movingforward
Junior Associate
Joined: Sept 15, 2011 12:48:31 GMT -5
Posts: 8,358
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Post by movingforward on Oct 23, 2012 18:08:48 GMT -5
"I have had a real tough time finding work since early 2009. Maybe that colors my perspective. I do construction and will travel, still it's been tough, not impossible but tough. If it weren't just me having a tough time but the country think what life would be like."
Steve - Have you tried going to TX. Seems like they are building left and right where I live. They are building a new Apple here and I think they said 6 new apt complexes over the next year.
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Mardi Gras Audrey
Senior Member
So well rounded, I'm pointless...
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:49:31 GMT -5
Posts: 2,082
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Post by Mardi Gras Audrey on Oct 23, 2012 18:23:27 GMT -5
I have no supplies in case of a doomsday situation. I figure that I like my life now and am used to comfortable living. If we (a a whole) got into a situation where everyone was starving, fighting over food, and just generally miserable, I'd volunteer to go. I will finish the Coke in my frig and the rest of you can fight over the few boxes of mac & cheese and Dinty Moore I leave behind...
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Rocky Mtn Saver
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 9:40:57 GMT -5
Posts: 7,461
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 23, 2012 18:54:46 GMT -5
I think if you need government assistance, you should take it. But don't call yourself "self sufficient". My question is more, what if you are eligible for government assistance, but don't need it, should you take it? And can you still call yourself self sufficient? Personally, no and no.
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Deleted
Joined: May 4, 2024 0:25:24 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2012 19:20:35 GMT -5
We live in earthquake country now, just had a little one over the weekend actually, and we still don't have any supplies. We keep talking about it, but we never actually get the stuff together. I've got some camping stuff in the garage, but we need to get some water and MRE's or something together, and get it all in one place. Instead of mre's you might copy shop or whatever it's called. Next time you go to the grocery instead of buying a couple cans of whatever, buy three cans. Store the extra can. You don't end up with mre's that you won't eat. You end up with food you do eat. If you think we will have 3% inflation, buying food now saves you 3% over the cost later. If you are at home and need something you go to the pantry on stead of the store. Saves that much money on gas. That is what I was talking about earlier. Prepping helps if things go bad, but also helps if things don't. Don't do the kooky things. Do the smart sensible things. Extra food and extra water are sensible. But they will also help immeasurably if things go to crap. A truckers strike could happen and just in time grocery supplies aren't there after a week. Who knows what could happen? I have had a real tough time finding work since early 2009. Maybe that colors my perspective. I do construction and will travel, still it's been tough, not impossible but tough. If it weren't just me having a tough time but the country think what life would be like. lots of people say to just buy an extra can or 2 when you shop.....however, I don't actually buy any food in cans with the exception of maybe buying mandarin oranges for DS....so I'm screwed in the event of a disaster.
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lynnerself
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 3, 2011 11:42:29 GMT -5
Posts: 4,166
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Post by lynnerself on Oct 23, 2012 19:46:37 GMT -5
The only thing we have stockpiled is wine. There are about 8 cases in the basement ;D
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Deleted
Joined: May 4, 2024 0:25:24 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2012 6:47:12 GMT -5
The only thing we have stockpiled is wine. There are about 8 cases in the basement ;D not that's a stockpiling plan I can get behind. I should stock up on mojito mix and rum.
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tloonya
Junior Associate
What status?
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 16:22:13 GMT -5
Posts: 8,452
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Post by tloonya on Oct 24, 2012 10:44:19 GMT -5
I listen to a guy who thinks eventually the current currency is going to crash and be replaced. He is for self sufficiency. He was asked about accepting food stamps. His thought was that a person who is eligible for food stamps should accept them. The govt is going to spend the money no matter what. So it is better to get the money in your hands and do wisely with it instead of it going elsewhere. What do you think of the logic, if you accept the premise that the present currency will soon be replaced?Also, I think the system will fall apart because of it mass. I think that is the only way things will get better. Kind of like a drunk has to hit rock bottom, the deficit has to get so massive it falls apart. Nothing else will fix it. If you accept that premise, should one take benefits to hurry along the collapses so the cure can get here sooner? Does ANYone else except me sees 2 not related subjects in this post that are being discussed as related? And its not. What ta heck "I listen to a guy who thinks eventually the current currency is going to crash and be replaced." have to do with"His thought was that a person who is eligible for food stamps should accept them."
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econstudent
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 15:36:44 GMT -5
Posts: 2,288
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Post by econstudent on Oct 24, 2012 19:29:32 GMT -5
I didn't read the whole thread, but up until a few months ago we qualified for food stamps. I was in grad school, my husband was finishing his bachelor's degree, and we have a toddler. I looked into food stamps at one point just out of curiosity...we qualified for like $400/month because we were living on my grad school stipend and our savings. We didn't take them because I didn't feel like it was right to use the system when we were capable of purchasing our own food. I think they should be there for people who need them but people shouldn't take the handout if they don't need it, even if they qualify. I have a good FT job now so it's not an issue anymore.
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Deleted
Joined: May 4, 2024 0:25:24 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2012 0:23:34 GMT -5
My question is more, what if you are eligible for government assistance, but don't need it, should you take it? And can you still call yourself self sufficient? You are not self sufficient if you are taking/accepting government assistance. But it can be a path to developing self sufficiency. While preparing for an apocalyptic monetary crash (which will come because the greedy guys & gals on Wall St and Bankers St have not changed their behavior one iota): Accept Food Stamps - Use them to buy seeds, seed potatoes, vegetable starts. All are considered food under the program. Buy Fencing that will be able to hide your garden. If there is a massive collapse, then people will steal food, especially private food that is outside. You haven't said who you are (in former YM terms) but if you are the one that worked with glass, getting panels of glass and building greenhouses would be excellent use of your knowledge and resources. Make a root cellar - I'm betting you could dig one out slowly over time and make an excellent one. Might be a good place to store great bottles of wine that will age and become more valuable over time. You can buy the wine with the money you don't have to spend on food because of food stamps. Buy guns & ammo to protect your self sufficient life, because others won't be well prepared. Start your bee hives now too. You are in construction, so this should be easy for you! I think it used to be the whole earth catalog that had lots of ideas and self-build suggestions/plans for self sufficiency. Sun Ovens and all that sort of stuff. I remember loving that catalog and reading the one we got for a few years!! Nothing wrong with working towards self sufficiency and getting an assist to get there!
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