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Jack Cullum

Survival Boxes Review

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Survival Boxes Review

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I take survivalism seriously. There have been enough natural disasters in my area of the last few years that I know the importance of always being prepared. Gathering all my gear is tough, though, and it's not always a fun process. That's why I'm happy that there is a product like Survival Boxes that allows me to get things one piece at a time.

I'm largely into survivalism for the preparedness aspect, so that's what I'm looking for in a subscription service. Survival Boxes does a great job getting me the gear I need, but it's important that you take a look at what it offers for yourself.

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Survival Boxes

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What's in the Box?

Since this is a fairly serious bushcraft subscription box, you're going to end up getting some fairly different stuff than you'd find in a free survival box. It's a good idea to know that ahead of time, because what you're going to find in the majority of these boxes is definitely not the same kind of thing you'd find elsewhere.

The best place to start here is with the food. There are plenty of survival boxes that include food, but these include food that's meant for long-term storage. These aren't just snacks for you to use while you're out hunting - they're meant to help you stock a long-term bugout bag or to keep your caches full when you're worried about things going wrong.

Unlike most other boxes, though, you can get a subscription that includes seeds. If you're not seriously into survivalism, this might feel like a weird addition. After all, seeds aren't for natural disaster survival - they're the kind of thing that you need when you're planning on going off the grid for a long time. The inclusion here really speaks to the fact that this box speaks towards a much different type of customer than most of its competition.

You're also going to get gear related to water here, which is a bit different. Storable water isn't something you're going to find in most subscription boxes, but you can get it in a few of the different box types from this company. You'll also get water purification gear, which is a little more common but no less necessary for that fact. The water-focused box also includes filters, which is a good addition for those who are concerned about water safety.

In addition to the things that set Survival Boxes apart, there are also some items that are in more in line with the rest of the market. Several of the subscription options give you gear, which is largely the same kind of gear that you'd get from any other survival box. The only difference here is that this gear is almost always practical - you're not going to see a lot of 'lifestyle' items included.

Finally, there are some premium tools and items that you might end up getting if you choose to go for the bigger gear box. These really are premium items, and some of them are actually fairly unusual. You might get camp cookware one month, but walkie talkies the next. It's good gear all around, but the premium stuff is really a great deal more impressive than anything else you'll get in the box.

How Much Does it Cost?

As with many subscription services these days, Survival Boxes gives you a bit of a choice as to how much you want to pay for the service. If you're just looking to get survival gear, you can choose the Gear Only box for $29.99 plus shipping. If you're only interested in food and seeds, you can get the Bravo Box for $36.99 plus shipping. At a similar price point is the Water Only box, which costs a dollar less per month.

If you're looking to go bigger, though, there are options that might suit you. The Alpha Survival Box includes food, water, seeds, and gear, and costs $39.99 per month plus shipping. If you want the premium items, though, the price jumps up quite a bit - it costs $89.99 per month, plus shipping.

The value proposition here is a little harder to suss out than most, largely because the company doesn't make any public claims about the value of any given box. If you were to piece out each item, you'll find that most of the boxes are worth significantly more than you pay. That makes them a really good value for those who are looking to create survival caches.

What's The Verdict

Survival Boxes is one of the best pure survival boxes out there. It's got enough options and gear for anyone, and it's very useful for building up emergency supplies. Though it's light on the toys, it has everything you'll need for a survival situation.

PROS

  • Multiple price points
  • Includes unusual gear
  • Premium gear is great
  • Good focus on survivalism
  • Incredibly practical
  • Great for stocking a cache

CONS

  • Some price points are a little overpriced
  • Best gear is saved for the premium kit
  • Some of the food options could be better
  • Lack of trusted brand names
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Jack Cullum

Jack Cullum aka "The Box Man" is known to bust a box or two open! He is super into it really! Please connect with him on social and may all your boxes be great!

Why Are Cuban Cigars Illegal in the U.S.?

Castro loved his Cuban cigars

Ah, the mythical Cuban cigar. Nothing is more coveted and sought after in the cigar aficionado community. The very mention of the words sends one into thoughts of tasting subtle notes of mahogany, relaxing on a Havana beach rocking a guayabera and fedora. Although it deserves the accolades it enjoys, the legendary Cuban cigar also has an interesting and complicated history with the United States.

That is why many people want to know if Cuban cigars are illegal in the US.

Cuban cigars are illegal to be sold in the United States because of the strict trade embargo to ban all imports of products containing Cuban goods. The embargo was established in February 1962 by President John F. Kennedy to counter Fidel Castro’s communist regime in Cuba.

Intense right!?

At one point in time, getting caught attempting to smuggle a Cuban cigar through U.S. customs would’ve cost you a fine of up to $55,000!

This ban is part of the allure and nostalgia associated with the Cuban cigar. Simply put, people want what they can’t or aren’t supposed to have.

Keep reading to unwrap the mystery of the tough relations between Cuba and the U.S.

Let’s fire this bad boy up!

The Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro’s Rise to Power

We can’t talk about the history of Cuban cigars without mentioning Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, or “El Caballo”, as native Cubans call him. A devout believer in Marxism–Leninism, Castro sought to further socialism and Marxism in Cuba.

In his view, the Cuban politicians had given to much control to the imperialistic United States. This lead to 1953 Castro attempting to overthrow the Cuban government and President Fulgencio Batista by leading a failed assault on Moncada Barracks.

Fidel finally snatched power and was sworn in as Prime Minister on February 16, 1959. From there he began to consolidate his power and confiscate land and business owned by rich Cuban citizens and foreigners.

The Divide Grows Deeper

After assuming the role of Prime Minister In 1959, Castro set out to the US to a so-called “charm-offensive”, that was anything but. President Dwight D. Eisenhower refused to meet with Castro furthering his disdain for the United States. Instead, Eisenhower sent his Vice President, Richard Nixon, to meet with Castro. It is said that Fidel had an immediate dislike for Nixon — Good eye? Maybe. “Game peeps game”? Who knows?

Next was what is known as “The Bay of Pigs Invasion”. This was an attempt to project power by landing a ship to form a beachhead on the shores of Cuba. This attempt failed and further agitated the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union with Cuba in the middle of it all.

At the height of the Cold War, the tension flared between the U.S. and Cuba with the onset of the “Cuban Missile Crisis” in October 1962. The Missile Crisis was a 13-day standoff between the US and the Soviet Union. The confrontation began when the US discovered that U.S.S.R. had positioned ballistic missiles in Cuba. This conflict is widely considered the closest time the world came to nuclear war.

The U.S. Trade Embargo Against Cuba

The anti-communist push that began in Eisenhower’s administration only strengthened in Kennedy’s as Cuban became closer to the United States’ fiercest geopolitical enemy, Russia.

In 1962, by Executive Order, Kennedy increased measures of the embargo by broadening the scope of restrictions. This included a restriction on goods regardless of whether they were manufactured or constructed outside of Cuba.

Yes JFK loved his Cuban cigars as well, even during the Cuban Missile Crisis

But get this, before he made the Executive Order, he instructed one of his officials, Pierre Salinger to bring him back 1000 H. Upmann cigars from Cuba. Well, his Head of Press outdid himself and brought back 1200 of the soon to-be-rare commodity.

Moments after Salinger’s return, Kennedy announced the new restriction that now made Cuban cigars contraband.

Since 2018, the trade embargo with Cuba is strongly enforced by six primary statutes:

  • Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917 (banning arms trading)
  • Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (maintaining the ban unless movement towards democratization)
  • Cuban Assets Control Regulations of 1963 (domestic embargo enforcement)
  • Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 (sanctions geared towards the peaceful transition to democracy)
  • Helms-Burton Act of 1996 (extension of the embargo to countries that trade with Cuba)
  • Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000

The Poison Cigar and 637 Other Ways To Assassinate Castro

Castro was a well-known cigar lover. And being in Cuba he was in the land of riches. In the 1960s the CIA launched a covert operation to topple the Cuban government. The code name was super cool: Operation Mongoose. James Bond would be jealous.

As legend has it, the plan was to get Castro to smoke a cigar laced with a potent poison called botulinum toxin. But it never reached Fidel’s lips.

In a cartoonish manner, the US attempted to kill El Caballo with an exploding cigar! Bugs Bunny would be proud. Other zany attempts include a scuba diving suit tubercle bacilli and a booby trap conch on the bottom of the sea where he dove. Man, this stuff is so crazy you can’t make it up!

Fidel Castro eluded over 600 assassination attempts including one by the United States to kill him by poison cigar!

NBC News

Are Cuban Cigars Illegal to bring into the U.S. today?

Although the trade embargo is still in place, American citizens are now allowed to legally bring $100 worth of Cuban cigars into the United States. In 2014 the restriction on bringing Cuban cigars into the U.S. was eased by President Barak Obama’s Administration.

2016 saw this $100 limitation removed and now there is no limit to the amount that you can carry through US Customs. However, there’s a catch. According to these newer regulations, commercial importers returning with Cuban goods have to formally declare their goods starting at the $2500 entry-level. Also, you have to purchase the cigars from independent Cuban merchants. As I’ve mentioned, the entire Cuban cigar industry is run by the state. You’re officially in the “books”. So bringing more than that through U.S. Customs could arouse suspicions.

The point is you do not want to look like your selling “Cubanos” in the Little Havana section of Miami as soon as you jump out of your Uber. Don’t overdo it – at least not past the $2,500 worth of goods.

SBFM - Cohiba Cuban Cigars
The world renown Cohiba Cubano

Cohiba and Other Cuban Cigar Brands

By far, cigars are Cubas most precious export. And perhaps the most famous cigar brand in the world, Cohiba was established as a private limited production. Cohiba was created to supply Fidel Castro and his cohorts with premium “stogies”.

The cigar began to take on a cult-like following as they were often handed out as gifts to diplomats. Thus, they have been state-run since their inception.

In 1982 Cohiba began to sell their cigars commercially. The cigars more premium selections have garnered the some of highest marks from world-renown critics.

Fitting the pattern of constant conflict, Cohiba has been in a patent fight with the US maker of the same name for decades.

Other lauded Cuban brands include:

  • Romeo y Julieta
  • Bolivar, Montecristo
  • Partagas
  • and the aforementioned H Upmann.

However, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission, “Cuba’s tobacco sector is fully state-controlled”

USITC
Fidel quit smoking by this time but still appreciated the cigar culture

The Future of Cuban Cigars in the U.S.

The future of Cuban cigars in America is unclear. You can’t even be certain of the ones that make it to the US. 95% of all Cuban cigars in America are reported to be counterfeit.

A USA Today poll in 2008 showed that 61% of Americans believe that relations “should” be re-engagement with Cuba.

However, Cuban Americans show a declining support for reconnecting with the “fatherland”. And having lived in Miami for 2 years I can definitely testify that this is true. There is not a lot of love for Castro and the communist party in South Florida.

There are groups that promote the re-engagement with Cuba like Engage Cuba. So the hope is still alive to make the world’s favorite cigars completely legal in the U.S.

Until then keep stuffing your bags full of those coveted “smokes”!

Jack

Reel Tackle Box Review

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Reel Tackle Box Review

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lucky tackle box review 2019

One of the best memories that I have of my father is when he would take me fishing when I was little. There was a pond near our house, and we would go sit on the bank of the pond for hours at a time waiting on the fish to bite. Sometimes, we would take home a few fish, but most of the time, it was a chance to just talk to each other.

Now, I can keep the same memories alive with my own kids by using items I get from Reel Tackle Box. The subscription service sends a box each month of an assortment of items I can use when I go fishing. The service has been featured on some of the most well-known sporting channels and websites, which means that the products available are usually highly recommended and of the best quality.

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Reel Tackle Box

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Getting Started

Signing up for a subscription is easy and can be completed in a few steps. There are no knock offs that you have to worry about as most of the items that come in the box are from name brands. I've never had an issue with anything breaking or any issues with the quality of the products in my boxes.

When you enter your information to sign up for a subscription, you'll choose the type of box that you want and how often you want it delivered. Most boxes are delivered once a month. You can send a subscription as a gift if you don't want to keep it for yourself.

Types Of Boxes

There are a few different types of boxes that you can choose from depending on how much money you want to spend and how many items you want in each one. The Big Bass Box is probably the most popular as it comes with the most items inside. There is also a Big Bass Mini box that has similar contents but not as many.

There are catfish boxes, crappie boxes, boxes for fly fishing, and a striper box. All of the items that are in each box are designed for that type of fish or that type of fishing adventure. You won't get a lot of reading material as the company tries to include things that go in the water instead of things that will sit on a table.

Each box that I have received has arrived in a timely manner. The box is brown and has a large fish and rod on the front as well as an outdoor scene. Items that are inside have lasted for months and still function just as they did when they first arrived.

Items that are included in the boxes can usually be used in freshwater or saltwater. There is an assortment of lures so that you can choose which one you think would work better to try to catch the kind of fish that you want. I have started a new tackle box that includes an assortment of lures and reels that I have only received from Reel Tackle Box.

Payments

The company accepts an assortment of credit and debit cards. I have never had an issue with my card being used, but as with other companies, you need to monitor the receipts that you have to ensure that you are charged correctly. Also, keep track of the day that you place an order so that you have a good idea as to when your box might arrive.

Most of the time, I receive my box about a week after I place an order or after it's time for my subscription to be renewed each month. All I do is make a note on my calendar of when the new month starts so that I have a general idea as to when I should expect a box in the mail. 

Customer Service

I've only had to contact customer service two times since I started receiving boxes from Reel Tackle Box. Each time has been pleasant as the person on the other end of the line has been very helpful. I do like sending emails better than calling so that I have a record of my conversation and the details that I receive from the company.

Affordable

If I were to go to a sporting goods store and get the same reels, lures, and other fishing items that I get in my boxes, I would likely spend a few hundred dollars. When I complete my payment for the company, I pay less than $50 most of the time unless I order a few boxes at once.

Sometimes, I will order a few different boxes so that I have a variety of fishing supplies. This is what I did when I first subscribed because I knew that I wanted to try to build a decent tackle box with items I could take fishing.

Other Merchandise

Not only does Reel Tackle Box sell reels and lures, but you can also purchase rods and other supplies that are needed for your fishing adventure. There are marine maps and electronic devices that make finding your location a bit easier.

Coolers are available that are beneficial to have on hand so that you have somewhere to store your fish until you can get them home. The company sells clothing and fishing gear to wear to protect your clothes, such as gloves and boots. There is an assortment of rods, and I have even found one for my son so that he can fish as well.

These items bring back the memories I have of fishing with my own father, which is why I am thrilled to have a subscription to Reel Tackle Box.

What's The Verdict

I would recommend this company if you enjoy fishing as you can get anything that you need to get started or to continue with your fishing adventures instead of going to a store to get what you need.

Contact Reel Tackle Box to enter your information so that you can start the subscription you want for the box you want to receive.

PROS

  • check

    Various boxes with lures and more

  • check

    Box arrives in a timely manner

  • check

    Affordable options

  • Abundance of other fishing supplies

CONS

  • Have to watch your fees sometimes

  • Lag in shipping if the company has several orders to process


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Jack Cullum

Jack Cullum aka "The Box Man" is known to bust a box or two open! He is super into it really! Please connect with him on social and may all your boxes be great!

This post may include affiliate links.

Copyright 2020 Subscription Boxes For Men Club Inc., all rights reserved.

Cigar.com Cigar of the Month Club Review

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Cigar.com Cigar of the Month Club Review

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cigar.com cigar of the month club review 2019

At the end of the day, I don't see anything wrong with lighting a cigar and enjoying the aroma that it gives off as well as the delightful flavor. My father used to smoke cigars, which is where I learned how to enjoy them over the years. I still have a few unopened boxes that he never got around to smoking before he died.

Cigar of the Month Club lets me add to my own collection by sending one or a few cigars each month. Sometimes, I just keep them in their wrappers and display them on a shelf so that I can admire the beauty of how they are wrapped. The ones that aren't decorated or that don't smell as good as others are opened and enjoyed.

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Cigar.Com Cigar of the Month Club

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Benefits

When you sign up for the club, you're going to get quite a few benefits that will make you want to go back and order even more cigars and even a few selections from the online store. You only need to pay about $30 a month in order to receive the cigars that are selected for members.

You're going to get five cigars each month. There is an option to upgrade to get 10 cigars, but you do have to pay a little more to receive them. The cigars that you get have an exceptional flavor and are delightful to smell. Sometimes, I can smell them before I even open the box.

A newsletter arrives in your email or in the box that you get each month. This simply gives you a better idea about the club and what you can expect. It details some of the flavors that are used in cigars and some of the best ones that can be paired with beverages or meals.

As a member of the club, you'll receive a 10% discount on purchases that are made. You'll also be able to decide how long you want to be a member of the club as you can opt-out at any time.

Expectations

It's easy to sign up with the club to receive the benefits that are offered. It's even easier to understand why the club cares so much about customers. It wants to provide a pleasant experience for those who haven't tried cigars or those who are enthusiasts about the product. The club sends just enough cigars in your box so that you can sample them in order to make a decision as to whether or not you want to buy more.

There is one featured cigar that you're going to receive each month. However, all of the cigars surround the same theme and often have similar flavors. The featured cigar is usually of a special blend, but it can be a well-known flavor that you might not have access to in the area where you live.

You'll receive two cigars that are recommended from the company as well as two cigars that are considered everyday smokes. These are your average cigars that aren't too expensive but that offer the high quality that you expect from the product. 

Types of Boxes

There are a few different types of boxes that you can receive during the year. I've received warm flavors in the winter and those that are a bit spicy in the summer months. It all depends on the theme for the month that the box is sent as to what you're going to get. The company tries to use unique themes so that you do get something unique.

An example of the type of box that you could get would be the Summer of Celebration. It features cigars that have been aged and that have the smoky flavors that you enjoy. Most of the cigars in the box are known for their celebratory qualities, such as anniversary editions.

Promotions

There are several promotions that Cigar of the Month Club offers. These promotions usually change from one month to the next, so if you're planning to order a box, then you should consider waiting until you see all of the deals before making a decision about what to order.

You can enter sweepstakes each month for a chance to win free cigars and merchandise from the company. A fun promotion is for five free cigars and a lighter. Don't think that the lighter is one that you would get at a gas station. Instead, it's one that's of high quality and that will last for several months.

There is a deal of the week that includes a special selection that is hand-picked by one of the employees. Expert picks are also available. These are selections that are made by some of the creators of the cigars that are included in the boxes that you receive.

An option is available for you to pick three cigars that you want. The Perfect 10 Sampler includes some of the top cigars that the club has available. These cigars have the best flavors, the best aromas, and are wrapped in designs that are intriguing and beautiful.

Everyone Loves Free!

Who doesn't like to get free items! Cigar of the Month Club makes sure that there are always free items that you can choose from each month. It could be something as simple as a lighter, or it could be a gift as extravagant as a $25 discount on your purchase. You never know what promotions and free items will be available, so you have to keep checking back throughout the week and the month if you want in on the goodies.

What's The Verdict

I've never had an issue with this company, and the customer service is exceptional. You're going to get a cigar that you enjoy every month, perhaps some that change your perspective of the product.

Get your first cigar box in a short time after you join the Cigar of the Month Club by visiting the website today.

PROS

  • check

    Free treats

  • check

    Merchandise aside from cigars

  • check

    Some of the best brands on the market

CONS

  • Could include a few more cigars in the boxes

  • Speed of delivery could be improved


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Jack Cullum

Jack Cullum aka "The Box Man" is known to bust a box or two open! He is super into it really! Please connect with him on social and may all your boxes be great!

This post may include affiliate links.

Copyright 2020 Subscription Boxes For Men Club Inc., all rights reserved.