, clip coupons.
Eliminate debt and build savings. Bad economic times are especially difficult for folks who live paycheck to paycheck, in debt up to their eyeballs and with little or no savings. Debt – whether personal, business or government – is bad. It creates stress and makes one much more vulnerable to economic downturns.
In your personal life, work quickly towards eliminating consumer debt – credit cards, car loans, payday loans, personal loans and installment plans. This will mean you have to put yourself on a budget and stick with it. It will mean putting off major purchases, avoiding impulse purchases and denying yourself luxury items. It may mean taking bag lunches to work. Or selling your car to get out of the loan, buying an older model with cash or perhaps making do with only one. Consider having a major yard sale to raise some money, or try to find a second job. It will take time and sacrifice to eliminate debt in your life, but the benefits will be more than worth it.
Building some emergency savings will have to be done at the same time. Yard sales are a great way to bring in extra cash to do this. So is a second job in the evenings or on the weekends. Put the money somewhere safe, such as an insured CD or money market account in a stable bank or credit union (do your own homework, or check with one of several companies that offer ratings on the soundness and safety of various financial institutions). Don't worry about getting the best possible interest rate. Safety and liquidity is the goal for your emergency savings, not growth.
Once your debt is paid off and you have accumulated some emergency savings, you can then turn your attention to saving for long-range goals. Use common sense, avoid overly-risky investments and seek professional advice of someone you can trust.
No investment is perfectly safe. Cash savings are subject to losing value to inflation. Stocks and mutual funds are subject to the ups and downs of the market. Land is subject to property taxes and eminent domain. Converting all your money to gold & silver and burying it in the backyard is subject to thieves. There are no guarantees in life. The best you can do is use reason and common sense, to remain vigilant and to take responsibility for ensuring your own future.
Why pay off debt if we are headed towards high inflation? It may be true that by waiting to pay off debt, you will be paying it off with cheaper dollars. However, there are other considerations. For one, debt puts you, your family and your assets at risk. Pay off your debts now while you are employed and you run less risk of losing your home or other assets if you become unemployed later.
Debt can be very stressful, especially in difficult times, which can be a real detriment to your health and your ability to make calm decisions at a time when you most need both.
Another reason is that debt can shackle you to your current job and circumstances, when what is really needed at a time like this is freedom and flexibility.
Finally, people tend not to realize how fast interest, late fees and other penalties can add up. You may be paying off your debt later with cheaper dollars, but still be paying more in real terms because of all the added interest and penalties.
(Go to Back To Basics - part 2 for ideas to reduce your spending.)
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Get back to the financial basics. Make sure you are spending less than you earn. Avoid taking on any new debt - don't use credit cards, payday loans or installment payment plans of any type. Pay cash or make do without. Build some emergency savings. Get on a budget or spending plan and stick to it. Avoid impulse purchases. Scale back your lifestyle sharply. Find the best bargains by doing comparison shopping, use shopping lists, clip coupons.
Eliminate debt and build savings. Bad economic times are especially difficult for folks who live paycheck to paycheck, in debt up to their eyeballs and with little or no savings. Debt – whether personal, business or government – is bad. It creates stress and makes one much more vulnerable to economic downturns.
In your personal life, work quickly towards eliminating consumer debt – credit cards, car loans, payday loans, personal loans and installment plans. This will mean you have to put yourself on a budget and stick with it. It will mean putting off major purchases, avoiding impulse purchases and denying yourself luxury items. It may mean taking bag lunches to work. Or selling your car to get out of the loan, buying an older model with cash or perhaps making do with only one. Consider having a major yard sale to raise some money, or try to find a second job. It will take time and sacrifice to eliminate debt in your life, but the benefits will be more than worth it.
Building some emergency savings will have to be done at the same time. Yard sales are a great way to bring in extra cash to do this. So is a second job in the evenings or on the weekends. Put the money somewhere safe, such as an insured CD or money market account in a stable bank or credit union (do your own homework, or check with one of several companies that offer ratings on the soundness and safety of various financial institutions). Don't worry about getting the best possible interest rate. Safety and liquidity is the goal for your emergency savings, not growth.
Once your debt is paid off and you have accumulated some emergency savings, you can then turn your attention to saving for long-range goals. Use common sense, avoid overly-risky investments and seek professional advice of someone you can trust.
No investment is perfectly safe. Cash savings are subject to losing value to inflation. Stocks and mutual funds are subject to the ups and downs of the market. Land is subject to property taxes and eminent domain. Converting all your money to gold & silver and burying it in the backyard is subject to thieves. There are no guarantees in life. The best you can do is use reason and common sense, to remain vigilant and to take responsibility for ensuring your own future.
Why pay off debt if we are headed towards high inflation? It may be true that by waiting to pay off debt, you will be paying it off with cheaper dollars. However, there are other considerations. For one, debt puts you, your family and your assets at risk. Pay off your debts now while you are employed and you run less risk of losing your home or other assets if you become unemployed later.
Debt can be very stressful, especially in difficult times, which can be a real detriment to your health and your ability to make calm decisions at a time when you most need both.
Another reason is that debt can shackle you to your current job and circumstances, when what is really needed at a time like this is freedom and flexibility.
Finally, people tend not to realize how fast interest, late fees and other penalties can add up. You may be paying off your debt later with cheaper dollars, but still be paying more in real terms because of all the added interest and penalties.
(Go to Back To Basics - part 2 for ideas to reduce your spending.)
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Thursday, May 31, 2012
Concerns and Hope
Over the last decade, I have become increasingly concerned over the direction of both the United States and all of Western Civilization. Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union, socialism and a collectivist mentality continues to grow in popularity. This is especially true among the elites in government, academia, and the news media, as well as among the celebrities of pop culture. Even many ultra-successful folks in the business world, folks who should know better, seem compelled to adopt collectivist ideas, perhaps by guilt in having so much or a desire to be accepted in high society.
Friday, October 21, 2011
How To Make a Forest Garden, part three
This is the third part of a three part essay on how to get started in forest gardening (read part one and part two). For those unfamiliar with the concept, I would suggest reading my Introduction to Forest Gardening.
Check out these organizations and websites for more information on forest gardening, including ideas for what trees, shrubs and other plants may be suitable for your forest garden.
Agroforestry Research Trust - The world's leading temperate forest garden research institution. Excellent publications, including Agroforestry News.
American Bamboo Society - Amateur and professional bamboo enthusiasts.
American Chestnut Foundation - The American Chestnut Foundation is working to restore the American chestnut tree to its native range within the woodlands of the eastern United States.
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