I really prefer to be a positive thinker. In fact, I do believe that our thoughts can create our reality. That if we look at the sunny side of things, we will be and feel happier. I've experienced that many times in my life.
However, I don't think we can ignore the all too present reality of economic collapse that America, and much of the world, is facing right now. Our lives are going to change, in some ways for the better but in many ways it is going to be very hard--it already is happening for those who've lost their jobs recently. Now, my positive take on this is that through hard times we can gain a better perspective on what's truly important, we can gain community as folks pull together to help each other out, and in this day and age we can envision a future economic reality where perhaps we are not as hard on the very planet we inhabit.
But all the positives aside, we have a lot of work to do to survive the hard times. Maybe it won't hit you. But maybe it will. I think we are going to be surprised by what happens in 2009, probably not for the better. I think we all need to prepare as if the worst could happen.
To that end, I'd like to refer you to Rhonda Jean's post over at her down to earth blog. I don't know Rhonda Jean, in fact she lives in Australia, but she seems like the sweetest person. She does a good job of keeping positive while giving ideas to, as she calls it in this post, prepare for the coming year.
Her list of basics:
stop spending on non-essentials
track your money
start saving an emergency fund
increase payments on your mortgage and credit card debts
start a grocery stock pile
She also gives you links to past posts on how to go about doing these things. She's got a very helpful, nice blog. Check it out. And if you can't check it out, at least keep the above five points in mind to be working on. We here at the Zahn Urban Homestead been working on them in the last year, and regardless of the world situation we are in better financial shape than we've ever been in, and we have a nice amount of food and some food independence that is priceless.
However, I don't think we can ignore the all too present reality of economic collapse that America, and much of the world, is facing right now. Our lives are going to change, in some ways for the better but in many ways it is going to be very hard--it already is happening for those who've lost their jobs recently. Now, my positive take on this is that through hard times we can gain a better perspective on what's truly important, we can gain community as folks pull together to help each other out, and in this day and age we can envision a future economic reality where perhaps we are not as hard on the very planet we inhabit.
But all the positives aside, we have a lot of work to do to survive the hard times. Maybe it won't hit you. But maybe it will. I think we are going to be surprised by what happens in 2009, probably not for the better. I think we all need to prepare as if the worst could happen.
To that end, I'd like to refer you to Rhonda Jean's post over at her down to earth blog. I don't know Rhonda Jean, in fact she lives in Australia, but she seems like the sweetest person. She does a good job of keeping positive while giving ideas to, as she calls it in this post, prepare for the coming year.
Her list of basics:
stop spending on non-essentials
track your money
start saving an emergency fund
increase payments on your mortgage and credit card debts
start a grocery stock pile
She also gives you links to past posts on how to go about doing these things. She's got a very helpful, nice blog. Check it out. And if you can't check it out, at least keep the above five points in mind to be working on. We here at the Zahn Urban Homestead been working on them in the last year, and regardless of the world situation we are in better financial shape than we've ever been in, and we have a nice amount of food and some food independence that is priceless.
Comments
PS. Your bread turned out AMAZING. Thanks for the recipe. :)
I like to be positive too. In fact, being negative only means you think nothing you do will make a difference or change anything. And of course with all you do, that is not the case! :) Being positive means we think every thing we do makes a difference, a positive impact, and helps move us forward. I'm all for positive!
Jim, in about March let's do a swap. You come to Minnesota and I'll visit Atlanta...I have a sister-in-law in Marietta so would love to visit Atlanta.
Glad my bread recipe turned out amazing, MeadowLark!
I honestly don't remember how I stumbled on your blog--it's been a couple of months now that I have been "lurking". I have immensely enjoyed reading you and appreciate the time you put into your posts.
Happy New Year and keep up the thought-provoking writing.
I don't want to be a downer on my girls, but I want to have conversation about if things get bad this next year. My oldest wants to go to school in Newfoundland and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.
I've been trying to think about what things I want to stock up on if, as it seems, we are about to experience intense inflation.
Gracie