WASTE MONEY
Today’s lesson is, don’t
be afraid to waste money. Now, we all
understand that the economic end is nigh.
We all know your cushy job is on the chopping block. Inflation will return with a vengeance as the
PetroDollar is sodomized. Rent and
medical costs are going up double digits yearly. It IS time to worry about money while it
still buys something. It IS a good idea
to get your preps over and done, your debt paid off and your junk land fixed up
for habitation. All that said, you STILL
need to not be afraid to waste money.
*
A minion made mention of
getting wheat in #10 cans. He understood
my view on them ( you are paying an insane amount for the can itself ) but
preferred them. Hey, I get it. They will last forever after a light coating
of something to prevent rust. You can
stack them up much higher than plastic pails.
The mice will NOT get in them under any circumstances. Nor will insects. They are preferable for barter. My only concern, because for all I know he
has money coming out the wazoo, is whether or not he can afford to buy all of
them in time.
*
You know, since you cannot
time the collapse and all, so it is prudent to assume it happens tomorrow. Is buying a case of wheat every payday going
to get you prepped in time? Isn’t there
a military dictum about perfection being the enemy of any plan? If you wait for the perfect anything, you end
up with exactly nothing. I’ve know guys
who wouldn’t start a relationship unless the gal was perfect. So they were alone. And, guys, really? It’s all pink inside. Anyway, I’ve harped on this before. Saving up your money to buy the perfect rifle
or diet in the end could leave you starving with no protection, with a pile of
worthless cash.
*
So my solution to you is
to just buy the crap you would never consider worthy, then after a time as you
are saving money you upgrade to the initially approved item. The usual response to this is something along
the lines of, “but that is just wasting money”.
Well, yes, it is. So what? That is the excuse folks use when buying a
house. “I’ll save money by buying now,
rather than paying rent”. Well, no it
isn’t. Because debt is never good. Debt might, and I stress the MIGHT, be
cheaper, but probably not. It is
probably going to be cheaper to waste money renting, saving up for a cash
purchase, and waiting for the perfectly under priced sale item.
*
But even if it isn’t
cheaper, you have purchased peace of mind.
Nothing is free, especially not serenity. You might have wasted ten years paying rent,
but now you own an acre with a mobile home without a mortgage ( or
whatever-fill in the blank. I think we
can all agree that a $200k house in the suburbs is a bad bet all the way around
). You want the perfect wheat storage
container? Fine. Nothing wrong with that. Just buy all the wheat you need NOW, put it
in a crappy container ( $25 will get you a metal trash can and enough
diatomaceous earth for the 200 pounds of kernels inside a thick plastic bag ),
and that can later be your daily bread or future barter item after you have
gotten all of your #10 cans.
*
It isn’t even a waste of
money as much as it is an extra expense, but let’s assume you still think of it
as a waste. Don’t we all have stories of
prepper gear we bought that is a complete waste of money? That silly convenience item that looks so
cool and wicked and met your needs perfectly, then turned out to be far worse
than you expected after an alternate was learned of. Mine was the Volcano type camp stove ( small
AA battery powered fan to burn the debris fuel efficiently ) that is easily
replaced by a free Dakota hole or near free coffee can Hobo stove.
*
How about all those
Lee-Enfield no.1’s ( the WWI models ) that looked fine in the gun shop but were
crap in low light, the sites being nearly useless even when painted, then
replaced by the no.4’s ( the WWII models, with peep sites and far more accurate
)? The no.1’s were of course a complete
waste of money. I didn’t know enough
about the models I needed. I didn’t even
realize until lately that the one is twice as accurate out the factory door
than the other, until recently. I had
just been in awe of the better iron sites.
But, do I regret buying the no.1’s?
*
No, not really. If I had gotten the 4’s right away, they
might not have survived my moves or divorces and I would have needed to buy
them all over again anyway. At the time
a refurbished one was $120, a beat to crap $90.
Really no harm or foul and I was at least always armed with a battle
rifle ( you, yes you, standstill laddy.
Do you have a battle rifle? Or
are you still saving up for that “perfect” M14? ). Do I regret the stove? No, I still have it and it can still come in
handy. Do I regret buying that Katadyn
camping water filter for an insane amount for Y2K? Even though I can now buy Sawyers all day
long with far greater capacity? Do I
regret buying all that land I turned around and sold at a loss since I finally
settled on Nevada as my home til death?
*
Why should I? It is all just an education. But more importantly, at the time I was
prepared. Fully prepared, even if it was
a lesser desired degree of preparedness. Even if it was a Better Than Nothing. I’m one of the worlds greatest tightwads, a
mantle I proudly fight for, and I don’t mind wasting money on important
things. I might lament the waste, but I’m
not afraid to do it again. Like buying a
book that turned out to be total worthless crap, it is just the cost of doing
business buying those books that are priceless life savers.
END ( today's related link http://amzn.to/2FHxmNT )
* By the by, all my writing is copyrighted. For the obtuse out there
Most certainly all women are not alike. Just as neither are men. Yes they are all pink inside and in that respect all pretty much the same.So not even part of the equation.
ReplyDeleteIt is crucial , the mindset of the person. Whether you think along parallel paths, something which might take some time to determine. Most guys are so eager to get laid , they skip over that determination period for an immediate supply of fresh nookie.
Ha ha , too soon we get old and too late smart.
I had real good luck finding my companion, who has put up with and helped in getting prepped fully in three different states now. Proving that even using the large brain over going with the urges of the smaller brain below. One can over think himself into making constant change.
Don't discount a supply of immediate nookie. With it, we are very trainable, calm and cooperative. Half our lives we respond positively to just that. Clear the pipes, clear the mind for the more important things.
DeleteAbsolutely agree.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add that most stuff you'll need will never be at bargain prices. So, just like waiting for the perfect woman (which is a logical impossibility, since her perfection makes her unattainable and thus useless, hence not perfect :D ) is a waste of time, waiting for bargains, or actually some sort of optimum, is wasting time just as well.
Sometimes a can of beans is just a can of beans.
If you contemplate to buy in bulk then you have to do your research and try things out. For instance when selecting Baked Beans I bought four brands and invited a friend over so we could both taste all of them comparatively (big English Breakfast, that day). It turned out the Heinz Baked Beans were very sugary and not that pleasant, whereas the simplest brand (supermarket's own brand) had the best taste and cost less than half as much as the Heinz beans.
The core of my preps revolve about tried & true brands (especially regarding food) I can rely upon. Now that my core is set, I expand it with discounted stuff, second-hand purchases etc. This also adds much variety.
Subversive thought! Don't taste test your prep food, just buy more freeze dried.
DeleteThat's the most important part of buying prep food, or any kind of food. Try it first. Small quantity to start. I've been doing that with freeze dried stuff and can't find anything acceptable no matter the cost. Is all freeze dried stuff nasty? I'm talking individual items, not the meals - like Mountainhouse. Stuff like corn, peas, green beans, etc. I just bought a qt size container of peppers and onions mix (don't remember the brand, got em off amazon) and have tried them several times now and they just don't get soft like the real stuff no matter how long they are boiled. Like chewing plastic or rubber. I got the same thing from Augason awhile back, a #10 can and it was only half filled and half that was powder. And all of it tasted very, VERY salty. Shit wasn't cheap neither. I ended up throwing it our for the birds and they didn't like it either. I think a possum finally vacuumed it up. Prolly blew his asshole out the next morning.
DeleteSo who makes edible freeze dried individual ingredients at a reasonable price?
Last sentence: OXYMORON. I'm glad I'm validated in my previous statements reporting the cooks experience with freeze dried at the soup kitchen, after Y2K donations. Now I'm visualizing all these Yuppie Scum blowing their buttholes out the morning after trying to eat their freeze-dry only food stockpile!
Delete"Don't taste test your prep food, just buy more freeze dried."
ReplyDeleteDo I hear sarcasm dripping off that statement? LOL
Me? Sarcasm? I know not of what you speak.
DeleteIt really does boil down to having something to eat & drink, shelter from the elements, protection from others. And a Flir for everyone in your militia
ReplyDeleteI thought the FLIR was implied :)
DeleteAny thoughts on a 2015 movie titled The Survivalist? I came across it today, and it sounds interesting. Just wondering if I should even bother?
ReplyDeleteA short synopsis: In a time of starvation, a survivalist lives off a small plot of land hidden deep in forest. When two women seeking food and shelter discover his farm, he finds his existence threatened.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2580382/
I loved that one. The nudity seemed forced, but the overall tone was bleak/somber/dreary and really gave you a sense of dread and forebodding. I made a mention of it in a comment somewhere. On Netflex. Would I spend money on it? Probably. It will never be popular-too close to reality I'd wager.
DeleteI thought I could get it for free at youtube, but no such luck. But I watched a few clips of it last night, and it looks good, so I’ll probably rent it. The dangers that you would be facing in such a scenario seemed to be quite realistic. I saw two British dudes do a quick review on it. One thing that they mentioned that stood out to me was that anyone that had survived to that point, had to be willing to kill. Simple statement, but I had never really put that much thought into it before.
DeleteIf renting is close to the purchase price, I think this movie would probably be multi-viewing worthy. The willingness to kill is important. Too many preppers think the apocalypse will be a Hollywood affair, where all souls finish as pure as they started. Article idea! Thanks dude.
DeleteYeah, I can rent it for $4 or buy it for $12. I‘m the poor, unemployed, Elko minion, so that’s a pretty peso (I’m getting myself used to the eventual take over by Mexico :D ) for me. But if you feel it’s worth it, I might buy it. Looking forward to the article.
DeleteNo-too much of a spread in price. Rent it. You've love it for $4. If you merely like it for $12 I'll feel like an idiot. Don't worry, I think the Mexican take-over will peter out just north of Vegas. However, if you don't want to take that change, go to freebooks.com today and get the link for the free book on learning Spanish with only 2,000 words.
DeleteAfter the Collapse, what has Elko to offer that would be worth invading or even establishing a garrison for ?
Delete(Not wanting to sound arrogant or something)
Elko offers very little. Established as a rail stop. And rail doesn't need water anymore. The original Pony Express and Oregon Trail didn't even pass through here, but looped south. Cows don't do well here with the winters-I think you have to ship in hay. And the gold won't last much longer-the companies have terrible financials.
DeleteJim, your are right again. Minions should only rat hole like a year of bare minimum cash for "surviving expenses" when out of work/injured-ill/economy sputters. After that all coinage should be divested into kit goods. Food,guns-ammo,clothing-warm gear, etc. Make rough calculations of how much a product lasts you or it's importance in daily use and slowly stockpile that item with an exchange of that company scrip. I like to use the shithole countries (ugoslavia,syria,venezuala, etc) as a barometer of what would be necessary. We in f.u.s.a. ain't god's special children anymore so do not expect special treatment.
ReplyDeleteJust because we are getting special treatment now ( ie-should have full on collapsed already ), exactly, since we ain't special it won't last. Baby Jesus loves you enough to give you extra prep time ( and to introduce you to me ), not enough for you to escape hard times.
DeleteJim the only difference in women is mouth volume while relaxing. Enthusiasm and frequency In bed !! Everything else in this post was spot on.
ReplyDeleteHa! Too right. Maybe that's why me and the NOL get along so well-she isn't afraid of silence.
DeleteJim, could it be that you were dating/married with extroverts before (in the MBTI sense), and this is your first introvert partner ?
DeleteOh, very possible. The problem is that only becomes of paramount importance as you get older. Younger, it is all just about humping like bunnies, with uncomfortable relationship dynamics in the way for short periods between humping. Yes, a modern problem, with too many choices and birth control. And, perhaps, way too much leisure time leading everyone to create drama to fill in for inactivity.
DeleteI've bought things that seemed expensive at the time. Now years later when those items are unobtainable for all practical purposes (certain tools, firearms, low priced pms) these purchases are fantastic bargains.
ReplyDeleteGetting the best price is great. But like the investing cliche goes, very few buy at the very bottom- very few sell at the very top ( or something like that).
Another: The fool knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Get what you need. Look for value. Don't lose sleep over a few bucks one way or the other. Add item to your stockpile, move on, and earn some more bucks while you can.
S.Fl
That's what I told myself with books. Oh, look, as soon as they get scarce the price goes up :) I actually did pretty darn good buying the bottom on most things. Not land, but who cares now that its paid for. If I was perfect you would all resent me even more.
DeleteI agree, but I'm afraid I didn't get what a pms was.
DeleteI imagine that it can describe a women that seems to have a permanent PMS condition ;)
I believe it should have been PM's, precious metals. Yes, gold and women on the rag are two entirely different things!
DeleteSpare gun is okay, but if you really don't want to waste money, spend more on ammunition. Far more important than the firearm itself, especially if reloading is not in your vocabulary. Real life accounts of SHTF life tell of the importance of FOOD - MEDICINE - WATER - AMMUNITION in very short supply and highly valued.
ReplyDeleteEven buying ammo by the case, even if you don't own the gun, is probably smarter than buying another gun ( after you took care of 3is1, obviously ). NOT for barter. I'd assume slap the bitch off anyone's face that thought that. For the guns you pick up cheap or free after THEY run out of ammo. I wonder if this is too obvious or I should do an article on it.
DeleteDo an article. Then do at _least_ one more before the year is out.
DeleteIt's the basics that'll keep your minions alive. Even those of us that are sold on Bison Strategy need constant reminders & admonitions to keep from flying off into fantasy land.
I suspect though the basics are boring. Firearm & ammunition (or alternative), food & method of preparing it, Shelter.
The search for "Teh Best" is fun but thanks to your good self and a fellow Bison Prepper helping me realise "Teh Best" is an exercise in frustration because there is no best.
Basics aren't really boring since almost everyone else butchers them-then it's fun to highlight their idiocy.
DeleteSpeaking of rimfire. I have a Marlin model 60 .22 tube feed and loading is always a pain. So I've been sort of shopping for a Ruger 10/22. Today I was made of a tool named Spee-D-15 that has 8 tubes with 15 rds in each so that it will load the tube instantly all at once. It will hold 8x15=120 rds total. The best price I found was at Sportsmans Guide for $19.99 non-member. I'm gonna order 4 tonight. Here's the link.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/spee-d-loader-22lr-caliber-rimfire-tube-magazine-rifle-ammunition-loader?a=285127
I can see you now, skulking in the woods with an arrow quiver full of rimfire speedy loaders :)
DeleteYou can DIY them and save on the $$$.
ReplyDeleteSearch 22 speed loader by Paul Harrell on Youtube.
Thanks for the tip. ( that's what she said )
DeleteUgh, your channeling nutnfancy!
ReplyDelete;)
Hmm, I can't do anything with "channeling".
Delete