Raising chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning and preparation. However, with the current prices of eggs at the supermarket many people are now turning to raising their own chickens, so they have fresh eggs without paying the high egg rates at the store.
There are several reasons why you may choose to raise chickens for eggs rather than buying them at the store:
Freshness and Quality: Freshly laid eggs have a different taste, texture, and nutritional value than store-bought eggs. Home-raised eggs are usually richer, more flavorful, and more nutritious.
Control over the chickens’ diet: When you raise your own chickens, you have control over what they eat, which directly affects the quality of their eggs. You can choose to feed your chickens organic or non-GMO feed, for example, and you’ll know exactly what they’re consuming.
Better for the environment: Raising chickens in your own backyard can be more environmentally friendly than buying eggs from large-scale commercial operations. You can reduce waste by composting the chicken manure and using it as fertilizer for your garden, and you’ll have less packaging waste from egg cartons.
Sense of accomplishment: Raising chickens can be a fulfilling hobby and a great source of pride. You’ll have the satisfaction of producing your own food and knowing where it comes from.
Reduced cost: Although there is an initial cost associated with setting up a coop and buying chickens, raising your own chickens can actually be more cost-effective in the long run. You’ll save money on eggs, and you may also be able to sell surplus eggs to friends, family, or neighbors.
Overall, raising chickens for eggs offers many benefits that go beyond simply providing fresh eggs. Whether you’re looking to save money, produce your own food, or simply enjoy a new hobby, raising chickens can be a great choice.
Here are some important things to consider when starting out:
Choose the right breed: Different breeds of chickens have different temperaments, egg-laying abilities, and hardiness. Consider what you want from your chickens (such as meat, eggs, or companionship) and choose breeds that fit those needs.
Housing: Chickens need a safe and secure place to live, known as a coop. Your coop should be large enough for the number of chickens you have, and provide adequate ventilation, protection from predators, and a roosting area.
Feed and water: Chickens need a balanced diet of feed, water, and occasional treats. Make sure they have access to clean water at all times, and feed them a commercial chicken feed that provides all the necessary nutrients.
Health and safety: Keep your chickens healthy by monitoring their behavior, looking for signs of illness, and regularly cleaning their coop. Chickens are also at risk from predators, so make sure their housing is secure and protect them from outdoor hazards.
Laws and regulations: There may be local laws and regulations regarding the keeping of chickens, so be sure to check with your city or county government before setting up your coop.
Patience and commitment: Raising chickens requires time, patience, and a commitment to their care. Regular tasks include feeding, watering, collecting eggs, and cleaning the coop.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to successfully raising happy and healthy chickens.
Sleeping bags are an essential item for anyone who enjoys camping or spending time outdoors. They provide a warm and comfortable place to sleep, even in the most rugged and remote locations. A sleeping bag is essentially a large, insulated bag that zips up around a person, creating a warm and cozy cocoon to sleep in.
One of the most important considerations when choosing a sleeping bag is the temperature rating. Sleeping bags are typically rated for their ability to keep a person warm in various temperature ranges, ranging from summer bags that are rated for mild temperatures, to winter bags that can keep a person warm in sub-zero temperatures. It is important to choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for the weather conditions you will be facing, as being too cold or too hot can greatly impact the quality of your sleep.
Another important consideration when choosing a sleeping bag is the type of insulation used. There are two main types of insulation used in sleeping bags: down and synthetic. Down insulation is made from the soft, fluffy feathers found under the outer feathers of ducks and geese. It is lightweight and compressible, making it ideal for backpacking trips where space and weight are a concern. However, down insulation can be expensive, and it loses its insulating properties when wet. Synthetic insulation, on the other hand, is made from polyester fibers that are designed to mimic the insulating properties of down. It is less expensive than down insulation, and it retains its insulating properties even when wet. However, synthetic insulation is typically heavier and bulkier than down insulation.
The shape of a sleeping bag is another important consideration. Sleeping bags come in a variety of shapes, including rectangular, semi-rectangular, mummy, and double. Rectangular sleeping bags are the most spacious and comfortable, but they are also the least efficient at retaining heat. Semi-rectangular bags are slightly more tapered than rectangular bags, providing a better balance between comfort and warmth. Mummy bags are the most efficient at retaining heat, as they are designed to fit snugly around a person’s body, but they can be restrictive and uncomfortable for some people. Double bags are designed for two people to sleep in, providing ample space for couples or families.
Other factors to consider when choosing a sleeping bag include the size and weight, the type of fabric used for the shell and lining, and any additional features such as pockets, hoods, or draft collars. It is also important to consider the type of camping you will be doing, as different sleeping bags may be more appropriate for car camping versus backpacking.
In conclusion, sleeping bags are a crucial piece of camping gear that can greatly impact the quality of your sleep while outdoors. When choosing a sleeping bag, it is important to consider factors such as temperature rating, insulation type, shape, size and weight, fabric, and additional features. By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a sleeping bag that will keep you warm and comfortable no matter where your outdoor adventures take you.
Hope you enjoyed this article about sleeping bags. Feel free to comment and enjoy 10% OFF your first order at dragoyle.com
While using potatoes as a substitute for Easter eggs may be an interesting idea, there are a few reasons why it may not be the most practical solution.
Firstly, potatoes are not as durable as eggs, which are specifically designed to withstand being boiled and decorated. If you try to boil a potato for an extended period of time, it may become soft and fall apart.
Additionally, decorating a potato in the same way as an egg may not be as easy or as visually appealing. Eggs have a smooth surface that takes well to dyes and paints, whereas potatoes have a rougher surface that may not take color as well.
Finally, while potatoes may be cheaper than eggs in some regions or at certain times of the year, they are still a food item that needs to be cooked and consumed. If you use potatoes for Easter egg decorating, you may be sacrificing food that could have been used for sustenance.
In conclusion, while using potatoes as a substitute for Easter eggs may be an interesting experiment, it may not be the most practical or visually appealing solution. It may be more cost-effective to shop around for less expensive eggs or to consider alternative, non-food-based decorations.
The price of eggs in the store have increased so high now that my family is considering raising our own chickens for home fresh eggs. When researching farm fresh eggs vs store bought eggs I was surprised at how many differences there really is. This gave me an idea for a blog post!
Why You Should Raise Chickens For Eggs, Rather Than Buying Them From The Store
Store-bought eggs are usually laid by hens confined to cages or in large confined barns (that’s called cage-free) never seeing sunlight, which means no Vitamin D in store-bought eggs. However, raising chickens for eggs are richer in color, yolk density, freshness and shell thickness.
You will find that farm fresh eggs have less of the bad stuff in them, like cholesterol and saturated fat. Yet, they have more of the good stuff, like omega-3’s and Vitamins A, D, and E. It makes sense when you stop and think about it though.
So, are backyard eggs better than store eggs? I tested both and can conclude that while fresh eggs may not taste different from store eggs, they have a better texture, keep longer and are also more nutritious.
There are several reasons why you may choose to raise chickens for eggs rather than buying them at the store:
Freshness and Quality: Freshly laid eggs have a different taste, texture, and nutritional value than store-bought eggs. Home-raised eggs are usually richer, more flavorful and more nutritious.
Control over the chickens diet: When you raise your own chickens, you have control over what they eat, which directly affects the quality of their eggs. You can choose to feed your chickens organic or non-GMO feed, for example, and you’ll know exactly what they’re consuming.
Better for the environment: Raising chickens in your own backyard can be more environmentally friendly than buying eggs from large-scale commercial stores. You can reduce waste by composting the chicken manure and using it as fertilizer for your garden and you can go green by having less packaging waste from egg cartons.
Sense of accomplishment: Raising chickens can be a fulfilling hobby and a great source of pride. You’ll have the satisfaction of producing your own food and knowing where it comes from and know that you can thrive in a down economy.
Reduced cost: Although there is an initial cost associated with setting up a coop and buying chickens, raising your own chickens can actually be more cost-effective in the long run. You’ll save money on eggs and you may be able to sell surplus eggs to friends, family or neighbors.
Overall, raising chickens for eggs offers many benefits that go beyond simply providing fresh eggs. Whether you’re looking to save money, produce your own food or simply enjoy a new hobby, raising chickens and producing your own food, can be a great choice.
Watch for our next blog on how to get started with raising your own chickens. I’m excited to get these implemented in my own yard.
Stress has been linked to heart disease, cancer, diabetes and may other life threating health issues. Dragoyleis a huge believer in thriving in life. You can’t do that with a ton of stress. Stress puts you in survivor mode, lets learn to survive, so you can Thrive with 10 healthy ways to deal with stress.
Stress creeps up as you’re surviving life, growing your business while also trying to manage the day-to-day. Stress can be a powerful motivator, but what happens when it’s not delt with?
High levels of stress can impact sleep and lead to more serious mental health issues. Learning how to deal with stress is an important skill for every entrepreneur.
What causes stress?
Stress is a reaction in the body causing a “fight or flight,” response, which is the primary function of stress. When your brain senses danger, it produces a physical and emotional response to safeguard the body.
Sometimes our fight-or-flight response activates when we aren’t in real danger which is what causes physical signs like increased heart rate, dizziness and faster breathing.
Stressors can be split into two types:
External stressors. These are situations usually out of your control and forced by your environment and by different changes occurring in your life.
Internal stressors. These include thoughts or behaviors and habits usually that you can control, like your daily schedule or sleeping patterns.
How stress affects you mentally and physically
Small amounts of stress can be motivational and even empowering. This type of stress, referred to as acute stress, is generally not worrisome.
An external stressor may be a fast-approaching vehicle, about to hit your car. A stress response may be triggered, heightening your senses and providing a boost of energy needed to quickly maneuver out of the way.
The Yerkes-Dodson law states that managed levels of stress can actually lead to increased work performance, interest in your hobbies, family and friends, as well as, a longer attention span on normal life tasks.
Humans are not designed to live in a constant state of high stress.
Chronic stress, often referred to as “bad stress,” can happen as a result of sustained exposure to a toxic workplace environment, an abusive relationship or financial problems.
Chronic stress can painfully impact one’s life physically, spiritually and mentally. Studies have shown that continuous stress can wreak havoc on the body’s immune system, cause depression and damage organs. Those who don’t find healthy ways to deal with your stress may also see an impact on mental health—prolonged stress can lead to depression and anxiety.
9 healthy ways to deal with stress
Understanding how to use stress to your advantage is a skill that you can master over time. You can become an expert at having healthy relationships, good time management and to use good stress as an energy boost during an emergency. But this relies on keeping bad stress at bay. Here’s how to manage stress using daily habits and making adjustments to your mindset.
1. Prioritize what’s important
Stress often results from having too many demands that divide your attention. Prioritize these demands, then tackle them one at a time in the order that both meets your goals, is most important and brings a feeling of accomplishment.
When prioritizing tasks, ask yourself two questions:
What is the importance of this task? Does it help me meet my personal and professional goals? Is it in line with my personal values? Does it contribute to my overall health and wellbeing?
How urgent is it? Will putting of this task have negative consequences for myself or others at work or at home?
The answer to these questions will help you organize your demands into four categories. Write out the list below and put our demands into the correct section.
Using this framework can help you sort out your to-do list and focus on what matters most to you, while ignoring, delegating, or outright deleting the rest.
2. Learn to say no
For many, say no can be challenging. Overcommitting can lead to unhappiness and unfulfilled promises, as stress creeps in and your schedule gets crazier. Learn to say no carefully and thoughtfully to save space to focus on the promises made that are more meaningful to you and the people around you.
3. Get physical
The thought of adding exercise to your schedule shouldn’t cause even more stress. That’s why it’s important to pick a workout that you enjoy. Activities as simple as walking the dog or doing 15 minutes of desk yoga can have a positive impact.
Most people know that getting some exercise can have positive impacts on your mental and spiritual health which is linked to lowering stress levels and improving your overall health.
4. Take time to relax
Technology is great, but causes stress when you’re forced to juggle multiple projects, stay in touch with friends and family, and manage, not only your life, but your work from your phone. These days the world expects an instant reply, dependency on technology could be causing increased stress.
💡 Tips:
Turn off non-essential phone notifications
Try a meditation app to de-clutter your mind for short burst of time
Disconnect from devices and meet friends in person
5. Automate and delegate
Most people can find it hard to relinquish control, especially those who are independent. Learning to outsource can free up time to focus on what matters. Once you’ve organized your tasks and stressors the urgent–not important category is a great place to pass some of your duties down to others.
Automation involves using tools to complete simple tasks. This can be anything from an automatic watering system to a social scheduling calendar that post regularly for you.
Outsourcing can mean hiring a virtual assistant to manage personal tasks, or hire a house cleaner, dog poop cleanup company or yard service.
6. Breathe deeply
Science has explored the link between deep breathing and stress response. As deep breathing expands your lungs and “encourages full oxygen exchange,” it helps to slow the heartbeat and lower blood pressure.
Deep breathing can be added to your daily schedule for 20 minutes, two times a day. If you prefer a guided approach, try a meditation app or group yoga class that focuses on breath and mindfulness. My favorite app is Insite Timer, I’ve been using it for years with great success and it’s free.
7. Practice self-awareness and know your limits
Your body is constantly sending you warning signs or physical symptoms when your body is overwhelmed with toxic stress. Back pain, stomach issues, or headaches may show up as direct reactions to chronic stress. Pay attention to your body. Do not ignore these stressors as they can lead to more serious health issues.
8. Engage in meaningful pursuits
If When your job or home stress is piling up, take a minute to seek activities that stimulate your brain, encourages imagination, works muscles that aren’t normally used or something that always puts a smile on your face.
Creative activities can actually lower cortisol levels, a hormone that is noted as a marker of stress. If your regular schedule is in front of a digital screen, spend your free time disconnecting and try a hands-on activity that works out a new part of your brain.
9. Ask for help
Sometimes stress can reach a level that is beyond personal intervention. When it becomes impossible for you to use the techniques described here, reach out to a friend or family member, join a support group, or call a professional mental health expert. If you feel overwhelmed, isolation can make your stress levels even worst, don’t wait and reach out. Even if you don’t want to.
Manage stress for mental and physical health
By adding a few of these stress management techniques to your daily routine can help reduce your stress and improve the symptoms that chronic stress causes.
10. If these stress management techniques are too difficult or you just don’t have time for them, you might consider CtrlStress.
With Ctrlstress, you’ll have the tools you need to manage your stress no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Imagine feeling calm, focused, and in control no matter what life throws your way. You’ll be able to handle any situation with ease, knowing that you have the power to manage your stress and maintain your composure
The best part? Ctrlstress is easy to learn and quick to apply. With just a few minutes of practice each day, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the skill and taking control of your stress. And, unlike other stress management techniques, Ctrlstress doesn’t just treat the symptoms. With repeated use, it will actually lessen your body’s response to stressful situations, making you more resilient in the face of adversity.
The benefits of Ctrlstress don’t stop there. Imagine how your life will change when you’re no longer bogged down by stress and anxiety. You’ll have more energy, more focus, and more time to enjoy the things you love. You’ll be able to excel in your career, build stronger relationships, and achieve your goals with ease.
It is essential to have the proper doomsday prepping gear to keep you and your family safe for disaster and emergency situations.
Doomsday preppers have become increasingly popular in recent years and with good reason. Natural disasters, civil unrest and pandemics are all becoming more frequent, it’s become urgent to take the necessary steps to prepare for a worst-case scenario with a prepper gear list.
To help you get started, here are the top 10 doomsday preppers supplies you should have in your arsenal.
1. Water: Water is essential for survival, it’s important to have an ample supply for drinking, cooking and sanitation. Your water should be stored in large containers for long-term use, I use 50 Gallon containers. Water purification tablets and filters are also essential for making sure the water is safe to drink. If you run out of water, you’ll need a few different ways to create clean drinking water, such as water filter straws or gravity fed water filtration systems. Another way to have a fresh water supply is to build an air fountain system, which pulls water out of air and provide fresh drinking water daily.
2. Non-perishable food: Non-perishable food prep for emergency items are essential for survival. Be sure to stock up on grains, canned, freeze-dried and dried foods. They are the best options for long-term storage with a long shelf life. Having your own Freeze Dryer is a great way to go. You can create wonderful meals now, freeze dry your left overs to put into storage for later.
3. Shelter: Shelter is key to surviving any extreme emergency situation. With tents, tarps and canopies you have a great way to stay safe and dry. Depending on the are you live in, you’ll need a different type of shelter. If you are in a desert, you’ll want a canopy or tarp to keep the sun off you and sleeping bags for the colder nights. In colder areas you’ll need an all weather tent to protect you from even the coldest of nights with below zero sleeping bags. At the very least, bring some paracord to help you create a shelter out of nearby brush and trees.
4. Warm clothing: In a doomsday scenario, it’s important to have adequate clothing to keep you warm, so you can layer up in the cold and layer down in the heat. Wool and synthetic materials are best for cold weather and cotton is best for extreme heat. Be sure to have a secondary set of clothing in a water proof dry bag, just incase everything gets wet. Having dry clothes to put on after being soaked can often save your life.
5. First Aid Kit: Having a well-stocked disaster first aid kit is a must for any doomsday prepper. It should include bandages, antiseptic, antibiotics, and other medical supplies. Don’t forget to include any prescription medication that you are taking. Having a protective waterproof pill container for those meds is important to keep them safe and secure.
6. Emergency Kit: You’ll also want to have an emergency prep kit around, there are many types to choose from, so be sure to find a doomsday prep kit that includes what is needed in your area and choose depending on your family size.
8. A Way To Make Fire: You’ll need to have a way to make fire to heat water and cook your food. Be sure to bring a fire building kit with magnesium metal rods and paraffin swabs to help you make a fire in any type of weather or conditions. Another fire making tool is the solar fire making device. In the case of a flood or sever weather, you’ll also want to make sure you have waterproof matches in your prepper survival kit. If you have propane in you stash, grab a Mini Cooker Burner to cook on the go.
9. Communication Devices: What if your phone is dead or the satellites are down? You’ll need to have a way to call for help or at least communicate with the rest of your group. If you do have your phone and the satellite is up, you’ll need to be able to keep the power on with a solar power bank or a cell phone self cranking device. Another great way to keep in communication is with a radio transceiver, a CB radio or long range 2-way walkie talkie.
10. Self-Defense: Of course firearms and ammunition is the best way to defend yourself from looters, scavengers and rapists, but if you don’t have access to guns, there are other essential preppers gear you can use. Our Wolf Ax and Shovel can be super useful building your emergency shelter, but also provide protection from dangerous animals and human scavengers. Buy a crossbow and practice now, you’ll want to be a good shot in a fast acting emergency. Be sure to also have a variety of good sharp survival knives for protection.
There are many other doomsday preppers supplies that you need to have, such as gas masks, vegetable seeds, duct tape and a ton more. However, this list of 10 doomsday preppers supplies is a great start.
Speed Sledding down a snowy mountain is one of my favorite winter activities, but you must be careful. I’ve been sledding down mountain trails for years now and there are some safety precautions that really need to be used.
We had a group go up a few years ago, we hiked up 5 miles into a snowy steep mountain trail, it was wet and slippery, but we were stoked to get started on our downward speed sledding.
One of the sledder’s were flying down the mountain, but couldn’t turn a corner fast enough and went off the edge of a cliff falling about 30 feet into some trees below. She sliced up her arm, got knocked around with bruises and scratches, but gratefully she lived through the experience. It could have been much worse and even life threatening. She could have avoided that fall and the major injuries by following a few safety tips.
To safely speed sled down snowy mountain trails, you should follow these steps:
Make sure you have the right equipment, including a sled designed for high-speed downhill travel, a helmet, and other protective gear. A helmet is perfect, but I use a thick beanie. Thick layered gloves, such as a thinner pair of gloves that fit tight with a think warm pair on the outside. Warm wool socks, 2 pair. Thermals under pants with a thick over the pants layer to put on when you get to the top. (Don’t wear all these layers when you’re hiking, if you start sweating while hiking, be sure to stop and take off layers. You do NOT want to be sweating in cold weather.)
Choose a sledding trail that is appropriate for your skill level and experience. Avoid trails that are too steep or have obstacles or corners that could be dangerous at high speeds. Research the hiking trails around you, try a few smaller ones first until you can easily steer your sled.
Start slowly and cautiously, and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the trail and your sled.
Keep your body in a low, streamlined position, and use your legs and arms to control your speed and direction.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times, and avoid sledding near other people or in areas with steep drops, cliffs or other hazards.
If you lose control of your sled, try to steer it back on course, but if you can’t jump off the sled and walk away from a potentially fatal accident.
Always sled with a buddy or a group, and make sure someone knows where you are going and when you plan to return.
Be prepared for the cold weather, and dress appropriately in layers to stay warm. Bring a backpack with extra layers and emergency supplies with a first aid kit. Make sure your phone is fully charged.
It’s difficult to find the right speed sled, most retail stores don’t sell the correct type of sled for these types of trails and the few that I found weren’t strong and would be a hazard in a strong slope. You’ll probably need to find your snow sled online.
Sledding down a mountain is rewarding, exhilarating and beyond fun!
In this blog we’ll go over the Top 5 Effective Strategies to Lose Weight From Home. Don’t spend a ton of money on a gym, that you’ll probably go to once and then give up.
Losing weight can be a challenge, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to achieve your weight loss goals from the comfort of your own home. Here are five effective strategies to help you get started:
Create a calorie deficit. In order to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. To do this, track your daily caloric intake and make sure you’re consuming fewer calories than you’re burning through exercise and daily activities.
Incorporate strength training into your routine. Strength training helps build muscle, which can boost your metabolism and make it easier to lose weight. Plus, it can be done at home with minimal equipment, such as dumbbells or resistance bands.
Drink plenty of water. Water is essential for weight loss, as it helps your body metabolize fat and can also help you feel fuller, so you’re less likely to overeat. Aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is crucial for weight loss, as it helps regulate hunger hormones and can also help reduce cravings. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night.
Stay motivated. Losing weight can be a difficult journey, so it’s important to find ways to stay motivated. This could include setting small, achievable goals, enlisting the support of friends and family, and rewarding yourself for progress made.
By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you can lose weight and improve your overall health from the comfort of your own home. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any weight loss program.
If you have any questions about this blog, feel free to write them in the comment section.
In part 1 of How To Survive Everything Apocalyptic we talked about how knowing economics can provide strategies in creating a new community. Provide ways to not just survive this apocalyptic situation, but provide value and resources in a way that can help you to thrive.
If you’re new after the apocalyptic world is limited in resources, you’ll need to establish limits that demands production, specialization and trade. You’ll need to determine who is going to be best and heading up each of these roles. The role of barter, money and markets as these are going to be the biggest way of organizing your economic growth.
Limited resources economics is also thought of as the study of scarcity. In turn, scarcity is the fundamental problem of what the human wants compared to the actual amount of limited resources available.
In a world of limited resources economics can be considered the study of scarcity. When resources are scarce, people in your community will have to make, potentially life saving, choices on how those resources will be used. Weighing the estimated benefits against the costs.
One way to calculate the estimated cost of a resources is to determine the value of the next best resource and its use. When you specialize in producing something that others may not have, trade becomes very valuable to create a thriving community.
There are three different forms of economic trades:
Zero-Sum Trade – win-loss. One side wins and the other loses in the trade deal.
Negative-Sum Trade – lose-lose. The losses of the trade outweigh the gains on both sides of the trade.
Positive-Sum Trade – win-win. The gains of both sides of the trade outweigh the losses
One of the biggest issues of trade is the clear line of property rights. In an apocalyptical environment you may be forced to consistently defend your property. Unfortunately, scarce resources are often used as a reason to wage war, instead of just producing new goods and services. War usually ends up where both sides lose more resources than anything gained, causing a loss – loss trade scenario.
As 17th-century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes put it, The condition of man is a condition of war of everyone against everyone, in which case everyone is governed by his own reason, and there is nothing he can make use of that may not be a help unto him in preserving his life against his enemies. (Hobbes, 1651, p. 80)
Building trust in those that you trade with is paramount to having a successful long-term partnership. Therefor, being a trustworthy person with integrity is a must for both partners. Your choice in a trading partner can mean the difference between life and death. It’s imperative to find a trading partner that not only needs what you can produce, but also can produce things that you need.
Three questions you need to ask is:
What is being produced and by who
How are things being produced
Who gets those things that are being produced
Once those answers are established you need to discover a way to spread that information and coordination to others, so valuable trades can take place.
As those connections are made, the next step is to discover the value of each product or service that you want to trade or need to get in trade. A discussion on value may cause arguments, but is necessary. If there is a shortage of a certain supply, the rate of trade for that item will likely go up by those producing those items. Shortages and surpluses often occur, it’s important to keep up with what is happening in the economy, so your future trades are realistic and fair.
Innovation is vital for economic growth to occur and is most likely to occur in a market-based economy. Market-based economies work well because they rely on the three Ps of private property, prices, and profit/loss motive which lead to the three Is of incentives, information, and innovation (Boettke, 2012).
When people own private property they have the incentive to use their resources wisely and sometimes cause those property owners to increase their goods and services. However, that is an informational signal that might cause others to trade less with that owner, causing a loss of the trade resources that the owner could have received.
Your potential output is what can be produced if you fully and efficiently utilize your natural resources, labor resources and capital resources. When resources are destroyed, potential output will decrease and your trade value goes down. When this happens you lack the economic freedom that provides a structure for people to thrive. Economists conclude that not paying attention to the resources available and the potential rate of trade can lead to economic growth and lower levels of poverty among your community. This will result in more win-win trades and encourage more growth and prosperity. Understanding these economic concepts are crucially important to having a community that is flourishing.
A society that forgets its history is doomed to repeat the mistakes of history.
I hope you enjoyed the second part of How to Survive Everything Apocalyptic. If you are in need of survival or prepping gear, feel free to check out our Prepping & Survival collection.
Economy collapsing? Zombies attacking you? All your friends and family killed by the epidemic? No worries, I got your back with this guide on How To Survive Everything Apocalyptic.
Most people make decisions due to the influence and actions of others, but if you make your choices with these basic principles of cultural values and beliefs you’ll be able to survive everything.
Why are property rights fundamental to economics? How can you determine the missed profit on missed opportunities? How can you start thriving in life through the use of trades?
Many spend most of their time in survival mode which dooms them with little hope to move from surviving to thriving for a better life. Learn more about economics, resources, productivity, gains from trade and economic growth. Don’t forget about motivated leaders and not allowing the breakdown of social order.
Would you rather be safe and secure, but lose some of your freedoms OR have free-will and have no security left to protect you?
To have a successful community survivors would need to choose to cooperate with each other, be fair about resources and choose rules to handle conflicts easily, but fairly.
Without the right to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness, our modern world will start swirling down the drain.
In a world of post-apocalyptical disaster, you’ll need to analyze the dynamics of relationships to discover those with sound reasoning that can be approached to improve standards of living. Creating a functioning community with understanding of others situations, then coming together to not only survive, but thrive in the new world you’re creating.
Now back to reality, most countries have created a fairly stable economy with options for growth and prosperity. There are usually reasonable systems of laws in place based on the rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
If the different communities show basic respect for those rules and laws that are in place they can move about freely, pursuing their dreams of achieving their personal goals with minimum concern about having to protect themselves, their home and their families.
What would you do if you were launched into a world with no laws or rules in place? No reliable streams of outside information, protection and no government to tap into when you need their resources for survival. Trash building up along the streets, random acts of violence, plundering with no sense of safety.
Using economic reasoning as a tool to improve your life and help others as well is essential to keep a safe and productive environment to live. Most people will have the desire to work with you, so they can meet their own personal goals. Even the day-to-day survival is easier when working with others, such as; gathering food, working, staying fit, being connected with nature and getting a good nights sleep.
However, be aware that every choice to work with someone will come with a cost of some sort. Sometimes that cost is monetary, but most of the time it won’t be. In a survival situation, you will be living in a world of scarcity with limited access to the available resources to utilize in different ways in meeting basic needs, wants and providing comforts and security. You’ll need to make important choices on how these resources are used to produce the highest perceived benefits for the lowest realized cost.
Another choice you’ll need to make to survive an apocalypse is knowing when you need to flee when danger arrives and when you stay to fight. Weighing the costs against the benefits of the two choices you are faced with in a split second.
Each individual will need to examine their own specialized set of skills, knowledge and past experiences, so they can determine if they can deliver the highest possible benefit of their decisions with the lowest cost. Basically, by using economic reasoning, the individual is impacted by the actions and decisions made by the others in the community.
What economists have found interesting is that individuals often discover that cooperating with others and looking out for their interests are simultaneously in their own and others’ best interest, especially over long periods of time.
It’s important to create an environment which provides a relatively safe place to stay with food, weapons, ammunition and medicine. After these are established you can redirect your energy towards planting gardens, developing friendships, discussing how to build a better future, how to find solutions in eliminating dangers and delegate leader roles and responsibilities.
Each person needs to do their part to be sure their cost in the community doesn’t outweigh the advantages of them being there or a serious threat of being forced out of the community will be enforced.
Of course conflicts will arise and will need to be dealt with as some will choose conflict over cooperation at the expense of others valuable resources. In a thriving community, these resources are sacred and could have been used in a more strategic way for the betterment of the individuals involved and in the foundation of the thriving community as a whole.
When acting in one’s self-interest, you must consider how your actions impact the lives of others and how their response to your actions will impact yours. If everyone keeps this in mind, most decisions with self-interest in mind, can be mutually beneficial to all individuals involved.
Economists often talk about the principle of comparative advantage. This explains how mutually beneficial exchanges can open doors for people with different skills, experiences and knowledge to work together improving their standard of living.
A person is said to be more valuable to the community if they can do something at a lower opportunity cost than others. If an individual focuses on achieving activities more economically, the group as a whole will be able to produce more than what is otherwise possible creating an opportunity for bartering for resources that you don’t’ have access to.
You don’t have to like the others that you do these exchanges with, you just need to make sure the trade provides equal value to improve the lives in your community. Equally, its important to discover the qualities of each person and appoint them to those roles, so you don’t waste their talents and the opportunity of them discovering
If you don’t feel like you have something valuable to contribute to your community, don’t worry, there are a lot of ways you can grow and improve your advantages and decrease your cost to the community. You can perform services, completes tasks and produces things that others find menial, but important for survival. Some of these would b keeping a watchful eye on the children, preparing meals and tend to the sick and injured. When individuals in a group prove value in those types of tasks the increase their comparative advantage to the group and everyone is better off at the lower possible cost you now have to the community.
What if the post-apocalyptic community has no money, no monetary value. Markets and online shopping simply doesn’t exist. You would turn to humans, who are making all of the decisions in a world of scarcity. Economics can still help shed light on how people can cooperate and improve the world that they have now survived and are thriving in.
Knowing the basics of economics can help us to reflect on the costs associated with what is lost by choosing to accept one opportunity and no accepting the next best opportunity. Sometimes choices can be costly. Both choices may provide benefits, but at what cost to you and at what cost to your community.
Choosing to respect the community with your choices can reduce your cost to the community and lead to the creation of a thriving society. Help yourself by helping others with time, gratitude and resources. The economy of the group will continue to prosper as long as positive trades continue.
I hope you enjoyed the part 1 of how to survive everything apocalyptic. Stay tuned, part 2 is coming soon. If you’re looking for survival gear be sure to visit our Prepping and Survival collection.
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