The U.S. Census Bureau {LINK} reports the March retail sales data {pdf LINK} showing a contraction in sales overall (excluding gasoline) and a massive contraction in on-line sales. As we expected, we are seeing the continued demand side contraction for non-essential purchases.
First, when you review the data, keep in mind all of the statistics are based on dollars. Currently the BLS calculates the rate of inflation at 8.5 percent year over year. So, when we look at retail sales figures, we must remember the items being sold cost more. Any reported sales figures in a sector that do not exceed the inflation in that sector, indicates decline in units sold.
The top-line for March retail sales is 0.5% growth; however, the rate of inflation is 8.5%, so the amount of goods sold is substantially less than the 0.5% dollar increase would indicate. Subtract the sales of gasoline (w/ massive price increases), and retail sales are negative (-0.3%) in March. SEE TABLE-2
A good category to note the contraction in non-essential purchases is electronics and appliances. Again, CORE inflation in that segment is around 6%, and yet total sales were only 3.3% higher, meaning less actual units sold. Compared to 2021, electronics and appliance sales dropped 9.7%.
Showing how much people are pinched, gasoline prices are around 60% higher than this time last year, yet gas station sales only increased by 8.9%. This means people are buying a lot less fuel at much higher prices. People have shifted their transportation habits because gas costs so much.
Two more very interesting notes:
Food and beverage stores only reflected a 1.0% increase in sales, amid massive inflation in that sector. People are buying less food at higher prices. The year-over-year rate of retail sales increase for supermarkets is 8.4%, however, prices in the grocery store are well beyond 20%. Again, food prices are changing shopping habits. You can see the same trend in Health and Beauty Care products. Consumers are being thrifty and prioritizing their expenses away from non-essentials.
Secondly, perhaps the most obvious shift in consumer spending is noted in on-line (nonstore) retailers. March retail sales dropped 6.4 percent for on-line shoppers, again as a consequence of much higher on-line prices and some product unavailability.
The bottom line of the Retail Sales report is not unfamiliar to us. What we are seeing is a lessening in overall consumer spending, as the costs for food, fuel, energy and housing have skyrocketed. The demand for non-essential purchases is what we would naturally expect to see amid a nation having to make tough purchasing decisions based on inflation.
The economic policy of the people behind Joe Biden is catastrophic, and it appears to be a feature not a flaw.
That said, wise people -including people here- know how to extend their budgets and make use of raw ingredients for multiple purposed meals. Keep doing that as much as possible to offset the dramatic increases in price. Look for sales, use coupons, multipurpose products and be smart with purchase decisions.
We can and will get through this together.
If you have tips for people to assist with lowering costs of everyday items, please feel free to share them in the comments section below. We always find excellent ideas around us for small ways to save.
Coming from a family whose Tupperware® was a matching set of Cool Whip containers, I can tell you there are times when being frugal is a valued skillset. I welcome all the great advice we share as a community, and I will not let these horrible government officials remove joy.
I’ve been broke more than most, but I ain’t never been poor.
I appreciate you.
I’m so broke they won’t take my cash
Funny. You sound like Bank of America. No seriously. Quick question for anyone who can explain this one. My wife went to a BoA with son’s account number, filled out a deposit slip and handed it over with cash. BOA refused. Would not take cash from her and deposit it into his account. Strange times when a company calls itself the Bank Of America and refuses US cash.
Maybe they only take Ukrainian hryvnias?
Protect them leave our boarders open.
Yes, yes. They mad!
I moved my company offices into a BAC high rise. They had teevee stations out to announce opening accounts for illegals.
She could turn around and deposit it in night deposit. Envelope slots.
AML – Anti Money Laundering . Those regulations are vast and force banks to do some really weird things.
Entrapment. There have been cases where money has been deposited then the account holder charged with taking a bribe, and other shenanigans. It’s annoying but I understand it.
Thanks. Interesting points above. Sensible. I can remember doing that (depositing) for a neighbor back in the late 70s. Times have changed.
I call BS on that… every honest customer must not be punished for the crimes of the few…it is simply un-American. Take your business to a local bank that actually knows your name.
Credit unions are also a choice, where members own the institution and vote on its governance, preferably a locally based CU. I first joined the one my parents were founding members of in 1970 and was elected to their loan committee in the 90’s.
Used banks for business stuff but wound that down awhile back.
Close your accounts. Stop supporting companies that are destroying us and our country. Move your accounts to small, local or regional banks or credit unions.
Not my account but, yes, I agree (and have).
My money is at my credit union. I can cash government checks there with no problem. Other banks? $2000 government check and $1500 in your account – go away.
Did she ask why – what is their reason for that policy?
Probably because they don’t know where the cash came from. They are afraid of money laundering.
I have worked for several banks, unless it was over $3000.00 there is no problem. If it is over they just have to fill out a form and report it but they can still take the cash,
Used to be $10K.
Once upon a time, I had work done in the house and got a significant discount if I paid cash.
I went to the bank and withdrew $9K. The teller “casually” asked me what it was for. I knew the game, so I played my game. Looking at her, straight in the eye, very serious… I said:
“I’m buying mass quantities of illegal drugs“.
Then, I waited five seconds.. oh boy… she was FLUSTERED…. then I laughed, nicely.
“Naw… I’m kidding“.
I never did tell her what I needed the cash for. 😉
Same situation for me. When I get asked I tell them I have a hot tip on a horse in the last race of the day at the track.
I deposited my restaurant’s cash one day and it was over $10K, so they had to fill out the paperwork. The tellers all know me and were apologizing, but they were required to do it. Utter stupidity.
It is none of their business where the money comes from….there are regulatory watchdog programs to identify money laundering transactions. Take your business somewhere else. Support small local banks run by people you know and that know you.
I still use my son’s diapers for shop towels. He is 35 now.
Off purpose use…like ivermectin.
Love it!
he’s still wearing diapers at 35???
couldn’t resist
I hope you eventually find success with potty-training! 🙂
I wasn’t permitted to deposit cash into a persons account either – BoA is part of Big GOV now – any smart person would move as much out of global / Govt banks and into local , small and regional banks –
I don’t want anyone turning off or limiting or tracking my finances for GOV – total BS
is your wife one of the signers on the account, if not, that’s why. If she is then there should not be any issues.
My wife is a retired bank executive. She said it has been a regulation for banks to not accept cash from others, for deposit, except the account holder. Was done to stop money laundering. Is stupid but the little person suffers because the thieves take advantage.
Just find the banks Hunter uses.
Happened to me too, Also at BOfA. I was trying to put some money in my elderly parents account and they wouldn’t take cash. Had a nice chat with the manager to no avail so I went back with my Dad the next day and we closed all of their accounts and moved to another bank.
Chase has had the same policy for more than 5 years. Crazy.
I closed all of my accounts there last month.
yup, pulled out of US Bank after 20 years went to a CU
ma ultimately not matter but just throwing sand in
Did they say why?
Edit: Never mind, I should have read more replies before posting.
I went to my Australian bank to withdraw a sum in cash.
The teller queried if I was buying something special and I said yes!
And she then went on to explain to old people (like me) there are a lot of scams out there – I explained I’d been in IT 50+ years and understood and also about “Social Engineering”.
She then asked if I’d mind telling her what the money was for!
I proceeded to tell her “Yes – I would mind!!”
End of conversation – when even the banks want to know what you’re buying! FFS
Good for you….well done!
What the… ?
I’ve been banking with them for over 39 years. I had no choice then since BoA took over my local bank. They reallllly suck!
removed should have read further before posting. already covered by others.
Bank of America is getting crazier everyday. I’m looking for a better bank.
In the last couple of years, I used the ATM at a very nearby Bank of America, my local credit union is 10 miles away….I was getting money to give as Christmas gifts. I wanted crispy hundred dollar bills, which the ATM did not give me. I went inside and asked if they could swap the small bills, fresh from their ATM, for crispy, 100$ bills. They refused & acted like I was there to rob the bank.
The nice thing was, right in the face of the teller, another customer told me to wait right there, he would exchange my bills as soon as he was done with his transaction at the window.
Boom, right back at you idiot bank people!
My mom was depression era mom. Once they live through it, they never change.
Every wrong move was “wasting money” and she would be right there to remind you.
Her motto: Everything has a second use. That means old socks were cut to become wipe down cloths.
She was a refrigerator and lightbulb policeman too.
My parents survived the 70’s, and I still cut up old tshirts for dust rags.
Most of my gen-x friends remember hot dogs and powdered milk for dinner. And the government “energy savings” propaganda the schools would send home.
And chopping wood to heat the house.
Easy to forget how bad the 70’s were for normal people. When Reagan won, my parents reacted like their prison camp had been liberated.
Hot dogs and powdered milk are not an inexpensive way to get your nutrition, actually. More protein per dollar is in a tough cut of #2 beef, stewed with an onion.
Hah! Former powdered milk kid here. I have never served it up to my own kids but we do use the spreadable butter and ricotta cheese containers as our Tupperware.
we must have been high class. My mom would mix whole milk and powdered milk, half and half. lol
we used to make bologna sandwiches in the 70’s even when we didn’t have bologna
Fried baloney sandwiches are the best.
MmmMMmMmm
Yes
An afterschool favorite
We had “sugar bread” after school if you can imagine. White bread with margarine and sugar sprinkled on top. A duabetic’s nightmare.
And grape Kool-Aid.
Baloney on the grill is most excellent, char it up a bit, slap it on white bread w/mayo. It is as good as a tomato sammich w/mayo on white bread. Just depends if you are in a meat mood or vegetable mood.
My parents survived the depression and I still remember my dad (in the 60’s) eating grease sandwiches
My Dad (and Mom) were Depression kids. I remember my dad getting a glass of milk and putting white bread in it. He’d eat it with a spoon. Not sure why, but it must have stemmed from being the oldest kid of 10 kids during the Depression. They had cows to milk, and I guess my grandmother made her own bread.
That’s a wish sandwich.
Same age bracket here. My mom used to make what she called “California Stew.” Baked beans, rice, tomato sauce, and a few strips of bacon, simmered in her big electric skillet. We kids thought it was a treat, a special occasion. Only later in life did I realize that that’s what we ate during those lean weeks.
I know what you mean. We used to eat tomato dumplings. Very good food if it’s what you are used to.
Oh wow. New one for me, tomato dumplings would make a good addition to our household. Thanks.
Made me remember corn fritters. We ate quite a lot of corn fritters, and any leftover potatoes became potato pancakes for a brunch or supper side.
Here’s a bunch of fritter recipes:
19 Easy and Delicious Recipes for Fritters – One Green Planet
I have to give my parents kudos and thanks for the job they did, we never lacked for anything and never knew they were struggling to make ends meet. And I clearly remember their glee to be free of Jimmah Carter.
I experienced busing because of that jerk, his plan didn’t work so well to integrate America.
My mom is 92+ (and going strong), still washes out her ziplocks and turns them inside-out to dry. Gotta love that generation’s practicality!
I started doing that when we moved to a rural area, I refused to waste gas to buy more. I go shopping when we go to the doctors or have another reason to go to town. It is a 40 mile round trip so we make it count. We put our bags over a stick to dry so we don’t have to turn them inside out. And I do no reused any bags that have had uncooked meat in them or grease of any kind.
I wash and dry baggies, too. I swear half of my frugal habits were started after reading The Complete Tightwad Gazette.
I am 75 and wash my ziplocks. Look, if something is still useful, then take care of it and keep using it. My guess is that even Warren Buffet has habits like that. It’s ingrained in you or it isn’t.
In Britain, the phrase is “Look after the pennies, the pounds will look after themselves.”
Yes! The pennies do add up. The goal is to accumulate a lot of those penny savings to impact one’s budget.
Those cute dog poop bags with paw prints cost about 10-12 cents a bag now, wally world bags, free.
Over the course of a year, I would save about 35 dollars a year by repurposing wally bags.
I remember the old question would you take a million dollars out right? Or one penny on day one, doubling each day those pennies for 30 days. I’m not inclined at this moment to work it out, but the sensible numerate person would take the latter. It was an interesting exercise.
My husband just worked it out…1 penny doubled every day for 30 days equals…
$10,737,418.24
Ka-CHING!!
I do that and my kids look at me like I’m nuts. They’ll learn 🙂
My mom did that, too.
I reuse sandwich bags too. Walgreens occasionally has a special and you can stock up. I do it more to ‘stick it to China’, I had a box of 100 last 3 + years. Oh and those plastic walmart bags…poop bags for dogs…and for my kitchen garbage, again, to stick it to China on the plastics. I had a box of 45 kitchen 13 gal plastic bags last over 2 years.
WalMart bags for dog deposits is a great idea. When my children, now grown, were in disposable diapers, I’d double bag the used ones in WalMart bags.
Just wondering how long it will be before WalMart will be following Aldi with the bring your own bag policy. I’m almost waiting for the announcement for “climate change” sake…never mind the millions of ill disposed biological waste masks everywhere. Anything to make shopping harder…and everything else.
I do self check out and triple bag almost everything
I generate a lot of bags
All it takes is one split bag with breakables in it to make what you do very sensible. Its happened to me, and probably many others.
I was really peeved when they removed the wet sponges at Wal-Nut, w/out them it can be a fight at times to get the dispensers to work.
I finally figured out when at the park to have my dog lick my fingers before I try to open the little black baggie to poop scoop. Those things can be the devil to open.
I use them for the cat poop.
Same
My mother is six years younger but she does the same. Big on reusing tin foil too.
One tiny money saving tip I have is to cut a new sponge in half. It really does make them last twice as long.
Food is our biggest expense. I have found that building in at least two leftovers nights a week keeps our food waste way down.
Also cut soap pads (“Brillo”) in half.
Oh gosh, me too
I actuallyhang them with clippies in 3m hoks to air dry
My mom would save the wax paper bags that come out of the cereal boxes to put leftovers in. She would roll it up tightly or use a clothespin depending on what she was using it for. A bag is a bag.
I grew up on family discussions with my parents of what was a luxury and what was a necessity. You don’t hear of families talking like that anymore.
We didn’t go on vacations. A trip to the lake or a trip to the valley pasture meant the world.
My late mother’s voice still echos in my head “do you really need it or do you just want it? You better learn to tell the difference .”
My mother’s voice “turn the water off…you’re going to run the well dry!”
My Dad taught me there are only three necessities. Food, clothing, shelter. Once you have satisfied the first three, in that order, everything else is a luxury.
OK… how about stereo amplifiers?
Let’s face it these Communist Democrats are killing our Living standards continually for their benefit…. while their donors and supporters live like kings and queens. Look at most of their big shot donors….. they are living better than they ever have. Better than real kings and queens in the past. The same crap happened under Obama the first time. (Note this is his second go round of screwing us royally.)
Yup, that was both my grandma’s. My husband’s grandma was so poor back then, they ate sweet rice for breakfast (sugared leftover rice). Nothing or as near to nothing as you can get goes to waste.
And that is why I have so much stuff, both my parents were depression era and you never throw anything away because it can be re-used or someone might need it. It has been instilled into my DNA.
I’m so broke I can’t even pay attention !
We used to say, “We’re so broke, we use a fork in the sugar bowl.”
The corollary was “he’s so tight, he owes himself money.”
He’s so tight, he squeaks, lol
My dad had a saying: “He’s so broke he needs a co-signer to pay cash.” But seriously, this really did happen to me. I was at a brand-name takeout barbecue place. I had folding money, but I decided to empty out my quarter jar and rolled up $10 in quarters. I tried to give it to the guy, but he insisted that I count the quarters. i told him I had already counted them and it’s ten dollars. If he didn’t believe me, he was welcome to check it himself. He apparently felt that was beyond his job description, but I was not about to count out 40 quarters like some guilty schoolboy with popsicle stains on his mouth. I wrapped it up by telling him that it comes down to a question of whether he wants cash money for a purchase, or not. He said back, “AAt this point, no.” I shrugged and said, “It’s your call. I thought that in these hard times, especially for restaurants, you would be happy to have cash paying customers coming in the door, but I guess I was wrong about that. No problem, I can always find someone that’s happy to sell their product. You just lost a 20 year customer. What’s the point of coming into a store that won’t sell their product?” I didn’t ask to speak to the manager, because he was the manager. Being a company store, I’m sure he didn’t give a rip.
You might want to remind him that the restaurant pays processings costs when taking a credit card –
somewhere around 2.5 to 3.5%
As always, discretionary spending is hit first and hardest. Whatever purchases that can be deferred will be. I can’t see people willing to accept a long term financial obligation such as a house or car loan unless it is absolutely necessary or something that had been planned long in advance.
In the same vein, I wonder if banks are seeing personal debt levels rising and becoming more cautious in granting loans for mortgages or high cost goods (cars). All government figures are now totally corrupted so you should assume things are much worse than reported (when Democrats are in power). I would not be surprised if job data has been manipulated to hide the fact that we have already been in recession for a while now.
My daughter took a job temporarily at GMAC finance, qualifying car loans. Many were paying for over-priced used cars with high interest rates. They would be upside down when they got the car. Many don’t plan ahead it seems.
No, I wouldn’t believe that judging by the problems we’re having hiring people at work. We don’t have enough skilled workers. I need scientists, but we’re too busy turning out people with gender studies degrees to teach science.
plus, looking around the area, I’m seeing plenty of help wanted signs. Our favorite Chinese restaurant is closing because they can’t hire enough people to open the dining room and they can’t make it on takeout alone. Very sad.
We have been trying to fill several positions at work for months now. Using temp agency is insane. The person gets a check, you never see them again.
I’m wondering how many more people will be looking for work now that inflation is starting to hit harder.
I think you could guarantee that is the case.
Absolutely broke is totally different than poor!
Easter changes everything!!
I may not be rich, but I have enough to be free – and that make me as wealthy as Jeff Bezos.
Amen, same here! FK the Jones’s!
Excuse me!!!!!
Oh….we’re not THOSE Joneses.
Metaphorically speaking, I assume.
Yes…We’ll assume that’s the case. There are so many of us. And in Wales?? You have no idea!!
There’s a big difference between being skint (UK = no money) and being poor. One of my dad’s favourite sayings. He was a child during the Great Depression. It’s good to remember that we can be inventive.
My dad, from the same generation, explained to me that being poor is a state of mind.
He also said being rich has nothing to do with money.
Nice distinction to share Cortes… we’re skint.
Necessity is the mother of invention.
I heard that saying many of times!
Another further interesting note is those “non-essential” items are also BIG National GDP hitters.
A man (or woman) is never poor if he has friends. And you, Sundance, have more than even you, with all your knowledge of figures, could even imagine.
Here here!
We can and will get through this together. Let’s just keep the ideas flowing y’all.
Yes sirrrrrrrrr, GGGggggggrrrrrrrrrr.😉
Yes we can. Lots of ideas nobody ever considers! Most are real but common sense. Quit listening to some of the young. They think they more than us. They in for a big surprise! Big time!!!!! I know. I’m raising some of grandchildren.
How lucky are those children, Southern girl. God bless you…and He will, I think.
The FED will be back printing money before you know it. They blow up the bubble, pop, repeat. Each time requires trillions more.
You bet they will. That Yellen transcript yesterday calling for spending trillions more, they don’t disguise their intent.
When have they ever stopped?
I grew up with the same Tupperware, too funny. Great idea on posting tips to help each other.
I grew up with five kids in the family. We didn’t need Tupperware. Nothing was ever leftover.
We appreciate you too, Sundance. 😊
I’m with you on that declaration about poverty, Sundance: I certainly don’t do much discretionary spending....have seldom had that privilege….but I have NEVER “been poor”.
Thank you for the economic explanations; they remind me I’m not crazy and, also, that I’m not completely stupid. I can understand a plainspoken explanation.
Several years ago, you shared some wise counsel that our family made good use of….that in an unresolvable and difficult situation there is no right and wrong. IOW, don’t get hung up on doing everything perfectly. Just keep moving and making the choices you need to make. Yesterday it was my privilege to serve a dear friend in a similar situation as our family had at that time–told her there’s no right or wrong; keep a tender heart and keep loving…..she was greatly encouraged…the things you share that cook in to our understanding, Sundance,…. are kept….and passed along…..
That principle of not getting hung up on right/wrong applies to all of these everyday things. So many good things ….so many good things.
I spent a good part of today sorting, cleaning, and prepping about sixty canning jars, examining the associated rings for rust, found some good info on youtube with ideas for dealing with the rust, preparing for a larger garden with larger harvest that will be canned or frozen or dehydrated, working with son and daughter-in-law. Good times. It’s all good.
Just started crocheting a beautiful baby throw for a new great grandson who will be arriving in July…a southern boy, he is. My granddaughter and her husband/with huge southern family, live in Alabama and she absolutely loves it. She grew up in Oregon and is completely through with it.
God bless! Good stuff!
Sharon, thanks for sharing!
My wife chose to be stay at home mom. Little one born she had a friend with a little boy and they played together. Her friend an AG degree from Purdue and my wife worked our large garden to share work and veggies. My wife started sewing baby clothes for preemies which were scarce in stores. Cloth diapers and hung on clothesline.
You’re a lucky guy! But you knew that😁
Inflation will mean the average U.S. household has to spend an extra $5,200 this year ($433 per month) compared to last year for the same consumption basket
Goods Inflation
Someone should superimpose the graph of the price of diesel over that graph.
No Graph in the world is not that big.
Yikes. There’s a meme that says, “I see expensive stuff…. EVERYWHERE!”
Not this household. So far I’ve found ways to reduce without doing without. It makes me happy to say no to Chinese crap, whether food or stuff. Buying in bulk has given me peace of mind as well as a lot of savings.
25+ years ago, we kicked the credit trap.
Then, we made up a budget, and for 3 months, we recorded EVERY $ we spent, by category;
Food.
Transportation. Housing. Household (non-food items; T.P., soaps/detergents, etc.
Entertainment.
Then we looked at INVESTMENTS we could make (intial purchase) that would lower out monthly outlay, from that point on.
Big things and little, we made investments to lower our “monthly nut” in all categories, and invested the savings in new investments.
For several years now, we have had a substantial (at least to US!) amount of $ “left over” every month, and this on a very modest household income.
And we OWN every thing we have, no creditors own us. Invariably, these changes in lifestyle were improvements over the “old” way of doing things, so no ‘sacrifice’ was required,..and the Peace of Mind,. .is PRICELESS!
If you don’t have any cash, write a check. Like a trillion here and a trillion there and sooner or later it turns into a chunk of change.
So today I did 37 miles on a mountain bike. A few miles from home, I saw some tables out like a yard sale in front of a school. It was fun raiser. Saw a 5 buck nice bread maker, = One loaf of bread.
Just happened to have some shoe laces and a cord and lashed it on bike and headed home.
Consumer spending runs the GDP. I had predicted high gas prices under Obama would cut into consumer spending more than it did.
Save a dollar a can. This won’t last!
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Value-Chunk-Chicken-Breast-12-5-oz-12-count/510708077
Chinese chicken- what could go wrong?
I’ve been broke more than most, but I ain’t never been poor.
Well said. I’ve said for years, no matter how much I was making, we will always be closer to bankrupt than wealthy because of our government.
I told many people in 2020 what was coming, expect great reports on earnings but soon, you’ll all start seeing the truth of the matter.
Sundance’s post is just the start.
It has to hurt to own a gas station in Moline, IL. According to gas buddy, at Walmart it’s going for $4.09. A couple of miles to the north, at the Walmart in Bettendorf, IA … $3.48.
It’s like this in many parts of the country, and what’s true of gas is also true of food. Indeed, the biggest run up that I have seen in recent weeks is hotel rooms, and this before schools close for the year.
I been to that area, isn’t it called the quad-city area (or maybe tri-city)?
Came from a low income family of 8. If money was available, Mom would buy 10lbs of ground beef and 5lbs of stew meat when it was on-sale, break it into small packages and freeze it. She would make large amounts of hamburger helper which we would eat for 2 or 3 days. She would then make a large pot of stew which we would eat for 2 or 3 days. Since my younger brother and I were quite a bit younger than the older 4, we seldom saw much in the way of the stew meat. That got picked out of the pot pretty fast. I mostly remember eating quite a bit of carrots, peas and potatoes from the garden which were the other ingredients in the stew. There were times that all we had were the vegetables but we all survived.
What we did was Friday soup!
All veggie leftovers..no matter how small were saved.
All left overs from feeding our family of 8….was thrown in a pot. A couple buillion cubes if needed…then–ta da……
Friday surprise soup!
What an excellent idea!
I don’t see ammo getting any less expensive.
Conspiracy Reality: That, and limited quantities of better quality (match grade), name-brand ammo in popular calibers.
The feral government has been buying massive amounts for departments you’ve never even heard of (wouldn’t be surprised if that included the spying U.S. Postal Service).
Why would they do that? Hmmmm …..
Patriot supply during difficult times.
Just checked on the belt stuff for the WW2 items and was surprised the 8mm was down to 45 cents in linked cases of 720 rounds. Not bad. Easy to de-link if needed for rifle use. Pistol calibers are still pretty robust compared to historically though; did find a good deal on 9mm Luger, 27 cents per in reman brass. Noted a lot of reman brass, more than usual. Thanks for the head’s up!
Go “junking” – a term friends of mine use for their visits to yard sales, thrift shops etc. I was able to buy a perfectly used good bicycle for $35.
For food, I buy my groceries at Costco, including canned goods. I love fresh tomatoes, but I don’t need to use fresh tomatoes for sauce. Upfront, my costs are higher, but over time they are much lower.
Grow you some tomatoes. They cheap.
Dollar Tree is too far for me, but Aldi’s is close and I went for the first time…prices were pretty good.
Back in the day, someone would ask me what kind of decor I had in my house –
my response: “Early garage sale”…..from all the Thursday junk day pick ups,
second hand stores and garage sales. My sister and I had so much fun cruising
the town in her pick up.
🤣
This is going to be tough but this country needs to get back to basics. You earn, save a little, pay down debt and live on the rest. We have to get away from printing money, incurring debt and handing it out. I know, I’m delirious. Get ready for more government ‘save the people’ spending packages, especially with elections coming.
When you see $80,000 pickups all over the place you know people are irrationally exuberant. I knew this Sh!tshow wouldn’t last forever…. and it will be far worse once people start losing their vehicles. Most won’t recover for 10 years at a minimum.
There are only two ways out of this mess:
1. massive interest rate hikes which the Government Party’s various welfare queen constituencies will not allow, and which the government cannot afford, and which would cause #2:
2. massive recession/depression that actually contacts the economy to allow prices to contract. The Government Party will not allow this and will spend even more money to try and prevent (as was done in 2008). Most of the monetary policy actions in 2008 were to keep the floor from collapsing on prices, particularly housing.
They are doing their level best to make people wish there not only had been an “insurrection” on 1/6…but that it had been successful.
I posted this by accident in the Elon article, sorry…
VoteAllIncumbantsOut
April 14, 2022 7:34 pm
If there are local food markets in your areas, help them out by buying from them. Then take what you have and this depends on the items, prep them, freeze them.
Blanche your potatoes first, the freeze them. Prep what you can, pastas, beans, white rice, things that can last many years.
I’m a big believer in staple foods, fruits are great but but you need the basics.
all of our eggs that our chickens lay, we freeze dry them, powder them and pack them away for years if needed.
same for potatoes, mashed, seasoned, freeze dried, and packed away.
you won’t even notice the taste, it’ll be just like you made them 5 minutes ago.
In AZ, we sometimes use “Market on the move”. Share with others as we all need to work together with our friends, family and neighbors.
A couple thoughts . .One, being short on cash can be taken as a challenge to your creativity, and that can be quite enjoyable, especially if you don’t mind being a bit eccentric. And two, a poor person can grow a tomato that is just as lovely as the rich person’s — same sun, same sh-t.
Exactly this. A challenge rather than a misfortune.
Where I live in the Northeast (NY) we are starting to experience the glories of Spring.
The temps have gotten into the upper 70s, plants are coming up from bulbs planted last fall, and I have already been paddling on my local lake. Every day I get to marvel anew at God’s magnificent creations.
When I go out on the lake I feel at one with the many birds and ducks flying around and the turtles sunning themselves on the rocks.
No matter how much money I have or don’t have doesn’t matter- nobody can take all that away from me (or you).
We have a lot to be grateful for and gratitude is the key. Remember- living well is the best revenge and that is something that all us Treepers know how to do.
God bless Sundance and the gang.
Ha,..your mention of ducks, along with the discussion on creative ways of feeding ourselves in hard times, reminded me of a true story.
A homeless person was arrested and released after an incident in a popular park.
He used some bread he got from the homeless shelter, to lure a goose close,…and then he brained it with a 2×4.
He was gonna have it for DINNER. Bystanders, horrified at seeing this barbarous act, called the Police who took him, 2×4 and goose away,…and realised there was no ordinance they could charge him with.
“Migratory birds” ARE protected, but duck and geese are exempted,..and no one “owns” those birds that frequent parks,…it wasn’t “animal cruelty” as he dispatched it quite efficiently,…
I envision that “gentlemen of the road” with his compadres, dining on goose, still makes me smile.
Amen
It’s snowing like hell in my neck of the woods today in the mountains. Right now.
We too grew up poor, our grandparents were there for my brothers and I when the parents took off.
We wanted for nothing though.
Yet two brothers and I were determined never to be poor.
So far so good..frugality and sound Real Estate purchases over the years were the key for us.
The frugality never leaves though, a friend just this afternoon gave me a $50.00 gift certificate for a local restaurant. As I had lent him my 1995 3/4 ton 4×4 truck for a dump run.
We won’t use it, and will give it away to someone that will appreciate it more.
My friend knows this, but doesn’t care.
We don’t enjoy restaurants and despise paying the 12% sales tax on a meal etc.
All my clothes except the essentials are donated from our adult sons.
They do well, so “their gear “is the best 😎and unlike the wife and I are not yet skilled in frugality, although they are improving.
While I appreciate it is not easy for everyone but the best advice I ever got as a teenager was to avoid all consumer debt, ( investment debt mortgages etc were excepted)
Apparently Mortgage is from the Latin or something and means something like. Dead Pledge 😟
Lastly I had to laugh at the Cool Whip Tupperware.
I just checked, our cupboard there are numerous empty yoghurt and yes, Cool Whip containers in it. ( we use them for soups, stews, and sauces we make for the freezer)😉
A friend asked me just the other day how we became relatively well off. My reply was I still, and always will think poor.
Consumer debt, and packaged processed foods.
Avoid those two, and the “jingle” of coins in your pocket will grow.
Thank you all.
Dead hand. ; – )
Good for you!
I agree frugality is something taught.
And it really never leaves.
My parents were both Depression kids (b. 1923 & 1929) so I bought this for them one Christmas. They loved it!
Nice gift.
I’ve said for many years, the wealthiest people are the poorest people. Family is what matters!
That’s what I learned about growing up because that is what my parents remember from their youth. They ate what was available, period. All I can say is I am glad I learned their frugal ways from them. Mother’s family moved out of Charleston, SC when the Germans began torpedoing ships off the coast and bodies would wash up on shore. Dad went into the Navy (on Carriers) right out of HS during the Korean War. I remember telling kids as I was growing up that if I could be half the man my dad was I’d consider myself a success. Amazing generation of Americans and a real blessing to grow up under their tutorage.
Shop for 10-20 lb bags of rice at Mexican or Indian stores. It’s very inexpensive.
Grow microgreens. It’s inexpensive, takes only a windowsill, and is highly nutritious. Big Bang for a small buck.
Make your own kombucha. It’s fizzy, filled with probiotics, and can replace a craving for soda. It’s also inexpensive to make. You can make it any flavor you wish, just vary the tea bags and fruit.
Regrow vegetables. When you buy celery, set the root in an inch of water with a bit of organic plant food and it will regrow. https://about.spud.com/blog-regrowing-vegetables-from-scrap/
Don’t skimp on maintenance. Make sure everything is calked and weatherproofed, maintenance is less than replacement.
Rest tips! Thank you!
Wow, thank you. Great share (Regrow vegetables). While I’ll take advantage of several of these, we eat a ton of romaine lettuce. That’s number one on my list. Seriously, much appreciated!
I was able to stack a sale price on family packs of 80/20 ground beef with a 10% off reward from a grocery store app and paid $2.85 a pound. I bought about 17lbs and pressure canned it. Keep your eyes peeled and you can get lucky.
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
Good one, thanks Ersatz.
Foxfire Series of books. Find it folks.
How we are getting through… single mom with 16 yo daughter here.
1) We purchased a small 7.0 cu ft freezer to put in our rental apartment garage. Been stocking up thanks to CTH. Rural King had for $260.
2) Purchased shelving units and outfitted our garage including weatherproofing it (aluminum door insulation kit), so it stays moderate in Indiana cold or heat.
3) Purchased a 1 kW tabletop genset that will power up minor utilities and deep freezer, if needed. Genset run by battery, recharge by AC, via car battery, or solar panels.
4) Purchased propane tank powered heaters at Tractor Supply that heat 900 sq ft area. Have an EXTRA propane tank on hand for grilling or heaters.
5) Storing 50 gallons filtered water in 5 lb jugs.
6) My daughter and I are going to learn to can food and pressure cooker en route (pray against botulism, please!)
7) Exercising all the refills on prescriptions and keeping them on hand, needed or not.
8) Invested in camping gear and fishing poles. We will make it an adventure to learn.
9) Always shopping at Aldis. Excellent freezer meat and high quality with low low prices. I appreciate their CEO just sent out a letter renewing their commitment to be as affordable as possible. I’ve been able to sustain gourmet style cooking with their incredible products and prices.
9) Giving every politician I can get audience with a copy of Patriot Academy’s “Biblical Citizenship” dvd series because we need more Constitutionally conservative Patriot leaders with a Biblical worldview, the way our Founding Fathers intended.
10) Started my old Bible Study Fellowship study on Revelation and teaching my daughter. When all else fails, we look to Jesus’s Glorious return.
Absolutely do not allow any possibility re botulism….that’s not something that you “get over”…..
I only started canning in the last 10 years, although I grew up in the 50s watching my mother do all sorts of canning. At first, when I began learning anew, I was pretty intimidated about botulism, etc. As I checked out the instruction books that came with the hardware we purchased for canning, I saw that every detail that is needed to “do it right” is thoroughly covered in the instructions.
In addition, the county extension office, any of the jar sites (Ball, Mason, the canning people) will have hard and specific instructions. The .gov sites are valuable in this area (yet!).
Take the time to understand what you’re being told to do. Take the time to do it right. If you make a mistake that seems scary, throw the stuff out and start over. Not worth having to worry about!!!
Enjoy – I still find when I gear up to start every year again, I am SO careful! I struggle over the instructions and the first time through the process, it always feels like I’ve never done it before! Oh, well. Carry on….I’m 78 years old and still learning all the time. Good luck!
Wipe and clean the top of the mason jars glass seal surface a few times. When pressure canning meat product for one to two hours after reaching 10-15 lbs pressure it is a real bummer to have your lids not to seal because you did not clean the top rim of the glass jar. In addition do not start your timing until you put lid on Canning pot and let the steam escape for 10-15 minutes before putting on the pressure weight. You want only steam to be escaping the pot which will insure that when the pressure reaches 10-15lbs pressure that your internal temperature is above 240 degrees needed to kill spores in non acid foods. The one inch head space in the jar is also important to get a strong lasting seal.
P.S. – We also invested in an Aerogarden growing our own indoor vegetable and herb plants. I’m also taking and growing veg that has overripened and would usually be thrown away and harvesting for seeds… planting them in pots and fertilizing them.
Please, if you are going to can your own food, do it exactly as instructed here -https://nchfp.uga.edu or at other state websites that have fully tested recipes. No cutting corners, it can kill you. Do it right and you don’t have to worry.
Exactly!
if anything gets botulism in it it will expand. Easy to spot.
Good for you!!
Re: canning – just follow the directions to a T and you’ll be fine. The goal is perfectly sealed jars after the right amount of pressure and the right amount of time for the particular canned product – no exceptions. None. Once you get through it several times, you can do it in your sleep. It’s like when you learn to drive – there is a brake pedal that stops the car and an accelerator that moves the car, and depending what gear you’re in, you’ll idle, go forward, or backward. Canning is not nearly as complicated as driving a vehicle. I have a blast canning and love the convenience of pulling something “homemade” off the shelf for dinner. Have a great time!
Excellent list. Don’t confuse pressure cooker with pressure canner. Live your best life !!
I’ve been poor. But here lately there are group discussions where we shop about how to do “this kind of inflation for groceries”. In lean times not really in any particular order:
Looking forward to seeing some other cost cutting stuff from others. Night all.
P.S. We hunt, so we make our own venison sausage, stew meat, hamburger, steaks and jerky.
In theory 3 meatless suppers are good. But in our house, it remains a theory because a good deal of the time it’s much easier to do meatless lunches due to meal prep times.
Can you tell shopping is already a “shared thing”??? My spouse was really getting stressed out already with the product shortages. So now we both do it.
I’ve gone back to low carb eating so desserts are pretty much out. If you want a sweet treat, whip an 8 ounce block of cream cheese with strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, etc. It doesn’t take much fruit (about 6-7 diced strawberries, for instance). It really hits the spot for my sweet cravings.
Doing low carb here. Health problems, including diabetes and being overweight made my choice critical. Diabetes going away and it’s easier to get around without hauling around 40 pounds of blubber. No more meds and my vitals are normal. I take vitamin D3 and some mineral supplements & that’s all.
Eating red meats, poultry, fish & eggs (nothing processed) is not very expensive if I bypass expensive cuts. I still use some veggies and dairy. I am not altogether KETO, I cheat sometimes.
I never count calories and eat until satisfied. In the past I was always hungry.
I’ve started re-using aluminum foil after I saw the price increases. I bake a lot of bread from scratch (sourdough and whole wheat breads freeze very well), wrap the loaves in aluminum foil, then put in a ziplock freezer bag. I have taken to reusing both the foil and the bags. Since I buy in bulk, I like to repackage in ziplock bags, so I reuse the bags. In my mind, the trick to not contaminating foods is to reuse for *similar* things (rice in the rice bags, beans in the bean bags, bread in the bread bags, etc). People used to do this. Parchment paper is a relatively new thing. We always greased our pans with Crisco. I love, love, love, the ease of parchment paper, so I reuse it for like things, such as making granola. I’m slowly giving up my paper towel fetish. I make the household cleaning products now using raw ingredients. I paid a small fortune for citric acid, but I bought extra and it should last a long time.
In regards to stretching foods, YouTube is a veritable gourmet library of cooking shows. Everyone shares their recipes and shows how to cook the dish! Buying bulk, cooking from scratch, cooking from the pantry is *very popular* on YouTube right now.
But, here’s an example. I purchased brown lentils in bulk from Azure. I purchased beef in bulk from local rancher. I purchased some can goods (Walmart brand) when they went on sale. This week’s large pot of beef and lentil soup could feed a large family for one meal or be served a number of ways, even over rice, for any number:
2lbs of stew meat, browned in a large pot, water – 8-10 cups and seasonings added after browning.
2 cups of brown lentils
2 cans (15oz-ish) of chopped tomatoes with onion, garlic, and bell pepper
Voila – heaven on earth after simmering for a few hours (process can be done in an Instapot too!)
Pull out a loaf of sourdough or whole wheat from the freezer that morning, and you have a delicious, hearty, nutritious meal.
Another example (since I have beef in the freezer):
Slice up a couple New York steaks (I know, don’t scream at me) thinly, marinate in soy with seasonings.
Separately cook a pot of rice, and follow whatever recipes you can find online for fried rice.
Saute the steak quickly, stir fry the rice with vegetables added. I added a can of peas and carrots. I use fresh eggs from the chickens for the fried rice.
This stretches really tasty beef, and the stir fried rice can be made as large as the number of people you’re feeding.
I’ve learned to cook over the years. It takes some practice, but there are so many good cooks out there publishing videos that it’s easier now!
Take care CTH fam.
“Coming from a family whose Tupperware® was a matching set of Cool Whip containers, I can tell you there are times when being frugal is a valued skillset.”
Wait, we weren’t the only ones? BTW, at this very moment I’m sipping a cocktail out of what originally was a Dona Maria Mole glass jar.
Ditto on the broke but never poor and appreciation back at you, Sundance. Had no idea you were so funny … it’s either laugh or cry.
One of my favorite quotes: “To those who think, life is a comedy. To those who feel, life is a tragedy.”
Since my mother passed away in 2001, I have only bought clothes, shoes, household items, seasonal decorations, furniture at second hand stores and rummage sales. It is related to my mother’s death only because she loved to shop and I would always shop first in her closet. So when she died, on top of missing everything else about her, I was lost for buying things and my best friend’s mother like to rummage and the rest is history. For the last 15 years or so, I have worked a church rummage sale (not even my religion) every year which is extra good because if you are working they let you get “first pick”.
The other night my husband asked how much money I thought I saved over the years and we estimated (if we bought the same stuff new) it would be in the range of $200,000. Hard to believe. Often too I got goods that were better quality than I would have been able to afford if I bought them new.
I saved the most with shoes, I think. You can get shoes that are new or pretty new because people are loathe to return them and frequently find shoes hurt or don’t work for them, but they may work great for you.
One of the side effects of commodity inflation is that scrap metals have risen nicely. Sheet iron at $275 / ton in my area. There is so much free money laying around. One nearby town has a junk day where people set free money out front. Appliance cords, exercise bikes, old copper pipe, old lawn mowers the list is endless. We have done this for many years to pay for vacations. Get educated and you can pull a couple hundred bucks every now and again. WARNING this may become addictive..
Try to grow some food. Many things will grow in pots and grow bags right on a patio. Lettuce is easy and only takes a few weeks to mature. Every little bit will help. Onions are easy. Peppers are perennial and do fine in pots. Buy big bags of rice and store them in seal-a-meal bags if you can. Same with flour, dried milk, yeast (refrigerate), dried beans, and canned meats. It never hurts to put a little away for a bad day. City dwellers should be most concerned. Look at Shanghai.
I’m so broke, I can’t afford to pay attention.
I’m so poor a mouse ran through my kitchen and was carrying its own lunch……
I’m so broke that when the cat brought an elephant nose mouse into the house last night I exclaimed ‘I can fillet that!’. She wasn’t amused. We ended up chasing it around the house for entertainment.
Today, the lawn crew showed up at the estate next door while I was out exercising mowing my lawn with …..the string trimmer. Life in the forest. Oh, yeah, fixed the fuel hose on its engine with a piece of brake line tubing left over from doing the race car brakes 30 years ago. That’s what being broke and the village blacksmith is like. 🙂
As we said growing up, “If it cost a nickel to crap I’d have to throw up.”
u win!
I have no idea how consumer spending was down given my credit card bill in March. Just saying…
All, well most, of those purchases were planned and I pay it off every month so no interest. I’ve gone to cash only this month except for bills, charitable donations, the eye surgeon and gasoline. My credit card points are currently doubling but using cash means I spend less and that’s better than points.
I am also more selective when using cash. For instance, no Easter flowers from the store this year; I’ll use my snapdragons, dianthus, roses and violets for bouquets.
I use canning jars for food storage in the frig and pantry. I make sure the dishes are done every night and the kitchen is clean so I can easily cook the next day. Veggies for salad and stir fries are cut up in advance to enable quick meal prep. Cheese is also shredded and stored in jars. I live alone but cook for two to four people because leftovers make life easy.
I switched to a time of use electricity plan with my electric co-op. Rates are high from 6 to 9 a.m. from November through March while summer rates are 3 to 7 p.m. the other months. Rates are much lower than the usual rate during the other hours. I started in mid-January and saved $42 on the first 2 bills. I recommend this ONLY for people who can control usage during the high usage periods.
I don’t eat out often (once sometimes twice a week) almost always for lunch at locally owned places. The one area where I don’t cut back is on the tips to servers. I also spend more to buy American and buy locally grown produce.
I don’t have cable or video streaming services. I didn’t even replace the TV after the cats broke it 2 or 3 years ago. If I want to watch a movie, I get it from the library or find something on Pluto.tv. The dollars I would spend on these things go to my annual Scribd subscription ($85 annually for unlimited books, including many, many audio books) which anyone can try for free for 30 days. I also support Blaze TV and several online websites such as CTH.
Finally, I find joy in life, whether that is getting together with friends, gardening, reading, volunteering or just sitting on the screen porch with my cats. Occasionally I even clean the house – very occasionally.
Wise budgeting and careful spending means one can be frugal without being miserly. This has been my aim over fifty years and has stood me in good stead through thick and thin.
All those hoarders with houses full of any used plastic containers are going to win!
Oh no, I’ll have to tell my wife she was right to save all that crap!
I’ve always been Rich – with good health and a caring family!
But, I have also lived through the vicissitudes of life.
I use a particular brand of spaghetti sauce that comes in a mason jar. I reuse them as storage for many things food and other.
I’ve got tomato plants currently growing in a 56oz chopped clam can. I learned a trick that works well for such cans of all sizes, save the lids , drill a hole in the bottom of the can…. then put the lid down the can when filling it with planting soil.
The hole serves as a drain and it’s easy to stick a screwdriver through it to push the whole root mass out of the can when transplanting. Worked great so far. Started seeds in tuna cans, then moved up to soup cans, then to the larger cans before going outside. Everything fits in the window sill and I use an old ceramic reptile heat lamp to warm the area.
Like yourself, I repurpose food jars. My mom used to store straightened nails in peanut butter jars under the workbench top with the lids screwed to the underside of the workbench. Learned the repurpose trick from her.
Many people I have met like to brag about how much they spend.
I always like to brag about how much I saved…
Example..my brother and I were talking about our phones. He says—wow that’s an old phone! I reply..yeah..but it’s been paid for…for years!
Another line I use frequently…oh well- I can’t afford it. I only have retirement and Social Security. I don’t live on welfare.
I brag about being poor. Actually I’m not – in my opinion. I just have no debt. Took me years to get there…and have managed for years to stay debt free.
If I don’t have the money saved up for a specific item I don’t buy it until I have the money. You appreciate it more–in my opinion.
When 90% of the people around you have a $600+ phone bought on phone payment credits, kids with $1000 Iphones, etc. (while you can get a decent phone out right from other companies for $100) you know the world is truly upside down. It’s almost like people are losing their sense of reality.
The weather is getting nicer. Air dry a small load of laundry on a line. Hand wash dainties and hang to dry in bathroom–dual purpose–dryer heat will not destroy the elastics and they might last longer.
Paper towels get used twice and those ‘half sheets’ get halved again for necessary small spills. If I am extravagant and go to a fast food joint for take out, I ask for extra napkins and use a cloth napkin at home and dual purpose the fast food napkins, for paper towels.
Grab a few paper towels at the gas station after cleaning your windshield, to keep in the car.
Unplug computers, radio, and coffee maker when going out for a while, they are vampires to the electric bill.
Turn down (or up as the case may be) thermostats
Full loads of laundry only in cold water. If space is available, air dry heavy stuff like jeans and then run on ‘air fluff’. Reuse dryer fabric softer sheets, they are good for at least 2 loads.
Use half the suggested amount of laundry detergent. Cheap stuff works just as good as Tide.
I prefer Dawn dish detergent…for me, it works the best.
Doggie baths: human shampoo works very well and is safer for the dogs (as long as they are not loaded with perfumes and stuff).
Carpet powder–baking soda or borax (borax powder if you think there are fleas in the carpet, I think one has to let it sit overnight, though.
Glucoasamine for people, works OK for dogs, check with your vet for dosage. (NO human vitamins or pain meds).
Dog treats, home made are healthier and can use some leftovers too–dehydrate sweet potato chunks/strips in the oven–salmon treats, tuna treats—lots of on line recipes out there.!
Shelties are prone to weight problems due to thyroid issues and being “food driven”. I have convinced mine that rinsed green beans are a high value treat. Cut in small bite size pieces. Careful of amt as it will loosen up their poop.
FREE meals/food I learned to make as stay-at-home mom
On number 3. I use the bones from 10lbs cooked chicken leg qtr 1Tbsp Apple cider vinegar 1Tbsp sea salt and 2 qts water for hour in my instant pot. Natural release. Crack the bones first to get as much of the mineral and protein from the marrow out from the cooking process. The leg qtrs are from making my own dog food.
Excellent Sundance…
One way that I save is that I don’t pay for cable television. I have an outdoor antenna that paid for itself in a year over the cost of cable. I can get about 23 different stations well, but I don’t watch television much and get most news from computer live stream.