Your Feedback

   This is where you can leave your thoughts, criticism, resources, etc.  We won’t post your full name or email address.  We welcome your input and suggestions.  Send to (put feedback in subject line): bedavid@yahoo.com

Question/Comment

Q.  If a breakdown of civil order happens, what do I do?  I can’t possibly fight off everyone.   –Pete S, New Mexico

That we are headed for desperate times ahead is becoming clearer and clearer. In desperate times, desperate people do desperate things. This means — as we point out in our weekly bulletin — that you need to strive to be as self-sufficient as possible. It also means, that you need to think in terms of defending yourself from desperate people who want what you have and are willing to use any means to grab it.

When we lived in AZ and were making ourselves more self sufficient, our concerns weren’t so much about black helicopters and the New World Disorder, (government incompetence & need for control worries me more), instead, our efforts were geared to staving off attacks from packs of angry mobs and/or gang members looking for an easy score since police are unlikely to be around in the event of an utter collapse and chaos (look at New Orleans during Katrina).

Your goal should be to make yourself as unattractive, as worthless of a target as possible to someone looking to plunder…keeping a low profile works very well in emergencies.

Reader question…I read a blurb that suggested one can make money recycling precious metals from computers & other electronics.  Is this true & is it a viable means of making some cash?  --Jeremy from Wichita

Poor Man Answer:  Being the infinite oracle that I am I can tell you that this process requires a lot of work, for very little money…not worth your time.  The exception would be if you’re already in the recycling business…that’s why so much of this used stuff is shipped to China (and then resold to Americans).

The Poor Man

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Q. I'm a new subscriber & enjoy your resources, tips and political insights...I would call your site and Bulletin a "Consumer Bible" for average people.  -- QC of Kansas

A:  Thanks - this is a labor of love.  I work hard to find useful information that I can share and I welcome input for all!

Q.  I enjoy the many resources you offer along with your political insights (from our Bulletin)...I believe I've heard of you before.  Clue me in.

A.  In another life I owned a company which published business newspapers throughout Ohio and an international newsletter called $tarting $mart which had 26,000 subscribers from around the world.  This was based on a small business manual I had written (and the basis for a self-syndicated newspaper column and workshop series)...the manual was titled Mercenary Marketing: How to promote your business for less than a $1000.  It's no longer in print.  After a nasty divorce, I sold the company (never got paid for it) and started a new career.

Q.  I hear a lot of media reporting the recession is over...what's the real deal?

A.  No, the recession isn't over and it won't be over until Americans have real jobs again.  The middle class has lost out to Wall Street pirates who have been aided by the politicians they purchase...to end the massacre on America, we must place term limits and end campaign contributions.  It will be a minimum of 3-5 years before jobs return...if at all!

Q.  Just read your Freedom Report-terrific work (and the price is right, of course).  The big challenge is obvious; too many Americans seem ignorant of the situation or are too lazy to do anything about it.  Any ideas?

--the Weeder Man

A.  I do my best to research and share pertinent information, however, you're accurate in saying too many Americans don't care.  As my old grandpa once said "there aren't enough real Americans left to raise the American flag."  Best thing to do is continue sharing my information and encourage others to do the same.  Starting next year, we're going to begin hosting seminars in Michigan titled "How to Live Better on Less," which given the 15% unemployment picture there, the time is right.  (according to a recent NBC report, many experts predict the job picture won't improve until 2014...so let's continue bailing out banks instead of the every day citizen; that'll fix our problems.  What we really need to do is to get rid of the Federal Reserve - just for starters)!

 Comment:

I am a 61-year-old grandmother who lived through VietNam, marching in protest at the Capitol, and the other unrest of the 60s.  I've worked since I was 16, kept my nose to the grindstone and tried to let the goverment run my country.

Now, we're overrun by the government and I'm fed up and ready to march in revolt.

Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Independent - the time is now to speak up against the incredible growth of government and its intrusion into our lives.  Do it!

--Penny of AJ

Response -  The PM won't argue with you.  I always wondered what happened to the hippies of the 60s who protested against the military-industrialist forces that have ruined our country.  The only true answer, I believe, is to have strict term limits for all politicians in Washington.  They've created their own little fiefdoms while ignoring the light of its population or as I tell my kids..."we don't need another election, we need another revolution."

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My friends and I started a free online project called shareyourdiscount.com. Our aim is to create an online community where buyers, individual sellers, and store owners connect for all of their shopping needs. (Brad is a new subscriber)

Read your comments on your home page.  Right on target ... but, no body is listening.

--Jim Straw, Business Lyceum newsletter

WOW! Incredible amount of information.

--parfumenpharmacy

Q: 

   Checked your site from top to bottom, I was impressed.

This is one of those little tricks to surviving in the urban environment you could add to your cd
(which I intend to order when I can afford it) I find washers and dryers (primarily) and fix or barter or outright sell them to others that fix them and take them to Mexico to sell.

--Rich, Phx

PM:  Thanks for the tip...we'll send you a free CD because I love the entrepreneurial spirit...it's the only thing that will save this country in my humble opininion.

Q:  I can't afford to live in this country any longer.  Everything is too expensive compared to wages (housing, medical care, etc)  Can you suggest some ideas?  

--Merle

A: Despite what government policies have done to ruin our country, it's a good place and there is at least freedom of opportunity here unlike most other countries. The economic conditions in most places are rough.  I've always heard Costa Rica is wonderful country with full blown medical coverage at under $100 per month and there is 50,000 US (mostly former military) expats living there.  A couple of sites you might find useful are:

www.expats.com

www.expatexchange.com

Q:  You have a real treasure trove of good stuff.  Where do you find it all?

--Nevis, CO

PM:  I strive to find usable information.  I get tips, news releases, and I scour the net and print publications for items I think will prove beneficial to our readers.  Make sure you sign up for our Bulletin to get these inside tips sooner!

I like your stuff.  Probably the best consumer site on the net.  Lots of good links too.

My big question however…your blogs puzzle me.  Can’t decide if you’re left wing, right wing or something else?

--Weeder

PM:

Thanks for the compliment.  The goal is to make this site a clearinghouse of usable consumer resources designed to help folks regain their financial life.  As far as the blogs…they allow me to vent my frustration primarily over government stupidity.  I’ve been doing this for years in a self syndicated newspaper column called Politically Incorrect.  (Unfortunately, fewer people read papers today).

Government policies and ‘solutions’ usually wind up hurting more than they help.  Washington’s collusion with Wall Street carpetbaggers has decimated the middle class and our financial system.

My blog appears on several different sites including the Arizona Republic newspaper and sometimes brings in some unusual responses.

Question?

What is the goal of your site and blogs or are you just a muckraker?

--Robert of St. Johns

PM:

See above for the purpose of this site.  Originally, we had planned to move back to the Great Lakes area and launch a small teaching farm whereby people could attend how-to seminars on building their own green energy devices, raise small livestock, gardens, etc. in order to learn first hand how to become more self-sufficient.  John Shuttleworth, the founder of Mother Earth News, was a big influence in my life (we had the opportunity to become acquaintances once he sold the magazine).  An uninsured hospital stay which cost over $200,000, put a hold on that plan (one of the reasons we’re called the Poor Man site)!  For now, this site offers a viable alternative.

Eventually, we’ll figure out a means of moving back.  We plan to hook up with a college and the County Extension Service to obtain a farm and offer these how-to seminars.

 CLICK Here to enter our message forum

Very interesting, provocative site!

--Jared, ABC Channel 3 News

Got your PoorMan CD – tons of useful information – you should run for president.

--Mike, Capac, MI

You’re not Un-American, you’re anti government policy (which have ruined our country)

--Weeder, Almont, MI

Four thumbs up-you’ve got a great site!

--Garry, AZ

Thanks for listing the info on the power inverter-big help to us.

JoAnne, MN

Love your site!

Ned of PA

Hey there PoorMan…love your stuff, check my site & pass it on!

Living cheap doesn't mean being miserable, or giving up what you want. In fact, in my own case, it meant getting to do the things I really wanted to do. The less you spend on each thing or activity, the more of them you can have, right? So the key is to spend less and still get what you need and want. See Steve’s website & sign up for his newsletter – you’ll be glad you did.

http://www.unusualwaystomakemoney.com/index.html

Thanks for adding the job resources...good stuff.  Did you know nearly 15.6% of the US is out of work now.

Walt, MD