Quote:
Originally Posted by uniquetobeme
i am extremely concerned about the economy and my families well being. I am a single mom with 3 kids, and my son's boyfriend lives with us also. I went through a break up in 2009 that left me in financial ruin and I am also making much less money than I used to earn.
I am barely scraping by, yet I know that I have it better than a lot of people.
I live in a suburban area and I don't have a yard for a garden, but I plan to use containers this spring to grow food.
I keep saying if I ever win the lottery I want to buy land and build a self sustained farm that is organic and humane to animals. (not that owning livestock can ever be humane, but as humane as possible). But, I don't know the first thing about farming.
I find it so sad that we are being poisoned by the crap that is manufactured andante that animals are treated so harshly.
I would love to come out some weekends and help, when it warms up a bit...that is if I can afford the gas. I've heard it is supposed to go way up...which means the price of food is going to go up even higher.
My mom owns a large plot of land in West Virginia and many times, lately, I have contemplated moving there and seeing if I could talk them into starting an organic farm.
I don't think a lot of people are seeing the writing on the wall. Most of America is asleep at the wheel. There are lots of web sites on emergency preparedness and survival training. My 14 year old is constantly watching the videos. he has a bug out bag that has a few essentials inside. We also have a pantry with extra water and flood, but I don't think we could survive for more than a week. Plus, society in America has become so much more violent. If people are hungry, they will fight and kill for the food. Not all, but there will be some who would. I haven't read all the thread, so I apologize for redundancy. The reality that things are going to get worse economically for the middle and lower class is a real possibility, if not inevetable. I am learning to appreciate the little things in life and be grateful for what I do have, but I can't say that I'm not really scared. Things can get really crazy in the world really fast and those that aren't prepared are going to have a really hard time.
I am grateful for this thread because hopefully some people will see it and take measures before it is too late.
Also, I use freecycle to get things for free (and to give things away) and I also use couponmom.com for saving on groceries when I have time. Which, unfortunately isn't often. ( hopefully there aren't too many typos...I did this from my phone)
|
Is moving to your mom's land an option? If it is, that sounds like a good plan especially if you have strong kids willing to help you. Will it be easy? Nope, it won't but it will get easier and it will be worth it. If you can earn some kind of income there that seems like your best option. Start a garden, till the soil, grow extra things like tomatoes, greens, almost anything you can sell on the side of the road. There is most likely a horse farm close around there that will give you manure. have your boys till it into the soil good. In fact see if the horse stable will let them work a few hours a week for money and or to trade for the use of a tiller. I had a guy that lived down the street, very close that I use to trade with. He would bring his tractor and tiller and till for me. He sold his tractor. Now I have to rent one. But if there is a farmer close I bet he/she could use an extra hand and will trade with you. Gotta work hard tho.
If you need seeds I'll send you some. If you need laying hens you gotta come get them. But on craigslist you can probably buy chicks pretty cheap in the spring.
I feel safer on land then I would in the city. each year I put in more fruit bushes and trees. My hope is to get a shower and potty built by the barn so people can at least camp out and help develop the land.