Tag Archives: economy

The Economy and Preparedness

The economy has taken a turn for the worse, and this really illustrates the point of being prepared for hard times. Many people mistakenly think that we promote food storage for such events as the end of the world, but the food storage, and emergency preparedness goes beyond that. The people I know who have used their food storage did it turning times of economic hardship and unemployment. It is important that everyone is prepared to handle the trying times of life. Over a year ago the church came out with new guidelines that outline the priority of each part … Continue reading →

How Green was 2008: Analysts Versus Reality

Back in the beginning of 2008, or even at the end of 2007, analysts were predicting a banner year for going green in the home. Homeowners were said to be very conscious of reducing the energy footprints of their homes and avoiding using common chemicals that may be unhealthy. Even publications such as the Old Farmer’s Almanac got into the act with green predictions saying that there would be a rapid transition to green building. They quote the American Institute of architects that say that 90 percent of home owners would pay an extra $5,000 for an energy-efficient house. The … Continue reading →

How Green was 2008

Many analysts predicted that 2008 was going to be a green year in terms of the home. More people would adopt materials and practices that saved energy and were good for the environment. My own New Year Resolutions for the beginning of the year included being more green in our home. But then we had a downturn in the economy. So did everyone live up to the expectations? Yes and no. Let me start with my own home. We live pretty frugally and normally try to avoid waste whenever possible by reusing items. We do recycle quite a bit and … Continue reading →

Preparing for Worse Times Ahead 3

If you lost your income tomorrow or found that food prices went up again by another 50-100 percent, could you provide for your family? I have been discussing ways of using frugal living techniques to be prepared for worse economic times ahead. If you missed the first two posts, you can catch up here. Preparing for Worse Times Ahead and Preparing for Worse Times Ahead 2. Now let’s talk about adding to that emergency fund. You can also find little ways to make money even if you are at home or need to work around your kid’s schedules. Sell items … Continue reading →

Preparing for Worse Times Ahead 2

Leading experts tell us that the economy will continue to get worse before it can recover. Are you prepared? Check out the first article in this series and then read below for some ways to prepare for worse times ahead. To get that emergency fund going, sock away any extra money you have, whether it is one dollar or a hundred. Any unexpected income should go straight to savings. Skip eating out and put that money straight into an account before you spend it elsewhere. Reduce your driving to one day a week if you can and put the gas … Continue reading →

Preparing for Worse Times Ahead

While we would all hope that the economy is going to get better soon, the reality is that it will probably get worse before it starts getting better. Leading analysts say that it may be 2010 before we can expect an improvement. This means that there will be further job losses, higher prices and the possibility of shortages as business fail and manufacturers have to reduce their production. To give yourself peace of mind, start doing what you can to prepare. Ideally, you should have three to six months of living expenses squared away in an emergency fund. While this … Continue reading →

Frugal Thanksgiving Fun

Whether you are having a huge Thanksgiving gathering or just your immediate family to dinner, it is fun to have a few Thanksgiving theme activities that you can enjoy. It will help keep everyone occupied when the you are all still waiting for the turkey to finish, create some new memories and just make a festive time. Friends and family don’t often get a chance to get together, so why not make the most of it with some planned but frugal fun? Thanksgiving activities don’t have to cost much or even anything at all. Here is a list of some … Continue reading →

Pack the Car and Save Money

With Thanksgiving coming up next week, you may be thinking about holiday travel. If you are going by car, the way that you pack it up can affect how much you pay in gasoline. Factors in saving money when traveling by car include not only how much you bring but also where you place it. Keep reading to find out how you can travel frugally just by how you pack. The first step in packing your car the correct way to save money is to consider the passengers. The people come first, so you’ll have to make adjustments in your … Continue reading →

Parental Reflection

For many parents Sunday night is a time to shift gears from laid-back weekend mode back to a regimented weekday routine. It’s also a time many of us pause to reflect on the events have transpired over the last seven days (and beyond). Doing so gives us the chance to put things in perspective or gain new insight on a particular issue. With that said I thought it would be appropriate to recap some of the topics we covered in the Parents blog this week. If you missed any of the lively “discussions” now is your chance to catch up: … Continue reading →

Poor Economy = Fewer Kids in Daycare: Who’s Watching Your Children?

Parents around the world are cutting corners these days due to the struggling economy. Some have restructured their household budgets to eliminate family vacations while others no longer go out to eat or have decided to give up their weekly trips to the movie theater. For other families, who have suffered layoffs or a reduction in work hours, the nation’s economic troubles have meant pulling their children out of daycare. According to news reports, daycares are the latest causality of the financial crisis. One of the hardest hit childcare centers is in Rockford, Illinois, located about an hour northwest of … Continue reading →