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Why Americans Should Be Concerned About Rising Silver Prices and a Declining Dollar

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When silver leaps from $30.68 in December 2024 to $62.92 in December 2025, it’s more than a headline—it’s a signal. A doubling of silver’s price in just over a year reflects deep economic currents that every American should pay attention to. This isn’t about collectors or investors alone; it’s about the purchasing power of your paycheck, the stability of your savings, and your ability to prepare for the future.
 
What Does Rising Silver Really Mean?
Silver’s surge is often a symptom of something bigger: the weakening of the U.S. dollar. Historically, when confidence in paper currency erodes, people flock to hard assets like silver and gold. Why? Because metals hold intrinsic value, while fiat currency depends on trust in government and monetary policy. When that trust falters—due to inflation, debt, or economic uncertainty—the dollar buys less, and prices for everything from groceries to housing climb.
 
The Dollar’s Century-Long Decline
To put this in perspective, $1 in 1900 is worth about $0.03 today. That’s a 97% loss in purchasing power over 125 years. Inflation isn’t new, but the pace matters. In recent years, stimulus spending, rising debt, and global instability have accelerated the dollar’s decline. If silver’s price doubling in a year feels dramatic, it’s because it is—a flashing warning light that the dollar’s erosion is speeding up (see the attached chart).
 
Why This Matters for Preparedness
Preparedness isn’t just about stockpiling food or having a generator—it’s about financial resilience. If the dollar continues to weaken, everyday essentials will cost more, and savings held in cash will lose value. Here’s why you should care:
 
Inflation Hits Essentials First: Food, fuel, and utilities rise fastest when currency weakens.
 
Supply Chain Shocks Amplify Costs: Economic instability often leads to shortages, making inflation worse.
 
Hard Assets Provide Stability: Silver, gold, and other tangible assets historically preserve wealth during currency crises.
 
Practical Steps to Protect Yourself
Diversify Your Holdings
Don’t rely solely on cash savings. Consider allocating a portion of your resources to precious metals, durable goods, and other inflation-resistant assets.
 
Stock Up on Essentials
Buy non-perishable food, water filtration systems, and basic supplies now—before prices climb further.
 
Reduce Debt
High-interest debt becomes harder to manage when inflation drives up living costs. Pay down what you can.
 
Invest in Skills and Tools
Preparedness isn’t just physical—it’s practical. Skills like survival, bushcraft, gardening, and basic medical care become invaluable in uncertain times.
 
The Bottom Line
Silver’s meteoric rise isn’t just about market speculation—it’s a mirror reflecting the dollar’s fragility. For Americans focused on preparedness, this is the moment to act. History shows that currency declines rarely reverse quickly, and those who prepare early weather the storm best. In a world where paper money buys less every year, hard assets and practical readiness aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines.
 
To help prepare for the inevitable future, checkout survivalschoolmichigan.com

Sweet Fern: Nature’s Forgotten Remedy

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In the dry woodlands, open fields, and roadsides of North America—especially near pine forests—grows a plant as mysterious as it is medicinal: Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina). Despite its name, this aromatic shrub is not a true fern. Its feathery leaves and resinous scent have long captivated Indigenous healers and modern herbalists alike. With a rich history of traditional use and a growing body of scientific interest, Sweet Fern is a powerful symbol of nature’s quiet healing force.
 
Poultice: For Wounds, Burns, and Muscle Pain
Sweet Fern leaves have traditionally been crushed and applied directly to the skin as a poultice. This method was used to treat:
• Wounds and cuts
• Burns and insect bites
• Muscle pain and inflammation
The poultice draws on the plant’s natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, helping to reduce swelling, prevent infection, and promote healing.
 
Infusion: A Remedy for Internal Ailments
When brewed into an infusion, Sweet Fern becomes a versatile internal remedy. Indigenous tribes and herbalists have used it to treat:
• Respiratory ailments (colds, coughs, bronchitis)
• Fevers and headaches
• Digestive issues (diarrhea, stomach upset)
• Stress and anxiety
To prepare: steep 1 teaspoon of dried leaves in 1 cup of boiling water, and drink 1–2 cups per day. This tea can also be used as a wash for poison ivy.
 
Medicinal Properties: A Natural Powerhouse
Sweet Fern is packed with beneficial compounds that give it a wide range of healing properties:
• Anti-inflammatory – eases arthritis, rheumatism, and muscle pain
• Astringent – helps stop bleeding and tighten tissues
• Antiseptic – prevents infection in cuts and skin injuries
• Antioxidant – supports overall health and cellular repair
These properties make it a valuable ally in both traditional and modern herbal medicine.
 
Salve: Skin and Joint Relief
Sweet Fern leaves can also be infused into oils or blended into salves for topical use. These preparations are ideal for:
• Treating cuts, burns, and skin irritations
• Soothing muscle and joint aches
• Supporting wound healing and reducing inflammation
Salves offer a convenient way to harness the plant’s healing power for everyday skin and pain issues.
 
Aromatic Uses: Calm the Mind, Repel Insects
Beyond its medicinal uses, Sweet Fern’s aromatic leaves offer additional benefits:
• Inhalation of the scent or essential oils can help relieve stress and anxiety
• The natural fragrance acts as a gentle insect repellent, making it useful during outdoor activities
Its scent is earthy, grounding, and subtly sweet—perfect for calming both body and mind.
 
Final Thoughts
With its deep roots in Indigenous healing traditions and a growing reputation among modern herbalists, Sweet Fern is more than just a wild shrub—it’s a botanical treasure. Whether used as a poultice, tea, salve, or aromatic aid, this plant offers a gentle yet powerful reminder of the healing potential found in nature’s overlooked corners.
To learn more, check out survivalschoolmichigan.com

The Day The Internet Died

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The Day the Internet Died
 
It started with silence. A few apps refused to load. A few websites blinked out. Then, like a spreading blackout, the collapse consumed everything. Cloudflare — the unseen backbone of the modern web — had fallen. And with it, the world’s digital lifeline snapped.
 
Spotify went mute. Uber drivers sat idle, their maps frozen. Social networks dissolved into static. Even the systems designed to track outages were swallowed by the void. For hours, humanity stared into the abyss of a world without the internet.
 
The Fragile Empire
We were told the internet was a decentralized marvel, a web too vast to fail. That was a lie. The truth is darker: a handful of companies hold the keys, and when one stumbles, billions are dragged down.
 
One bug in Cloudflare’s systems was enough to fracture the illusion. The outage wasn’t an attack. It wasn’t sabotage. It was worse — proof that the empire we’ve built is fragile, brittle, and terrifyingly easy to break.
 
The Dominoes Waiting to Fall
This was only a glimpse. Imagine if the blackout had lasted days instead of hours.
Stock markets frozen, unable to trade.
Hospitals cut off from critical systems.
Supply chains paralyzed, food and medicine trapped in limbo.
Governments unable to communicate with their citizens.
 
The outage was short-lived, but it revealed the nightmare scenario: the internet is not eternal. It is a tower of cards, and the collapse has already begun.
 
The Beginning of the End?
Next time, it might not be a bug. It could be sabotage. It could be war. It could last longer. And when it does, the blackout won’t just silence your favorite apps — it could silence the world itself.
 
The Cloudflare outage wasn’t just a warning. It was a prophecy. The day the internet truly dies, civilization as we know it will go with it.
 
Want to prepare for the grid going down? Dig into survivalschoolmichigan.com for information, training, and preparedness supplies.

Firewood Wisdom

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Leather Belt Tourniquet: Wilderness Hack That Might Save Your Life

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Milkweed & Dogbane: A Comparative Guide to Their Practical and Medicinal Value

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At first glance, Milkweed and Dogbane might seem like twins in the wild—both flaunt clusters of delicate flowers, thrive in similar habitats, and exude a milky white sap that hints at their toxic nature. But beneath their botanical resemblance lies a compelling story of ecological roles and practical significance. This article explores the subtle yet vital differences between these two native North American plants.
 
Milkweed (genus Asclepias) is a perennial herb recognized for its milky sap and vibrant clusters of pink to orange flowers. Native to North America, it is best known as the host plant for monarch butterflies. I often find it growing abundantly near ditches and along roadsides in West Michigan.
 
Historically, Native American tribes used various parts of milkweed to treat: • Respiratory infections • Digestive disorders • Skin wounds • Rheumatism
 
The roots were commonly brewed into teas to ease coughing and asthma-like symptoms. I’ve been told the white sap can be applied to warts. Like dogbane, milkweed stalks contain fibrous layers that can be reverse wrapped into cordage. The silk from the pods makes excellent tinder when dry—a practice I regularly teach during the fire portion of my courses. The ovum inside the pods will catch a spark and form an ember, much like char cloth.
 
How to Reverse Wrap Milkweed Stalks:
1. Harvest and Dry the Stalks • Collect mature stalks late in the season. • Strip off leaves and lightly crush the stems. • Allow them to dry completely for easier fiber extraction.
2. Extract the Fibers • Split the stalks lengthwise. • Peel away the outer bark to expose the fibrous strands. • Separate and clean the fibers by hand or with a comb.
3. Prepare the Strands • Group fibers into two bundles of roughly equal thickness. • Slightly moisten them to enhance flexibility.
4. Begin Reverse Wrapping • Hold the two bundles together at one end. • Twist the top bundle away from you (clockwise), then wrap it over the bottom bundle (counterclockwise). • Repeat: twist one strand, wrap it over the other. • Continue until you reach the desired length.
5. Finish and Use • Tie off the ends or splice in additional fibers to extend. • Use your cordage for bowstrings, snares, fishing lines, or shelter construction.
 
Milkweed cordage is remarkably strong—two-ply yarn-thick rope can hold over 50 pounds, and thicker versions have even been used to tow vehicles. If you want to try your hand at making cordage from milkweed, join us at Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute.
 
Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum), also known as Indian hemp or wild cotton, carries a dual legacy—revered for its robust fibers and cautiously respected for its potent medicinal properties. Though toxic in large doses, it has long been used for both healing and crafting.
Historically, Native American tribes used various parts of dogbane to treat: • Heart and circulatory issues • Intestinal worms • Syphilis • Rheumatism
 
Although it has medicinal applications, I generally avoid using it this way due to its toxicity. Instead, dogbane is my top choice for wild-sourced cordage.
 
Step-by-Step Guide to Reverse Wrapping Dogbane Cordage:
1. Harvest Dogbane Stalks • Collect mature stalks in late summer or fall when the plant has dried. • Strip off leaves and break the stalks to access the inner bark.
2. Extract the Fibers • Split the stalks lengthwise and peel away the outer bark. • Carefully separate the silky inner fibers—these are your cordage material. • Let the fibers dry, then rehydrate slightly to improve flexibility.
3. Prepare the Bundles • Group fibers into two equal bundles. • Tie a knot at one end or pinch it between your fingers to anchor the starting point.
4. Reverse Wrap Technique • Twist one bundle clockwise (away from you). • Wrap it counterclockwise (toward you) over the other bundle. • Repeat: twist one strand, wrap it over the other. • This creates a two-ply cord with opposing tension, making it strong and durable.
5. Splicing for Length • When a bundle runs short, overlap new fibers and continue twisting. • This allows you to extend the cordage indefinitely.
6. Finishing • Tie off the end or burn it slightly to seal. • Use the cordage for lashing, fishing, bow drills, traps, or crafting.
 
Tips and Insights: • Dogbane fibers are stronger than cotton and rival commercial twine in durability. • Reverse wrapping creates a rope that resists unraveling and handles tension well. Try it with other plants, stalks, fibers, and even bark. • This technique also works beautifully with nettle, yucca, and other fibrous plants.
 
I’ll see you in the wild. Learn more at survivalschoolmichigan.com

Gold Over Bitcoin: A Survivalist’s Investment Outlook

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As of October 21, 2025, gold is priced at $4,134 per ounce and projected to rise by 58.14% over the next year. In contrast, Bitcoin is expected to increase by only 8%. While this surge in gold may benefit investors, it also signals deeper instability in the U.S. economy. Will physical gold become a better investment than Bitcoin or other cryptocurrrencies?
 
When gold hits $5,000 per ounce, experts warn of potential disruptions to the banking system. Here’s what that could mean for your financial survival:
 
Key Impacts of Surging Gold Prices
• Growing Demand for Physical Gold: As prices climb, demand for tangible assets like gold bullion and 1 oz. coins (e.g., American Gold Eagles) is expected to spike. This could lead to production bottlenecks and supply shortages.
• Risk of Bank Runs Rising: Gold often reflects declining confidence in fiat currency. If Americans begin withdrawing funds en masse, banks may face liquidity crises. Gold’s inverse relationship with the dollar means that as gold rises, the dollar weakens.
• Rising Interest Rates: To combat inflation and maintain stability, banks may hike interest rates on loans. This could make borrowing more expensive and slow economic growth.
• Market Volatility: A sharp increase in gold prices may trigger panic or speculative behavior in financial markets, leading to unpredictable swings in asset values.
 
What Should You Do?
If survival and wealth preservation are your priorities, it may be time to reassess your investment strategy. Bitcoin, like stocks and bonds, is a digital and speculative asset. In uncertain times, hard assets like gold and silver—both showing strong upward trends—offer tangible value and resilience.
 
Final Thought
What will the U.S. economy look like in one year? In five? No one knows for sure. But if history is any guide, those who prepare early with real assets will weather the storm better than those who don’t.
Buckle up. The ride ahead could be turbulent.
 
Disclaimer: These are just my thoughts; I am no financial expert. BUT, wait and see if my assessment is correct.

DIY IFAK

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Build Your Own Budget IFAK—Save Cash, Stay Ready

If you’re serious about preparedness but tired of overpriced gear, this guide is for you. We’re breaking down how to build your own Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) without draining your wallet. I’ve already shared a list tailored for gunshot wound treatment, but this time we’re going full DIY—budget-conscious, battle-ready.

And yes, I’ll be selling these IFAKs at my store. You’ll find my prices beat the competition, hands down.

Step 1: Choose Your Container

Start with a pouch or case. I found MOLLE-compatible tactical pouches on AliExpress for $1.99. Temu wanted $6.99 for the same thing. Want to go ultra-cheap? Use a gallon-sized Ziplock bag. It’s not fancy, but it works.

Step 2: Add a Light Source

A Surefire flashlight is top-tier, but if you’re cutting costs, grab a budget flashlight or toss in a glow stick. Visibility matters—don’t skip this.

Step 3: Stock the Essentials

Here’s what you need to pack. No fluff. No filler. Just gear that works:

  • Combat Gauze (Quick-Clot preferred; S-rolled gauze is the budget alternative)

  • Hyfin Chest Seal

  • Israeli Emergency Bandage or Olaes Bandage (cheaper: 4″ Emergency Trauma Dressing)

  • Mylar Blanket

  • Nitrile Gloves

  • Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA) – carry multiple sizes for different individuals

  • Tourniquet – go with a genuine CAT, not the knockoffs

  • Trauma Shears

  • 4″x4″ Gauze Pads

This setup covers the basics for trauma response in the field. Whether you’re building for personal use, or training, this guide keeps your costs low and your readiness high.

Wintergreen: A Survivalist’s Ally

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Wintergreen is an evergreen plant native to North America and the Eastern Woodlands. Renowned for its potent medicinal properties, this plant’s leaves and oil contain methyl salicylate—a compound with remarkable pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Historically, Wintergreen has been used to address a wide array of ailments, including muscle pain, headaches, nerve pain, sciatica, arthritis, joint pain, menstrual cramps, colds, and flus. Beyond its pain-relieving abilities, Wintergreen boasts antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties, making it an invaluable resource in the wild.
At Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute, I’ve introduced many students to the delights of Wintergreen tea—a soothing, minty infusion that offers both flavor and medicinal benefits. Typically, students enjoy two or three cups, and I often brew this tea when dealing with headaches during camp. The plant’s dark green, waxy leaves and vibrant red berries make it easy to identify. While the berries are minty and edible, it’s said that consuming just one is equivalent to taking a single aspirin. Interestingly, the strongest medicinal properties are derived from Wintergreen leaves harvested between late winter and early fall, when they take on a purplish hue.
In one experiment, I combined an infusion of Wintergreen tea with a poultice of the same plant to treat my aching knee. Used in tandem, the tea and poultice proved highly effective at alleviating my pain—a testament to the plant’s dual functionality.
Preparing Wintergreen Tea:
  1. Gather a small handful of Wintergreen leaves (5–10 should suffice).
  2. Place the leaves on a hard surface, such as a skillet, clean log, or flat rock, and gently crush them using the back of your hatchet or knife. Alternatively, chop the leaves finely.
  3. Simmer the leaves in a cup of water to create the tea.
For brewing in the wild, I often use an improvised setup, such as an empty energy drink can suspended over a fire on a tripod stand. For an enhanced infusion, try adding White Pine needles and honey to your Wintergreen tea. This combination offers a powerful winter medicine, blending the vitamin C from pine needles (an immune booster) with antimicrobial, expectorant, and pain-relieving properties. The honey adds its soothing touch to the throat—perfect for colds and sore throats.
 

The Wilderness Delusion: When Fantasy Meets Reality in Survival

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Are You Really Prepared for the Wild?
 
I always enjoy when people dive into conversations about their “survival plans” for when disaster strikes. It’s fascinating how many tell me they’d grab their bugout bag and head for the vast wilderness of North America. Some even imagine escaping into Canada’s untamed frontier.
But before you romanticize living off the land, consider these 10 critical survival questions:
 
1. What’s in your bugout bag? Are you carrying the essentials or just guesswork?
2. Have you attended any survival schools? Do you have the skills and knowledge needed to thrive?
3. How will you find safe drinking water? Without it, your plan ends quickly.
4. Do you know North American plants? Can you name five with medicinal uses or find a plant to treat a deep wound?
5. How will you start a fire without matches, lighters, or a ferrocerium rod? Fire is life in the wilderness.
6. What’s your food plan when hunting or gathering fails?
7. What kind of shelter will you build, and how? Shelter is critical to protect against the elements.
8. What happens if you’re injured or ill while alone in the wild?
9. Can you handle threats from wildlife (like bears or wolves), hostile humans, or severe weather?
10. How will you navigate without GPS or a cell phone? Do you understand land navigation and map-reading?
 
The reality? “Bugging out” into the wilderness is not the glamorous survival strategy many imagine.
 
Here’s why:
 
• Most people underestimate the sheer difficulty of regulating core body temperature. The majority of wilderness deaths stem from hypothermia.
• Food shortages are inevitable. The knowledge to forage or hunt enough calories is rare, and even small groups can quickly deplete local resources.
• Survival is brutal. From starvation to broken tools to severe illness or infection, the odds stack up against the unprepared. Something as simple as a cut can lead to life-threatening sepsis.
• And let’s not forget the competition. Countless others will head to the same wilderness, untrained and desperate. Overhunting and overforaging will exhaust the area’s resources rapidly.
 
Even with my experience, after just a week in the wild, I’m tired, hungry, and craving a hot shower and comfortable bed. The idea of vanishing into the forest to “live off the land” is more a dangerous fantasy than a viable plan.
 
Want to actually prepare for life’s unexpected disasters? Learn real, life-saving survival skills by visiting survivalschoolmichigan.com. Whether it’s building shelters, mastering fire-making, land navigation, water purification, or understanding foraging, we’ll equip you with practical knowledge to face the toughest challenges.
 
I’ll see you in the wild!
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