Posts Tagged ‘news’

A Great Goodwill Find Plus Thift Store Shopping Tips

Posted: May 8, 2014 in Adventures, Frugality, Fun!, Gear, Giving Back, HD Videos
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By Cameron McKirdy

1.  Check which color tag is 50% off that week when you walk in the door.

2.  See if the item works.  Plug it in.  Check for missing parts, or if it’s damaged.

3.  If you find something unique – RESEARCH IT on the spot with your smartphone.

  • Search Amazon and eBay
  • Scan the barcode with your phone’s camera

4.  Pull the trigger.  If you haven’t seen it before, BUY IT.  Your item may be a good investment because it’s rare.

Finally, keep the treasure for yourself, give it away to someone deserving, or sell it for a profit online or in person.

Here’s another sweet Goodwill find I scored this week, and show you on video.  It’s a rare Valterra skateboard from 1986!  It shreds.  

I found this road bike at Goodwill too, and now it’s a Bug Out Bike ready in case of emergencies.  I got new tires for it, and purchased a BOB Yak trailer to haul gear down the road with ease.  

Don’t forget to donate stuff you don’t need to charity.  I’ve seen Goodwill do good things in the community, and employee people that need assistance.  You’ll get a tax credit too just for being so kind.  Thanks for reading, and doing your part.  Peace from Survival Bros.

goodwill-logoGood luck treasure hunting at Goodwill and beyond!  Expect epic finds.

Silver Price Update April 2014

Posted: April 19, 2014 in HD Videos, Precious Metals
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By Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros talks about the value of silver bullion, and shows off some precious metal porn in high-definition video.  Take a look at the Kitco charts, and see if you think now is a good time to invest.  I am not a financial advisor, so do what’s right for you.  In this video production I simply point out the facts, and display some special silver coins for fun.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel if you haven’t already to watch all of the productions.  We appreciate your support.  You can also subscribe to the blog itself by entering your email at the top left side of the webpage.  We’ll have another silver price update for you soon, so stay tuned to your emergency preparedness blog – Survival Bros.  Please comment if you have something to add to the discussion.  Best wishes to all.

5year

Links mentioned:

Kitco Silver

Coinflation.com

silver american eagle coin

The American Silver Eagle Coin

Univega Alpina Pro Mountain Bike Restored to Glory

Posted: March 8, 2014 in Bikes, Gear, HD Videos
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Produced By Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros has a bug out bike tuned up and ready for camping this summer. I will produce another HD video on this vintage bicycle when all the bags are on, and the project is complete. Here’s a previous post on finding the Univega at a garage sale last summer.

Mens Univega Bicycle Repairs

Before the repairs

Univega Alpina Pro Bike

After being tuned up, restored to like new condition, and cleaned properly

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Driving in Snow and Freezing Rain 2014 HD

Posted: February 18, 2014 in Automobiles, Cold Weather, Comedy and Art
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Shot by Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros drives in dangerous road conditions through Champaign, Illinois.  It was 29 degrees.  First came an inch of snow, then freezing rain, followed by a hail storm.  The worthless rental car, a Kia Soul, was covered in an inch of ice, and struggled to stay on the slippery road!  There were accidents all over the place, but it looks like the worst winter weather is behind us now.  Stay tuned for additional HD videos.  Please enter your email on the top left side of the blog to follow all of our posts.  More intense stuff soon.  Thanks for visiting!  Get prepared.

Black and white

Winter Storm Nika Weather News Update from Illinois

Posted: February 5, 2014 in Adventures, Automobiles, Cold Weather, Emergencies, Everyday Carry (EDC), Gear, HD Videos
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February 5, 2014

Survival Bros is in Champaign, Illinois with the news.  Cameron McKirdy films an HD video in the middle of a huge winter snow storm they are calling Nika.  Roads are covered in dangerous ice, with packed snow on top making for bad driving conditions.   Don’t try to commute unless you have a 4×4 truck, or something with excellent traction, and considerable weight.  This weather is brutal on your skin, so use as much protection as possible, such as ChapStick and hand lotion.  Cam is wearing a Hoo-Rag bandana on his face to stay warm, and has epic GOR-TEX gloves from Trekmates out of the UK.  Check those brands out, and get prepared.  Unfortunately,  the worst Winter weather is yet to come.  Tomorrow Survival Bros will be enduring temperatures near zero degrees.  Cam will have another cold weather update for you soon.  Thanks for watching.  Please subscribe to us on Youtube, and follow this emergency preparedness blog via email.  Be safe.  Peace.

winter storm Nika

How’d you like to drive on this?  Road conditions keep getting worse.  To be continued…

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A delivery bike quipped for an arctic blast in Champaign, IL.

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The roads are clear here now, but it got down to -25 last night.

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Mother Nature had no mercy this morning. I wore shorts to suffer for fun. I got lots of looks and almost caused a few accidents. Ladies like my calves. It would be a shame not to show them. Seriously though, it was so cold my teeth hurt from breathing. Back in Oregon my friends and family are dealing with tons of unexpected snow. Hopefully they are safe, and have food and supplies stockpiled for events like this. More soon!

Seaside Oregon Estuary – The End of The World Destruction

Posted: February 2, 2014 in Adventures, Beach, HD Videos, Public Service Announcement
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Produced by Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros checks out the eroding beach, and efforts to save the sewer plant in Seaside, OR.  The city has put up a small rock wall, but that hasn’t seemed to help much.  Look at all the trees that have been swept away into the water.  A running trail has also been destroyed due to Mother Nature.  Thanks for visiting.  Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to get all the updates.

Read The Daily Astorian newspaper article on this urgent issue here.

Survival Bros Logo Cool Grey

Elk Jerky Recipe with Pictures

Posted: January 24, 2014 in Adventures, Cooking, Grub, Photos
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By Cameron McKirdy

Former Marine Tactical Gypsy has an exclusive Survival Bros blog and new elk jerky recipe for you.  He hunts in Oregon with seven other buddies, and no matter how much they kill, they split the meat evenly so nobody is left out.  This season his hunting party terminated five bulls, producing around 225 pounds of meat each.  He has used the animal for sausage, country fried steaks, and thick jerky strips.  His favorite cut is the back strap, which runs on each side of the spine.  It’s the most tender part, and is amazing in a stew of vegetables and spices.  Simmer that on a low boil for awhile, and you have a man meal sure to satisfy.  Tactical Gypsy also told me he likes to pan sear the meat first, to lock in the juice.

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To produce scrumptious elk jerky he cut slabs 1/4th of an inch thick, because they shrink.  His recipe calls for six or seven pounds of flesh, so he ends up with big nuggets to feast on.  Each hunk is approximately 4″ x 1″ wide.  The marinade calls for 4 1/2 cups of soy sauce, with plenty of Worcestershire depending on personal preference.  Mix in 1 pound of brown sugar, then a 8 oz. bottle of hickory liquid smoke flavoring.  Soak the elk in a bowl, or deep pan, and refrigerate for 12 hours..  After that, use a colander to run off the marinade.  Next, lay out the strips on the dehydrator trays evenly, with bigger pieces going on the bottom.  Sprinkle on coarse black pepper, turn the machine on high, and let her rip.  Check back every few hours, and rotate the racks as needed.  In 12 additional hours you’ll have a stash of jerky to devour, and give out to your friends.  Tactical Gypsy, if you are reading this, please save me a nug or two.  Survival Bros will have more blogs soon.  Check back often.  Likes, shares, and comments are appreciated.

survival bros logo

LG G2 Ballistic Shell Gel Case Drop Test

Posted: January 14, 2014 in Everyday Carry (EDC), Gear, HD Videos, Product Reviews
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By Cameron McKirdy

In this HD video I drop my new LG G2 and Ballistic SG phone cover on gravel, then concrete from 6 ft high!  I just got this smartphone, so I was terrified it would break.  However, I know there’s fellow geeks out there that want to see Survival Bros stress test all kinds of gear, so I went for it.  The Ballistic case worked well, but after taking off the cover I did notice a tiny dent on the rim of my LG G2.  It’s purely cosmetic, and I can live with it, because my screen did not crack.  Of course I would have preferred no damage, which I expected since it’s rated to six feet according to the manufacturer.  The minuscule chip isn’t worth taking a picture of, and I’m pleased with my purchase overall.  Therefore, I give it 4 out of 5 Stars.  It’s still probably the best case out there for this recently released Android device, so until better cases are produced it’s staying on me as one of my everyday carry items.  Have you had any experience with Ballistic Cases?  Let us know.  Thanks.

On a side note: I dropped this phone with the case on a few weeks back from about four feet up, and after all of my contacts had been erased!  It was the strangest thing.  My emails, and phone numbers never returned, and I didn’t delete them.  Please comment on this blog post if something similar has happened to you.

ballistic shell gel caseFor all the tech specs here’s the Ballistic website.  Visit Survival Bros again soon.

Getting FREE Samples at the Mall HD Video

Posted: December 2, 2013 in Adventures, Frugality, Fun!, HD Videos, Health & Nutrition
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Produced by Cameron McKirdy

Watch me get as many complementary samples as possible.  SPOILER ALERT: I score a free trial of sausage, cheese, lotion, cologne, ice cream, vitamins, purified water, and even ukulele entertainment.  I also considered using the mall’s power to charge my cell phone.  At a larger shopping center I’m sure you could eat the equivalent of a meal by sampling grub at all the food court’s restaurants.  This was simply a fun exercise of frugality.  Cheers!

free ice cream sampleCam poised to strike the ice cream vendor for freebies

Warrenton Oregon Skipanon Marina – Maritime Survival Training

Posted: November 22, 2013 in Adventures, Coast Products, Cold Weather, Everyday Carry (EDC), HD Videos, Product Reviews
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Produced By Cameron McKirdy with Tactical Gypsy

Homeless.  That’s what we were.  My bro and I stayed on this boat for weeks last summer to avoid paying rent, and getting a regular job.  We were free, and so was our lodging.  But with that comes less.  We had to deal with a lot of crap.  It’s noisy in the Skipanon and Warrenton Oregon Marina.  Sleeping is challenging.  People work on boats at all hours, so there’s usually people clamoring, and trucks hauling.

skipanon marina oregon

Skipanon Warrenton Oregon Marina at Night

Once we had to stay on the boat right after our host varnished the interior.  We opened the craft up, but the stench was still awful.  I got a headache, and while grateful for the place to lay down, I was ready to split and catch the bus into town.  In the HD video above we got a solid fire going, but I didn’t film the smoke that filled the cabin, and it was horrible.  I got a headache from that too.  Again, we lifted the lid on the boat, and opened up the ceiling, but sacrificed warmth.  The Survival Bros slept on a wet mattress because the boat had recently sank.

We had a key to the shower and restroom, but that was a hike from the boat.  Plus, we didn’t want to get hassled by security, so we kept our creeping to a minimum, and laid low.  The smart move was to pee in plastic bottles to avoid detection.  However, the other fisherman on the marina were typically very helpful.  We had their assistance many times when we had to do work on the boat, or move it to another slip.  Speaking of, the rent for a spot there is only $70 per month, and our buddy paid that.  You have to pay a little more for electricity, but it’s still the cheapest place to crash in town.  In exchange for a bed, Tactical Gypsy worked on the boat, making sure the bilge was pumping out water, or whatever.  I kept him company, and learned what I could from the Maritime Scientist.  It was an adventure for sure, and I’m happy to share it with you.  More homelessness tales soon.  Thanks for supporting Survival Bros.  Peace and love.

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Selling waterlogged boat motors for cash

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