Slow and steady wins the race.......

We have been slowly getting our stockpile built back up!! This past year and a half was hard on us and our stockpile. But , I am so glad that we had one. When my husband was laid-off our stockpile was a life saver and was used!! So now I am getting it built back up. I am going to order some more cases of MREs also. We used all of ours. A teenager in the house thought that it was better to eat them all up, he said there was more variety and snacks. Which was true, but I had other food to eat and those were for a REAL emergency, like for if we had no power or something like that. Oh well, I will build that stockpile up again.
I planted a small garden this summer just to see how well things would grow here and have found out that stuff grows awesome - so next spring I will be planting a much bigger garden and with more items. I had a huge lot of cherry tomatoes and even now I am still getting some off of my plants!!

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The Colony On Discovery Channel

Have you been watching the second season of The Colony ? I have missed it because we do not have cable, but I am getting to watch it online. That is what I am going to try and do most of today. I loved the first season. It was just great and I learned some stuff.

If you have been watching it , what are your thoughts on it?


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Get An Emergency Generator To Protect Your Family

Having an emergency generator for back-up at your home or business is a sure way to protect yourself, your family, your property, and important equipment from disaster and damage. Without electricity, the world as most of us know it comes to a screeching halt. Your lights, computer and electronic equipment, heating system, water pump, and important appliances such as refrigerators no longer work.

When electrical power is knocked out by a winter storm and you find yourself with no back-up power, there is a lot at risk. You'll risk frozen pipes and possible water damage, spoiled freezer and refrigerator contents, no computer access. Also, you'll have no power for loved ones who may be sick and use special medical equipment which requires electricity. This winter, you should consider an emergency generator to keep life running as smoothly as possible when bad weather strikes.

When choosing an emergency generator, many people opt for the portable variety. They are small, easily stored and maneuvered, and convenient for relatively short periods of use. These generators run on fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, and diesel. Gasoline is the most practical option, as diesel fuel is mainly used for commercial-sized generators and natural gas is more costly. However, natural gas does burn cleaner and can be stored for a longer period of time.

When choosing the best gasoline-fueled generator, look for one that can be plugged into the house's electrical system. This is a safer model, but a transfer switch will need to be installed by a professional electrician. The installation of this switch is important because it allows the operation of appliances that do not have cords that plug in, such as a furnace or a hot water heater.

Choosing a portable generator with user-friendly features is also a plus. Who wants to deal with figuring out a complicated and difficult to use generator when life has already been complicated enough by such inclement weather? For example, a push start button is a better choice than a pull-rope starting feature.

A larger gas tank is also handy, as it will prevent you from needing to refill the generator so frequently. A five gallon gas tank will keep your generator running for 7-10 hours. A quiet motor is a necessity since most cities have a municipal requirement which does not allow noisy equipment to run continuously and disturb the neighbors.

Those who live in areas where winter weather is at its worst may choose to have an electrical contractor install a stationary, or stand-by generator at the home or workplace. This type of generator is the most dependable for long-term emergencies. The stationary generator provides continuous power because it is connected to an already existing fuel source, such as a gas line.

This option consists of either a simple push-button start-up, or an automatic start-up feature that enables the transfer switch to actually sense the power outage, isolate the designated emergency circuits from the grid, and then the machine is up and going. You do not have to be at home for this automatic function to work, and transfer time is usually only 10-30 seconds.

Permanent emergency generators also have higher power levels than their portable counterparts, ranging from about 5 kilowatts to hundreds of kilowatts in strength. While this version is more expensive and requires an electrician to install it, you will be increasing the value of your home by adding one.

Mister Sparky should be your first choice for a Clinton MD electrician. They provide upfront pricing and their service is 100% guaranteed. No electrical job too big or too small.

Are You Ready For a Disaster?

If you only had a few minutes to get out of your house for a disaster (such as a hurricane) would you be prepared for an emergency? Would you be able to grab your important papers and things you must have and be out of your house in minutes?

Do you know where all of your important papers are? Are they all in one central spot for quick and easy access in case of emergency?

Things such as:

* Drivers License (or other identification)
* Passport
* Birth Certificate
* Social Security Card
* House Insurance papers (or contact info)
* Life Insurance papers (or contact info)
* Marriage License
* Financial Info
* Money

What about some of your favorite possessions? Things that you can't replace, such as photo albums?

Since most people keep a lot of information on their computer or laptop, do you have backups and are they up to date and in a spot that you can easily access?

Do you know what you would take in an emergency? Have you ever thought about it?

I've never been in situation where my home had to be evacuated, though I have been in a hurricane with no place to go (a very frightening experience).

If you are evacuated from your home and your home is destroyed you will have to deal with a variety of issues, including insurance issues, where you will have to prove your identity. Can you?

In an emergency people tend to grab the strangest things. Not always the most practical things.

So think about what you would do in an emergency situation where you had to evacuate (especially if you live in high hurricane areas).

Prioritize your possessions and what you really need to get back on your feet.

Get yourself organized before disaster strikes. And then hope that you never have to put your plan into place.

It's better to be prepared for a disaster than to have to go through the trauma of dealing with things that you are unprepared to handle.

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
http://www.professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com

Member: National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO); Member: National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD); Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization; Certificate of Study in Hoarding; CD Specialist - Level II Certificate; NAPO, Quantum Leap Trainer; NAPO in the Schools Trained Provider
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You CAN Keep Your House Clean With No Power!!!

You can keep your house clean even if you have no power. I just bought a sweeper to use. I have low pile carpet so it should work pretty good. Plus in the kitchen with the laminate floor.
Even without power you can find many ways to clean the house. I have some water bottles set aside to store water that I use JUST for cleaning. Collecting rain water, etc. I have a great stockpile of cleaning supplies and bleach can be a real life saver. Make sure you have Lysol , too for killing germs.



For laundry I have a hand crank little washing machine and a rapid washer for those bigger jobs, like jeans. I use clothesline also.
So if you are out of power for a short while or a long while - you can still keep your house clean and safe for your family.

Preparing Your Family in Case of Emergency

With the difficulties which many people in the world face on a regular basis, it would be a good practice to prepare one's family in case an emergency strikes. The world is full of perilous issues which confront people each and every day. The bad economy which has been rampant for some time has affected millions of people ether directly or indirectly and has caused many to search for home based businesses which may bring more problems if not successful.

Besides the bad economic times, natural disasters which bring immediate tragedy are striking throughout the planet. Manmade casualties which disrupt livelihoods suddenly occur without notice. There is war raging n the world bringing death to innocent people. Crime can hit anyone. These hard times may require family preparedness in order to survive.

There are a number of things anyone can do to prepare for future problems. Everyone will be faced with public or private problems. Although how a person looks at and handles the trials will differ, most people will have severe challenges in their lifetimes.

Material necessities such as shelter, food, and water may be taken for granted by much of society. People who live comfortable lives expect those things to be readily available. Those who live in poverty better understand that life is not easy nor is it fair. Being prepared is sage advice for anyone. Having an adequate reserve of cash and necessities on hand may be vital for survival.

Government and church groups have long advocated emergency preparedness for families and individuals. There may be no warning when a tragedy or disaster strikes a family or a community.

Emergency services may not be available at a moment's notice. Perhaps roads will be closed and areas become inaccessible. Emergency responders who are depended upon to be there when problems arise may not be able to get to people who need help.

There are ways to prepare families for personal hardships which may come.
• Practice an emergency escape plan in case of fire
• Have an emergency roadside kit in your home and car
• Have a three day emergency kit for each family member

Have food in it that the person likes and will eat

Include eating utensils (plastic cup, fork, etc.)

Personal sanitary and cleaning supplies

A change of clothes

Use a small backpack for each kit

Make sure each person knows where the kits are stored
• Keep enough gas in the car for emergencies
• Have Blankets and warm coats available
• Make sure everyone has access to emergency phone numbers
• Store enough food and water to sustain the family if needed

These measures and preparations may or may not be available or useful if an emergency comes, depending on the circumstances. Being prepared does give peace of mind even if a major disaster never strikes the family.

Discover more about emergency preparedness and food storage by checking out: http://www.preparedforlife.net.

Learn about a way to earn and save money for the future by visiting: http://www.moremlmsuccess.com

Pleasant Truths of a Frugal Lifestyle

Our large family has been living on one income for years. Careful spending is necessary in our lifestyle. Many people equate a thrifty lifestyle with cheapness and deprivation. The pleasant truth is that stretching a dollar can be fun.

I spent some time considering a few of the myths attached to frugality. My frugal truths reveal that stretching a dollar is nothing to be ashamed of.

Frugality does not equal deprivation. We purchase many things that we want. We carefully consider purchases, and save our money until we can buy with cash. We appreciate the items we choose to buy.

Being thrifty is not the same thing as being cheap. A frugal option can actually cost more initially, but save a good deal of money over time. We purchase items of the best quality possible within our price range.

We do not eat beans every night for supper. We enjoy a variety of delicious home cooked meals made from basic ingredients. Beans are part of our menu, but so are many other foods either grown on our homestead or purchased at the best possible price.

Living on a budget is not boring. Our one income lifestyle is packed with adventure, creativity, and resourcefulness. It is a game, albeit a necessary one, to see how far the money can go.

A real joy of frugality is that resources are freed up for sharing, donating, and giving. Carefulness in spending can create a surplus in even the smallest budgets. Paying off debt and contributing to savings are also possible through thriftiness.

We aren't deterred by the work involved in our frugal lifestyle. Our methods can be time-consuming, but it is time joyfully spent. Cooking from scratch, using clothes lines, and doing repairs ourselves are more enjoyable than working overtime to pay for convenience foods and credit card bills.

Saving money and spending carefully may be considered a bit old-fashioned in our modern credit card world. But, we have found that living within our means is more important today than ever. Living well on a single income is possible, even with a large family. Whether lived by necessity or choice, frugality can be a lifestyle of joy.

©2010 Julie Cazier

Julie Cazier is a happily married, busy mom of seven.
Life on the farm is good.
http://www.mooberry-farm.com (blog)
http://www.mooberryfarm.com (website)
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Saving on Family Grocery Shopping

Now in today's economic times, using less earned on anything is a plus. However, one must that is hard to cut back on is grocery shopping. Spending less on groceries takes practice and planning. One way to use less on groceries is to shop the specials for the necessary items. Going through sale promotions each month and obtaining the best sales possible will save you some money.

Using mail coupons is also very useful. Not many people have the ability to sit and cut out coupons and compare the item on the coupon to the item that they are purchasing. At times however, there are many good coupons that you can track that will save you quite a bit on your grocery bill.

Another great tip is to find things in bulk. While the initial purchase may be more expensive, the period of time before you need to buy those groceries again is longer. For example, purchasing a case of canned spaghetti may cost less than it would to purchase each can individually. Many times stores offer a quantity discount when you purchase in bulk.

Warehouse outlets sell many items in bulk such as canned goods, frozen goods, cereals, coffee and many other items. Buying in bulk in this manner will always be less expensive than purchasing the items individually or in smaller quantities. However, when considering a warehouse store, remember that there is usually a membership price that must be paid each year to get the lower price.

Wasting less on groceries can be done with planning and practice. Do not expect to get it right all the time, it takes time to change habits.

Lance enjoys writing about using Savings coupons.
Coupons

Eating Frugally - Keeping These Items In The Cupboard Will Save You Dollars In The Kitchen

If you're like the majority of people, the first place you cut back to save money is in the kitchen. Eating frugally doesn't necessarily mean switching to beans and rice. It does mean eating smarter and planning for leaner times.

Tough economic times have forced so many people to give up their favorite past times like going to the movies every Friday or going to their favorite restaurant as often. Most non-essential items from the grocery list have been deleted like all the different varieties of cookies, chips and microwaveable snacks.

Keeping these items on hand will save you money and help you out in "a pinch."

1. Egg Replacer- it's powdered and mixes with water. Sometimes, when you have 3 eggs left you have to decide between breakfast and a snack for the kids, egg replacer will come in handy. Mix it with a little water and add it to your favorite recipe instead of eggs. Cakes and breads come out fluffier and lighter. A box will go a long way and that alone will save you money and trips to the grocery store for eggs, especially during the holiday season when the price of eggs goes sky-high. An added plus is that it's cruelty-free. It can be found in most grocery stores.

2. Bouillon Cubes- These little treasures come in so handy when there isn't much time or there's no chicken or beef for a soup on a cold winter's day. A jar is only a few dollars and they keep an exceptionally long time. They come in Beef, Chicken and Vegetable flavor. A bouillon cube is basically stock that's dehydrated into little cubes. Just add these cubes to a few cups of water, add a can or box of frozen mixed veggies and soup pasta (purchased on sale, of course) and you've got a little soup made in minutes. Add a can of your favorite beans or extra peas and you've got additional protein in your meal. Combined with a grilled cheese sandwich on the side, your kids will love it!

3. Baking Soda- Not just for the fridge anymore, you can use baking soda for so many things like

* brushing your teeth. Just put a little in the palm of your hand, wet your toothbrush and dab it in the baking soda making a little paste. You'll get white teeth and fresh breath.
* It can be used as a deodorant under your arms (not after shaving because it will burn).
* Use it for heartburn by mixing one-fourth teaspoon to one-fourth cup of water. Stir it well and drink it. It tastes salty but will clear up acid indigestion within 30 seconds.
* You can also add it to warm water and wash your floor with it as a safe, non-toxic alternative to harsh cleaners that aren't safe for your babies or pets.

4.White Vinegar-Surprisingly, you can use it to clean your pipes. Just pour baking soda down your drain and add the vinegar, which is inexpensive and can be bought by the gallon. It will cause the baking soda to bubble up and dislodge grunge from your pipes. It doesn't dissolve hair but soap scum and build-up will disappear. It's a safe alternative to liquid drain openers. If you use it quarterly, as the seasons change, your drains will flow freely and you won't have plumber bills.

Keep these items in your pantry or cupboards and you'll be eating frugally, saving dollars on your grocery bill and helping the planet. It's a win-win alternative to what you may be doing now.

Kerosene Stoves

Top Ten Reasons to Use Kerosene Stoves

There are a lot of reasons to use these good stoves. Here is a list of some of the most important reasons to consider. What a lot of kind people do not realize is that, worldwide, the stoves and heaters are immensely popular. They are inexpensive to purchase and the fuel is so clean, from distillation, that it burns most efficiently. In the US, the most common reason to purchase kerosene stoves is for disaster preparedness cooking.

1- It is the most cost-effective way to cook your food storage. Kerosene is the most efficient fuel (more than 90% efficient).

2- It can heat your home, as well as, cook your food.

3- A new stove can cost less than $50.00.

4- It is more convenient to use than other options.

5- Japan uses kerosene as their #1 source of cooking and heating fuel.

6- The Amish know how to go off grid and kerosene is their primary source of fuel.

7- The fuel can be dyed with food coloring to make it look pretty.

8- The fuel is not flammable. It is actually classified as a combustible. That means it is a lot easier to store than other flammable fuels like gasoline.

9- The fuel supplier will bring it to your home.

10- The third world uses kerosene stoves and heaters as their primary fuel source.

Final Tip

On the first lighting, dry burn the wick right away and it will make your stove or heater last much longer.

For further information about kerosene stoves, please visit Kerosene Stoves or you may also wish to visit Kerosene Heaters


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