ad banner
Avatar for Gaye Levy

Author: Gaye Levy

I grew up and attended school in the Greater Seattle area. After spending many years as an executive in the software industry, I started a specialized accounting practice offering contract CFO work to emerging high tech and service industries. Awhile back I abandoned city life and moved to a serenely beautiful rural area on on San Juan Island in NW Washington State.

These days I call Arizona home and am actively pursuing the purchase of a mountain retreat along the Mogollon Rim.

As you may have noticed, I am a bit of a glamourista but hope you do not hold that against. me. My bug out bag includes makeup and other items to make me look and feel good if SHTF.
DIY Peppermint Scrub

DIY Peppermint Scrub

My email runneth over with requests for more information about essential oils.  Believe me when I say I am not an expert but as I experiment and learn, I will…

Introducing The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage

Introducing The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage

After months of hints, innuendo and promises, “The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage ” is golden.  That’s right, after putting in a couple of all-nighters, I was able to complete…

The Ultimate Primer on Propane for Prepping, Survival and Self-Sufficiency

The Ultimate Primer on Propane for Prepping, Survival and Self-Sufficiency

A primer on propane for prepping with tips for integrating propone into your prepping strategy as well as suggestions for acquiring spare tanks for cheap.

Disasters Really Do Happen To Ordinary People

Disasters Really Do Happen To Ordinary People

There is no question that Disaster Denial is a common ailment.  Even those that prepare – and prepare well – ponder whether a disaster could really happen to them and to…

BDS Book Festival – Escaping Home and The Survivalist Series

BDS Book Festival – Escaping Home and The Survivalist Series

Today’s entry in the current Backdoor Survival Book Festival is Escaping Home by A. American.  By now you know that A. American is the author of the hugely popular books, Going…

Is Prepper OPSEC Really Important?

Is Prepper OPSEC Really Important?

There is quite a bit of disagreement among preppers relative to the importance of OPSEC.  Do you keep your activities hush hush, even amongst family members?  Or do you blab…

Review: The Tactical Traveler Bug Out Bag

Review: The Tactical Traveler Bug Out Bag

Let’s face it.  No matter how much we hope we will never have to evacuate the comfort of our homes, there is always a possibility that circumstances will require that…

Unraveling the Mystery of Freeze Dried Foods

Unraveling the Mystery of Freeze Dried Foods

Have you even wondered about freeze dried foods?  I know that when I first started putting together a survival food pantry, I was perplexed by the concept of “freeze-dried”.  Just…

BDS Book Festival – After the Blackout + Interview with Paul Anthony

BDS Book Festival – After the Blackout + Interview with Paul Anthony

Today I share the next author interview and giveaway in the current Backdoor Survival Book Festival.  Paul Anthony, the author of After the Blackout, is joining us for an interview and…

26 Tips for Living An Awesome Life

26 Tips for Living An Awesome Life

Typically, the message of Thanksgiving is one of abundance and love as we surround ourselves with our favorite people and fabulous food.  This year is no different.  No matter what…

Fast Track Prep Tip #2: Develop a Bug-Out Clothing Mindset

Fast Track Prep Tip #2: Develop a Bug-Out Clothing Mindset

There has been a lot of interest lately in bug-out clothing.  The primary concern has to do with the basics: what do I need to have in my bug-out-bag for…

Could You Really Shoot Someone?

Could You Really Shoot Someone?

What is the Prepper’s mantra?  Something like beans, bullets and band-aids? Okay, the beans and band-aids are easy, but what about the bullets?  Don’t worry.  I am not going to…

Surviving An Unexpected Emergency

Surviving An Unexpected Emergency

One of the very basic tenets of preparedness is to routinely evaluate risks that are specific to your geographical area.  But what happens when Mother Nature throws you a curve…

Getting the Most Out of Your Berkey Water Filter

Getting the Most Out of Your Berkey Water Filter

Water is a survival basic and a recurring theme on every website dedicated to family preparedness.   Where to find, store, purify and filter water are questions that are asked and…

Mapping a Road to Self-Sufficiency

Mapping a Road to Self-Sufficiency

The number one question I am asked by new readers is “where do I start?”.  This is followed by a meek comment indicating “I have a job and a family…

BDS Book Festival: Going Home, Surviving Home + Interview with A. American

BDS Book Festival: Going Home, Surviving Home + Interview with A. American

Today I share the next author interview and book giveaway in the latest Backdoor Survival Book Festival.  A. American, the author of Going Home and Surviving Home, is joining us…