Prepping for Brexit thread

Cheapskate · 13 December 2020 at 8:54AM

Morning everyone, been sooo long since I joined in this thread - life and stuff this year's been really difficult - but back onto the OS wagon and re-joining my fave threads if it's ok!

Been deliberately avoiding news of all kinds for a while cos my head wouldn't take it, but feeling like I can cope a bit better now. However, it also means that I've taken my eye off the ball with various things recently, so I have a fair bit of work to do!

Nice to be back

A xo

KatyLovesCats · 13 December 2020 at 9:29AM

Hi everyone, new to posting but a massive lurker. I’m going to be honest, Brexit terrifies me. I have very little money to live on and the thought of food shortages and higher prices for the everyday things we take for granted sends me into a panic. I have tried to stockpile some tins that I use regularly but the shortage of fresh vegetables and fruit I’ve just been reading about is a massive worry. I do blanch and freeze a lot of what I buy but my freezer can only hold so much. I sincerely hope it’s not as bad as is being made out but I can’t see any other outcome now. I voted to remain but the reality we’re facing now was not on the ballot paper. What an utter nightmare.

Farway · 13 December 2020 at 11:00AM

KatyLovesCats said:

Hi everyone, new to posting but a massive lurker. I’m going to be honest, Brexit terrifies me. I have very little money to live on and the thought of food shortages and higher prices for the everyday things we take for granted sends me into a panic. I have tried to stockpile some tins that I use regularly but the shortage of fresh vegetables and fruit I’ve just been reading about is a massive worry. I do blanch and freeze a lot of what I buy but my freezer can only hold so much. I sincerely hope it’s not as bad as is being made out but I can’t see any other outcome now. I voted to remain but the reality we’re facing now was not on the ballot paper. What an utter nightmare.

I doubt it will be as bad as the scare stories in some of the papers, remember we should all be dead form Covid by now anyway, and if you recall before the Brexit vote we were told there would be thousands un employed, famine stalking the land, millions losing their jobs in the City banks etc

I'm sure it will pass whatever happens, 55% of food is grown in the UK, only 26% from EU, the rest is not sourced from the EU anyway, and some of this should become cheaper once any EU inspired import tariff is removed, or lowered, New Zealand lamb or Canadian Cheese for instance]

Source 2019 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/food-statistics-pocketbook/food-statistics-in-your-pocket-global-and-uk-supply

Nargleblast · 13 December 2020 at 11:15AM

Whatever the outcome, it is not going to be the end of the world. We may have to adjust our shopping habits, but life has a habit of going on whilst politicians play silly beggars. Look at the challenges we've all faced this year with the pandemic, and yet here we are, a vaccination programme has commenced, and all throughout the year we have adapted to doing things differently.

We have been out of the EU for a while, what is happening now is sorting out the details of our new relationship with the EU bloc. It doesn't help things when the media whip up a frenzy of speculation about food shortages and even, Heaven forbid, tales of the Royal Navy attacking French fishing boats.

Recently I read a very useful book written earlier this year about how to survive in a pandemic or any other worrying situation. The message was that those who will cope and survive are not those who run around panicking like headless chickens, but those who accept there are things beyond their personal control (e.g. the antics of politicians) and instead focus their attention on things they can control.

Organised preppers will have sorted this ages ago, but there are still things we can do now. Look at things we buy that originate from EU countries, and either stock up now against future price rises and supply chain issues, or find a substitute. Make sure our finances are sound, with little or no debt and with emergency savings. Obviously getting rid of debt and building savings takes time, but the sooner you start the better. We got into financial difficulties years ago, and it took several years to sort out but it was sorted in the end, and I am now in a better place financially than I have been for a long time. I shall still be taking a hard look at the household budget in the New Year, though, because prices keep rising.

KatyLovesCats, it sounds like you are already doing some of the right things for your situation. Just keep steadily building those stores.

Farway · 13 December 2020 at 11:41AM

Nargleblast said:

We have been out of the EU for a while, what is happening now is sorting out the details of our new relationship with the EU bloc. It doesn't help things when the media whip up a frenzy of speculation about food shortages and even, Heaven forbid, tales of the Royal Navy attacking French fishing boats.

Those of use with longer memories can remember when it was common place [or even plaice] for RN ships to arrest French & Spanish trawlers for fishing in our waters, fine the skipper & confiscate the gear. Should be even easier to police now with modern radars, satellites & drones

Nothing new under the sun, it's what happens & why coastal states have navies

Primrose · 13 December 2020 at 11:57AM

As probably one of the older forum members I still have vivid memories of my mother trying to manage our food supplies during World War 2 with bombs constantly dropping, severe rationing in place and the whole of the UK cut off from the world in terms of imported food supplies. Whatever Brexit difficulties lie ahead in the short term I,m sure there is still no comparison between today,s possible difficulties and what happened over those years.
Perhaps the best way of preparing is to lay in a stock of "must have" vital non perishable supplies and for meals, draw up some menus which will allow you to vary those ingredients. Some fresh vegetable supplies may be a problem short term but tinned vegetable substitutes will contain the necessary vitamins needed for a healthy diet. Perhaps arrange with friends and family that this year,s presents will consist of "Brexit emergency supplies" and make a fun thing of it. There could be the year when that unexpected Chriatmas gift of a jar of olives and a bottle of olive oil is worth its weight in gold compared with a pot of expensive moisturising cream or perfume !

Primrose · 13 December 2020 at 1:02PM

KatyLovesCats
if you are really concerned about Brexit repercussions and shortage of money I do urge you not to make matters worse for yourself over a Christmas present buying frenzy but to be honest with people and say you can,t afford it this year. Given the pandemic it would be a truly insensitive person who didn,t understand. Use the money you save to either build up your emergency funds or buy in extra non perishables now from EU sources before their prices start rising. Personally I favour the latter option because any rapid price inflation would erode your savings more quickly in the longer run.

If you live alone, plan your meal regime around menus which last two days, ie casseroles and stews for example, or meats eaten hot one day and cold with salads the next to reduce fuel costs, which will also help your budget longer term.
if you,re worried about fresh vegetables, don,t forget that Uk produced vegs like white cabbage, carrots, celery, Brussels sprouts, beetroot, English apples all make delicious salads when shredded or chopped. Imported lettuces and tomatoes don,t have to be your only salad options. And if you have a garden, find or make a small patch to grow fresh salads next Spring. They,re easy, even for a beginner and will also ensure yiu a regular supply if yiu sow small batches at a time. You can even sprinkle small batches of mixed lettuce in between other existing plants. Some od the mixed green and red salad leaves are very decorative as well as edible!

KatyLovesCats · 13 December 2020 at 1:24PM

Primrose said:

KatyLovesCats
if you are really concerned about Brexit repercussions and shortage of money I do urge you not to make matters worse for yourself over a Christmas present buying frenzy but to be honest with people and say you can,t afford it this year. Given the pandemic it would be a truly insensitive person who didn,t understand. Use the money you save to either build up your emergency funds or buy in extra non perishables now from EU sources before their prices start rising. Personally I favour the latter option because any rapid price inflation would erode your savings more quickly in the longer run.
If you live alone, plan your meal regime around menus which last two days, ie casseroles and stews for example, or meats eaten hot one day and cold with salads the next to reduce fuel costs, which will also help your budget longer term.
if you,re worried about fresh vegetables, don,t forget that Uk produced vegs like white cabbage, carrots, celery, Brussels sprouts, beetroot, English apples all make delicious salads when shredded or chopped. Imported lettuces and tomatoes don,t have to be your only salad options. And if you have a garden, find or make a small patch to grow fresh salads next Spring. They,re easy, even for a beginner and will also ensure yiu a regular supply if yiu sow small batches at a time. You can even sprinkle small batches of mixed lettuce in between other existing plants. Some od the mixed green and red salad leaves are very decorative as well as edible!

Thank you for your post Primrose. My family are already aware of my financial situation are so are not expecting anything, I don't think I've ever gone overboard with Christmas as it really is a bit pointless. Being with the people who matter is worth gold compared to gift giving, in my opinion. I live with my 17 year old daughter and I meal plan every Sunday, batch cook and freeze any leftovers so I am already au fait with that side of things thankfully. I was already planning on utilising my garden next year as I have just moved from a place that didn't have any green space and I'm grateful to be able have some soil to work with. I shall try not to panic now and take on board the really useful tips that people have posted on here. Thanks all.

boultdj · 13 December 2020 at 1:31PM

Here in Lincolnshire the sweetcorn, potatoes, swede, carrot's, cabbage have been harvested, sprouts and leeks are still in fields, other shires will be the same, like others have said we need to adapt to what is available fresh veg wise, the only ones who will really have a hard time is people with allergies.