Is Recession Preparing a New Breed of Survivalist? [Survival Today - an On going Thread #2]

May 05th,2008

[metmom]

FWIW, I just went out shopping today and stocked up on bread and meat. I already have lots of eggs and butter and get our milk from local goat owners.

I don’t know if we’ll be needing it, but it won’t go to waste. But if martial law is instituted, we’ll be ready.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Swine Influenza (Flu)

Swine Flu website last updated April 28, 2009 11:00 AM ET

[Now 64 cases in U.S.]

[nw_arizona_granny]

I wonder if closing the border includes patrolling the stretches where the illegals sneak through, or just keeping out the honest people who are doing it the right way.<<<

Can’t close all the border, for they need those voters to be able to cross.

Good glad you got to the store, you will rest better knowing that you are prepared.

The times are so uncertain, that it is difficult to even guess at the next step.

Half the reports that I see are yes it is on the way and the other half say no, not going to hit.

Guess that step is up to God.

[CottonBall]

Enjoy that liberty while you can, an hour ago the news said 2 dead from flu in California and Napolitano [sp?] said they were thinking about closing the border. Martial law will be here any minute.

Seriously? I've been volunteering at the SPCA for 4 hours. This is the first I've heard of it.

Closing the border - that's way overdue. This socialist government carrying it any further than that - I hope they'll have mayhem on their hands.

[CottonBall]

I wonder if closing the border includes patrolling the stretches where the illegals sneak through, or just keeping out the honest people who are doing it the right way.

That's a good question, metmom. I'd bet, like anything else this administration does, it's all for show. They'll consider themselves heroes for letting infected illegals over to have access to our 'free' medical care and not worry in the least how many Americans will die because of it.

[DelaWhere]

>>>Half the reports that I see are yes it is on the way and the other half say no, not going to hit.<<<

Just imagine what it would be like if we were into flu season. Unusual that it is a combination Swine/Avian/Human virus... Now where could that have come from?

Well, if it keeps up, it might be a good time to stock up on pork... Prices will plummet - even though you can’t get it from properly handled and cooked meat, people are associating the two.

Mmmmmm all that canned diced ham, canned barbecued shredded pork, and lots of canned sausage, and much more... Feel sorry for the farmers, but canner is ready to go!

Guess that makes me an opportunistic survivalist...

[CottonBall]

Their inheritance was going to be what’s left of my Roth and our property with 2000 feet of river frontage.

It's none of my business, but I'm going to do the unpardonable and jump in here anyway. I'd say not to worry about your children, particularly if they are current adults. Especially middle-aged adults. I'm middle-aged plus and would never expect my parents to help me with my retirement. I'd like them to spend every penny they have and just not leave any bills ;) I do worry about the world that my son (18 as of last Saturday) will inherit and the crushing debt his generation will have to pay. BUT, my giving him a large inheritance deprives him of the pride of earning his own way. We need to go back to those 'old-fashioned' values, when people had enough self-respect to not accept unearned money and took pride in what they accomplished themselves.

That said, as a parent, I understand what you're feeling. I do think generations after the Greatest Generation certainly had an easier time than future ones will have. My mom has gotten back every penny she paid into SS and then some, plus had a pretty good lifestyle with a limited education and limited income. Nobody under 50-60 can say that these days. It'll be even worse for GenerationXers. The days of prosperity are over.

Anyway, I'm sure you both raised great kids. Just look at the role models they've had! I imagine they'll all do just fine.

[CottonBall]

Anything in canning jars in the freezer rarely ends up with freezer burn or an off taste because of the seal, unless you keep the stuff for simply YEARS. (about 5 or so, IIRC) :)

I hadn't thought of that either. I think tomorrow I will go out and buy a canner and some extra jars. (I'll tell hubby they were on sale - I'm sure I can find some that are.)

What kind would you recommend? I know DW posted some great links about canners - I need to dig those out.

[CottonBall]

Well, if it keeps up, it might be a good time to stock up on pork... Prices will plummet - even though you can’t get it from properly handled and cooked meat, people are associating the two.

LOL! You're always thinking, aren't you? (I'll be checking the pork section myself...)

[DelaWhere]

>>>LOL! You’re always thinking, aren’t you? (I’ll be checking the pork section myself...) <<<

One of my favorite pastimes... Amazing how it helps when you have thought something through and then when it happens, you automatically have a leg up on others.

Oh, it will take a bit of time for any price changes... Just keep watching.

It pays to watch those prices - and a hint - watch dating...

No, I don’t mean to see if it is out of date... Like I just picked up 15 pounds of that yummy thick sliced apple smoked bacon - Normally $4.89 a pound - since store had quite a few of them, and they only had a week left on dating, I got 1 1/2 pound packages for $2.00 each. Immediately froze most of them - stopping that date ticking... Wish they would have had more... I try to watch for large quantity stocking and short dating... The ingredients for bargain pricing, and source for much stocking up!

Normal price = $73.35 Paid $20.00 Saved $53.35

[metmom]

I'd say not to worry about your children, particularly if they are current adults. Especially middle-aged adults. I'm middle-aged plus and would never expect my parents to help me with my retirement. I'd like them to spend every penny they have and just not leave any bills ;) I do worry about the world that my son (18 as of last Saturday) will inherit and the crushing debt his generation will have to pay. BUT, my giving him a large inheritance deprives him of the pride of earning his own way.

The way things seem to be going, it's not likely that you'll be able to leave him a large inheritance anyway. I see the government soaking it up so all your hard earned money will go the them and the deadbeats that they are supporting.

That said, there has to be some way of getting your inheritance to your kids in some useful form. Right now, you can give gifts of money to them tax free. If you don't want to do that, I suppose buying property might be the next best option. If the economy keeps going down, it might not be a bad deal for someone who has the money. If the property is paid for (no mortgage) then it's just a matter of keeping up with the taxes.

[metmom]

I got the canner from Lehmans. Do some research on them. Mine doesn’t have a gasket, it’s a metal to metal seal between the lid and the pot, but I don’t know if that’s typical.

Regular Ball canning jars are what I use. The best thing to do about canning jars is to either garage sale for them or ask older women if they have any that they aren’t using. I’ve found that you can get them really cheap or for free from someone who doesn’t can anymore and would like to see the stuff go to a good home, where someone else does.

If you’re going to pick them up at garage sales, though, be sure to check the edge for nicks or chips that would make the jars unusable. Some people are unscrupulous about selling stuff you can’t use because of damage.

[Eagle50AE]

Heres a link to the presto 7 quart at a time pressure canner no.1755

be sure to read the review about the 3 piece weighted rocker to suppliment this ,

else you have to watch the bloody guage , much easier to listen to it chatter,

I prefer miro because 15lbs is what I process cans at my altitude, but they changed to a 5 qt capacity because of excess weight on surface ranges ,

and my wife wont let me buy a used one ( wanted a matched pair) . any suggestions appreciated..

http://www.amazon.com/Presto-01755-Pressure-Canner-Quart/product-reviews/B000QJJ9NY/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

[DelaWhere]

>>>I got the canner from Lehmans. Do some research on them. Mine doesn’t have a gasket, it’s a metal to metal seal between the lid and the pot, but I don’t know if that’s typical.<<<

The Lehman’s canners are made by All American with Lehman’s brand name on them. They are an excellent canner - the only one I know of that doesn’t have to use a gasket.

My only problem with Lehman’s is their prices... Their 21 1/2 quart canner is $249.00 and you can get the same canner from http://www.allamericancanner.com/ for $209.99. I got excellent service from them and I think jdoutrider got his there too.

I have the model 921 and love it!

Presto and Mirro are the other two main brands of canners and have several different features, and are less expensive.
Just be sure to get a canner and not a cooker......

[metmom]

You were saying about pork prices? I don’t know what effect that’s going to have in the long run, but if pork demand drops, price will, unless the US can convince people that their pork is safe to eat.

Pig Farmers in U.S. Take ‘Every Precaution’ to Prevent Swine Flu
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/28/farmers-precaution-prevent-swine-flu/

While the world is sweating out the swine flu, American hogs are sitting pretty — unaffected by the virus that is suspected to have killed 152 people worldwide so far. And American pig farmers, who are already seeing their products banned in some countries, say they are taking every precaution to ensure the nation’s livestock stay healthy.

[upcountry miss]

It’s none of my business>>> of course it’s your business. It’s a forum where we share our thoughts. I have bragged for years that my family has never had hard feelings as the result of any inheritances. My childless, widowed sister recently passed away and I have such guilt feelings over the small inheritance she left me that I have been trying to spread it out among my children but they resist all my efforts, wanting me to spend it on myself but what does this old lady want beside her flowers and vegetable garden. I refused to buy coffee at eateries when their price reached $1.00 (been a long time , right?) I tell everyone that saving money and being frugal is the only hobby I have.

Anyway, I do worry, as most parents do. I think each succeeding generation seems to lose some of the survival instincts which will probably be very necessary and very soon.

Let’s see if I can post this as a single post and not a double one. LOL

[upcountry miss]

Nuts freeze well too>>>> Yes, for the last two years, a local store has had all of their nuts in the shell marked 75% off right after Christmas. I buy 10-15 lbs. of walnuts and pecans, hubby shells them and pops them in the freezer in glass jars. They add a lot to a blah meal, plus they are nutritious. Chicken salad sandwiches are yummy with chopped walnuts for crunchiness. Walnut or pecan halves add a lot to a fruit salad. Sticky buns with chopped pecans rolled into the bun and pecan halves on top can't be beat. Just for a snack in the evening, they are great and rolled into homemade popcorn balls are pretty special too.

[metmom]

I think each succeeding generation seems to lose some of the survival instincts which will probably be very necessary and very soon.

Ain't that the truth. My grandmother came from the old country and could bake killer bread and had a veggie garden that was unbelievable. All her knowledge that she had for surviving off the land in the old country was lost in one generation.

And here I am trying to learn as much as I can to pass on to my kids for the days ahead.

[CottonBall]

I try to watch for large quantity stocking and short dating... The ingredients for bargain pricing, and source for much stocking up!

I like doing the same thing. It makes shopping into a sort of game, a challenge. I love finding and making the best of a good deal!

Normal price = $73.35 Paid $20.00 Saved $53.35

Awesome! And I think the stuff I find like this tastes all the better for it.

[CottonBall]

It’s none of my business>>> of course it’s your business. It’s a forum where we share our thoughts.

Well, I did kinda butt in on a conversation between you and DW. But you're sweet for saying so :) I'm glad you didn't take offense.

My childless, widowed sister recently passed away and I have such guilt feelings over the small inheritance she left me that I have been trying to spread it out among my children but they resist all my efforts, wanting me to spend it on myself

See, you got good kids!

I refused to buy coffee at eateries when their price reached $1.00 (been a long time , right?) I tell everyone that saving money and being frugal is the only hobby I have.

LOL! I also see it a kind of hobby. I don't enjoy something if I've paid even the going price for it. I almost take a perverse pride in doing without somethings or with making do with something cheaper!

Anyway, I do worry, as most parents do. I think each succeeding generation seems to lose some of the survival instincts which will probably be very necessary and very soon.

Very true. We don't have the skills today to make it through another depression. I wish I paid more attention to everything my grandmother said and did. She was a tough ol' Kansas farm girl - one of 6 sisters and no brothers. They had to work to live.

Let’s see if I can post this as a single post and not a double one. LOL

Well done! Did you get yourself a new laptop?