The Does it pay question...

thequeensblessing · #21 08/18/08, 10:32 PM

If I add up the time I'm driving to and from the grocery store, the time it takes for me to shop, the gas it takes to drive there and back and the price of the food itself, it probably IS more expensive for me to buy it than it is for me to grow it. Afterall, I'm only paying a couple of pennies (if that) for each seed, the time spent growing and harvesting, and the time spent preserving it all, plus the cost of electricity/gas needed to do so. But I'm getting much more than food out of the deal. I'm getting a work out with the hoe and rake, I'm out getting sunshine and fresh air, I'm putting up chemical-preservative free food, and I'm getting a feeling of accomplishment that money simply can't buy. I guess it's the hunter-gatherer thing. Providing for ones-self brings with it a feeling of security and satisfaction you just can't get any where else. At least, for me this is true.

sonofdet · #22 08/19/08, 06:05 AM

Does the fisherman figure his hourly wage in the pounds of fish that he catches? Does the hunter figure in his hourly wage per pound of meat harvested? Probably the answer is "no".

At the same time the person that makes $10.00 per hours thinks that they really make $10.00 per hour and use that as the figure to help compute the cost in the canning/gardening situation. When their actual pay is probably more like $6.00 an hour after you take in taxes, insurance, travel expenses, total time away from home for the job, monies spent for clothing, tools, etc.

So does it save money. If you look at every detail, then the base conclusion is "yes". Is it worth it? Each person must decide. How do you compare working in the garden to watching TV, setting on the front porch, being bored, doing nothing?

MaineFarmMom · #23 08/19/08, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willow_girl

I'm selective as to what I grow (for instance, potatoes are so cheap, I don't bother!) and when I can, I usually stick to stuff like jelly, salsa, spaghetti sauce, pie filling, pickles and relishes. They're more fun to put up anyway!

Pickles and jellies - I do can those. I do put pickles and jellies in jars. I'm thinking frozen pickles wouldn't be very good!

Mutti · #24 08/19/08, 08:13 AM

In the first few years of canning,yes,it can be expensive acquiring all the items you need but we've been canning for 40 years and think my equipement is paid for by now! Still using the same Kerr jars I bought back then, same All-American canner, same Squeezo.
You can't put a pricetag on your health and I know what is in my jars and freezer bags...and it is all organic produce. I'm pretty sure my qts. of tomatoes are cheaper than the store since several pkts. of seeds have produced over 100 qts. of juice and stewed tomatoes already and plenty more to do. The new patch of beans is ready to pick and I know I can get beans at the store but mine taste soooo much better. Check out the price of a jar of Smuckers strawberry jam and see if homemade isn't cheaper! Eat your heart out, Mott's "five kind of apples from apple land"....my applesauce is begged for by my kids...they will even remember to bring back the jars if Mom will give them more!

Over the years we've given up doing alot of items like pickles as we just don't eat that many but still will make green tomato relish or salsa. Venison stew from deer harvested off this place,grape juice,pears,plums,peaches from the orchard planted with our own 4 hands. You couldn't find a better way to eat. DEE