Don't Panic

The economic predictions are frightening.  As Americans, we all live much better than people in much of the world.  Our children are given everything their little heart’s desire and denied discipline.  Consequently, they expect to be given things and don’t know how to play with toys that don’t plug into the wall or have batteries.  We live in nicer homes and drive fancier cars than previous generations and we think nothing of dropping $5 for a cup of coffee, and buying the latest electronic gadget is almost a necessity to conducting business.

 A parallel can be made that during the Roaring Twenties, people were living lavishly before the Great Depression hit.  The banks failed.  There was drought over much of the nation.  Jobs were scarce.  Sound familiar?

 This isn’t a political blog, so don’t tune me out.  I am a child of the 50’s.  I spent many hours watching my grandmothers run their homes on a shoestring.  I observed people who survived the Great Depression andwere extremely frugal as a result.  It was a side effect of living through the most harsh times imaginable.  They cut the tape on wrapping paper so it could be reused.  They wiped off aluminum foil and reused it until it wore out .  They lived simply their whole lives, mainly because they didn’t have the means to live otherwise, but they were smart people.  They made things from scratch, knew how to sew, knit, crochet, quilt, make soap, and they had wringer washers and clothes lines.   Nothing was thrown out, but reused, repurposed, and recycled.  Things were conserved in case the economy went south again.  They purchased necessities, but few luxuries.

I watched my grandmothers make pies and homemade breads with expert proficiency.   Few of us would even attempt to make homemade bread.  I was fascinated with the tasks they did every day.  I loved their home made aprons and the smell of fresh laundry and starch.  They taught me how to cook and sew and even though my life has been much easier than theirs, there is something to be said for living simply.

 These days people crave a simpler life, a slower pace, and less stress.  While the coming months and years may not be stress free and we may all end up working until we die, you can drive yourself crazy by looking at life as a glass half empty.  Choose to look at the glass half full.  Choose to see the good in life and to stop and smell the roses.  A negative attitude can bring you and everyone around you down.  Resolve to be positive and make the best of life.  It’s the only one we have.

 

With this blog, I hope to show you how you can save money, simplify, prepare, and survive whatever life throws your way.

 

My best to each of you.