Just dropped off a box of food goodies for our unemployed neighbor only to find out our other neighbor and friend just got laid off.
I read business and financial news every day, and it sounds as though things are pretty grim economically. Now, I've got at least 4 out of work friends struggling. My own income has taken a hot (down to 1/3 what it was in 2008) and I'm just praying hubby doesn't get laid off.
It's hard to remain upbeat.
Anyway, on the goals front: I had a bumper crop of tomatoes this year. It was ridiculous. My goal was to can 24 quarts of pasta sauce. It has been surpassed. I have 31 quarts of pasta sauce and tomatoes. Today, I canned another 24 pints of red salsa and 9 pints of dices tomatoes for cooking. I still have to make green tomato salsa and can the stragglers in the next two weeks. I actually have to buy more jars. I never thought this would be possible!
It's bad out there
September 25th, 2010 at 12:24 am
September 25th, 2010 at 12:42 am 1285371732
Jerry
September 25th, 2010 at 02:25 am 1285377933
September 25th, 2010 at 05:49 am 1285390164
I think our situation is a bit like a ship sinking. If you have a job, you have a life vest in the middle of the ocean. Best tactic is to save your energy, take stock, conserve your advantages and tread water. Not the time to swim hard!
Congratulations on the canning! Treasure those tomatoes.
September 25th, 2010 at 12:41 pm 1285414896
September 25th, 2010 at 01:12 pm 1285416727
As for us, my income was cut in half. My husband has had fairly steady work, but he is having to take jobs that are an hour or so away. A lot of driving. I have also found that we are trying to fix everything ourselves, like our well, instead of paying the professionals. We have definately changed; and trying to live on a cash only life.
September 25th, 2010 at 02:35 pm 1285421714
I've been beating myself up for not doing better with our savings goals, but now I realize the economy has a lot to do with it. I set and accomplished some steep goals before--but that was 2008. We were making a lot more money then. Now, all of our freelance work has dried up. We still have one steady salary, and I just pray hubby doesn't get laid off.
And, the money we did save this year-- $5,ooo of it went to bail out a friend about to lose his house. I'm not thrilled about this, but hubby felt strongly about it. So, I'm extra hoping we don't gt laid off, since we have two kids to take care of.
September 25th, 2010 at 03:00 pm 1285423243
September 25th, 2010 at 08:34 pm 1285443262
So JEALOUS over your salsa!!! I wouldn't know where to begin canning my own, but I sure would love to do the same some day.
September 25th, 2010 at 08:42 pm 1285443723
Seriously, I'm thrilled to have this job, although for now it's a contract only job, so my long-term security is not yet that secure.
I am extremely fortunate that becus I have a modest lifestyle (and modest home), I didn't have to dig into personal savings to get by during the year I was out of work. I'm not sure many people can say that.
But now, knowing this job may not last beyond 12/31/10, I hope to sock away substantial $$ in savings and mortgage prepayments, just in case. But ease up just a bit on my frugal ways.
September 26th, 2010 at 12:20 am 1285456848
September 26th, 2010 at 12:26 am 1285457178
September 26th, 2010 at 12:37 am 1285457828
September 26th, 2010 at 04:30 pm 1285515014
(Just to add one bright spot of news. Though it's still not great around here.)