Inflation- What steps are you taking?

I predicted fuel costs doubling when (not if) stupid democrats get back in power.
I figured they would explode the price of electricity. The Democrats tried like hell, but the public regulatory commission stopped them. Then they went after the PRC but the democrat controlled senate had a brief moment of clarity and stopped the governor from gutting the PRC and installing her own hand picked puppet regime. It was kind of miracle that new Mexico didn't go full new green deal on electricity.

 

When we first started talking about this I thought, "So we have inflation, shortages and a recession. It's not like we haven't seen it before.". But this has all the makings for a perfect storm...and we are still haven't recovered from the pandemic...the war in Ukraine could be the tipping point! Sanctions against Russia has led to shortages of natural gas, oil, fertilizer, grains, and timber and increases in the prices of what is available. We could handle a shortage of one or two of these items, but not ALL of them at once! So be afraid, be very afraid... and then prepare!

 

THIS!!

 

Yup CDX is over 50bux a sheet here and OSB is just over 40.00 a sheet. 2x4's are 7bux a pop. Building anything right now is crazy unless you have some deep pockets or own a saw mill.. We have a bunk of both CDX and OSB left over from a few years back stored in the back of the shop. Never really considered it prepping material, but thank the Lord we just happen to have it. The Uncle and I have been talking about thinning out a few good trees and having them cut up for some good lumber just in case. I figure the fuel and the grains are gonna hit folks real hard this fall. We usually wait til July to top off all the propane to get the cheapest prices, not sure that's gonna matter this year. We have an "in" for whole corn from a neighbor, I crack it with the Super A for feed and shine and he gives me all the full drums I want. I don't know of anybody here in Bama that can, but I know of an 'ol boy over in GA that can resurface the stones for the mill. They're getting kinda hard to find anymore. Garden this year is gonna be a big'un along with a co-op garden just for taters and purple hulls. We've bought several pounds of seeds to go along with what was leftover from last year as well as a bit of fertilizer.

 

Got myself one of these

Got mine up to about 68 MPG. I hear you can get 72 with some mods.

 

LOL. We haven't even felt the main part of the suck yet. Yes, this is all organized to happen with out any reprieve. There is no doubt that it is planned to destroy America. You CAN NOT taper a Ponzi scheme. That is what the dollar is.

 

Well @Motomom34. looks as if you've begun another thought provoking thread.
Very good!
You need to come around more often.

 

I'm gonna have to check if any local farmers have planted corn this year, a lot aren't because of fertilizer costs, most will be planting soybeans cause you don't need nitrogen fertilizer. After the soybeans they plant wheat, but that will require fertilizer next spring and there is no guarantee that fertilizer will be available or what it will cost! I work at a farm supply store called Rural King, and I get a 15% discount, which is great for a Prepper. I will be buying bags of wheat seed, feed corn, feed wheat, feed oats, etc. to add to what I already have. This summer, in addition to a garden, I need to finish working on my disk, get a car running, and maybe get some chickens...from Rural King!

 

Remember to zig when everyone else is zagging, WildBilly!

 

I'm planning on bringing in a lot more wild game this year.

Other than that,, just waiting on the call to help clean house .

 

Wild pigs are pretty good eat'n, Much leaner than store bought.

 

Got a piece of property surround by National forest-- SC you can hunt wild pigs year round. Got lots of pigs put out little corn --here they come Things get bad will be eating a lot of barbecue. If farmers cut back on wheat bread and pasta will be going up

 

Restock the heirloom seeds every now and then. Trade goods. Some cash (It'll be worth something for a short time). Ammo, alcohol, and tobacco. We're creatures of habit.

 

What is that? Is that an old Honda?

 

You are so sweet. I will try.

I called and beat up my garbage and internet provider. Got my garbage down $20 quarterly then the added on a fuel surcharge so I am where I was. My internet gave me a discount package, less money and more speed. Only a $12 monthly savings but happy I made the call.

I went through all my seed packets. Some were so old. Tossed the really old and have been buying new seeds. Since I spent the last few years moving around, I didn't store the seeds properly all the time and they were not growing well at all.

 

Detailed specs review of 1994 Honda Civic VX Hatchback offered since mid-year 1993 for North America

 

Even with inflation the difference in the cost of eating at home vs. eating out is pretty staggering.

First time to a fast food place in about six weeks. I got a chili dog, fries and a drink I didn't want for about what three meals at home would cost.

 

1. Plant a garden, harvest and freeze/can/prepare your veggies. If you can coordinate with your neighbors, so much the better...trade with them, and fill up the pantry with their excess. Use containers to grow stuff if you don't have a yard. Use a grow light to extend your growing season indoors.
2. Look where you can replace foods, etc. Example, using squash instead of spaghetti. (Note, healthier, but probably not cheaper)...replace as much meat as you can with veggie substitutes.

My wife and I don't care for certain vegetables. We had a friend who would frequently drop by with excess produce from a local food bank he helped at. Stuff couldn't be held over between weeks, so they gave excess away to the workers. By using a food processor to grind the veggies into small pieces, my wife could augment soups and spaghetti sauce with fresh veggies (and freeze the excess). We were eating healthier and some veggies we'd never consume on our own.

3. Hold frequent yard sales to reduce your "stuff." Bank the cash as needed, or use it to plus up your rainy day savings.
4. Frequent your neighbors' yard sales and use Craig's List to shop for "needs" before buying new.
5. Hunt and fish when you can, augmenting your protein supply.
6. Consolidate trips with family members. Never run out for just one thing. Drive your most fuel efficient car when you go.
7. Turn down the thermostat (or up), using fans, electric or extra blankets (or less) as needed.
8. Take an on-line class to learn skills to DIY on some things you may not know how to do. (Reloading for example).
9. Consider trying to trade or swap services for things you need done, but can't do yourself. For example, trade some welding work for carpentry work.
We lived through the Carter years, and hopefully will make it through this time as well.

 

Okay, seven more.

1. Our ancestors didn't shower every day. Save water, but don't be stinky.
2. Grow a beard and long hair, save money on razors and barber visits.
3. Cook at home - Put the cash you would normally spend on fast food in an envelope to take the sting out of filling your gas tank.
4. Let the grass grow in parts of the yard and encourage wild berries to grow there. Raspberry brambles also add security.
5. If you see gas that's any cheaper than the last time you filled up, top off your tank then. It may never be cheaper.
6. Invest in quality stuff that will last. My 100 year old tools, lamps and stoves will be good for another couple hundred years.
7. If you build or add equipment go BIG. Half a ton of gravel won't fit in an 8 cubic foot trailer. Big pergolas grow big grape vines.

Don't expect things to get cheaper.

I think all this thrifty stuff will be habit forming. I can't tell, I was raised by old hippies, and we always lived like this.