Goals this year to prepare for possible frugal times
Last edited Fri Feb 12, 2021, 12:42 PM - Edit history (4)
Spend time fishing for suckers and learning how to clean, can and pickle them. There is no daily limit on how many one can catch.
Install a vent free LP gas heater in the basement. They don't cost much and it would be quite useful during a power outage during winter. Another option would be to install a flex gas line to terminate in the office and when needed, I could hook up the gas heater to the line. This setup would provide more heat to the main living area rather then having to rise up the basement stairs, into the kitchen and then to the upstairs
Plant the summer bearing and fall bearing raspberry plants I have already ordered and paid for.
Install an emergency waterless toilet in the basement next to the utility sink. Also install a shelf near the basement ceiling for a 5 gallon bucket that would supply water to the utility sink, if needed, and will be for hand washing. I have the materials for this. Just need to build it.
Install rain gutters on the storage building to divert water to the 275 gallon water tote I have in the back of the storage building.
Purchase 2 more 275 gallon water totes and place them in the back of the storage building and to be fed by the rain gutters. This water will be used to water the garden and orchard using soaker hoses or watering can. As the one I already have and the ones I plan to purchase are used, I don't know what they contained in the past so i will only use them for watering the garden and orchard.
Purchase at least one touring bike. I could sell my scooter to pay the cost for a good quality bike.
Build a 8'X4'X4' cold storage bin in the basement.
Visit yard and estate sales to buy hand tools and garden tools.
Lose 30 lbs and exercise on a regular basis.
Replace current 500 gallon LP tank with a 1000 gallon tank or add another 500 gallon tank to the one I already have. This would allow me to purchase more gas in summer when it's about a $1 a gallon cheaper then it is in later winter.
Build more selves in the basement for home canned foods.
Construct a biosand water filtration system.
Take an on line American Red Cross Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED course.
Purchase a quality first aid kit and adult/child CPR mask.
Purchase a quality hand crank/solar AM/FM/NOAA weather radio with 2000mAh power bank and USB cell phone charger
Purchase a single shot break action 20 gauge shotgun for home defense, hunting and varmint control.
Purchase 2 30 gal or bigger heavy duty trash cans with lids to be used as storage and in an emergency, to collect rainwater from the house roof.
Learn to make Pemmican and make it.
Become adept at using cattail roots as food.
Learn how to and become proficient in at making basic breads such as sailor biscuits, tortillas and Navajo bread.
Repair and get working the portable gas generator. This would be important to keep the fridge and freezers cold during the warmer months. Not so critical in winter.
Get back on track with taking free on line courses at Khan Academy. What I had learned from their basic geometry class came in handy when laying out the garden.
Continue working to convert backyard into a garden and orchard. Lay down sheets of cardboard between the raised rows in the garden and cover with a thick mulch of hay. I'll be getting topsoil from a neighbor to build up the berms where the fruit trees will be planted in the near future.
Give the basement a really good cleaning and keep it clean in case I need to use it as a primary living space. Acquire camping gear that I could use to make the basement a living area such as cots, folding camping chairs, folding tables and such.
The above will be paid for with the money i will be making baby sitting.
I'll update this as I make progress on and complete projects.
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OAITW r.2.0
(28,711 posts)I guess that's why you are also planning to make more selves?
Chainfire
(17,757 posts)Or you could just prep like conservatives who buy guns and ammo to use to take stuff they need from people who prepare.
Kaleva
(38,548 posts)dweller
(25,254 posts)Put 1 in basement with enough BTUs for the area in case you are living in it, and buy smaller room sized for the extra room(s) you may need one.
You dont want to be unhooking/hooking up gas lines unnecessarily as youll eventually risk a leak ... jus put a on/off cutoff on the flex line so you can cut off the gas when not in use and waste gas on a pilot, relight when needed.
✌🏻
Kaleva
(38,548 posts)I could drop the flex heat runs to the boots feeding the 1st floor registers which would allow the heat in the basement to rise to all the rooms in the 1st floor or just make the basement the primary living area which wouldn't be hard to do as it is spacious.
I would like to get into camping and acquiring items like folding chairs, tables and cots to do that would give me the stuff I could use to set up the basement as a living area. I could even install one or more LP gas lights in the basement.
safeinOhio
(34,334 posts)a couple of years ago. Works great. No electric needed and can heat my whole house if furnace goes down.
Kind of like having a fireplace when you come in from the cold if you stand in front of it.
Cost for it was under $200. A couple of days with no heat here in Michigan could mean frozen pipes.
Paper Roses
(7,517 posts)This old Yankee might want to look into this.
Thanks,
PR
safeinOhio
(34,334 posts)I'm really lucky as I live out in the country, but on a main 5 lain road. I have natural gas, but you can get one for propane too.
It does use a small battery for the igniter, other than that no electric needed. You will need to have window cracked open near it so it can get oxygen.
good luck
I forgot, The igniter is use to lite the pilot lite and not for every time it comes on. So, it the battery does go out a cig. liter or match works.