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From Cath's Desk - April 2016
Hello Cheapskaters,
I'm often asked questions about money, especially about my favourite investments.
My favourite investment is my grocery stockpile. I have a stockpile of groceries that we've been happily living off since November last year, and we'll continue to live off it for at least another nine months. That stockpile was worth twice what I paid for it and it's saving us money this year - a great return on investment, far better than anything the banks or stock exchange are offering at the moment.
There have always been gloom and doomers predicting the end. Remember Y2K? Bird flu? Swine fly? Out of control meteors? Drought? Flood? Tsunamis?
I've watched some of the TV shows about doomsday preppers, ordinary people stockpiling food, seeds, medicines and even ammunition so they'll be read for the end of the world or a future economic collapse or apocalypse. Some of them build underground bunkers and pack them full of water, canned and dehydrated food, medicines and enough ammunition to start a war.
So, do I line up with these extremists? Not at all. I find it entertaining but certainly not realistic or practical.
The other extreme is to not be prepared at all, however, which also is unacceptable. To me, building a reasonable stockpile of food, toiletries and cleaning supplies for my family is responsible. It’s insurance and for us this year it has paid off.
To me, food and household supplies in reasonable amounts are just as much insurance as our Emergency Fund savings and the insurance policies that cover household disasters. These things give me peace of mind and assurance that I will be able to care for my family and our home no matter what life throws our way (this year it's a greatly reduced income).
Done reasonably, emergency preparedness in whatever form it takes - grocery stockpile, emergency fund in the bank, insurance policies - is not whacky. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you are prepared really is priceless and it's something everyone can enjoy.
And, I intend to do everything in my power to encourage you to follow my lead.
I'm often asked questions about money, especially about my favourite investments.
My favourite investment is my grocery stockpile. I have a stockpile of groceries that we've been happily living off since November last year, and we'll continue to live off it for at least another nine months. That stockpile was worth twice what I paid for it and it's saving us money this year - a great return on investment, far better than anything the banks or stock exchange are offering at the moment.
There have always been gloom and doomers predicting the end. Remember Y2K? Bird flu? Swine fly? Out of control meteors? Drought? Flood? Tsunamis?
I've watched some of the TV shows about doomsday preppers, ordinary people stockpiling food, seeds, medicines and even ammunition so they'll be read for the end of the world or a future economic collapse or apocalypse. Some of them build underground bunkers and pack them full of water, canned and dehydrated food, medicines and enough ammunition to start a war.
So, do I line up with these extremists? Not at all. I find it entertaining but certainly not realistic or practical.
The other extreme is to not be prepared at all, however, which also is unacceptable. To me, building a reasonable stockpile of food, toiletries and cleaning supplies for my family is responsible. It’s insurance and for us this year it has paid off.
To me, food and household supplies in reasonable amounts are just as much insurance as our Emergency Fund savings and the insurance policies that cover household disasters. These things give me peace of mind and assurance that I will be able to care for my family and our home no matter what life throws our way (this year it's a greatly reduced income).
Done reasonably, emergency preparedness in whatever form it takes - grocery stockpile, emergency fund in the bank, insurance policies - is not whacky. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you are prepared really is priceless and it's something everyone can enjoy.
And, I intend to do everything in my power to encourage you to follow my lead.
