I have to get some more freezer space freed up so yesterday I cooked the last of the turkeys I froze last year. It took all day to cook but the result was a lot of meat in relation to bone. I got dinner last night, six more packages of breast meat, two packages of wings and drumsticks and I made a huge pot of meaty soup stock that will make at least three meals for us. So while the initial investment in a free range, local bird was big ($60.00) the cost works out to $5.00 a meal or about $1.25. It’s not like beans but it’s still reasonable, especially since turkey can be dressed up or down and now it needs only thawing and reheating, something I can do over a single burner. I am considering the cost of cooking more and more as the price of oil seems to be on an upward trajectory.
I broke down and turned on the stove this week. I refuse to keep it above 68 degrees and the bedrooms are considerably cooler than that so having a warm bed to jump into matters. On of my best investments has been those fabulous flannel sheets. I am still looking for a deal on down comforters. I have primaloft but they are no match for down. Another good spend is slippers. Cold feet are miserable and the first thing to make you head for a thermostat. Good, bulky cardigans are a must around here as are robes. We have also found that by keeping the living room a bit warmer with the small stove, the rest of the house being cold doesn’t matter as much. My girls spend very little time in their rooms anyway. We all seem to end up in the living room. Both girls like board games, I read a lot and Bruce is nearly always in the middle of some project or other.
I am feeling a bit gloomy today. This miserable recession is hitting so close to home. People I care about are losing jobs and finding it tougher to get by. As food prices and heating cost go up, along with the cost of running a car, things are likely to get hard for many this winter. Those of us used to making do and doing without are going to be okay but a lot of people are going to be in for a shock. This might be the perfect time to get a group going to figure out how to make the coming years less difficult.
The Just In Case Book Blog 
October 13, 2010 at 7:51 am
We were able to find real down comforters at Macy’s last year the day after Thanksgiving as a “door buster” sale for $19.99 each, all sizes. We were able to get one for everyone in our extended family, and surprisingly, no one else had much interest in the comforters when we were there – I guess they were at the toy and shoe/clothes/jewelry sales. I think we got the best deal, and the comforters were great last winter! Keep an eye on the sales papers this year. I think I have seen sales similar to this for the last several years.
October 13, 2010 at 8:00 am
What about a hot water bottle? I’m incredibly cold-natured (to the point where even 68 feels cold for me) and getting a hot water bottle really helped. Helps with the cold feet issue a lot.
October 13, 2010 at 8:52 am
A deal I would have to weigh against going to the mall on Black Friday. I love a hot water bottle. I love my hot bag filled with rice to.
October 13, 2010 at 8:53 am
We didn’t spread last year’s turkey quite that far, but we certainly ate every last scrap. I also made broth from the carcass, which nobody seems to do. It definitely tastes different from chicken broth, but I had good luck using it as a complement rather than the actual base of a soup – for example, blended sweet potato soup is mostly sweet potato but has just a cup or so of broth added.
We usually hold out until end of October to turn the heat on, but the house is small (1,100 square feet) and nicely insulated. All the same, we wear long underwear throughout the winter, plus a variety of bulky sweaters and such. Right now I’ve got my hood on, though it will warm up later in the day. We have oil/steam heat with radiators, not a wood stove, so upstairs is the warmest. It’s too bad; I think it would be nice to have the downstairs warmest so we’re more active (mentally and physically) during the day.
We have too many friends out of work too, and that is always a fear for us as well. We are not prepared for hard times, I’m sorry to say. We’ve been trying to make changes but I fear we’re too late.
October 13, 2010 at 9:50 am
I have found Target and Wally World have great prices on washable down comforters. My favorite place to look is on QVC in their Northern Nights Collection. They sometimes have packaged deals on them.
I turn to heavy socks, cardigans and the “snuggy” our daughter gave everyone for Christmas. We are lucky though that when the wood stove is going, we need very little extra, except in the morning when the fire has gone way down.
re Turkey: that makes it a viable price. anytime I can get a meal for under $2 per person (quality) it’s a good thing! I’m thinking of buying some extra turkey when they go on sale and canning them up. I’m trying to rely less and less on the freezer! Of course, the more I can, the less time it takes to cook a meal too.
I do worry about those who aren’t preparing for those higher prices, but maybe once they hit, these people will realize how bad things are and work to change their lifestyles.
October 13, 2010 at 9:53 am
I hate you are gloomy today. I’m a new reader to your blog and you always seems so positive and pragmatic (hence my loving your blog!). I’ve found instead of slippers, I just keep my shoes on until bed time. Good luck in your search for down comforters! Have you tried http://www.freecycle.org?
October 13, 2010 at 10:43 am
It has been unseasonably warm here in Minnesota this month, but we know it will not last forever. A friend and I pool resources like food, carpooling etc. but your idea of a group to take a look at the looming inflation in necessities like food and energy needs and how to address them is a good one. It is depressing to hear about so many losing their jobs and homes.
The down comforters from Macy’s sound like a good investment.
October 13, 2010 at 10:57 am
Dear Kathy,
I would please ask for an advice from you…even if the situation is slightly different in the U.S. and in France. We moved to town 4 years ago, near the highschool/university because our children (5) are students and we can afford the renting of an appartment near the university for them (or cars for the ride)But consequently we have a high mortgage and a tiny garden (not a chance of self-sufficiency)
Today the worries are increasing on my husband’s job…bad forecasts within 3/4 years. We think of selling our house, pay off our debt and going far from the town, where we can be more self-sufficient…But what about our children studies ? Do you give me an advice ? I highly appreciate your Just in case book and blog…so many useful content ! I hope my english is not too awful and you would be able to help me. Anyway, thank you so much for this talented blog community ! Kind regards from France
Christiane
October 13, 2010 at 12:02 pm
As the bird was large and my family now small, 12 meals was possible. I am far less gloomy now that Bruce and I spent the morning picking apples and enjoying a glorious fall day. I don’t what to advise. My son is still in college and wants to go to grad school. I hope he changes his mind. I think these are decisions we all struggle with. If only we had crystal balls but we must settle for instincts. Pleas let us know what you decide. Thanks Emily. I will check out Target. BTW–We have the honey. Could you email me for details?
October 13, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I agree with you Kathy that things might get a lot worse before they get better, in our own family we have 1 Son in Law out of work since July, with a baby due Oct 25th, luckly our Daughter has been able to work up to due date and will have 10 weeks paid maternity leave. Other Son in Law has had his hours cut to 25 a week, daughter just had a baby in July and was out of work for 2 1/2 monthes with difficult pregnacy. Third daughter moved home in March, her roomates couldn’t make ends meet and being a teacher she can’t swing the rent alone. we took over the groceries for all families to help out but with the expectation they need to cut out all the extras, eating out, mall trips, entertainment, cell phones and such. We pary my husband can keep working to suppliment the foods for our children and families. Your blog keeps me motivated to be more self sufficant and frugal, THANK YOU
October 13, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Christiane, your English is pretty good and easy to understand.
Comment:
What I’m personally afraid of is having to do without way beyond what I know how to do!
Doing without can be relative depending on what your normal economic levels are. I’ve done without at times in my life, but they are nothing compared with what others have had to do without, like really money for nothing but food.
I’ve always been able to have the right kind of food and enough of it. I cut other things out of the budget at times but never had to worry about food. and whatever I c ut out was a matter of time before things got better and I could spend on those things again.
peace, shamba
October 13, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Our neighborhood is having a potluck in early November, and I have been asked to speak for 10 minutes on emergency preparedness. But only 10 minutes? ACK! In addition to encouraging them to read Kathy’s book, what would you tell other people in so short a time to inspire and motivate them to plan ahead? Any ideas?
October 13, 2010 at 5:01 pm
ddu, tell them not to be overwhelmed by it all but to start with something they can deal with, like putting up the extra cans of food or batteries/flashlights. This message helped me make decisions and start somewhere.
Good luck with your talk!
peace, shamba
October 13, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Another idea is to ask them to consider three days, then a week and then a month. Little pieces that are doable.
October 17, 2010 at 9:23 am
Kathy – forget the flannel sheets! embrace FLEECE! Yes! fleece sheets! its like sleeping in a nice, warm cloud! there is a down side, though! You never want to get out of bed!!!!! BTW – Love that I found your blog! Saw you at the MEN fair – and ordered your book on the way home!!!!