Preparing for troubled times ahead - Advice on what is needed.....

[gra_farmer]

Some 15 years ago I lived in a shared flat that was freezing cold. Between being one of those people who always read the instructions and having no prior experience of hot water bottles before moving to the UK, I definitely followed all the instructions. I remember it seemed a lot more complicated than you'd think.

With the water bottle side, as they are not used year round, I think there has to be some room for judgement.

Really, based upon technology now, there must be a way to have a degradation measure?

I remember hot water bottles from when I was younger (my parents house had little to no central heating), and those water bottles were at least 10 years old then, and are still being used by my parents 30 years later.

 

[SaraR]

With the water bottle side, as they are not used year round, I think there has to be some room for judgement.

Really, based upon technology now, there must be a way to have a degradation measure?

I remember hot water bottles from when I was younger (my parents house had little to no central heating), and those water bottles were at least 10 years old then, and are still being used by my parents 30 years later.

I do wish they’d have standardised plug sizes, I never seem to find matching plug and bottle.

 

[Stew]

I do wish they’d have standardised plug sizes, I never seem to find matching plug and bottle.

Just tie them together….

 

[SaraR]

Just tie them together….

doesn’t help me afterwards though…

 

[TeeDee]

So this thread was started in Feb 2022 - We are near approaching the next year - have things played out as people thought or were concerned by?

What are the real concerns and threats that are different ( if any ) - currently for I think nearly everyone the real issue is the Cost of Living crisis.

 

[Woody girl]

For me, pretty much as expected and prepped for.
I had lots of people thinking I was "panicking" but I just calmly kept on buying extra coal, logs and tinned food, a solar jackery unit and planting my garden.
Right now, conversations are peppered with, how did you know? Or I should have listened to you, or how can I..xyz.?

I'm not sure how next year will go mind. Food prices and real shortages are on the cards in my book.
60 million pounds worth of produce left to rot in the fields due to lack of labour... nobody wants hard work.
Homelessness will increase, along with crime and disorder, and probably a big financial crash at best.
If I'm wrong....I shall be happy, if I'm right... heck! I realy think we will be struggling badly. But, we will get through. I got through the 70's, suffering homelessness and ended up buying a house at 15% interest rates, but electric gas and petrol was not such a problem as it is now.
It's doable, but home buyers will have to move in with a camping stove, cool box, mattress and a beer crate for a table as I did, and walk to work, or get a bike.(in my case a puch maxi, and 15 slow cold miles, each way, in the winter!)
The sort of sacrifices I made then and hard graft to "get somewhere" are not on people's radar nowadays.
It'll come tho, when there is no choice.

 

[gra_farmer]

For me, pretty much as expected and prepped for.
I had lots of people thinking I was "panicking" but I just calmly kept on buying extra coal, logs and tinned food, a solar jackery unit and planting my garden.
Right now, conversations are peppered with, how did you know? Or I should have listened to you, or how can I..xyz.?

I'm not sure how next year will go mind. Food prices and real shortages are on the cards in my book.
60 million pounds worth of produce left to rot in the fields due to lack of labour... nobody wants hard work.
Homelessness will increase, along with crime and disorder, and probably a big financial crash at best.
If I'm wrong....I shall be happy, if I'm right... heck! I realy think we will be struggling badly. But, we will get through. I got through the 70's, suffering homelessness and ended up buying a house at 15% interest rates, but electric gas and petrol was not such a problem as it is now.
It's doable, but home buyers will have to move in with a camping stove, cool box, mattress and a beer crate for a table as I did, and walk to work, or get a bike.(in my case a puch maxi, and 15 slow cold miles, each way, in the winter!)
The sort of sacrifices I made then and hard graft to "get somewhere" are not on people's radar nowadays.
It'll come tho, when there is no choice.

That absolutely correct, I have come across so many people that are just not willing to work for there money, I am currently on going towards my sixth staff member for the same role, as the last handed in there notice last week. The work is not that difficult, and it looks like I will have another 3 months of 3am starts to do that role, in addition to two separate roles that I am doing at the moment.

In relation to farming, I used to be a farmer, and although hard it was so rewarding too. But most people on the farm from UK don't last a week, and I have seen hundreds come and go, the shortest was 1 hour.

 

[slowworm]

at are the real concerns and threats that are different ( if any ) - currently for I think nearly everyone the real issue is the Cost of Living crisis.

Not much has changed here but then I've always been more self reliant than most people. I'll seriously look at a small wind turbine in the New year as people might be more tolerant of them if I need planning.

One thing that has reminded me how useless the powers that be are is the recent winter weather. The council has spent millions on new gritters, loves press releases on how well prepared they are. It's just a shame that two inches of snow has closed our main A road for a couple of days because of lack of grit.

You now get the typical 'stay at home' advice, which isn't an option for many as it looks like the winter weather is here for a few weeks.

 

[Broch]

Stay calm, don't panic, sensible normal buying.

So this thread was started in Feb 2022 - We are near approaching the next year - have things played out as people thought or were concerned by?

What are the real concerns and threats that are different ( if any ) - currently for I think nearly everyone the real issue is the Cost of Living crisis.

I stand by my first post on this thread

Inflation and the cost of living is hitting some people really hard, but, to be honest, nothing has changed for us since this time in 2019 - yes we've had to tighten the belt, I'm burning more logs than other heating sources, and things are costing more, but we've had no shortages, no rations, nothing that's not available that we need unless you count stupid people taking all the toilet rolls off the shelves (actually, that's a lie, Tesco have run out of Amoretti biscuits!). I may have to rely on the generator for our water if we get power cuts but I'm not expecting that to be severe.

No, when you've planned and worked hard the whole of your life to be fairly self-reliant then it all seems like a storm in a teacup (I do appreciate that is not the case for many especially if you're in Ukraine). I've lost a large chunk of my pension but I'll survive. What I think is wrong is that people like me get a power cost subsidy just because I've reached a certain age; the money (more of it) should go to make sure the people who need it are warm and fed.

I do object to some of the news sound-bites though. Students that are on front page news saying they are having to chose between eating and socialising at the bar do not get my sympathy - I could never afford to go to the pub when I was studying!

 

[Toddy]

I think the biggest issue for a lot of people will be debt.
Normality for many is Christmas debt, then Holiday debt, with occasional Birthday/rite of passage debt.

I didn't grow up that way and neither did my husband, and our sons don't do it, but a heck of a lot of our neighbours and the boys friends do it, and to them it's normal.
They carry mortgage debt, car debt, credit card debt, and just pay it off either as standing orders or in chunks when there's nothing else needing the money.

That's the rub, because with inflation, especially energy prices inflation, there truly is something else that needs the money.

It's not getting groceries that's the issue; food might be more expensive but the shops are still full. There's still food available, and I don't see the biscuit and crisps aisles, or the booze ones, in the supermarkets getting any smaller.
I'm not saying that folks aren't struggling, but it's not a disaster, it's not society imploding.
I think there's going to be a lot of financial juggling going on for a lot of people though.

We're not really a country where people have multiple jobs. In the past the seasonal round included farm work (school holidays are still adjusted for that, funnily enough). Maybe that'll change on the job front too.

Commuting is much more expensive, but many offices found working from home worked, so for many daily commuting is an option not a requirement.
That's a huge change.
Online shopping is here to stay. Shops are closing because of lack of footfall traffic.
Another huge change

Up here cities are actively encouraging inner city residence again. Office and shop spaces lie empty. People pay council tax, don't need to travel/commute, etc.,
An awful lot of people during lockdown bought property in areas that really doesn't suit them, or their desired lifestyle...or one they can actually afford...I know that there has been no slow down of property sales even if prices have fallen. I suspect that not being able to sell at a profit will hurt though.

It's just a time of change, and what can't change dies, we know that, but humanity is endlessly adaptive.
I remain optimistic

M

 

[TeeDee]

I think the biggest issue for a lot of people will be debt.
Normality for many is Christmas debt, then Holiday debt, with occasional Birthday/rite of passage debt.

I didn't grow up that way and neither did my husband, and our sons don't do it, but a heck of a lot of our neighbours and the boys friends do it, and to them it's normal.
They carry mortgage debt, car debt, credit card debt, and just pay it off either as standing orders or in chunks when there's nothing else needing the money.

That's the rub, because with inflation, especially energy prices inflation, there truly is something else that needs the money.

It's not getting groceries that's the issue; food might be more expensive but the shops are still full. There's still food available, and I don't see the biscuit and crisps aisles, or the booze ones, in the supermarkets getting any smaller.
I'm not saying that folks aren't struggling, but it's not a disaster, it's not society imploding.
I think there's going to be a lot of financial juggling going on for a lot of people though.

We're not really a country where people have multiple jobs. In the past the seasonal round included farm work (school holidays are still adjusted for that, funnily enough). Maybe that'll change on the job front too.

Commuting is much more expensive, but many offices found working from home worked, so for many daily commuting is an option not a requirement.
That's a huge change.
Online shopping is here to stay. Shops are closing because of lack of footfall traffic.
Another huge change

Up here cities are actively encouraging inner city residence again. Office and shop spaces lie empty. People pay council tax, don't need to travel/commute, etc.,
An awful lot of people during lockdown bought property in areas that really doesn't suit them, or their desired lifestyle...or one they can actually afford...I know that there has been no slow down of property sales even if prices have fallen. I suspect that not being able to sell at a profit will hurt though.

It's just a time of change, and what can't change dies, we know that, but humanity is endlessly adaptive.
I remain optimistic

M

I agree debt is going to be the rude awakener - as the Banks try to slow inflation without hitting the brakes too hard so that people don't face plant the dashboard.

Interest rate rises will be a relatively unfelt feeling since ? 2008?? 14 years of absurdly low interest rates after the GFC which created a massive amount of QE being 'temporarily' introduced - roll onto Covid and the global engine gears stall as everyone ( nearly.. ) stays home and even more QE is introduced as more debt is added ontop of more...

And more funny money debt is unearthed.

 

[Woody girl]

I have a couple of feurhand lanterns, but recently realised that I had no spare wicks or glass shades , so I ordered one spare shade and wick per lamp. They arrived today, so now feeling I've insured their continued use for many years, and at a price that is affordable , rather than struggling to find or afford them in the future.
With the six bottles of oil I have stashed, I'm happy .
Noticed the price of camping gas and lamp oil has rocketed in the past month.
Gas for my camp stove has gone from £6 to £9.95, and lamp oil from £6.99 to £9.99. Glad I got my fuel early!

 

[Van-Wild]

So this thread was started in Feb 2022 - We are near approaching the next year - have things played out as people thought or were concerned by?

What are the real concerns and threats that are different ( if any ) - currently for I think nearly everyone the real issue is the Cost of Living crisis.

Everything went as planned for me. I haven't been short of anything, other than digestive biscuits but that's maybe a blessing in disguise....

The fuel crisis wasn't a problem. I never had a vehicle on the drive with less than half a tank (topped up with small amounts of fuel when I saw an opportunity so I didn't have a mad panic with an empty fuel tank!). I always had 60ltrs of fuel in stock in my garage, just in case. 20ltrs of which I gifted to my neighbour when he ran out during said crisis (he's self-employed and couldn't afford it let alone find a garage that was open at the time)

Food was never a problem. My chest freezer and Costco, supported by knocking over 2 deer (FAC) has done me well.

Cost of living has seen my electricity bill almost double in the darker months, but I do have an array of solar panels which in the sunnier months has paid dividends. Fortunately for me, I have seen two in-year wage increases due to company growth. So I count my blessings.

Lessons learnt? I need to learn how to repair or maintain my generator. The fuel line split and not knowing how to fix it could of been disaster if I had of needed it. Fortunately my neighbour is a handy chap to know and he fixed it for me. And I learnt that making a proper apple pie from scratch is easier than I thought! Yum yum.

2023? Bring it on!

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

 

[Kadushu]

I made some hopefully prudent purchases back in the summer under the assumption that if I left my money in a savings account then inflation would erode its value, or looking at it the other way: prices will only go up. So I bought a new phone, laptop and solar panel/battery/inverter setup, spending a bit more on each in the hope that it would future proof them for a few years. Given the state of the economy and energy supply, that has all panned out well.

Less impressive was being caught with my trousers down when it snowed last week with regards to my food pantry. I had plenty of rice and pasta but ran out of meat, bread, butter, milk... I wouldn't have starved but normally I have enough stored up for 3 weeks or so.

 

[Paul_B]

Nothing changed. No panic. Things cost more. We get £11-12 dual fuel days but that was when the solar panels were covered by snow and we turned heat right up because we had a few -10C nights. Things down to £5-6 a day. We can afford it but if it became too much we've got things to do like turn down radiators in certain rooms, all living in one main room, thermostat down from 17 to 16C or lower.

Food isn't running out. So weekly deliveries are the same as normal, no panic buying.

One big issue is trains we use to commute. Striking rail workers and other issues not related to unions are a big issue and the odd week I've had to use half a tank of diesel in the van. That's a big thing as it puts miles on the van that we moved here to avoid.

Overall for us I think it's a time situation. Sooner or later unions will stop striking and rail companies will get their act together or lose the franchise. Energy prices will go down a bit as will other costs. It's always a time situation.

 

[Kav]

I’m in California reading about ‘Warming Rooms’ that provide meals juxtaposed with our perverse
Fascination with the Royal Family.
No outsider judgement with our massive homelessness crisis and knee jerk, dog whistle political ‘solutions.’ I was homeless nine months ten months ago. I’m in a lovely apt with partial subsidy, food aid and some rather sad, but heartfelt contributions.
I am now VERY conscious of the many social strata of homeless. And I Do NOT JUDGE, even the most destitute and dangerous.
So take care of yourselves. But
Find empathy for others and prepare to share even a little.
Think of the folktale of stone soup.
Oh, and when my options are imported Junk from hostile nations
Buy British! My William Lennon and Spencer Trouser orders are in.
My great grandmother would have freaked.

 

[TeeDee]

Stimulus Checks: 63% of Americans Support the Federal Government Sending More Inflation Relief

There have been several holdover pandemic issues that have hogged headlines this year as record inflation continues to plague American households. With seven days to go until the critical midterm...

finance.yahoo.com

Stimulus Checks: 63% of Americans Support the Federal Government Sending More Inflation Relief​

Cause and Effect.

 

[British Red]

Cause and Effect.

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing

 

[TeeDee]

The remainder of the quote is also worth stating​

​

​

"always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.”​

― Alexander Fraser Tytler

The later part seems familiar. I think the Fourth Turning reads in a similar manner.

 

[Toddy]

Well, since there is debate whether the composite quote was of either Woodhouselee (Tytler) or the Compte de Tocqueville and really only sprouted again during a recent American presidential election, it is worth noting that British democracy has been in effect now since 1832, (First reform act) and we are now nearly 200 years past that, and I don't think any of us really see democracy crashing anytime soon......