| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Jan 24 2008 : 9:21:21 PM
I'm sure we've all heard about the recession that's coming our way. Experts say it will be the worst we've had since the '70's. I remember those days. My sis and I would get up every Saturday morning and drive the cars to the gas station and sit in line (for hours) so mom & dad would have gas for the following week. Dad almost lost his job and mom put the skids on ALL unnecessary spending. There wasn't a scrap of food or a piece of clothing that went to waste. We doubled the size of our garden and managed to smuggle in a few hens for eggs. I think it was during those years when I really learned how to pinch penny's, have what I wanted for much less or nothing and appreciate the simple free stuff my family did.
I was just wondering what you all are doing to prepare for a tight economy?
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| miss wilma |
Posted - Feb 02 2008 : 1:02:25 PM
How well spoken Grace, You got to make it, you got to do it nothing is going to come to us on a silver platter
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
| katmom |
Posted - Feb 02 2008 : 10:43:29 AM
When you figure property taxes & add that onto a motgage, wowzer it gets to the point that precludes some people from being able to own a house.
We paid off our house so no mortgage but our property taxes are just shy of $6K,,,that equals almost $500 a month! Then add in utilites and property insurance....my retirement check get's eaten up quit fast!
Thank goodness DH & I are young(early 50's) & healthy enough to take on a job or part time work to supplement our income. But for some just trying to hang on to their jobs is a struggle in todays economy. And some have health issues that make it hard for them to work. My heart goes out to them.
I believe our Nation is the best in the world, and that we will weather this "storm" just fine.
I believe in self sustaining gardening, repurposing, & faith in our leaders. There are some good ones.
But there will always be the "takers" and after they have taken more then they can afford, they will become the burdens on the good tax paying citizens. But what goes around comes around.
I love my comfortable life style, I may not have fancy go-to-heck designer clothes & I may not eat at the most prestiges resturants but I am not stressed w/being in debit up to my eyeballs from financial foolishness.
Remember that dumb commercial of the well groomed man bragging about his fancy home, club membership, fancy cars and then say's "I'm in debt, won't somebody help me please" what an irritating commercial. Why should we bail people whith that kind of mentality out!
I believe in giving a helping hand, but I don't believe in handouts...we all have to make an effort. That's what I love about this farm group, we are making an effort, from a simple windowsil garden to making an apron from a dicarded shirt...recycling, repurposing, friendship & faith.
To borrow a verse from an old Helen Reddy song, " I am woman, I am invincible" yes, We are strong! 
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
mjf#72
Sisters on the Fly#472
www.katmom4.blogspot.com |
| lisamarie508 |
Posted - Jan 31 2008 : 06:34:07 AM
Property taxes back east are rediculous! We only have .48 acre with our house and we pay $412 in taxes a year. But then our wages are one of the lowest in the country too. But we could never afford to buy a house when we lived in WNY mainly because of the taxes.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 08:03:52 AM
Sounds like, Amie! Weird measurements and all, I am grateful for my little house, and our plot of land. I never realized how lucky we are in that neighborhood until the last few years or so....Our street is long (about a mile) but once at the top, we're right on the bus line and we're 15 minutes outside of downtown Cincinnati. I work in Covington, just across the river, in Kentucky and we can get there without even going on the expressway. When are car was busted for a few days, we just walked up the street (or our neighbors saw us and offered a ride) and took the bus in.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| junkjunkie |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 08:01:57 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Amie C.
Oh, and wow those taxes! $700 dollars for all that?! I pay almost $2000 for one house on a postage stamp lawn. Of course, I do appreciate my weekly trash and recycling pickup, and the snow plowing in the winter, and the city water and sewer. But I would trade all that for land. Maybe I'd better start looking for work in Kentucky...
New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the country. I pay $4,100.00 now yearly on taxes...and that's the low end of the spectrum. Depending on where you live, you could pay up to $15,000 to $20,000 a year. I don't even own land. I live in a townhouse.
"To have life in focus, we must have death in our field of vision." Benedictine monk John Main |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 07:59:17 AM
Jonni, I guess the CCC was better at their work in NY. They built all the incredible stone bridges and walkways through the gorges in Stonybrook State Park, and I think they also did some of the cabins at Allegany State Park that are still in use. You are so lucky with your house. I would love to have an acre or two to plant a garden on, but still be close enough to town to keep my job. |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 07:45:09 AM
Wow. I think we are very lucky in comparison...our house is only valued at $70k and we pay $854.00 in taxes. We live in the northern part of the state where taxes are a bit higher per capita. Our insurance isn't much, either...maybe $600 a year, and I have it all included in our escrow payment to the mortgage company so I don't HAVE to come up with large sums at the end of the year.
I bought my house when I was single, and I really bought it for me--it was small and had an acre of land and I could afford it. I'll never forget the mortgage people stating that I was approved for up to $110K....I thought, yeah, but how would I eat, or furnish it, or pay utilities? I'm grateful that I have (and had) a pretty good head on my shoulders...I'll never keep up with the Jones's, but at least I can keep my home. My boss is the Master Commissioner her in our county and had 43 foreclosure sales yesterday. Last week there were 70. It's all over the board, also...anywhere from 2.5 million dollar homes to $30K homes that are being foreclosed upon.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| palmettogirl |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 07:37:41 AM
property taxes!!!: $12,000.....house insurance: $6,000. we just got so used to the high numbers that's all they became: Numbers! i'm sitting with an empty house in fla.(yes, house, NOT mansion!) it is awful. any of you girls who "read the stars" see anything happening in the housing market? we're living in the cheaper house in SC. in some ways it doesn't make sense. this house is on 7 acres, so we can plant a garden, etc. the house in fla. is on 1/3 aacre, no room for garden, but it is so close to grocery shopping, etc, you could walk if you had to. do you do better living there, where you don't need so much gas, ...or where you can be more self sufficient but you are quite a few miles away from town/neccessities? by the way, i got my MJF bakeover sampler and have been making them using various veggies....i use them as meal. that's a real $ saver!! |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 07:11:57 AM
Our house was built by the CCC and while I really appreciate that program, I could do without the poor workmanship  . I remind myself that it was a "good program" everytime I try to measure for curtains or do something with the floors, or the basement--nothing is square and our house is collapsing in a part of the foundation. Still, I do wish that there were more programs like that. Jimmy Carter could head them up for sure!!!
It's interesting that Kansas wants people....we were just looking there last night on Google Earth. We inherited my Nanny's farm in Kiowa, Kansas, but my daddy didn't want to live out there in no man's land, so he waived his inheritance. After looking at Kiowa on Google Earth last night, I can see why--apparently, it's not even worth a clear satellite image!!!
I'm going to try to stay steady and true to our values during this...I don't have fancy clothes (well, I do, but they were bought second hand) and I don't need anything but food and shelter, some of which we can provide with the garden. As long as I can make my housepayments, I'm not worried. It's the utilities that I'm concerned about...Duke energy is looking to increase our natural gas prices by 30%...my last bill for my little cottage was $300.00--we keep the thermostat on 62 degrees. How could I possibly afford it?
We live so pared down anyway, that it would be nearly impossible to cut out anything else except for maybe buying meat, and then Justin would simply fade away to nothing.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Past Blessings |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 06:56:16 AM
They are giving free 5 acre parcels in at least two different counties in Kansas, as they need more people to help pay taxes, etc. I would do it in a heart beat if hubby was on-board!
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 06:15:09 AM
Oh, and wow those taxes! $700 dollars for all that?! I pay almost $2000 for one house on a postage stamp lawn. Of course, I do appreciate my weekly trash and recycling pickup, and the snow plowing in the winter, and the city water and sewer. But I would trade all that for land. Maybe I'd better start looking for work in Kentucky... |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 06:12:10 AM
Miss Wilma, I love your idea of giving people a house and a bit of land. I've often wished that the government would get back to the more productive programs they used to have, like the CCC which built so many amazing things during the depression. I think most people would rather have work than a handout, even if they don't know that yet! |
| miss wilma |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 9:42:33 PM
Jennifer you have the right mind, I am proud of you girl I wish every credit card would go broke I really hate to see people get sucked into them,You have a good head on you girl keep it up
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 9:03:20 PM
It's interesting Heather mentioned hanging out laundry, because on NPR this afternoon there was a segment on conserving energy. The guest speaker was asking cities who have "no clothesline" regulations to temporaily repeal them so people could use clotheslines and save on energy bills. I just wonder how many would actually do that if given the chance.
If the country/govt was really serious about our energy problems they would require that new builds have solar panels or wind power and set up new developments to sell excess power to their city; they would design a system for homes to reclaim grey water for irrigating landscapes making a home more self contained. But as with most of our problems the higher ups want the public to reduce, recycle, reuse while the officials waste. A home owner can't conserve enough power, gas, water to make up for corporate and govt buildings that use utilities 24/7. No politician will buck the electric companies or any other utility.
Also on NPR was a report about how credit card companies are allowed to aggresively target and encourage people who are least able to repay credit debt to continue taking out more and more high interest cards. I think it's shameful that we don't do a better job of teaching young people to be financially responsible. The new commericals just make me sick because they are now teaching the young that writing a check is not cool or hip and if you don't use a card for all your purchases you're a loser. Not sure if these are in every market, but in my area we get dozens every night.
I like the incentive idea, but in reality the goal of businesses is NOT for people to get out of debt, live within their means and be self sufficient. They, especially the credit card and loan companies, can't make any money that way. The goal is for everyone to be in debt and only pay the minimum so that $100 dinner you bought last month will take years to pay off. I've even heard of people being dropped by their credit card companies because they pay their cards off every month. And, I'm sure I drive my loan company crazy because I make extra payments on my home loan - hoping to get my house paid off (or at least paid way down)before my spousal support runs out. And the fact that this makes my X completely insane is just an added bonus 
My little rant for the evening  |
| miss wilma |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 6:36:52 PM
Heather I think giving people a start with a home and an acre of land would be awesome, and it could be done on half of the goverment waste we see going on nowadays you know the little down payment for property might be all it would take to help some make a better life for them selves
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 5:39:08 PM
I often wonder what would happen if we were all given an incentive for owning a small house with an acre of land. You would get incentives to have a garden, hang your wash, drive less, eat local, grow organic, lessen your footprint....etc...I don't know how it would followed, but I tend to think most people follow what is popular...
Maybe we should talk to the Jone's and see if we can change them first, the a vast majority would follow...hmmm...
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 5:21:19 PM
My son got his first job last week. He is saving for a laptop computer.
He said if he opened a credit card at best buy, then he can get it faster.
After explaining that he isn't old enough to open one, I told him in this day and age a Visa debit card on his checking account will be all he needs to buy things. If he doesn't have the money in his account, he doesn't need it. I told him to save some of his paycheck always. I also told him to learn from my mistakes.
I explained that I worked two jobs when he was younger because I had credit card trouble. He remembers me being exhausted working full time, then a few nights a week and every other weekend, trudging off to my part time retail job that I hated. I think he thought I was just working for the heck of it. He had no idea.
I told him credit cards are a joke, and the only money he should ever borrow is for a house, and thats after he has a nice down payment saved up, and also for his education as I can't afford to pay "cash" for his tuition and books for college.
It was a real eye opener for him.
I have still had financial woes from time to time, but for the first time in years there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I am not too concerned with this alleged recession. If W decides to hand over a rebate/refund, great. Most of it will be banked. The rest will purchase a much needed new couch.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| kydeere40744 |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 4:45:58 PM
I think with the way I was raised, it has helped me over the years. Mom always taught us "don't have a credit card, its nothing but trouble." I learned that if you are somewhere and see something that you "must" have, wait a day or a week. I have gotten lucky because the item went on clearance or I realized that I didn't need it anyway. When I lived in an apartment, it was just ridiculous on paying that money and throwing it away. We finally decided to buy a home a few years ago. I'm so glad that we made that decision.
It will be interesting with the "incentive" deal that the government wants to give folks. Most will either pay off bills or bank it and invest on it.
~Jessica in Kentucky & Miss Wilma's Niece~
Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow...
http://bluegrassprincess.blogspot.com/ |
| miss wilma |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 4:22:49 PM
Lisa , we often think we have it hard here on the farm but it makes me cringeto read stories like that that are so heart breaking, That is really what I worry about when times get slow it seems people in the cities have no way to help them selves, I have followed the housing cost and rental property rates in the east for years and wondered how anyone could live and pay the price We have 3 barns, a large shop building 103 acres, and 3 houses on our property and our property taxes run less than 700.00 per year, Labor here is not the most but other things are so much cheaper it makes up for the labor
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
| lisamarie508 |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 3:45:09 PM
I agree that this country needs a major shake-up to wake up. Kids as well as adults do not appreciate ANYTHING. They call us a "disposable society" because nobody values anything anymore (including each other) and when they don't like it anymore or it's a little worn out, they toss it and get a new one. Like that commercial: "Don't like your job; get a new one. Don't like your nose; get a new one. Don't like your spouse; get a new one".
Anything that our kids wanted that was outside the realm of necessity or possible Christmas/Birthday presents, they had to earn it. Every one of our kids went out and did odd jobs to earn money for something expensive they wanted. More parents should do that with their kids. It teaches them the value of money, the value of hard work and to appreciate the very thing they worked so hard to get and take care of it.
Amie, I know what it's like there in WNY. The economy has been so bad there for so long. That was one of the reasons we left. I had a BS degree and the best paying job I could get was waiting tables. DH was a plumber who only made $8/hour and NO benefits. If he didn't like it; he could walk. There were 100 others willing to take his job if he didn't want it. One of our friends there just outside Niagara Falls was getting into trouble with the taxes on his rental house (really nice) about 7 years ago. He's a carpenter and NOBODY was building or even adding on to their homes. The resulting increase in taxes would kill them. He couldn't sell as the market there had already been soft for many years. He tried to give it to the city and they wouldn't take it! The rust belt has never recovered from the loss of it's industry. It's a sad state of affairs there.
I do believe that we farmgirls can and will survive anything that comes our way, because we are not caught up in society's expectations and we're very capable of fending for ourselves and "making do". Not to mention, helping each other whenever needed.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
| miss wilma |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 3:04:10 PM
Girls it really is awesome what us farm girls can really do, hardships we can endure, the abundance of our labors,the pride we have, and when things get rough we somehow pull thru it,you know we are proud farm girls , WE can do anything, But I cant SING,you all will have to do that for me
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
| CountryBorn |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 2:47:36 PM
Linda you should be so proud of yourself!! 130 points in 15 months is awesome !! I just think we should always be careful and not outspend our budget. I remember when we were first married,things were so tight. But, all my life I had been brought up that no matter what, you pay your bills first. I used to have to be pretty inventive in the kitchen sometimes, but our bills always got paid. Some how that has stuck with me all through life. Sometimes it hurt not to be able to buy new things and have money to just spend as I wanted. But, now that we are in a better place I sure am glad we paid everything off and now can actually have some "fun" money. It comes, it just takes time. It is so worth it to keep saving and paying off bills because when you are free and clear it is a wonderful feeling!
You know what, our kids never felt they were deprived of anything either,my daughter always tells me what a wonderful childhood she had.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
| Linder |
Posted - Jan 29 2008 : 1:48:30 PM
What a wonderful question to ask and so many thoughtful, intelligent responses too! You girls rock!
As for my two bits on this...
Well, I've seen very poor times like when my daughter was born. I taught myself to can and put a lot of food by. We joined a gleaners club and had so much beautiful food and what I loved was how abundant our lives felt even though there wasn't a lot of money coming in.
That was 1988 when I started seeking out my inner farmgirl and now I make my own christmas gifts every year, have my 18 year daughters friends over for parties where I cook their favorite foods and enjoy it when they tell me that they wish their Mom's were like me!
My greatest effort is cleaning up my financial wreckage and although I have a ways to go I have brought my credit score up over 130 points in the last 15 months and my bills are all caught up and I'm beginning to pay them off.
I even have a savings account that I've started! So when i count that money..I always count my blessings.
I agree with Anna...recession indeed!
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk to blossom |
| old gray mare |
Posted - Jan 28 2008 : 6:29:34 PM
Hi FarmGirls, I have been expecting bad times for the past twenty years...so I have been learning how to do all I can self-sufficiently. I have always wanted to be prepared. I am hoping for a huge garden this upcoming summer for a start.
"Love's secret is to be always doing things for God, and not to mind because they are such very little ones." |
| Peanut |
Posted - Jan 28 2008 : 5:31:00 PM
::waves at Anna::
Great post (I see your opening post was about hot tubs though...ahem.)! I agree with everything you have to say.
Anna is a friend of mine - we went to school together - and both married farmers. We're in pretty similar situations, for instance we don't have employees on a regular basis either... it's not worth it. I also have to keep a job, although I work at home keeping children.
I can't wait to see what kind of success you have with your garden this year - I'll bet you sell out!
"What is a farm but a mute gospel?"
Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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