Ways to save during the recession…
1. Unplug everything to see what's absolutely needed & only use when needed.
2. Shelf stable foods
Began to use up fridge/freezer foods, transitioning to shelf stable only. Unplugging fridge alone will save $30-50, plus avoid losing foods during outage.
3. Laundry
Do daily in kitchen sink, with two wash tubs from Dollar Tree. One for soaking with dash of dish soap & squirt of vinegar. The other, put a squirt of optional fabric softener in.
Leave clothes soaking in first tub while sponge bathing. Then agitate, squeeze out & drop into fabric softener side. Agitate, squeeze out again.
Add expansion rod ($2 from WM) inside shower to dry.
Sleep in clothes to stay ready.
Buy thinnest, cheapest sheets & rarely wash blanket since not sleeping on it directly.
4. Heating
Wear extra layers of clothes & move to smaller room or tent within room.
For safety, don't use candles at night since you can get undercovers, making a little tunnel for air.
WM has thermal velcro wraps in sports department ($6-$9) to keep core heat in.
Many YTs on "upside down clay pot over candle" method. Put inside aluminum roasting pan with water for safety. There are also YT's showing how to pour rubbing alcohol into empty tuna size fuel can, first stuffing with TP or cotton balls to wick. Only tip lid off can a little to keep flame small, but should not throw soot.
5. Cooking
Put fuel can (like sterno) in oven with lid half ajar with thinist 2 qt pot on shelf over that & loose foil around all. Light for about 2 hours, then tap lid all the way on to put out now half-full fuel can, quickly closing oven, leaving it warm all night to finish cooking. Season when eating to keep smell down due to possible panic when food runs out.
Half cup each beans, rice, opt. flour, filling pot rest of way with water will keep you full for a day, averaging $73 a year. Enhance as able, but this can be your base (with a multivitamin). Note pinto beans take 2 hrs, but lentils 20 min, so lentils better due to coming fuel shortage.
Don't allow your mind to think of foods no longer available. Be grateful.
6. Water
Store as much as possible. Keep water purification methods for when out. Locate water sources nearby to purify for drinking, not to bathe or clean (other methods for that).
7. Lighting
Get things done during day. Use small candle only when needed, at night. Do not to leave burning for safety. Sleep at night, work during day.
8. Bathing
Keep small jar with cheapest dish liquid you can find with clean rag & water. Have separate small jar with teaspoon bleach & water to store rag in when not in use. Wipe head to toe with soap rag squeezed out, never re-dipping into soapy jar, just tipping a little onto rag when needed. A wet wipe cut in half (to stretch supplies) for personal area, then throw away. Many have done this for years. For hair, use dish soap in squeeze bottle sparingly & leave in to save water, or dry-shampoo with cornstarch.
9. Self-defense
If no gun, use home-alone style resources, like stacking totes in front of door if door swings out or pushing heavy furniture against swing in door.
Alarms are cheap at Dollar Tree.
Keep whistle around neck. Even if no one around, it can still cause intruder to flee.
Have cups of marbles near entrances to make it impossible to walk & learn to shuffle through yourself.
Give no appearance of wealth or preps.
Wear plain clothes, using no jewelry.
Place knives in sheaths around which are cheap at Dollar Tree & WM. Practice technique.
Pepper spray outside, pepper gel inside. Learn how to hold in air to spray while ducking & quickly stepping aside, to avoid their lunge forward.
Use motion detector lights by entrances.
10. Barter
Separate out anything you don't need, but only show 1-2 items at a time, leaving outside in hidden spot.
Never open door.
Never hint of having more.
Negotiate from window opened only enough to talk. Once they show what they plan to barter (assuming communication down), have them put by door, then reveal hidden spot.
Even if they steal & run after saying they would leave something, you've only lost one or two items. Constantly vary hiding spot.
Always ask if they know anywhere you can get food or water because you are almost out.
11. Bathroom
Double line 3-5 gal bucket, pool noodle on rim, putting opt. sawdust or kitty litter in bottom. Bury.
These are basic beginning ideas to give rise to better ones.
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