Tuesday, January 22, 2013

The Brewing Storm


As a prepping family, we try to keep our expenditures to a minimum so that we can afford to make bulk purchases and capital improvements to our property that will enhance our lifestyle and provide for our needs and the needs of others in the event of an emergency.  One of the ways I keep our budget in check is by limiting my trips to "town".  Most shopping trips are executed (rather efficiently) by Sir Knight, who has to be in town for work anyway.  About twice a month I compile a shopping list of items to be purchased, starting with necessities first and working my way down to "would be nice" items.  Sir Knight, armed with a list and a budget, hits the restaurant supply store on the way home and picks up whatever we can afford from our list.  Rarely is he able to purchase every item on the list, or the quantities I have indicated, but we always have enough.  Sir Knight's shopping excursions save us a ton of money.  When he does the shopping we save money on gas, on eating out and on money that may have been spent thrift store shopping.  All in all, it is a great system.

Every once in a while, I am forced into a town shopping trip.  Certain things I just don't have the heart to ask Sir Knight to do - like shopping for underpinnings for three women, or for beauty supplies (we are girls you know) or for gifts for upcoming birthdays and other occasions.  And so, once every 3 or 4 months, the kids and I pile into the truck, buckle in and prepare for a long, busy town day.

Last Friday, Miss Serenity and I made the rare trek to town.  Serenity's wardrobe was in dire need of a freshening up (well, most of her clothes were stained, torn or too small) and I thought it would be a perfect time for us to have a little mother/daughter time.

As I readied to go, I took a few minutes and reconciled my checkbook.  The first thing I noticed was a lack of money in my husband's paycheck.  At first I thought it was an error, but upon closer inspection, I realized the reduced dollar amount was the result of the tax increases (or the sunsetted tax breaks) instituted with the new year.  Eek - our household income took a hit of roughly $250 a month!

Adjusting my budget, I soldiered on.  I slashed about $100 out of my food budget, $100 dollars out of my fuel budget and $50 dollars out of my clothing budget (which I don't normally have, but today was thrift shopping day).  The end result was that our family will really have to tighten our belts.  We will have to make meals stretch further and stay at home more (we rarely go anywhere as it is).  We will have to conserve energy (our generator is the largest user of our fuel budget), only doing laundry when the sun it out, so we can charge our batteries with the sun while we do our laundry with the generator.  We will have to make sure we only use the computer when the sun shines and turn off our refrigerator at night.  We will feel the reduction in our income keenly.

Not to be deterred, Miss Serenity and I made our first thrift store stop.  The first item on our list was jeans.  Have you tried to find a pair of jeans that go all the way to the waist recently?  It was almost in impossible task!  Miss Serenity is very particular about her clothing.  She likes her pants to go to her waist (not under her navel) and she likes her shirts to go past her belly button (silly girl!).  After searching the racks for about 45 minutes, we had 1 pair of jeans and 3 shirts in our cart.  Thinking that we had done quite well for ourselves, we headed off to the next store.  As we shopped, we noticed an alarming trend - the prices were outrageous!  Ladies blouses and sweaters were upwards of $12.99 (each!) and shoes were nearing $30.00!  At a thrift store!!!!  I found a charming little tea set for Princess Dragon Snack's upcoming birthday, nestled in a sweet wicker basket (that happened to be a little worse for wear), however the price tag was $29.95!  It seemed that every store was worse than the last.  Finally, after hours of searching, Miss Serenity had a new wardrobe.  It consisted of 1 pair of jeans, 4 t-shirts, 1 button up shirt, 1 camisole and 1 wool kilt - all for the low price of $50.00.  Eight items, at a thrift store, cost $50.00!  With prices like that, how on earth are people supposed to be able to cloth their children?

Next on our list of things to do was grocery shopping.  I made the dreaded trip to Walmart, pulled out my shopping list and went to work.  Staying on the outer edges of the store, I picked up toilet paper, laundry detergent, chicken scratch, milk, butter, pepperoni, mozzarella, hamburger and bacon.  I didn't buy chips, crackers, packaged food of any kind.  No snacks, treats or extras.  My bill?  $200!

And then, insult was added to injury.  Choosing a line that was almost empty, I found myself behind a young family.  Their cart was full of items that already been scanned and there were only a few items left on the belt.  As I stood there waiting, I saw that this young couple had purchased a new radiant heater (I've heard they work really well), a couple of DVD's and a few other odd and ends.  Apparently, they had paid for these items with their credit card and I thought they were paying for their groceries with cash.  I was mistaken.  After waiting for nearly 15 minutes, a supervisor was called over to the cash register to help the cashier process the WIC check the couple had presented for the groceries.  Actually, they had two separate piles of groceries and two separate WIC checks.  As it turns out, the government had changed the way WIC checks were processed and it took nearly 30 minutes for the problems to be resolved and the checks to be accepted.

Trying desperately not to get angry, I smiled at the couple in front of me and played hide and seek with their little ones.  All the while, my mind was whirring.  My family had just been robbed of $250 a month.  I was budgeting every penny, making every meal from scratch and reducing the number of trips to the library (3 miles away), just to make ends meet.  All of this, while the folks in front of me bought DVD's on their dime and food on mine.  And to make matters worse - the father was wearing the very sweatshirt that I had wanted to buy for Sir Knight for Christmas - but couldn't afford.

The veneer of civility that has hallmarked our country is wearing thin.  The chasm between the "makers" and the "takers" is growing, threatening to destroy our way of life. In our earnestness to provide for the less fortunate, we, in effect, have made everyone less fortunate.  We have created the perfect storm. And the storm is brewing.

64 comments:

  1. Our family feels the same! We took a pay cut of 320$ and more because union dues increased too! It is so upsetting that those of us who work hard have to give up so much just because we were "raised right" and know how to "work hard", while others just work the system and take all the time. For the last few weeks I have bought very little from the store, I will continue to do this and hope that I can use the saved money to keep stocking up on things, basic foods, ammo, personal protection, emergency kits. No DVD's for us ( never would its a waste of money anyway),
    No nice heater, pretty much do without the serious needs! The thing that pisses me off is those who keep having children, can afford
    To and yet we pay for them but because I can't afford to have a second child we must go without another child!

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    1. Prepared Teacher

      (captaincrunch)

      That really burns me, you cant afford to have another baby, but I see lots of people havin babies becouse WIC will feed them down here. There is just so many along the Texas border regions, its become the norm. Better yet, the mom is a Mexican National, the kid gets born over here and welfare takes over. Mom gets a green card and gets a pay raise with every kid that drops out.

      You cant afford another child but the illegals and legals and dropping them out calfs on a cattle ranch. I know it sounds politicaly incorrect, but anyone wants to see whats going on, come down to Texas and I will give them a guided tour. Im serious too. I really would give a tour of the border...

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    2. Yes sir!!!! You are so right.... My husband makes great money but yet we struggle. I have had neighbors " yes you read that
      Right" tell me oh just say your separated and put all your mail and such to your parents house and then you could get the stamps, WIC and other things! I was like WHAT!!!! That is so wrong but yet that is what's most people are doing. State help use
      To be a hand up not a hand out! If we would cut this stuff and be very very strict about things and seriously go to their homes,check up on things who's living there and such.... and my favorite "only allow the $$ to buy basic staples and since they are at home not working they have to take classes on cooking from scratch having a garden, etc ...We would have a lot of people be cut from the programs leaving them for really needy people because they don't realize that sooner or later the money is going to run out then what will they do???

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    3. You can always afford another child. Be open to our Father's plan of creation and He will provide a way. It might not be easy, and it might not keep you up with the Jones (not that you seemed so inclined anyway), but you will feel the blessings and grace that come with cooperating with our Lord in creation of life.

      Children are an asset, not a liability.

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  2. Agreed! I often feel like all my life I've been frugal, pinched pennies, so that I could be the stay at home wife and mom God called me to be-while my dear husband's hard earned money goes to support others. Now mind you, we're happy to pay our taxes, but only our fair share, and others need to pay their fair share. Things are so messed up-what's right is wrong, and what's wrong is right! Come Jesus come.

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  3. Enola Gay,

    My family has also been required to reduce our budget due to the additional tax changes, Obama care and social security withholdings. The "takers are growing" and I don't see it getting better any time soon.

    Bless you and yours,
    Sandy

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  4. Ms. Enola, I read your post & was filled with pride because of the ethics you are teaching your children. I took a huge hit on my paycheck so I can help support those who will not hit a lick & eat/live much better than my family.

    The working man has become the host for welfare parasites. The gov't of course is to blame for making their parasitical lifestyle so prosperous. The parasites will have a rude awakening when the economy collapses & their cards won't buy food or nic-nacs. They'll scream & holler & insist they continue to be cared for by others.

    I'll take care of them, like I do all parasites & trash. In order for the strong to survive, the herd must be thinned...

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    1. I wonder whether Jesus would ever, ever call another human being "parasites and trash". I doubt it very much.

      "In order for the strong to survive, the heard must be thinned..."
      - the last time this idea was put into practice on my continent, millions of innocent people were killed on account of it.

      Does not the Bible ask us to guard our tongues from speaking evil? I don't know what suggesting people are parasites and should be "thinned out" of the herd is - if not evil...

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    2. Oh, please. Save your condemnation. People are angry in this country, and once in a while they have to blow a little steam and don't really mean everything they say. There is "PC" and there is "PC with Jesus attached". Self-righteous people need to allow others to blow off steam once in a while.

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    3. OUCH. Sounds as though I hit a nerve. How curious.

      Jesus would have reminded me the importance of loving everyone, i.e. the poor, widowed & orphaned. Honestly isnt't judging another just as evil as being unable to control ones tongue? Or do you believe your sin is less than mine.

      Thanks for the amusement & attempting to teach Christianity. Perhaps you should "remove the beam from your eye" first. <><

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    4. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 speaks to this.

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  5. "To and yet we pay for them but because I can't afford to have a second child we must go without another child! "

    Please, Prepared Teacher, have another child! Our nation desperately needs children to be raised up with good work ethics and good morals. It will work out as God will bless you.

    Psalm 37:5 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

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  6. Enola,

    (captaincrunch)

    I may be selling some or all of the mineral rights I have and investing in some rent houses or something, it all depends on how much I make. I will get HAMMERED on taxes, maybe fifty percent of my final cut will go to pay for socailism.
    Im hoping to buy some ranch or farmland and have some small income to trickle in from rental profits. I want to be a "Jackolope Rancher" when I grow up!

    On a side note and a little off topic, I was at walmart again tonight doing some very latenight shopping avoiding "shiny happy people"
    I was getting my standard load of frozen TV dinners when I saw some poor devil that was worse off than I am. This guy was about 30 years old, wearing a slacks, shirt and tie. He was gaunt looking with a five o'clock shadow. He had a whole cartload of frozen foods, TV dinners, Ramen (the whole bachelor food assortment)
    I was thinking to myself, Brother' I know your pain!

    A word of advice to all the single women out there, if you hit the frozen food section of walmart, that could be a "Choke point for Bachelor hunting"
    Check out whats in thier carts and check out the "TV dinner to Beer ratio". If there is more than a 12 pack of beer, he ain't ready to settle down. If he has less than a 12 pack of beer, or better yet. A 6 pack of beer, he maybe ready to be domesticated.

    You know the moral compus of this country is really screwed up when good Christian men and women cant find mates but the same sex loving "trendies" find same sex partners everywhere they look becouse its the cool thing to do.

    I really want to go back in time to mid 19th century Texas. Everything is just so "unbelievably screwed up" in this century.






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    1. The Gigahertz Gourmet! The ultimate bachelor gizmo is the microwave-on the 8th day, God created the cavity magnetron. I've eaten more ramen than I care to think about(you can "doctor" it and it's not too bad-and it's cheap!), canned stuff, frozen junk. I probably should be dead. I think I was born a couple centuries too early-I'd like to be on a starship heading out to a colony planet...

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    2. Hmmm, I might have to try this out sometime. Poor guy, I could easily give him a home-cooked meal, and heck, even clean his house for him! Not to mention, I'm not half bad with lawn work either (if he has a lawn). Did is clothes look a little worn? I'm pretty good a sewing. I wonder if he has trouble keeping up with his bills too...

      *starts planning a late-night trip to the nearest Walmart frozen foods and ramen section* Target is much closer to my house, is that okay?

      ~Lily~

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    3. Hey Lily and Anon,

      (captaincrunch)

      The Bachelor way of life a harse way to live. I have mold growing in my Microwave! Yes, Mold!!! don't ask me how. I thought Radiation would kill the mold, it may be mutating like in the 1950's monster movies, I got a "Gigihertz Godzilla in my Microwave"

      I gotta send Enola pics of the inside of my microwave

      On planning late night trips to trap wild untamed bachelors, just wear normal clothes and little makeup. Bachelors see fancy made up women as "traps" You gotta lure us in, a nice smile. little make up and wear a skirt or nice dress. I think men are burned out on women showing off their bodies. We are bombarded by sex, sex, sex. We are sick of it!!!
      We want nice girls, girls next door types. if your a nice average girl in a nice skirt or dress. That will drive us nuts and lure us in and Lily, you can then strike and make your catch.

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  7. Hello, Ms. Enola!

    My dad and I have seen it too. Its tough to know that your own father who has worked since he was 16, sometimes two jobs as I remembered when I was young, got a college degree without any financial help (he had to start college all over again at 21 with a more practical major after his mother kicked him out for criticizing her relationship with his new stepfather, and kept going to school until eight years later when I was finally born), gone through numerous changes within his company where for many years he had to worry about whether he'll have a job the next month which strained our family, gone through the loss of our mother which halved the family income, had to put a roof over mine and my sister's head for years after college because we could not find a full time job to support ourselves on our own, and have his hard-earned money taken away in taxes that is dumped on the so-called "needy".

    I'm a little embarrassed to say that I'm currently taking in unemployment money now that I have no job. I left retail last summer to start a full time office job that wound up being a two week stint (nothing to do with my work as I got it done right in a timely manner, it was the vicious clique environment). Now I'm hopping around trying to find something quick before the money runs out. I even went to Florida as a gift from my cousin so I could interview for her company. It didn't work out. I'm currently waiting for a call back from my dad's company (The company had broken up, but the piece he went with is far more stable now). I had an interview over a week ago, and it has been agonizing. I'm glad that Dad knows the people in HR so he can tell me whether the job has been filled yet (it hasn't as of this morning). This entry level job will nearly quadruple what I've earned yearly in the past, and that's after taxes and before adding overtime which they said was guaranteed (and would take care of the taxes I would have to pay). This company is in a position where all the old boomers including my dad will be retiring in a few years, so I'm coming in at a good time. I just wished it happened a few years sooner when I've been out of college for only a couple of years and Mom had just died. It would have been a real help. I have a good amount of debt still left to pay, and the health insurance that covers the bare minimum is ludicrous! I've been really good about not overspending, saving for only the things a truly want (otherwise I'd go crazy!), and helping around the house as part of my rent. I don't think I've ever made anything over 10,000 in a year, and it was often far less. Somehow I made it work. I do practically all the meal planning, cooking, and cleaning (when I had a job I helped with the grocery bill). I've told myself that if I do get this job, I'll stay with Dad for a few more months to make sure they keep me, and take on paying my own car insurance (finally!) and paying for some of the actual bills (I was thinking paying for all the groceries and offer when we go out) in addition to giving a certain amount for actual rent. This would probably be half of what I would spend if I had my own apartment paying for all my utilities and food, and it would go to somebody I know who actually needs it.

    (To be continued..)

    ~Lily~

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  8. (continued...)

    I've worked with people who live off of food stamps and government money from having children. One nice girl at my last retail job came from a typical background. Born out of wedlock herself, she repeat her mother's mistake (but don't tell her that) and started having kids right after high school (she takes pride in at least waiting until she graduated). She's about 20 now and just had her second, and lost one before that. Its no secret that she gets money and free healthcare for her kids, and no one bats an eye. Her baby daddy, from what I could tell, did live with her and her mother, but during the last pregnancy they were having issues. Chances are, he won't be around to see his second kid reach its first birthday. I just found it so funny how she and other girls (many of them baby mamas themselves) were having a discussion one time about the exact definition of a baby mama or daddy (its someone that you feel so close to, that you became intimate and had a baby with according to this girl). No mention of marriage what so ever. However, I've also been in jobs where if you were over 25 and not married (or even worse, still at home with your parents, no matter if its because of finances or a parent's health like it was with my mother) there was something wrong with you. Even these people would use the "don't you want a baby" line, like if I at least get a boyfriend and let him knock me up, I'm good. I actually had one girl who I knew already thought that I was quickly becoming an old maid burst out one time while helping me bag some things for a customer, "When ARE you going to get married!" And we're talking about girls who will probably be divorced by the time they hit their 30s. It seems like these girls never think ahead. They don't think of how this mentality will hurt their children. I'm getting tired of being asked how many kids do I want when I don't even have a significant other yet (boyfriend is too juvenile for my age). Being financially secure with out the government's help is nowhere on their priority list.

    My little sis was lucky. She only recently got a full time job with the city after being out of school for two years and is already engaged (she will be 25 soon, heheh), but she did not expect it to happen this way, in fact, her debt is three times mine and was constantly worried about how she would pay for it and ran herself ragged working an odd shift job at one point and two jobs at another (which is why I took over caring for the house. She didn't have to worry about it). She was the type that was made for college (and went to a good private one) and had a good relationship with all her professors and made good grades. If the economy wasn't so bad, she probably would be able to find a job in her field. I'm just glad her luck was better than mine, and now has a wonderful fiance who is making sure she can just concentrate on getting rid of her debt while he takes care of everything else as they consolidate their things. They're the only young couple I've seen do this. My sis isn't thinking of kids yet, but I can already tell these two will make great parents (the fiance has mentioned wanting kids). I only hope that I can become a doting aunt if the cards aren't dealt in my favor to marry and have kids of my own. I have sever trust issues as it is after what I've experienced during the last decade in my life.

    (To be continued...AGAIN...)

    ~Lily~

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  9. (Continued...)

    I just want to get my head above the water to breathe for once. My views on everything have changed a great deal since I left college. I'm nowhere near the point of being able to be self sufficient, but it has always been a dream of mine (you can blame Laura Ingalls Wilder for it). I nearly lost it as a teenager, but I hope to reclaim it soon, whether I marry or not. I have been honing my sewing skills these past few years in addition to learning how to keep a house and cook. I'm also a fledgling writer, musician, and artist of various mediums. The one thing I found interesting about the girls I worked with is that they did not have any real hobbies that went beyond stalking celebrities through various media, texting, and showering their kids with gifts. The girl I mentioned working with told me one time that before she had her eldest, it had been all about her, now its all about her son and giving him all the best clothes, shoes, and toys like her mom did with her. Sad to say, her heart is in the right place, but she's doing it all wrong.

    Um, yeah, did I mention I ramble A LOT? I promise I won't do that so much the next time I comment. I just wanted to give you a snapshot of how it looks from where I am. I've been a long time lurker of your blog (I often hop over from Ms. Patrice's blog and occasionally comment there). I felt like I had to speak up here, because you just pointed out something that has become more and more common.

    ~Lily~

    P.S. The darn thing kept saying my post was too long so I had to break it up into three parts!

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  10. I agree that it's not right that SOME use the system. But not all do. I am a welfare recipient (food stamps and help with insurance). I worked since I was 14 (I am almost 47), and due to no fault of my own, I was injured at my job 5 yrs ago and now cannot work due to a disability. I only receive $768 a month for SSDI, which cannot feed my two boys. I don't buy tons of junk, and cook from scratch as much as I can. Not all are takers or users.

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  11. Ms Enola, I am afraid that I cannot do anything about the paycut, as we were also affected, but might I humbly make some suggestions on the clothing shopping? you see, I grew up on a farm and have always been, er, "frugal" even when we were relatively "flush" with income. Here is the radical statement that I will make : the thrift store is not always your best bet for shopping frugally. (gasp, I know) Seriously- I do shop my local thrift store, but I *only* look for out of season items (summer clothes in winter, and vice versa). And, I frequently go by to "look" and see what is a bargain...The strange thing about clothing shopping is that I can often find better deals on new, store CLEARANCE clothing than I can at the thrift store (and yes, I have seen new clothing at the thrift store that was donated by the retail company for a higher price than it was weeks before at the retail store on clearance. They simply took off the clearance price stickers!) The major retail stores will begin to mark down winter clothing in Jan/Feb and summer clothing in Aug/Sept. THIS is when I shop the clearance racks. I couldn't tell what size Ms. Serenity would be, but for instance: childrens place is currently running thier "monster sale"- which happens twice a year in the months I mention. Thier jeans are between 9 and 12 dollars....which is close the thrift store prices in my area. Often you can get free shipping with a simple google search for codes. Lands End is another one that I frequent thier clearance section. Plus, online if you purchase through ebates, you get a bit (2-5% depending on the store) back in Paypal $. I don't say all of this to criticize you, but its the same tips I give my friends irl....the retail pricing of clothing is a game and a sham, so I try to play it effectively. One other suggestion, regarding modest clothing/pricing is to look in the boys/mens section. A button down shirt is a button down shirt, but the womens will often be 20% higher...plus, mens jeans are generally not low cut, and depending upon how Ms Serenity is built in the er, seat area, should fit her just fine. (mens jeans generally aren't as generous in the seat area, but until I had children, I was able to wear them...its even a fashion trend now called the "boyfriend" cut/jean) I hope this helps somewhat...I have learned alot from your blog and simply wanted to give back some tips if I could..

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    1. You are so right. I live in AK -a very expensive state for everything. I use thrift stores for certain items -books, toys, games, DVD's, household items like furniture or kitchen items(some really nice ones), tablecloths and curtains, etc, but not necessarily clothing.

      To be honest, I can buy my family brand new t-shirts, polo shirts, jeans, and just about everything else cheaper at Fred Meyer's or Wal-Mart EVERY DAY, especially in the sales right after Christmas. The only time I buy used clothing at the thrift store is if it is a leather jacket or something that is very high quality and can't be purchased elsewhere.

      Now pants that actually come up to the natural wasitline - I get it. Those are hard to come by. Might I suggest the special jeans deals they have in the BOYS and OLDER BOYS department. These jeans actually cover the body parts and may fit just as well for the girls if you buy "husky" sizes for their extra curves.

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    2. I agree about the clothing. I have three girls - 2 grown now - and would always shop regular retail outlets for clothes. Over the years I could find $1.5, $2,and $3 shirts and pants at Baby Gap, Old Navy, Kohls, Children's Place, Macy's etc. I got two pairs of Levis Women's Jeans once at Macy's for 1.99 each. I struggle with the recycle issue (why buy more if there are good used clothes out there) but why pay more at thrift if I can find new at a better price. With all of those findings let me say I AM Not a shopper. If we were in desperate need of something (I believe in using it till its gone - that includes clothes) I would just say "Lord, you know I need a good deal, " and amazingly the finds would follow. Use what works though, in this day and age any tips help!

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  12. Enola Gay,
    Your family is an inspiration to so many! I thank you for that. I used to work at a Wal-Mart and I saw things that absolutely made me sick! I would ring up an over-flowing buggy full of high-dollar meats, snacks, treats, etc. for which the customer would use a food stamp card. Then I would move on to their second buggy - filled with electronics, DVD's, CD's, toys, etc. for which the customer would peel off hundred dollar bills to pay for! And there I stand making $7.50 an hour, wearing 10 year old clothes, and considering myself lucky if we could afford hamburger meat a couple of times a week!
    The really sad thing is, a lot of these people (not all, mind you, but a good percentage) are the very people screaming about how they were wronged by slavery. Too bad they don't realize they are still very much slaves! They will never amount to anything because they are being paid to do nothing and to BE nothing. The government has created a giant multi-generational pool of leeches who will go through their entire lives without purpose.
    It's a sad, sad state of affairs in this country - I agree completely with another commentor who said "Come Jesus Come!"

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  13. It is pretty darn frustrating to see people buying steak and the like with an EBT card, when your cart has hamburger and your payroll took a big hit. DH's check took the hit, but he also got a raise that compensated for part of it, so we didn't feel it as much. However, payroll says our insurance will be going up, benefits going down, and we may lose our dental insurance completely. Thanks ObamaCare!

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  14. I'm in total agreement with Miss Serenity on her shirts falling below the waist and her jeans rising above! Three years ago, after spending two years helping to construct our home, I desperately needed some new jeans. I browsed the "value" shops first, trying to find some good used jeans but only found the newest hardly worn, low rise, fashion jeans that were obviously not meant to cover much. Hubby prompted me to look at our local farm supply store and just buy a couple pair like the ones I wore out. The clerk helped me look for them, then called their supplier when they could not be found on the shelf. They had been discontinued because they were being replaced with low riding fashion jeans for teenagers. The jeans I was trying to replace were touted as being for "women". I asked her how could low riding jeans replace "WOMENS" jeans? I could choose the rise, the size and the inseam (I needed a skinny jean, long rise, and tall inseam--God saw my tears and helped me with the skinny part!) She told me that the vast majority of buyers were teenage girls. I told her I knew that, the thrift stores were full of their hardly worn cast off, rear showing, flimsy denim, useless "fashion" jeans; I offered my opinion that the farm store should offer clothing that the local ranch women and girls could wear, otherwise, they will be forced to travel to the next large city and they'd just pick up all those other ranch/farm things they needed while they were there.

    I can't imagine what those parents are teaching their daughters. First they let them buy this garbage, then they let them cast them off and buy more; they also look like some type of blingy call girl while wearing them. What are women supposed to do? All the discount stores have the same type of worthless, cheap looking, low class clothing. I don't want low neck shirts that show my bra straps! I don't want jeans that don't go to my real waist. I'd like to have something that is appropriately sized.

    As far as the trend of thrift store prices going up, I think they have become the new "fashion trend". I recently stopped donating our clothing to our parish thrift store after I discovered that they were warehousing all the almost new but seriously outgrown quality boots and wrangler jeans and shirts I donated (the twelve year old went from size 9 to 12D in boots and from 27/32 to 30/36 in the last year and grew 5 inches taller!). I'm appalled at what I see in the store, it's not selling and should be nickel dime priced, but has several dollars on each item. I will give my son's clothing away from now on. I'm also on a search for a new (patriotic Bible based) church but that's a different story.

    I'm growing weary of paying for food so others have money to waste on useless garbage. Today I will have to mind my tongue as we will be in town for a homeschool activity. I'm less verbally charitable than the other moms. I told someone last week that suggested a more broadened Christian perspective, a more liberal one that I'm more inclined to be like Jesus in the Temple, overturning the tables of the money changers but for now I am not going to act in a physical sense.

    I pray that this battle comes in my time and is not left for my children and grand children. I fear that TPTB will put it off until the "old soldiers" are gone. Time is on their side, as too many God fearing patriots are not having children, while the parasites are procreating and adding to the number of totally dependent indoctrinated sheeple.

    sidetracksusie

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  15. Enola, Enola, my heart aches for my country. I never, ever thought I would live to see days like this. My lifestyle is very much like yours in that I rarely go to the store and am fugal. The tax hit has been unpleasant and as effected us in the same way as you.

    Our government has been hijacked by wicked, wicked people and they are impoverishing our country on purpose. Oh, if we could turn back the clock and have a redo.

    I think often of the pioneers that settled the west and the pilgrams that settle the 'new land'. They came with the supplies they had and had to make a go of it. We must all do the same. We all come from good 'stock' and if our ancestors did it, so can we. And we will do it.

    From Revelation 18:5 "My people, come out of her!" (world system)"so you will not share in her sins, so you will not be infected by her plagues..."
    I've been taking this command to heart. I'm planning on growing grains, flax, I have sheep coming in a month or two for wool and meat, got goats for milk, chicken, ducks, geese. Expanding my garden. learning to use the resources on my small plot of land. learning many traditional skills WE ARE AMERICANS! We will overcome this tranny, but first we must survive it and learn to live without money as best we can. God would not tell us to come out of the world system if we didn't have the ability to live without it. That is my personal goal, to live outside the system.

    Battle on my fellow patriots, and do not be faint of heart nor discouraged. The Lord is mighty, faithful and is our God. The system will collapse but we as God's people will not. The righteous will not go begging bread. So what, the wicked look like their prospering but oh, in their end is death. I pity the takers. Though the wicked take my money, I am slave to no man. They are the thieves, not me. They need me, I don't need them. I can walk with my head held high before the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

    Shaolin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The American Republic is dying but the root cause is not the undermining of its Constitution. America’s demise is rooted in a national rebellion against the Creator referred to in the Declaration of Independence and revealed in the Holy Bible.

      Delete
  16. Mrs Enola,
    I have read your blig for years now. I so enjoy your daily life posts. Todays insightful offering is in tune with what I have seen in my wanderings nation wide over the last 10 years. The implications of the current "taker vs maker" trend hit me about 4 years ago. Newly divorced, bankrupt, spiritually hollowed out, I returned to my home state of Louisiana. The Lord blessed me with grace and the aforementioned insight. I felt a very pressing "urge to prepare". So I took a look at my job, my apartment, my expenses, and my 2 year old son and re-prioritized. I changed jobs (scary after 12 years in the same specialty), learned to shop sales, coupon, plan our meals weeks ahead based on those sales & finally saved enough for a down payment on a mobile home in the country. Prayed hard for guidance and Divine help, here I am 4 years later with a garden patch, an orchard,
    rabbits, and chickens. Not quite self sustaining, but becoming more self sufficient. All this on a single mom salary without child support or welfare. I am happy and content with my country life. Luxuries are fleeting and not missed after they are gone. I feel pity for people abusing the current system. A rude and harsh awakening awaits them. I continue to pray for God's will for my life and my country. The funny thing is...the more I pray that, the crazier things get. My parents always said people need to hit bottom before they see how bad off they are. Lord help us all!

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  17. It really bothers me to see people in the grocery stores and Walmart buying boatloads of steaks and other foods I can't afford. My husband works hard and pays taxes, but they have government assistance. Then it finally hit me not too long ago: All they are doing is taking advantage of what our LAWMAKERS have set in place for them. I think we're mad at the wrong people.

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  18. Yep, and the storm is certainly growing....BUT, GOD did warn about this very thing from Gen. to Revelation in the BIBLE, HIS WORD.....We took Him out of schools, out of our lives and thought the small god's that are in the government would do just fine...Sound familiar? Israel wanted a king instead of God, and He gave them kings that were corrupt....Nothing new under the sun!!!!
    I am 65 and cannot get SS or Medicare because I have not worked outside the home enough to get the points to get anything (SS is socialism at its finest, by the way, instituted by the demosocialists way back when to see if they could get people to fall for giving up their money) And the people sneaking into this country get SS and Medicare for free for not doing a thing....HMM!!!
    And God's Word is clear...And NO ONE believed it was really going to happen....
    Pray for people to repent and turn to the ONLY ONE that can save them...
    Thanks for letting me vent....
    Love from NC

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  19. My husband has yet to receive his paycheck for the month. I'm scared to see how it might have changed. I do know our health insurance is going up again. And electricity in our area has jumped by one third in the last month. Everyone is upset but no one seems to get answers on why.
    I had a thought on thrift stores. In our area I go to the thrift stores that are run by service groups, like a senior center or a church ministry. They tend to have lower prices. I always tell my hubby that we don't go to Goodwill unless we're feeling rich! :) Also where I live they have a local for sale page on the radio stations website, and on facebook. These have been good places for me to find children's clothing.
    I sympathize with your frustrations about the family in front of you. I have a friend who works in the grocery store. She said it makes her so angry to see people come in and buy a cart full of junk and pay with the EBT card while she is working hard and struggles to feed her family. She said the average family in Nebraska gets $700 a month on their EBT card. Wow! Wouldn't it be nice to have that much to spend on food? My cupboards would be very well stocked!

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  20. Enola,isn't there a Goodwill or Volunteers of America/ Salvation Army place nearby? They have very reasonably priced clothes. I've bought things that looked near-new for less than $5-recently. Lots of household items as well-I bought a in-the-box dehydrator for $3, toasters that need just cleaning for about that, lamps for a couple bucks. Sometimes things need minor repair, but are generally just fine. Test it before you buy it! Here, there's also ReStore, a great thrift shop that deals in recycled/surplus building materials and hardware.
    Gummint freebies ain't always that great. The dentist I go to won't accept the state card-according to her, it doesn't pay much, and it takes forever to get your money. I was in her office one day when a woman came in who needed an oral surgeon rather than an ordinary dentist, and she had the state card....it took at least 45 minutes of calling around to find one that would accept the state card, and it was 35 miles away. Dentists, and maybe doctors, who accept the card may be cutting some serious corners when it comes to materials/time spent, in order to make accepting the card financially practical. About 30 years ago, I worked (very briefly) for a place that did maintenance on some public housing-my boss called'em "$#!^holes by design"..sort of engineered slums from the word go. 15 amp circuit breakers that weren't tripping at 18 amp current draws, I could talk to the guy in the next apartment through the wall easily, and what the guy on the third floor flushed might be in the first floor's bathroom floor...and these were new places! The only good thing about these places is they didn't have rats or mice-maybe they didn't want to live there...

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  21. Hi Enola,
    The thrift store prices you saw were outrageous! Sorry it cost you so much to get so little. I would like to offer some properly made jeans that I have not worn in years(and won't whear again) if you would send me a mailing address. If they don't fit your family, you can find someone that they do. They come all the way to a woman's waist, like they should! My email is judyozmer@yahoo.com These clothes have been sitting in boxes for far too long!
    Judy

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  22. More than likely the couple in front of you probably paid for their non food items with the handy EBT card handed out to everyone who doesn't want to work. Then they WICed their staples and probably had some steaks or hamburgers to feed their pit bull who guards the family. Can't buy dog food with EBT, you know.
    Yes, this is all evil surmising, however, that is almost always my experience whenever we try to go shopping for a few items we can afford.
    Getting really tired of it.

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  23. In sorry but those who abuse te system are PARASITES! I just don't see how you can't see them for what they are! Just because Nakoda states there needs to be a thinning I doubt they really meant it like you are taking it, I personally think drug testing, allowing only basic foods (beans, flour, rice, meats (at a specific price per pound only) and checking that these people are really struggling and actually make them work somewhere (a trade off) or charities a few
    Hours a week (not 40 hours but at least 15 hours) and not just being lazy will seriously thin out these types of people! Many people will straight out tell you why should I work, and/or stop having kids the government pays me to stay home and never checks up on me. I had a friend who had one child (father left,didn't pay child support cause he refused to work) she was working full time, going to school at night and when her boss gave her a .50 cent raise she lost her food stamps! She actually after taxes and such made less than 5$ more per pay check but it put her over the income budget. She told her boss to fire her then rehire her back at the old wages. Happy to say 8 months later she graduated and now works a great paying job and no longer needs Assistance!!! So yes there are people out there who need the help, who are
    Actually honest, but these PARASITES are
    Taking that away from those who need it, and are willing to work hard to get out of needing it!

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    Replies
    1. Hey Prepared Teacher

      (captaincrunch)

      I was thinking about it and I saw someone elese wrote this on this blog, and Im gonna say it too. if you can have another baby, do it. People like you need to reproduce and your little one needs a younger sibling to play and fight with. America was made on families, real familiies, not nuclear families.

      Myself, I dont have any wives or kids, never married. I have a house filled with stuff (some of it expensive) and it feels empty (the only life in my house is growing in the Microwave)

      Delete
    2. Ha ha gross on the life in the microwave!!!! That's a bachelor for you but you mustn't be too bad since you said nothing about the fridge or bathroom! Yah I know and at this time my husband and I are discussing the second child, I figure if others can do it with more kids
      And do it the RIGHT way ( no help from government) then maybe we can too!

      Delete
    3. Hey Prepared Teacher

      (captaincrunch)

      The fridge I have not clean in almost eight years. When there is nothing in the fridge, How can it get dirty? Now the freezer is another story, I had beer blow up in there so I just let it freeze. It ain't going anyhere!
      I clean the floors in my house four times a year. I sleep in a sleeping bag on a bad I have so I dont have to clean the bedding too often....I got olive drab stuff all over my house and a night stand that is nothing but stacked .50 cal ammo cans.

      I am a uncooth, undomesticated, unrepentent, Texas redneck bachelor slob and proud of it.

      On trying to live cheaper and stuff. I buy lots of clothes online and when I find t-shirts for $8.00 each, I buy two or three of them. I also have been wearing the same tennis shoes for three years now and they are starting to fall apart. I tried to glue them back togather, but that did not work. I will try and find some on sale for under $50.00. When I have gone to buy new shoes, I wind up buying ammo instead, its a bad habit.

      Oh' yeah, one more thing, walmart down here has thease wonderful "Sweet and Sour frozen eggroles for $92 cents a box. Thats cheaper than dog food, tastier too:) I got a stack of those boxes of Eggrolls in my freezer.

      Delete
    4. Capt, I am in TX also, what is the brand name of those eggrolls at wally world?

      Delete
  24. Taxing working people to give their money to people who are not working is THEFT and a SIN: "The American Republic is dying but the root cause is not the undermining of its Constitution. America’s demise is rooted in a national rebellion against the Creator referred to in the Declaration of Independence and revealed in the Holy Bible."

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  25. Thankfully, it is just my husband and I and, we have no debt to speak of, so the increase in taxes doesn't effect us too much. Now, that doesn't mean I am happy about it or agree about what's happening. I really want to keep what we earn. I shop alot a thrift stores, or I make my own clothing. God speed to you and your family.

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    Replies
    1. For those of you who live in a more populated area you may consider "garage sales" or "curb shopping" (check with local officials to make sure this is legal). A relative - the youngest daughter in a farm family of 10, now in her 60's - "sniffs the air" and finds things - auctions, garage sales, discarded things on the curb - she is remarkable. She is the ultimate when it comes to finding and recycling "gold". (The queen of "green", "renewable" or "recyclable".) She has a beautiful classy "new" door on the milkhouse of her barn. It was on a pile of garbage with a smashed frame. Glue, clamps, screws, scrap lumber and fresh paint and wow. She found a set of patio furniture, 6 chairs - she painted the metal chair frames, made new cushions. I think she has time and $50 - 60.00 into it. I would put it at $300 to $500 retail. Beautiful! (Some of her fix up stuff is resold at a profit.) I have seen her do this with all kinds of things and she finds lots of garage sale clothes. She has lots of great nieces and nephews and the clothing makes the rounds. I wear a lot of what she has found to work (mostly free or cheap to get stuff) and all of our out of favor/outgrown clothing goes to her for family distribution. She has a snowblower that a man discarded (out with trash) because it wouldn't start. She asked for permission he said yes as he had a new one. Cleaned up filthy gas engine it ran - tuned it and it runs like new. A clothing "swap meet" or sale through school or church might be a possibilty too. A few of us know about what each other's kids sizes are too and so we look for each other too......

      Outside of new "high waist" ladies Wranglers I wear to work (yep - me too - men's jeans don't work on me). I have not purchased anything new for work in more than 5 years......

      God bless - I hope some of you can find some treasures too....!

      Delete
    2. I talked to her today - it was $11.00 she spent fixing up her table and chairs! $6.00 for the paint and $4.60 for the bolt of fabric she got at a yard sale that she used to recover the old cushions......!

      Delete
  26. If you have like minded prepper, homeschool etc friends consider a kids clothes swap party. We do this all the time. Each Mom brings a potluck dish for lunch and clothes to swap. Everyone goes home with a full tummy and one or more items to wear.

    We also network with friends and get fresh milk and make our own butter, yogurt etc and when we do eat meat which is rarely, its home grown or wild game. Being more vegetarian saves us lots of money and we are healthier as well.

    A lot of Americans I see complaining have more than one car,homes bigger than needed, various high tech goodies, tv with DISH or Direct TV satellite/Comcast cable, and waste a lot of food. We have one small car, live in a home less than 500 sq ft, NO tv, one laptop and one $10 a month cell phone plan. And produce no garbage and have no food waste.

    Thankfully we are in a good cowboy church and have a deep walk the talk belief and trust in the Lord. Thus I think our family lives better than most people. But we could NOT do it without the Lord guiding our way daily.

    By the way the Federal government spends more on Corporate welfare than they do AFDC, WIC and Food stamps. Lets be outraged about that!

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  27. Warning about wal-mart chicken scratch and other feeds. They look like they are lower priced only because they are 40 pound bags instead of the normal 50 pound bags. You also have to watch this at some real feed stores, too. Certain brands are 40 instead of 50 pounds and the cost per pound is higher for the smaller bags.
    Paintedmoose

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  28. Enola,

    (captaincrunch)

    Sorry Im taking up room in your blog again, but I had to go back to walmart today and get some soap (yes bachelors use soap once a week or so:)

    Speaking of Parasites, I saw a drug deal go down in the walmart parking lot today. Yeah' no joke. A tan or toupe 05' Cadillac with fancy rims and the windows rolled down pulled up to some guy who looked like a drug user and a quick switch off occurred. The Caddi did a U-turn and took off. The drug user/addict saw me looking and stared back at my trying to intimidate me. I made a mental note and remembered where I left my .45 just in case. I see drug deal go down often at public places, just gotta know what to look for.

    I got the first three digits of the dealers Cadillac and color too so I can report that to the police tomorrow. The police down here are almost worthless so Im not expecting anything to happen. Also you have to provide for your own security in the area I live in.

    I may lack skills in hunting and dressing deer, cooking, and other outdoor survival skills, but I can spot a drug deal at a blink of an eye. I can also spot gang members from a mile away and identify that gangs they are in by thier tattoo's. I can spot urban ambush's (choke points) threat evaluation of other humans, humint intel, and lots of other nifty skills and street smarts I learned from Uncle Sam.

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  29. Enola--Love your blog!!!! Just a couple of thought to share.

    Sewing your own clothing can be very helpful to the budget. Childrens clothing is a great place to start. If fabric off of the bolt is too expensive then there are other options. Buy adult sized clothing in materials that you would like to sew an outfit for your child. Cut the adult clothing apart at the seams-- press the pieces flat--pin childs pattern pieces on cut apart fabric pieces--cut out pattern and sew together. This method works well for wovens or knits. You can even repurpose the knit ribbing around the neck of a mans T-shirt to reuse in a childs T-shirt. Keep all the notions from your thrift shop makeover as you never know when you can use them on another outfit.

    When I couldn't find the pants that I wanted I decided to . I make some. I am a big fan of elastic waist pants just to wear around the house because they are comfortable wear,easy to work in and are simple, quick and easy to make. I took a old pair of pants of mine --carefully cut them apart at the seams--pressed them---pinned them on newpaper--traced around the fabric pieces with a sharpie pen---went back with a ruler and added 5/8" seam allowance and voila---a simple pants pattern that I knew would already fit me. Now when I go to the thrift store I look for pants that are several sizes larger than me and I have plenty of fabric to work with.

    I know that things are getting tougher and tougher out there for all of us so just thought that I would share a little. HTH!!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Also bed sheets are much cheaper than fabric and I often fnd very nice ones at yard sales or thrift stores that I make dresses, bloomers and clothes for my little girl. Add a little trim/lace or what-not and you have something that looks just as good as any $15 dress from Walmart. Just thought I'd throw that tidbit in :)

      Delete
    2. I "second" the sheet idea. A couple years ago I scored a beautiful set of queen size plaid flannel sheets made in Portugal, very heavy flannel at that for $5 and a filthy queen sized down comforter for $10. I guess they didn't know that it was machine washable!
      I made a beautiful cover for that comforter out of those sheets, and it's a much better design than I could have bought. I even had enough fabric to match the plaid with some left over. It's set aside, along with the elastic that was in the fitted sheets, for use "someday".
      sidetracksusie

      Delete
  30. God knows when the scales are unbalanced and unjust...Yes it is hard to see others 'have' when one has not. But the lessons that you are teaching your children are priceless they have wealth beyond what is seen. But I do understand what you are going through .

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  31. I can't believe the prices at your thrift stores. Good grief. I do have to say I have found good deals and then there are other things I laugh and walk away at some things.....like 2.00 for ONE canning jar.
    And I truly understand standing behind someone at the grocery store with food stamps and wic. UGH. Both Sam's Club and Costco will accept Food Stamps which is good and bad....you can buy butter, flour and sugar times of stuff at a way better price there but the crap I see people buying makes me want to scream. I watched a lady buy almost 300.00 worth of crap at Costco one day, that is 3/4 of my food budget for the MONTH. More and more when I shop I get behind someone using food stamps that is buying all sorts of crap. I so wish they would have strict rules about what you could buy on food stamps. UGH, today is my grocery day (twice a month) and I am not looking forward to dealing with people and their food stamp cards. BTW, I have no problem helping someone that really needs help but not someone who is buying crap or after they use their food stamp card buys a huge bottle of Vodka.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Enola, ask if the thrift stores have a mailing list. Many of them have certain days per month in which they try to "move" merchandise by discounting it in some way. I shopped for over 10 years at a local thrift store in my former state and they had a monthly calendar of discounts. I now live in a different state and my local thrift store has amazing sales on "non-current" tags - for example 0.99 clothing on Mondays, last Friday of the month Crazy 8 Day - all clothes/misc. items with price ending in 8 are 0.88. If they have a calendar you can plan when to time your visits. With that said it is very hard to find good women's jeans, I think they price them high just because they can. If Miss Serenity finds a brand/style/size she really likes, try looking for that exact item on eBay. You already know it will fit, and you might find it cheaper too. One caution: beware of falling into the trap I have been in numerous times which is Envy. You do not know another's situation even though you might think you do. There is a lot of unemployment in your area. That sweatshirt which you couldn't afford might have been a gift to the man. They might have been hoping to cut down on their heating bill by using the heater instead of their central heat (not everyone has a woodstove as you do)or perhaps their furnace is in need of replacement and they can't afford it. The real people to save our anger and resentment for are the ones who set up the system which rewards bad behavior and pads their own pockets -- those sitting in positions of power who feel they have the right to decide what is best for others without constraining themselves under the same rules they give us. Be thankful for your husband's job and good health. Pray hard before deciding to close your family business, and be thankful that you have the skills and opportunity to bring in some extra money if you need to. No criticism here - I've been exactly where you are financially and was homeschooling and running the house while needing to work part-time out of my home. We lived in Southern CA which is a very expensive place! Instead of being thankful that I had a skill to bring in extra money without having to put my children in another's care, I sometimes felt resentment when I heard that doorbell ring and knew I would have to work and simultaneously monitor the children for those 3 hours or so every day. Lastly, pray for our country and its leaders and for true justice to prevail - with love, Pamela

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  33. I don't know what kind of thrift stores ya'll have up there but those prices are ridiculous!!! I have 3 ideas that you might want to try:

    1. Look on ebay for people selling modest clothing.

    2. Find a seamstress that is reliable and affordable.

    3. If you need clothes let others help you. You might think of writing out what your daughter needs (size, color and style) and letting someone in a cheaper state buy it and ship it to you.

    My daughter is 4 and it's terribly hard to find modest clothes but we thrift shop and I buy 3x size dresses and jumpers to cut up and use for cheap fabric (often times very nice and thick) instead of buying new fabric by the yard.

    There is a thrift store here where you fill up a Wal-mart sized bag with as much clothing as you can for $1. 20 cents for a shirt ain't bad. If you need help just ask. Take care and God bless.

    -Amy in Texas

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  34. Well Said. I hope the Lord isn't turning His face against our wicked country. Years ago people took pride in taking care of their family and would be ashamed to take a hand out. I've been in some pretty tough situations but praise God He didn't let me down. My husband and I raised three boys most of the time on one income. He is a welder and was usually out of work from November through February. I learned the art of stained glass and helped fill in the gaps by working in a studio 45 miles from home. My children could come to work with me while school was out until they were old enough to stay at home alone. We did without a lot, but always had what we needed. It makes me sick to see so many people living in low income luxury, no job, free cell phones, free food, low or no rent housing, fancy cars, fake or real diamond earrings, and under the table cash. Not to mention.......Where do they get the money for all of their tattoos?????? I don't even have health insurance, my husband works 5 to 6 days a week. We live in a small community with the closest job opportunities at least 15 to 20 miles away. I later worked for a Aerospace and Missile Defense Contractor until gObama...........Now I am a stay at home Wife. I love it, but we are watching what little money that is coming in. I live in Alabama and someone had written a G in front a lot of Obama signs during the elections! They all read Go Bama (gObama)!!!!!!!!
    Lynn in Bama

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  35. I think you have to shop for real "thrift" stores any more. The Goodwill used to have a store very close to my home, but when I noticed that the price of their lady's pants and jeans were more expensive than the Target store across the street it was a wake up call for me. I am re-teaching myself to sew and remake clothing I find that is low priced. Yes, we all have to "let off steam" now and then; my dog is a good listener and he loves me no matter what.
    Maggie

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  36. Your comments about food prices point to a need to become agrarian. If everyday food and storage food are coming from others, and not ones own land, then it will be a losing battle.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Goodwill is no longer a 'thrift' store for me. The Hospice thrift stores and the ones run by local churches have t shirt as an example for .50 each, jeans for $3 etc. I also get a lot of items and give a lot if items via local freecycle.org groups which are a godsend. If there is no freecycle group near you, start one and let the local newspaper know so they can go an article.

    And people need to invest in a pressure canner and dehydrator and grow a garden and learn to do what many folks past and present have done and preserve more of your own food, which will be healthier and less expensive in the long run.

    Learn to do simple sewing. Many many of our clothes I have bought at thrift stores a few size larger than needed if they were on sale. Then I re- them to fit the family member. And as I noted earlier, clothes swap parties with other Moms are a godsend.

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  38. War on poverty: not going so well.
    War on drugs: seems like a complete failure.
    War on (fill in the blank): seems like a war on anything does not go well
    anymore.
    Having said that, we only shop once weekly (have to drive 30 miles to the nearest town) and witness the same thing as you did: we are both 'retired' (living on our small ranch), make do with what we have (we eat well given we prepare everything from scratch) and otherwise live a good, decent life but secretly, I hope our economy does fail taking the political system with it so we can start over (not an easy thing for sure) again - hopefully we would get it right on the rebound. I am sick and tired of the takers, cheaters and leachs of society demanding (yes, demanding as if it was a birth right) their 'fair share'.

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  39. If most families have x number of dollars to spend on food, rent, clothing etc the market will reflect that with appropriate pricing. By dumping money artificially through government benefits, said market will rise to reflect that influx of money.

    Any thinking person, and I am finding there are few of us left, would realize that giving away "free" money just makes matters worse in the long run. prices go up, the tax payers run out of money or quit trying and go on the dole like everyone else and the government agencies run out of other peoples money.

    sigh

    Andrea

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  40. Reading through all the responses, some have mentioned that they hope the economy fails. My fear if this happens is that we that work for our wages, scrimp and save and go without are the ones that are going to be in harms way. I believe that the EBT people are just going to go about their business as usual with no stress, strain or difference in their quality of life. I dont see why it would be any different than it already is. Our quality of life keeps going down while theirs up. I too have stood behind in line at the store, fuming. One example of many..a fresh tattoo, hair, make up and clothes in the latest, if not nasty fashion, whipping out that EBT card paying for shrimp and steak while I looked at my basic staples and wished I could afford hamburger!

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  41. We have had the tax increases take a good chunk out of our checks too. We always make it through, sometimes I am not sure how! But we always do! Our church holds a soup and swap a few times a year. Everyone brings a potluck meal (mostly soup and rolls) and clothing that is in good condition to swap with other people. We set everything up on tables by kids, ladies, mens, teens, etc. Everyone goes through and finds things they can use. Its a fun time and free clothing for the family.

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  42. We also got hit hard by the tax increase in January. And my dh's insurance premiums will go up in July as will the co-pays and deductibles. They will double in the next 2 years. It makes me so angry that so many "welfare" families are driving nicer cars and using these fancy smartphones while I am struggling to put food on the table...and paying for their food also! It makes me furious. I know I should be compassionate but I'm having a very difficult time. Thanks for letting me vent a little. I wish your family the best, I've learned so much over the years reading your blog.

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