tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post1290558549380396957..comments2024-03-17T08:58:39.402-07:00Comments on creative savv: My pantry savings accountLilihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-45916266078283780312015-09-25T11:03:31.797-07:002015-09-25T11:03:31.797-07:00Maybe you could sell things on ebay. It would be a...Maybe you could sell things on ebay. It would be a great way to make extra money, you don't have to have an ebay store to sell, I think you can get up to 20 free listings a month without a store & you would just pay the fees if the item sells. With your eye for great deals I bet you would be great at finding things!<br />RhondaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-67353808409037718822015-09-22T07:25:58.709-07:002015-09-22T07:25:58.709-07:00Hi Rhonda,
Your ebay store sounds intriguing. What...Hi Rhonda,<br />Your ebay store sounds intriguing. What a great way to earn extra income, but doing it according on your timetable. I am always looking for ideas like that.<br /><br />Keeping your pantry well-stocked, on top of living below your means, probably gave you that extra measure of security for your future, when you were laid off. It really does pay off to live a modest lifestyle. I'm glad for you that you were able to create a life that worked better for you, after the lay-off. Well done!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-40242011970615619342015-09-21T13:17:42.581-07:002015-09-21T13:17:42.581-07:00Hi Lili,
I love this post! We have always stockpil...Hi Lili,<br />I love this post! We have always stockpiled our pantry & other items as well. I never figured out the value of our pantry but I think it could feed us for a few months, like you mentioned not necessarily what we would want to eat but would keep us fed. I did lose my job almost 5 years ago, my position was eliminated. Fortunately we always lived below our means & saved as much as we could. I decided I was much happier at home & have not gone to work outside the home. I try & do things to earn extra money. I do have an ebay store now that helps a bit with income, I get my inventory from yard sales & there is one thrift store that I like to try & get to about once a week, they have a outlet store where most things are 29 cents a pound & sometimes I pick up some good inventory there. I do need to start putting more effort into the ebay thing though, have gotten kind of lazy about it lately.<br />I do agree with some of the others who have said they fear what may be coming with the economy, I think we may have some frightening times ahead of us, hopefully I am wrong.<br />RhondaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-89643944278383270052015-09-19T17:12:12.250-07:002015-09-19T17:12:12.250-07:00Interesting, Lili, your cliche is the very one I l...Interesting, Lili, your cliche is the very one I live by. When my husband and I discuss the economy and how best to prepare, I tell him it is not so much how much we earn (SS and interest earnings) in our retirement, but how we manage to keep expenses below the amount that is earned. Since the beginning of this year, I've kept track of our expenses and I'm amazed that we can live quite comfortably with just those earnings. We're not high maintenance or big spenders. We enjoy saving money as much as spending, actually we enjoy saving more than spending lol Just working on paring our expenses is fun to me. The most expensive will probably be my craft endeavors. I'm hoping to make some very durable rugs that can be passed on to my children and grandchildren as heirlooms. I hope my time is not coming soon because lately I've been thinking about collecting stuff I think my granddaughter would love to inherit one day (my daughter or DIL are not crafty, so my granddaughter is the chosen one lol) Everyone could use a good cotton or wool rug, like my grandmother who sewed quilt blankets, I see myself weaving or hooking rugs, even with failing eyesight and gnarly fingers. I wouldn't mind selling what I make, but frankly I don't like the pressure that comes with making salable merchandise. I've waited all my life for the privilege of making what I darn well please, even if no wants or pays a cent for it. <br /><br />YHFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-71070792632115211282015-09-19T15:54:06.909-07:002015-09-19T15:54:06.909-07:00This sounds very cliche, but it's how I live m...This sounds very cliche, but it's how I live my life -- prepare for the WORST, but HOPE for the best. I like to feel that no matter what happens financially, I will find good in the world and people. I may have to change my expectations as far as how our retirement will be lived out, but I will still look for joy in life. It's just that my joy may come in the free things, like watching a sunset, or playing with grandkids, instead of a retirement of world travel. If I am fortunate, I will appreciate which ever retirement I receive.<br /><br />But I can be certain of this, if I am foolish with my money now, there's a very good chance I will pay the price and be miserable in retirement, no matter how many joy-filled moments I find. Having creditors breathing down your neck is no fun. And I will most certainly NOT have years of world travel. But if I prepare myself, financially, and make wise choices, now, retirement will be sweet.<br /><br />I don't think we can count on our government to do anything right for the people. If they happen to do something right, well then I see that as a bonus. I think we each need to look out for ourselves, but not in an ugly way, just in preparedness. And so, I do tend to think about "how could we survive the worst case scenario?" We chose the house with land that we did, for reasons. Our land has a tree lot, for heat, a large area for garden and orchard, and a space we could keep hens. Those would be the basics. We take as good care of our health as possible, so that we wouldn't need much in the way of medical attention, barring some disease which seems to strike randomly. We have 5 bikes, here. They need new tires, but we could have some transportation that didn't depend on petroleum.<br /><br />But, I have genuine hope that none of this will ever be needed. <br /><br />Aren't those small moments of seeming coincidence amazing? It's a very small voice I hear, and sometimes I ignore it. But when I listen, there is always a reward or avoidance of a nasty consequence.<br /><br />As far as your retirement goes, is there an alternate way to earn a little money, if you should realize you need or want continued income? Could you turn a hobby into something profitable? Sometimes, just having a back-up plan in my head gives me peace of mind with a decision. <br /><br />And truthfully, for myself, I cannot ever see a time when I don't want to be earning a little money. I just like earning money. Today, I volunteered at a charity tea, and one of the ladies I was serving with was telling us where she bought the apron she was wearing -- from a 90-something woman who sews them to sell, for $15 each. It's not a lot of money for her, but it's something. I'm always inspired by those stories.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-80634202695261853262015-09-19T10:40:32.063-07:002015-09-19T10:40:32.063-07:00Lili, I am not religious, sorry to say. But I do ...Lili, I am not religious, sorry to say. But I do believe that things happen for a reason. Lately, I've noticed so many serendipitous moments (maybe a religious person like yourself will recognize it as God speaking), but it is almost unbelievable. This is silly, but this year, my husband and I have been able to use parts and supplies from our inventory which we had been accumulating (bought too much and couldn't use because it wasn't the right part). Is this God's way of saying to us...it is time to retire? It sure feels like we are winding down. <br /><br />YHFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-82331238931534992622015-09-19T10:30:18.558-07:002015-09-19T10:30:18.558-07:00You'r'e absolutely right about NOT taking ...You'r'e absolutely right about NOT taking in more debt...yet with the Feds lowering rates, I've often thought.....aren't they setting the people up to lose everything? I wasn't always as frugal early in our married lives, but since the early 90s I've changed how I view money and security. Maybe back then I was concerned about our retirement, and being self employed forces one to be more disciplined, but since the 2008 recession I no longer think it's going to be a plain vanilla downturn. I am not sure, but it seems more is at stake and trillions could be lost if we do have an ordinary recession, which can then snowball into a collapse. I've heard about 400 trillion in derivatives, but that number back in the 2000s has doubled. Though they say the losses will not be that great because where their is a loss there will be a gain, I dont think all can be paid. So their will be disruption at the very least and a collapse at the very worst. My own feeling is that is why the central banks around the world cannot afford a contraction, and any hint of a slowdown is met with more liquidity poured into the economy. Where will it end and how? I don't know much about economics, except what I've been reading on the internet, but it seems pretty darn scary. My gut feeling is this time will be different I don't think our current economic model is one God approves of anyway, and I think less focus will be on consumption in the new model anyway. Hope that is what God approves.<br /><br />YHFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-19827393819910742562015-09-19T08:20:02.185-07:002015-09-19T08:20:02.185-07:00Also, I trust God will be looking out for me, alwa...Also, I trust God will be looking out for me, always. I feel it. Little things, like I'm shopping, and I find a huge deal on a regular item, and I hear that small voice in my head telling me to stock up. I know that is God speaking. I feel taken care of, but also know that I have to do my own part in preparing myself.Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-49871274766275332112015-09-19T08:17:02.848-07:002015-09-19T08:17:02.848-07:00Live and learn,
you're right, its still all co...Live and learn,<br />you're right, its still all cooking! I do look forward to not having so many factors to consider when cooking. Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-28164627844912496962015-09-19T08:15:48.078-07:002015-09-19T08:15:48.078-07:00Hi YHF,
You know, I just think our economy has bec...Hi YHF,<br />You know, I just think our economy has become more volatile, with higher highs, and lower lows. And I do think many people have been lulled into a false sense of security, thinking that big gov't has their backs. Those who are always prepared, have learned to ignore what the Jones's are doing, don't take on debt and are generally hard workers, will do okay. <br /><br />In the last recession, our neighbor, who was in real estate, lost his own house to foreclosure. They took on too much debt with their mortgage, and had no back-up plan. It was so sad for their family as they were such a nice, nice husband, wife and kids.I hated to see them move. But this as a tough lesson. Some of us learn our lessons earlier in life. My own was as a single young adult in a new city. I learned my lesson about being prepared and taking care of myself.<br /><br />Taking care of myself, being prepared, helping/teaching my kids -- all of this gives me a better feeling for my own future, knowing I'm ready. Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-48121581174746754632015-09-19T05:15:18.352-07:002015-09-19T05:15:18.352-07:00Planning emergency savings for an economic downtur...Planning emergency savings for an economic downturn or slowdown is one thing but I am having a different feeling these days. Maybe I'm just a doom and bloomer as I have been these past seven years but I think this time is different. If it were not for some troubling trends like boomers retiring and consuming less, the effect of technology on jobs, not just in our country but globally, the ineffectiveness of the central bank's tools to buffer the shift that's causing huge deflationary pressures, I wouldn't be this pessimistic about our future. Then the fact that no one is prepared, at least mainstream media is not saying. That is why being prepared food and supply wise is also smart. If there is a collapse worse than the 2008 recession (that was alleviated by central bank liquidity), what will save us this time? Because of counterparty risk in liquidity and solvency hysteria, the supply chain could be disrupted and food may become scarce. If the worst case scenario does happen, I too worry about how safe even bank accounts will be. Even FDIC Insurance. Certainly the FEDS not raising interest rates on Thursday raised some alarm bells, and has gotten the market nervous. <br /><br />I don't mean to be so negative, but it pays to think worst case sometimes.<br /><br />YHFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-67044104984808214552015-09-18T12:25:13.475-07:002015-09-18T12:25:13.475-07:00Cooking for two is easier, but cooking is still co...Cooking for two is easier, but cooking is still cooking. Just the volumes are less. What I think will be easier for you is when you don't have as many special dietary needs you're trying to meet. I think you will feel like you can relax a little more with meals sometimes.Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-88181528454594298432015-09-18T11:21:19.091-07:002015-09-18T11:21:19.091-07:00They really don't interact much. I have prima...They really don't interact much. I have primarily two cats who like to go outdoors. The elderly one (16) does like to hunt the mice who come to snack on the chicken feed. But she doesn't mess with the chickens. Our chickens are enclosed, though, due to local laws.Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00396716408304381802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-32068668868644842932015-09-18T06:17:02.773-07:002015-09-18T06:17:02.773-07:00Hi live and learn,
It is interesting, isn't it...Hi live and learn,<br />It is interesting, isn't it? I do know of one blogger with a full year of food in stock at any one time. And they did have to rely on it, one year. I think part of what might go into the planning for how much you might need in stock, would be how vulnerable a person feels about their income. The Prudent Homemaker's husband is in real estate, I believe, and when the huge downturn in the Las Vegas area hit the real estate market, a few years back, their income plummeted severely, and they had to rely on that one-year pantry.<br /><br />I feel that our personal income is vulnerable, for other reasons, and am doing my best to prepare for the uncertainty in future income. Part of that is in planning for next year's garden, part in stocking our pantry, and part in keeping our investment portfolio balanced.<br /><br />I definitely would have guessed that you were somewhere in the middle. You seem to be such a sensible person. Good for you, for eating at home more! I imagine it's a lot easier when it's just two for dinner most nights. At least, that's what I'm hoping for my own future! :-)Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-52510802208906980672015-09-18T06:08:11.492-07:002015-09-18T06:08:11.492-07:00Hi Cat,
oh that does sound hot, still. We've ...Hi Cat, <br />oh that does sound hot, still. We've switched over to rain, here.That's good for things like the cabbage and kale (which look like they grew overnight), but not so good for the peppers and tomatoes.<br /><br />I think the lack of balance is the downside to most people's "emergency" supply of food. Our family would be eating the same veggies and fruit, day after day, and we'd be out of milk and eggs in about 2 weeks.<br /><br />But a few months, for you, is really quite good, especially with a big family to feed!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-74882794216701871652015-09-18T06:04:31.928-07:002015-09-18T06:04:31.928-07:00Hi Cat and Cat (oh, that seems so funny),
With wha...Hi Cat and Cat (oh, that seems so funny),<br />With what I've seen of EcatLady's freezer, I am certain you could go a few months, with out shopping. And with all that you have in cat food, too -- you are set for any sort of financial hardship, with regards to food. But I'm sorry that you have the surplus of food, for the reasons you do.<br /><br />And Cat from OK -- how do all the cats get along with the chickens? It seems like the chickens would be a great source of entertainment for the cats, until the chickens were full-grown, and then I'm sure they could hold their own against the felines!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-610507362401657022015-09-18T04:55:24.622-07:002015-09-18T04:55:24.622-07:00It's very interesting reading different blogs....It's very interesting reading different blogs. There are those who are on the more minimalist side who buy only what they need for the week or what every time period they're shopping for. They find that they waste less food that way. Others have almost a year's food in stock.<br /><br />Like most things, I'm in the middle. Just for the fun of it, the only thing I've bought food-wise in the last three weeks (not counting vacation) is milk and we're doing fine. Also, we're eating at home all of the time which is different for us. However, I'm missing some of the fresh foods, so I think there will be a trip to the store this weekend. <br /><br />While our pantry is not stocked for long term hardship, our bank accounts are so I feel okay. As I said in the beginning, we all have different approaches to things factoring in what is best for our own situations. Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-73185159137398764522015-09-18T04:32:07.380-07:002015-09-18T04:32:07.380-07:00I'm sorry you've had a sick fur baby. I n...I'm sorry you've had a sick fur baby. I need to rebuild our cat food savings account, for sure. With six of our own, plus one foster kitten left, they blow through the food!Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00396716408304381802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-65048676521823630092015-09-18T04:31:13.708-07:002015-09-18T04:31:13.708-07:00I know we could last a few month's on ours (in...I know we could last a few month's on ours (including the freezers in there), but it would definitely not be balanced meals as I'm quite low on veggies of any sort at the moment. But we'd be good on beef and have some chicken as well. I had a good stockpile at one point, but have used up much without rebuilding it again....need to work at this again. I have planted some fall crops, though it's still so hot they haven't done well (supposed to be 98-99 today but hopefully cooling off over the weekend), but hopefully when we get a true cooldown they will take off.Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00396716408304381802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-9062662643255338392015-09-17T21:41:30.216-07:002015-09-17T21:41:30.216-07:00Ha! Well, I'm still working on eating down the...Ha! Well, I'm still working on eating down the freezers, but I could easily go for several months... and the cat food savings account, well, let's just say that I react to the stress of having a sick fur baby by buying more cat food, so I can say with confidence that we won't have to buy any more for a looooooong time!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-84424468124886862042015-09-17T21:07:04.975-07:002015-09-17T21:07:04.975-07:00Hi Anne,
That sounds pretty good! And I agree, wha...Hi Anne,<br />That sounds pretty good! And I agree, what we have, especially after that first month, may not be what we wanted to eat, but would be good enough as sustenance. Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-67911072165646441202015-09-17T19:33:25.465-07:002015-09-17T19:33:25.465-07:00We could live a few months on our reserves right n...We could live a few months on our reserves right now. It might not be what we wanted to eat, but it would be food nonetheless. Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-68236047136857635082015-09-17T19:11:42.284-07:002015-09-17T19:11:42.284-07:00Oh, that is funny, Kris! The strange thing is why?...Oh, that is funny, Kris! The strange thing is why? Why a banana in there? If the banana had been left out, or maybe a hot dog substituted instead, then the rest might have been okay. But the banana makes no sense!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-871861795922186322015-09-17T17:40:54.777-07:002015-09-17T17:40:54.777-07:00I spent one winter reading old cookbooks. My husb...I spent one winter reading old cookbooks. My husband has some from his grandmother. One recipe in there was so awful, it was funny--a banana covered in mustard, rolled in ham, covered in cheese sauce, baked in an oven. I can't even imagine coming up with such an awful idea--it wouldn't be motivated by frugality and it certainly wasn't motivated by gourmet cookery!<br /><br />I think your orange chiffon pie would have been good! Not sure I could have pulled that off. Krisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4055690688282230469.post-83628953467743703272015-09-17T16:47:09.577-07:002015-09-17T16:47:09.577-07:00Hi Kris,
That year I spoke of, we went about 9 mon...Hi Kris,<br />That year I spoke of, we went about 9 months without a steady income, and I'll tell you, our meals were interesting to say the least. I needed a dessert one evening to bring to a potluck, and I looked in my pantry and didn't see anything I could bring. Then I stumbled upon some packets of plain gelatin, and some frozen orange juice concentrate. I made an orange chiffon pie. It was okay -- wouldn't win any blue ribbons, but it was all I could manage with little money to spend on groceries (we had gone about 2 months at that point, and used up almost everything in the kitchen, and I was trying to not spend on groceries for my husband and myself, or spend as little as possible).<br /><br />About a month is pretty good, I think! A month gives a family time to figure out how to manage until things turn around.<br /><br />Have you ever read cookbooks from the depression, or personal recollections from people who lived then? Some of the cooking ideas were pretty inventive!Lilihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13292553654219380455noreply@blogger.com