Preparedness for when

GreyQueen

thriftwizard wrote: »

I'd just use 00-gauge wire wool, GQ, with a bucketful of elbow-grease. If it pleases you to go shiny, you could use a tiny smidgeon of AutoGlim or similar, but the wire wool on its own will do the job.

PS - admitting to a teensy-tiny bit of Le Parfait envy....

I did wonder if I should mention it, as I recall your OH parted you from some of these jars recently, and it was liable to be a sore subject. It's a shame we're not in the same neck of the woods or I would've PM'd you to get to them yourself with all speed. I've been after some for some considerable time but they want silly-money for 2nd hand ones around here, as much or even more, than they cost new.

Thank you for the tips, I shall get onto that at some point over the weekend. I own wire wool (detritus from |DIY work on a former address, kept because It Might Be Useful). And it is, from time to time. It's only a light bloom of surface rust, as if they'd been stored. Can't have been for long as the seals are in really good condition.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Just read somewhere that Russia is switching the gas off to Poland?? sorry didn't read it all, I think it might be to with Poland supporting Ukraine, or the gas supplying the Ukraine runs through Poland???

nuatha

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

Just read somewhere that Russia is switching the gas off to Poland?? sorry didn't read it all, I think it might be to with Poland supporting Ukraine, or the gas supplying the Ukraine runs through Poland???

According to an article in the Independent there's been several days of reductions in supply to Poland - presumably to prevent Poland supplying Ukraine, which has been cut off since June.
The same article states that EU countries have been stockpiling and have almost 20% of a years usage in reserve. Though the consequences of Russia turning off the gas and a hard winter would be a disaster.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

nuatha wrote: »

According to an article in the Independent there's been several days of reductions in supply to Poland - presumably to prevent Poland supplying Ukraine, which has been cut off since June.
The same article states that EU countries have been stockpiling and have almost 20% of a years usage in reserve. Though the consequences of Russia turning off the gas and a hard winter would be a disaster.

the poor Ukraines, hope they have been prepping, as I honestly cant imagine how cold and harsh their winters are..


we talk about prepping for winter etc here, but in comparison our winters are like a slight chill in the air compared to some countries..

GreyQueen

nuatha wrote: »

According to an article in the Independent there's been several days of reductions in supply to Poland - presumably to prevent Poland supplying Ukraine, which has been cut off since June.
The same article states that EU countries have been stockpiling and have almost 20% of a years usage in reserve. Though the consequences of Russia turning off the gas and a hard winter would be a disaster.

I think a lot of chickens will come home to roost about the time when temps drop dramatically in central and eastern Europe. What we conside winter weather is laughable by continental standards.

There will be political heads aplenty a-rollin' if Joe and Joesephine Public across Europe can't fire up their heating or cook their suppers. People can and do wilfully overlook a lot of things which should cause mass protest, but you wouldn't be able to overlook that one. The pols who caused it, or failed to resolve it, will be toast.

Assuming there is anything supplying radiant heat to make toast on, of course.

Was reading that we have circa 15% of our gas supply from Russia, and some from Europe. If Europe runs low, I think they'll not be exporting to us, perhaps? The devil will be in the detail of how cold a winter we and the rest of Europe will have. Heaven forfend we get a '63 or '47 equivalent, even without shenanigans with the international supply of gas.

My only hope is that this situation will concentrate political minds on the dangers of outsourcing essentials to supra-national entities like foriegn owned multi-nationals. And that we might move towards a more sensible, sustainable, fuel-efficient way of doing things.

Heck, it's a long shot, but it might just work, hey?

Today is a non-working day, insomuch as I will not be attending a municipal building, but I will be busy about my own affairs, some of which shade into matters preptastic.

I continue to cruise the racks of the 50p Chazzer for useful garments and household linens which, even if they aren't needed immediately, will come in for future use. One always needs to know where one's next pair of brushed cotton fuzzy pjs will be coming from, no?

I'm seeing several chazzers with small pleading notices in their windows asking for good quality donations. Which suggests that some of what they're getting is carp. And that they're not getting enough, period (some don't mention the quality, just ask for donations).

As the economy weakens, I expect that some chazzers will run dry. If you're buying and consuming less stuff new, because your wages aren't keeping up with the bills, you will have less stuff which is lightly-used or unused to donate. And you may be selling what you have, if you can, as every penny counts.

I can see the logical progression of this as being that chazzers have fewer things worth buying and that prices for secondhand goods increase, and that some chazzers disappear altogether, as the market contracts.

Hence my laying-in a small, carefully chosen [STRIKE]hoard[/STRIKE] selection of the kind of clothing I wear all the time and wear out.

[Deleted User]

GQ I'm finding that ALL charity shops these days are charging outrageous prices for the goods they offer. I won't pay £3 for a paperback and what some of the bigger ones are asking for household randoms is staggering. The most expensive here are the hospice shops and I know they have big overheads and I know they are a superbly worthy cause but I won't pay almost the same for second hand as I am expected to pay for new, I'd rather buy the new one for a couple of pounds more and get the extra wear from it.

nuatha

GreyQueen wrote: »

I think a lot of chickens will come home to roost about the time when temps drop dramatically in central and eastern Europe. What we conside winter weather is laughable by continental standards.

There will be political heads aplenty a-rollin' if Joe and Joesephine Public across Europe can't fire up their heating or cook their suppers. People can and do wilfully overlook a lot of things which should cause mass protest, but you wouldn't be able to overlook that one. The pols who caused it, or failed to resolve it, will be toast.

However, the pols have already got their excuses in, its Putin. (It may also be global warming, but its still definitely Putin).

Assuming there is anything supplying radiant heat to make toast on, of course.

Was reading that we have circa 15% of our gas supply from Russia, and some from Europe. If Europe runs low, I think they'll not be exporting to us, perhaps? The devil will be in the detail of how cold a winter we and the rest of Europe will have. Heaven forfend we get a '63 or '47 equivalent, even without shenanigans with the international supply of gas.

2012 and 1978 were bad enough.

My only hope is that this situation will concentrate political minds on the dangers of outsourcing essentials to supra-national entities like foriegn owned multi-nationals. And that we might move towards a more sensible, sustainable, fuel-efficient way of doing things.

Heck, it's a long shot, but it might just work, hey?

I love an optimist in the morning

Today is a non-working day, insomuch as I will not be attending a municipal building, but I will be busy about my own affairs, some of which shade into matters preptastic.

I continue to cruise the racks of the 50p Chazzer for useful garments and household linens which, even if they aren't needed immediately, will come in for future use. One always needs to know where one's next pair of brushed cotton fuzzy pjs will be coming from, no?

I'm seeing several chazzers with small pleading notices in their windows asking for good quality donations. Which suggests that some of what they're getting is carp. And that they're not getting enough, period (some don't mention the quality, just ask for donations).

As the economy weakens, I expect that some chazzers will run dry. If you're buying and consuming less stuff new, because your wages aren't keeping up with the bills, you will have less stuff which is lightly-used or unused to donate. And you may be selling what you have, if you can, as every penny counts.

I can see the logical progression of this as being that chazzers have fewer things worth buying and that prices for secondhand goods increase, and that some chazzers disappear altogether, as the market contracts.

Hence my laying-in a small, carefully chosen [STRIKE]hoard[/STRIKE] selection of the kind of clothing I wear all the time and wear out.

Charity shops are competing with car boot sales, local Facebook selling pages Ebay and even weigh-in shops for donations, all of the former returning cash.
Local high streets were dominated by charity shops, however over the last couple of years, even former charity shops are standing empty.

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

GQ I'm finding that ALL charity shops these days are charging outrageous prices for the goods they offer. I won't pay £3 for a paperback and what some of the bigger ones are asking for household randoms is staggering. The most expensive here are the hospice shops and I know they have big overheads and I know they are a superbly worthy cause but I won't pay almost the same for second hand as I am expected to pay for new, I'd rather buy the new one for a couple of pounds more and get the extra wear from it.

Approx 10 years ago, one of the national charities had a charity bookshop in Newcastle. Several books had offer stickers from the original shop, all below the price the charity shop was charging. Intrigued I made a list of books that interested me, every one of which could be bought new at a lower price, in several cases over £10 cheaper.
I rarely bother looking in charity shops anymore. I can generally find better quality new for less money and having had several years of laying in a hoard (I hate clothes shopping, so when something fits and is suitable I buy multiples to save having to repeat the exercise for as long as possible.)I should have sufficient clothes for the next [STRIKE]10+[/STRIKE]few years.

GreyQueen

A successful shopping trip, brief pause at the homestead for a comfort break, MSE check-in and then up t'market to see my butcher for some mince. His beef mince is lovely, far better than supermarket mince and £4/ kilo (I streeeetchhhh 500g into a big pot of chili which will feed me for several days).

My Everything 50p Chazzer is the last chance saloon for goods which haven't sold at the rest of this small regional charity shop chain. With a remit like that, you'd expect the stuff to be dross. It isn't. Heck, I've even got good quality brand new clothing with tags. Today's finds were a plain black fleece shawl-blanket thingummy * and a replacement for my everyday shoulderbag which is wearing out. Both will be whizzing around the washer shortly (bag is fabric).

There was a lot of very nice stuff in there, inc excellent curtains and bedlinens. Better than jumbly prices, no? I don't bother with several city centre chazzers esp BHF and Red Cross, their prices are ridiculous. But there are some chazzers which turn out books at 25-50p and clothing very reasonably, and they get my custom.

I detest shopping for clothes in new shops, not just for the prices, I loathe the whole experience. It's like they're sending me a message; You, modom, have no darned business being so tall, and taking a size 9 shoe, and we're not going to cater for you, so there. Get thee hence, you unfeminine person, you.

So, I shop at random; when I see stuff which fits both bod and lifestyle in the chazzers, I buy it. Can't imagine how much money the VAT man has lost out in my case over the years. My clothing inventory costs atm is just over £1k and that is vastly bumped up by one or two big ticket items like footwear and coats. Most everything I own cost well under £5 and item, and plenty were bought with change from £1.

Haven't been reproved by my employer for being inappropriately attired, become a public laughing stock or been arrested for public nudity yet!

* I bought this to wear at home if there are chilly nights but this style is In this autumn/winter. This I know because I saw it on the Daily Wail's website yesterday, and I am a dedicated follower of fashion.**

** Am heading out now before someone who knows me IRL reads that and PMSL............:rotfl:

Frugalsod

I have always kept a reserve supply of undies and socks for emergency. Though I will only get clothes as I need them as I have plenty so have not really needed to buy any clothes for some time. The last thing I bought was a onesie which will be very handy if the heating becomes questionable this winter. I really should get another couple.

the_cake

Climbing a paperwork mountain today preparing our case against my OH's imminent dismissal. Liars and fraudsters make for so much work, refuting allegations and proving their lies to be untrue. AAAArrrrghghghg. This is economic suicide for us, as OH is also a director of the company and really has no alternative but to expose it all. Spend 2 hours with CID yesterday, so expect (hope!) the fur will soon be flying, but god I hate feeling so angry.
Reviewing our pre-winter preps, we have much wood in the store, heaps of cosy woolly blankets etc., and I have been building up food stocks in the last few weeks. Whilst our last legal fandango played out our friends were brilliant, coming over with cheering words, welcome distractions and food parcels. Hope they will do so again, if needed ..... life at the mo just seems surreal!
Anyway, hugs to all dealing with illness and sadness, which are much more important and real concerns. xx the cake xx