Not Waiting

 

I have never been one to just sit by and wait to see what happens - the what-ifs, maybes, most likely to happen, probable events.  To be quite honest I’ve been on guard ever since this president was re-elected because I’ve never trusted him.  Everything I said would happen, has.  My BFF told me it was uncanny just how accurate my predictions were, but more specifically the order in which things unfolded and how quickly.  I knew he would make a big mess of things, but what I didn’t expect was that congress would be so agreeable to let him.

 

Once Iran was bombed and the strait filled up with oil tankers I knew gas prices would shoot up and in one week they did here by 60¢ a gallon, now it is over a dollar higher.  Gas prices affect everything, especially the cost of goods and services because everything needs to be transported.  Our already high prices will begin to rise further based on oil prices, including heating our homes, trash removal, etc.  Our bottom line will be affected.  To survive this next round of craziness conservation will be crucial.

 

A couple weeks ago I parked the Subaru and started taking the bus to work again and I’m actually happy about it.  I need the fresh air and exercise and I know it is really good for me.  Admittedly, I was getting a little bit lazy so it feels good to be my former active self once again.  My plan is to only drive to work when I do the senior activities that run outside of the regular bus schedule which doesn’t happen very often.

 

I’m picking up my groceries en route as well so I don’t need the car as much for that.  I am able to walk from work to a Winco supermarket and also Trader Joes.  I have an Albertsons along the bus route to my home so I can stop and get off, do my shopping and then catch the next bus home.  I can walk a little further up to the airport and catch a different bus that will take me to Fred Meyer or Home Depot.  I am also within walking distance to my bank.  I can take the bus to my doctor too.

 

I’ve aired up the tires on both of my bikes and charged up the battery on my E-bike.  I fixed the flat tire on the cargo trailer so it is ready to go if I need to do a bigger bulkier shop.  I can ride my bike to the bank, many stores, including two different feed stores and even Home Depot if I need to.

 

On the days I do need to drive to work my plan is to make it really count by running an errand either on the way to work or on the way home.  Once a month I plan to be doing a Costco run and will pop into Wal-Mart or Grocery Outlet and the feed store while I’m at it (only if I need to) as they are located nearby.  Other than that, the plan is to acquire what I need by other means.  Because my fuel will not be used as much I’ve added fuel stabilizer to my tanks to help keep it from going foul.  I should only need to do this about twice a year.  I’ll be interested to see just how long a tank of gasoline lasts me now.

 

Along with the transportation changes I’ve made I also plan to make sure that nothing I currently own goes to waste, especially when it comes to consumables.  If I feel I need or want something I first must make sure that I truly do need to have it and then determine if something I already own will fit the bill and can I make do.  Is it something I could make?  If so, I will get to work and make something.  With food, I want to make sure I don’t waste anything and make more budget stretching meals, like soup, so my groceries last longer.  The same goes for toiletries and household items.  Just use what I need to get the job done and no more.

 

Like I said, I am never one to sit idly by and become complacent.  By making changes now I am preparing myself to better handle what will most likely happen in the not too distant future.  Conserving my resources, making do, adjusting habits and making wiser choices about spending and consuming will help me along the way.  What is something you can do to help yourself?