It's either time or money, not both, not for me

Having just survived our worst quarter since 1981, I wish you well! I think the dust has settled finally and we can go back to a normal life--I Hope! I was very surprised at how well we survived 2 month's of not buying a single item. We discovered we could actually make and drink our powered milk we had stored up but it sure was nice to get a gallon of fresh milk this week! We had planned to do another garden inside this winter but with us finishing the basement by the end of the year we won't be able to this year. We now know for sure what we were low on for our years supply and can work hard to fill that gap. We also decided to keep living on our food supply and just shop each month to replenish what we've used. Even my kids know if they need more flour or want to make bread they have to grind it up fresh every few days. We had planned on getting a milk cow and a couple beef cows to finish up our food supply but that hasn't happened yet and I think we'll wait until DH retires next year as we are going to take a big trip covering much of the west. Nothing like having a milk cow that has to be milked twice a day to put a damper on your plans! Better get moving and get the bread started and the clothes on the line and get kids moving here! Good luck to you and I know you'll do fine!

Wow, you're inspirational to me! Thank you for sharing that. Our checks were deposited so we had a little leeway and went to the store and bought fresh fruits and veggies and a little more meat, some fresh milk and orange juice -- felt really nice, but we need to be very careful how we do spend our money from now till around February. So I will be doing lots of scratch cooking. We live on post so animals and most gardening is out. And since we moved here this summer we didn't have time to get a garden going. I want to start some herbs in the house asap and am planning a container garden for the spring. I've never done it before but I bought a used book on container gardening that will be my instruction manual this winter. Plus the winter gives me a chance to find all the containers to use. I would like to find an old wheelbarrow to plant some stuff in.

Wow you both are so brave and inspirational -I would simply -well I don't know I have really never thought about -not having the money for food. I know it happens -and I know it happens alot. I guess I am -one that thinks It can not happen to me - It is a scary situation -thank you ladies for opening my eyes & DohDohBird &brchbell I will be thinking alot about all of this -not buying a thing for 2 months that is amazing - prayers

We are spoiled here, I guess. I shop every two weeks here. Mostly for the have to have things. We have a ton of canned goods, and the freezer is stuffed full. I've never had to go for two months without getting supplies. Now I have had only $20 in a week to buy what I could. That's not easy to do, but it can be done. I do worry about the winters months coming. The hardest time is coming really fast. Glad that we stock up on a few things. Also getting 3 cows for beef. The family is pitching to help so they can get some beef too. It taste better, and in the long run it's cheaper too. For us it is anyway, cause the family also joins in to pay for it too. Everyone can get what they need that way.