It isn`t tough for us. We are OS and we COPE

maryb

It may only be 2% of the world's total oil that goes through the canal but it forms a much higher percentage of the total oil consumption of the US (since US domestic oil production peaked many years ago and it now imports a lot of Saudi crude). If you cut off that supply it will cause an economic shock that is disproportionate to the 'bare' percentage. That is what happened back in the 1970s. There was an oil embargo aginst the US which led to huge shortages (long queues at gas stations and they were contemplating rationing). The US then went into the markets to buy up what supplies it could that had originally been intended for export to other countries. This diverted supplies from those countries which sent their economies into tailspin. The shortage of oil drove up prices and it was that that unleashed the killer inflation of the 1970s - not the 'greedy' trade unionists wanting payrises. It was massive exploration bringing new supplies on line that actually defeated inflation in the 1980s - not Maggie and not inflation targetting.

History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme. Think about what you have heard of the 1970s and how people coped then. We won't be back in the same position as we were then but it will help you to think about your own strategies. People behaved in different ways. It was entirely rational to buy early rather than saving because by the time you had saved enough, the price would have gone up. But it was only rational because people were able to more or less maintain their earning power if they were in work. So we took on crippling mortgages in the expectation that our salaries would double in less than 10 years (average 7% payrises if you were starting out and expecting promotions was not an unreasonable assumption).

What would be the sensible thing to do to prepare for nasty inflation if you don't think your income will keep pace? Apart from pray? It all depends on what you can afford but I would include
Grow more food in the garden if you can,
Energy saving even if the payback currently looks marginal,
Buy sooner rather than later anything you think you might need to replace when you see good quality stuff on sale (towels, a good warm coat, sturdy walking shoes).
Equipment that will enable you to do things that will save you money - the slow cooker, the pressure cooker etc. Or the more fuel efficient car

There doesn't seem to be too much downside in these strategies if you can afford it apart from the fact that you will not be able to keep as much cash in savings. But the savings should still be there if the things you buy mean you don't have to spend as much on things you would buy anyway (eg energy saving) although the payback will be longer if inflation does not materialise

GreyQueen

I've just popped into a Mr T on my way home from work and have scored 3 Finest wholemeal loaves at 25p each, which has made me one happy bunny. I got luck with mega-reduced bread just before Xmas and jammed it into my wee freezer but had nearly got to the end of that stash. Feel a little unwell at some of the prices I'm seeing out there. Dilemma; I also got issued a Spend £20 get £3 off voucher to be used by 13th. Suggestions for bulk buying, please? Am already freezer full and have loads of cooking oil. It's a Metro, not a full-size store, anyway. What's the OS consensus on what is due to go up most?:)

maryb

Wheat, because of the disastrous Russian harvest and the Queensland floods. And the bad weather in Northa America.

I know you don't have much storage space but flour is a good one to make sure you are a bit ahead on

saveabobortwo

under the umbrella os from batch cooking to save money, to growing myown container garden ,keeping a watchfull eye on the fuel bills , mending and repairing clothes and will often sew patches on jeans , any new ideas i get from here i try to incorporate into family life since batch cooking and use up everything in the fridge each week we eat better and save alot of money this year have bought a composter to have a go at making my own compost for the garden.but i also think what goes on in the world affects our purse strings is important too but only in a day to day way without going too deeply into the subject everybody will have a different opinion of the heading old style and what is tough and being a forum we are invited to post.

laineyc_2

I find this thread really useful to read. I hope it stays here.

charlies-aunt

Lavandula wrote: »

Agree that being OS is a whole way of life. It covers many areas. The main ones for me are:

• Making homemade meals and snacks.
• Jam making etc, foraging for fruits and nuts in autumn.
• Make do and mend: I rarely buy clothes and wear items for years. For example: I have 1 thick good quality winter coat (£100 from Next) and it is 10 years old, still looks good and I hope it will last at least another 10 years.
• Holidays in the UK.
• Enjoying things that are free: nature, wildlife, my garden, seaside, libraries, museums, etc
• Avoid using car (we are a 1 car family)
• Don't get sucked into consumerism...my mobile is 9 years old, it still works so why buy another one??
• Buy secondhand...I love boot sales...
• Aim for self sufficiency in as many ways as possible.
• Sewing

All things like this help me to reduce outgoings, and I enjoy it:)

I'm on your wavelength too!

If you keep things simple and OS - they are usually simple and easy to repair, will do double duty and last for years. . . I'm thinking that its better in invest in 2 or 3 good quality kitchen knives rather than the latest chopper/shredder/slicer - certainly easier to wash up for starters!

Just started reading The Home Front cookery book - at the end of very day, you marvel down people buckled down and managed in what must have been very grim times.

THIRZAH

I've just changed the buttons on a 16 year old coat. The coat has plenty of wear in it yet but the buttons were a bit "dated".

We already cook practically everything from scratch, grow as many veg as we can in our small veg patch and generally live as frugally as we can.

elisamoose

Re Vim.I have some in my cupboard bought from John Lewis Peterborough in December.Exactly the same as I remember and the best for my ceramic sinks.Contains bleach though.Cost about 60p!

bellaquidsin

kittie where do you buy your Alfalfa seeds? I used to be able to get a decent size pack from Mr. S. but my branch doesn't have them any more. All I have been able to find recently was a seed packet from the garden centre price £1.85.:eek: I did buy it but it only did me 3 'sproutings' so I won't be doing that again.

I have just sown a large tub of mixed leaves which should do well in my south facing porch and have Winter Density lettuces coming on in the cold frame and also some just about holding their own in a raised bed so should be OK for salad pretty soon. Meanwhile it's sprouted mung beans and grated carrot, well sprouted anything really as I'm using up a lot of old seed i.e. radishes, brocolli and peas.

Bella.

kezlou

Last year we were eating fresh home grown from about may through to October. I did have leeks, broccoli and kale but couldn't find them under the snow. I scoop the snow out a foot down, and thought sack it.

This year i sowed some seeds but none have came through its just too darn cold.

Went and looked at some quilt filler and its sooo expensive, its ridiculous. I went to hobbycraft to price it all up. So going to look on the internet and have a gander in dunhelm instead.

On the bulk cooking front, got savoury mince on the go, fingers crossed will get a good few meals out of t. Finished the leftovers from yesterday, forgot how much liquid would get soaked up by the lentils:o, so ended up making mash and corn beef to it. It was lush, so warming and filling. Got a brownie in the brownie a the mo, so thats tomorrows pack lunch sorted. The bread a failure though, it just exploded:eek:.

Tonight the plan is patch some trousers, jumpers, tops and darn some socks. Oo how exciting my life is :rotfl: