Dealing with the economic pinch

Almost every year, I've gardened and grown about 30% of the food that my family and I eat. Most of what comes out of my garden is either dried or canned at home and used throughout the year. This year, I will have to double the amount of food that I grow at the very least. It will take a lot of careful work to get the increases that I need out of a 30 x 30 plot. I've invested in some porch containers to also grow food. Instead of the usual flower beds, I've planted berries and vegetables, hoping to stretch my food dollars. In addition, this summer, I will be taking advantage of U-pick farms. The produce there is better quality and about 1/4th of the price of what can be had at the grocery store, all for a little sweat involved in harvesting it myself. Should allow me to dry or can more food.

Many of my friends are telling me that I'm working too hard for my food. However I require a certain amount of financial cushion so that I can weather many storms to come. I call it my self taught survival skills from the 80's. 26 years ago as a kid, my family went from a 6 figure income to bordering on poverty. I didn't want to be another victim, so I taught myself survival skills and when times are rough, I resurrect these skills in order to get by.

Menu changes were made. Two less meat dishes during the weekdays and one meat main dish on Sunday. Four days a week, dinner consists of vegetable protiens. One dish that the family likes is my bean and veggie pasta. Essentially, I cook up pasta and mix cooked beans of some sort, grated parmesean, 1 cut up zucchini, and 2 cut up tomatoes. Desserts are simple home canned fruits. We no longer do the weekly Sunday brunch and the bi weekly family dinner out.

Since last year, I started riding my bicycle to work with my two youngest in a carrier. My other kids cycle along with me as they go off to school as well. I'm amazed at how much savings have resulted from biking 1.5 miles to work.

During the past winter, I've cut heating oil expense by 75%. I did this by buying lumber waste from a local building factory for $10 a ton. Last summer, my husband and I got permits to cut firewood in the local national forest. We cut 5 cords of wood and have been using all 4 of our woodstoves. Best part we've allowed our home to be heated to 73 this winter because of wood heat. When we were buying oil, the thermostate was set to 68.

I'm probably jumping the gun in economizing on my living. I don't feel pinched yet. I've found lower cost alternatives to family fun. Should the economy get a lot worse, then I'll be able to weather it better than others in my income bracket. Simplyfying my living experience has had other advantages besides monetary savings, I'm less stressed out, and getting more exercise than before. I may just keep up this lifestyle even if the economy heals itself.

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