SusanCarrollHome.com

Last week I read a Letter To The Editor in the Kansas City Star that now has me wondering if living has become an expensive hobby that only a few can afford. The letter was written by an 82 year old woman who stated that she used to think she was recession proof because she had many skills that most young people don’t. Unfortunately in today’s economic climate even she’s worried because having the skill to be somewhat self sufficient is not enough.

For example, during previous economic recessions most women knew how to sew and could make their families’ clothing. Today most women do not know how to sew and those who do rarely make clothing. Sewing used to provide an economical alternative to acquiring new clothes and home accessories but has now become an expensive hobby. For the price of a pattern you can purchase the item  already made and for the cost of the fabric you can get another 1 or 2 of the pre-made items. (I know this because I used to sew.)

The same is true for making socks and sweaters. In the past many knew how to knit and could make the families socks and sweaters. However knitting has also become an expensive hobby where it’s much less expensive to purchase socks and sweaters than to buy the yarn. (I used to knit too.)

Unfortunately making clothing is not the only area in a family’s life that has become an expensive hobby. Knowing how to make and cook economical foods has also become and will become even more expensive. For instance, making your own bread used to be less expensive than buying it and macaroni and cornmeal mush used to provide cheap meals. But now the farmers don’t want to grow wheat since they can get more for corn and the corn isn’t for eating but for fueling our vehicles.

Now you might think that giving up processed foods and buying in-season fresh produce and vegetables will help lower your food bills. Well think again. Now that “eating healthy” is a popular idea, the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables is already well beyond the budget of many US families. Gone are the days when you could find inexpensive apples during apple season or inexpensive fresh salad makings during the summer. Since most fresh produce in the US is shipped in from overseas, there are always fresh fruits and vegetables of every kind however the price stays consistent throughout the year except for occasional sales.

So if we have a recession you may just have to survive with the clothing you already have and eat whatever you can afford. But what about getting to the store? Will you be able to afford the cost of fuel to get you there? We no longer live in the times when there was a small grocery within walking distance to everyone. In fact, it’s not unusual to have to drive for 15 minutes or more to get to the closest store. If you live in a community with bus service you could learn to use it. But what if you live in a small town like I do where there is no bus service and the only store is several miles away?

With the prospect of an economic recession coming many are going to have to face the fact that clothing, eating and using the family car are now hobbies they can no longer afford. (I didn’t even talk about the hobbies of staying cool in the summer and warm during the winter.)

So what happens when you can’t afford your hobbies? Well, being too hot or too cold for extended periods and not eating can only lead to 1 thing and you know what that is.

Going back to the letter in the Star I’ll quote the last paragraph and hope you have an answer.

“Now I’m reading how funeral costs have increased. So, at the age of 82, I can’t afford to live and I can’t afford to die. Is there an alternative?”

If you have an alternative please leave a comment.

To Your Success,
Susan