Wednesday, April 09, 2008

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

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great ideas again. Remember when purchasing your new antenna that in less than 12 months you will also need the digital converter box to go along with it!

KnoxvilleNewbie said...

I just found you through Shadowlands on your profile. Your answer to the 'how to toast your marshmellows' was so much more than I expected. Not trite or cliche. Heart felt. It made me want to be in a better place with myself so my first inclinations were as loving.

martha said...

Before you buy an antenna, go to
www.dtvanswers.com/dtv_switchover.html
As I understand it, all stations will be switching to digital early next year. Antenna will not work. I hope this article explains things better than I can.

Anonymous said...

How lucky you are !! here in the UK petrol or gas as you call it is £5.00 per gallon,that is around $10 and everything has increased along with it bread is now a lot more expensive,and other basic foods.OIL for central heating is half as much again as last year at this time.

Anonymous said...

How lucky you are !! here in the UK petrol or gas as you call it is £5.00 per gallon,that is around $10 and everything has increased along with it bread is now a lot more expensive,and other basic foods.OIL for central heating is half as much again as last year at this time.

Sandra said...

Thanks for all the recent posts on recession-proofing our lives. I've enjoyed them alot and have learned alot too.

Here in the Toronto-area, gas is $1.12 a litre which works out to about $4.00 US gallon so we're feeling the extra fuel costs, too. On the news this morning, they said our gas could reach $1.30a litre by summer...ouch! So, we're cutting back and thinking more about what we buy.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Hi Brenda,
Another thought provoking post on a pratical level. I keep a little agenda book where I write everyday what things I have to do (life seems so much more complicated than when I was young). A section of it is for longer term goals but I probably will now have a shorter term goals section for things like getting the deck done.....You are always in my thoughts and prayers. I am inspired by the way you find the goodness in life even in the midst of challenges.

Vee said...

Would you believe that I had myself talked into a new computer chair today? Sciatica struck again yesterday so I blamed the computer chair...really just an old library chair. The Lord revealed that I spend too much time in said chair and that it is time to move. A cushion was also suggested. I feel as if I've just saved $200. LOL!

The oil truck is at my neighbor's. Hope that he doesn't come here! Ackkk...

Karen Deborah said...

Good ideas Brenda. We buy grain witha co op here and have enough for the next famine. My husband calls me "Josie" when I stock up.

Tammy said...

Great ideas here.

I really enjoy your blog!

God Bless!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Great ideas as always! I'm not sure what we'll be doing with that gov't money. I guess it depends on where we are with my husband's job situation. It may just go to help pay the mortgage. Having our driveway repaired was on our list for this year.

Manuela

Anonymous said...

This is very helpful advice, especially for those who have not already been doing this. After being able to spend freely for a number of years I find myself with much less ready cash this year. My priority list is mostly in my head and it includes only the more costly items. I jotted down some of them, mainly just to see the staggering cost of how it all adds up.

The items on my list can only be purchased or paid a few at a time. They include taxes and medical and dental costs such as for my recent crown, plus expensive items like a new computer, refrigerator, and new kitchen counters. I wish I could do them all, but there are some things that money has to be spent on, some things that it would be very helpful to spend it on, and other things that we can get along without even if we never have the money to spend on them.