Hard times are ahead. I knew they were coming, but they have hit us here first. PH's new job, while paying more, has added costs. Primarily, being very far from our home, it has cost us more money than his pay increase for him to get to work.
We are going back to the living even more simply. Growing more of our food this year, with the help of our eldest son. Ordering 50 chickens to raise to butcher this year.
Also putting every extra thing of value we have, and that isn't needed as part of our lifestyle up for sale. This is to help us stock up on additional pantry items. Reorganizing, and cleaning up the land. PH has a trailer load of wood coming from his dad's house. So, we will have wood for next Winter. We have diminished our stockpile surprisingly fast this year, even though we didn't have much cold weather this year.
Not sure about the bees. They seem to have survived the cold, but I am worried they will swarm. Continuing to feed them. I'd love to buy another package of bees and another hive to add to what I have, but there is really a lot of clean up and organization to get us close to off grid again. Taking it day by day, cutting expenses and making plans.
Keep taking your steps in the right direction and you'll get there.
ReplyDeleteWe have hit hard times as well as a result of our stupid high health insurance. We are in the process of selling just like you are. We do not do credit but had to finance a furnace last year, well when our insurance went up combined with that we are sunk. We are in our fifties, it was not supposed to get harder I thought.
ReplyDeleteWe are good at being poor though lol, we have struggled before. Good bye cable, no eating out at all, no pop or coffee out. Expanding the garden, a exploring making some items to sell at the flea markets or etsy
I am getting free furniture(wood, tables, desks etc) and refinishing or painting in the shabby style and selling it at a consignment store.
It is hard, but when you aren't afraid of hard work, you can make it. I hate the welfare a sewer, I can't find a job, well bs. You can work two jobs, I work four days a week at a large church, and clean rich people's houses on Fridays.
I so understand anyway, not to rant lol
read 'rural revolution' by patrice lewis. their new stove has burned less than half the wood while producing much more heat.
ReplyDeleteit would be an expensive investment but would save hours of labor as far as wood stockpiling.
just a thought.
you might want some swarm boxes. pioneer preppy at 'the small hold' has written about these.
if they swarm you will have a place to keep them. always good to have an extra hive on hand, too. just in case.
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ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog. Any new updates? What happened to your dog?
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Flynn, my dog was stolen by a neighbor, and we are not able to get himto respond to us.
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