Marc Delaunaythe old locksmith
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Marc Delaunay 3 ebooks · 303 chapters

Protect your home without paying for fear.

Three illustrated books, one complete plan: dozens of nearly free security fixes, the five products actually worth buying, and how to stay calm if someone ever gets in.

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3ebooks
1,464pages
303chapters
The three ebooks in The Old Locksmith's Home-Defense Library: The 3 A.M. Plan, The Unprofitable Truth and The Five Worth Buying
“These are not products. They are decisions. And decisions are free.”— from The Unprofitable Truth
Ithe library

Three books. One plan. Every door covered.

Most of what gets sold to you as “home security” is a feeling with a monthly bill attached. I've spent my life around locks, doors and the people who sell them, and the real thing is mostly cheaper, plainer and closer to hand than the salesman wants you to know. So I wrote it all down in three books, and I sell them together, because you need all three.

The Unprofitable Truth: 101 Ways to Protect Your Home That Cost Almost Nothing is where you start. The 10-foot rule for landscaping, door and window habits, key control, the illusion of occupancy, the neighbor network. These are 101 ways to make your house a harder target, and nearly all of them cost nothing.

“They cost nothing because they are made of awareness, and awareness has never been for sale.”

— The Unprofitable Truth

The Five Worth Buying: 101 Hard Truths About the Home Security Market is the one the industry won't like. It covers the $99 install that costs $3,000, the monitoring contract that outlives your mortgage, the arbitration clause and the “free” equipment. Then it names the only five things I'd tell my own family to buy.

“It is in the business of selling you a feeling — and then billing you for it, month after month.”

— The Five Worth Buying

The 3 A.M. Plan: 101 Steps for Staying Calm When Someone Gets In is for the moment you hope never comes. Your first three seconds, the slow exhale, the exit strategy, calling for help without escalating. It also covers the hour, the night and the weeks after.

“Grace under pressure is not a gift. It is a practice.”

— The 3 A.M. Plan

Read one and your home is safer. Read all three and you'll know what to do, what to skip, and how to keep your head.

IIthe difference

Buying fear vs. building a plan

The way most homes get “secured”

  • A door-to-door salesman sets the budget, and the contract runs for years.
  • A camera on every corner, footage in a cloud you pay for monthly.
  • Gadgets bought one panic at a time, with no idea which ones matter.
  • The back door, the sliding door and the garage left exactly as they were.
  • No plan at all for the night something actually happens.

With the Old Locksmith's Home-Defense Library

  • 101 near-free habits and fixes that make your home a harder target first.
  • The five purchases worth your money, and how to spot the markup on the rest.
  • How to read a security contract, and the fine print to walk away from.
  • Every weak point covered: doors, windows, garage, basement, attic.
  • A rehearsed, step-by-step plan for staying calm if someone gets in.
IIIwhat's inside

All three ebooks, every chapter

Nothing held back. Here is the full table of contents for each book in the library.

The Unprofitable Truth cover
Book 1 of 3

The Unprofitable Truth

101 Ways to Protect Your Home That Cost Almost Nothing

101 chapters · 453 pages · PDF

Habits, sightlines, lighting, door and window tricks, neighbors and routines: 101 ways to make your home a harder target for next to nothing.

  1. The Mindset of Cost-Free Protection
  2. The Power of Routine Observation
  3. Mapping Your Home's Weak Points
  4. The 10-Foot Rule for Landscaping
  5. Strategic Lighting with What You Have
  6. The Art of Noise
  7. Door and Window Habits That Matter
  8. The Free Power of Neighborly Networks
  9. Using Social Media Wisely
  10. The Illusion of Occupancy
  11. DIY Door Reinforcements
  12. Window Security Without Cost
Show all 101 chapters
  1. The Garage Door Trick
  2. Securing Sliding Doors
  3. The Key Control Strategy
  4. Pet Power for Security
  5. The Mail and Package Protocol
  6. Trash Day Tactics
  7. The Vacation Checklist
  8. Using Your Phone as a Security Tool
  9. The Buddy System for Errands
  10. The Power of Hello
  11. Documenting Valuables for Free
  12. The Reflective Window Trick
  13. Curtain and Blind Strategy
  14. The Fake TV Glow
  15. The Radio Talk Show Method
  16. Using Timers Creatively
  17. The Doorbell Deterrent
  18. The Peephole and Chain
  19. The 'Someone is Home' Sign
  20. The Car in the Driveway
  21. The Snow Shovel Trick
  22. The Lawn Care Charade
  23. The Package Pickup Pact
  24. The House Sitter Exchange
  25. The Emergency Contact List
  26. The Noise Echo Technique
  27. The Curtain Twitch
  28. The Welcome Mat Rotation
  29. The Porch Light Rule
  30. The Interior Light Pattern
  31. The Bathroom Fan Trick
  32. The Kitchen Clatter
  33. The TV Conversation
  34. The Garage Radio
  35. The Neighbor's View
  36. The Sightline Audit
  37. The Fence Gate Latch
  38. The Shed Security
  39. The Ladder Lockdown
  40. The Trash Can Hide
  41. The Grill Guard
  42. The Playhouse Patrol
  43. The Mail Slot Check
  44. The Doggy Door Dilemma
  45. The Chimney Check
  46. The Basement Window Well
  47. The Attic Access
  48. The Roof Check
  49. The Gutter Guard
  50. The Downspout Detach
  51. The Trellis Takedown
  52. The Tree Branch Trim
  53. The Fence Height Check
  54. The Gate Sign
  55. The Window Sticker
  56. The Fake Camera
  57. The Motion Light Hack
  58. The Timer Switch
  59. The Smart Plug
  60. The Old Phone Camera
  61. The Baby Monitor Reuse
  62. The Computer Webcam
  63. The Radio Frequency Scanner
  64. The Neighborhood Watch App
  65. The Emergency Whistle
  66. The Flashlight Power
  67. The Personal Alarm
  68. The Safe Room Concept
  69. The Escape Plan
  70. The Code Word
  71. The Text Alert
  72. The Phone Tree
  73. The Vacation Photo Delay
  74. The Geolocation Off
  75. The Friend List Audit
  76. The Password Strength
  77. The Two-Factor Authentication
  78. The Router Check
  79. The Smart Device Audit
  80. The Camera Privacy
  81. The Document Shred
  82. The Mail Theft Prevention
  83. The Package Theft Deterrent
  84. The Charitable Donation Clutter
  85. The Yard Sale Sign Removal
  86. The Contractor Check
  87. The Service Worker Protocol
  88. The Regular Security Review
  89. The Unprofitable Truth: A Lifelong Mindset
The Five Worth Buying cover
Book 2 of 3

The Five Worth Buying

101 Hard Truths About the Home Security Market

101 chapters · 530 pages · PDF

How the security industry sells fear, markup and fine print, and the only five purchases I think are worth your money.

  1. The Alarm Bell That Never Rings
  2. How the Industry Sells Fear by the Pound
  3. The $99 Install That Costs $3,000
  4. Monitoring: The Monthly Bill That Outlives Your Mortgage
  5. The Five Worth Buying: The Book's Core Promise
  6. Wireless vs. Wired: The Debate That Salespeople Rig
  7. The Camera That Sees Everything but Helps No One
  8. DIY Kits: Freedom or Hidden Subscription Trap?
  9. The Truth About 'Smart' Homes and Security Theater
  10. When the Alarm Company Owns Your Equipment
  11. The 30-Day Cancellation Window You'll Never Find
  12. False Alarms: The Hidden Cost of Overpromising
Show all 101 chapters
  1. Police Response: What Really Happens When You Call
  2. The Rise of Verified Response and What It Means for You
  3. Insurance Discounts: The Promise That Rarely Pays Off
  4. The Door-to-Door Salesman: A Case Study
  5. How to Read a Security Contract Without a Lawyer
  6. The Arbitration Clause That Bars Your Day in Court
  7. The Fine Print on 'Free' Equipment
  8. The Five Worth Buying: #1 – A Quality Safe
  9. The Safe That Isn't Safe: Common Mistakes
  10. The Five Worth Buying: #2 – A Solid-Core Door and Deadbolt
  11. Window Sensors: The Weakest Link in Most Systems
  12. The Five Worth Buying: #3 – Exterior Lighting
  13. The Five Worth Buying: #4 – A Video Doorbell (Done Right)
  14. The Five Worth Buying: #5 – A Monitored Smoke and CO Detector
  15. Why the Other 96 Things Aren't Worth Buying
  16. Panic Buttons: The Illusion of Instant Help
  17. Glass Break Detectors: High Price, Low Reliability
  18. Motion Sensors: When They Work and When They Don't
  19. The Problem with Pet-Immune Motion Sensors
  20. Smoke Detectors: The Difference Between $15 and $150
  21. Carbon Monoxide Detectors: The Silent Killer You Can't Ignore
  22. Water Leak Sensors: The Most Underrated Security Device
  23. Freeze Sensors: Protecting Pipes in Cold Climates
  24. The Truth About Glass Break Sensors vs. Window Film
  25. Security Cameras: The Good, the Bad, and the Useless
  26. The Cloud Storage Scam: When Your Footage Disappears
  27. Night Vision: Why Most Cameras Fail in the Dark
  28. The Privacy Nightmare of Smart Cameras
  29. Video Doorbells: Convenience vs. Surveillance
  30. Smart Locks: The Convenience That Can Lock You Out
  31. Keypad Locks: The Forgotten Middle Ground
  32. The Garage Door: Your Home's Biggest Vulnerability
  33. Sliding Doors: The Lock That Doesn't Lock
  34. The Back Door: The Burglar's Favorite Entrance
  35. French Doors: Beauty and Risk
  36. Basement Windows: The Forgotten Entry Point
  37. The Attic and Roof: Overlooked Access Points
  38. The Chimney: A Victorian Problem in Modern Homes
  39. The Five Worth Buying: A Recap and Buying Guide
  40. The Alarm Company That Watches You Back
  41. When Your Security System Is Used Against You
  42. The Data Broker Behind Your Doorbell
  43. Facial Recognition: The Feature You Didn't Ask For
  44. License Plate Readers: The End of Anonymous Driving
  45. The Neighborhood Watch App That Polices Your Street
  46. When Police Request Your Footage Without a Warrant
  47. The Insurance Company That Demands Your Data
  48. The Landlord's Security System: A Tenant's Nightmare
  49. The HOA That Mandates a Security System
  50. The Security Company That Won't Let You Cancel
  51. The Repo Man of Security: When They Come for Your Equipment
  52. The Hidden Fees That Inflate Your Bill
  53. The Price Increase You Weren't Told About
  54. The Equipment Markup: Paying 500% for a $10 Sensor
  55. The Installation Fee That Never Ends
  56. The Warranty That Covers Nothing
  57. The 'Lifetime' Warranty That Lasts 90 Days
  58. The Customer Service Number That Leads to Nowhere
  59. The Technician Who Doesn't Know Your System
  60. The Subcontractor Shuffle: Who's Really Installing Your System?
  61. The Five Worth Buying: How to Budget for Real Security
  62. The Security Audit You Can Do Yourself
  63. Landscaping for Security: Trimming the Cover
  64. The Mailbox and Package Theft: Simple Solutions
  65. The Vacation Check: What to Do Before You Leave
  66. The Roommate and Rental Security Guide
  67. The Apartment Dweller's Security Playbook
  68. The Senior's Guide to Avoiding Security Scams
  69. The New Homeowner's Security Orientation
  70. The Smart Home Reset: Ditching the Subscriptions
  71. The DIY Alarm System That Actually Works
  72. The Professional Monitoring Alternative: Self-Monitoring
  73. The Neighbor Network: Your Best Free Security
  74. The Five Worth Buying: Installation and Setup Guide
  75. The Maintenance Schedule for Real Security
  76. The Emergency Plan: What to Do When Something Happens
  77. The Insurance Claim: Documenting Your Valuables
  78. The Police Report: When and How to File One
  79. The Restraining Order and Security: When Law Meets Safety
  80. The Cybersecurity of Your Security System
  81. The Firmware Update You Keep Ignoring
  82. The Password You Reuse Everywhere
  83. The Two-Factor Authentication You Should Enable
  84. The Guest Access You Forgot to Revoke
  85. The Resale of Your Smart Home Devices
  86. The Five Worth Buying: A Final Case Study
  87. The Future of Home Security: What's Coming and What to Avoid
  88. The Security Industry's Reckoning: Will It Ever Change?
  89. The Five Worth Buying: Your 101st Truth
The 3 A.M. Plan cover
Book 3 of 3

The 3 A.M. Plan

101 Steps for Staying Calm When Someone Gets In

101 chapters · 481 pages · PDF

Breath, voice, hands, exits and the phone call. 101 small, rehearsable steps for the worst minute of your life, and for the nights after.

  1. The Uninvited Knock
  2. Why 3 A.M. Changes Everything
  3. The Anatomy of a Panic Spike
  4. Your First Three Seconds
  5. The Ground Beneath You
  6. Naming the Intruder
  7. The Voice You Use
  8. Reading the Room in the Dark
  9. When It's a Loved One
  10. When It's a Stranger
  11. The 10-Second Body Scan
  12. Your Emergency Anchor
Show all 101 chapters
  1. The Power of a Slow Exhale
  2. Don't Turn On the Lights
  3. The Exit Strategy
  4. Calling for Help Without Escalating
  5. The Art of the Pause
  6. Your Hands Are Talking
  7. When They're Angry
  8. When They're Scared
  9. The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
  10. Your Safe Word
  11. The Buddy System
  12. Your Phone as a Tool
  13. The Flashlight Trick
  14. Don't Be a Hero
  15. The 3 A.M. Apology
  16. Setting a Boundary
  17. The Long Wait for Police
  18. After the Knock: The First Hour
  19. The Shake
  20. Telling Your Story
  21. The Night After
  22. When Children Are Present
  23. When You Live Alone
  24. When You Have Pets
  25. When You Have a Disability
  26. The 3 A.M. Kit
  27. Your Home's Weak Points
  28. The Illusion of Control
  29. The What-If Spiral
  30. The 3 A.M. Journal
  31. Your Calm Playlist
  32. The Scent of Safety
  33. The Weighted Blanket
  34. The Cold Splash
  35. The Power of a Mantra
  36. The 3 A.M. Stretch
  37. The Body's Alarm System
  38. The Half-Smile
  39. The 3 A.M. Prayer or Meditation
  40. When You're Naked
  41. When You're Sick
  42. When You're Intoxicated
  43. The 3 A.M. Flashback
  44. When You're the Intruder
  45. The Ripple Effect
  46. The Police Report
  47. The Court Date
  48. The 3 A.M. Anniversary
  49. When You Can't Sleep
  50. The 3 A.M. Exercise
  51. The Art of Distraction
  52. The 3 A.M. Phone Call
  53. The Long-Term Plan
  54. Forgiving Yourself
  55. Forgiving the Intruder
  56. The 3 A.M. Community
  57. When Help Hurts
  58. The 3 A.M. Advocate
  59. The 3 A.M. Toolkit Revisited
  60. The 3 A.M. Drill
  61. The 3 A.M. Debrief
  62. The 3 A.M. Journal Revisited
  63. The 3 A.M. Meditation
  64. The 3 A.M. Yoga
  65. The 3 A.M. Diet
  66. The 3 A.M. Exercise Revisited
  67. The 3 A.M. Sleep
  68. The 3 A.M. Support Group
  69. The 3 A.M. Therapist
  70. The 3 A.M. Medication
  71. The 3 A.M. Financial Plan
  72. The 3 A.M. Legal Plan
  73. The 3 A.M. Insurance
  74. The 3 A.M. Media
  75. The 3 A.M. Social Media
  76. The 3 A.M. Children Revisited
  77. The 3 A.M. Elderly
  78. The 3 A.M. Pet Revisited
  79. The 3 A.M. Neighborhood
  80. The 3 A.M. City
  81. The 3 A.M. World
  82. The 3 A.M. Philosophy
  83. The 3 A.M. Faith
  84. The 3 A.M. Gratitude
  85. The 3 A.M. Joy
  86. The 3 A.M. Future
  87. The 3 A.M. Promise
  88. The 3 A.M. Plan
  89. The 3 A.M. Dawn
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IVreader results

What readers are saying

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Marc Delaunay in his workshop
Vabout

I'm Marc. I fix doors.

For most of my life my job has been the space between a lock and the person trying to get past it. I've also stood close enough to the home security trade to see how it sells: the scripts, the markups, the contracts with the real terms on the back page.

On my channel I explain what actually keeps a home safe, and it is rarely what's on sale. People kept asking for everything in one place, something they could keep. So I wrote three books, 101 chapters each: one on what's nearly free, one on what's worth buying, and one on keeping your head at 3 a.m.

If you've ever lain awake listening to your house and wondered “what would I do?”, this library is my answer.

Marc Delaunay@MarcDelaunay
VIget the library

The Old Locksmith's Home-Defense Library

The Old Locksmith's Home-Defense Library — three ebooks
  • The Unprofitable Truth — 101 Ways to Protect Your Home That Cost Almost Nothing (453 pages)
  • The Five Worth Buying — 101 Hard Truths About the Home Security Market (530 pages)
  • The 3 A.M. Plan — 101 Steps for Staying Calm When Someone Gets In (481 pages)
  • All 3 ebooks as PDFs in one download. Read them on a phone, tablet, Kindle app or computer.
$60$37
Get the Old Locksmith's Home-Defense Library Bundle — $60 $37

Instant download · Yours forever

Secure checkout via Gumroad · Visa · Mastercard · Amex · PayPal · Apple Pay

VIIquestions

Before you ask…

Will this make my home burglar-proof?

No book can promise that, and you should be wary of anyone who does. What these books do is make your home a much harder and less attractive target, help you spend money only where it counts, and give you a calm, practiced plan for the worst case. They're practical guidance, not legal or professional security advice.

Is any of this about weapons or confronting intruders?

No. The 3 A.M. Plan is about staying calm, getting yourself and your family out of harm's way, and calling for help without escalating. One chapter is literally called “Don't Be a Hero.”

Your videos are free. Why buy the books?

A video covers one idea in a few minutes. The library is 303 chapters across 1,464 pages, organized so you can walk through your home room by room, look up the exact situation you're facing, and keep it all for good. There's no algorithm deciding what you see.

Why only $37?

It's launch pricing for all three books together. That's less than one locksmith call-out, and a fraction of what most people spend on a single security gadget they didn't need.

Do I get all the ebooks or just one?

All three. The Unprofitable Truth, The Five Worth Buying and The 3 A.M. Plan are all included in one purchase: a single download with every book inside.

What format are they in?

PDF. They open on any phone, tablet, e-reader app or computer. You get the download link right after checkout, and they're yours to keep.

Get the Old Locksmith's Home-Defense Library Bundle — $60 $37