Prepareing For Austerity

Governments and nations are facing Austerity measures, and many families are routinely running out of cash before their next pay check too.

Here is a list of ways to help prepare for low/no cash times.

Eating

Have a food storage built up- every time you go to the store buy a little extra, store this for when you need it. Kidney beans were on sale this week for $.69/can. I bought 2 dozen because I know how often we use them.

Use basics- learn to cook from scratch using basics as flour, sugar, and oil. These basics store well and are way cheaper then mixes or prepared items from the store.

Long Term basics - learn to love beans and lentils and whole grains. I would recommend storing whole wheat and using a grain grinder. This is way more cost effective and healthy than using white flour.

When you have a pantry full of food because you planned ahead it is a lot easier to eat when cash is low.

Same thing goes for clothing- for yourself make sure you have good basics in your wardrobe. For most of us I am referring to a couple pairs of jean/work pants and a few sweaters and t-shirts, undies and socks, good work shoes and work gloves, and a sun hat. .... these are clothes that are good for physical labor, which gardening and milking cows and walking everywhere is way more fun when you are dressed for it.

For kids- have a few good basics in the next size or 2 up.

Garage sales and second hand stores are great for good basics in clothing, it also helps you not to spend when you shouldn't.

Keep a cash "spending budget" Budget your money when it comes in and figure how much you can spend total for the month or however long until your next payday. Everything you need to write checks for like electric and rent