Some things to read and ponder…
Thoughts on homesteading: staying home
At least making an attempt to simplify
10 reasons to love a recession
The Thin Red White and Blue Line or Ten Metaphors for a Broken Economy (Sobering, but worth a read. If the first chart doesn’t give you pause for thought, I don’t know what will.)
Having been born during the “Reagan Years”, I don’t remember the recession. But I can tell you what I do remember…
We always had the COOLEST foods: dinner time was with Mom and Dad, it was tasty, and we had the best treats to trade in our lunchboxes. Thank heavens my mom was a couponer and shopped the sale ads!
Our clothes were always neat and clean: Mom hit JCPenney outlet store, and while at the time I wished I was dressed ‘trendier’, I’m thankful Mom couldn’t afford those clothes – they were hideous, and not very attractive! Instead, we were warm in the winter, and comfortable in summer.
We had plenty of toys to play with – again, Mom and Dad hit the sales when the getting was good, and that provided for some nifty toys. They also, on occasion, did without so my brother and I could have a special Christmas.
We saw family A LOT! Lots of BBQs, lots of parties and get togethers…it was fun!
The librarians knew me by name – they called me “their own little Matilda”. Summer reading programs were anticipated, and I never lacked in reading material.
Mom and Dad made their bills every month, and weren’t afraid to tell us “No, we can’t afford that.” Mom’s told me stories that there were times it was really tight after they bought their first house with a 12% mortgage, and to rethink wanting to jump into the housing market so soon with a little one at home.
Either way, the article was totally right – you don’t need to clip coupons religiously or shop at ONLY secondhand stores to save cash. I do the couponing thing because it is what works for MY family. We check out rummage sales for baby/toddler clothes because really…who needs a $30 pair of baby jeans? But one thing is for certain….DH and will certainly be the better for having been married at the start of a recession!
Alright Sallie dear… you got back at me for my comment about teenagers texting in worship! You certainly depressed the heck out of me this morning with those (great) links.
Seriously….I loved those articles because they are very true. I sent the last one to all my family with a note that said “read up and take heart and do something!”
Love to you from really hot, 99 degree North Carolina….
Thanks for the links Sallie! You always find interesting things to read.
I love the one about staying home. It’s amazing, I am so much more careful about my errands now in this era of high gas prices.
Oh, how I’ve missed your links. SO glad it’s back!
They were all good. I think it’s interesting, I started down this road of trying to live more simply and things (what about 2 years ago now?) and there were so many times when I pondered if it was worth it. Got discouraged. But what is so amazing to me now is that while everyone else (I am thinking specifically of my next door neighbor, R., not the universal ‘everyone’) is scrambling, pulling tight the reigns, some even floundering and declaring foreclosure… I am mercifully just fine. And almost out of debt. It is so close! I guess in some ways, I see God’s direction and providence in my life in that regard. If we had continued down the reckless path we were on regarding consumerism and money, we’d be right there with the ‘crowd’ that is struggling! At the same time, my heart goes out to the young couples like us who had no clue how to manage money and were driven by the culture…we were so, so clueless. It pains me.
Sallie,
I’m so happy your back!
I mean *you’re*!!!
Thank you! I’m glad to be back as well.