Love and kindness are the very basis of society. If we lose these feelings, society will face tremendous difficulties; the survival of humanity will be endangered. - Dalai Lama
I get a kick out of being an outsider constantly. It allows me to be creative. - Bill Hicks
The status quo sucks. - George Carlin
“If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise.” – William Blake
Going into a bank to take free food and drink without being a Member. I scored moist cookies, enough coffee, tea, and sugar packets for the road. Would you get freebies like this to survive and thrive in an urban environment? The grub was sitting on a platter near the window on Commercial St. Of course that’s my calories. You can get free suckers at financial institutions too. Plus, visit a Tire Center, or Hardware Store for free popcorn to go. Coming soon on HD video – see all of the free product samples I took from Health Food Stores.
My #EDC or #EveryDayCarry – Mini Bic Lighter, small Swiss Army knife, P-38 Can Opener and an LED Flashlight. What’s in your pocket? You could throw together a simple survival kit like this one for around $10. So take the time, and get prepared for the future now.
Send Survival Bros a picture of your #EDC tools, and we’ll share it on the blog site here! thesurvivalbros@gmail.com
I’ve been on the hunt at local thrift shops for a bargain. After scouring the Eugene/Springfield, Oregon area I hauled in fresh gear, and saved a wad of money buying items second hand. However, most of the swag mentioned in this HD video production is new. I’ve been popping tags. I hope to use these pieces backpacking, vandwelling, and as essential Every Day Carry items.
I found a new pair of Nike Special Field Boots or SFB at St. Vinnie’s. They retail online for $140 or more, if you can locate your size. I had hoped they were size 12’s when I spotted them on display. It was my lucky day, because they were a match for me. The desert tan kicks had been marked $29.99, but were half off that day. I got the shoes for $14.99! I’ve been wanting this exact pair of 8 inch high military style boots. Here’s the male equivalent of girls wearing Uggs in public. I get lots of compliments on them. No I haven’t served, but I train with soldiers.
I lost one of my all black Mechanix M-PACT Covert gloves bouncing around town celebrating New Years. So, now I’m breaking in another pair of work gloves that I had for backup. I like wearing them while biking, or even driving my Volkswagen Vanagon. This brightly colored safety wear is men’s size Large. Newer versions fit even better. I also like that they dry out quickly in the sun.
Here’s my other videos on thrift store shopping. I’ve found some treasures, and I look forward to going back into the city to discover what else I can’t live without. Thanks for supporting the blog. Visit again shortly. I have lots of wacky videos in the works. Have a great Spring Break, and Summer!
The BAN 420 car license plate is still available – $50,000 Or Best Offer
Email me about anything at thesurvivalbros@gmail.com
Survival Bros gets 26 different free samples in his local Costco shopping center on HD video. This total number doesn’t reflect when Cam swooped up multiple trial bites of the same item. You’re allowed to take more than one, as long as it’s on the tray. All of this complementary grub made a full meal, but he is still hungry. Cam didn’t even purchase any stuff, and doesn’t have a Costco membership card. Get access with a Costco Gift Card, then sample up, or buy an inexpensive meal at the food court deli.
Try going at the end of the day for extra samples. They are trying to get rid of the products before closing time. What’s your favorite line from this production? Leave a comment. You can also subscribe at the top left to get free articles delivered to your email inbox. Survival Bros doesn’t Spam, but we do store it just in case. Mmmmm. More crazy adventures coming on this blog. Cheers.
Learn which individual servings or samples of condiments, and sauce you can find for free. Do some urban scavenging like me. Stockpile packets of ketchup, salsa, candy, and more items for storage. My favorite package seen in the video is the lemon juice. I forgot to mention it. You can find just about any free food packet out there. I have a secret sauce floating around my van somewhere from Burger King. I think I eat out more for condiments than the fast food itself.
Having these sauces, and sugars, etc. on hand saves money. Take food packets like the ones shown on your next camping trip for extra spice, or flavor in your meal. Get free condiments as seen on Survival Bros at restaurants, and convenience stores. If something isn’t priced, it must be available to take.
Do you stockpile packets like I do? I feel like such a rebel when my pockets are full, and I’ve made a clean getaway with the loot.
See what car living is like for a gypsy travelling on the road in HD video. I think he has a great gear setup for van dwelling. I’m jealous of his sink, with a clever gravity fed water system, harnessing an inexpensive solar shower. Plus, his lighting setup works, and didn’t cost much, thanks to a trip to Dollar Tree. You can’t tell Hugh is in there either, since it’s a cargo van without side rear windows. The dark exterior paint color blend into the darkness, making him more stealth. I like what he has done to insulate the metal sides with cardboard and aluminum tape. Hugh knows the cardboard is organic material, and will eventually decompose, but it’s easy to replace with fresh insulation later. Even the interior wall panels are stuffed with recycled shopping bags for added warmth. We list all of the car camping items for you to spark your imagination, but is there anything you’d add to the recreational vehicle? More van dwelling videos on the way. Stay tuned to Survival Bros.
I stopped by Yogi Tea Headquarters in Springfield, Oregon today. After buzzing the doorbell I was welcomed inside, out of the rain. They don’t give tours of the building, but offered me a handful of sample tea packets to try. I took my time investigating each type, but ended up taking every kind I think. Pictured are new varieties I’ve never seen on store shelves before. You can find Yogi teas by the box at nearly every health food shop. They are delicious. I’m grateful for the hookup. It paid off to stop, and inquire. These will go into my EDC bag immediately for later consumption. But I got two of their Roasted Dandelion Spice Detox formula, so I will have to drink that tonight.
Update: I went back for this picture of the free sample bowl at headquarters. I scored 11 more packets from Yogi. Visit them in Springfield, OR for a hook up.
Help yourself to unlimited free tea just for stopping by
Are you a natural scavenger like me? I often dream about prepping for disasters by roaming the streets, searching for anything I can use; pens, paperclips, tape, food, water, First Aid supplies. It’s crazy how much people in America through away. Lots of items in the trash are still good, another man’s treasure.
I made a pit stop at Goodwin Park at 1172 Necanicum, on the corner of 12th in Seaside, Oregon. When I got out of my Volkswagen Vanagon, I noticed I had rolled over eight AAA, and AA batteries. So I did the natural thing, and busted out my HD camera for a vlog rant. Turns out these energy sources were still full of life. They must have fallen out of someone’s vehicle or bag. I swooped them up, and put them in my EDC backpack for storage. I have many flashlights, and headlamps that could use these batteries later.
What have you scavenged around town or in the woods? It’s always fun to find stuff you can use, especially money. But don’t get too attached to anything, because you could lose it also. Like the time when I recently found $20 on the ground, put it in my pocket, only to realized it fell out of my jacket before I could blow it!
Survival Bros sleeps in a 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL, down by the Columbia River for free. You can stay at in the Safeway parking lot in Astoria, Oregon at no cost, and you won’t be hassled for being there, according an employee running the gas station. I was polite, and purchased distilled water in the store anyways. Find out if the sea lions drove me crazy from all the noise. I kept imagining the loud animals being destroyed by killer whales, great white sharks, and nuclear war heads. However, if your cruising the Oregon Coast, keep this location in mind so you don’t have to pay to live, or for a view. I love the car camping lifestyle. If you can stay mobile, and explore The World, why do anything else? More van dwelling videos in High Definition coming soon. Thanks for liking, and commenting ahead of time. Cheers!
My RV parked next to other travelers stationed at Safeway in Astoria, OR
I’m all about my freebies. Maybe you remember all of the product samples I’ve scored, and blogged about in the past. You can get free stuff easily by requesting trials online, and they will be delivered to you by mail. When I’m not filling out forms like that, I’m in shops trying to get hook ups. In Starbucks this week they were sampling out pasteries. They weren’t on display yet. The stash was sitting off into the corner on the counter, with a Manager’s note saying “Sample these.” I politely asked an employee if I could have one of the items. There was all sorts of muffins, bars, and scones to pick from. On day one I took the pink cake filled lolly pops with sprinkles. I didn’t eat them in public.
I went back to the coffee shop for more samples the next day, just in case they were still available. Really, I just needed the WiFi to upload my previous video. I scored the squishy coffee cake that day, but didn’t stop there. I requested 3 honey packets too, since they don’t put those out at all Starbucks locations. I swiped a few raw sugar packets as well. Plus, I saw another sign saying I can request a free sample beverage using their coffee pods if I asked. When I mentioned it, the worker said they haven’t used that set up to brew complimentary cups of fresh java lately, even though the machine, and sample pods where still on the front counter. I didn’t have time for them to pretend to look for an extension cord, so I took samples for later consumption.
I like to visit the health food store weekly, and my last trip was really worth it. They always have free tablets of Vitamin C to help yourself to, but there was more. I found packets of food-grade Diatomaceous Earth, Natural Calm magnesium mixes in three flavors, Barlean’s Greens, one DHA pill, and a bag of tea. These individually wrapped servings are perfect for my backpacking trips, and the small emergency caches I like to build to prepare for tsunamis. If I can swoop up all of these freebies, than so can you. Ask for a nibble when you’re in the food court, or browsing the deli counter at the grocery store. It’s fun to see what you can get for asking. Happy hunting Survival Bros.
These cake pops were amazing!
Free coffee cake went well with peanut butter and strawberry jelly
Survival Bros by Cameron McKirdy 