Gas Prices Soaring…What are You Doing?…Water, Water, Not Everywhere
Gas prices are soaring. In December I told you I was hearing experts say they expected gas prices to be $5.00 per gallon by spring. Today gas prices are 83% higher than when President Obama took office and 35 cents more than this week last year. With grocery prices soaring too what are you doing to stave off poverty. Seriously, what are you doing to stretch your budget or to save money around your home? If you have begun a home business no matter how large or small, will you share what you have done. Remember we are all striving to be self reliant, not just prepared for emergencies.
If you missed Ready Or Not last week take some time to listen to the show about water storage. World wide there are water shortages and they are getting worse. During a time of crisis there will almost always be a lack of water. Water is essential to survival and if you have any dehydrated or freeze dried foods stored you have an even greater need. I am always amazed how many people purchase a year's supply of dehydrated food and think they have their needs covered. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Right now water is abundant and free so no excuses, get busy storing!
1. Heavy duty plastic containers with a spout or a pump for dispensing water. Water is heavy and you need to consider this when choosing containers. Five gallons of water weighs 42 pounds. Containers should be manageable for one adult to lift or they should be equipped with a pump. Make sure when using plastic containers that they are approved for food use. Chemicals are available to add to storage containers preserving the water for five years.
2. Plastic bottles – Water may be stored in well-rinsed bleach (hypochlorite) bottles. Begin by cleaning bottles with hot, soapy water. Completely clean the inside and the outside of the container, including the handle, the lid. Rinse well with plain water. Finally, rinse with clean water. Once you clean and sanitize the container, fill it with water you know is safe and screw the cap on tightly. You may want to fill containers with your own tap water. Water in different areas tastes differently and your family will be accustomed to the taste of your own tap. Before using open the container for several hours. Pour water back and forth between two pitchers to add air back in and improve the taste. If the water appears cloudy treat or use it for cleaning and bathing
3. Soda Bottles – Liter soda bottles with screw on lids work well for storing drinking water. Colored bottles are the best as they filter the light. Sanitize by rinsing inside and out with a solution of one-half teaspoon of household bleach per pint of water. Rinse well with plain water. Finally, rinse with clean water. Once you clean and sanitize the container, fill it with water you know is safe and screw the cap on tightly. Again you may want to fill containers with your own tap water. Liter bottles are also great to have on hand to grab quickly if you need to evacuate. They can be carried easily by an adult with the use of a lanyard type bottle carrier.
4. Mylar water storage bags – These are impermeable to gases and are usually sold in bulk cases for easy stacking. Individual pouches can be purchased for storing in 72-hour kits and in your car. These pouches are not rodent proof so check them often and place small pouches in a rodent proof container.
5. Glass jars – As you empty your canning jars sterilize them, and the screw on lids, and fill with water until you are ready to refill them with the “fruits” of your gardening efforts. They are already taking up space so put them to work! Glass jars should be stored in a dark place and preferably in a cardboard box. Water can also be canned by processing for 20-minutes in a water bath or steam canner. This is not necessary if water is rotated on a regular basis.
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We received this comment in the yahoo group and I thought it was worth sharing…
Yes, We’ve noticed the price increase in gas also. We took our car in to have
the brakes checked and spent over $1,000 getting the brakes and associated
problems fixed. My husband looked over the parts that had been replaced to make
sure the work was needed. The work was needed and we were appreciative of
honest parts dealers. One thing we were told was that in order to improve gas
mileage, many parts in cars no longer have as much steel in them and have to be
replaced more often. Brakes and associated parts are one of the areas that the
steel has been reduced. Years ago, rotors could be ground down more than once.
Ours were ground smooth this time but will need replacing next time.
We had work done on another car over a week ago and were told that many people
are no longer getting work done on their cars because they simply cannot afford
it. It is important to know that as time goes on we will probably be traveling
on highways and freeways with vehicles that simply are not safe. This one
problem will compound all of the other problems that we face.