tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post3907976844679426668..comments2024-03-19T20:00:57.287+10:00Comments on down to earth: Squirrels uniteUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84524785376434486812008-09-18T18:36:00.000+10:002008-09-18T18:36:00.000+10:00The situation seems to be the same all around the ...The situation seems to be the same all around the world, Rhonda. We feel the instability and raising prices here in Israel, too. A friend from the UK wrote to me with similar news. Plus, we're facing unexpected expenses right now, which worries me. It seems that every month, something else is broken beyond repair, and something else needs to be bought. And there are baby expenses too, even though we're trying to go second-hand with everything possible. Oh well I'm starting to rant so I'd better be off... good luck to all the squirrels!Mrs. Anna Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15377583333000789903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82634223475348927142008-09-18T06:08:00.000+10:002008-09-18T06:08:00.000+10:00Dearest Rhonda,LOVE this post!!! My hubby and I a...Dearest Rhonda,<BR/>LOVE this post!!! My hubby and I are thinking the same. We have no debt except our small mortgage.<BR/>We feel blessed to have savings during this unstable time.<BR/><BR/>So glad all is well with you.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>CathyCathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13889664131108121532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-48942881909341937042008-09-18T03:34:00.000+10:002008-09-18T03:34:00.000+10:00Hi RhondaI was worried about you yesterday when yo...Hi Rhonda<BR/>I was worried about you yesterday when you didn't post, so glad it wasn't anything with you or Hanno. <BR/>Sorry this has nothing to do with your post but yesterday my daughter and her family landed in Sydney to begin their new life in your beautiful country. <BR/><BR/>Pippa xx (UK)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11139092686827192592008-09-18T01:33:00.000+10:002008-09-18T01:33:00.000+10:00Rhonda, Great post! My husband and I were on pin...Rhonda,<BR/> Great post! My husband and I were on pins and needles yesterday and hardly slept last night as our retirement is with AIG. We thought we were going to lose everything. They've been bailed out but we are really taking a hard look at this situation and are going to go talk to our accountant to see what we can do to better "secure" our funds. We don't have much as we are small farmers. We scrape and scrounge for everything we have but it's acquired honestly and through hard work. We have a little debt that we are vigilantly paying off and we are progressively simplifying our lives. Your site and the comments from everybody really help us with the advice and tips. Thanks for all you do and God bless all of us! Hang in there everybody!!<BR/><BR/>Kristina, Nebraska USAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-54875529484308862008-09-18T01:18:00.000+10:002008-09-18T01:18:00.000+10:00I am very nervous about how this whole finanacial ...I am very nervous about how this whole finanacial thing will play out. I don't have any cradite card debt, I don't have any investments, except for my (I guess it's a) 401K. I have no savings, because I make litle and barely make my bills, food and gas. I don't know how to cut back anymore, becaseu I have always tried to live as frugally as possible. Where do I start saving?claudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16572555442321120647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26027681369109057762008-09-17T20:55:00.000+10:002008-09-17T20:55:00.000+10:00Suzanne, I would think that the canned butter was ...Suzanne, I would think that the canned butter was for hurricane-affected areas, as it can be stored without refrigeration. I disagree with Jandra about spending on non-essentials being Bad For the Economy. It's only bad insofar as weeding out all the dodgy companies that relied on dodgy loans is bad. Buying and selling cr@p isn't contributing to an economy any more than "derivatives trading" did.Chookiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07230973711859964063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82826202613004019632008-09-17T20:51:00.000+10:002008-09-17T20:51:00.000+10:00I agree totally with you Rhonda, we have been in s...I agree totally with you Rhonda, we have been in squirel mode for awhile. My hubby is working in the midwest as you probably know, I do the budgeting and it's looking great here in 12 months the property is ours, we own the house we built on it so all is good, this week I was able to save 100% of his pay and guess where it has gone? Yes on the mortgage. Thanks for all your tips and for inspiring me to become more frugal and efficient. I have said many times but I do appreciate your knowledge. MUZZYMUZZYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08041311767667882791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-40195907687300254372008-09-17T19:50:00.000+10:002008-09-17T19:50:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,Once the savings have been taken care of...Hi Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>Once the savings have been taken care of (emergency funds etc) it might be worth looking to invest in some of the stalwarts of the stock market that are underpriced simply because of the credit crunch. <BR/><BR/>Obviously, you shouldn't risk money you are not willing to lose and you should do your own research, but there are some bargains to be had on the stock market right now. <BR/><BR/>Just remember that investments in the stock market should be held for the long term (minimum of 5 years, longer preferred).<BR/><BR/>Just wanted to show that even in the current bleakness there is a silver lining.Yabusamehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17530007541567908178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26919941217179702202008-09-17T19:22:00.000+10:002008-09-17T19:22:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,I cut up my credit card on Friday to hel...Hi Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>I cut up my credit card on Friday to help us get a loan for some land... We didn't need a big loan as we have been saving but being a stay at home Mum I had no income so they were going to refuse the loan despite our GREAT savings record. I thought that I never really used my credit card but it always seemed to have a couple of hundred dollars on it.... I feel so liberated now that it is gone! We live on a tight budget (obviously not so tight) but it is worth it... I am hoping we'll be debt free in 7-10 years and have the home of our dreams....<BR/><BR/>Great to be inspired by your posts. Thanks again.<BR/><BR/>RebeccaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42813896877490335412008-09-17T17:12:00.000+10:002008-09-17T17:12:00.000+10:00I rather like the idea of being a "squirrel".Next ...I rather like the idea of being a "squirrel".<BR/><BR/>Next year after over 20 (consecutive) years I will not have a toddler at home so I am thinking of going back to TAFE and doing some study and working part time as an Assistant Nurse. Trouble is college will cost me almost $8000 money we simply don't have. I would love to stay home and bake and garden and run my alterations and mending business but with four more kids to go through primary and high school I think I should be doing some paid work to help out with our mortgage.<BR/><BR/>DaisymumAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12934325999406252726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-83081671157330000482008-09-17T16:50:00.000+10:002008-09-17T16:50:00.000+10:00Great advice Rhonda :-)We have been listening to D...Great advice Rhonda :-)<BR/><BR/>We have been listening to Dave Ramsay this year via podcast & read his book Total Money Makeover.<BR/><BR/>We've got the first emergency fund done, we're almost out of consumer debt. <BR/><BR/>I always thought a budget was constraining and "just not fun" but oh boy the freedom sticking to a budget has bought us has been wonderful. After thinking it would never happen we're finally on the way to owning our first home. (and start planting our own backyard food store ;-) )Miss H https://www.blogger.com/profile/01657111673100822103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75139902192115002262008-09-17T16:18:00.000+10:002008-09-17T16:18:00.000+10:00Rhonda JeanYes I am truly glad you are OK! You've ...Rhonda Jean<BR/>Yes I am truly glad you are OK! You've always warned us when you aren't going to be able to post and I personally was worried about you / Hanno's health yesterday. Whatever is/was going on, I wish you both good health and happiness.<BR/><BR/>I agree with you and some of the comments here. Use your money wisely by investing in future things to help you like a greenhouse or polytunnel and not on frivilous items like a new set of hair straighteners. But I must say no matter how much we as bloggers preach, the world will never stop spending friviously and therefore the world economies will continue on. <BR/><BR/>I also believe the finance companies, airlines and franchises collapsing is only the start of a very messy 2008/09.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815336062313580688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80904115099624507532008-09-17T16:02:00.000+10:002008-09-17T16:02:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,I do not mean to be disrespectful, but i...Hi Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>I do not mean to be disrespectful, but if every world citizen started squirreling now and not spend any money on non-essential items, a large part of the economy would slow down and the mess would be worse than it is is now. <BR/><BR/>Of course I'm not saying that people should spend money they don't have. And I'm also not saying that it's a good idea to close your eyes to the situation. But every decrease in consumer spending will make the crisis at large worse, causing companies to be forced to lay off employees etc.<BR/><BR/>So perhaps, if you have money to spend, now is the time not to invest in iPods but in greenhouses, like one of the commenters did. No new TV, but a composting or aquaponics system. Not a new tumble dryer, but a pressure canner. That will give new impulses to the economy even if the TV and iPod sellers suffer. And at the same time it'll help you become more self-suffficient and prepared.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, just my two cents.<BR/><BR/>Jandra from the NetherlandsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34917937385233995612008-09-17T15:59:00.000+10:002008-09-17T15:59:00.000+10:00Rhonda a beautiful timely post, I love your shared...Rhonda a beautiful timely post, I love your shared wisdoms & advice!It feels so good to have food in the cupboard, veggies in the garden & a rainwater tank plus making daily transitions to the simple life. Wish I had discovered it years ago but am loving it now, so thank you, thank you for all you share !! You mentioned hand made Christmas gifts, my daughter wrote this article on hand made slippers, very cute !<BR/>http://www.todaysmama.com/expand-articles.php?view=407&apg=0<BR/>JeniAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7296740735192363342008-09-17T14:17:00.000+10:002008-09-17T14:17:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,AMEN,AMEN,AMEN!!!!!!!!! TO everything yo...Hi Rhonda,<BR/>AMEN,AMEN,AMEN!!!!!!!!! TO everything you said.<BR/>Dh was laid off in April, We have cut back on everything! We would really be hurting if we didn't live and love living the simple side of Life! <BR/>One thing thats been helpful to me ,is counting our Blessings over and over!<BR/>One of our biggest hurt is no health insurance, our Home and car is Paid off and because of this we can't get help. The cost is too high to find coverage ,we've looked everywhere and cost is $2000 & Up per month.<BR/>Tonight the Feds loaned AIG I think 80 billion to help them out. <BR/>Hope you have agreat wk!<BR/>Blessins',LibLibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10854570178942602696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3178509845619430812008-09-17T14:14:00.000+10:002008-09-17T14:14:00.000+10:00Rhonda Jean, Your post today was so on target. O...Rhonda Jean,<BR/> Your post today was so on target. Our economy in the U.S. is getting a bit out of hand. I shiver to think that three years ago I had a mortgage on my house with Lehmans! I ended up with another mortgage company when they 'sold' my mortgage to another company. Until that happened I never knew that these companies buy and sell mortgages back and forth. I've never been a credit card user and have taught my children that those plastic cards can be the beginning of financial troubles. I've always had a garden, cooked and baked from scratch and sewed a lot of our clothes because I was taught those skills at home as a young girl. Now I'm teaching others to sew, cook, bake, preserve foods, fix things, etc. just as others have taught me. I don't think people in general understand how quickly disasters happen. Lost jobs, cuts in pay, ill health, hurricanes! The one area all of us can play a savvy game is within our homes. Just like you said...we must learn the skills to keep us independent, healthy, and to provide for our families. Being frugal in these troubled times is to be smart. <BR/>So...count me in as one of your Squirrels United! Thanks, too, for letting us know how it affects others outside of the U.S. I knew it would create 'waves' but I didn't know to what extent. Hugs, Aunt Bea<BR/><BR/>P.S. My youngest sister was a stockbroker for a number of years and worked with Stanley Morgan Co. I am so thankful that she decided after 'Black Monday' to change to a different kind of work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74430453420476078052008-09-17T13:04:00.000+10:002008-09-17T13:04:00.000+10:00It has been crazy here in Texas the last few days....It has been crazy here in Texas the last few days. Even here where we only got swiped by Ike. Seeing how the stores were running out of supplies and gas two days before was shocking for me. I felt blessed that we didn't need supplies. They were already stocked up in my home. It is indeed time to put away and make changes.Aubreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09041830871464315810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22149309651180258122008-09-17T12:26:00.000+10:002008-09-17T12:26:00.000+10:00Rhonda - you really have me thinking. My husband a...Rhonda - you really have me thinking. My husband and I are spenders and hate to admit wasters at times. We have credit card debt, mortagage - but no car payments - thank goodness. It is time to buckle down and stop spending money like we do. I need to begin to stop and think - do I really need that autumn decoration or that bracelet or those shoes...I recently started working fulltime to help contribute to the household income and was going to save for new furniture and household items and redecorations...I think maybe I will start squirreling away some of my pay for a rainy day instead.<BR/>I can't wait to see what you have for us for making Christmas gifts and such. <BR/>You really make me stop and think, Rhonda... and I thank you for that.~Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01135626598525124141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29436274047581379592008-09-17T11:58:00.000+10:002008-09-17T11:58:00.000+10:00Thanks for the good words Rhonda. We are all in th...Thanks for the good words Rhonda. We are all in the same boat. We have worked for years to reduce debt and at last, have won that battle. It wasn't easy, but threatening bad times like these make us realize it was worth it. There will be rough times and unpredictable shortages for us as well. But we'll be stronger and better able to cope.<BR/>We're still learning to be more self-sufficient and pay very close attention to your tips and links. Thanks again for keeping a thread for all of to share.<BR/>Squirrels Of The World Unite! JudieJJudiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708730830391571469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55326155111307510962008-09-17T11:50:00.000+10:002008-09-17T11:50:00.000+10:00Hey Rhonda I just made my first batch of cold pres...Hey Rhonda I just made my first batch of cold pressed soap and I think I put too much Caustic soda in it it came to trace really quickly, and it is sort of crumbly - is there a way to save it maybe remelt it and add more oils???? or can I grate it and make the other kind of soap with it???<BR/><BR/>DaisymumAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12934325999406252726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22226502235771230672008-09-17T11:44:00.000+10:002008-09-17T11:44:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda, boy do I agree with you! A friend and ...Hi Rhonda, boy do I agree with you! A friend and I were just saying that we have had trouble findig brands we have been buying for ages in our local stores and the prices just keep going up weekly on the same things. Another curious thing is our federal government in the state has purchased all the canned butter that has been shipped into this country as well as a number of freeze dried supplies are no longer taking orders as they orders as far out as 2010. http://www.internet-grocer.net/butter.htm<BR/>What is that all about???Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11016058828515830560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62220528818148521742008-09-17T11:27:00.000+10:002008-09-17T11:27:00.000+10:00I keep wondering how much more I can do to conserv...I keep wondering how much more I can do to conserve. I live as simply as I can now, have reduced all my monthly bills to the bare minimum and spend only on food gas, bills and rent with no extras. <BR/><BR/>I have no investments, so that's not a worry I face and just a small savings account.<BR/><BR/>I think those of us who live simply will fare better in the long run.<BR/><BR/>Thnaks for your words of wisdom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61636813513320160812008-09-17T11:02:00.000+10:002008-09-17T11:02:00.000+10:00Interesting post! I didn't realize how Lehmans, AI...Interesting post! I didn't realize how Lehmans, AIG et all affected the rest of the world. I just thought our economy was impacted.<BR/><BR/>Yes, times are bad and people should be saving their money but I really think alot of people just don't believe it (unemployment etc) can happen to them (until it's too late).<BR/><BR/>We have no debt except our house and I wish we didn't have that! I'm paying that down as much as we can afford every month. I don't know how we'd manage if we had credit card debt. <BR/><BR/>ManuelaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30321957095777507572008-09-17T10:11:00.000+10:002008-09-17T10:11:00.000+10:00I am so excited to find this blog. We live in Eas...I am so excited to find this blog. We live in East Texas and were affected by hurricane Ike. No damage, but out of electricity for several days. We have felt a need for some time to prepare for harder times by stocking up and looking for energy alternatives, but being in this storm has given even more reason to get busy. With stores closed everywhere and water not drinkable it really makes me think; what if FEMA wasn't coming with food and water? If there was a nationwide collapse of some sort we would be on our own. So my husband got busy today and bought the materials for square foot garden beds. CathyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85971469406309272802008-09-17T09:53:00.000+10:002008-09-17T09:53:00.000+10:00My daughter and I were just talking about what is ...My daughter and I were just talking about what is going on when she called this evening.<BR/><BR/>We're both "deepening our pantry" and they decided to pay cash to get a much needed fence installed (with four little children, it was needed).<BR/><BR/>They decided not to go into debt for a home improvement project right now. It can wait.<BR/><BR/>I've been watching twenty-four hour coverage regarding the financial crisis. Well, it is on twenty-four hours but I don't watch it but off and on.<BR/><BR/>It is quite frightening to see how the government is using tax payer money to "save" so many of these companies who got themselves in their own trouble through greed and stupid gambling practices.<BR/><BR/>My great grandchildren will be paying for this if they keep on.Brenda@CoffeeTeaBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02719695370857675146noreply@blogger.com