In today’s uncertain economy, most of us are one paycheck away from catastrophe. I understand. I’ve been unable to find a full-time, permanent job for three years. Contract or temporary employment isn’t regular. When a contract ends, I’m never certain when the next job will find me.
By Rena Kurlander
I became cognizant of frugality while caring for my very ill mother. We didn’t have a lot of money coming in. When I saw something we regularly used at the supermarket that was on a very good sale, I would buy two and put the second one aside, “…for a rainy day.” When my mother finally passed in 2008, I discovered I had over 200 rolls of toilet paper set aside (which is not necessarily a bad thing.) I had also set aside a rather large cache of canned vegetables and fruit, soap, and a fair bit of paper towels.
Because I don’t make a lot of money, I qualify for food stamps. I used my food cache to supplement the fresh produce, poultry, dairy, spices, and condiments that the food stamps (now known as SNAP) helped me purchase. After three years, I’m finally down to my last stash of canned pineapple and pickled beets. Don’t knock ’em – they’re tasty! This “saving things for a rainy day” came in handy during my time of personal “drought”.
Necessity is said to be the mother of invention. My house just got a water meter. Did I mention I live in the middle of California’s drought? Did I also mention I have a small-ish container garden filled with herbs, thorn-less blackberries, a bay tree, and two dwarf citrus trees. My citrus trees take a fair amount of water. It occurred to me that a lot of water goes down my drains. So now, when I clean up, I save the water…when I wash my hair, I save the water…all that water gets poured on my garden, starting with the citrus trees. It is called “grey” water and is great for gardens. Without my fresh herbs, food would be very bland, indeed.
What are some of the things you might consider stocking up on?
In no particular order: canned fruits and vegetables that you eat regularly (I used to get diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, green beans, mushrooms, pickled beets, olives, cucumber pickles, and beans), laundry detergent, dish soap, pet food, plastic grocery bags, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, re-sealable plastic bags (sandwich and ½ gallon sizes), instant coffee, all-in-one cleaning product, toilet paper, paper towels, plastic garbage bags, printer refills, toothpaste, floss, and extra toothbrushes.
That ought to get you thinking about other things you use regularly and would miss if you ran out.
On the bus going for a job interview downtown.
As for me, I’m still looking for a permanent job and tomorrow I’m going for an interview. Please send some positive vibes my way and wish me luck. As for the California drought, there is a slight chance of rain in the forecast for later this week. We can only hope.
! One last tip: Stash what you have room for, but don’t store so much that you become an episode on “Hoarders”.
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