Harvest Time 2012

Many have been away from the agricultural lifestyle for so long that they may not realize that it's the beginning of Harvest Time.  After the long summer of crops and animals growing preparations now begin to bring in the crops and store them for the winter.  The vastness of our trucking industry and imports allows more diversity than was experienced in previous generations but generally speaking fall is the time of preparation.

Stories like the grasshopper and the ant remind us and have been passed down for years.  Not all stories used to end happily in the past for if you remember the grasshopper died for his lack of watching and reacting to the times. 

This year is even more important than usual that we take the time to prepare.  Recently I did a post about the drought currently effecting the country.  CNN has now published an article titled Opinion: Global food crisis in 2013  Not sounding too good.

What can we do?  We can do what our forefathers have done for generations: pray and bring in the harvest with thanksgiving.

The grocery stores are currently receiving the first of the produce and prices are probably lower than they may be for the next year.  Many will continue their regular shopping habits and only buy what is needed until the next payday or not even that.  They will ultimately be hit the hardest as prices are expected to rise as time progresses coupled with reductions in quantity and quality.  The grasshopper  approach to shopping may have more of an impact then in previous years.

How much should we try to store?

The next harvest will not be in for another year.  Though this may not be an achievable goal for most people it should motivate us to go beyond our comfort zone and stretch just a little farther then we might have otherwise.  Those in the city (98% of the population) do face challenges.  This year I too am starting from scratch.  Although I will not be able to do what I have done in the past I figure something is better than nothing. And, something is always better than fretting. 

Here is my own starter list:

Food

coffee

juice

rice - 100lbs to start.

oatmeal

tuna

canned chicken

noodles

prego/ragu

dry beans

mushroom soup

chicken soup

Tomato sauce

canned tomatoes

green beans

corn

mixed vegetables

corned beef

jiffy mixes

jam

stove top stuffing

Bathroom

Toilet paper

shampoo

baby wipes

feminine products

shower gel or soap

Dove soap

Detergent

Dish soap

vitamins

aspirin

I'm sure your first question would be why I would include a list of bathroom products.  There are a couple of answers.  First, if you have ever had to do without any of them (I have) you know it is no fun.  Second, if food prices do go up all these things are needed and best purchased on sale.  Putting them on the list helps to bring focus to be reminded of what to watch for in the sales so as not to buy unneeded items.  Finally, they all store very well.  They do not attract bugs or any other deterioration making them good storage items.

Our local grocery store currently has canned vegetable for 50 cents each.  $6 will buy a whole case.  The purchase of 5 cases will allow the family to have corn once a week for a year.  Even if a person can only afford to buy 1 case at this time, if it was held until winter a savings could be acheived.

Obviously the food is a very limited list but based on my personal experience these are the most versatile and easy to store items.  These are a starting point to be built upon.  Notice that I have included both dry beans and rice which together make a complete protein.  I have added a bean cookbook to my Amazon wish list to create some varieties in flavor. Also notice that many of the items are the staples for casseroles.  At this point I do not want frozen or perishable food included as it includes it's own cautions and risks.  Being currently a city dweller I do not have a garden or livestock this year so I will do what can until I get back to the country.

What if the media is making a scare that does not come to pass?
Our news loves to sensationalize all events to make little news big or make big news small.  It's all about ratings. In this case the only thing that would be lost if they were wrong is that we would have bought a bunch of quality food at sale prices that we could later use.

Where do I put it?
That is the easy one learned from my grandmother.  Once she sent me to grab a tomato.  I asked where they were are she led me into the bedroom and pulled out a tray from under the bed.  I do love my grandma.  She could always blow my mind.  When I got on my own after having many discussions with my mother about not having room enough for food storage my grandmother's idea in it's eccentricity showed itself as the logical and wise solution.  How many cases of canned goods can fit under a king size bed, a double, or a twin?  I'm honestly not sure but I would imagine a years worth of canned goods easily.  And the more in your family the more storage space available.

This photo was circulating on facebook and a good reminder to us all regarding priorities:

Drought - 2nd hit to the American Economy?

A few extra minutes at lunchtime allowed me to scan the MSN news to find out what was going on in the country.  As usual the top stories revolved around what prominent actresses were wearing and who they were seen with,  the U.S. participation in the Olympics, and who said what about the upcoming presidential election.  Buried in the corner was a small headline about drought conditions.  I clicked on it with memories of what happened in Texas only last year.  The only way to describe my reaction was:  Appalled.  I was appalled at how widespread the drought already was and I was appalled that the news which is supposed to be our lifeline to the facts of what is going on in our country had so effectively buried the information thus skewing our perception of its impact and importance.

Being a native of Washington State which is known for its rain, evergreens, and rivers, lakes and access to the ocean it is difficult for me to imagine what a drought even looks like.  We rejoice in the few days a year it does not rain and pour water upon us from the sky.

So I grabbed some pictures off the internet to give me a better idea of what was going on:

The crops most affected so far are corn and soybeans and the conditions are said to be the worst since 1956.  It would be easy to think that we could easily pass up our fresh corn on the cob this summer but remember corn is one of the main crops for raising dairy and beef animals and is a key component in ethanol which is used in gasoline.

  

Recently I did a post about the change in the farming population in this country.  We are down to 2% of our population who are still living on commercial or private farms.  And now this 2% is in trouble.  This could affect us all.  We are relying on a fraction of the population to provide our entire food crop and when they are calling for help and sounding the warnings we need to listen.

My mother was an example of preparation.  Each winter she would put a blanket, extra coat, boots, and a flash light in the truck of the car...just in case.  She had adequate insurance of all types...just in case.  And, we all knew where the candles and matches were in the house...just in case.  I admit that I use my mom as the example here because I was the one always walking out the door without the coat, without the umbrella, and without any preparations for the just in cases in life. 

What can or should we do regarding the conditions and seem to be heading our way?  First, I definitely do not have all the answers but a few things immediately come to mind.

1. Pray.  Not everyone is willing to do this but thankfully in this case the majority does not rule.  In fact the scripture itself is directed to a select group.

2.  Start or increase a food storage program now while things are available and affordable.  There are a number of posts on this blog which give ideas about this and links on the right hand side.  This will not only allow you to save money and provide for your family but can help displace some of the demand if supplies become limited.

3.  Plant fruit trees.  If you have even a small yard investing in one or more fruit trees can help in the preparations to establish  local food commodities.  If you have no land community gardens are a way to participate.  These are easy to locate...if you have a computer available google for the one closest to you.

4.  Read, talk to people and get ideas for your own best ideas.

5.  Be aware of what is going on and pass the word.  Some may think that all they need to do is provide for their own family but this is sadly naive.  If people become hungry many throw the rules of social ettiquette aside.

Hopefully though prayer and preparation any hardship can be avoided or minimized.  However, ignoring the situation may not be the wisest choice.  My own plans may take up to 5 years to have fully in place so I am thinking on the long term not just the immediate needs.  This is not intended and should not be construed as a message of fear.  When our alarms go off in the morning we do not run screaming out of the house.  However we should get up and be ready.  We can only hit the snooze so many times before we find ourselves late.  Far better to get up and be on time.

Here are more articles on the subject and searching under "2012 dought" will provide many others. 

Grain Prices Soar as Drought Impact Deepens

How To Keep the 2012 Drought From Draining Your Wallet

MSN Report

All purple lettering indicates a link for more information.

 

Added note on Sept 7, 2012:

Well CNN is now also publishing information about a predicted food crisis in 2013, read the article here, published on Sept 3, 2012 Opinion: Global food crisis in 2013

Food Storage - How long could you avoid the grocery store?

The topic came up at work last week and I was again reminded of how ill prepared we are for any unplanned for event.

How long could you go before needed to head to the grocery store?

Most at work said they go multiple times per week just to pick up their supplies needed for meals.

What are some of the reasons one might need to curtail their trips?

• Weather related
• Loss of job
• Sickness or broken bones
• Transportation outages either yourself or those who bring shipments to the store
• Rioting - we have seen that this immediately stops shopping and brings looting
• Major bills or expenses that make financial adjustments beneficial

Or, what if you are looking to save time, save money, or improve efficiency?

So again, the question: How long could YOU go?

My goal in the past was to have no less than a six month supply of necessary food in the house.  Of course this does not take into consideration the desire for fresh fruits and vegetables or bread but if necessary I had canned and frozen foods to fill in the gaps.

Beyond the crisis planning I found that the best reason to have a food storage program was to save money.  My bill was literally cut in half by shopping the sales and buying bulk of the items I frequently used.  Yes, I have posted in the past on the subject but there are basic subjects that are worth a regular reminder.  My freezer was worth almost $5,000 because of the beef that was put in every fall although the cost was less than $1,000.  Pretty good return on investment wouldn't you say?

I remember my Aunt Isabel's home.  Three freezers, a canned goods storage area in the garage, and a pantry off the kitchen.  Yes, there were some draw backs and family jokes because she often kept things that long ago should have been used or tossed but we all can improve our management skills.  I used to get frustrated with my mom because her freezer was not organized.  Being the OCD that I am I would have to pull everything out and put the meat with the meat, bread with bread, etc.  She would just shake her head but had long ago learned that I could not be relaxed until it was finished.

The best thing about developing a food storage program is that you can customize it to your own family.  There are many right ways to do it.  And, yes, a few wrong ways for one does not want their best intentions to turn into an opportunity for waste.  As you have seen in previous posts my #1 item is toilet paper: who likes to run out of that?  The one thing I have found that didn't work well for food storage was Sunny D.  I once bought a case thinking it would last for a couple of months only to find that an unmentioned named child had drank the entire case in less than a week.  Who could do that?

The food storage section gives a number of other posts on the subject of food storage and the link on the right has valuable information for those who want to grow in a systematic way. 

Brown Bag Lunch

One of the quickest ways to spend money is also one of the easiest ways to save money.  Each day I look from my window at work and see the well dressed ladies and men coming back from lunch.  I've been there before and it quickly adds up.

In our area the delis and restaurants range in price from around $5 to upwards of $15.  It's really not much, we deserve it and work hard.  What comes as a surprise is the monthly total of $100 to $300.  There are a lot of other things I could do with that money so it is one area it have made a habit of the alternative:  Brown Bagging it.

Our office has a refrigerator, microwave, hot and chilled water from the cooler, and a seating area.  There is plenty of room for those who stay for lunch left by those who have gone out.  Over the course of time I have brought a variety of items and I tend to repeat them until I want a change.  Currently my lunches are typically as follows:

Often I don't eat all that I have brought so have created a stash in the drawer.  Admittedly I am quite squirrelish.  Other items I have taken in the past:

• Leftovers
• Frozen meals or pot pies
• Fruit or vegetables
• Cup o Noodles
• Salad
• Yogurt
• Instant Oatmeal
• Bread, peanut butter & jam
• Cottage cheese
• Instant or company provided coffee, tea, or other beverages from home
• Boiled eggs
• Pack of cookies
• Homel Compleats

Buying prepared food is NOT the cheapest way to go and even more can be saved through taking a typical brown bag meal of sandwich makings, fruit, and a snack.  I rush so quickly in the morning that if more preparation time is required the temptation arises to skip it and then I end up spending even more.  Having a months worth of soup by my bag and treats at work gives me no excuse.

What do I spend my saved money on?  Anything else that I think more important.

Food round up

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday so what better way to start this round up than with an article about how to put together a budget meal.   The other articles are ones I have picked up either because I thought they were funny or timely.  So hopefully there is something for everyone and will introduce or reacquaint you with some worthwhile financial blogs to add to your reading list.

The Saved Quarter...Budget Thanksgiving Dinner: 3 hours, $30, holiday meal for 8

Everyday Tips and Thoughts...My Unfrugal Confession: I Am A Food Waster (Occasionally)

Food prices are expected to go up. The drought in Texas is one reason because the agriculture industry has been hit in the billions. Optimists are saying 5% and others are saying up to 30% on some items. Regardless of what the actual numbers may end up being food is something we all need, and in many ways it is one of the expenses we have the MOST control over depending on our choices.

Fiscal Fizzle...Why I Expect 10% Food Price Inflation

How many cans of Mushroom Soup can you use?

“Hey, did you hear that Smith’s has a sale on Campbell’s Mushroom Soup for 49 cents?”  That was the lead in that began the conversation to start a food storage program.  The concept stirs a number of responses and reactions from survivalist extremes to grind your own wheat but I think the best reason to begin a food storage program is that IT SAVES MONEY.  There are many ways and methods to begin and the free on-line book outlines a simple way to begin.  My friends at Food Storage Made Easy can give even more advanced plans and ideas. 

So what would one do with 50 cans of cream of mushroom soup?  Here are my family’s top easy preparation recipes that even the kids can help make:

Tater Tot Casserole

Brown 1 to 1 ½ lb. of ground beef
Drain and layer on the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
Cover with tater tots
Spread mushroom soup over the top.
Cover with grated Cheddar cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour covered with foil or without.  I prefer without.

Serves 4 to 6 people.

Chicken with Mushroom soup gravy

(This recipe also works with pieces of round steak)

Wash chicken pieces and pat dry.  Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Cover with flour.
Brown in skillet
Place in baking dish
Cover with 1 or 2 cans of mushroom soup depending on how many are being served and how much gravy is desired.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serve with rice or stuffing and vegetable of your choice.

Chicken Rice Soup

Boil chicken pieces in water until tender.  I use the pieces that are not the family favorites such as backs.  Thighs make the tastiest soups. (You can save the breasts for the recipe above.) Place in refrigerator overnight.  The broth will cool and any grease will rise to the top.  Skim off and discard.  Remove meat from bones and cut meat into small pieces.  Return to broth in pot and reheat.

Here is the SECRET to tasty soup: In a separate pan sauté your favorite or left over vegetables.  My favorites for this are garlic, fresh ginger, onions, celery, and mushrooms.  Even a few water chestnuts make a nice addition.

Add sautéed vegetables to soup base and add any additional vegetables you might like such as broccoli, frozen mixed vegetables, or asparagus.

Continue to taste soup and add salt and pepper to taste.  I use Patis as a substitute for salt. It is a Pilipino seasoning.  If you try this be very careful!  It is very salty and a teaspoon goes a long way but I prefer the flavor which is incidentally made of anchovies.

About 15 minutes before serving add 1 can of cream of mushroom soup and 1 cup or so of rice. Too much and you will have a casserole. These two ingredients are what will turn the soup from an accompaniment to a rib sticking meal.  Serve with cornbread; garlic French bread, or grilled cheese sandwiches.

I have purposefully not listed specific amounts of each ingredient first of all because this is the way I learned to make soup and second because my best tasting soups have been ones that I have dug through the refrigerator looking for leftovers and by the time I thought of writing it down had forgotten all that I had put in.  Each one was different and unique.

Food storage step one?

• 12 cans corn
• 4 cans green beans
• 4 cans French cut green beans
• 10 cans Cream of Chicken
• 38 cans Cream of Mushroom
• 6 Low sodium chicken broth
• 8 cans Chili

Total cans = 82
Total cost = under $44 dollars.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

It can be frustrating when you feel like you are the only person in the home that is concerned about frugal living and preparing for a more stable future.  It is like the ant and the grasshopper.  The ant worked diligently while the grasshopper whiled away in the sunshine.  It would have been easy and even justifiable for the ant to resent the grasshopper but knowing that winter was coming it was more important to continue the work of preparation.

A food storage program is a good place to start.  Especially with the harvest coming in and winter coming on it is the traditional time of year to set something aside for the lean times.  Most of us have come to depend on the grocery store so much that we forget about the seasons of nature and take for granted that the trucks that bring our food will just keep coming.  All it takes is a storm warning to see how quickly grocery store shelves can be emptied.

Food Roundup

Of all budget items food is the most flexible.  It can make you or break you.  It is one of the few catagories that you can control in many ways:

Are you ready? A call to action.

I've done a few serious posts lately.  This is in response to the current changes in the economy and the impact of benefits running out for many unemployed Americans.  After this post I'll try to keep it light for a while. 

You would almost have to have the TV off and ignore the newspaper to miss headlines like these:

All Bets Are Off If 'Jobless Recovery' Becomes True 'Double Dip', Catalano Says

Posted Jul 13, 2010 07:45am EDT by Keegan Bales in Recession
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/%22very-toxic%22-all-bets-are-off-if-%27jobless-recovery%27-becomes-true-%27double-dip%27-catalano-says-519277.html?tickers=^GPSC,EEM,^DJI,TBT,TLT,GLD,FXE

Though apparently the experts couldn’t see this second dip coming they are now pummeling us with the news. I have mentioned this before and would like to add some additional thoughts:

Are you ready? What can be done to prepare to the best of our ability? Here’s my opinion of a bare bones checklist. I have listed them in the order that I think is most important but a review of your own situation is needed to decide how you would establish the priorities or if you even need to make any adjustments at all.

1. Minimum Basic Budget. Have you completed one yet? Have you found the lowest amount you could live on if needed? Have you identified what your change strategy would be if your income were further reduced? If you are not sure of the answers you might want to pick up a copy of In The Trenches and review the purpose and the process. If money is tight right now you can print the worksheets by clicking the coins on the right sidebar. Later in the month I will be giving away a couple copies of the book to those who need but cannot afford them. Watch for the information in an upcoming post.

An Investment with Abundant Return - Fruit Trees

Most of us think of the stock market or real estate when we think of investing but there are many other ways of investing that can provide a return that can be fun and a new hobby. Fruit trees, berries, and even rhubarb can fall into this category.

Just to get your imagination going here are a few:                               
Apple
Peach
Plums
Blueberries
Oranges
Lemons
Pears
Grapes

I guess for those who feel more comfortable with the stock labels we can call them APP, PEA, PLU, BLU, etc.  A fruit tree normally takes about three years to begin bearing well which is faster than a savings bond.

The Toilet Paper Controversy

I would have never thought that toilet paper could cause any controversy or disagreement. In The Trenches has a chapter called “The best Investment – Toilet Paper”. In that chapter I outline a simple plan for beginning a food storage plan without raising the amount you are currently spending on groceries. This idea has recently gotten high praise from Food Storage Made Simple and Christian Finance. The complete reviews are on the next page and their links are in my blog list.

In the past week I read an article that suggested certain products that are not ideal for a person’s storage plan. Paper products were one of the items on the list because of the amount of space they take up.

Hum…this puzzled me until I looked and noticed that a the article was written by a man. That explained it all. Guess it all depends on your perspective!