| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 11:32:25 AM
Since we've been talking about this issue I was curious if we had a depression or something similar what would YOU all do to survive or prepare? We sorta talked about this but I really want to know. I love this topic. It is in the news all the darn time about the economy.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
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| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 08:31:09 AM
I think we would all look at things a lot differently. Most items we use on a daily basis would not be considered throw away - they would be saved and reused even moreso than we might do now.
After reading the posts I remembered a movie I saw years ago about WWII Europe. The women would save twine and paper that bought goods were wrapped in to be used late. Holey sweaters were unraveled, combined with other sweaters and knit into new ones. Everything they had had mutiple uses.
My mom and dad grew up during part of the Depression and WWII so I've heard stories about rationing and making do and finding ways to better their lot.
Fortunately, we live in So Cal where the weather allows gardening for most of the year. I'd have to learn to sew better. I think the hardest would be giving up my computer and other things that allow me to communicate with like minded people.
I think we'd be ok, but I worry about other people who may not be so self sufficient, stealing what I have and causing me harm. We kinda went through that in 1994 after a big earthquake. Our area, farms mostly, was without power and road service for about a week. Some of our neighbors (city people mostly) were so histerical about not being able to get to town. We however, never missed a beat. It really wasn't that bad, we just went about our day as usual. |
| paradiseplantation |
Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 08:28:28 AM
We're already working toward our goal of being 85% self-sufficient. We've only had the farm for four years, and are already about 50% there. We're also fairly debt free, so I would think we would have to work on the gasoline side first, and as a last resort, the power and gas. We're on a well, so water isn't a big issue. We garden, raise our own beef, pork, chicken and eggs, and our pond is stocked with several different kinds of fish. But, just in case this does happen, I'm gonna start working even harder to fill in the 'cracks' made by things I still have to learn!
from the hearts of paradise... |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 07:48:27 AM
I think I'd have to downgrade to a smaller vehicle, for starters. Then I'd have to get in touch with my inner gardener (if there is one) and grow some fruit and veggies. I already bargain shop, use coupons, and I really don't waste gas running around, but hubby would definitely have to sell his big pick up truck for something more fuel economical too. Friday nights would no longer be take out night either. I think we would survive - we are already raising three kids on a one income household now, so a little more budgeting wouldn't hurt that much.
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"A friend is someone who does things that count, but never stops to count them"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/ |
| mima |
Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 07:01:13 AM
We live in CA so we could garden year round! I have a bike and I could walk everywhere! have a clothesline. Hmmm... It might make us all a little more self sufficent-which would also be good for the earth! I would worry more about my yound adult children. Not that they aren't frugal-but it would break my heart if they lost jobs that they went to college for!
They could all move in and we could have a commune!LOL!
"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit." Helen Keller |
| Aunt B |
Posted - Mar 25 2008 : 01:13:31 AM
We paid cash for our home here in Ohio, so we would not need to worry about house payments.
We have a nice long back yard for the veggie garden. We make soap and could trade our soap for apples or other fruit to dry and can.
We could always raise rabbits, chickens, or go fishing.
Gas - if I needed to go anyway close by, I have a bike and my husband has an battery operated scooter. We already are limiting our driving.
Our dogs and cat like veggies and fruit and the love chicken, rabbit, and fish, so they could eat what we eat.
I would have to buy flour, milk, and some spices that I would not grow. My nephew has bee hives so I could get honey from him and maybe trade him soap for it.
A depression would bother me more mentally than any other way because I'm a 'mother hen type' and I'd worry about everyone's well being.
Aunt B
http://www.hummingbirdsprings.blogspot.com
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| Alee |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 11:20:59 PM
I would move home. If things got really tight, we do have a family cabin with land that while not the best land for growing things, it could be fenced and be used to raise some meat animals and such. I think I would do my best to revert to a barter economy and would certainly consider riding a horse instead of driving a car!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
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www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 10:34:11 PM
We would do okay I think here. We have food storage, a milk cow and chickens for meat and eggs and a garden in season. I know I have a years supply of fabric if I made something every single day (probably a life's supply!!!) and we could get by.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
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| CountryBorn |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 3:19:48 PM
Tom is retired and we should be ok. If the gas went way way up we would not go on any long vacations. We own our home, no credit card debt, so it would be the basics. The property taxes are high, but we have a rental house that pays for them ,so far any way.I'm like Frannie I don't buy that much anymore.It has to be something I really just can't pass up. We are very blessed. We have been tight a lot of times in our younger years and made it, so I know we could do it again. But, if I had my druthers I'd as soon not!! LOL.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
| nut4fabric |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 2:51:00 PM
We own our cars and house free and clear so it would just be utilities and food. I have a stash of projects that could last me a looong time and plenty of fabric so I would be busy. I would be concerned about our daughter meeting her mortgage payment however.
Kathy |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 2:44:38 PM
We would do alright out on our property in Montana I think - own it free and clear and plenty of room to raise food etc.
Farmgirl Sister #98
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| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 12:04:21 PM
unless it is a biggie .. where the country bellies up .. honey hunk assures me that i can still go shoppin' for the grandes!
i'm not sure what would be the first to go for me ... gasoline is so high now .. but it hasn't stopped me from runnin' the roads! i don't buy as much as i usta' anyway .. HA! hank would probably disagree with that statement! but i've always been a 'bargain hunter' ... sooo .. i guess i would just hone those skills more! xo
True Friends * Frannie
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