How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

[sharon sanders]

If you know ways to economize in this current fiinancial crisis please post here. Any bargains or shortcuts are ok. We do not want to advertise per se, but if you know a "great deal" on something, please post.

We are interested in unique ways for "regular" people to increase income i.e. what industries are hiring, or what types of self employment opportunities seem viable.

Please post for all countries.

Please - no investment advice on this thread.


We can get through this!

 

[Amish Country]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

Outgrow Sale

Each spring and fall the local Parents Teacher's Organization (PTO) at a neighborhood school has an "Out-grow Sale". Parents register with the PTO to bring clothes and other child and baby related items for this consignment sale. The clothing is usually used but should be in good shape with no stains, holes or excessive wear. Each contributor to the Outgrow Sale is expected to help out during the sale and is assigned a unique sale number. Parents buy tags from the PTO for I think it was $1.00 for 100 tags. Consigners are limited to 100 items per sale. Consigners are responsible for filling out the tags and fixing them securely to the sales items. The tags are designed to be ripped in half with the same information on the top and bottom of the tag:

Sale Number of Consigner
Type of garment, toy, book or baby equipment or baby furniture
Size
Price

Set up is Friday night at the school after the children have left school for the day. Clothing sales tables and racks, made of soldered together one-inch pipe are set up. Signs for sizes and sex for the clothing are assigned to each table and rack. Clothing is sorted and hung appropriately. Books and toys go in a separate room and baby equipment and furniture is assigned another area.

The consigners also get first shot at the goods being sold on the Friday night before the sale is opened to the public early on Saturday morning. Tables are set up for purchases. At the tables set up for purchasing, the bottom half of each tag is removed by a PTO volunteer and saved in lidded container. The purchases are tallied and paid for and a receipt provided to the buyer. Another PTO volunteer checks receipts at the door. The container with the Receipt halves are taken to an accounting room and separated into individual containers for each consigner sales number. When the sale is done clean up and counting begin. Anything not sold is piled by consignment number and sellers have a limited time after the sale to pick up unsold goods. Anything left over is sent to a shelter for women and children. The sales amounts on the tickets in the consigner containers are tallied and the PTO takes a percentage of the total. The consigners are notified when they can come to the school and pick up their checks.

During the sale I usually manage to about break even. The children have "New to them" clothing that is in good shape. I like to let them pick out some books as well. The PTO usually ends up with a very nice bit of cash to spend on the school children for things like story books and field trips.

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Garage Sale Tips . [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From a selling and buying perspective.[/FONT]​

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[/FONT]</dt></dl> [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sellers:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Choose a day and time to start your garage sale.
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Decide if you want to go solo with your sale or recruit other families in your neighborhood. Many times a neighborhood sale will draw more people. Avoid holiday weekends, unless you know there is increased traffic in your area. Be prepared for early birds. You may want to consider stating in your ad whether you accept early birds or not.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Choose what you want to sell.
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]You should try to have a big variety of items. Many collectors and dealers frequent garage sales, so don't be afraid to include one of a kind type items. (Ex: one single glass or one individual dish)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Displaying your items can make the difference in sales.
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Neat displays and groupings are recommended. Be certain all your items are clean and dust free. Long narrow portable tables work great too. Every item should be priced and easy to read. I recommend using easy to remove price tags. There is nothing more disappointing than finding an item you would like to purchase at a sale and the seller has added the price directly on the item in black marker. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Display some good merchandise towards the road. Items such as men's things like tools, lawn equipment, weights, electronics etc are good to encourage the men to stop when the wife may want to stop as they are driving by. Also, add some good stuff visible from roadside. It needs to look worthy of stopping. I know when I drive by a sale and peek from the car, if it looks like a pile of clothes or junk from the road, I won't even bother stopping. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Be sure to place breakables towards the back of tables or higher for protection against breakage. You need to think about parents that bring children with them. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Adult clothing can be tough to sell. You should arrange them neatly and according to size. You can also try a "filling a bag for $1.00" to get rid of them faster. You can also try box lots. This box for $5.00 or everything on this table $1.00. You can also try grab bags of small toys. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It is sometimes beneficial to have current ads of items and what they cost new. This can serve as a comparison to how good your deal is for the buyer. If you don't have an ad, a simple index card stating retail value is a good addition.
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]You need to advertise your sale.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Be sure to check your area's ordinances. You may be required to obtain a permit for your garage sale. You can advertise your sale in community papers, signs, local newspaper, Laundromats, and grocery stores, etc.

Adding balloons at your house is a colorful way to show where your sale is located. Your garage sale sign should have arrows. If you live on a side street, a few signs leading to your sale is helpful. Remember to take your signs down after your sale. The best day to post your ad is Thursday, for a Fri-Sun garage sale or previous weekend for upcoming weekend sale.

Adding balloons at your house is a colorful way to show where your sale is located.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Be sure to have lots of change for your sale.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Don't forget lots of coins, dollars, and a calculator. Also, think of how to wrap things. (Like newspaper for breakables, couple spare boxes, and grocery bags) If you don't have a portable cash box, a fanny pack is a good way to keep money safe. Have receipt book for those who request a receipt.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Don't accept any checks. That is too much of a risk.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Be sure to have an electrical source.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] This is for people to test any electrical items you have for sale. Maybe consider having these items plugged in already.
Pricing can be set at about 1/3 the retail brand new cost to you. Obviously, some items will not yield 1/3, such as clothes or books.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Be prepared to haggle, so set your prices accordingly.
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Don't allow anyone to intimidate you. Be firm and don't reply in an uneasy or uncertain tone. If they ask you for something for a quarter and it's clearly worth more than that, just say nicely my price is firm on that item, I feel it is worth what I am charging or counter offer them and say I am willing to accept this for it.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Don't be a high-pressure salesperson.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Give your buyers some freedom to look items over, but be ready to answer questions if they ask.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Plan some activities.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This will make the time go by for you nicely. Consider a good book and some nice music.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Consider selling some refreshments. Many people are going from sale to sale and it gets hot. I have been to several block sales where neighbors have had even hotdogs and chips.
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Be sure to have a notice that all sales are final. This will protect you later.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Do not have your pet with you during your sale.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Many people are pet phobic or allergic. [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Buyers tips:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Bring lots of change.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Go early for the best items. Go on last day of sale for cheap items.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Look over items for chips.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Bring a map.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Bring refreshments in case it gets hot.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Don't be shy to haggle.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If there are items that you are looking for, don't forget to mention it; the owner may just have something else they are willing to sell.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Be polite. Don't push, shove, or block tables. (This may seem funny, but I have been to many sales where dealers and collectors have been ruthless)[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Avoid impulse buying. Don't buy because you think it may be valuable. Buy items you really like to avoid disappointments.
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Remember to enjoy yourself and have fun.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]http://www.frugalvillage.com/gsale.shtml
[/FONT]

 

[Farmer]

Inexpensive meals

Inexpensive meals

I am a big fan of using dried beans and grains to make inexpensive yet nutritious and delicious meals. While some larger dried beans need to soaked over night, lentils and split peas can be cooked in a relatively short period of time.

Crock pots and pressure cookers are useful and can be found at thrift shops and tag sales.

Recipes can be found in cookbooks from your local library or on line at sites such as:

http://www.recipeland.com/category/view/?cid=155

These foods can be supplemented with local fruits/vegetables in season.

 

[Amish Country]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

There is the option of growing vegetable gardens and edible landscape. I've already bought my seeds for next year.

Perennial veggies such as; asparagus, rhubarb, Egyptian walking onions, Jerusalem artichoke will come up year after year. Warning: Jerusalem Artichokes should not be planted anywhere they are not native or already naturalized as they are incredible invasive.

Perennial fruiting plants I like are strawberries, red and black raspberries, black berries, grapes and blueberries. I'm still working on trying to raise gooseberries and currents. I also grow elderberries but they have to be cooked before using.

Self pollinating dwarf fruit trees do not take up a lot of room.

For nuts there are filberts or hazel nuts. These can be trained as a hedge or small tree.

After the food is grown what is not eaten fresh, I try to "put by" or preserve it by as dried (fruit usually), jelly, jam, fruit sauce (apple and pear are favorites), pickles, salsa, freezing, brandied fruit or store them in a cold cellar.

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

There is the option of growing vegetable gardens and edible landscape. I've already bought my seeds for next year.

Perennial veggies such as; asparagus, rhubarb, Egyptian walking onions, Jerusalem artichoke will come up year after year. Warning: Jerusalem Artichokes should not be planted anywhere they are not native or already naturalized as they are incredible invasive.

Perennial fruiting plants I like are strawberries, red and black raspberries, black berries, grapes and blueberries. I'm still working on trying to raise gooseberries and currents. I also grow elderberries but they have to be cooked before using.

Self pollinating dwarf fruit trees do not take up a lot of room.

For nuts there are filberts or hazel nuts. These can be trained as a hedge or small tree.

After the food is grown what is not eaten fresh, I try to "put by" or preserve it by as dried (fruit usually), jelly, jam, fruit sauce (apple and pear are favorites), pickles, salsa, freezing, brandied fruit or store them in a cold cellar.

Surviving the economic crisis is just one component of being prepared for any kind of emergency or disaster. Here are some FluTrackers links to help you better prepare for any kind of disaster.

Food

Water

Heating and Cooling

 

[Amish Country]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

I start by looking in my refrigerator for what I want in my garden. If my family eats it or I cook with it then that plant may belong in my garden.

Perennial herbs such as: chives, tarragon, thyme, peppermint and oregano can come in handy to add flavor to foods. Sage and rosemary winter over is some areas with mild winters.

Beware of spearmint it is incredibly invasive and I have seen it try to take over more than one garden. One gardener I know tried aggressive weeding, black plastic bed covers and just about every chemical herbicide she could get her hands on and it still won.

This year I am going to try to over winter some tender herbs inside the house this year.

I also like to plant annual hers like basil, cilantro, parsley and dill.

I also plant flowers like cosmos, bergamot and marigolds to attract pollinators.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

Thanks everyone!

I think consignment shops are a great idea.

Also, if you have one of those adjustable mortgages that are based on LIBOR, call your mortgage company and see if they will re-negotiate it. Ask for payments that you can afford - a lower interest rate and longer amortization period.

 

[Amish Country]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

Here are a few ways we save money and avoid impulse buying at grocery stores

Have a budget. Make a shopping list limited by the budget amount and stick to it when shopping. Avoid impulse buying. Keep an eye on local grocery stores for food staples on sale and when possible use coupons to purchase needed items not just desired ones.

 

[Amish Country]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

We save money by:

Eating more meals at home.
Bringing lunches and bottle water to work and school.
Consolidate car trips as much as possible.
Shop closer to home.
Cutting down on long distance travel when possible.
Using the Internet for shopping when cost effective.
Making some foods and condiments like salad dressings and Bar-B-Q sauce from scratch when cost effective.
Using a budget and saving receipts to track where money is actually going.
NOT USING A CREDIT CARD - PAY IN CASH.
Not being afraid to say, "We can not afford that!"

Making sure necessary maintenance to our home and cars is done before a minor problem can become a big headache.

 

[Amish Country]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

How I deal with my slightly spoiled children when they get the, "I want(s)...." while shopping

I tell them honestly:
That is not in the budget.
We work too hard to spend our money on that.
You can have if you use your own money to buy it.
If you want it save up for it, there are chores at home you can get paid for doing.
It is good to want.

Excessive whining, rudeness or name calling in response may be grounds for a donation to the potty mouth jar. The ultimate receiver of the Potty Mouth Fund is voted on by the family and not spent on the family so as not to encourage rudeness.

I do my best to try to shop when they are otherwise occupied. It is amazing how fast even just a few impulse buys can add up and damage a carefully planned budget.

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

Flexibility and frugal spending are important, especially when watching for sale items such as lobster.

Lobster prices tank as diners claw back spending
By CLARKE CANFIELD ? 3 days ago
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) ? The price of Maine lobster, which accounts for 80 percent of the U.S. catch, is tanking.
The primary factor, a drop-off in demand by penny-pinching diners, has been in place since summer. But a secondary problem recently surfaced: the global banking crisis left Canadian processors short on credit, trapping Maine lobstermen and dealers with too much supply.
While bargains abound for lobster lovers throughout the Northeast, there's growing angst in New England fishing communities. One small village held a lobster bake on the town pier to unload excess lobsters and help out the local fishing fleet.
"This is as devastating to the state of Maine as Hurricane Katrina washing away all the boats and blowing down all the wharves," said Dana Rice, a lobster dealer from Gouldsboro who's witnessing the industry's biggest struggle in his 30-plus years in the business.
As always, the problem boils down to supply and demand. But these days it's a bit more complicated than usual.
The recent crisis in the global financial system resulted in lines of credit being cut off to several lobster processors, including some in Canada who have relied on Icelandic banks that have failed, according to John Norton, president and chief executive of Cozy Harbor Seafood Inc., a seafood processor in Portland.
More than half of Maine's lobster harvest is typically shipped to Canadian processors. But this year is hardly typical.
Jim Wilson, a professor of marine science and economics at the University of Maine, is astounded how the Maine lobster industry is being slammed indirectly by the mortgage crisis, Wall Street derivatives and bank failures in Iceland.
"It's rather amazing the interconnectedness that has built up in the economy," Wilson said.
Even before the credit crisis intensified, lobster purchases by chain restaurants, cruise lines and other businesses were way below normal this year as consumers reined in spending. A strong harvest only amplified the problem.
The industry has scrambled to move product, but with Maine lobstermen alone hauling around 400,000 pounds a day, that's no easy feat.
Hannaford, Shaw's and other supermarket chains in the Northeast agreed to cut prices, and restaurants launched lobster promotions to help out, said Dane Somers, executive director of the Maine Lobster Promotion Council.
Along the Portland waterfront, seafood shops are selling lobsters for as cheap as $3.89 a pound, which is about the price of bologna at the deli counter. . . . .

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iMYEgooWM9S_khhjhA5tutdhM6pwD93VVQQ80

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

Since I have had to rely on very small monthly income, I am using several strategies to save every eurocent at least since 2000, year when I started to write down my personal budget.

By this way, I planned expenses for the incoming months in relation with my income and daily expenses (for meal, other stuff, bills, house rental, etc.) are regularly updated in connection with Bank account status and Credit Card available amount. I use extensively electronic card to pay my daily expenses (in Italy this method is cheap) instead of cash.

Thus, I have a daily mean expenses of around 35 Euros:
* +/- 25 Euros for food, cleansing products, small stuff;
* +/- 5 Euros for newspapers and reviews;
* the remains for incidental expenses (prescription drugs (in Italy, for the most part free of charge with the exception of around 2 Euros for each boxes, mandatory), cigarettes (my mother), treats for children...).

In a month, mean expenditure for above amount for almost all family (two people, I and my mother) income.

This mean daily expenditure excludes: bills (electricity (every four month a bill of +/- 75 Euros), methane gas (varies according years, in 2007/08 season, 68 Euros monthly), home rental (around 150 Euros monthly), telephone (+/- 90 Euros bi-monthly), potable water (+/- 60 Euros every four months), garbage collection (+/- 65 euros in four rates), public transportation hebdomadaire (9 euros a week)...

Once subtracted from monthly family income the above, the remains is completely devoted to daily expenses (the above 35 daily euros).

In a year, I spend around 5,500 Euros only for bills (electricity, methane, garbage, phone, rental, potable water).

I find that this system of ''money rationing'' has permit me to save resource for other non-essential purposes, as birthday presents, trips, pc hardware upgrades, domestic appliances refurbishing, books, renewal of houses' furnitures and more other.

My Credit Card available amount is around 1,600 Euros and I am always in condition of regain the highest available amount, with a monthly rate of 150 Euros (fixed) and some months (zero, if I have been ''nice boy'').

I hope this experiences are for some utility for other people.

 

[mixin]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

It's really interesting to see the difference in expenses between here and Italy. My local newspaper costs $12 per month, garbage collection is $54 for 3 months. Gas and electric usage (averaged over the last 12 months) is $170 per month, which is high due to poor insulation. My phone lines (2) cost around $60 per month and net is $12 +/-. I live in the country so there is no public transportation. To rent an apartment will cost between $450-900+, houses to rent usually cost from $550 upwards to $1000+

Because I rely on my rental properties for income and our local economy is so bad, it's a real struggle to pay bills right now. I put all rent payments in the bank and what's left after paying expenses goes to personal items. I usually try to have $100 per week for groceries, gas, lunches, meds, etc. Gas was costing me $50 per week just to travel back and forth to the properties; the remainder of the money didn't stretch too far. The cats must also learn to be not so wasteful with their food and kitty litter

Garage sales are a huge savings to me. I find really good buys, especially for my rental properties. I'm buying more food items in bulk now, so I don't use coupons as much as I used to but they can be a real savings. One of my family members set aside all the money she saved from couponing and she and her husband took a 3 week European vacation.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

WOW - free prescriptions in Italy! Some US medications here are unbeliveably expensive. My total living expenses are less than my medications, but then my living expenses are small.

I survive the economic down times by having a (small) home that is debt free, driving a used car that I bought with cash, paying off any credit purchases twice a month, and basically living debt free. The closest decent grocery store is a 150 mile round trip, so I shop every 2 weeks. Gasoline here is much higher than other states (currenty $3.48/gal) despite our abundant oil and 2 refineries producing gasoline...so I drive a small car and really minimize driving.

I'd summarize ecnomic survival strategy as "living simply" and living well by enjoying our relationships rather than lots of "stuff."

.

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

Yes. Italian National Health System provides drugs to citizens though pharmacies (that are private owned and sell other products, such as OTCs, diapers, infants food, ...). Drugs are divided in two main groups: Class A drugs (all prescription drugs, life-saving, for infectious diseases, certain vaccines, for diabetes, and for all other chronic and acute conditions); Class C drugs (the most part of anti-anxiety drugs, vitamins, anti-inflammatory...) Class A products are free of charge while Class C drugs are paid entirely by patients.

Some vaccines are paid entirely (ie: influenza vax, for people out of at risk of complications list) and antiviral drugs (Relenza and Tamiflu, both around 35 euros for box). HIV/AIDS treatments are in Class A so cancer chemoterapics.

Most of prescription drugs are available in ''generic'' form or ''equivalent'', and by this way they costs to NHS half than ''brand name'' products. Class C drugs are also available in ''generic'' form for the compounds without patents.

Some people unfortunaley are bad informed about ''generics'' and continue to purchase Class C ''brand name'' products (ie: aspirin, acetaminophen, nimesulide and other symptomatics).

Pharmacies must choice ''generics'' everytime is possible for Class A drugs, even the patient requests ''brand name'' product.

 

[Amish Country]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

About those prescriptions..... One way I help keep down costs (and get a little back stop supply for ongoing prescriptions) is to ask our doctor for "free samples". Believe it or not it works sometimes and not on "new" just out drugs either, I am talking about ones that have been around for a while in common use.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

Samples may work for short term usage, but those taken 365 days/year are a different matter. Most insurance already requires generic, when available. Sometimes the only consolation is that the medication prevents even costlier expenses.

One solution is to educate ourselves about non-pharmaceutical methods to minimize our need for expensive prescriptions.

.

 

[Amish Country]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

Staying Warm

The local power companies in some areas will provide customers with a free home energy audit. In one area we lived in they also supplied us with weather striping to help seal gaps and cut down on heat loss, in the doors and windows of our older home.

Keeping a home in good repair is also important to keeping heat in. Making sure that windows and window frames are correctly maintained and sealed helps to keep the heat in and the cold out.

One little project I am considering now is to add another thin layer of insulation behind the covers on the electrical outlets. These insulation pads are designed specifically for this use. I have noticed some drafts on cold days from one or two of them. The manufacturer should provide information on their safe installation.

We have also wrapped our hot water heater in a layer of insulation to help it retain heat and cut down on energy costs.

In one apartment I lived in I covered the large front window with a sheet of plastic to provide another barrier of insulation between my home and the cold.

To save on fuel we purchase it during the warmer months when it us usually cheaper. With propane tanks we have found that when we own the tanks fuel is usually cheaper and we can shop price. When we rented the tanks from the propane company we found the price of fuel to be significantly higher. We also have a larger fuel tank than actually required for the home so that we can purchase in volume when we do.

We have ceiling fans to help circulate warmer air up at the ceiling back down toward the floor.

We have a layered approach to staying warm. We set our thermostat lower than some would probably find comfortable.

I tell the kids to put on sox, long pants, shirts and sweet shirts. Layers of clothing help with outer layers of wool or a down vest for extra warmth.

Lastly there is my husband's mantra of "It's not as cold as you think!" This is usually repeated several times after request for a fire especially on cold, wet days. Followed by a lecture on the need to conserve limited resources. While this ritual dose not change the temperature in our home or our perception of it, a warm fire being built in the fireplace usually follows it.

 

[kezza01]

Re: How Regular People Can Survive in This Economic Climate

this is a link to my daily paper, it is encouraging people to start thinking about the summer holidays now. there may be similar ideas in other countries?

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24565309-23272,00.html?referrer=email

of course, i have got my own personal plans in place including the evergrowing veggie garden at my property - we have approximately 25 fruit trees now planted in the food forest.

i have changed to riding my motorbike to work instead of taking the car. i now only use the car for longer trips or where i must take other people/items that i can't strap to the bike. i also combine trip purposes and plan out the most efficient route to take.

and now that we are getting some hotter and sunnier weather, my partner does nearly all his cooking and water-heating on the solar cooker (cost us $12AUD to build by visiting our local garbage recycling shop). of course, what we will do when it starts to rain (we are just about to enter into our official storm and cyclone weather) i really am not sure - perhaps cold showers will be the order of the day.