Thanks for all the feedback on my last post. The consensus seems to be there is no harm in preparation. And forgive me for saying I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling a doomsday scenario coming on. Okay, maybe not doomsday, but I still have all these horrible images in my mind depicted by Dmitry Orlov who is likening the USA to Russia right before its collapse and had plenty to depict what that might (will?) look like for us and what could be done about it. You can read all his comparisons and predictions here. Can we say yikes?!
Justin and I are still discussing it all. We’ve been talking about ways to earn extra money or save money. We are leaning strongly towards getting a piece of land asap, regardless of whether we move there this year or not. At least we’d have it if we needed it. There has been a new twist, thanks in part to Denise and Lisa. Justin has family both in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Family with farms and cows. Family with a long history in the area. Family that are apparently part Hothian (thanks Zeb for the Star Wars reference). Talk about a climate shock. How does a scrawny desert rat survive the bitter cold winter up north? I barely survive it here!
But I digress. It’s still just talk (with occasional meanderings through land sale sites) at this point. We have bigger fish to fry at the moment. Like the money thing. I love to brainstorm, mostly because it leads to more list making. And if you couldn’t tell by looking to your right, I really enjoy my lists. I could create page after page of lists; anything from famous last words (“They couldn’t hit an elephant from this distance.” ~ John B Sedgwick), to how you know you’re from Vegas. I especially love lists that allow me to cross things off, which brings me back to this list and all the things we can probably (and most definitely) nix at the gate. So here goes; our brainstorming session on all the ways we could make money (some tongue-in-cheek, I swear).
We (he or I or both together) could:
- Work on motorcycles or bicycles
- Offer handyman services
- Take any overtime possible (he’s got some tomorrow! yay!)
- Install irrigation and raised beds for others
- Donate sperm (all Justin there)
- Donate other bodily stuffs
- Green people’s homes
- Garden maintenance
- Clean houses (BLEH)
- Sell seedlings and seeds
- Gigolo or call girl
- Photographer
- Rent a room
- Rent out storage space in our home
- Sell extra produce
- Male stripper
- Loctician
- Selling crap vintage finds online
- Selling handmade goods on Etsy
- Mystery Shopper
- Errand Runner
- Professional hitman Who put that in there???
- On-location car washer
- Work at Wal-Mart Who put THAT in there???
- Petcare or pooper scooper
- Childcare (or pooper wiper)
- Medical guinea pig
- Advertising on the blog
- Write a book (my husband has such faith in me!)
- Certified massage and bodyworker (my former life)
So many thoughts on that list, no desire to bore you with them.
Ways to save money are a bit harder. We’re pretty darn frugal as it is. There are few “extras” we have and little we don’t take advantage of: we only shop second-hand; we don’t use credit cards; we meal plan and grocery shop with a list; we use a budget; we take advantage of our library; we drive slow; I’m just incredibly cheap. But we did come up with some ideas on how to save money:
- Cut the (basic) cable
- Cancel the (basic) home phone
- Skip that whole “eating” thing
- Or at least simplify our meals
- Give up beer Nevermind. Not well received.
- Stop eating out completely (or order appetizers and water if we do)
- Become (even more?) fanatical about energy usage
- Become a coupon cutter (eep!)
- Mooch Have dinner with family. Mom?
- Barter garden produce
- Barter other things
- Reevaluate our insurance plans/needs
- Doing yoga at home If he keeps his homebrew…
- Sell the second vehicle
- Refinance the house
- Downsize our living arrangements, if selling is at all possible
There must be things we’re missing in either category. Throw it at me! The more ridiculous, the better!
I think you have some great ideas and some very funny ones at that. I will say that as the economy slows so does the buying of stuff (etsy, ebay, etc.) maybe everyone isn’t seeing that but its something I’ve been watching. I teach some continuing education classes and they are most definately “extras” as there’s no credit and they are fun, enrollment has been way down in everything but my canning classes. That’s a huge indicator (to me and another continuing education instructor I know) that people are cutting back on “extras” because of the uncertainity of the economy. I know I’m looking to do a lot more bartering this summer. Good luck!
Kathie, I totally agree. The selling of stuff would be totally temporary to bring in what we can when we still can. I saw your classes that you offer. Justin was mentioning to me that I should do something like that. But I have no idea where I would even start (let alone if I’m well-versed enough to consider myself an “authority” on any subject). How did you get started?
It happened rather by accident, in a nutshell, the local community college has this continuing ed program and I started by teaching worm composting classes – after a bunch of the organic gardening students came to me asking questions I thought why not get paid for this? I just called the college and asked about teaching, they never “hire” for this particular department. I had to fill out some forms and do a demo for the department. Once they agreed that I could teach, they let me start with the worm composting classes and each semester they’ve given me free reign to add more after getting rave reviews from the students (there’s always the little feedback form at each class for them to fill out). Now I’ve gotten a little of a “reputation” and am sought after locally do to presentations now and then outside the college.
Okay I realize this is a rather serious thing but some of the items either made me smile or LOL. As for “give up beer”, I agree…who put that on there?!
He he. YOu are too funny. Love the list.
There are so many ways to cut back and earn income. I haven’t worked out of the home since 2000 and have always had work still. You can do it. If you come to WI, there is an awesome family that has a killer organic sustainable lifestyle B&B, and they have workshops about right livelihood and are amazing examples themselves of how to live in a good way (http://innserendipity.com/cal.html).
We have been considering moving to a place with more land, but almost think we should keep this house (under what we can ‘afford’) and instead buy land and put an off grid amish cabin on it and spend weekends and vacations and summers and holidays there. Build up from there. I think it can be a good thing to buy land right now – when people are unloading their vacation/hunting/family lands as things tighten a bit.
I have lived in Missouri, Illinois, Southern California, Northern New Mexico, Florida and Wisconsin. I make it through winters just fine and prefer four seasons to those mono-climates. More cozy at home stuff when it is super cold (the snow is the nicest part of winter, the cold is the only challenge), but hey, our natural human cycles ebb and flow with the seasons, so it is nice.
Here’s my list:
~ Get a Sun Oven or become a sun oven distributer.
~ Make your own laundry detergent. (The Duggars have a great recipe on their website.)
~List the vehicle for sale already!
~Sale your plarn bags on ebay or etsy! (I would never have the patience to make one but I would buy one!)
~I wouldn’t invest anymore money into your urban homestead if you are not planning to live there. Get some land and move all your fruit trees to the land. That way they will mature by the time you are ready to move on it.
~You can get a Yurt!
Good Luck!
I found it interesting that everyone who responded 2 these posts have a job & r not n dire straights. Yet the majority believe we are we should prepare 4 the worse. If we live in the moment there is no fear. Just beer & yoga!
Elizabeth, in case you’re forgetting, Justin only just went back to work. Those two weeks off would not have been possible if the two weeks prior to his work hadn’t been 7-12′s. We-re paycheck-to-paycheck and another week off anytime soon is gonna hurt. And wouldn’t it be rather ignorant to assume life will just be hunky-dorey and we need not do *anything* but assume the best? Aren’t we *co-creators*; don’t we have responsibility of action for our own lives?
Have you read the front page of LVRJ.com? This article or this one are both writing on the wall. It would be ridiculous of us to ignore all this, without safeguarding for our future.
I’m living in the moment. *This moment* right now is asking me to make some choices. *This moment* right now is giving me a husband who is looking at the facts and wanting to stay ahead of the curve so he can be certain he can feed his family. *This moment* is presenting me with an opportunity to change course.
I hope you’re right and it’s all for nothing. Cuz then we’ll have land *and* a job and can move when we want, rather than when it becomes a necessity. But all the hope and trust in the world isn’t going to keep me from thinking ahead. I just don’t see sticking my head in the sand as wise for us to do in our current position.
A healthy sense of humour goes a long way in such times.
I would make him become a male stripper and you can get cash plus see some fun booty. Of course, I’m assuming you’ll get in free…
virtual hugs
You asked me who was the majority. I thought it interesting in reading the comments what the majority wrote. I hope the fact that you have listed so many options that will work 4 better or worse times will bring you peace & some laughter.
I’ve thought about selling my body myself, but sadly I don’t think anyone would pay…;-(
Glad to have inspired you to look north. Having family around always helps, and maybe your family will come too?
Garage sale? Do they still have those in the states? Faster than ebay and less hassle. Get rid of those dang christmas decorations you still have hanging about eh? ahahahahaaha
Great lists and poignant comic relief.
Have you thought about taking on a little friend part time? I did some childcare when we were saving for our house and it was great because I could keep my child with me, still go about my day in a normal way and get paid. If it’s a good situation it could actually be fun and profitable.
We’re saving for land right now too. I can relate to Justin’s all or nothing too. We tend to make big moves, but you know it makes for an exciting life with big opportunities!
great list, inspiring and a good morning laugh as well!!
LOL Lisa! You’re too funny!
Jennifer, you’ll be proud to know those decorations were put away AT LEAST 3 weeks ago. And sadly none of our stuff is even worth the effort of a garage sale. We tend to wear it all out.
I am VERY proud. Tara, hope you don’t mind but I wrote about your plight on my blog.
Wow–definitely a mirror of my thoughts! We are looking at most of these things, and I love lists. Now if I could just find where I put my last one. Oh, no matters, I’ll just write another!
hi i love your blog i stumbled apon it when i was looking for recycled crafts..i live in canada and my hubbys out of work and we as a family of nine.have always used the methods u discribed in our daily life to feed and clothe our kids etc..the only things that irk me are when people assume everyone should go into debt just to be like everyone else or your considered poor..we bake sew knit and create(its benefit when half the kids are artistic..)my teens loveingly call me a hippie.please kept posting the great ideas… …..and ima 37
srry 37..and i dont care what anyone says lolo..it was nice to see ur blog im off to make plarn….nicole