Reply #218: I cheated in three areas

[Spangle]

I cheated in three areas.

1) I'm from a low income area. I noticed that when people moved away, they could NOT return. When you leave, you accumlate bills based upon the higher salary and lifestyle. No way you can go back to extreamly low wage jobs.

So whe I left, I took that knowledge to heart. I'm fearful of taking an auto loan, etc. I tried to keep the over all bills down. When we were buying a house, I laughted at what "they" said we could afford. WE looked for a cheeper home. If we had listened to the experts, we would have lost the house by now. IF we needed to move "home", we can. So long as we can sell the house.

2) I listened to my elders. Way back when Bush was slamming McCain, I paid attentioned to my elders who have been through this game before. They warned of these kinds of problems if Bush took office. If I hadn't, 9-11 would have wipped us out.

3) HIgh blood sugar runs in the family. So my mother wouldn't allow me to put sugar in my tea or coffee. That way if I ever had the problem, I wouldn't also have to deal with my favorite drink not tasting right.

Number 3 doesn't sound like cheating. But it is. In times of stress, we want comfort food and items around us. We have to GIVE UP things. The more you have to give up, the harder it is. If something is going to be an issue, work on it ahead of time. Thinks like A/C and heating. Figure this stuff out now and live that way. Less air, less heat. Less soda, etc. Kinda of a personal thing. You don't have to give up everything now. If your use to steak all the time, throw in some beans and rice meals now. Learn how YOU like them cooked, etc.

I live in Flordia. Every year we have to check our Hurricane supplys. Rotate can goods, make sure there is candles, coal, etc. Lots of near misses. So had plenty of practice of "stocking up" then having it set. Buying bottle water is a pain if you don't normaly drink it. The chemicals in the water or whatever, it weakens the plastic. Then will leak all over the place. The water can take on the taste of the plastic container. So don't stock up without a little research. Some containers do better then others.

3 hurricane hits back to back was intresting. When the power is still off but the phone service is working, will YOU be able to call out? Not if you only have a modern, fancy phone that must plug into a power outlet. LOL! Aghm.... Many of our NOW normal lifestyle eats away at electricity. The clock on the microwave for an example. All these things raise the amount of electricity you use. In some cases, unpluging things is better. Dang, right now I"m looking at my printer. I haven't used it at all this week.. but it has a little green lite on, showing me it's "on" and ready. LOL!

Stocking up on what you WILL eat is smart. Not only does it need to be rotated, but you will feel even more deprived when there really is a NEED to use it. Include items to flavor water. Even if tea really isn't your "thing", when you can't afford anything else, being able to drink something different will lift your spirts. Tea and coffee takes a whole lot less storage room then sodas, juices, etc. Sodas and juices are for the same thing. Cost wise and storage wise, I really don't see how a person Don't forget to have some of your favorite spices in storage as well, if your thinking of long term needs.

Cleaning clothes... alot of people don't know what a rub board is. Some use them now for decorations. Buy a rub board. If electoricity becomes so high, it's really back to the basics. Also, it can be used in a lake, etc. Got clothes pins and a rope? Clothes can be hung to dry indoors if need be. Over the tub first, then else where.

While TP isn't a necessity, soap is. Bath soap, laundry soap, dish soap. Or a soap that does all three. A barrel to catch rain water is always nice. Because of acid rain, many might not drink it. But bathing, flushing the tolet, cleaning the dishes... It might be helpful.

BLEACH! and the tables to clean water. We have forgotten that infection is a major killer. WE are use to going to the Doc if a wound becomes infected. Make sure the medical kit is well stocked in items to prevent infections in minor and major wounds. Years ago, people died from very, very minor wounds.

AS for anything new that I'm doing right now.. Like you, repairs that are cost effective in the long run are being considered. However, I've got major hurricane damage.. so lots of repairs and updating are being done. Higher level of home insulation. Doors being "reset" and will not let out a/c in the summer, heat in the winter. Vents on the roof to keep the attic cooler. Lighting being considered based upon cost savings. All lowering our HUGE electric bill. Getting a freezer to make good use of the frozen food sales. Better dry good storage. Also considering a fence, so I can have a garden again.

Since our water pipes are IN the ceiling, hot water isn't an issue. Cold water.. Yea gota wait for the hot water to turn cold. LOL!

While ammo has been mentioned for hunting, no one has mentioned fishing equipment. Hmmmm.... Also pick up all kinds of nuts. Costs more, so it seems. But if they are still in their shell, it slows down the eating. You will eat less. It will give you a food you really have to bite down on. Think about it.. all those can goods... Trust me, I have been there. A hand full of nuts has left me more satisfied because of the flavor and because I HAD to chew. Old fashioned pop corn and oil. YES, alot of what I'm bringing up is "snack" type stuff. But it makes the can food streach. If you don't feel satisfied, you will feel deprived and want to eat MORE.