"Today, I emphasize a most basic principle: home production and storage. Have you ever paused to realize what would happen to your community or nation if transportation were paralyzed or if we had a war or depression? How would you and your neighbors obtain food? How long would the corner grocery store—or supermarket—sustain the needs of the community?" (President Ezra Taft Benson)
The tariffs are about to be felt by all about the time you read this, since I am two weeks ago at the time of this writing.
They say the shelves will start to empty and prices will go up. I have already seen people who need to replace a furnace - it will be three thousand more than usual. I imagine it will be like when Covid hit when there was runs on items.
We need to keep our cool. Don't panic. Remember your skills.
I can't imagine this will last too long... this was not what we brought on but we will have to deal with it nevertheless.
Remember, the frugal things we have been talking about and now we will keep working on the frugal things and implementing what we have learned.
https://zenhabits.net/the-cheapskate-guide-50-tips-for-frugal-living/ - this has a list. I want everyone to think ahead. Do thrift stores and yard sales. They are saying this could affect school clothes and supplies so try to get used school clothes ahead because if this goes on everyone will try to get clothing then so it might be a good idea to have some ahead. Same with some school supplies. I will add be keeping your eye out for items that could make good gifts for Christmas in case this does not get resolved in time. You might already do these things, if not, you might find you like doing these things.
The hard times are now for sure.
I am most concerned at how high our meds will get since they were already high with this president taking off the caps the last president put on. This could be really hard for us. But we have to push on.
Stick seeds in the ground or a pot if you can.
My tip is to always think in "ahead mode" meaning, think of what is ahead of you - kids, back to school, what will be needed for the holidays - do you have time to make items, that sort of thing.
At the same time, keep looking for a dehydrator or canning equipment and a vacuum sealer, etc. at your yard sales and thrift stores.
Mine are all used and have done well for me. They are out there.
Plus, first look used before trying to pay new. With higher prices, can you do without? That could be an option as well.
It might backfire on all of them if we find out we don't want or need bric-a-brac items... you never know.
But we need to keep positive and find joy. Don't let the hard times get to you stress - it's going to be there but try not to let it take over.
Try not to let anything go to waste. Time to do that zero waste thing for sure!
https://www.pinterest.com/zerowastedoc/zero-waste-kitchen/ - here are some ideas.
Tippy Longstockings says this is going to be the time you ask yourself really hard - do I have to have this now? Can I wait? Is there something else I can do or make or come up with from what I have?
Missy says now is not the time to lay down on the job. We need to do the best we can. Some trips to the store will now cost you way more, so stop and try not to do it unless you absolutely have to.
It is time to bake that bread!
This is our favorite bread recipes if you don't have a bread machine, it is okay. Use the same ingredients and mix by hand. It turns out the same, just don't add more flour. If you don't have bread flour, it is okay. I don't have it, I use vital wheat gluten (one tsp per every cup flour equals one cup of bread flour). This way I can use the all-purpose flour which is what I store for everything.
https://culturedtable.com/homemade-noodles-recipe/https://www.pinterest.com/zerowastedoc/zero-waste-kitchen/ - making your own is so much better in flavor.
When we first moved here, we did not have a stove. I did have a waffle iron and I made French toast in the waffle iron one day. It was a huge hit, the kids called it eggy waffle. We love it to this day! So you may find that the things you do and make during this hard time turn out to be family favorites.
Curl up with a church type cookbook...
And find some favorite from-scratch recipes. There are peoples' favorite recipes in these books so you have a great shot at finding great things.
https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2017/05/monday-message_8.html - in this post, you will find a favorite recipe I found for rhubarb cake - everyone wants it at this house!
So I guess you can whack your head against the wall and let this hard time grab you or perhaps look at it as a challenge and you will win.
https://remake.world/stories/style/how-to-mend-your-clothes-during-quarantine-5-easy-stitch-fixes/
Missy says wisely that she knows you can do these things, we are all in this together!
Tippy Longstockings says get a kick on and learn those skills, perhaps start with learning to mend first then bread making or both at the same time, always be learning!
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