sunk cost calculations 2

SUNK COST CALCULATIONS 2

We left off yesterday with “excuses verses justifications” so far as sunk cost calculations.  I’ll use my two favorite examples, rice and firearms.  Let’s talk about rice.  You know I hate it.  I know you know I hate it.  BUT.  Most minions seem to prefer it.  I simply have no counter argument for that because stocking what you hate is the same as stocking nothing at all.  You MUST eat what you store and store what you eat.  What one minion tried to patiently explain was that he wasn’t even stocking food, but filler.  I finally got that.

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To me, you stock grain because that is 95% of your calories.  So from my point of view rice, being as worthless as white sugar because it is empty calories, was the last grain you wanted to count on.  Even if your choice is between whole wheat flour or white flour, the wheat is superior in satisfaction ( fullness, energy ) and health.  But to minions, mostly, they had the finances to stockpile better higher grade food ( animal proteins, natural fats, variety items ) and the question of grains went from primary and lifesaving to merely a filler.

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You know I’ll never stop pushing wheat and wheat accessories but at least I understand minion’s points of view more now.  But I will say that as time goes on into the collapse my dietary advice will reign supreme, as discretionary budgets shrink ( as ammunition goes way back up, for instance ).  Soon grain will become most of your diets ( or, at least for new, desperate preppers ).  This scares all of you as you all are spoiled with food, quantity wise.  I’ve always relied on wheat and always made room in the budget by minimizing food.

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All that out of the way ( and I do apologize for the miscommunication on my part ), a HUGE reason and or excuse I ALWAYS hear is that rice is just easier and wheat must have a grinder.  I’m not sure if it is the fear of manual labor, the cost issue or if that is just an excuse.  But let’s assume it is JUST the cost.  I won’t use the example of the cheapest grinder, because although it is a rugged tank of a mill, it does take quite a bit of work.  I’ll go with the easiest “budget” mill.

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If I’m recalling correctly ( beanie propeller hat tip to Spud ), the “wondermill” is the unit I’m thinking of.  Quality build, easy to use but only half the price of the Cadillac units.  $240.  Yes, I belabor buying Victorian mills, since at $45 you can buy several ( never have one of anything ).  But I assume you all know I’m preaching to the poorest of the working poor and not all product advice is meant for those with a bit more cash.  Let’s just say you are old enough the Less Labor aspect is more important than the cost.

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Rice, in general, is twice the price of wheat kernels.  You’ll find swings in variance but it is a good general rule.  If you are buying 400 pounds of grain, which isn’t unrealistic even if just filler for a few year’s worth ( rice ) or fresh veggies ( wheat sprouts ), you’ve only saved $100 by buying wheat rather than rice.  You are still in the hole.  Anything under a thousand pounds and that grinder will never pay for itself.  So, again, I was operating under different assumptions.  I couldn’t fathom why you wouldn’t use a Victorian.

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Again, I’ve been using one almost my whole life. To me, grinding wheat is no different than any other kitchen prep activity.  To everyone else it is a foreign activity akin to being asked to weld your own bike frame together, when you aren’t a welder.  Or being asked to bicycle to work when a car is as natural to you as wearing clothes are.  So, a Victorian mill is as archaic and unnatural as a stone mortar and pedestal.  Seeing the Wondermill as the MINIMUM standard of mills, why indeed would you want to eat wheat flour you don’t like the taste of anyway?

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In this case, you are actually justifying your investment in a higher cost grain.  It isn’t an excuse.  In the case of gluten intolerance, you must stock rice, or a VERY expensive wheat alternative like millet or quinoa, and most likely it is cheaper to not even stock much grain at all but the now not so expensive higher foodchain items.  Hopefully for the gluten issue folks they can still eat it sprouted and can at least get those vegetables from a cheap feedstock. 

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Another justified sunk cost is an arsenal.  If you do it right for the apocalypse, you have a metric butt ton of cash already tied up in a “former choice” arsenal.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the Lee-Enfield.  It just isn’t perfect.  No gun is, not even the HK-91 as I’m sadly now aware thanks to a minion gleefully debasing me of the notion with pesky facts.  I don’t even want to switch over from it, even as I fantasize about AR’s ( one of my least favorites even if it is the most practical and affordable-my haunting visions are of gun control and the AR is THE ghost gun ).

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But if I wanted to?  I couldn’t. My sunk costs are incredible.  I only have about $600 into the guns, which was the cheapest part.  Bayonets are about $400.  Reloading has to be at around $1200 minimum.  And factory ammo is anyone’s guess but I’d wager around $1600.  I would have to match that for a minimum AR arsenal.  It took me twenty years to add up the first one.  And I know we don’t have another twenty.  My sunk costs make my weapon choice mandatory. 

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Now, granted, I also spent a lot of those earnings in the twenty years staying out of jail ( baby momma tax ), buying property ( way too much ), precious metals, then current wife tax ( I got $30 in aluminum recycling.  My guess is that represented about $2500 in beer-and that was just for a few years ), and etcetera.  Using no savings, I could probably do it in three now.  Six months if I went back to working at hourly pay, but none of us wants THAT.  The horror!  I’d rather stay poor, “under armed” and writing. 

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At least my writing isn’t really a fixed cost. It is a more immediate disposable commodity and hence more practice/skillset building than produced material I can leverage by itself.  Beelzebub himself reappearing in this realm generates more excitement and anticipation than my books.  But hey, the readers have spoken through their support, so blogging it is.  One hopes that channel stays open ( knock on wood ).  Okay, enough with all that.

( .Y. )

( today's related Amazon link click here )

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note: only for smarter minions with perfect hair, a clearance sale on 303 British laser boresighters.  Compared to the normal $15-18, only $3.50 each.  I bought several.  Act swiftly. click here .  Here is the Amazon pack of replacement button batteries for it here .  
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note: I am loved by other worthies almost as much as I admire myself.  Frank and Fern mention me here and 'Ol Remus has been showing unusual love and attention here.  Don't worry-it won't go to my head.  I know the attitude problem here ( "yes, but what have you done for me TODAY?" ).  I'm kidding.  But only under pressure is that diamond formed.  No rest for those seeking perfection ( at the risk of self-delusion ).
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