Good Reading!!! http://www.preparednesspro.com/blog/the-self-inflicted-wound/
Free Money: Business Grants
In 2008, more than $100 million in grant money went to small businesses. You may qualify for a business grant simply if you want to locate your business in a small town. Your may qualify if you want to start a business in an area that needs an economic push. You may qualify if your business employs the disabled. The list goes on and on. Search www.grants.gov for any "hidden" -- AND FREE -- funds that could be available to you right now!
Free Money: Personal Grants
If you're the head of a family in need, then a personal grant may be for you. So far in 2009, more than $160 million in federal grant money has provided temporary assistance to struggling families. Funds can help with childcare expenses and even utility bills and groceries. Personal grants are generally awarded through your local, state or federal government branches, but can sometimes be found through private organizations. Be sure to check out www.govbenefits.gov for more information on government grants, along with benefits and assistance programs to help needy families.
Seven Things That Will Cost More in 2011 and What You Can Do About Them
Get ready to stretch your wallet. We're already seeing the signs of prices creeping up in just the infancy days of 2011. So be prepared to open wide for:
1. A Trip to the Grocery Store
The USDA forecasts a 2% to 3% hike in the cost of all foods in 2011. Higher corn and soybean prices are the main force behind the increase. Remember, farm animals have to be fed and when those costs go up, so does what you pay. Expect a big spike in the dairy case and meat counter, where pork alone is forecast to rise between 3% and 4%.
If it's any comfort, in 2008 food costs overall rose more than 5.5%. And you still didn't lose weight.
Solution: Sign up for sites that offer grocery coupons. Shop the weekly sales and the manager's specials. Plan your meals for the week and make a list of what you need before you go to the market. Don't buy impulse items, even if they're on sale. Consider a grocery co-op if your neighborhood has one. Don't be afraid to try planting a vegetable garden, at least for your fresh herbs.
2. The Cost of Gas and Heating Fuel
If you are hanging on to that Hummer, now might be the time to unload it. Some fast-and-loose talk by former Shell Oil President John Hofmeister says gas will be back to $5 a gallon this year. That's about $2 more per gallon than the current average price of $3.05, says the Department of Energy. Blame it on the weather. Unexpectedly harsh winters here and in Europe have created a higher-than-usual demand for heating fuels. Add to that the increased demand for fossil fuels in places like China and India and the depreciation of the U.S. dollar -- and dare we mention the overall greed of the oil industry? -- and there you have it.
Solution: Demand dictates price, so use less. Carpool, car share, combine your errands, ride a bike, walk. At home, wear a sweater and keep your thermostat set low. Consider solar panels and absolutely seal any cracks or leaks around your windows.
For those with too much time on their hands, the price-tracking Gas Predictor can tell you whether you should fill up the car today or tomorrow.
3. Health Insurance and Medical Costs
Blue Shield in California said it was going to raise premiums by almost 60% and you can bet that your insurer has something similar planned.
Don't look for much help from the government here. The Obama administration wants individual and small-group insurers to justify when they raise rates by 10% or more. But it's a toothless gesture. The Department of Health and Human Services wasn't given enforcement authority to do anything about it even if the hikes are deemed unreasonable.
Solution: Consider a catastrophic or high-deductible health plan, something that will kick in only for big-ticket medical bills. Experts recommend carrying insurance for the things you can't handle yourself. You might be able to handle $10,000 in medical bills, but not $100,000 -- hence a catastrophic plan could save you a lot in premiums. Also consider dropping dental insurance. Costco has a $87-a-year plan that just might get you what you need, assuming you don't need to see your own particular dentist.
4. The Cost of Clothing
Cotton prices are on the upswing and you're going to feel it in the stitched pocket. Cotton is now 80% more expensive than it was at the start of 2010 and many manufacturers believe they have no choice but to pass it on to you.
Solution: Fortunately, you do have a choice. Don't buy it. Thrift store shopping has enjoyed a renaissance this recession. Organize a kids' clothing swap at your school or a clothing swap party among your friends. Dare we suggest you even drag the old sewing machine down from the attic?
5. Colleges and Universities
For the 2010-2011 school year, tuitions are up by almost 8% at public, four-year colleges and 4.5% at private colleges. Expect more hikes for 2011-2012 as schools try to cope with a reduction in alumni giving, state funding and more students asking for financial aid.
Solution: No, we're not going to advise that you don't go to college. But you might want to consider enrolling in a community college for two years, or at least taking some of your courses there over the summer. Community colleges are cheaper. The economic sentiment at the moment is that student loans will only be burdens to you later on. Consider working for a year and socking away your money so that you get your education on a pay-as-you-go basis.
6. Raising Kids
Let's face it: Kids aren't cheap. It isn't just feeding and clothing them, it's also sending them to soccer camp, arranging after-school care, paying for the math tutor. Babysitters charge as much as $12 to $15 an hour, even higher for late nights. Public schools are turning to parents to help them make up budget deficits.
Solution: Hillary was right; it takes a village. Look for opportunities to barter parenting services. You help my kid in calculus and I'll help yours learn to write an essay. Form homework clubs instead of hiring tutors. Form babysitting cooperatives instead of hiring a nanny. Maybe this isn't the summer of the sleep-away camp, but surely a tent in the backyard with five friends sleeping over helps ease the pain. Some families have even exchanged homes for vacations.
7. Bank and Bank Card Fees
Checking fees, ATM fees, safety deposit box fees, talking to a teller fees. Our bank just charged us $3 to view a check that was cashed from our account; we had forgotten who we wrote it to and clicked on the online "view" button. Silly us. Lesson learned. New banking laws have meant new banking fees.
Solution: The only thing you can do is shop around. Some banks are better than others. Figure out what you need from your bank -- and it likely isn't yet another credit card -- and then do some comparison shopping.
NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE!!!!! The longer you wait, the more expensive it will get and the more excuses you will have. Good intentions won't cut it. You know where that road leads!The USDA forecasts a 2% to 3% hike in the cost of all foods in 2011. Higher corn and soybean prices are the main force behind the increase. Remember, farm animals have to be fed and when those costs go up, so does what you pay. Expect a big spike in the dairy case and meat counter, where pork alone is forecast to rise between 3% and 4%.
If it's any comfort, in 2008 food costs overall rose more than 5.5%. And you still didn't lose weight.
Solution: Sign up for sites that offer grocery coupons. Shop the weekly sales and the manager's specials. Plan your meals for the week and make a list of what you need before you go to the market. Don't buy impulse items, even if they're on sale. Consider a grocery co-op if your neighborhood has one. Don't be afraid to try planting a vegetable garden, at least for your fresh herbs.
2. The Cost of Gas and Heating Fuel
If you are hanging on to that Hummer, now might be the time to unload it. Some fast-and-loose talk by former Shell Oil President John Hofmeister says gas will be back to $5 a gallon this year. That's about $2 more per gallon than the current average price of $3.05, says the Department of Energy. Blame it on the weather. Unexpectedly harsh winters here and in Europe have created a higher-than-usual demand for heating fuels. Add to that the increased demand for fossil fuels in places like China and India and the depreciation of the U.S. dollar -- and dare we mention the overall greed of the oil industry? -- and there you have it.
Solution: Demand dictates price, so use less. Carpool, car share, combine your errands, ride a bike, walk. At home, wear a sweater and keep your thermostat set low. Consider solar panels and absolutely seal any cracks or leaks around your windows.
For those with too much time on their hands, the price-tracking Gas Predictor can tell you whether you should fill up the car today or tomorrow.
3. Health Insurance and Medical Costs
Blue Shield in California said it was going to raise premiums by almost 60% and you can bet that your insurer has something similar planned.
Don't look for much help from the government here. The Obama administration wants individual and small-group insurers to justify when they raise rates by 10% or more. But it's a toothless gesture. The Department of Health and Human Services wasn't given enforcement authority to do anything about it even if the hikes are deemed unreasonable.
Solution: Consider a catastrophic or high-deductible health plan, something that will kick in only for big-ticket medical bills. Experts recommend carrying insurance for the things you can't handle yourself. You might be able to handle $10,000 in medical bills, but not $100,000 -- hence a catastrophic plan could save you a lot in premiums. Also consider dropping dental insurance. Costco has a $87-a-year plan that just might get you what you need, assuming you don't need to see your own particular dentist.
4. The Cost of Clothing
Cotton prices are on the upswing and you're going to feel it in the stitched pocket. Cotton is now 80% more expensive than it was at the start of 2010 and many manufacturers believe they have no choice but to pass it on to you.
Solution: Fortunately, you do have a choice. Don't buy it. Thrift store shopping has enjoyed a renaissance this recession. Organize a kids' clothing swap at your school or a clothing swap party among your friends. Dare we suggest you even drag the old sewing machine down from the attic?
5. Colleges and Universities
For the 2010-2011 school year, tuitions are up by almost 8% at public, four-year colleges and 4.5% at private colleges. Expect more hikes for 2011-2012 as schools try to cope with a reduction in alumni giving, state funding and more students asking for financial aid.
Solution: No, we're not going to advise that you don't go to college. But you might want to consider enrolling in a community college for two years, or at least taking some of your courses there over the summer. Community colleges are cheaper. The economic sentiment at the moment is that student loans will only be burdens to you later on. Consider working for a year and socking away your money so that you get your education on a pay-as-you-go basis.
6. Raising Kids
Let's face it: Kids aren't cheap. It isn't just feeding and clothing them, it's also sending them to soccer camp, arranging after-school care, paying for the math tutor. Babysitters charge as much as $12 to $15 an hour, even higher for late nights. Public schools are turning to parents to help them make up budget deficits.
Solution: Hillary was right; it takes a village. Look for opportunities to barter parenting services. You help my kid in calculus and I'll help yours learn to write an essay. Form homework clubs instead of hiring tutors. Form babysitting cooperatives instead of hiring a nanny. Maybe this isn't the summer of the sleep-away camp, but surely a tent in the backyard with five friends sleeping over helps ease the pain. Some families have even exchanged homes for vacations.
7. Bank and Bank Card Fees
Checking fees, ATM fees, safety deposit box fees, talking to a teller fees. Our bank just charged us $3 to view a check that was cashed from our account; we had forgotten who we wrote it to and clicked on the online "view" button. Silly us. Lesson learned. New banking laws have meant new banking fees.
Solution: The only thing you can do is shop around. Some banks are better than others. Figure out what you need from your bank -- and it likely isn't yet another credit card -- and then do some comparison shopping.
"Certainly one of our God-given privileges is the right to choose what our attitude will be in any given set of circumstances. We can let the events that surround us determine our actions-or we can personally take charge and rule our lives, using as guidelines the principles of pure religion. Pure religion is learning the gospel of Jesus Christ and then putting it into action. Nothing will ever be of real benefit to us until it is incorporated into our own lives."
--Marvin J. Ashton
--Marvin J. Ashton
Our Best Pancakes, Attitude & Mules
Christy Jordan
Life was hard for my ancestors, especially for my great grandmother, Lela, as a sharecropper. They awakened each day to work from sunup until sundown in the fields, kids included. Going to school was a treat not so much because they were eager to learn but because it meant they got to take a break from farming. Lela often didn’t know where the next meal was coming from and had to make do with what few staples she had on hand as any money paid to her husband seldom made it back home.
Grandmama says some days they’d come in so tired from the fields that they’d walk into the house and just fall asleep on the first spot of empty floor they came to. Lela would get a bowl of water and a rag and go around and wash the dirt off of their feet, letting them rest before waking them up and sending them to crowd into one bed for the night.
If anyone ever had a right to throw a big old pity party it was the people I came from, which makes their example all the more important to me. You see, Lela never complained. She woke up each morning with a smile on her face, humming a little tune as she went about preparing a simple breakfast of biscuits and gravy - because there was seldom any meat. But no one looked at that breakfast and said “Oh, just biscuits and gravy.” Instead their attitude was “Isn’t it wonderful that we can have biscuits and gravy.”
Their attitudes were always positive, always hopeful, and always grateful for what little they had. They had the ability to look at the cotton field as it was blazed beneath the Alabama sun and think to themselves “Aren’t we lucky that we have this field to tend and food on the table?” They could walk into the shack house and think “Isn’t it wonderful that we have this roof over our heads?”.
Their happiness was not dependent upon a set of ideal circumstances,
it was entirely dependent on their own attitudes and how they willingly chose to look at life.
I cannot think of a finer legacy to have been given or a more important one to pass on to my children.
I have always felt strongly that my attitude affects everyone I come into contact with and so I try to give each person I meet my best whenever possible. As a result, I’m often asked how I stay so positive. Folks seem to think it’s something you’re either born with or not. Usually if they’ve tended to lean towards negative thinking they dismiss the possibility of ever being positive as something that just unattainable to them. This is where I often have to sit down and give folks my “happiness is a choice” pep talk.
You see, no one is born positive, being positive takes work. Sometimes even the most positive people in the world have spells of negativity. We all have down days and I’m no different, but I’ve worked hard through the years in order to be able to see it for what it is, a phase I go through from time to time, and remain objective. Still, it’s a struggle and I’ve never had nor heard of an easy win.
Just as I looked to my parents and grandparents as examples of looking on the bright side of life during times of distress, I have spent some time studying others who have clearly battled these down swings and yet still came out to be considered positive thinkers. One of my favorite people to study for this very reason is Winston Churchill.
Churchill suffered from depressive spells so prevalent in his life that he took to calling it his little black dog. When going through a bout he’d simply say, “My little black dog is following me around “
I like that. I like how he gave it a name and set it apart from himself, it’s a way to own it, identify it, but make the statement that this is not a result of my life but rather an event within my life – a speed bump or a pothole.
I liked Mr. Churchill’s idea so much that I decided to do something similar. Rather than a little black dog, something I can’t help but see as cute and friendly, I’ve decided mine is an old gray mule and I’ve named him Abner. Now, like most mules I’ve ever heard of, to say Abner is stubborn would be an understatement. Abner is persistent, honery, and when he wants attention he’s gonna neigh and bray until he gets his way.
For me, this is part of the natural cycle of things. I think we all have times in which we need to allow our pendulum to swing the other way. I used to look at these negative spells as meaning I’d failed myself in not thinking positively enough, but now I see it as more of a recovery process, a time to heal. You see, on normal days I push myself. I try to be all things to all people and I work very hard at it. The only time I really slow down is when Abner is around. Abner and I take long walks and sleep a little more, we go to bed early and try to do things to pull me out of my funk.
When Abner is with me, it’s raining and when it’s raining my heart just naturally sets to looking for a rainbow.
Abner would like nothing more than for me to just saddle him up and parade him right down the middle of main street, but I’m not going to give him that kind of power. Instead, I keep him separate from myself and call him for what he is. Rather than say “Oh, I’m depressed, my life must be horrible.” I just say “Well, I reckon Abner needs a bit of attention.” So I let him out of the barn, walk him around the yard and spend a little time with him as needed until it comes time to send the old mule back where he belongs.
No one is born happy and very few of us are naturally inclined towards optimism. It is a process, a training, and a decision we make. Some folks may have to seek medical help and that’s okay too. The fact is, I think we all have a mule.
The difference between positive and negative thinkers is who feeds their mule in the barn and who sets a place for him at the dinner table.
Our Best Pancakes
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 Cups Buttermilk*
- Vegetable oil, butter, or margarine for cooking pancakes in
Place enough oil or butter in the bottom of a skillet to coat it. Put on stove eye and heat on medium heat while you prepare the batter.
In large mixing bowl, stir together all dry ingredients. Add eggs and buttermilk, stir until well combined. Batter will be lumpy. Drop by 1/4 cup fulls into heated oil and cook on medium heat until edges appear dry and top is covered in bubbles, flip and continue cooking until browned on both sides. Serve warm with syrup!
YUMM
This makes excellent waffles as well!
*To make your own buttermilk for this recipe, add two tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar to two cups whole milk. Allow to sit for five minutes before using.
"Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes."
- Charles Swindoll
Let There Be Light–Safely (If any of you find where to purchase these, please let me know!!!! Thanks!!!!)
By Kellene Bishop
Last year about this time I recommended that all of our readers try a 48 hour experience in which they only used non-electrical sources for light for 48 hours. For those who did the experiment they discovered the hard way that what they had planned on for lighting didn’t exactly provide a suitable amount. Others found that the term “100 hours” is obviously broadly interpreted in the market. Still others found themselves a bit frustrated with the lack of mobility of light—something that we rarely take into consideration when we’re forced to use flashlights and candles everywhere we go in our homes. However, when I did this experiment I also realized some of these same inconveniences for myself when it came to needing alternative sources of light, but there was a problem revealed during my experiment that really gnawed at me for months. The problem was the serious compromise to the safety of my home as a result of needing to use candles, kerosene lanterns, and even flashlights.
For starters, I don’t feel as confident defending my fortress should trouble come calling if I have to have a flashlight in one hand and my firearm in the other. And I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how expensive batteries can be and they don’t have the longest, most reliable shelf-life either. On the other hand, a more disconcerting vulnerability is the potential of a fire hazard that’s present even with one of those well-made Aladdin lamps. While I am not blessed with young children in the home, I know that a lot of you do have young ones in the home. Obviously, functioning with an open flame and appropriate cautions is not a part of their life. But as I was browsing around for a birthday gift in the lawn and garden area of a retail store, an idea struck me. And I was pretty darn stoked about it, because it would provide a reliable amount of light in the event I needed back-up, it was a less expensive solution, and it didn’t require me to rely on an expansive stock of flammable items in my home and allotted me a more stable and regularly accessible light source. Woohoo!
Now to be frank, some of you may have already thought of this and may not be as excited about it as I am/was. But for those of you who are several steps ahead of my here, just play along like my sweet husband does when I’m excited about an idea.
You know those solar powered lights that you can buy to place along your walkway? They usually are sold in such a design that they can easily be staked into the ground. Basically they are made with a small solar panel, a rechargeable battery (usually a really low end) and come in varying home décor styles. They charge up during the day while there is sun, and then they emit a modest amount of light for 6 to 10 hours at night depending on the strength of the rechargeable battery provided and how much sunlight was generating during the day. Most varieties also come with a small on/off switch. Their prices range from $4 to $20 each. From a preparedness mindset having these for their intended use is a boon to a person’s home security, even in more trying social circumstances, but these can also easily be adapted for use in the home.
Think about it. Every time you walk into a dark room, you flip the switch for light, right? With me, I don’t see very well without a good amount of light. I frequently find myself turning on all of the lights in my immediate area in order to function properly—sometimes even in the middle of the day. When I tried the 48 hour experiment, I found myself feeling a bit oppressed and out of sorts trying to function with my alternative light sources. I’m happy to say that I didn’t have this same sort of experience when trying out my idea.
All you need to do is purchase several of these solar panel lawn and garden lights. A fellow prepper gave me the idea of replacing the rechargeable battery that comes with the lantern with a higher powered rechargeable one. This way the solar panel will be able to store more power during the day which will provide a stronger light as well. Place the solar lights out during the day where they will get the maximum amount of sun exposure and then just before dusk, bring in the numbers of lights that you’ll need to use in the home. I suggest making a kind of stand/container resemble a vase with some two by fours, so that all you have to do is put the stake in this stand to conveniently provide stability for the light. You can set the lights to come on automatically when placed in a dark room and have them stay on until sufficient natural light comes through, or you can use the on/off switch and just have the light source placed in a convenient spot upon entering the room or area. Rechargeable batteries won’t get fried in the event of an EMP disruption, and the solar panel should stay in tact during such an event as well, unless there are bypass diodes used in the unit. In such a case, the bypass diodes would be damaged in the event of an EMP and your lamp won’t work unless you cut them out, rendering them out of the equation. Otherwise this is a good, overall plan for alternative light that eliminates fire hazards and some other inconveniences.
Another plus, the Fall and Winter seasons usually bring with them deep discounts on such items. So do a little internet searching for some great deals. Personally, thanks to some strategies of the Self-Reliance Revolution, I don’t believe I’ll pay a dime out-of-pocket for either the lamps or the rechargeable batteries.
Lastly, there may be some merit in you being able to use all of those smaller solar panels to accomplish some other critical uses in the future—of which I haven’t thought of yet. But sure I will come up with an idea or two sometime in the middle of the night. And on that note, I’m going to sign off now before I approach a Martha Stewart type of personality and beam too brightly about this idea—yes, of course the pun was intended. I do hope that you find this helpful in your preparedness efforts though.
Hope you all have a BRIGHT and wonderful New Year!
Get readdy, get set, .... words for the week!
According to Wikipedia, “Cognitive dissonance is an uncomfortable feeling caused by holding conflicting ideas simultaneously. The theory of cognitive dissonance proposes that people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance. They do this by changing their attitudes, beliefs, and actions. Dissonance is also reduced by justifying, blaming, and denying.”
As you read this, hopefully some of you have had the light turn on in regards to how this applies to emergency preparedness. Often times we find ourselves feeling “uncomfortable” whether that be because we live in Florida and we know that the area we live is prone to Hurricanes or we live in California and are prone to Earthquakes or possibly you live in the USA and your concerned about the current economic climate. Whatever the case may be there’s something inside that’s giving you an uneasy feeling.
This uncomfortable feeling is Cognitive Dissonance and it basically means that there’s conflict between your beliefs and your actions. In the case of emergency preparedness this is the conflict between feeling like you should be doing something to get prepared but you’re not taking the action to do anything about it.
In order to remove cognitive dissonance (the inner conflict) you either need to act on your feelings or you need to change your beliefs in regards to the emergency. Basically you either get educated and get prepared or you have to somehow convince yourself that there’s really no reason to get prepared, this convincing would have to be so deep and certain so as to remove any inner conflict. The likelihood of this is pretty slim. From a practical standpoint the realistic approach is to take action and get ready.
If you think FOOD is all you need for "preparedness", think again!
The 10 Principles of Preparedness
We can't begin to predict what next week, next month, or next year will bring — but we do respect the advice of those who recommend being prepared. Unexpected events can overtake communities, nations and individual families, and we all need to eat.
Be prepared to grow your own food!
You want Non-hybrid seeds! They reproduce savable seed that is genetically identical to the parent, unlike hybrid plants. Most packets of seeds you buy today are Hybrid seeds. You don't want Hybrid seeds. Check out the site below for more explanations.
Check this out: Do your own homework. See what works best for you!
Ordering Garden Seeds
When it's not gardening season, it's time to plan for next year and peruse seed catalogs. Here are some tips on ordering garden seeds:
§ Obtain catalogs from companies located in your part of the world as well as from distant businesses, and compare their offerings and prices. Some of the small regional seed sources carry heirlooms and special varieties best suited to your area.
§ Before you order, contact your local county cooperative extension service office (http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services) and ask about varieties that are known to do well in your area. Discuss any specific problems you've had with pests or disease.
§ Make a list of what you'd like to grow, but check it twice before you order. A pause or two will give you a chance to change your mind. Remember that the garden is actually one-quarter the size you think it is.
§ Plan to buy enough seeds to sow them thickly. Inevitably, you'll suffer some losses (bugs, birds, weather), and you can always thin later if you end up with an excess.
§ Pay careful attention to the number of days to maturity included in every catalog description. If your growing season has 85 predictable frost-free days, chances are you won't harvest a watermelon that needs 120 days to ripen. See Frost Charts. (http://www.almanac.com/content/frost-chart-united-states)
§ Avoid discounted seeds sold at chain stores. They probably haven't been stored under ideal conditions, and you may find germination to be spotty.
Now, go to our article on how to start your seeds!
http://www.almanac.com/content/starting-seeds-indoors
http://www.almanac.com/content/starting-seeds-indoors
Show me your garden and I will tell you what you are.
–Alfred Austin (1835–1913)
–Alfred Austin (1835–1913)
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