Using up preps...no money to replenish...getting concerned

lorian · #1 11/27/10, 10:17 AM

I spent a lot of time prepping this last year...and good thing because Hubs has been out of work a lot this year (last year was very good).
Fortunately I prepped a lot so for this, our own personal SHTF and we are doing okay.

BUT

I cannot replenish my preps as I use them! There is no money except for the bills we have at present (and I'm thankful for that). My preps should last through the winter. But I'm also concerned as I am quite sure the dollar is tottering at the brink.

So what do I do? Not putting anything on credit for sure, putting a lot of effort into getting more clients.

I guess this is more of a rant than anything, I'm sure there are others on here with the same situation. It just feels a little scary and insecure.
But saying that, I do also have faith that God will provide...just not happy that my security blanket has been taken away!

mpillow · #2 11/27/10, 10:25 AM

Keep your eye open for free animals(craigslist) and have hubby butcher them in his free time?

Cindy in NY · #3 11/27/10, 10:46 AM

Have you checked out the local food pantries? Sounds like you would qualify. If you can spare a dollar, a lot of stores are having can veg on sale for 3 for a dollar or less. Anyone you know that has fruit trees? There may still be some fruit for picking. Apples off the ground should be fine foe applesauce.

bluefish · #4 11/27/10, 10:55 AM

All I can offer is sympathy!! We're in the same boat, except we've already gone through most of ours. If you get creative, though, it's amazing how far you can make $50 a month stretch for food.

MoonRiver · #5 11/27/10, 11:24 AM

Every dollar you can save on electricity bill is a dollar you can use for preps.

lorian · #6 11/27/10, 11:38 AM

Good ideas. No fruit left around here though! We did can 100 jars of applesauce so should be okay on that.

Slept in a REALLY cold room last night to save on electric! If Laura Ingalls could sleep in an unheated attic at -40, I guess I can last through 20 degrees!

I do have lots of chicken and turkey in the freezer, no beef left though. I'm gonna talk to an Amish farmer, occasionally a milk cow goes down (would only get if it's not sick)and they butcher for hamburger cheap.

lorian · #7 11/27/10, 11:41 AM

And here's one nice benefit of no cash....Christmas is easy!
Can't believe how relaxed I feel knowing I don't need to hurry around getting Christmas presents (always bought bargin). Just got a few things for the kiddo's and it's great that no one expects anything from us this year as they know our situation. I am making a few nature crafts from things I have on hand..but that's it.
Very relaxing holiday.

mpillow · #8 11/27/10, 12:06 PM

Can you contact local LEO and Game officials for (roadkill) deer?

Too bad you didn't live closer my dad has offered to shoot one for whomever needs a deer and had no takers....my son has gotten us a moose and a 12point buck in the last month, plus I have a young bull in the pasture that may end up with a stay of execution if I can locate some cheap hay to over winter him.

unregistered29228 · #9 11/27/10, 12:35 PM

We were in your situation a few years ago, and it was a scary time. I wasn't big into prepping back then, but I did have a lot of food in the pantry. I didn't do any canning back then, either. The saving grace was that we didn't have any debt other than our mortgage. And we had a little money in the bank. We were able to keep the bills paid and went on a "no spending" plan. It was scary and tough, but eventually hubby found a good job.

Here's hoping 2011 is better for your family.

FyredUp · #10 11/27/10, 12:37 PM

Lorian,

I can't think of a better example of a SHTF scenario than what you find yourself in. No it isn't the zombie hourds, no it isn't a total national economic collapse, no it isn't a natural disaster, no it isn't a chemical spill or any such event. BUT it is a personal disaster for you. What better reason to count on your preps do you need?

My fiancee has breast cancer and when she was out of work for months during surgery and chemo our income was cut by a little over a third. Money got very tight and we used a good portion of our prep foods to allow us to maintain the rest of the household. I got into quite a discussion on another site with how to us as a family this WAS a SHTF scenario. Others would rather argue about the fact that we were in trouble than we needed those resources. Frankly, I cared little about what others thought and we made it through.

She has been back to work on and off, due to medical problems, and whenever we had a few spare dollars we have replenished our stocks. We are looking ahead to having chickens and a cow or 2 next spring. Our garden was good sized this year but will be even bigger next year and we will be canning and freezing.

I believe that a situation like yours is a good test of your prepping. It can show you strengths and weaknesses and help guide you down the right path when you are able to rebuild your stocks.

Good luck.

manygoatsnmore · #11 11/27/10, 01:13 PM

Fyred Up, my best to your fiancee' in her cancer fight. I didn't know, but know that I do, I'll be thinking of her often. And, YES, that is a SHFT situation.

Lorian, I hear the worry in your "voice" in your post. I've been in similar situations in the past and feel for you. I know we are on a prep forum on a homesteading board, but I'm going to suggest that you apply for food stamps. If your hubby's been working, you've been paying taxes - now it is time to benefit from it. Everything you can save now, in the way of preps, is something to have if a time comes that you really need the food and have no way to get it at all. Lord, knows, I think there is a time coming when there won't be food help available from the government - a bankrupt government can't afford it, and hyperinflation will make it impossible. Use it or lose it. Radical, aren't I.

AngieM2 · #12 11/27/10, 01:20 PM

FyredUP and Lorian - I'd say either of your situations is a more likely SHTF, than the super major ones with all the zombies and such that we talk about here.

I'd also say to try the food stamps to get you by, lorian. I had to use them back after the divorce and before I found a steady job. It took my parents repeating several times, that I'd paid in and they could help me get over that hump.

FyredUp - much good health and well being wishes for your fiance and yourself. And good fortune on rebuilding your supplies.

I was laid off in 2005, and did a couple of short contract jobs and a several month lower paid job until I was hired at this job in 2007. I went through most of my supplies and even 401K to keep the house and car together.

So, good luck and maybe some great idea, or better a job will come along soon.

mnn2501 · #13 11/27/10, 01:20 PM

Happened to us a few years back, took me 14 months to find a job after a layoff, but our preps and savings got us through (that and lack of bills)
COngrats on being prepped and tell your hubby theres a job for him somewhere, he;s just got to keep looking.

FyredUp · #14 11/27/10, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manygoatsnmore

Fyred Up, my best to your fiancee' in her cancer fight. I didn't know, but know that I do, I'll be thinking of her often. And, YES, that is a SHFT situation.

Lorian, I hear the worry in your "voice" in your post. I've been in similar situations in the past and feel for you. I know we are on a prep forum on a homesteading board, but I'm going to suggest that you apply for food stamps. If your hubby's been working, you've been paying taxes - now it is time to benefit from it. Everything you can save now, in the way of preps, is something to have if a time comes that you really need the food and have no way to get it at all. Lord, knows, I think there is a time coming when there won't be food help available from the government - a bankrupt government can't afford it, and hyperinflation will make it impossible. Use it or lose it. Radical, aren't I.

Thank you for your thoughts. She has been cancer free for a little over a year, but has had some other issues that may, or may not, be related to the cancer treatments. Every day we have together is special to both of us because we know there are no guarantees when it comes to your health. We live it to the fullest and work and plan and dream together.

I agree with your advice on looking into Foodstamps. She and her husband have paid in over the years and they deserve to reap some of the benefits in their time of need.

Belfrybat · #15 11/27/10, 01:36 PM

I've been where you are and know it can be really scary. I also echo those who are encouraging you to use the local food bank or foodstamps, if you qualify. Don't let pride stand in your way of taking advantage of what's there. If you don't qualify for an assistance program, then might I suggest stretching your preps with things like rice and beans? Or other grains. They are cheap and a good filler upper. Around here, a 25# bag of rice is $10.00 and pinto beans just a bit more -- $12-15. Enough basic protein to feed a couple of folks for two months with some additions from your stores.

The Bunny Ranch · #16 11/27/10, 01:42 PM

My husband has been laid off for about a year now. He is collecting unemployment. Finding a job is rough if you're a construction worker. He worked at this company for 3 years... it's sad really. He installed gutters, windows, siding, and trim.

We are on food stamps (as embarrassed as I am to admit it!). We make extra cash selling chicks and rabbits for meat or breeding. We have meat so our stamps only go towards what we eat with meals. My daughter also has CF so we get disability (but not since he's being laid off. stupid i know...). With house payments, gas going to the city for dr's visits, bills (we have a wood burner so bills are pretty cheap), and animal feed we're lucky to make it through the week. He's also in college for a degree in Agricultural Livestock Management so we can get a loan from the state to start a commercial farm. He's cutting his college short until after he serves in the military (we need the benifits). He'll start it back up when his 4 years are up. We are a pretty young couple and have a lot of things that people our age don't have (22 and 23).

I'm just grateful to be living the way I am. It has showed me that things just don't appear from thin air without work. I'm glad I'm learning how to be frugal. It makes life interesting. So keep your chin up! Things will get better, and when it does start prepping again.

FyredUp · #17 11/27/10, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngieM2

FyredUP and Lorian - I'd say either of your situations is a more likely SHTF, than the super major ones with all the zombies and such that we talk about here.

I'd also say to try the food stamps to get you by, lorian. I had to use them back after the divorce and before I found a steady job. It took my parents repeating several times, that I'd paid in and they could help me get over that hump.

FyredUp - much good health and well being wishes for your fiance and yourself. And good fortune on rebuilding your supplies.

I was laid off in 2005, and did a couple of short contract jobs and a several month lower paid job until I was hired at this job in 2007. I went through most of my supplies and even 401K to keep the house and car together.

So, good luck and maybe some great idea, or better a job will come along soon.

Thanks Angie,

Love, support, hope, dreams and attitude about the situation are keys to making it through adversity. Relationships sometimes do not survive traumas like breast cancer. It is too much for some to handle. For me, from the very start when we found out she had cancer, my thoughts were how do we save her life. The breast, or if need be breasts, being removed did not matter as much to me as having her survive. I let her know from the very start that I supported whatever she needed to do to take care of herself.

I would be less than truthful if I said every day has been sunshine and light because they haven't. The steroids she had to take during chemo caused much emotional upheavel, but our relationship has survived and is stronger than ever. I wish I had done a better job understanding her and what she was going nthrough at times but I am trying harder everyday.

Wow! Sorry for the thread hijack.

lorian · #18 11/27/10, 02:59 PM

Yes, I believe personal SHTF scenario's are really what I prep for more than anything, but I still feel a bit uneasy about not being prepped for a bigger, countrywide event.

The only gov't assistance we've ever used is medical (when out of a job and an emergency arose). Thanks for the food stamp idea but for various reasons I prefer not to go that route just yet.
My garden is still producing (Studied Eliot Colemans winter gardening book) and we have our freezers full of chicken right now. I use garbonzo beans (cooked and mashed) to stretch meat (such as hamburger). We have layers (who are on strike right now!!) and I've been able to trade with some Amish for a few other things we need.

you all are so encouraging, and this board is the main reason I started prepping several years ago..so helpful!
One of the things I love most about this place is the incredible creative thinking that goes on here! I love it!

And fyred up, I agree that it is a good test of my preps...I just hope the test doesn't last too long!!!

lorian · #19 11/27/10, 03:05 PM

Oh yes, and forgot to say that I am reviving my home crafting business AND starting up my herbal consultations again. Takes a while to get things like that going, not quick easy cash. But fortunately for us, it seems we can always make it on multiple streams of income, however small they may be.
So the "big" cabinetmaking job is gone, but Hubs is going back to electric and plumbing which is something that not everyone can do.
But everyone and his brother seems to suddenly "become" a carpenter when they are out of work. But I know what will happen, people will hire the cheap guys, then when they see the mess they made, they will turn around and hire my husband to come "fix" it or "clean it up". Happens all the time.

The Bunny Ranch · #20 11/27/10, 07:04 PM

I know what you mean lorian! I didn't want to go on food stamps either. We just started getting them about 3 weeks ago because they dropped his employment pay by $100 a week!. We spend about $75-$100 a week on groceries as it is (my daughter eats and eats but can't gain a lb)! Food stamps are a pain in the arse. When you hit the bottom, like we did, you have no choice. The only thing I have prepped is 2 50lb bags of rice. We've eaten everything else!!

BTW In Indiana for a family of 3 we get $364 a month in fs.