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wheeler_dealer
Penny Pincher Member
USA
245 Posts |
 Posted - 03/27/2008 : 09:09:53
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Really enjoying all the educational posts. Lets use our imagination.
Imagine for a moment that you woke up this morning and we saw on the news a NATIONAL TRUCKING STRIKE- Americas greatest fear. The truckers union was on strike- Freight movement has come to a standstill. What would you do first?
After a week you notice food and other necessities are becoming scarce,
upon your trip to the store you notice armed guards and increased prices as no one knows when the store will be able to restock. You are fortunate you have some cash but with increased prices(inflation) you can only buy so much.
What about my need for diapers, cigaretts, toilet paper, female products, medications. Use your imagination.
Sit back and think about the effect this would have on your life.
Are you prepared or do you think you just are?
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just carl
Penny Collector Member
USA
397 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 09:47:13
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Obviously you've never lived on a farm. In many areas, on farms a barter system is still in place or at least to some degree. Way back in the old days, so to speak, the barter system was used prevelantly. Naturally civilazation slowly made this impractical for large city invironments. However, to this day many farmers and ranchers rely more on the barter system than cash. For example in Wisconsin, where dairy farmers are quite common, they will barter an outdated, non milking cow by taking to a local butcher. There he will give them a portion of that cow for payment of the butchering. Much of the rest will be used to exchange for eggs and or chickens. If a dairy farm wants to stay on grade A they can not have poultry present. Many of these farmers have large vegtable gardens where they barter some of that product for other items.
So if your idea of such a situation occured, many would know how to get along just fine. |
Carl |
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Cody8404
Penny Collector Member
USA
332 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 18:14:53
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I am hoping that if the transport system shut down I would be able to keep going for a month or so with supplies, but beyond that I'm lost.
My bigger fear is the number of people that are lost if they don't make it to the store for supper, and they buy most meals out. they say any civilization is two meals away from anarchy.
My dad still raises hay, he just never quit. I have a brother that has cows, and one that has chickens. We have discussed this before and hope that together, we live within about 20 miles of each other, that we can get by. These are the brothers that think i am nuts for having copper hanging around.
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Awake, O kings of the earth! Come ye, O, come ye, with your gold and your silver, to the help of my people, to the house of the daughters of Zion, to the help of the people of the God of this Land even Jesus Christ. |
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Nickelless
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1307 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 18:22:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Cody8404
I am hoping that if the transport system shut down I would be able to keep going for a month or so with supplies, but beyond that I'm lost.
Don't put all your FRNs in one basket, so to speak. I'm setting aside about $200 every two weeks that I'm putting toward my food stockpile, then another $200 or so toward silver (until it hits $20 again, and I'll switch to copper for a while). I'm setting aside about 40 percent of my income and/or purchasing PM with it for long-term security, but living frugally like this can be done by just about anyone. I've got some more ideas I'll post here later tonight, but I've gotta run for now... |
Why hyperinflation is inevitable...and very soon:
http://www.shadowstats.com/article/292
http://www.ChrisMartenson.com |
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pencilvanian
1000+ Penny Miser Member
2030 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 18:49:39
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If the trucks couldn't or wouldn't run, and you had access to gasoline (if you lived near a refinery that sold to local gas stations) then you could drive out of the city and into the country for food for yourself and to resell.
I can only refer to my own condition and location, but 50 miles away from the city limits is where farms and farmers markets can still be found (I refer to southeastern Pennsylvania.)
Consider where the farmers markets are in your state, and I refer to the true farmers markets, not the ones in urban or sub-urban settings, but those in rural or semi rural areas. These should still be up and running since produce would only have to travel 5-10 miles to market. Look them up on the internet in your state and plan ahead.
That having been said, the next thing to do after you have found a semi-rural farmers market within driving distance is to take along cash and silver and find out what is "the coin of the realm" among the sellers. Some will still take cash while others might want silver for payment. Leave the gold at home, no point trying to buy up everything you see on your first trip to the market or attracting undue attention from the wrong crowd.
Take a cooler or better yet, get one of those mini freezers that plug into a cigarette lighter in your car or truck to keep food cold.
As far as personal or hygene items are concerned, consider buying such things from Family Dollar or Dollar General or any of the better discount outlets or store brand items from drug stores. Dollar stores (those that sell items for just a dollar) also have hygene products but they are hit or miss, sometimes good, sometimes not so good, so it is best to consider buying from dollar stores as a last resort. |
Edited by - pencilvanian on 03/27/2008 18:52:44 |
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knibloe
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
525 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 20:31:10
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| I'm a Mormon. Our church encourages us to have a year's supply of food on hand in our homes in case that there is an econonic disaster. This could be a national disaster, or a personel disaster such as being laid off from work. I don't have a year's supply yet, but my family and I are working on it. In fact I contacted a local farmer today about buying several tons of wheat. When stored properly, it will keep for up to 30 years. If you want more info on this topic we have a website Providentliving.org |
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cheeple
Penny Sorter Member
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 02:44:55
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quote:
Originally posted by knibloe
I'm a Mormon. Our church encourages us to have a year's supply of food on hand in our homes in case that there is an econonic disaster. This could be a national disaster, or a personel disaster such as being laid off from work. I don't have a year's supply yet, but my family and I are working on it. In fact I contacted a local farmer today about buying several tons of wheat. When stored properly, it will keep for up to 30 years. If you want more info on this topic we have a website Providentliving.org
I'm not a Mormon but I've always respected the Mormom Philosophy of Stocking up, I know Mormons make the women Jar foods, which is a great skill to have.
You want to buy several TONS of wheat? Do you know what to do with it once you get it? If it were me I'd have a more diverse selection of foods, maybe just one ton of what is enough??? |
Retire in 2 years with a monthly income of $1,396 per month, what makes this recession proof? it's over 60 Countries Strong. berrytreemadeeasy.com |
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Nickelless
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1307 Posts |
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knibloe
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
525 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2008 : 16:30:52
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My family is not allergic to wheat.
My wife and I do the canning.
Wheat is just a base. We have many other things in storage. We actually use 300-400 lbs of wheat per person per year, but most of us buy it pre processed. Yes we know what to do with it. We have a grinder for turning it into flour, you make bread with it. It is a great substitute/filler in casaroles. It can be sprouted to turn into a great source of protien. It can be "puffed" and turned into cereal. I lived in Chile for a while and down there they use a lot of it to make coffee like beverages. I have experimented with this. None of my home made stuff is as good as I remember it from down there. I compensate for that with plenty of my own honey.
Lastly, the "several tons" is not all for my family. There are several that are going in on it and we will split it up, but buying together gives us an advantage.
If you can't have a years supply have 3 month, 1 month, but have something. It always amuses me when the stores are packed just before a blizzerd. We generally have everything we need already. We might need an extra gallon of milk, but if it wasn't there, we would get out some of our canned powder milk from storage. |
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knibloe
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
525 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2008 : 20:27:33
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| A friend and I picked up a ton of wheat today. We will put it in new 5 gal pails with oxygen absorbers and it will keep for 30 years. My friend picked up ohter supplies (oats, beans, sugar) for the same purpose. |
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Coin_Kitten
Penny Sorter Member
39 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2008 : 20:55:56
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| i think i'd just fly to another country and eat there instead. |
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wolvesdad
Penny Collector Member
381 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2008 : 22:34:56
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Here Kitty Kitty, Here kitty kitty.....
just curious, would you use your arms or your ears...cause if there are no truckers to bring the jetful the plane isn't going to get far on hopes and dreams.
:)
(I grew into my ears, but when I was a wee little one I started to believe maybe I could fly with those big flaps!) |
"May your percentages ever increase!" |
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Nickelless
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1307 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2008 : 23:13:22
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quote:
Originally posted by knibloe
A friend and I picked up a ton of wheat today. We will put it in new 5 gal pails with oxygen absorbers and it will keep for 30 years. My friend picked up ohter supplies (oats, beans, sugar) for the same purpose.
Sproutable grains are the best kind to keep so that some could be kept as seed for future crops. Don't wanna eat all of our seeds, do we?  |
Why hyperinflation is inevitable...and very soon:
http://www.shadowstats.com/article/292
http://www.ChrisMartenson.com |
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fiatboy
Administrator
912 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2008 : 23:26:29
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Heirloom seeds might be good for bartering.
Or growing.  |
"Bart, it's not about how many stocks you have, it's about how much copper wire you can get out of the building." --- Homer Simpson |
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Coin_Kitten
Penny Sorter Member
39 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2008 : 23:35:34
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oh i guess i'm silly.. well. i don't know yet.
quote:
Originally posted by wolvesdad
Here Kitty Kitty, Here kitty kitty.....
just curious, would you use your arms or your ears...cause if there are no truckers to bring the jetful the plane isn't going to get far on hopes and dreams.
:)
(I grew into my ears, but when I was a wee little one I started to believe maybe I could fly with those big flaps!)
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Metal Maniac
Penny Sorter Member
43 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2008 : 14:26:28
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I'm not Mormon but I also try to keep a years supply of food as well as other supplies.
I use rice and beans as the backbone of my stock, canned and freeze dried foods fill out much of the rest.
I also am slowly year by year growing more and more of my own food. I use heirloom seeds.
Right now between my reserves, what I grow, and the PM's I could use for barter I could survive for about a year and a half under general civilizational/economic breakdown.
I also figure if things get that bad for that long after a year there will be a lot fewer people and a lot more land open to cultivation thereafter.
Otherwise I figure there is always cannibalism! Remember the Dinosaurs... the meat eater always die last!  |
Edited by - Metal Maniac on 04/15/2008 14:27:47 |
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Ant
Penny Collector Member
401 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2008 : 17:34:24
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WTSHTF, Oodles of Noodles will be the new currency. 
We actually do have some put away with our supplies. We have plenty to trade. You can add tuna to it, along with some mushrooms, bok choy, baby corn, whatever. Throw some of this sauce in there and you're good to go. (Honestly, best hot sauce evar.)
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"No, man. You gotta keep goin'. What am I gonna do? Quit? That's not an option. Life's a garden. Dig it? You make it work for you. You never give up, man. That's my philosophy." --Joe Dirt |
Edited by - Ant on 04/15/2008 17:35:13 |
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Ponce
Penny Pincher Member
Cuba
174 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2008 : 18:22:35
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Started getting ready nine years ago and now I have food for at lest six years if not more, rice alone I have 950 lbs, blk beans 600 lbs, flour 500 lbs, sugar 300 lbs, salt 150 lbs, Mountain House 2 years, another one (forgot the name) six more months, cans 1.5 year, frozen foods (two freezers) two more years......... not counting extras like comfort food,coffee, kerosene, gasoline and a hell of a lot more.......feels good to sit back and relax while the world is going crazy : )
Oh yeah, don't trade or barter anything because you will never know how long the problem will last. |
"If you don't hold it, you don't own it"...Ponce |
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knibloe
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
525 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2008 : 22:30:35
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Sproutable grains are the best kind to keep so that some could be kept as seed for future crops. Don't wanna eat all of our seeds, do we?
[/quote]
I'm not putting O2 absorbers in all of the pails. That way I can use some for seeds or sprouts if needed. We are also stocking up on rice and beans (for the protein). |
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horgad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 07:39:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Ponce
Started getting ready nine years ago and now I have food for at lest six years if not more, rice alone I have 950 lbs, blk beans 600 lbs, flour 500 lbs, sugar 300 lbs, salt 150 lbs, Mountain House 2 years, another one (forgot the name) six more months, cans 1.5 year, frozen foods (two freezers) two more years......... not counting extras like comfort food,coffee, kerosene, gasoline and a hell of a lot more.......feels good to sit back and relax while the world is going crazy : )
Oh yeah, don't trade or barter anything because you will never know how long the problem will last.
Hey Ponce...I just want to say welcome back. |
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SmallCHange
Penny Sorter Member
USA
60 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 09:47:38
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Ant: "Throw some of this sauce in there and you're good to go. (Honestly, best hot sauce evar.)"
I second that one. My wife is oriental and I got hooked on that stuff. She gets at chinese market. I have her get extra bottles and give them to all my family members who also love the stuff. We all call it Hot Chicken Sauce, I guess from the label on the bottle.
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Ant
Penny Collector Member
401 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 16:54:37
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quote:
We all call it Hot Chicken Sauce, I guess from the label on the bottle.
Har! We call it Rooster Sauce!
Where is your wife from? Our town has a fairly sizeable Vietnamese population and we are spoiled by the selection of restaurants in town. There are a few Thai spots, too. I am envious that you get to have Asian food all the time without leaving the comfort of your own home. |
"No, man. You gotta keep goin'. What am I gonna do? Quit? That's not an option. Life's a garden. Dig it? You make it work for you. You never give up, man. That's my philosophy." --Joe Dirt |
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Ponce
Penny Pincher Member
Cuba
174 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2008 : 22:56:56
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| Thanks Che........glad to be back. |
"If you don't hold it, you don't own it"...Ponce |
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Nickelless
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1307 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2008 : 02:43:49
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quote:
quote:
Originally posted by knibloe
Sproutable grains are the best kind to keep so that some could be kept as seed for future crops. Don't wanna eat all of our seeds, do we?
I'm not putting O2 absorbers in all of the pails. That way I can use some for seeds or sprouts if needed. We are also stocking up on rice and beans (for the protein).
Will O2 absorbers render sproutable grains unable to sprout? |
Why hyperinflation is inevitable...and very soon:
http://www.shadowstats.com/article/292
http://www.ChrisMartenson.com |
Edited by - Nickelless on 04/23/2008 19:11:36 |
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starwarsgeek171
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
602 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2008 : 07:13:40
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| That sauce is going on my grocery list! |
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knibloe
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
525 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2008 : 21:11:41
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Nickelless,
Yes, the lack of O2 kills the wheat and therefore it will not sprout and cannot be planted. |
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