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Fried Squirrel and Dandelion Salad
I have noticed an odd trend in the media lately. I have seen articles and some television programs which highlight some of the "edibles" you can find in your own backyard, even if you happen to live in a large metropolitan area like New York City. These include fishing in ponds, preparing squirrel or making salads from dandelion greens. One of the episodes of the short-lived NBC series "The Chopping Block" featured would-be restaurant owners touring Central Park, learning about edible plants that could be harvested right from the park and made into gourmet dishes. The show was cancelled after three episodes due to low ratings. I'm not sure if that was due to the questionable practice of eating something that was growing in Central Park.
Has it really come to this? Have people been driven to the point of frugality that they are willing to eat something that I pay the landscaping guy $30 a month to come out and spray my lawn to kill?
When I was growing up, my dad was an avid sport fisher and hunter. He does have some mounted birds and deer heads around his home, and I'm pretty sure he's responsible for drastically reducing the whitetail deer population in South Dakota. He didn't hunt or fish just because he liked it. He did it to help put food on the table. I grew up eating wild fish like Northern Pike, walleye, perch and catfish, as well as deer, antelope, quail, pheasant, duck and goose. People pay big bucks to eat stuff like that at fancy restaurants these days. To us, it was just a way of avoiding Hamburger Helper night.
My wife and I live in a suburb of a larger city, but we still manage to plant and grow some of our own food in our backyard and in large buckets. My wife has an herb garden, and I usually take a stab at growing some tomatoes. Besides tasting better, the herbs alone save us plenty of money over buying fresh at the supermarket. However, I have to draw the line at pulling dandelions from my front lawn and making some kind of salad out of them. We have a name for those things where I live: weeds.
Adventurous eaters might enjoy a fine squab at a four-star French restaurant in New York City, but would they feel the same way if that pigeon was harvested from a nearby park bench? I'm thinking…probably not.
I'm sure the current state of the economy has spawned this recent rash of "alternative food source" articles and TV show topics, but I'm not sure we've been driven to the point of living off the land in Cleveland or Detroit yet. Despite my bit of "window box" gardening, I still get the majority of my groceries from the wilds of Aisle Number 7 at the grocery store and Wal-Mart.
The squirrels are safe in my neighborhood, at least for now.
Bartering is Back
Despite the advances we have made in today's society, when times get tough people often look back to the old tried-and-true methods of coping with problems. Case in point: bartering.
With many people strapped for cash, bartering is making a big comback. Bartering has been around since before there was such a thing as money. During the Great Depression, people often exchanged the performance of work for food, hence the age-old sign "Will Work for Food" held up by the down-and-out, or those who want you to think they are down-and-out.
What is bartering? Basically, you exchange something you have for something that you want. Money doesn't change hands. Most forms of barter involved exchanging one personal service, such as babysitting services, for another, such as mowing a lawn. People also barter personal possessions for something else they want, such as trading clothing for a toaster oven. You get the idea.
Bartering is nothing new in the business world, either. Radio stations often barter free ads in exchange for something they need, such as office supplies, furniture or even a company vehicle. When the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia had to barter with other countries to get the goods it needed because its currency couldn't be converted to dollars or pounds or yen. It traded something it had, such as vodka (which could be resold for cash) for something it needed, such as grain or electronic items.
With credit in short supply and money tight, many people are turning to the Internet to help them facilitate their trades. Sites such as Craigs List and u-exchange.com feature long lists of proposed trades. A recent browse through a Craig's List turned up a photo studio willing to shoot wedding for free in exchange for cleaning services, re-roofing services for the installation of an in-ground pool and someone willing to trade a bunk bed for a TV set. With bartering, the possibilities are endless, and best of all it doesn't cost you anything other than your time or an item you don't need or want anymore.
Ready to barter? A few tips to keep in mind:
1. Don't be greedy. Only barter for the things you need. Conversely, don't give away anything that you really want to keep. That will really sour a trade.
2. Keep good records. Be sure to note your trades. Yes, these can be taxed by the IRS, especially if you trade for something of significant value.
3. Reach an agreement and stick to it. Be very specific about what you are trading and work out the details ahead of time either by phone or email before actually carrying out the trade. Remember, the trade should be beneficial to everybody. The items you are trading with each other don't necessarily have to be of equal value, but both parties should be happy with their trade.
Bartering can be very basic. Are you good at baking cakes? You might swap your expertise and bake a wedding cake for someone in exchange for vegetables grown in their garden. This summer, I plan to swap organic herbs grown in my garden in exchange for other items I don't grow in my garden.
Everybody has a skill or an unwanted item they can trade, and that means they have something of value. Now all you have to do is put it to use.
Good luck, and happy bartering!
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The Case for Buying American
I'm a big believer in free trade. Free trade is responsible for the United States becoming the economic powerhouse of the world. Without free trade, we certainly would not benefit from the best products at the best prices that the rest of the world has to offer. These days, however, there is a new case to be made for buying American-made products and American-provided services.
The auto industry has certainly suffered as a result of people buying cars manufactured overseas. The major auto-makers in Detroit are teetering on the brink, and it's entirely possible GM or some other American auto-maker won't be around this time next year without government intervention. During better times, I would have been inclined to say let the companies fold. If a company can't remain competitive in a free market, then natural selection would dictate that the company either needs to adapt or die.
These days, I am taking a different point of view. With millions of Americans losing their jobs, and many small and major American businesses shuttering their doors, I have made a new pledge for 2009. Whenever possible, I will not only buy American, but I will buy locally-produced goods and services. Although I may be accused of protectionism or isolationism, I see it as a way of keeping my dollars in the local community and in my country, helping local businesses and in turn preserving local and American jobs.
The problem is that I will be hard-pressed to find something that is completely American-made. Many American companies have outsourced the manufacturing of their products to other countries. The other problem is that even when I can find an American-produced product, it will likely be more expensive than foreign products Granted, I don't plan to make many large purchases this year, but when I do I will look first for something produced by an American company. If that isn't possible, I will at least purchase it from a local, or "mom and pop" retailer.
There are ways of finding American products, if you are willing to do your research (which many don't. They opt for convenience).
1. Look for "Made in the USA" label. If you're not sure where a product is made, check out the label. In some cases, a product may be manufactured overseas with components made in the USA, or vice-versa, but this is usually noted on the product.
2. Do your research. There are web sites which list products completely made in the U.S., such as buyamerican.com, unionlabel.org or buydirectusa.com. There are many, many others. A little extra time and research before making a major purchase will turn up American-made alternatives if they are available.
3. Shop locally. I'm guilty of driving into the city to purchase items from the Big Box stores for the cheaper prices, but this year I will be more inclined to purchase items from the stores in my own local area, where my neighbors are employed. Even if you can't find American-made products in these stores, at least you are supporting a locally-owned and operated business. This also goes for buying products online. If I'm buying a product online, I'm sending my dollars elsewhere. This doesn't help my community and our local economy.
Not everyone will share my endorsement of giving preference to local and American goods and services. The Ayn Rand Institute, in an article titled "Buy American is U-American", says:
"International trade is not mortal combat but a form of cooperation, a
means of expanding worldwide production. The benefits of international
trade flow to both trading partners, even when one of the countries is
more efficient across the board. This is the "Law of Comparative
Advantage," covered in every economics textbook. Free trade does not
destroy but creates employment."
They are correct, of course. This IS taught in every economics textbook. However, this is my personal choice. The United States is suffering a crisis of conifidence in its economy by its own people. Banks aren't giving out credit, and people aren't buying. If this continues, the recession will only deepen further. If the recession worsens, and lasts for an extended period of time, then the United States faces a depression. In the 1930's, people didn't spend money. The less money that was spent, the more businesses suffered. As businesses suffered, more people found themselves out of work. After people lost their jobs, they had no money to spend, and so the cylce continued.
Americans have become very good at spending their money. Where they spend their money has become all the more important during these troubled times.
What If You Can’t Afford Food?
There are several signs that the economy is in trouble: stock prices are down, unemployment is up and for many, their financial future is uncertain. However, there is another surefire sign that the U.S. has fallen on tough times. Food pantries and soup kitchens are reporting an increase in the number of people seeking their services. Even more disturbing: many of those seeking help are familes whose parents both have full-time jobs.
The working poor are nothing new in the U.S. Each generation has had a segment of the population that just can't seem to make ends meet, no matter how hard they work. The causes are many…low or no education, a depressed local economy, single-parent families struggling to get back on their feet, etc. These days, food pantries are increasing seeing clients who never thought they would ever have to seek help in obtaining food for their families.
During the recession of 1991, I found myself out of work, and on a couple of occasions, there was no food in the refrigerator or the cupboard. With a few dollars wired to us by a helpful relative, my family was able to eat for another week. We never sought the help of a food pantry, but in hindsight, we certainly could have and probably should have. Perhaps it was pride that kept us from seeking that kind of help.
I did learn a few things during those salad days in which we had no salad. Here are a few steps that my family took to help stretch those food dollars a little further.
Cut Out the Drinks: Save your money for milk and cut out expensive drink habits like soda, beer and bottled water.
Stretch the meat budget: Meats are the most expensive items in the grocery budget. When trying to save money, think of meats as a side dish, or an ingredient in casseroles, soups or other one-dish meals. There are other sources of protein available such as beans, tofu, soy or lentils. Not only are they cheaper, but they are better for you, too.
Rice and pasta are your friends: Nothing stretches a food budget like rice or pasta. If you are concerned about the carbs, buy whole-wheat pasta and brown rice. It might taste different at first, but after awhile you don't notice the difference. Again, it's better for you than the plain white stuff.
Make what you have stretch further: Casseroles, soups, stews, pasta dishes…these are the types of meals that will make the food you have last longer and stretch further. I make a meatless chili that my family loves. It's inexpensive, and makes enough for two to three meals.
Grow your own: If you have your own yard or flower beds, dedicate some of that space to herbs or vegetables. It's amazing how much my family saved this last year on fresh herbs, and they taste so much better than the dried out stuff purchased at the grocery store.
Coupons are cash: If you use coupons on the things you normally buy, and combine them with in-store sales, the savings can really add up. Of course, there are some great couponing tips here at The Dollar Stretcher.
Stick to the outer aisles: Typically, the outer ailes of the grocery store are the main ones you should concern yourself with when shopping. These are the ailes with dairy, eggs, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. For the most part, the inner aisles of the store contain all of the processed foods, and they are the foods that are expensive and not nearly as nutritious.
2009…a lot like 2008, only worse.
The New Year is always an exciting time. As we count down the seconds until midnight, we look forward to a fresh start, new and exciting challenges and the opportunity to improve ourselves, either by losing weight or quitting smoking. This year, many are hoping that the New Year will bring with it economic recovery and prosperity.
Unfortunately, they will have to wait awhile longer.
All signs are pointing to a more prolonged and deeper recession than anyone had initially thought. It's not that I have a crystal ball or anything. I'm just listening to what the people who are running the economy (or will be running the economy) are saying. Other signs point to a stale economy in the year ahead:
President-elect Barak Obama - says the U.S. recession could drag on for "years" without bold economic reforms.
Boston Federal Reserve Bank President Eric Rosengren - says the recession will be longer and more severe than originally forecast.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce -says the U.S. will "hit bottom" in mid-2009.
Retailers - High-end department store Macy's is closing a number of stores around the country. Circuit City, Linens 'n Things, and KB Toys have filed for bankruptcy.
Things aren't all bad. For example, Rosengren also said he feels the U.S. economy will probably start to rebound in the second half of 2009. Historically, recessions in the U.S. haven't lasted much more than two years at a time. Of course, there is always a first time for everything. The U.S. economy didn't get into this bind overnight, and it will take time to recover.
As for me, I have a few resolutions for this New Year:
Save, save, save - All of my discretionary funds are going into my savings account.
Investing - Stocks are on sale right now, if you've got the stomach for it. Personally, I'm sticking my cash in savings accounts and CDs. My stock purchases are limited to companies that I'm fairly certain will still be around after the economy rebounds, but I admit I haven't been putting as much into my ING Sharebuilder account as I used to.
Shopping locally - This is just a personal choice for me, but when I do have to make purchases I'll do my best to buy from small, "mom-and-pop" retailers in my local area. The strong "big box" stores will survive the recession, but small businesses are the backbone of our communities. They need all the help they can get.
Dumping my debt - Money that isn't going to savings is going to retiring as much debt as possible this year. I won't be totally debt-free in 2009….I'm still paying off my mini-van and a student loan…but I'll be doing my best to get rid of all other debt. Not owing anyone any money is a nice security blanket to have during a down economy. You only need to be concerned about day-to-day living expenses like food and shelter.
How about you? What are your New Year's financial resolutions? Do you see things getting better in 2009, or worse?
Main Street Meltdown Recommended Reading: Should you bite on those crazy car deals?
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