Gun Industry Holding The Line As Raw Material Prices Skyrocket

Firearms and ammunition have risen in price along with other things. That's no surprise.

However, firearm and ammo manufacturers have been striving to hold the line as the raw materials needed have gotten more expensive.

That is the subject of an article in the NRA's American Rifleman web page.  

They begin with:

The raw material required to manufacture ammunition and firearms has gotten more expensive each year. That isn’t breaking news, but the gun industry’s ability to fight the headwind—avoiding or delaying passing production cost increases along to enthusiasts—says a lot about its increased efficiency and dedication to customers.   

Brass, for example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) index—which was assigned a figure of 100 to its price in 1986 to serve as a baseline for comparison in subsequent years—increased from 553 in July 2022 to 676 in August 2025. Admittedly both numbers are down from the painful 786 it reached during the pandemic. To put that figure into perspective, the material now costs 6.76 times more than it did in 1986.

To read more, go here. 

Many Americans Unable To Save For Retirement

Above, our senior group cut back on restaurant gatherings from five days to two due to rising prices.

It is getting harder and harder to save money for retirement.

Thanks to inflation, it costs more to buy food, pay for rent, buy a house, healthcare and just everyday living expenses.

CBS News reports that more people are living paycheck-to-paycheck these days and finding it nearly impossible to save for retirement.

They begin with:

Many Americans are eager to put money away for retirement, but that goal is increasingly out of reach because more workers are living paycheck to paycheck, a new Goldman Sachs study finds.

Roughly 42% of younger working Americans — spanning Gen Z, millennials and Gen X — report having no spare savings after covering their basic living expenses, according to the analysis, which surveyed about 3,600 workers and 1,500 retirees. Among those just getting by, about three-quarters said they are struggling to save for retirement, the survey found. 

The share of U.S. workers in this precarious financial position has grown significantly since 1997, when 31% lived paycheck to paycheck, according to Goldman. The investment bank projects that figure could climb to well over half of Americans by 2033 as essentials like housing and health care continue to rise in cost.

To read more, go here.

Wake Up America! Something Is Happening To Gun Prices!

Earlier this morning, this ad at Guns.com popped up:

It is of the same vintage and condition of my Winchester 94 .30-30 1962 carbine. I bought mine in 2019 for just under $500. This was before COVID hit the following year which impacted gun sales and, most importantly, gun prices.

This got me to do some searching around about current gun prices.

Here's a video of a gun dealer discussing current gun price trends:

Norwegian Cruise Line Quietly Adds Fee For Extra Entrées

Above, last year's cruise to the Bahamas with Norwegian Cruise Line. 

It appears that cruise lines are continuing to add extra charges to things usually complimentary or part of the cruise package. Cruise passengers are feeling that they are being "nickel and dimed" with extra fees by cruise lines.

During my cruise to the Bahamas last year, the only extra charge I paid was for a lobster dinner. For two lobster tails, I thought the $25.00 price was reasonable

Norwegian Cruise Line is adding (quietly) adding a $5.00 charge for additional entrees in complimentary main dining rooms.

According to Cruise Hive:

Norwegian Cruise Line has quietly added a new fee to their dining menu that may surprise guests. While it’s expected that specialty restaurants have an extra charge, the cruise line is now charging $5 for any second, third, or more entrees in their complimentary main dining rooms.

The charge is printed on dining room menus, in small print at the bottom, where it might not be noticed at first.

“One entree per guest. Additional entrees will incur a $5 charge,” the menu reads.

To read more, go here. 

Top 12 Survival Rifles Under $300

A new video posted yesterday by Firearms Zone on YouTube discusses 12 "survival" rifles under $300.

It has been ages since I last saw a rifle (or any gun) selling for around $300. I bought a used pre-64 Winchester 94 in 2019 that was in great condition for just under $500. One cannot find the same rifle in the same condition for less than double that price these days.

The video's summary:

In this video, we reveal 12 survival rifles under $300 that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to be prepared. From budget bolt-actions to takedown .22s and even folding carbines, these rifles deliver real reliability at a price almost anyone can afford.

Some of them are well-known classics, but others are hidden gems most shooters completely overlook. And trust me — when you see which rifle made it to #1, you’ll understand why preppers call it a game-changer.

Japan Sees Surge In Tourist Complaints In 2024

Above, my hotel room in Sasebo, Kyushu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have been to Japan eight times since 2001 and I never felt any reason to complain about anything. There are some travelers who like to complain about anything and everything. 

I had read before my first trip that hotel rooms in Japan are smaller than ones in the U.S., so I knew what to expect. I found prices roughly comparable to those in the U.S.

Travel and Tour World has posted an article on a surge in tourist complaints in 2024 over accommodations, pricing and fake goods.  

They begin with:

There has been a noticeable increase in complaints from international visitors to Japan, one of the most visited countries in the world. Consultation requests have increased as a result of problems with lodging, expensive goods, and even fake goods as the tourism sector continues to grow. A record number of enquiries were received by Japan’s National Consumer Affairs Centre (NCAC), suggesting that the visitor experience needs to be improved and awareness raised.

To read more, go here. 

 

Cheap Shooting With A .22 Ain’t So Cheap Anymore

Have you noticed that the cost of ammo is a lot more than it used to be?

Granted, this is the case with everything these days. Even .22 cal. ammo is a lot more expensive. Remember the days when a box of .22 was only 79 cents?

Fortunately for me, I have plenty of .22 shells that I purchased before inflation hit during the pandemic. This is also true with ammo in other calibers that I have purchased. 

This is the subject of an article in Press Pros Magazine.

They begin it with:

If it’s been a while seen you bought a box of .22 shells for hunting or shooting tin cans…you’re in for a surprise.  You need more than a paper route to pay for it.

Short and sweet, fall hunting season is soon to be upon us and some of you will be stocking up on the essentials.

Short and sweet…it’s going to cost more than you remember.  Where simple hunting ammunition is concerned, it might cost so much that you put aside pre-season target practice.  These are not the days of picking up a box of Super X .22s for 79 cents.  And as I write this I’m staring at a box from the 70s, probably from a hardware store in Canfield, Ohio, with 79 cents written on the back in magic marker. Today, you’ll pay ten times that much.

Ammunition of all shapes and sizes are more now than you remember, unless you’re a committed shooter and don’t care.  However, the cost of shooting is making a dent.  I know numerous trap and skeet shooters who have given it up, altogether, simply because a box of 25 trap shells, on average, cost $8.00 a box.  A decade ago they were $5.  Two decades ago they were $30 for a case.

Center-fire ammo prices are extreme, compared to what you remember shooting in your grandad’s 30-30 Winchester.

To read more, go here. 

Are 'All-inclusive' Cruise Deals REALLY Worth It?

Cruising and "sticker shock" seems to go hand-in-hand".

Many things of one's cruise aren't as "all-inclusive" as they may have been led to believe. As the saying goes, BUYER BEWARE!

A cruise ship worker reveals whether "all-inclusive" deals are really worth it in a Daily Mail article.

It begins with:

It often seems like everything is included on a cruise. 

But first-timers might be shocked to learn that 'all-inclusive' doesn't necessarily mean they won't face a bill at the end of their cruise. 

Cruise crew worker, Lucy (@cruisingascrew), has warned cruise newbies that there are lot of things that are 'not included' in the initial package. 

In a YouTube video called 'Cruise Mistakes First-Times Always Make (Don't be that person'), Lucy reveals: 'An all-inclusive cruise is not the same as an all-inclusive hotel on land.' 

So what might not included in the price of a cruise? 

To read the full article, go here. 

Grandpa's Grill In Gallup

Since the local Denny's at the Flying J Travel Center in Jamestown, New Mexico changed their menu, our group has decided to hold our Saturday breakfast/coffee gatherings at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup instead.

Denny's eliminated the senior menu and raised their prices. 

We spend about half of what Denny's charges for breakfast meals at Grandpa's Grill. For example, the large breakfast burrito at Grandpa's Grill is only $9.50. Whereas, Denny's charges about $12 to $15 for anything roughly comparable. And, coffee is a lot cheaper at Grandpa's Grill. 

Here's the gang at Grandpa's Grill this morning:

 

When Are The Cheapest Months To Take A Cruise?

Above, the Celebrity Mercury at Juneau, Alaska in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When is the cheapest month to take a cruise? 

That is the question and title of an article in USA Today. People who want to take a cruise but want to do so at lower costs will find the article interesting.  

They begin with:

If you’re looking for cruise deals, it pays to pick your sailing dates carefully. Prices can vary based on your cruise line, destination and more – but certain times of year tend to be cheaper than others.

Joanna Kuther, a travel agent and owner of Port Side Travel Consultants, said it’s “all based on the demand.”

“And when you're talking about holidays and when schools are out, when families want to travel together, it's always going to be more expensive,” she told USA TODAY.

However, there are bargains out there if you know when to look for them. Here’s what to know.

To read more, go here. 

Royal Caribbean Tweak That Will Make Your Cruise Cost $60 More

Above, enjoying a cocktail during last summer's cruise to the Bahamas.

Having been on cruises before comes in handy when it comes to adult beverage purchases. One knows what to expect. One friend ran up a several thousand dollar bar tab while on a cruise. He never made that mistake again.

That's why I limited myself to one (sometimes two) cocktails a day while on a cruise. Passengers are charged though their cruise room cards at ship bars. Just because there's no money being exchanged doesn't mean drinks are free. At the end of last year's cruise to the Bahamas, I didn't get any shocking bar charges.

Royal Caribbean is raising prices on cocktails according to Cruise Passenger.

They wrote:

Royal Caribbean general cocktail prices look to be jumping from $14 to $15. 

Royal Caribbean Blog reported seeing the prices jump up, with many of the cruise line’s signature cocktails, which were previously $14, now coming out to $15.

The good news is that drinks packages will be adjusted to cover this change, with packages now to cover drinks purchases up to $15, more than the previous limit of $14. 

Therefore, unless drink package prices rise, this change won’t affect cruisers who purchase a drinks package on their Royal Caribbean cruise. However, it will affect those who opt out of the drinks package. 

To read more, go here. 

Traps That Ruin Hawaii Vacations and Avoiding Them

Above, a hilltop view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I took a Hawaii vacation nine years ago instead of during recent years.

I have been reading on how a vacation there has gotten more expensive. Back when I went there in 2016, I didn't feel prices were any worse than anywhere else. But, times have certainly changed. 

There are some traps that can ruin a Hawaiian vacation. Beat of Hawaii lays them out and also tells how to avoid them.

They begin with:

A perfect Hawaii vacation is still possible. But more than ever, travelers find that one slip-up can sour the whole trip, whether in Hawaii or not. That’s not just a gut feeling—it’s backed by data. In a new Go City survey of U.S. travelers, 92 percent said one bad element—like poor service, delays, or surprise fees—could ruin an entire vacation. It resonates with us and it might you too.

Hawaii is clearly high-stakes travel. The flights are long, the price tags are increasingly steep, and the emotional investment is big. So when something does go wrong—even something small—it tends to hit harder than on a weekend getaway.

But it doesn’t have to. Knowing where the traps are found and how Hawaii travelers often stumble, you can design a trip that works for you, your budget, and your high expectations. Here’s how to avoid the most common vacation breakdowns in paradise.

To read more, go here. 

Plinkin' On The Cheap

Above, out in Texas Canyon New Year's Day 1984. Right
to left, Arleigh Kerr, Steve Born, Glenn Thornhill and me.

With prices the way they are these days, larger caliber ammunition is a little pricey for ordinary target plinking.

Fortunately, there's a cheaper ammo for plinking that won't break the bank: .22 LR.

I have two rifles to choose from for plinking with .22 LR ammunition.

The first, is my Winchester 62A pump-action rifle I inherited from my grandfather. It was made in 1947. I shot with it last year. Still works great.

Above, the Winchester 62A. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I used to target shoot with it frequently with friends in Southern California in Texas Canyon near Newhall/Saugus. 

A friend brought along his Ruger 10/22 carbine and I liked it so much that I bought one around 1983. It is a semi-automatic that came with 10-round magazines. I later bought some 25-round magazines. I have a Bushnell scope mounted on it.

Above, the Ruger 10/22, manufactured in 1983. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

So, if one wants to go target shooting, they can still do so without hurting the wallet.

How Much Are You Paying For Gas?

Here's the prices by state:

Japan Hotel Prices Rise, Battle Brewing Between Foreign and Domestic Tourists

Above, Tokyo's Hotel Asia Center of Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the huge influx in foreign visitors along with Japan's domestic travelers, hotel prices are rising in Tokyo and other metropolitan areas. This is leading to a "battle" for hotel rooms between those domestic and foreign tourists.

According to The Mainichi:

TOKYO -- The cost of staying at hotels in metropolitan Tokyo and regional Japanese cities keeps rising amid a surge in foreign visitors, with a survey by a Tokyo-based corporate analytics firm showing rates at key lodgings had risen by as much as over 50% year-on-year last fall.

A poll of room rates in October to December 2024 by Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd. (TSR) covering 15 hotel brands across 13 publicly traded operators showed an increase from the same period of the year prior for all companies, as much as 1.6 times. "With room prices expected to rise further, the battle for room reservations between domestic travelers and inbound tourists is expected to intensify," the company commented.

The average rate per room at eight business hotel brands for which prices can be compared before and after the COVID-19 pandemic was 13,986 yen (some $98), up approximately 45% from October-December 2019. Rates at four higher-priced "city hotel" brands also increased by some 35% to 20,897 yen (around $146), exceeding 20,000 yen for the first time in the last five years as occupancy rates, which had slumped to the 20% range due to the coronavirus disaster, recovered to over 80%.

To read more, go here. 

How To Plan A Trip To Japan On A Budget

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Not everyone has pockets big enough to afford international travel, including Japan.

Travel + Leisure has posted a handy article telling how to plan a trip to Japan a budget. There are some tips on transportation, food, lodging and free activities.

They begin it with:

Japan is a top destination for travelers in 2025. And while some of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences — whether that’s savoring exquisitely prepared nigiri at a Michelin-starred omakase restaurant, staying at one of the best five-star hotels in Tokyo, or relishing a luxurious private onsen experience — do cost a pretty penny, a memorable trip to the Land of the Rising Sun doesn’t have to break the bank (especially considering the weak yen, which fell to a 38-year low this past July). Even in pricier cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, there are plenty of affordable activities, accommodations, and places to eat. And if you venture beyond the main tourist hubs, the prices get even more reasonable. 

Here's how to plan a trip to Japan on a budget.

To read more, go here. 

California: GOP Introduces Bills To Curb CARB's Regulations

The California Air Resources Board's recent "tweaking" of emissions regulations could potentially ban the sale of gasoline and diesel recreational vehicles and jack up the price of gasoline.

There's a glimmer of hope for California. Republican lawmakers have introduced bills that would curb CARB's regulations with a review process. 

That is, if the Democrats who control the state legislature pass them and Gov. Newsom signs them.

RV Travel reported:

In early November we reported that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) had tweaked regulations applying to state oil refineries. The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) was designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as the Golden State moves toward a 2045 goal of zero emissions. The fine-tuning of LCFS requires oil companies and other polluters to buy credits to avoid pollution penalties. Critics say the tweaks could blast gas prices up by as much as $1.50 per gallon in the long term. But some California lawmakers want to curb CARB. Bills before the legislature would kill the CARB regulation—and more.

California lawmakers want to curb CARB with a review process

Republican Senator Brian Jones (R-San Diego) and Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) introduced legislation taking aim at CARB’s action. SB2, crafted by Brian Jones, would kill the CARB tweak. Jones told California media abc10.com, “It has an urgency clause in it. So if it passes the senate and the assembly and the governor signed it, which would be great, then it goes into effect immediately.”

The other bill, AB34, would require any new CARB regulations would have to be analyzed by the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) prior to going into force. Joe Patterson, the bill sponsor, commented, “Take a look at their proposals and then tell the legislature and the public how much that’s going to increase the cost of gas, or potentially the cost of electricity as well.”

To read more, go here. 

Ammo Prices Set To Rise 'Substantially'

"All signs point toward a looming ammo shortage in the U.S. and world at large. Now is a good time to think about stockpiles and economical rimfire training." - Firearms News.

There's an old saying, "Keep your powder dry!" This basically means to wait before taking action, but be ready to take action if it is necessary.

The powder refers to gunpower. 

For those who have stockpiled ammunition, the possible shortage of gunpowder will have less of an impact. But for those who haven't, keep what you have ready for possible necessary use. Also, you may want to start stockpiling ammo before prices start climbing.

Ammunition prices are set to rise "substantially" due to an anticipated global shortage of gunpowder.

MSN reported:

Vista Outdoor, a parent company to many firearms businesses, told Newsweek that it will substantially increase its ammunition prices due to "an anticipated global shortage of gunpowder."

The Minnesota-based company confirmed the authenticity of a December 1 letter sent to customers that it would go ahead with an across-the-board increase of its ammunition and gunpowder prices on January 1.

"Due to world events our suppliers have notified us of unprecedented demand for and an anticipated global shortage of gunpowder, and thus has increased our prices substantially," Vice President of Sales, Sporting Products Brett Nelson said in the letter. "We must therefore raise our pricing to help offset those increases."

To read more, go here. 

New Mexico No. 8 In High Grocery Bills

If one is from New Mexico and noticed that grocery bills are much higher, it is not your imagination. The truth is, grocery items are much higher than they were four years ago.

New Mexico ranks at number eight of the nation's highest grocery price states. 

Piñon Post reported:

New Mexico has ranked as the eighth-highest state for grocery bills in the U.S., according to a Visual Capitalist analysis mapping how much Americans spend on groceries across all states. Despite New Mexico’s relatively low cost of living compared to more expensive states like California, residents still face elevated food costs, with households spending approximately $286 per week—or around $1,144 a month—on groceries.

Nationally, grocery prices have surged significantly, with costs for “food at home” rising by 20% since August 2020, marking the steepest inflation since the 1970s, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. American households spend about $270 weekly on groceries, translating to $1,080 monthly, based on data sourced from the Census Bureau. Yet, the burden of food costs varies significantly from state to state.

To read more, go here. 

Royal Caribbean Raises Auto Gratuities

Above, Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas at Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cruise ship gratuities are something that is not very prominently stated on cruise line websites and brochures. But they are a factor to weigh in when choosing a cruise with a cruise line. One has to read the fine print.

Royal Caribbean has raised their gratuity rates as of November 1.

According to MSM:

Gratuities have always been a hot topic in the cruise industry.  Royal Caribbean is increasing its automatic gratuities. Here is everything you need to know. 

Starting November 1, 2024, the cruise line will increase its automatic gratuity rate by $0.50 per person per day. Previously, the gratuity amount was $20.50 per person per day for suite passengers and $18.00 per person per day for non-suite passengers, which includes inside staterooms, balcony staterooms, ocean view staterooms, and junior suites.

Following the increase, the gratuity for suite passengers will become $21.00 per person per day, while the gratuity for non-suite passengers will be raised to $18.50 per person per day. However, passengers who have already booked their cruises have the option to lock in the old gratuity rate by prepaying before November 1, 2024.

To read more, go here.