Seriously, is there ever any way to get ahead?

[redhen]

Quote:
Which reminds me..buy in bulk if you can. supplement with scraps. Do you have a small grinder? Sprouting reaaallly stretches the feed and it's easy, just rinse and let sit on most stuff. It improves the nutrition of the feed and they tend to eat less that way.

What do i use to start the sprouts? Bird seed?
I actually bought a sprouting jar last year...just never used it..

 

[Beekissed]

You can use any type of whole grain. They have a whole thread on that on SS, Freemotion has the 411 on what grains sprout best and just how to sprout them.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
THanks! I'll check it out..

 

[Mahonri]

The 2009-201? Depression has hit EVERYBODY...

I told my two employees today to thank the Good Lord I have a savings account or they wouldn't have gotten paid. Then the mail came and blessings came in BUT, seriously, if I hadn't had extra in savings last Thursday, I wouldn't have made payroll. At least at present, I have no debts.

And I do more than my share of charity work too... but that's for another thread.

DW said we need to "save up" for new carpet in the family room and all I could ask was, "Sweetheart, when we are dipping in to savings to make payroll, explain to me how we are going to 'save up'". I still don't think she gets it. I'm going to hand the check books over to her this year and let her take care of the $ and we'll see where we are at in December.

I had an entire half day cancel last week, because the family learned that they would need to pay a deductible for their cleanings and exams. At least 3 clients changed to insurance that pays less today and it's a daily occurrence.

Over 200 dentists in the Phoenix Metro area have closed their doors and walked away in the past two years.
One friend in Mesa used to work 5 days a week and had 10 employees. He now works 2 days a week and has ONE employee. Another friend in Glendale used to work 4 days a week by choice and had 5 employees. He now works two days a week and has one full time and one part time employees.

We used to work five days a week and are now down to three. My employees are only part time workers now and can barely make ends meet... but it's the same with their employer, thank goodness for a savings account. Kids will probably have to start paying for their own tuition in a year or two.

If Obama care actually doesn't get knocked out by the Supreme Court and moves forward, we will see unemployment truly skyrocket in this country... I'm guessing it could go over 25%. If it does go through, since I only have two PART TIME employees I won't be required to purchase health insurance for them. BUT even if I were required, I would only have to cover half the cost and the other half would be taken out of their salary and they can't even make ends meet now. I've been carrying the car loan for one employee. She used to pay 15% interest and $500 a month payments. She's now paying me 5% with a $400 a month payment that I'm certain she'll soon ask to be reduced to $300 a month... her car will probably be dead before she ever pays me off.

All we can do is smile, thank the Good Lord we are still alive, try and help one another as best we can and move forward, one day at a time.

The recession continues to get worse and get ready for the stock market to make another big dip down by the end of February when the second wave of foreclosures hit banks again.

Not fun.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Mahonri you just pee'd in my last bowl of generic Cheerios

It is bleek isn't it? Thank God I have the necessities, and He continues to provide for us

Edited because I can't spell "thank" ?!?!?!

 

[rufus]

The last great depression lasted thirteen years, and it took World War II to get us out of it. I can't foresee a quick recovery from this one. As long as government wants to solve everyone's problems with my and your money we are going to be in this pickle. People are just going to have to learn to fend for themselves.

As long as everything in the stores is made in China, our people will be unemployed. But, our ability to buy cheap gee gaws from China is coming to an end. Do you suppose they would take food stamps? I don't think so.

Nobody is going to invest in a business in this country as long as the government considers business people to be immoral crooks. If any one has any money to invest, it will be done in a country that rewards hard work and initiative. India, China and South Korea sound good to me now.

Add to that, no company wants to hire people knowing that they would probably be responsible for an expensive health insurance program. It is cheaper to import goods from Asia than to make them here. The health care mandate just compounds the problem.

It would be nice if we all could buy "Made in the USA" products, but that is just not possible any more. The unions have pushed up the price of their labor so high that hardly anyone can buy their products. They have killed the goose that laid the golden egg. Increased labor cost cannot come out of profits; the company would loose their financing. So, the answer was to hold down the wages of the non union employees and to cheapen the product. But that ran its course. Cheap, shoddy products at an inflated price just don't sell in a global economy.

Rufus

 

[justbugged]

Quote:
Yep...He truly does! I could spend some time telling you how God funnels money to me just when I need it most and He does it in such wonderfully delightful ways that always leaves me scratchin' my head and wondering "how???". God doesn't go back on promises, you know!

Amen! I can attest to that also

Deb, yeah bring your lunch sis...could save you a bundle!! You CAN use homemade detergent in those new fangledy washinmajiggers...but you will forfeit the stupid warranty

Poop! I hate those machines for that reason!

Could you line dry a few things in the house? Maybe small loads IF you have the space. You can get racks to air dry laundry, but not worth much if you have huge loads and LOTS of laundry....thinkin how many other ways you could shave off a few dollar bills from that paycheck...hmmm...Sufficient Self is loaded with lots o good ideas I just can't seem to think of all of them right now

Gettin sleeeeeeepy

Don't use regular detergent in a HE machine, but you can use borax in them without damaging the pump. The HE machines have a high speed water pump that can't handle suds. I remember reading somewhere about making HE machine detergent that doesn't damage the machine and void the warranty. I have see if I can find it again.

I have been making my own floor cleaner spray with bleach water and just a tiny bit of Dawn dish soap. It smells just like the expensive sprays.

 

[Mattemma]

There used to be machines that took cans,but that was years ago.Now we are expected to give our recycles to the city and THEY make money off it.

Dh says our savings is almost gone. I already know the cable,cell,and internet are the first things I will cut out of our budget. I just used the credit card to pay for animal supplies. I know the pets will have to go if things get bad.

Walmart has the trend HE detergent.It is way cheaper than the other HE soaps. I have been looking at the metal cloths racks at the store for $5. I wish it was covered with plastic,because surely the metal will rust. I had wood racks once,but they stained cloths.

 

[Mattemma]

Quote:
I got this book from the library that gives plans for a 3 year garden.If I recall correctly each year you used 11 40 bags of soil. Growing right out of the bags. Each year added more garden plots,and ofcourse your produce increased. It might be an option for you. I might try it in my front yard garden plans.

Starter Vegetable Gardens 24 plans by Barbara Pleasant

 

[Mahonri]

Phoenix is known for its collichi.... we have to do raised beds here.

I've got my garden planted, now I'm praying it doesn't freeze this week!

The lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower & tomatoes will help the grocery bill this year.