As I'm writing this post, the stock market is falling again. It seems like the same thing is happening each day now and many people are starting to hurt.
The first thing I do in the morning is check the stock market, then my email, and next my blog. What a change from last year. I really never worried that much about the stock market before this. Makes me wonder what the world will be like next year.
Jim and I have been taking precautions for a number of years and found that thinking ahead gives a certain amount of peace of mind. So today, I'm suggesting some things you might want to do, if you haven't done them already. I think we've talked about this before, but let's go over it once more...
1. Start stocking a pantry or closet with dried and canned foods.
2. Have some cash on hand. Perhaps, start saving your coins (quarters, nickles, dimes, pennies).
3. Pay off debt as soon as possible.
4. Plan, with your family, an escape route, in case a disaster should hit.
5. Have a good stock of candles on hand.
6. If you have a fireplace, always have at least one cord of wood in stock...more if possible.
7. Learn to eat cheap. Watch for and save simple recipes.
8. Buy a good, thick cookbook which tells you how to cook simply from scratch and learn from it.
9. Start asking questions from the "old folks" who have gone through difficult times and the last Depression.
10. Don't "stick your head in the sand." Don't go into denial. Watch and read for the "signs of the times."
11. Make family a priority.
12. Dig deep and find Serenity, not in material goods, but in your Spirit.
I haven't meant to scare anyone, but I do think I and anyone else, has a responsibility to put a few suggestions out...just in case.
***Do you have other suggestions for our readers?
Blessings!
Don't forget the giveaway for the scarf will take place on Sunday. To enter... leave a comment.
15 comments:
We are paying off our debt.
Buying a house with a wood burning fireplace while the market is depressed.
Getting a generator.
Stocking up on dry goods.
Will have no credit card debt by end of this year.
Husband has been at job for 25 years today. Retirement has taken a hard hit, but we are working hard, very hard to try to build it back up.
Becca- Good for you! You're a wise family.
I know for some, the very thought of "trouble" is trouble. Myself, I love being intentional - prepared for whatever I can be prepared for. Like you, I have some provisions set aside, and water. I also keep a crank radio on hand should power or TV or phones or internet be cut off.
Here's a couple of great resources for emergency preparedness I keep at hand as well:
http://www.ready.gov/
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
http://beprepared.com/Default.asp?bhcd2=1236277941
Wise post, Barbara!
Kathleen- Thank you for all the good info.
Hi Barb ... thanks for stopping by my blog and checking out the tote bags I've made! They are certainly a quick and fun project!
Your advice is very good and, I believe, I keep my home well-stocked in case of an emergency. There is another outlet for folks living on the cheap and that is to utilize the Angel Food Ministries. You can get a great bunch of meat and staples for $21-$30 and with the purchase of the main box of goodies, you can add other supplemental boxes of food! No one cares your social status or what you financial situation is ... anyone can use Angel Food Ministries. Do a search for them on-line, locate your nearest distribution point and you can save some bucks at the grocery by doing this and ... helping those less fortunate then yourself by doing so. God Bless you!! Hugs!!
Ms. Marcia- What a great tip!! Thanks a million for stopping by.
I would add to that list NOT buying things that are not absolutely necessary during this economic downturn.
Barbara, It seems like things will get a lot worse before they get better, and you're so right about not keepiing your head in the sand. Great advice here, another small tip might be to buy the Sunday paper and clip coupons. The coupon savings add up.
And my best tip, enter Serenity Gate's contest - those beautiful pashmina scarves will help keep us warm & fashionable at no cost!! :)
Pat- You make a good point that we all need to think about.
Joanne- I believe you're right that things are going to get worse; much worse, I'm afraid. I for one, am going to start clipping the coupons.
Yes, those pretty scarves can be a great picker-upper in difficult times.
Thank you Barbara for the reminder. We have maintained a 0 balance on credit cards for quite a while and I always have a stock of food. We are blessed to have raised our own meat. On our list is a generator. Thanks again.
Lea- I hoped that someone would mention a generator. And raising your own meat is excellent.
Wise advice, Barbara! Our financial security would be assured if we could only sell our house. We moved almost 2 years just as the market was getting bad. Our old home has been on the market ever since we moved. Even our St. joseph statue and prayers haven't found a buyer for our lovely home. But we're still able to keep our head above water...
Debra- I'm sorry to hear that about your house. There are more people everyday in the same situation and it's getting worse.
Hi, Barbara and friends! I'm new to this world of blogging. I can't remember how I found this blog, but along with others it inspires me. My own blog, Electra's Rough Draft, is a little over a week old. I noticed you said some people got upset with your post on economic hard times. My weekly Question actually has to do with this topic. I invite you and your friends to check out my brand new blog and leave comments. I've been too shy to comment on the blogs I read, but I'm trying to get out more and build community online!
Electra, writer.
electra-roughdraft.blogspot.com (Sorry, too new to know how to do html links and I can't tell if Google posts my url for me!)
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