Comments on: Friday Food Storage Quickie: Holiday Sales Time!

By: Shamba

Shamba — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:15:33 +0000

I haven’t had anyone think–or at least tell me–that I was a little off buying more food to keep on hand. My one friend my age though has been listening to me about food, environment, money, etc for a couple of years and agrees with me in principle.
She has had far harder times than I have in my life and she agrees that knowing how to have food on hand and cook has been her life saver many times in her life.

There are more people all around me watching what they buy, eat and spend money on that are willing to talk about it to me. what is so astonishing is how fast this is all showing up in our local news, stores and neighbors. Maybe it was there before and we just didn’t talk about it but we are now. And we all agree that it’s going to get harder before it gets better (crossing fingers and praying it will get better again)

Peace to you all,
shamba

By: Shaunta

Shaunta — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:19:59 +0000

I’m in rural Nevada where groceries are usually EXPENSIVE. But we had some great sales this week. Turkey was 19 cents a pound if you spent $100. They also gave a free turkey last week to card members. So we got two 20 pound or so turkeys for something like three bucks. Not bad. Sadly, local or free range or organic meat isn’t available to us at all. I stock up if I go to a bigger city. In the meantime, we just eat less meat.

I also got the big cans of pumpkin for 87 cents a can. I bought two cases (24 cans.) The checker and my husband both thought I’d lost my mind. Even the people in the next lane were looking. But that’s okay. They last two years and are usually almost $3 a can. I make pumpkin bread and muffins and pudding. I’m going to try to look up some more recipes.

By: homebrewlibrarian

homebrewlibrarian — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:43:15 +0000

I’m so used to the elevated prices for organic foods in Anchorage that I was astonished at how much more expensive the organic sales items were over regular sales items. Conventional turnips, rutabagas and parsnips – $.79/lb! Regular canned vegies – $.59/can! Wow! Mind you, this is holiday sales prices, but still…

The sales got me thinking. The daughter of my friend the building owner has a birthday coming up soon. Her husband has inconsistant work so I’m thinking that for her birthday, I’ll take her shopping to help her with her food storage dreams. She’s confessed to her dad that she’d really like to have more food around than they do and I may be able to help out somewhat. She doesn’t know that I have enough stored food to keep all six of us in the building fed for several months but that’s my TEOTWAWKI backup. I figure my gift would really be more peace of mind on her part than perceived charity. Not that I think she would care, after all they’ve got a 2 1/2 year old to feed as well.

Might be helping someone else stock up this season!

Kerri in AK

By: Vegan

Vegan — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:03:50 +0000

Sharon, our local public library just processed two copies of your book. Both copies were immediately checked out. I had to put a hold on one since they failed to notify me (I requested the book). I can’t wait to read it.

By: Emma

Emma — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:34:12 +0000

You have been given an award!

http://princessmouse.wordpress.com

By: Heather Gray

Heather Gray — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:43:16 +0000

We do a Christmas gift exchange in my husband’s family (so you’re only getting one gift instead of many) and the upper limit was $25 but has now been lowered to $10 because of the economy. Emphasis was on the gift being something thoughtful that the recipient would really like, not on trying to spend up to the limit (although if what you really want to get the person costs more than $10 and you can afford it, then the limit shouldn’t be a show-stopper. The gift and not the money, is the focus). I’m delighted because although so far we’re doing all right, I’ve found plenty of nice, recipient-appropriate gifts that were less than $25.

After the holidays, there will be more discussion, but it’s possible that we may eliminate the gift exchange entirely. This is the large family gathering rather than the small individual families, who do whatever they do amongst themselves. This would suit me just fine, as the most important part of that gathering is sharing a meal and having fun together. Folks always bring some games and it’s a great time.

By: WOW Trainee

WOW Trainee — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:52:51 +0000

I’ve come to realize that, I may not hear from my friends. Perhaps after they’ve regrouped and regained their customary social status, I may again hear from them. They circulated in a higher circle and socialized with similar people. Yes, I know it’s hard to imagine how little towns have all these social ins and outs, but they do. The groupings even go back generations!

I was never part of them and usually went off on my own adventures. Probably most irritating ito them s the fact that I listened to my own advice. We’ll all see what happens as time goes by. Helen

By: WOW Trainee

WOW Trainee — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:42:04 +0000

Kati, thanks for reading and commenting on my response. I don’t know where you live. Are you in the US? Can you use your school system assistance in getting the ADD evaluation? It seems like I’ve heard of other people doing that. It’s from the school tax funds etc making sure all children have access to positive learning experiences. Perhaps someone else here can offer more helpful information. If not the universities offering educational degrees can be a resource. The ADD Support Groups also offer support. The local school board people sometimes are penny tight and reluctant to spend the money. Sometimes they need some reminding about equality etc.

As for the toy/s, I’ve learned of several groups that help with toys. Are you or your husband veterans? Here in my town, the American Legion gathers up money to purchase children’s toys. The gifting and celebration has been going on since the Depression Days. Even though most of the members are now elder Korean and WWII vets, they proudly continue this tradition. They really make the effort to gift quality toys not just a pieces of junk. So in a way, you are actually helping “the guys” feel good about their efforts. Please remember that “the guys” are both men and women.

I also asked the Paster of my local ELCA about gifting toys etc. This might be another resource….if not offically from a church then via efforts of individual members. Helen

By: Kati

Kati — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:23:27 +0000

4 weeks running, now, the hubby has told me not to go over $100 on groceries for the week. And yet, he expects me to put out full meals every night. I’m reminding him almost DAILY now how smart it was to stock up on food-stuffs, when he was griping about me spending so much at the store while we had it. As it is, we’re wondering how we’re going to buy even the kiddo a christmas present this year (she wants an AG doll)….. Not to mention the furnace has started acting up, we’re trying to get the kiddo in for a psycological assessement (ADD/Learning disabilities we need to figure out) which is going to be $500 up front (then we sent in the invoice and insurance reimburses us at their leasure)…..

Ya know, it’s not just major medical issues that can crop up and knock down a “living paycheck to paycheck” family, it can be a bunch of little things, like a $250 midnight call out visit for a furnace that up and quit, a lot of little medical issues and one large out of pocket payment to make, and christmas coming on and wanting to get your only child ONE gift. (She’s never been terribly greedy, and we’ve never gifted her overly much, usually only 2 or 3 items under the tree, and Santa fills the stocking with things like matchbox cars and lip gloss.)

But yeah, no stocking up for me this week. *sigh*

By: Fern

Fern — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:14:40 +0000

Dang, Safeway here only has turkeys for .49/pound, and after today you have to buy $25 worth of groceries to get them at that price.