I am somewhat dismayed that a lot of my LGBT friends are freaking out about the recent election, without any sort of plan of action for themselves. I don't blame them for being scared, because both Trump and Pence are very scary people, especially for racial minorities and LGBT people. (One gal said that she had heard of three trans kids so far committing suicide in the first 24 hours, because they were so scared. Don't know how true they are, but I'm sure there was at least one. These are the little tidbits you come across when seeking to find the good, happy gay stuff.)
However, I have found that the best way to banish fear, is to take action. All of these suggestions are good ideas anyway, in my opinion, at least to consider. Remember that no matter how bad it gets, we just have to get through the next four years; just take it a day at a time. But if the election has you scared, then here are some more things you can do:
1) Get your facts. Hilary won the popular vote, while Trump won the electoral college. Which means that a slim majority of people are not the racist, homophobic stereotypes of Trump supporters. Some are simply mistaken--even some LGBT people support him. Voter turnout was also less than fifty percent, by some measurements.
Also learn the powers of the presidential office. He can select Supreme Court justices, and do relatively little else long-term. (Trump will be replacing a late justice that was already conservative, and I have not heard of Ruth Bader-Ginsburg having any health problems so far.) We will see if anything changes, but that is how it stands right now.
This may or may not make you feel better. It made me feel a tiny bit better.
(I have verified these facts as much as I could, though I don't wish to do it all over again to provide the links. I write this blog for a hobby, after all.)
2) For LGBT People: Couples that are already engaged should get legally married as soon as possible. They may or may not be able to make marriages illegal retroactively. If you are already married, it will be harder for them to take it from you. Have as many legal documents as possible--wills, power of attorney, living wills, adoption, medical release for minors, etc--made up in case your marriage becomes void overnight. Don't rush your relationship, but if you know for sure, then don't wait.
Trans people should make all legal and medical changes as quickly as possible. It may or may not be more difficult or expensive later. Surgery and other things like hormones is a big step, but if you are absolutely sure that you want it, don't wait.
Also read the rest of the suggestions, for everyone.
3) For immigrants, or racial or religious minorities: All I will say is that if it makes you feel better to take actions to attempt to "blend in," or to move to another area to feel safer, if you can, I don't think anyone has the right to make you feel bad about it. Do what you must, both for your safety and your identity, and balancing the two.
Get citizenship as quickly as possible, if you can and don't have it now.
4) Consider getting a gun at home, especially if your phobic or racist neighbors have one. And make sure they know you have it! This isn't to actually shoot anyone, but to hopefully keep them at bay. Hang a Pink Pistols (an LGBT gun group) sign next to your rainbow flag.
5) Save as much money as possible, in case of higher gas rates or losing health insurance, etc. This goes double if you have an expensive medical condition or disability. Even if you suddenly come into a windfall, don't treat yourself, except in small ways. Don't buy a new car, or go on an expensive vacation. Save it for a rainy day.
6) Hoard food, even and especially pet food. You can eat their food, but they may not be able to eat yours. Start slowly, but start. Be sure to hoard stuff you actually eat now, especially meat or other protein, so it's not wasted if nothing happens.
7) For those with loved ones far away: Have a plan so that they can get to you, or you to them. Can your kid halfway across the country carpool with someone who has a similar plan? Do they have enough money to pay for gas or a plane ticket to get to you? You may not be able to wire them anything. If you have a relative in the country, don't show up empty-handed and expect them to feed you.
8) If you're sexually active, and especially can get pregnant, stock up on condoms. It would be best to avoid the situation of needing an abortion during a Republican presidency. Pence has also said that he would cut funding for HIV/AIDS research, in order to fund anti-gay conversion therapy (which actually makes suicide rates go UP, not down!). So, use a condom/gloves/dental dams. And get tested, and vaccinated for HPV, as soon as possible, if you're sexually active. (And remember, condoms expire in six months, and need proper care. Read the instructions.)
9) Be as job-flexible as possible. Read books about switching careers. Learn new job skills, as much as you can. Get a job with a stable company, not an up-and-comer (but still be flexible with your career). If you can, be sure your profession is something useful, that people will always need, such as being a nurse or a mechanic. Read preparedness books. Start up your own side business or job, if you can.
10) Know about natural medicine, and have books about it on hand. It may not be as effective or quick as normal medicine, but you may have to rely on it, if other things are not available or are too expensive.
11) Help your own community. One man I know decided to do this, to assuage his fears of his husband not always being his legal husband. Create LGBT and other safe spaces on your campus, or in your neighborhood or community. Hang a rainbow flag out front or wear a safety pin on your clothes.
12) Talk soothingly to yourself. "I love you," "I am good," or even, "God is glad he made me gay," have been some of the things that I and others have repeated to ourselves, until we've felt better. Be on your own side.
13) Don't be afraid of weird stuff. I have a book called Predicting Your Future by Selene (no last name), with all kinds of fun and weird techniques. I don't know how accurate that book really is, but having it makes me feel a little better, and it is interesting. It's at least something, in this uncertain world (which would be uncertain no matter who was president). We don't anything for sure, so why not give everything at least a try?
14) Get a stuffed animal. If you already have one, cuddling it at your computer or sleeping with it is very comforting, especially when your real animals are busy or absent. Your cats won't always want to cuddle when you do, unfortunately. Don't go overboard buying stuffed animals, of course; one, or however many you have now, will do.
15) Focus on the little things. When my campus had a shooting last October, I focused on the little things--my new kittens, cleaning out my closets, etc--in order to move past it. Focus on the little things, especially those that make you happy.
Showing posts with label Preppers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preppers. Show all posts
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Preppers: You Won't Eat Then, What You Eat Now
It is my goal to have at least six months, and eventually a year, of food and some other necessities laid aside for me and my animals. But when I thought about how to go about it, I realized that I can't have a year's supply of food on hand, exactly as my diet is now.
Most of the food I eat now comes from the refrigerator and freezer, not the cabinet. I would need many more freezers just to store a year's supply of food, as I eat it now. (Some things don't even freeze well, either.) And that would require a lot of energy, just to store it. And I would also be screwed if the power is shut off because of finances, or otherwise unavailable.
So I have to think in terms of a year's supply of food, if I didn't have a freezer to store anything--in other words, non-perishable food.
Starches, such as rice and oatmeal, are cheap and easy to store. But protein is more expensive, so it would be more scarce if something happens. If you are hurting for food, carbs and sugars are not going to be your biggest concern. They are the most cheaply and easily available.
Protein is especially important to hoard, maybe even more so for vegans and vegetarians--and especially those with carnivorous pets such as cats. Don't be so much of a minimalist or vagabond that you can't do this, and take care of yourself.
I could eat beans for protein, which are very cheap and easy to store. But my cats will not eat beans. So I must get meat and high-quality kibble for their health. But at the same time, I know that I will eat some cans of mackerel, if that is what I have to eat, even if it is reserved for my cats. (Mackerel is the cheapest canned meat in my area.) So I must get enough cans of mackerel, for six months' or a year's supply, if that was the only meat I had to eat.
Sounds overwhelming, doesn't it? But I work towards this goal steadily, little by little each week.
I am not sure how much I, my cats, my disabled chicken, my two big dogs, and my family, will go through each day, if it was the only thing we had to eat. We like to feed our cats lots of meat now, though they occasionally get tired of it and stop eating it.
But I don't want to have to resort to killing and eating one of my non-disabled chickens. (I would feed Antonio meat and fish, because I am more strict with his diet than with the other chickens, because of his disability. Mackerel is also supposed to be good for his joints, which is what is disabled about him. And, well, he's my special pet, so I would kill another chicken first, if I had to kill one.) I can boil rice and beans for the chickens, and they can eat bugs in summer. But the carnivore pets are what worry me most.
I am still calculating and figuring out how much would be six months, and then a year's supply of non-perishable food, especially meat protein. And I am also figuring out where to store it, even as I steadily increase my supply, little by little. But protein, especially meat, is my number one priority. It is easy to take care of my goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and chickens. And carbs for humans are also cheap. But meat is harder to come by.
Jerky is expensive, and even if I made it myself, would I eat it, when fresh meat is available? Canned chicken and tuna are expensive, so that leaves fish, and mackerel is a better deal for my area than sardines, though they taste roughly the same to me.
We already feed mackerel to our animals, and occasionally I eat it too. How much we feed to our cats varies from week to week, depending on their health and preferences, so it is hard to say how much we would feed them--how many cans we would go through a day--if we didn't have money for other meat. And since my dad isn't good about stocking up for his own huge dogs, they might be eating mackerel instead of canned dog food, which would deplete our stores much quicker.
But I do know that "six months worth of mackerel," in bad times (if they come), is not the same as "six months worth of mackerel" in these good times. So my "six -month" supply of mackerel, if nothing happens, would probably last me much longer than six months.
My goal, for now, is about 360 cans--a six-month supply if we go through two cans a day--and maybe, eventually, even more. I am still experimenting with where to store them, though I suspect they would do just fine in a box or plastic tote on a porch or patio.
Just remember to include in your calculations what you and your household would eat, if you had to rely only on non-perishable and canned food. And don't be afraid to figure things out as you go along--that's exactly what I'm doing, and it's good enough for me. The important thing is that you get started, even in some small way. And be sure to continue, even if your progress must be slow or halting at first.
You will feel so much better, if you know that no matter what happens to you or the economy or the food distribution system, you and your family will eat. And your slow but steady progress towards that goal will just make you feel better and better.
Most of the food I eat now comes from the refrigerator and freezer, not the cabinet. I would need many more freezers just to store a year's supply of food, as I eat it now. (Some things don't even freeze well, either.) And that would require a lot of energy, just to store it. And I would also be screwed if the power is shut off because of finances, or otherwise unavailable.
So I have to think in terms of a year's supply of food, if I didn't have a freezer to store anything--in other words, non-perishable food.
Starches, such as rice and oatmeal, are cheap and easy to store. But protein is more expensive, so it would be more scarce if something happens. If you are hurting for food, carbs and sugars are not going to be your biggest concern. They are the most cheaply and easily available.
Protein is especially important to hoard, maybe even more so for vegans and vegetarians--and especially those with carnivorous pets such as cats. Don't be so much of a minimalist or vagabond that you can't do this, and take care of yourself.
I could eat beans for protein, which are very cheap and easy to store. But my cats will not eat beans. So I must get meat and high-quality kibble for their health. But at the same time, I know that I will eat some cans of mackerel, if that is what I have to eat, even if it is reserved for my cats. (Mackerel is the cheapest canned meat in my area.) So I must get enough cans of mackerel, for six months' or a year's supply, if that was the only meat I had to eat.
Sounds overwhelming, doesn't it? But I work towards this goal steadily, little by little each week.
I am not sure how much I, my cats, my disabled chicken, my two big dogs, and my family, will go through each day, if it was the only thing we had to eat. We like to feed our cats lots of meat now, though they occasionally get tired of it and stop eating it.
But I don't want to have to resort to killing and eating one of my non-disabled chickens. (I would feed Antonio meat and fish, because I am more strict with his diet than with the other chickens, because of his disability. Mackerel is also supposed to be good for his joints, which is what is disabled about him. And, well, he's my special pet, so I would kill another chicken first, if I had to kill one.) I can boil rice and beans for the chickens, and they can eat bugs in summer. But the carnivore pets are what worry me most.
I am still calculating and figuring out how much would be six months, and then a year's supply of non-perishable food, especially meat protein. And I am also figuring out where to store it, even as I steadily increase my supply, little by little. But protein, especially meat, is my number one priority. It is easy to take care of my goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and chickens. And carbs for humans are also cheap. But meat is harder to come by.
Jerky is expensive, and even if I made it myself, would I eat it, when fresh meat is available? Canned chicken and tuna are expensive, so that leaves fish, and mackerel is a better deal for my area than sardines, though they taste roughly the same to me.
We already feed mackerel to our animals, and occasionally I eat it too. How much we feed to our cats varies from week to week, depending on their health and preferences, so it is hard to say how much we would feed them--how many cans we would go through a day--if we didn't have money for other meat. And since my dad isn't good about stocking up for his own huge dogs, they might be eating mackerel instead of canned dog food, which would deplete our stores much quicker.
But I do know that "six months worth of mackerel," in bad times (if they come), is not the same as "six months worth of mackerel" in these good times. So my "six -month" supply of mackerel, if nothing happens, would probably last me much longer than six months.
My goal, for now, is about 360 cans--a six-month supply if we go through two cans a day--and maybe, eventually, even more. I am still experimenting with where to store them, though I suspect they would do just fine in a box or plastic tote on a porch or patio.
Just remember to include in your calculations what you and your household would eat, if you had to rely only on non-perishable and canned food. And don't be afraid to figure things out as you go along--that's exactly what I'm doing, and it's good enough for me. The important thing is that you get started, even in some small way. And be sure to continue, even if your progress must be slow or halting at first.
You will feel so much better, if you know that no matter what happens to you or the economy or the food distribution system, you and your family will eat. And your slow but steady progress towards that goal will just make you feel better and better.
Preppers: 10 Tips For Hoarding Canned Meat
I am pleased to now add another category to my blog, other than Minimalism, Budget Artist, and LGBT: Prepping, or, as some like to call it, Doomsday Prepping. I don't believe in doomsday anymore, but I do believe in hard times. We all go through them, whether it's on a national scale or not. So it makes me feel better to have plenty in the freezer, or better yet, non-perishable items that don't require energy to store. So if you can, I encourage you to, as you clean out your space, consider using some of that freed up room to buy some "Eating Insurance" for your family and your pets.
Once, when she was fearful of losing her job, my mom made herself feel better by buying a couple of canned whole chickens with her usual groceries. Having extra protein made her feel better about providing for herself and her family. But whole canned chickens are expensive, and so my meat of choice is mackerel. But I've taken her idea of stocking up, and used it to make myself feel better in general. I don't seem to be in danger of losing a job, but knowing that I have security still makes me feel so much better about the future.
I hope to, eventually, have at least six months worth of food stored for myself, my family, and my pets. I am working towards that goal now.
Here are some things I've learned so far:
1) Shake the cans. A strange lady in the supermarket once told me cheerfully to "shake your tuna," which I later learned was slang for vagina. But it was in the seafood aisle, so I think she wasn't sexually harassing me. By shaking the cans, you can determine how much juice is in there, and how much is meat. The less sloshing, the more food is in there. With some things, it all sounds the same. But if you shake a few cans and hear a difference, then grab the ones with more meat.
2) Weigh the drained ingredients. I found out that a "Net Weight 15 Oz." can of mackerel was actually about ten ounces of meat, not including juice. The juice is good to have, especially for cats and soups, but it is not why you buy canned meat. So that affected my price calculations, because I don't want to overestimate how much weight in food I have. Also weigh your container separately, because they are usually at least an ounce or two themselves.
3) Keep track of price, weight, and drained weight. A 15-ounce can of mackerel, which I buy for a dollar, is actually only 2/3 meat, and a full 1/3 water. So instead of about 7 cents an once, it is actual 10 cents an once. Instead of a little over a dollar, it is $1.60 per pound. It is still the cheapest meat I can find at this time and place, but it feels good to know the actual price of the food. Whatever juice I get is just a bonus.
4) Buy what you (or your pets) actually want to eat, anyway, so there is no waste if you don't need it.
5) Look at the dollar stores. The cans of mackerel I buy are from the dollar store. It happens to have the cheapest price, in my area and for this product. But with other products, it is not the cheapest, or the best deal.
6) Buy "stinky" fish as much as possible. In addition to protein, oily fish, such as my mackerel, has lots of B vitamins and fatty acids--very good for you. Ironically, it's much cheaper than tuna or chicken, too. If you hate it, just remember that eating it twice a week or so is good for you, anyway, so you could consider it a health supplement.
7) Buy a few extra hand-crank can openers. Don't get caught hacking at all of your cans with a knife. It's messy and dangerous.
8) Decide where to store the cans. If you stack a bunch of cans together, you may want to reinforce the floor with plywood or something. But you don't have to store them all together. Just be sure to keep track of how many you actually have.
9) Don't bother with processed meats. Spam and Vienna sausages, for example, are much more expensive per once, and not very good for you. Have as few additives in your meat, and your pets' meat, as possible.
10) Buy slowly over time. You can build up your stash slowly, if it seems overwhelming--like saving a few dollars at a time, it adds up. Buy a few more cans than you eat week, and save up the rest separately from your normal groceries. Or use your "discretionary" income, if you have any. Buying yourself some security will feel a whole lot better than buying another piece of clothing or gadget.
Once, when she was fearful of losing her job, my mom made herself feel better by buying a couple of canned whole chickens with her usual groceries. Having extra protein made her feel better about providing for herself and her family. But whole canned chickens are expensive, and so my meat of choice is mackerel. But I've taken her idea of stocking up, and used it to make myself feel better in general. I don't seem to be in danger of losing a job, but knowing that I have security still makes me feel so much better about the future.
I hope to, eventually, have at least six months worth of food stored for myself, my family, and my pets. I am working towards that goal now.
Here are some things I've learned so far:
1) Shake the cans. A strange lady in the supermarket once told me cheerfully to "shake your tuna," which I later learned was slang for vagina. But it was in the seafood aisle, so I think she wasn't sexually harassing me. By shaking the cans, you can determine how much juice is in there, and how much is meat. The less sloshing, the more food is in there. With some things, it all sounds the same. But if you shake a few cans and hear a difference, then grab the ones with more meat.
2) Weigh the drained ingredients. I found out that a "Net Weight 15 Oz." can of mackerel was actually about ten ounces of meat, not including juice. The juice is good to have, especially for cats and soups, but it is not why you buy canned meat. So that affected my price calculations, because I don't want to overestimate how much weight in food I have. Also weigh your container separately, because they are usually at least an ounce or two themselves.
3) Keep track of price, weight, and drained weight. A 15-ounce can of mackerel, which I buy for a dollar, is actually only 2/3 meat, and a full 1/3 water. So instead of about 7 cents an once, it is actual 10 cents an once. Instead of a little over a dollar, it is $1.60 per pound. It is still the cheapest meat I can find at this time and place, but it feels good to know the actual price of the food. Whatever juice I get is just a bonus.
4) Buy what you (or your pets) actually want to eat, anyway, so there is no waste if you don't need it.
5) Look at the dollar stores. The cans of mackerel I buy are from the dollar store. It happens to have the cheapest price, in my area and for this product. But with other products, it is not the cheapest, or the best deal.
6) Buy "stinky" fish as much as possible. In addition to protein, oily fish, such as my mackerel, has lots of B vitamins and fatty acids--very good for you. Ironically, it's much cheaper than tuna or chicken, too. If you hate it, just remember that eating it twice a week or so is good for you, anyway, so you could consider it a health supplement.
7) Buy a few extra hand-crank can openers. Don't get caught hacking at all of your cans with a knife. It's messy and dangerous.
8) Decide where to store the cans. If you stack a bunch of cans together, you may want to reinforce the floor with plywood or something. But you don't have to store them all together. Just be sure to keep track of how many you actually have.
9) Don't bother with processed meats. Spam and Vienna sausages, for example, are much more expensive per once, and not very good for you. Have as few additives in your meat, and your pets' meat, as possible.
10) Buy slowly over time. You can build up your stash slowly, if it seems overwhelming--like saving a few dollars at a time, it adds up. Buy a few more cans than you eat week, and save up the rest separately from your normal groceries. Or use your "discretionary" income, if you have any. Buying yourself some security will feel a whole lot better than buying another piece of clothing or gadget.
Minimalism/Preppers: Don't Have A Car Payment, In The Age Of Trump
A few months before the election, a couple I know bought a new car for one of the husbands' birthdays. And now that Trump has been elected, they are worried that their marriage will no longer be legal soon. And, I can't help but thinking, they also have a car payment to deal with.
One of my first thoughts when he was elected, other than wondering about LGBT rights, was about the economy. I have a feeling that he will do what is good for his many companies, not necessarily American workers. And that may lead to another recession. He may also repeal Obamacare, which some people are afraid of because they would lose health insurance--another situation where extra money would come in handy.
We had a major recession just a few years ago (though I'm not sure how much Obama controlled the banks and lending companies). And already people seem to have forgotten all about it. About 60-70% (my modest estimate) of cars I see on the road, around my home in southern Oregon, are quite new. And I wonder if it is the same everywhere else in the country.
Every time I am on the road, I cannot believe all of the waste of money and resources that I see. One would think that the recession would make everyone a little more frugal and a little more grateful for what they have--maybe even a little more environmentally conscious. But it has apparently taught us nothing. And it seems like these new cars have been popping up in droves, only in the past few years.
People felt "poor" during the recession, and as soon as they had a little bit of means again, they went out and bought new cars to feel better about themselves. But that is not the way to feel better about yourself, especially in the long term. You will only make things much harder on yourself, when the high of the new car inevitably wears off and you still have the high monthly payment (or a low monthly payment, for the next ten years!). There are other, much less burdensome ways to feel better about yourself. And there are ways to feel better, that don't make you eventually wonder why you did this to yourself.
And all of these people who are scared of uncertain times, now that Trump is elected, don't seem to make the connection to their finances, much less to their car payments. If times are really as bad as they think they're going to get, then you can't afford to burden yourself like this.
My hand-me-down car from my mom (which I absolutely love, for its memories and its free price tag) is about the same age as me--25 years old. A few years ago, my mom had a new engine put in it, for about $2,000. She says that we may need to put a new transmission in it soon, which she estimates would be about $300.
So we've got, basically, a brand-new car for $2,300. And $300 of it we didn't have to pay at first. If the guts of the car are new, the rest of it is probably fine. It's like different organs in the same human body. In a way, it's morbidly fascinating. My car is Frankenstein's monster.
It is much cheaper to buy a car at least ten years old, and have it worked over by a mechanic, than to buy a new, or newer, car. People say that they don't want to bother having work done, but they really can't afford not to. There is no way you can tell me that all of the people driving around new cars can afford them. I know my own family really can't, even though they still buy them. (My uncle regularly complains to my mother, "I just hate having this car payment!" but he never learns.)
I realized before the election that I wanted to stock up on extra food for me and all of my many animals. And it wasn't necessarily because of the upcoming election--I wanted to stock up even if Hillary won. Worst case scenario, nothing happens, and I have a store for personal hard times. I'm not wasting, either, since I buy only what I and my pets already eat, and plan to rotate everything.
And now I have more security, knowing that I will have that food insurance for, as I eventually plan, at least six months. And I also have no debt to worry about paying off. There are ways to make yourself feel more prepared for the coming months and years.
What I have, I wish the same for you. I would urge you, especially if you are afraid, to unburden yourself as quickly as possible. Sell or, if you can, return your new car to reduce or eliminate your debt. Or don't go into debt in the first place. If something happens, you will be glad you did this! If you fear something will happen, you will be glad you did. (And don't wait until the economy is already in trouble. If you are in trouble at that time, others probably will be, too.) And you would probably be glad you sold it anyway, when the high of having a new car wears off.
Unburden yourself, and free up as much money as possible to stock up and to save for a rainy day. And then you will not be as afraid.
One of my first thoughts when he was elected, other than wondering about LGBT rights, was about the economy. I have a feeling that he will do what is good for his many companies, not necessarily American workers. And that may lead to another recession. He may also repeal Obamacare, which some people are afraid of because they would lose health insurance--another situation where extra money would come in handy.
We had a major recession just a few years ago (though I'm not sure how much Obama controlled the banks and lending companies). And already people seem to have forgotten all about it. About 60-70% (my modest estimate) of cars I see on the road, around my home in southern Oregon, are quite new. And I wonder if it is the same everywhere else in the country.
Every time I am on the road, I cannot believe all of the waste of money and resources that I see. One would think that the recession would make everyone a little more frugal and a little more grateful for what they have--maybe even a little more environmentally conscious. But it has apparently taught us nothing. And it seems like these new cars have been popping up in droves, only in the past few years.
People felt "poor" during the recession, and as soon as they had a little bit of means again, they went out and bought new cars to feel better about themselves. But that is not the way to feel better about yourself, especially in the long term. You will only make things much harder on yourself, when the high of the new car inevitably wears off and you still have the high monthly payment (or a low monthly payment, for the next ten years!). There are other, much less burdensome ways to feel better about yourself. And there are ways to feel better, that don't make you eventually wonder why you did this to yourself.
And all of these people who are scared of uncertain times, now that Trump is elected, don't seem to make the connection to their finances, much less to their car payments. If times are really as bad as they think they're going to get, then you can't afford to burden yourself like this.
My hand-me-down car from my mom (which I absolutely love, for its memories and its free price tag) is about the same age as me--25 years old. A few years ago, my mom had a new engine put in it, for about $2,000. She says that we may need to put a new transmission in it soon, which she estimates would be about $300.
So we've got, basically, a brand-new car for $2,300. And $300 of it we didn't have to pay at first. If the guts of the car are new, the rest of it is probably fine. It's like different organs in the same human body. In a way, it's morbidly fascinating. My car is Frankenstein's monster.
It is much cheaper to buy a car at least ten years old, and have it worked over by a mechanic, than to buy a new, or newer, car. People say that they don't want to bother having work done, but they really can't afford not to. There is no way you can tell me that all of the people driving around new cars can afford them. I know my own family really can't, even though they still buy them. (My uncle regularly complains to my mother, "I just hate having this car payment!" but he never learns.)
I realized before the election that I wanted to stock up on extra food for me and all of my many animals. And it wasn't necessarily because of the upcoming election--I wanted to stock up even if Hillary won. Worst case scenario, nothing happens, and I have a store for personal hard times. I'm not wasting, either, since I buy only what I and my pets already eat, and plan to rotate everything.
And now I have more security, knowing that I will have that food insurance for, as I eventually plan, at least six months. And I also have no debt to worry about paying off. There are ways to make yourself feel more prepared for the coming months and years.
What I have, I wish the same for you. I would urge you, especially if you are afraid, to unburden yourself as quickly as possible. Sell or, if you can, return your new car to reduce or eliminate your debt. Or don't go into debt in the first place. If something happens, you will be glad you did this! If you fear something will happen, you will be glad you did. (And don't wait until the economy is already in trouble. If you are in trouble at that time, others probably will be, too.) And you would probably be glad you sold it anyway, when the high of having a new car wears off.
Unburden yourself, and free up as much money as possible to stock up and to save for a rainy day. And then you will not be as afraid.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Minimalism/Preppers: Don't Throw Everything Away Yet!
I don't like "capsule wardrobes" for a lot of reasons, and one reason I didn't mention was this: That capsule wardrobes, in which you have only a certain number of items (usually thirty or less, total), are based on the idea that you or the economy will never fall on hard times.
I have seen and read so many people, from extreme minimalists who live out of backpacks, to mothers with two or more young children, say something to the effect of, "If I need something else/if something wears out/if I need that item again, I can just go buy something else."
And this does betray a certain level of privilege, that they have the money to do that, and expect to continue to have enough, for the rest of their lives. But it also says something else: That they expect that the economy, and their own circumstances, will always stay pretty much the same. They are woefully unprepared for any sudden hard times to befall them.
Capsule wardrobes are great, in that they eliminate the burden of choosing something every day, if your clothes are all the same or matching colors, or if you have few enough of them that the choice is no burden. But can your capsule wardrobe last more than one season, if it has to? Do you have enough for next year? Are your clothes going to wear out before then? Even worse, do you plan for your clothes to wear out before then? Are you thinking, "I'll go buy something else when this wears out"?
I don't wish to shame anyone, just make people think, and prepare themselves. If you are saving money in order to purchase new clothes, when your current ones wear out, how do you know that there won't be terrible inflation that you have to deal with then? What if your money is worth less, or you have to save your precious cash for a house payment or medical bills?
Do you expect your one or two jackets to last not only all this winter, but all the next? Are you thinking of simply buying a heavy coat, if you have to? Are you going to purchase something next year, for next year's summer?
One never knows what will happen, or what could happen to their money.
I love getting rid of stuff. I literally go through part of my things every day--my clothes one day, my fabric the next, books the next, etc. It is my favorite hobby, and one of the most relaxing things I could ever do for myself. It is the best time of my day.
But gaining all that extra room, enables me to use it to give myself a sense of security--by stocking up on food, pet food, and other necessities. Even these I go through and purge, to make sure that I will actually eat them, but I plan to buy more of the foods I know my animals and I will eat. I hope to have at least a three-month supply, and eventually a six-month supply. (Though I also like just having the extra room in my room, but where and how to store this food is another issue entirely.)
But food is not the only thing to save for hard times. Even though you can make do with clothes a lot easier than you can make do with food, sometimes you can't make do with clothes. Especially in the winter.
If the once-in-a-few-years storm comes, and you have no heavy jacket or wool clothing, you might or might not be able to buy one. Perhaps it was a sudden storm, and they are sold out. Perhaps the economy is different, and the money you worked so hard to save up is almost worthless. Perhaps you have had to use all of that money for medical bills. Perhaps the roads are impassable, and you can't get to a store or a place where you can buy one.
There will always be an abundance of clothes in America and western countries--there already is, even after all that is donated and shipped overseas--and it's ridiculous. But you may not have enough money to buy the right kind of clothes, clothes that you actually need and not just want--or certain clothes items may be scarce, like stockings were during World War Two.
If you are too much of a minimalist now, and either you or the whole country goes through rough times, you may be stuck wearing a chicken feed sack, as your ancestors before you in the Depression--only nowadays, chicken feed comes in plastic, not cloth. It makes for great tarps, if it's thick enough and you have thick duct tape--but it would make for terribly uncomfortable, and cold, clothing. (At least against your skin. You need anything but an uninsulated raincoat or umbrella, and you're shit out of luck.)
I am not saying not to have a capsule wardrobe, or a small wardrobe. But while you're getting rid of stuff, or thinking about not buying any more clothes, also think about having enough to last at least two full years from this date. One year from this date is cutting it close, especially if your clothes wear out sooner than you thought they would. And three or more years would be too much stuff for some people--maybe even for me, too, in some areas (though I love my jackets).
Do you have enough socks and underwear for this year and all of the next? What about warm accessories in the winter--hats, gloves, scarves if you need them? You can cut off pants to make shorts in the summer, but if you already have shorts, you can save those pants for the winter. Will those flip-flops last all summer? What about your winter boots? Are enough of your shirts light enough for the summer? Do you have both warm and cool socks? What about tights and long underwear, things to keep you warm? What about pajamas, and the clothes you feed your goats in? Do you have enough t-shirts, sweats, boots, and sweatshirts that you are okay with getting muddy?
I would recommend having at least two or three heavy jackets, if you don't live somewhere like Florida (maybe you should even have one in Florida, with all of the tropical storms down there). And two or three lighter jackets. I love having a variety of jackets, but if you don't, at least make sure you have enough to be prepared, if something happens and you can't get another. Likewise with boots, hats, gloves, warm socks, etc, for the winter--twice as much as you would wear in one season.
The summer is not as urgent, but it is important too. You can swim in anything, and so don't need two or more swimsuits, but many summer items are cheap and easily wear out. If you modify your winter clothes for the summer, you may still be much too hot--and you would then go into your winter supplies.
If you have kids, do you have clothes that are a size or two too big for them? I know it's exhausting to keep up with their growth--but if you must, you can keep a sewing machine, and (in case of loss of power) needles and plenty of thread, to modify grownup clothes. Not the best solution, but it's better than not having clothes for them. Just be sure to have extra grownup clothes for yourself and perhaps your spouse.
You don't have to store all of these clothes in your dresser or where you normally dress. A large box or two in the attic or under your bed should be big enough to store a change of winter clothes and a change of summer clothes, extra goat-feeding clothes, shoes, and a year's supply of extra socks (heavy and light), underwear, and stockings or anything else that wears out easily and quickly. One or two boxes for every person in your house is enough.
It will also be convenient, because you don't have to rush to the store to buy something when it wears out. Just remember to replenish your supply.
I'm not sure how minimalist travelers who live out of backpacks or cars would do this, but they would be shit out of luck anyway, if food was suddenly scarce and they couldn't get back to their homes or heated mini storage units, or if these places were looted or squatted in. If you have relatives or friends who keep things for you, you may not be able to get to them, especially if you don't have a car (or if gas is rationed, or a lot of cars are migrating to better places because of hard times). The mail may not be able to get through, either, even if you are close to the post office.
I don't know what to say. You traded security for freedom and spontaneity already. To some people, and at some points in people's lives, this is what is important to them. In an apocalypse, you would be moochers. Try to have some sort of useful skill you can trade for food. If it's not needed, though, you might still wind up a moocher or a thief. I'm not saying you should start honing the skill of shoplifting to prepare for the apocalypse, but, well...it might help...
I'm also not saying that you should keep anything that is uncomfortable, itchy, doesn't fit, or that you otherwise hate or don't love. You can even buy duplicates of the same items, if you want.
And I'm not saying that you should keep "just in case" items like cocktail dresses or other things that aren't needs. (You can probably borrow one from someone else, if you must. I must note that I do have a few beautiful evening dresses, but that's because I love them--I know they're not a need.)
Though professional wear might be helpful to keep, if you already have it--you might be laid off, if the economy goes bad again. I'm not sure I would spend a lot of money on something like that, that I may not need, though. If I need it, I will borrow from my mother, or if she gets rid of it all, I'll take her castoffs.
Get rid of all that clutter. You'll be so much happier. Just be sure to save a few comfortable, well-fitting items for rough times. It doesn't even have to be that much. And if you buy a jacket or something that you love more, you can get rid of your "extra" one, provided it's the same type of clothing or jacket. Your current jacket then becomes your extra one, if you want to wear the new one now. (And why would you buy something, that you don't want to wear right away?)
You can have a pretty minimal wardrobe, and still have enough to last through rough times. It's all a matter of balance.
I have seen and read so many people, from extreme minimalists who live out of backpacks, to mothers with two or more young children, say something to the effect of, "If I need something else/if something wears out/if I need that item again, I can just go buy something else."
And this does betray a certain level of privilege, that they have the money to do that, and expect to continue to have enough, for the rest of their lives. But it also says something else: That they expect that the economy, and their own circumstances, will always stay pretty much the same. They are woefully unprepared for any sudden hard times to befall them.
Capsule wardrobes are great, in that they eliminate the burden of choosing something every day, if your clothes are all the same or matching colors, or if you have few enough of them that the choice is no burden. But can your capsule wardrobe last more than one season, if it has to? Do you have enough for next year? Are your clothes going to wear out before then? Even worse, do you plan for your clothes to wear out before then? Are you thinking, "I'll go buy something else when this wears out"?
I don't wish to shame anyone, just make people think, and prepare themselves. If you are saving money in order to purchase new clothes, when your current ones wear out, how do you know that there won't be terrible inflation that you have to deal with then? What if your money is worth less, or you have to save your precious cash for a house payment or medical bills?
Do you expect your one or two jackets to last not only all this winter, but all the next? Are you thinking of simply buying a heavy coat, if you have to? Are you going to purchase something next year, for next year's summer?
One never knows what will happen, or what could happen to their money.
I love getting rid of stuff. I literally go through part of my things every day--my clothes one day, my fabric the next, books the next, etc. It is my favorite hobby, and one of the most relaxing things I could ever do for myself. It is the best time of my day.
But gaining all that extra room, enables me to use it to give myself a sense of security--by stocking up on food, pet food, and other necessities. Even these I go through and purge, to make sure that I will actually eat them, but I plan to buy more of the foods I know my animals and I will eat. I hope to have at least a three-month supply, and eventually a six-month supply. (Though I also like just having the extra room in my room, but where and how to store this food is another issue entirely.)
But food is not the only thing to save for hard times. Even though you can make do with clothes a lot easier than you can make do with food, sometimes you can't make do with clothes. Especially in the winter.
If the once-in-a-few-years storm comes, and you have no heavy jacket or wool clothing, you might or might not be able to buy one. Perhaps it was a sudden storm, and they are sold out. Perhaps the economy is different, and the money you worked so hard to save up is almost worthless. Perhaps you have had to use all of that money for medical bills. Perhaps the roads are impassable, and you can't get to a store or a place where you can buy one.
There will always be an abundance of clothes in America and western countries--there already is, even after all that is donated and shipped overseas--and it's ridiculous. But you may not have enough money to buy the right kind of clothes, clothes that you actually need and not just want--or certain clothes items may be scarce, like stockings were during World War Two.
If you are too much of a minimalist now, and either you or the whole country goes through rough times, you may be stuck wearing a chicken feed sack, as your ancestors before you in the Depression--only nowadays, chicken feed comes in plastic, not cloth. It makes for great tarps, if it's thick enough and you have thick duct tape--but it would make for terribly uncomfortable, and cold, clothing. (At least against your skin. You need anything but an uninsulated raincoat or umbrella, and you're shit out of luck.)
I am not saying not to have a capsule wardrobe, or a small wardrobe. But while you're getting rid of stuff, or thinking about not buying any more clothes, also think about having enough to last at least two full years from this date. One year from this date is cutting it close, especially if your clothes wear out sooner than you thought they would. And three or more years would be too much stuff for some people--maybe even for me, too, in some areas (though I love my jackets).
Do you have enough socks and underwear for this year and all of the next? What about warm accessories in the winter--hats, gloves, scarves if you need them? You can cut off pants to make shorts in the summer, but if you already have shorts, you can save those pants for the winter. Will those flip-flops last all summer? What about your winter boots? Are enough of your shirts light enough for the summer? Do you have both warm and cool socks? What about tights and long underwear, things to keep you warm? What about pajamas, and the clothes you feed your goats in? Do you have enough t-shirts, sweats, boots, and sweatshirts that you are okay with getting muddy?
I would recommend having at least two or three heavy jackets, if you don't live somewhere like Florida (maybe you should even have one in Florida, with all of the tropical storms down there). And two or three lighter jackets. I love having a variety of jackets, but if you don't, at least make sure you have enough to be prepared, if something happens and you can't get another. Likewise with boots, hats, gloves, warm socks, etc, for the winter--twice as much as you would wear in one season.
The summer is not as urgent, but it is important too. You can swim in anything, and so don't need two or more swimsuits, but many summer items are cheap and easily wear out. If you modify your winter clothes for the summer, you may still be much too hot--and you would then go into your winter supplies.
If you have kids, do you have clothes that are a size or two too big for them? I know it's exhausting to keep up with their growth--but if you must, you can keep a sewing machine, and (in case of loss of power) needles and plenty of thread, to modify grownup clothes. Not the best solution, but it's better than not having clothes for them. Just be sure to have extra grownup clothes for yourself and perhaps your spouse.
You don't have to store all of these clothes in your dresser or where you normally dress. A large box or two in the attic or under your bed should be big enough to store a change of winter clothes and a change of summer clothes, extra goat-feeding clothes, shoes, and a year's supply of extra socks (heavy and light), underwear, and stockings or anything else that wears out easily and quickly. One or two boxes for every person in your house is enough.
It will also be convenient, because you don't have to rush to the store to buy something when it wears out. Just remember to replenish your supply.
I'm not sure how minimalist travelers who live out of backpacks or cars would do this, but they would be shit out of luck anyway, if food was suddenly scarce and they couldn't get back to their homes or heated mini storage units, or if these places were looted or squatted in. If you have relatives or friends who keep things for you, you may not be able to get to them, especially if you don't have a car (or if gas is rationed, or a lot of cars are migrating to better places because of hard times). The mail may not be able to get through, either, even if you are close to the post office.
I don't know what to say. You traded security for freedom and spontaneity already. To some people, and at some points in people's lives, this is what is important to them. In an apocalypse, you would be moochers. Try to have some sort of useful skill you can trade for food. If it's not needed, though, you might still wind up a moocher or a thief. I'm not saying you should start honing the skill of shoplifting to prepare for the apocalypse, but, well...it might help...
I'm also not saying that you should keep anything that is uncomfortable, itchy, doesn't fit, or that you otherwise hate or don't love. You can even buy duplicates of the same items, if you want.
And I'm not saying that you should keep "just in case" items like cocktail dresses or other things that aren't needs. (You can probably borrow one from someone else, if you must. I must note that I do have a few beautiful evening dresses, but that's because I love them--I know they're not a need.)
Though professional wear might be helpful to keep, if you already have it--you might be laid off, if the economy goes bad again. I'm not sure I would spend a lot of money on something like that, that I may not need, though. If I need it, I will borrow from my mother, or if she gets rid of it all, I'll take her castoffs.
Get rid of all that clutter. You'll be so much happier. Just be sure to save a few comfortable, well-fitting items for rough times. It doesn't even have to be that much. And if you buy a jacket or something that you love more, you can get rid of your "extra" one, provided it's the same type of clothing or jacket. Your current jacket then becomes your extra one, if you want to wear the new one now. (And why would you buy something, that you don't want to wear right away?)
You can have a pretty minimal wardrobe, and still have enough to last through rough times. It's all a matter of balance.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)