One of the most important things to do in a recession is to keep the roof over your family’s heads. We as a family have met together and as our daughter lives not too far away and vulnerable after divorce- she is planning to move in with us. We are in a home belonging to Son and DIL and we are in a self contained part living under one roof.
We looked at the best possible room layout + an adjoining room for her own private space, including her own entry + the chance that her employer is considering part time work from home again, these things need to be sorted out now before the crash when services may be stretched and building materials short. It was none too soon as her rental was always a 1 year lease but suddenly would only give 6 months. A warning sign that they would be increasing her rent considerably. The chance of this was high and it was expected her rent will go up $350 a week.
So while it will be very hectic, the extra income of around $300 a week toward our Son & DIL mortgage, along with shared utilities, food and even car pooling etc. will help everyone. Not to mention the peace of mind. While this is not for everyone and like any ‘contract’ it must be agreed by all and boundaries set, but sometimes the inconvenience could turn out to be a Blessing in disguise. Maybe we can get some tips off each other??
For young folks….say below 50, start to learn how to build things out of wood. Do that, and you’ll be able to build anything….shelter, furniture, and other things, and be self sufficient. I did when I was in my early 20s, and it’s served me a lifetime…a happy life. Don’t be afraid. Heck you have YouTube to show you how to do almost anything. Life is working, and you can do it after your other job is done for the day….just put in a few hours at a time and build your confidence. I’m in my 60s now, built my own house and much of my furnishings….all paid for. Still working and most of all, love God, family, and am happy. Start NOW. God bless you all.
Of course lumber now costs an arm and a leg.
Second hand is fine if it’s hardwood, straight and de nailed.
Start with a bandsaw mill. A cheapie is harbor freight, but it works fine for a beginner. Then you can have all the lumber you want from local trees.
Nothing wrong with being prepared but I just can't believe it's going to get that bad. Worse, certainly. But total societal collapse? If we're watching a movie, there's no way it'll get that far.
First, if that was the end result or end goal, the white hats wouldn't be reminding us all the time that we shouldn't be taking up arms. They're trying to prevent a civil war, and that will 100% cause a civil war.
Secondly, I refuse to believe that they would allow all of the people that have not stocked up to suffer. There are so many that can't afford to, there are others still that, while possibly patriots, are unaware that that's what's coming, and then there are the late awakenings, the ones with no time at all to prepare.
People on this forum love to tell others to start a garden, but what about the millions in apartments or with no yards? They love to tell people to buy guns for self defense, but what about the millions that can't afford to?
Even stocking up on food is becoming impossible, especially with rent and utility bills skyrocketing. Just saw someone in AZ with a $900 electric bill. That's more than my mortgage. You can tout rice and beans all you want, but even that is a stretch for many struggling families.
So yeah. We might be allowed to think it's going to get that bad, and it's still a good idea to prepare, but I just don't see it going that far.
Edit: Also, you're speaking as though we've got very little time. I disagree with this as well. None of us know how much longer this movie has. One Q post mentioned 6 years back in 2019. You can stock up all you want but if we've still got years left, most people will just run through their stock well before it's all done.
Most states (probably all) and communities have disaster plans in place for continuity of basic services such as electric and water services, sanitation, etc.,even if an EMP or similar attack makes electronic records and communication impossible for a time. We have to rely on government plans there because we cannot reliably create our own power. Food, shelter and medical probably most important and those are things the individual can impact. Remember when Trump looked to the nation's stockpiles for ventilators and masks? (Of course, they were not maintained properly.) If there has been no monkeying around with things, there are critical food supplies stationed around the US too which can be brought to bear. And FEMA has emergency supplies too. Of course, not enough to feed a nation for an extended time but should be able to assist some of the hardest hit in food shortages.
Please never rely on the government in an emergency situation. Look at Katrina. You need to think outside and provide for your own family. There are not enough emergency people in any area to be effective. The last place you need to be is standing vulnerable in a line when the predators arrive. The country is too big for the military to help and if there is an EMP or a bank/S run, they could be defending the borders.
Realistic assessment about stocking up. Keeping the roof over your head and utilities on and having food for your fam and pets for TODAY. One day at a time, do it in gratitude and tomorrow's will come.
Well stated. There are many prepping sites that can even help you with quantities for say a family of 4 for a couple of months. You don’t have to have lots of money to get in the basics. Think of something that you can do without. A record collection or a painting that you know is worth a bit. A yard sale is a great way of getting rid of surplus and this could be put toward that food I mentioned above. None of these items will be any good to you when SHTF.
Yes, time to shed extras and make room for necessities- but we're not ditching core books nor classic vinyl records 😎
I thought about that too. 😀 But we’re retired and while it was fun getting a record collection together for 45+ years, the $500 my hubby got for them (undervalued, but heck) went straight into provisions. We have 2 little Granddaughters and I could never forgive myself if I put these records above them. Books are different. In the books make sure you have depression cook books, basic first aid, bushcraft books etc. Now is a good time to scour your Goodwills etc. These type of books will be invaluable but also good bartering items.
Sensible move under the circumstances.
Good post !
My daughter was lucky and bought a two family last November- she splits the $1800 mth mortgage 3 ways so they each pay $600- another roommate pays the electricity. It’s really been a lifesaver for all living there.
Good thinking, don't forget that homes are being revalued though- property taxes and insurance are both spiking as well.
Everything is. You’re also not just keeping the family together, but guarding their inheritance. And this is only for a season. It won’t go on forever but adult children can and should contribute. Family is everything and even if you have an elderly parent on their own or an uncle or aunt etc. how would they cope if the power went down etc. They would be very vulnerable. I’m sure we could glean from the older generation and now is the time to ask them about hard times. While we don’t have any family left that went thru the Great Depression, there are books on how people survived. I’m sure many family homes are now just ‘empty nests’ atm. What about a basement area. You don’t need to spend a lot knocking up rooms. Dividing curtains are fine. The biggest challenge we have is moving her furniture into storage as well as ours that we have culled. That can be costly. Good times will return and the kids will move out and they will need that furniture to start over. Especially white goods. Best to be thinking about that now.
Thank God your fam does have this excellent option. Throwing in together is better for most people, pooling of resources. "ALONE" is lonely indeed. All of the difficulties during this time makes me think over and over of Prine's beautiful song verse... " You don't have to be alone...why don't ya come on home?" Not everyone has anyone or any place to run too; I recognize that fact. So it is probably time for like-minded people to consider sharing a roof over their heads. "Must like pets" too. Yes that requires compatabilities also. But pets are losing their homes at 300% what it was this time last year and those innocent lives end.
Thank you. Lovely words. Our pets will be so vulnerable. My thoughts turned to this situation during covid and even though our daughter lives about 20minutes away, we were not allowed to travel outside the 5klm zone. She is about 15klms. She was working from home. Living on her own. For 6 months it was like this. When we were finally allowed to travel, we went straight down to her. She was a mess. No human contact - no hugs for this time and she was close to a breakdown. People need physical contact. Feel the presence and warmth of a loved one. Know they are safe. My thoughts turned to ‘what if’. While she will stick it out to not break her lease, in the background my hubby is planning the tiny Reno. Daughter picked up free a couple of windows. First thing is to move a door in the kitchen along to make a large laundry smaller and create a play area for the girls. That shared wall will become a biw for her. But if things go belly up without warning, we know where we are going. The one thing apart from being secure with family/around her is being able to have the nieces around who just adore her and our family cat that just loves her. Each family has privacy - even if it is to watch TV in our own space, but also a chance to help each other. They are all working extra overtime to make this happen and the girls get to spend extra nights at Nan and Pops (out their door and along to ours).😇😇 .