Monday, August 1, 2022

Money Monday-Manage Don't Panic Part 1

   


    I'm tired of sky is falling fear mongers. Editorialist, bloggers, podcasts, you name it ranting every other post or article waffling between being practically in the bread lines one day, to being smug and smarter than everyone else because they're on top of things so well, the next. Yes, things suck now in the stores, at the gas pump, in the car or housing market as interest rates go up again. We all get it. We all know. Harping doesn't help, but honing in on managing our cash flow does, even if just mentally giving us the fortitude to not over stress.

     My mantra to ride this recession, yes, a recession, is to manage not panic. Easy for me to say, right, as I'm not living on a fixed income. (What does that mean really though? My income isn't going up; it's fixed too.) Easy for me to say as we live in a mortgage free house with two people employed. I acknowledge these truths. But we have other truths. My DH is 100% commission. Those higher interest rates directly impact sales, thus his income. We still have two semesters of college tuition to pay and out of pocket health costs. We have expenses for some items others don't that I don't talk about in this space. My premise doesn't change to ride this out. Manage not panic. 

     So I hope to not come across smug myself, this post is coming from our specific needs and life, not to preach at or direct anyone else. Likely some things are relatable, and in comments, I can learn a tip or two from you. 

Social Life 

    Remember when we couldn't easily get together with family and friends and all we wanted was to gather? Now we can again, with precautions in general.(Though new cases are creeping up again)Now's the time for me to try and manage our calendar around people not expensive places. Events will still happen but we can control the number we add and favor the people part of getting together. That reminds me,  I am overdue for getting together with the mom's for a walking night. It costs nothing! 

     Board games are fashionable! I look to Treader, her family, and friends for this ignition. She has described terrific gatherings that are literally fun and games. What's cool is that depending on the games, it's multigenerational. Of course, we still like our family card nights.

     I'm still spending on experiences, and stretching between outings when possible. We've done two community theater plays and donated to the live music nights. I feel strongly that in times of crap economies, we need the arts just as much. Being part of a community, seeing friends and neighbors is essential to me after the last few years.

Food 

     I'm sick of meal prep too, but that's on me to shake things up. I need to dust off the cookbooks, look at sites, and reconfigure the way I use healthy and cost effective ingredients. I'm going to try to think outside middle America to recipes that are eaten regularly in other parts of the world and based on humble ingredients, but seasoning is key. I found the Indian grocer and seasonings and basics like rice, chickpeas, and other beans, grains, and pulses are incredible both in quality and price. I need to get DH adjusted but I think if I start as sides he'll develop a taste. He used to be ho hum on Tex Mex as I recall and now devours it. 

     Here's a few sites I book marked. Keep in mind, as an American, the recipes from the UK are different to me as well, so no laughs. 

Cheap and Cheerful Pulse Recipes

10 Budget Busting Jack Monroe Recipes

55 Top Rated Tex-Mex Recipes 

 10 Asian Recipes on a Budget  

Keeping Local

     Unfortunately our town grocers are all part of a chain, but I'm doing more shopping in town to both avoid gas and keep dollars here. It's a balance though as I'll take advantage of being out of town for a Sam's, Trader Joe's, Target, or Aldi stop. I'm just not making special trips. For several months now, I've not done a trip out of town just to shop. The last time was early May. Target, you're killing me though. Their prices have gone up to where they don't seem thrifty at all on everyday needs, and fast fashion/decor hasn't really increased in quality. While it's been a while, the last few times I've felt more like a window shopper when I've popped in and I used to love a good Target shop. I gradually see myself buying just loss leaders and what we need. 

     That's managing our budget too as we build back the pantry, the closet necessaries, household needs, but don't deprive ourselves. Many times I've blown good efforts by throwing in the towel because I felt sorry for myself and deserved a splurge. Having a craving for a certain food, a fancy coffee, a new look is easy(ier) when you have the basics on hand. 

     There's more areas to manage that in doing so helps my sense of control.  This post has started to get quite long so I'm breaking it up in two parts. Come back next Monday please, but please feel free to comment now. How are you managing and not panicing? Have you changed or adapted any ways of your life to feel more budget comfortable?




30 comments:

  1. We are doing the best we can without panicking. There is a YouTube creator who speaks about the farmers telling people to stock up now, so I don’t watch her videos that often. I would rather approach this with common sense than a sense of fear or panic. I can get panic all by myself, I don’t need help. 😂 LOL

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    1. No one loves paying the bills and seeing prices go up. Tightening in another area for a necessity is inevitable. I like the we're in it together and sharing ideas with each other mode better.

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  2. SAM’S CLUB. I give up on shopping around. Lots of organic spinach, hamburgers, hot dogs, and spaghetti for kid. Farmer’s market for tomatoes and corn. Rinse repeat. Buy dog food, garbage bags, dish washing detergent etc. in bulk. Cindy in the South

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    1. I'm finding I shop to what's a better price and we're eating from there. I've enjoyed making a few new things, or favorites we haven't had for a while. My daughter likes the big bag of frozen veg at Sam's. Better prices and less plastic but tough in our current shared freezer. When she moves well both be shopping differently again.

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  3. Thanks for the recipe links! With just two os us retirees to feed we have been in a rut of buying the same things when food shopping.

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    1. I tried something new last night. Win for the girls, not for DH. He'll be a challenge.

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  4. Bad news sells; good news doesn't and is more soft/subtle. Please limit your esposure to bad news.

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    1. Hard to avoid, but I m trying not to focus on it. I much rather get caught up with the lives of blog friends.

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  5. I quit reading the blogs where they are stocking up. It’s just not me and not to toot my own horn, but I’d probably end up giving all my surplus away. I just couldn’t turn folks away. BTW could you tell me how you make your curry? I’d like a simple way- the couple of recipes I’ve followed had too many ingredients I don’t use. Thanks. Nan

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    1. A few backup items is my plan so I don't feel like I have to shop to plan a meal, do laundry etc. I won't be a stockpiler, but I hate shopping so no daily runs either.

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  6. Thank you! I like your manage not panic quote.
    I am so tired of those conspiracy folks and their "stack it to the rafters". I believe in being somewhat prepared, but I think many take it too far with their doomsday prepping, but that is just me.
    Thanks for the links, I may try some of those tex mex recipes, and Jack's recipes sound good too.

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    1. I feel a little like people are wanting to be proven right so they can justify a lot of shopping. Buying extra on a good deal is smart. Having years and years supply of anything makes me wonder. But if they're happy, fine, but stop preaching at others. Even the Tightwad Gazette writer says stock up to get to the next likely time something will be on sale, not to get to the next decade.

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  7. Well I just love your attitude, as it is mine as well. Thanks for the recipe info.

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    1. There's still life stuff happening and living in panic mode robs enjoyment of good things. It would make me sad to hear people shut away from others because they won't put anything in the gas tank, or bring a dish to share ate a potluck, both of which I've read!

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  8. I'm ignoring it all and focussing on ways we can live to ride the storm. It keeps me in the driving seat and in control of my own personal circumstances. Arilx

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    1. Being in the driver's seat, I like that expression too. We are our own drivers or should be.

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  9. I'm not panicking, but am concerned about family members, so am helping out as much as possible. I've cut back on some things so that I can do that, but it won't do me any harm.

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    1. I too worry about a couple family that had rocky patches before this latest surge of inflation. I think panic makes people only look insular, but managing helps us think about how we can help when needed without it being painful.

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  10. Thanks for the shout out. To be honest I didn't think our board game evenings would last but look at us - 3-4 years later and we're still going! More importantly it is keeping us as a very tight group with family and neighbours. AND, as you said, multigenerational. I mean who would have thought that "the young uns" would be interested in playing with us old fogies, but they keep coming back and we're adding to our group. To be honest, like I said, I'm surprised we've been so successful!!!!! And as for the doom-mongering, I'm with you - while I think the situation is bad, it's so much less stress-inducing to try to "manage" the situation rather than to run round like a headless chicken yelling that the sky's gonna fall in. The sky may well fall in but ....!

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    1. I love your game nights. What a treat to hang out with good people, food, drink, and laughs. We need more of that in our lives and clearly your friends and family agree.

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  11. I'm not panicking either. We have had quite a few people saying aren't you worried retiring at this time - no. I think the same skills or being frugal that got us here will get us through. I do want to plant some veggies and keep an eye on the grocery spend. When we are using recipes with minced beef we add a tin of lentils to it and it tastes great, DH hasn't noticed any difference & can be fussy so perhaps start with lentils - they are also very filling.

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    1. I started with lentils and he was not a fan. Oh well, I can keep trying. Once we retire, I don't see want to look back, so managing better now will help in a couple years.

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  12. I think using simple ingredients but unique or different (to you) seasonings is a sound idea. Sometimes just an egg and toast (rice/tortilla/chapati, etc.) with a condiment (butter/salsa/soy sauce) is really good and filling.

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    1. Eggs were you to $3 for just regular, non local, but that's still a nice protein. I don't mind simple if tasty. We'll start feeling the increase in utilities by September bills, so lots of soups and stews to come, which DH will be happy about.

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  13. Several bloggers write that we are in a recession, but I don't see that on the news and when I search online. Still, I agree it's probably coming. I'll focus on what I can control, watch my spending and should be fine. I'm a lot more concerned about international events and what's looking like possibly another war. I fear this one would draw us in. Ugh.

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    1. It's an odd time with prices going up, interest rates up, investment earnings plummeting, but unemployment down. Nothing fits together. I'm following our impact and adjusting where needed. That's part of not panicing, but not ignoring. War is brutal and senseless and the aggressors should all be locked away as criminals.

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  14. People with less means might be more prone to panicking. People with fewer relatives, doing it all alone might be panicking more. The economy and food prices are and should be a major concern. I am not panicking and am concerned, concerned enough to buy at the lowest price I can considering limited mobility. We have enough that we can afford to give food away. The recession is real, no matter what "they" say.

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    1. You are right- we need to pay attention to people that need a bit of help. It's good to know you give away the surplus food you're given that you won't use. You do well finding free meals and produce/ other products that someone else might not be aware of.

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  15. I live for the moment, no greedy stockpiling here! xxx

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    1. I think having backups is a good idea. I hate shopping so living day to day, or even a few days between shops, isn't my plan. I don't have a store room though. No armagettin planning here.

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