Preparing for a hard financial winter has to begin now. No one knows what will happen in Obama’s new job speech, but many people feel it is not going to provide any job solutions in the near future. There will not be more money and there will be more bills and problems. This article is for those who have very little left to prepare with. You do the best your can and begin with the basic.

1. Shelter. Make sure your rent or mortgage is caught up or you have a plan in case you need to find another place to live. Winter in the north is a tough time to become homeless, create a plan just in case.

2. Put $5.00 to $10.00 away in the saving with ever check you receives. It may not seem like much, but you need $50.00 in an emergency, you will be glad you had a small emergency fund.

3. Food prices are going to increase and it is going to become harder to feed yourself and your family. Find and make two good recipes that involve potatoes and two that involve the use of rice. They can be casseroles or soups. Make sure they are something your family will like. Once you have done this, you will have something cheap to make during the hardest part of the crunch.

4. Invest in a few packages of good, hearty potato soup mix. Put them away for an emergency. You will be glad you did when it is the end of the money with nothing in the near future.

5. Learn to make hotcakes or pancakes. It is a filling, easy and cheap meal to begin a day or to end the night. You can dress up pancakes and hotcakes with spices, fruit, meat, nuts and other items to make it last.

6. Let everyone in the family know it is going to be a frugal holiday this year. Use a very limited budget for Christmas gifts and plan on a great, but limited holiday meal. Make everything you can from what you have and eat every bit. Make a few Christmas gifts for each person to defer the cost of gifts and still provide a great holiday.

7. Try to pay your heating cost ahead. Heating in the winter is one of the largest bills we pay all year long. If you can heat a single room, choose a small one and make your life in it or block hallways and open ways with blankets to reduce the loss of heat in the one main room the family will use all the time.

8. Plan a party. That’s right. It is cheaper to plan a party than to go out on the town and can be a lot more fun. Plan a night, clean the house and have everyone bring one casserole or desert. This provide plenty of food and then just have fun. Make it a talent night, movie night, game night and family time. Keep the cost low and have a great time.

9. Stop using credit cards. Continue to pay the bills, but for everything else, pay cash. The beginning of the winter holiday season is a time that will break you if you use credit cards. Stop. Think and plan to put them away. Make a promise that the balance on each one will be lower after Christmas than it was before the Christmas season.

10. Turn down the heat and pull out the blankets. Keep it low during the day and let the kids build blanket forts to play in. The small, enclosed space heats up quick with just body heat and the kids will love it. Climb in and enjoy being a warmer kid for a while. If the heat goes off, sleep in the blanket fort with the family. It is the most comfortable way to survive the cold without the use of utilities.

11. Learn to make crock pot meals. It cooks more food at one time with less energy. This helps to keep your energy cost low and make good use of every piece of food you throw in.

12. Find the local food bank and sign up. You may not get much, because everyone is using them right now and supplies are getting harder to get. Get what you can and use it all. If you find someone without enough to eat, give some of what you have to them.

13. Develop a positive outlook and chant right now. It will help you through the tough times and the cold. “It’s the right thing to do.” “You can only live or die, so you may as well live until you die.” “ No stress, no test.” “It will work out or I will figure it out.” Sing. Anything you can think of. Sing theme songs to all your favorite TV shows, cartoons, movies and dance. You do not have to be good, you just have to have fun.

14. Find a happiness partner. Your happiness partner is someone you visit with and say everything you can to make the other one happy. You can tell the latest jokes you have heard, you can tell each other your problems and find solutions. If you cannot find a good solution, make up a solution that will make you both laugh. Sit down and decide to do something nice for someone else. It can be a neighbor, a stranger, your kids, your spouse or anyone else.

15. Make fun of yourselves and your situation. If money is becoming a problem, sit down with your happiness partner and pretend you must decorate the car you will be living in. It will cheer you up and make you feel good. Make a batch of cookies and eat most of them. Split the rest for the families to share later.

16. Go for a power walk. Go outdoors and when the weather too hard to endure outside, go to the local mall and walk until your feet are about to fall off. You will feel a lot better.

17. Start gathering aluminum cans. 3 large garbage bags of semi crushed cans are about 15 to 18 pounds. Just before you go gift shopping, turn the cans in to your local recycler. You may get enough to buy one special gift or have a Christmas shopping lunch. Or save them until you are almost out of food and need to buy something for the family to eat.

18. Check with neighbors and ask if their gardens have any extra produce. With the produce you get for free, either freeze it or grate it up and make it into small breads and freeze the breads. They will make a nice treat during the cold months.

19. Start a savings box or bottle. Put in all the change you can spare and a few dollar bills every so often. If the power goes down, the atm and gas pumps will not work. They may have emergency generators and they may not. Keep the gas tank at least half full all the time.

20. Try to create another source of income. Save every penny you can from that source for later. Be prepared to live with less money, on unemployment or without funds. It is going to be a hard season.

I have read countless articles on children with ‘Nut allergies’ and ‘food intolerances’ and children seeking ‘Physic iatric’ help around exam times! I see articles on children being mugged for their designer trainers and designer casual wear! I consider myself middle aged at 46. However I can remember my childhood very well. I was born and grew up in a poor working class family in north London in the 1960’s and 1970’s

I cannot remember my mother ever asking me throughout my childhood,

“What would you like for dinner?”

This didn’t ever happen. The families meal choices were motivated by money or more directly lack of money! Our dinner table didn’t ever see Beef Steak or pork chops and most definitely not Veal or Salmon or Trout. Only for one year did I ever have school dinners as my family couldn’t afford it. We didn’t even have sandwich boxes! We had sandwiches packed in a used bread packet.

By necessity my mother would buy ’Out of date’ food. Say for instance if we had Yogurt its was out of date by two to three days! This wasn’t an attempt by my mother to poison us as children. There were three of us children to be supported. My father often had two jobs and my mother usually had a part time job. This combined income was hardly enough to keep us all.

We didn’t have central heating in our house and my old family home still doesn’t have central heating or double glazed windows! Most of our food shopping for a week was bought off a market which came to Enfield on a Thursday my mother would take two shopping trolleys and fill them with cans of food from the market. The cans of food had no labels or date stamps!

There was a sign above the dented cans which said,

“In these cans there will be either, Dog food or cat food, and or canned fruit, possibly soup or canned Spam or Corned beef “

As our family had a dog and many cats the market stall was a must for our family. Once home the cans were opened and the contents examined? If the can contained fruit instead of corned beef for instance my mother would continue opening cans until she hit upon something for our dinner! The cans that were opened and not used straight away were placed in the fridge!

How us as children didn’t caught Salmonella or Botchulism is God’s own work surly! I recently listened to a conversation between a mother and her daughter. The young girl perhaps 12 or 13 was asking her mother to buy her high protein foods with no calories as she was scared she was getting fat! The young lady in question was thin! She obviously is wanting to model herself on a super-model who is size O! Her mother agreed!

As children we didn’t ever know what was for dinner until it was served to us at the table! We were told to eat it regardless of whether we liked it or not! I hated dark green vegetables where you can see the lines on the leaves. I was told to eat up the vegetables so I did, I then would go into the garden and vomit! However my mother would still serve up these vegetables because as she said,

“Eat it its good for you! You will thank me when you’re older!”

So of you may think that I am exaggerating however I swear it’s the way we were brought up. I started work at 16 and enrolled into a 5 year apprenticeship. When I started earning some money I would go to a restaurant and the menu would blow me away! My date once asked me if I liked Veal? I replied what is it? Once again you may think I’m exaggerating trust me I’m not.

You may also be thinking is there any point to these ramblings of mine? The point is we were very poor we had second hand clothes and  out of date food. We had old cars that constantly rusted away or broke down. However looking back I hardly ever remember having a cold? I certainly didn’t ever have the Flu.

In later life when travelling to foreign countries such as Greece and Spain also Portugal and the Dominican Republic to name but a few; I never fell ill with a poorly stomach! Or ‘Jelly Belly’ my wives or partners would spend a high proportion of their holiday on the toilet or being sick! I didn’t drink the water but nor did I take the paranoid advice of the holiday reps such as,

“Buy bottled water to brush your teeth in and never ever have ice in your drinks!”

I brushed my teeth with tap water I always had ice in my drinks. I tried the local foods. Why go on holiday and eat chips! I didn’t ever get diarrhoea or vomit. My upbringing with near poisonous food has tempered my constitution! I worked outside for 6 years as a self employed Motor Mechanic I had one bout of flu! Please don’t think of this article as LB thinks he is superman trust me my health isn’t great right now, however that is nothing to do with my upbringing.

In today’s society our food is sterilised and pasteurised and generally the standard of cleanliness in food preparation is good. To make more money food we buy in supermarkets has a ’Use By Date’ which is very much on the safety side for health reasons or is it! The governing body of the retail food industry has recommended supermarkets to adopt the phrase ’Best Before’ rather than ’Use By or Sell By’

I do not want anyone to eat out of date goods as I was forced to. However the body does need a certain amount of Bacteria to function. Our sterilized world is leaving us open to illness, our bodies defence mechanism is breaking down! We see products advertised as contains ’Friendly Bacteria’ and we pay more for the product! Nature provides bacteria for us for crying out loud!

Finally what an upside down world we live in when we send our children for professional counselling because they have an exam to complete! School days and home life as a child is a training ground for adulthood surly! If a child can’t take the stress of exams at school how the hell are they going to cope with job interviews? Or the first day at a new job? How about when your child gets married all the guests hanging on their every word? Do they want a shrink standing where the best man should be! 

“Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man” a very famous quote. I was brought up with no money and awful food. I was slippered at school and I also had the cane! I was sarcastic and the teachers tried to beat it out of me, they couldn’t. On occasion I even made the teachers laugh! I still got the slipper though. 

So in conclusion you must love and nurture you child but you have a responsibility to bring your child up in a fashion that leaves them capable of interacting with the world?

Lord Banks

A Washington couple has collected 400,000 aluminum cans worth around $3,800 to pay for their wedding, planned for July 31st, 2010. They are still collecting cans and accepting donations and they say all money generated now (after the first 400,000 cans) will go towards their honeymoon and charity in the ratio of 40 to 60.

According to their website, Weddingcans.com, the couple collected or received 280,806 cans and got 119,194 can’s worth of cash donations to total their 400,000 can goal to pay for their wedding. The idea is fantastic, and the benefits of this project are several as it says on their website, “Saving the environment and throwing a killer party. What could be better?”

Apparently, a lot of people are using their idea across the nation now and can collecting for a variety of genuine and great causes is going around. Recycling is surely a great thing and it would definitely be fantastic if people recycled more and wasted less.

In this economy, canned food items are a budget-friendly mealtime staple. Also, since most food inside the cans is cooked during the heating and sealing process, canned foods are convenient options for hurried weeknight dinners. The variety of canned foods’ preparation and ingredients are at an all-time high, with no-sugar-added, low-sodium, vegetarian and organic choices in every grocery store across the nation.

Celebrate Canned Food Month the healthy way by topping yogurt or cottage cheese with canned fruit in juice, making tuna salad from Omega-3-rich, water-packed canned tuna or adding drained, rinsed canned beans to salads or chili.

If you live in Detroit, help someone else by donating inexpensive canned goods to any of the facilities below:

Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan

Gleaners accepts both canned (nonperishable) food items as well as perishable goods, such as fresh or frozen produce. To donate food, first fill out the Gleaners Food Bank Donation form so they may contact you about your donation. Contact information: Use the form above or call 866-GLEANER (453-2637).

Detroit Friendship House Harvest Food Pantry

Friendship House is a community resource network helping with basic human needs in the Hamtramck and Detroit areas. They are always accepting canned goods, dried cereals, peanut butter and jelly, canned meats, fish and beans and dried pasta, peas and rice. Contact information: Call (313) 871-7443.

Van Elslander Family Center Food Depot

Community food depots such as the one at Van Elslander were organized during the recession of 1981 to assist area churches and social service agencies in providing food. To donate food, contact Van Elslander; businesses, churches and schools can organize food drives and arrange to have the food picked up. Contact information: Visit the Web site or call 313-393-2910.

You can also get involved in one of the following Detroit-area canned food donation events happening during the month of February and beyond:

Pound for Pound Challenge

What: The Pound for Pound Challenge is an ongoing event to “lose nationally, feed locally.” For every pound you pledge to lose, General Mills and other partners will donate 14 cents – that’s enough for one pound of food – to Feeding America.

When: Now through June 2010

Where:  Sign up and pledge your weight loss goals at www.pfpchallenge.com. After registration, you will receive an email confirmation and a link that will provide you with instructions on how to recruit your friends and family to sponsor and support your efforts.

Empty Bowls Event at Pewabic Pottery

What: Local artists, students of Pewabic Pottery and students of the pottery program at Gleaners will donate bowls for purchase, ranging in cost from $5 to $25. No tickets are required to attend, and proceeds benefit Gleaners Community Food Bank.

When: Sat., Feb. 20 from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Where: Pewabic Pottery, 10125 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, MI 48214

Empty Bowls Grosse Pointe St. Clair Shores

What: Join Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores area churches, youth groups, school groups and service groups for soup and bread with your donation of $10. Decorated glass bowls will be available for guests to take home as a reminder of the empty bowls in the world. Soup will be donated by area restaurants, and proceeds benefit Gleaners Community Food Bank.

When: Sat., Feb. 28 from noon – 2 p.m.

Where:  Assumption Cultural Center, 21800 Marter Road, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080

Some people do not recycle just because they are not sure of what can be recycled. About 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable, but our recycling rate is only 28%. Some household items that can be recycled are: glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and jars, cardboard, aluminum cans, paper bags, newspapers, mail, and magazines among many other things. Items that can be made out of recycled materials are: paper, ink, plastic bottles, tires, ribbons, books, paper money rolls, bowls, dinnerware, and backpacks among many other things. Finally, recycling is important because one person can make a huge difference in the environment by recycling. By recycling old materials, buying and using recycled products, and encouraging friends and family to help out, one person can play a major role in saving the environment and stopping the global climate crisis. As long as I can convince one person to start recycling to help our environment, this essay will be a huge success. If you learn nothing else from my essay on recycling, remember this. That if you had the chance to stop global warming and the global climate crisis, you would. This is your chance. Doing your part and recycling is one of the most responsible things a person could do and is something that more people should get involved in. That is how I feel on the topic of recycling.

Picture Source

I often like to write about things that will help motivate me to live a better life; a life I can feel more proud of everyday. I believe that is a universal goal that all people share.

On this note, I used to recycle more often. In fact, I used to drag bags of recyclable materials to a local recycling center about once a week. This stopped for me almost completely for awhile. Yes, I wholeheartedly admit to this. Currently, I am also a Spokes model and Public Relations Representative for an environmentally safe vehicle company and feel as though I am confessing my sins right now. It feels better and I will work harder at recycling. When I say something “out loud” it makes harder for me to avoid it.

I have used many excuses over the years. If only the powers that be made recycling more convenient, i.e. picked up the materials from where I was at, if only I didn’t feel so tired after whatever activity I was finishing, if only, if only. Truth is recycling will take me no more than a half an hour to accomplish. It is something I must look at as a responsibility and a duty to myself and to my community.

Many people think one person cannot make that much of a difference, but every great leader who changed this world, was only one person. And, when I realize how many bags of garbage I throw away that fill the dumpster in my complex, I know that when I begin to recycle on a regular basis again, it will make a huge difference to the space left free in the landfills over the years.

I have noticed that grocery stores have even begun to promote recycling as well. The Ralphs near my home has put recycle bins by the front doors that patrons can deposit their old plastic bags in. I shudder when I think about all the plastic bags I have throw away in the past. But, I don’t want to feel bad for the past. It cannot be changed, but I can make a difference now and going forward.

We can all make a difference by recycling everything from cans, bottles and paper to plastic bags, and other such products. It’s up to all of us to preserve this gift; our world.

Best wishes to all.

Joie Schmidt © Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved.

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Dreams of the Heart – volume I by Joie Schmidt is available:

  * Volume I: Amazon Kindle, Adobe Reader, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, iPad and iBooks

Dreams of the Heart – volume II is available:

  * Volume II: Amazon Kindle, Adobe Reader

———> Stay tuned . . . vol. II will soon be available on iTunes, iPod, iPhone, iPad and iBooks!

(*In memoriam of the tragedy in Japan all proceeds from – volume I – sales will go to the relief efforts until 3/11/12)

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For more great reading:

• Eco Friendly Clothing
• Clear Away the Clutter
• Do Something Positive
• Make the Most of Your Time
• Need a Taxi? Hail an Eco Cab!
• The Infinite Power of Compliments
• 11 Practical Uses for Mouthwash
• One Click: We Can Save the World
• Successful People Open Their Own Doors
• One Incredibly Amazing Website: Give 1.7k to the Charity of Your Choice for Free

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