Prepping when There is Little Money to Spare

Coal miner walking home with groceries, West Virginia, 1938. (LOC)

 

There have been two major world events, in recent times, that have required action on the part of homemakers.  It was Y2K and the Pandemic.  We were forced to spend money on stocking up, getting extra supplies, and facing the possibility of losing electricity and other essential resources to manage our households. We had to do this whether or not we could afford it.

These days, I am constantly hearing the warning to prepare. This is very difficult when it requires extra money, over and above basic living expenses. When one is living on very little, how can one be expected to come up with extra funds to stock up and prepare?

 It used to be common to gather the harvest, can, freeze and preserve food for the coming year. Clothing was mended and made by mother. String was saved and reused. This was before the invention of scotch tape.  But string was free since it often came on packages from the mailman or at the grocers.  Today, since string is not generally used, people are spending money on tape. Money is being spent in many ways that was not happening years ago.   Yet, in order to prepare for hard times, we have to find ways to cut costs and keep expenses down.

I have noticed that my electric bill is much higher this year. It could be a combination of increased rates as well as usage.  I honestly suspect that charging my laptop computer is part of the culprit.  I can only cut back on that on a limited basis. (I use it for writing, editing, and working on articles and books.)  This is an expense that is difficult for me to manage. I have also noticed my slacking on turning off lights or using the clothes dryer too much. I will make a plan to find a way to cut back on all three of those uses and hope it makes a difference on the next bill. If I can reduce it by $50 or $60 a month, it will free up money I dearly need for other things.

Many people have a grocery budget for the month. They spend only a certain amount for food. But what happens when that budget has to include non-food items such as trash bags, dish liquid, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, first aid supplies, medicine and all the rest?  It would leave very little for actual food items.  This is my current dilemma. This is why my expenses must be reduced so I can afford to buy those basic and necessary items.  I have always worked hard in the kitchen to make as much as our own food as possible. Yet, there are days when I have been sick, worn out, or recovering from a long and tiring medical trip. There is only so much energy. One cannot possibly do it all.

Homemade vegetable soup is a common menu item in our household. Last week I made a batch and froze it in portion-sized freezer bags.  This is an inexpensive, nutritious meal that can be defrosted and heated up when needed. This is one of many examples of preparing in advance so money and energy can be saved.

Last week I had some of the grandchildren here for the day. While we visited, I also had to make bread and do other work in my kitchen. The housework had to continue whether or not there were little treasures in the house. But I kept the children occupied with drawing projects, snacks at the table, lots of chatter, and games. In the midst of all this, I made the bread dough and set it to rise. I checked on it, made lunch, and then later, formed the dough for the second rising. I did the housework in little moments throughout the day while enjoying the company and care of grandbabies.  It takes hard work to care for a family and to save money.

When people have said to me that I need to prepare for a disaster, it reminds me of a time, many years ago, when I had to do our laundry in the bathtub.  When the washing machine is broken and Dad needs clean clothes for work, you find a way.  One year we had plumbing issues. We had no running water for a couple of days.  I washed our dishes in a basin and then walked down a flight of stairs to the backyard to discard the water.  We do what needs to be done, but nobody wants to live that way on a regular basis.  When a crisis comes, it helps to be creative and have a will to find a way to get through.

For the rest of this month, I plan to do a variety of things to get my expenses down. I will set up our oil lamp for evening use.  I will cut back on using lights at night. I must remember that even though it is dark tonight, the sun will be back in the morning. Tomorrow is another day.  We can start fresh with our work when the sun is shining.   I will cut back on computer use to avoid the high cost of keeping the laptop charged.  I will resist the inclination to use the dryer and simply hang the clothes on chairs and a wooden rack by the fire. I will be willing to wait for days as the laundry dries while I practice the art of being patient.  I will do as much as I can to find ways to come up with extra money for preparing for the necessary expenses of life. 

We also have to keep this in mind: There is both a practical and a spiritual side to preparing.  While it is important that we do our daily chores and find ways to get through the hard days, we must keep our focus on the Master. Are we reading the Bible and doing devotions each morning? Are we having both private and family times of worship in the home?  This is our lifeline for help, comfort, provision, and guidance.  For those who are the children of God, we are not alone and never will be.  We must remember to pray when each problem arises. We must be willing to wait for the answer or the guidance. When moments of anxiety or fear come upon us, immediately turn those worries over to our loving Father. It is not our burden!  He knows all about it.  He will walk with us throughout all of our lives. This should bring us such a sense of relief and cheerful happiness!

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Something We All Need  - Peace Be Upon This House.

Always Remember This - The House Comes First.

Through Good Times and Bad - Domestic Happiness.

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