|
I was referring to making it to next summer because that is when we are able to pick up local produce or grow our own. We have a great farmers' market, which is not only better produce, but healthier for you.
In the winter months, we have price spurts that cause us to leave the produce in the coolers, as we'll go without rather than pay those prices. With the high gas prices, shipping and heating of the grocery stores take their toll. I feel sorry for the grocers, as their hands are tied. We demand the produce, but then won't pay the prices, which causes losses that can only be covered by higher prices. It's a vicious cycle.
I am very apprehensive about the economy and am doing whatever I can to prepare for a depression or near-depression. If it doesn't happen, I have my grocery shopping done.
You didn't ask for this, but I will add a few thoughts about getting thru hard times:
Cooking from scratch is a good place to start, as well as finding innovative ways to use leftovers. Soups and casseroles are also a good way to stretch the food dollars. Stop eating out, except for special events. Switch from soda pop to water. It's better for you and a lot cheaper.
Use coupons. My sister once read that if you used coupons and bought your groceries on days when you could get double values for all coupons, you could save enough at the end of the year to buy 4 tires for your car. She didn't really need to save the money, but she took it on as a challenge and said she actually had enough for 3. We think that a quarter off for this item, or fifty cents off for another sounds like too much work and not worth the effort, but it adds up quickly. I may go back to it, as you can now print a lot of coupons off on the computer.
There are hints on the Internet that might help you. I don't know how young couples can afford to feed their families with these prices. As a child, I lived on a farm and my mother was very conservative. She raised almost all of our food, only needing to buy sugar, flour, yeast, condiments, etc., as we had milk, meat, eggs, and every veggie and fruit you could imagine. She was an excellent cook and we never wanted for food. I learned a lot from her and believe that knowledge will help me if we have another depression.
|