Looking over our priority list

Gas has now risen to almost $3.50 a gallon here... yikes! I don't even want to think of what that will continue to do to inflation as almost everything depends on shipping and travel to take the goods from one point to another. We are still trying to "put back" and "stock up" when possible, not to mention getting the necessary maintenance done on the house this spring.

Like most Americans, we'll be receiving a small "windfall income" via the government in May. (Some larger than others.) I've already mentioned that we keep a priority list for those times when we receive "extra" money (usually from our work at the bookstore during the beginning and ending of semesters, sometimes from gifts, tax returns, etc.).

We always write down a need (or really important "want") when it comes up so we don't forget it when we do have extra money available. (I've found it becomes even more necessary to write it down the farther one is past age forty.) Where it gets put as a priority depends on what is going on at that time and how much (in the long run) it may save us money in the future.

For instance, we purchased our deep freeze with money I earned at the bookstore. It has proven to be a great help in saving money by being able to purchase meat and other items on sale and "stocking up" at lower prices. I'm also able to do some cooking and baking and freezing these items for those times I'm not feeling well. It has turned out to be a welcome addition to my world. :)

So... my husband was telling me yesterday the most urgent item on the list this time will be getting our deck treated. In the (pages) of information left to us by the previous homeowner, he mentioned the deck should have been treated the past spring before we moved in but he didn't have time to do it. That was a few years ago. We will have it professionally treated since we have a large deck and my husband doesn't need to breath in any fumes. It will also put it under a warranty. Household and car maintenance are often at the top of the list.

The second priority will be getting the new antennae so we can receive local and in-state channels. The old antennae was damaged in a storm. Obviously this wasn't a top priority in the past year but it is getting that way now. I really miss PBS and British comedies!

There are smaller items on the list which I hope to purchase, especially new Reebok's for me. I'm also hoping to put back some dollars to use for garage sales and perhaps gift items. My daughter has already started purchasing Christmas gifts for next year, as well as my birthday present for July. She won't tell me what it is... I have to wait.

I highly encourage making out such a priority list. It has helped us so much to help prioritize needs... and even a few wants. Some priorities in the past when we received extra money: books for our home library, homeschool items, we deepened the pantry, paid off a credit card, gave to a special ministry need, went out to a favorite restaurant, took a small vacation, purchased cookware and canning supplies, bought needed tools, and many more of which I cannot think.

Remember... recession proofing is when we purchase what we know we will need today (without going into debt) that will probably be much higher as prices go up. I'll write more about our recession proofing journey as time goes on...

Picture: Billy Jacobs, allposters.com