Posted on 02/09/2009 12:36:11 AM PST by nw_arizona_granny
Yahoo ran an interesting article this morning indicating a rise in the number of survivalist communities cropping up around the country. I have been wondering myself how much of the recent energy crisis is causing people to do things like stockpile food and water, grow their own vegetables, etc. Could it be that there are many people out there stockpiling and their increased buying has caused food prices to increase? Its an interesting theory, but I believe increased food prices have more to do with rising fuel prices as cost-to-market costs have increased and grocers are simply passing those increases along to the consumer. A recent stroll through the camping section of Wal-Mart did give me pause - what kinds of things are prudent to have on hand in the event of a worldwide shortage of food and/or fuel? Survivalist in Training
Ive been interested in survival stories since I was a kid, which is funny considering I grew up in a city. Maybe thats why the idea of living off the land appealed to me. My grandfather and I frequently took camping trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway and around the Smoky Mountains. Looking back, some of the best times we had were when we stayed at campgrounds without electricity hookups, because it forced us to use what we had to get by. My grandfather was well-prepared with a camp stove and lanterns (which ran off propane), and when the sun went to bed we usually did along with it. We played cards for entertainment, and in the absence of televisions, games, etc. we shared many great conversations. Survivalist in the Neighborhood
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.
Swine Influenza (Flu)
Swine Flu website last updated April 28, 2009 11:00 AM ET
[Now 64 cases in U.S.]
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.
>>>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...
>>>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
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.
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.
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..
>>>I got the canner from Lehmans. Do some research on them. Mine doesnt have a gasket, its a metal to metal seal between the lid and the pot, but I dont know if thats 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......
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.
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
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.
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