An Economic Survival Guide for People Like Me and You

Economic hardships are hitting many families, including my own. If you're like myself, you've been wondering when exactly that break is coming and you can breath easily.

Unfortunately, per economists and those in the financial field, we're going to continue to on the downward scale. While the government tells us something completely different, those of us that walk down the streets in our own city can tell the difference.

Between the going-out-of-business sales and other businesses attempting to sell and empty buildings that remain empty for months and months, we see the truth as it is. Of course there is another side, those that are displaced or experiencing homelessness is increasing as well. It used to be that I would only see one or two while I was out walking in Redmond, now I see more than I would like.

In other words, things will continue to get worse before they get better. Yes, this means that unemployment will continue to be an issue as large corporations ship our jobs overseas. Yes, that means that more of us will be looking to or helping our families. This is definitely a time to come together with family and friends and create a solid support network. Have emergency plans in place within your group and extended groups, and above all be there for each other.

It's important to be aware during these hard times and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family. As you move forward, by changing your lifestyle you'll hopefully discover as I did, that living more simply and doing more things with your own hands has been not only a valuable experience, but also a joyful one. Turning towards a different value system has not only helped our family, but has brought us closer.

Here are some ideas:

• Continue to be a penny pincher. Save coupons, research your purchases and try to find the right price for you. Try and buy used before you buy new, and if you can't find it used, buying it good quality will save you money in the long run, BUT buy LOCAL (that can never be a contradiction)! Even if you save your money for a nice item that will last longer through a local business, by all means DO IT. You’ll save money in the long run. Your local businesses are what hold your community together.
• I can't say this enough, but buy from your local businesses! Walmart should be a last resort. If your city or area is lacking something that you need, encourage them to carry it or start your own small business picking up that need.
• Clear the clutter! Take a home inventory. Experts prove that clearing the physical clutter in your life is healthy for your overall wellbeing. Have you heard of consignment shopping? There is also freecycle.com and some local governments have their own system setup to help you reach out to your local community. King County residents, click here.
• Go back to basics, Part 1: Buy only what you need and nothing more. This is hard to do for many people, and this is a discipline that must be learned and made into a habit. Rule of thumb, buy only from your shopping list. If you add items, ask yourself if you really need the item prior to going to the counter to pay for your purchases. P.S. Never go to the grocery store on an empty stomach, oh my gosh… Can we say $75 later? Ugh!
• Go back to basics, Part 2: Learn how to cook or take your cooking skill to the next level. Roasted chickpeas anyone? This is the perfect time to reduce your carbon footprint and get dirty (so-to-speak) in the kitchen and do it the old fashioned way. Take the time to also look at what we eat, the ingredients and what we can do to improve our lifestyle. And yes, please continue to visit a local restaurant once in awhile. Support your local businesses.
• Learn a new art or craft. Or support your local artisans through a craft fair, setup a crafting group, do an exchange on products, and learn how giving handmade gifts is a great and personal thing to do.
• Set up neighborhood swap, flea market, and exchange on items before recycling or throwing them away.
• Have farm-fresh produce delivered, go to your local , look into organic meal options, and be healthy! Thinking of starting your own garden? Definitely do it! Patio garden? Oh, yes!
• Encourage your friends and family to hold gatherings to encourage sustainability or take the time to teach each other different things, like how to scrapbook for memories, or different art techniques to decorate your home, the art of hand sewing or knitting/crocheting. The list is really endless. Everyone is different so there is always going to be variation in what you can learn from someone else.  has a —check them out!
• Find a meeting place, whether it’s a community center or public library, or at your favorite local coffee/tea shop. Hold monthly meetings that are open to the public to promote the type of positive change that you would like to see in your community not only on the local level, but also as an entirety.

Start off slowly. Make a budget to ensure that you have enough money in savings to survive for three to six months. Saving money has been very hard for our family to do, but after doing a strict budget, learning about food storage and canning, and cutting back in other areas in our lives, we will finally be having some luck. Like most families it will take time, even if it’s $25 a month, it’s something to work toward the goal. Living more simply will allow our debts to be paid and create a happier and healthier home. Yes, debt is another post entirely, but we won’t go there…not today.

Love, light and laughter! XxxooO