tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post6034317851484849449..comments2024-03-19T08:35:01.699+00:00Comments on Love my life: Alternative way of living on a low budgetMeanqueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-21248796122327931972017-10-08T23:25:20.394+01:002017-10-08T23:25:20.394+01:00Onr thing I did like was his comment at the end &#...Onr thing I did like was his comment at the end 'Live by your wits, not by your worries'. Not always easy to do if you are a worrier! Linda, South DevonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-89762296625502122082017-10-08T21:40:04.264+01:002017-10-08T21:40:04.264+01:00Hope its ok to comment on a post a few days old..B...Hope its ok to comment on a post a few days old..But i do agree with Flis..He should be looking at eating more healthy and not living like that because in the long run it wont do him any good.I can see what he means by buying the basics..but only for a couple of weeks..not for weeks and months ahead.Dont stuff like this get tiny insects in it?,Well at the end of the day..he can live how he wants..just dont try telling other people it is healthy and frugal...It isnt!!,Debi,xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-86179259019281651152017-10-07T02:25:02.568+01:002017-10-07T02:25:02.568+01:00Sugar, salt, oil, and flour are good things to hav...Sugar, salt, oil, and flour are good things to have on hand. BUT, he should buy at the lowest price, not just every week at whatever the price may be. He has got the stockpiling thing all wrong! He worked in kitchens. He did not shop for them. He said the owners kept these supplies. Of course, they did. But, it was not so they could afford quality food. It was so they would have basics on hand and could/would spend money on fruits, vegetables, meats. He doesn't have a clue as to what a prepper does--stock a well-balanced diet. Practical Parsimonyhttp://www.practical-parsimony.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-51324453839920940562017-10-06T16:14:36.225+01:002017-10-06T16:14:36.225+01:00A very interesting and thought provoking post, tha...A very interesting and thought provoking post, thank you. Curly Clubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12802333414956803595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-66096303522651192452017-10-06T12:27:39.817+01:002017-10-06T12:27:39.817+01:00This is a very intriguing post and discussion. Yes...This is a very intriguing post and discussion. Yes, this man is unhealthy, his style of shopping and what he buys is impractical and unhealthy, (and oh my goodness that rice bucket hasn't been cleaned in years) but I think what we are mostly seeing is his response to poverty. He's doing the best he can, even if we feel that to be misguided. Ilona wondered if he was still alive but I see that he was posting on his channel until 4 months ago, obviously we can't be sure why he stopped/paused. Louisehttp://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot.com.au/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-43665943293880748582017-10-06T12:04:36.589+01:002017-10-06T12:04:36.589+01:00I think you have hit a nail on the head there, Jil...I think you have hit a nail on the head there, Jill. It is no good to have government messaging about healthy food unless we give people the skillsets to cook nutritious food and this has to start in childhood. <br /><br />Heloisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-90973604387468811152017-10-06T12:00:42.346+01:002017-10-06T12:00:42.346+01:00Thank you for your insights about America, Shellie...Thank you for your insights about America, Shellie. I think we do forget the sheer landmass of the United States and that you have huge distances. Heloisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-86359758726272820652017-10-05T20:26:23.185+01:002017-10-05T20:26:23.185+01:00Watched it all through and all I can say is "...Watched it all through and all I can say is "Oh dear!" Sugar, salt and flour cooked in oil doesn't sound very appetising to me!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05139897702169696195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-52963089675339686242017-10-05T18:07:01.988+01:002017-10-05T18:07:01.988+01:00I do believe a lot of people in America, particula...I do believe a lot of people in America, particularly rural areas, are on a somewhat similar track as this guy. However, as one of these people, I will also say I think he's in danger of moving from the food security/prepper column to the "hoarder" column. I agree with his basic tenet- if you spend a few dollars now on "extra food" for long-term storage, you won't be in such a fix when unexpected circumstances keep you from being able to go to the store. The biggest difference for me is the items I try to "stock up" on are rice, beans, whole wheat pasta, low sodium canned veggies, and canned fruit. <br /><br />Just for a bit of context, I live in the US in a small resort town in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The views are gorgeous, but since the town is set up to mostly cater to tourists, living here full-time presents some challenges to doing so frugally. :-) There is one grocery store and one general store in town, neither of which is within walking distance. The nearest Aldi (or Walmart for that matter) is a thirty minute drive. And all it takes for my family to be cut off from civilization for days at a time is a bit of ice in the winter. The main road down the mountain from our house has actually been closed by the police before when weather conditions are bad...i.e., ice, snow, even heavy rain. It's also not out of the ordinary for people in this area to be without power for days, or weeks even, at a time in the winter due to ice storms. Having a supply of "emergency" food, even if it's just a few cans of soup, for these conditions is considered normal by most people I know. <br /><br />Which brings me to another thing- I don't think most people outside the US realize that unless you live in a large city, public transportation here is non-existent. If you can't walk or take a bus to the shops, a bare pantry might make some people nervous. Another reason that might be is job security. Some people see having a fully stocked pantry the same as having money in the bank. If you or your spouse loses a job, it's comforting to know you could still feed your family for a few weeks, or months, or in some people's case, years! <br /><br />Ultimately, we all have to find the means that works for us, right? I don't have five-gallon buckets of staples in my pantry, nor is there any pancake mix on my shelves, (at the moment at least) but I think I have to draw the line at slagging someone off for doing their version of the best to provide for their loved ones. <br />Shelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11059844748796083253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-73999407711409936492017-10-05T17:03:07.198+01:002017-10-05T17:03:07.198+01:00I never buy salt or sugar, I don't use them as...I never buy salt or sugar, I don't use them as I think there is enough in our food already. I don't do much home baking unless I could fill the oven as it's quite large but I do sometimes make apple pies and crumbles; I prefer to use small sweet apples, flavour with cinnamon, and make a custard with egg and milk and flavour with vanilla and nutmeg. You don't have to use the big Brammleys which are tart. Each to his own.yorkshire lassnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-91218437281964458902017-10-05T16:58:44.093+01:002017-10-05T16:58:44.093+01:00This is sad as this man is stockpiling refined deh...This is sad as this man is stockpiling refined dehydrated carbohydrates which are all usually processed with chemicals. There is no sign of any fresh or frozen fruit and veg or meat or fish. The protein section of his diet is missing and also the roughage. I hope he is taking vitamin pills to try and compensate for this. A high carbohydrate intake is the probable cause of his obesity. Sadly he is stockpiling to satisfy his fear of starvation. I think this is a mental health problem and he will need therapy to help him.sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08954157880937240865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-46026380268254965392017-10-05T15:17:55.362+01:002017-10-05T15:17:55.362+01:00The US, in my opinion, truly is the richest third ...The US, in my opinion, truly is the richest third world country. <br /><br />I do get the general idea of the video from comments and would like to point out some of the reality of living in poverty in the US. One commenter already pointed out the lack of reduced price quality food. The corporations will toss food into a dumpster rather then allowing it to be purchased, most likely a result of the sue happy public. So no 'yellow sticker' eating here.<br /><br />Quality food costs many times what 'junk' food costs so for the poor that is often the only option to going hungry. <br /><br />Yes, there are food shelves and free giveaways for food (Ruby's pantry). However, many food shelves don't allow the selection of their food, they take what they are given. The general thinking is that "If you are hungry, you will eat what I give you." And what they are given is surplus beans, peas, potato flakes, and out of date dented cans. I am from a large family where many never rose above the poverty level so I've seen the donations they receive. A diabetic brother is continually given surplus bags of sugar which are traded off for something else once the recipients get out to the parking lot. Even the fresh produce that is given away is often way past being edible and always given is such bulk that no one could reasonable eat that much before it rots. One sister received 30 pounds of bananas, and yes if she wanted to get anything she had to take them all. She gave as much away as she could and traded some for other foods. I know, some commenters would suggest freezing them, well to do that you must have a freezer and have the money to pay the electric bill to power the freezer.<br /><br />Some people really do not have a choice in the foods they eat, it's eat junk or starve. There isn't readily available resources for everyone to have a garden or plants in a pot. Dirt and seeds cost money with no guarantee of food in the future. <br /><br />I know this is getting too long it's difficult to understand what life is like for people in other countries, which is why I read your blog Ilona - to gain and understanding of daily life. Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03641113667510544263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-19174916249678202372017-10-05T15:10:18.637+01:002017-10-05T15:10:18.637+01:00Can I just say that I think this is a terrific pos...Can I just say that I think this is a terrific post.It has had the effect of many of us possibly being more determined than ever to continue or even improve our on our food choices.I will be anyway.flisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-69278140511839584672017-10-05T14:50:01.797+01:002017-10-05T14:50:01.797+01:00I live in the US and I can tell you that buying he...I live in the US and I can tell you that buying healthy foods is expensive because of all the "food fads" we gyrate through monthly. Really ticked me off when the price of kale went out of sight because the foodies were making kale chips or putting them in their smoothies. I am always amazed at your yellow sticker finds because our groceries simply don't have that type of pricing. The discounts you do see here in the US are pretty much a joke. Maybe 20 percent off the original price. So it's a challenge if you are on a tight budget and want to avoid living on junk food. The recourse is to grow your own and figure out a storage method for keeping them when the growing season is over. Again that can be expensive on a tight budget. Not everyone can receive food stamps here as well as it depends on your situation and what state you live in and what food products those food stamps allow you to get. The guy in the video was stockpiling basic ingredients that have an extremely long shelf life that require no refrigeration with the premise that having so much of those things on hand means you don't have to keep buying it every time you go to the store. Frees up some cash for the "premium foods" as he said. It looks like he lives in a trailer so storage space is probably non-existent and if you are trying to stockpile ingredients you got to put them somewhere. Maybe a good question to consider would be if the grocery stores could not restock their shelves for a few weeks or months how long would your food supply that you have on hand last you? Here in the US that is a question we ask ourselves during hurricane season or the winter blizzards we get. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-90571421002959822492017-10-05T14:48:06.159+01:002017-10-05T14:48:06.159+01:00I could only bear to watch for a minute or so, unt...I could only bear to watch for a minute or so, until he began to show us his store of buckets of stuff and everything looked so grubby I couldn't watch any more. <br />Margaret P galanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190356279359463949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-40308348635245421192017-10-05T11:16:56.577+01:002017-10-05T11:16:56.577+01:00forgot to say all those buckets make me think of c...forgot to say all those buckets make me think of creepy crawlies, had some in a small tin of flour once that I though was okay and was going to make cakes, until I looked a little closer and it was all moving around, arrrhhhhhhhhh, lid went back on quick, double bagged and out the door. cue scrubbing of cupboards commenced. I do not stockpile flour, sugar or anything like that now.Jouleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05747138494777768051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-71961741974692010992017-10-05T11:14:36.611+01:002017-10-05T11:14:36.611+01:00wow this is a thought provoking post, I watched so...wow this is a thought provoking post, I watched some but it made hard viewing and skipped the rest. I couldn't stand there and talk with spider I would have had to put him out the door. People are saying who are we to criticise, but the fact that he has put it out there for the world to see brings forth the comments, criticism and the rest. It shows another view of frugality, I felt sad that he said he has always been from the lower end of life as if he aspires to nothing else. I think he is still living as if he is cooking for the masses in his truckstop not just himself. I don't even get through one small oil bottle in 6 months and small salt pot lasts for years unless I put it on my front step in the winter to prevent slipping. I believe all the comments should be fors and against, not just to be filtered the nice way, that people have a right to an opinion. Yes he is overweight and having the camera on his stomach half the time sort of emphasised it a little and I did feel claustrophic, but he did seem 'nice' and I guess felt for him that he was doing the right thing. I do stock up but only a few cans of each in the cupboard, trying now to get that down so we can move next year with very little stockpile. Going through 27 years of stuff, decluttering etc, filtering its amazing how hard it is to let go of stuff, but once out the house you don't really remember it at all. I am glad someone posted that he is still alive and kicking albeit with a beard, which sort of shows that his life hasn't been too detrimental to him, but who knows going forward. Wishing everyone a great day xJouleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05747138494777768051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-45422466133480740622017-10-05T10:41:45.838+01:002017-10-05T10:41:45.838+01:00In my opinion Ilona is spot on with her comments -...In my opinion Ilona is spot on with her comments - at this moment in time I am feeling happy and well and it is thanks to reading this blog and using the grey matter in my head to make some small changes to my lifestyle. Keep up the good work. SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-73986058409124410242017-10-05T09:50:46.077+01:002017-10-05T09:50:46.077+01:00I don't see anything disgusting in potato flak...I don't see anything disgusting in potato flakes with milk ? dried potato is not my first choice but a couple of packs in the storecupboard can get you out of scrapes, and haven't you ever added a splash of milk when mashing potatos ?Kitty Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12844056332086042474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-20019662153051646432017-10-05T09:07:45.339+01:002017-10-05T09:07:45.339+01:00Well said!Well said!Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-5346247930347774552017-10-05T09:01:02.105+01:002017-10-05T09:01:02.105+01:00Maybe he is afraid to be hungry. Maybe he was hung...Maybe he is afraid to be hungry. Maybe he was hungry as child and doesn,t want to go there again. So he buys bulk stuff which he knows and he always has something in for hard times. I really don,t know. I can,t comment about shopping in the USA as I don,t know about prices or what is available He does need a bit help to widen his cook skills and having a clean up.Jillgingetcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05230406152790529824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-1203074559801794512017-10-05T08:45:09.078+01:002017-10-05T08:45:09.078+01:00Oh dear. Weevils is all I can think of!Oh dear. Weevils is all I can think of!Mrs LHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17070413740231580278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-69056707395918440122017-10-05T08:37:14.478+01:002017-10-05T08:37:14.478+01:00P.S. - don't get me wrong, I love your blog Il...P.S. - don't get me wrong, I love your blog Ilona, but you talk here about 'political correctness' but you have said that he is overweight, you said 'who are we to criticise' , but you have criticised. You have had your share of trolls and nasty comments and have now taken the step to moderate all comments to presumably cut these out, so you know what it feels like to be publicly mocked and criticised. You say you don't care about trolls and nasty comments, but if that were the case, you wouldn't moderate all comments.<br />So I am surprised and a little disappointed at this post, as someone else has said 'not one of your best'.<br />Hoping the next one is back to your normal charitable self.Kitty Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12844056332086042474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-56461793513344241532017-10-05T08:28:00.048+01:002017-10-05T08:28:00.048+01:00He's doing it his way - not my style or life c...He's doing it his way - not my style or life choice, but who are we to criticise ? who is anyone to criticise ?<br />Don't judge the weight, hygeine, cleanliness etc., look at the man ! it's his choice to be overweight, unhygeinic, etc., I don't think it's anyone else's business.Kitty Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12844056332086042474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-29368806500057260712017-10-05T08:17:40.159+01:002017-10-05T08:17:40.159+01:00Firstly,glad your back on accepting Anon for the t...Firstly,glad your back on accepting Anon for the time being...I havent got a clue how to do it any other way,lol.Also,Ive been down Brighton for a few days so it was great to get back,catch up on your blog and be able to join in the comments...I do understand why you have to change it though.Well,ive just watched this guys video...the spider made my skin crawl!!.I couldnt stand all than clutter and boxs and buckets around me and i would be worrying about the sell by dates on things.Years ago,i used to be guilty of buying lots of freezer things if they were on offer...12 packs of fish fingers that we didnt even eat that often...i got sick of looking at them every time i opened the freezer door and after about 8 months the remaining packs got binned.It was just a waste and i wouldnt make that mistake again!.I too feel a bit sorry for this guy and im sure he means well...but there is no way i could buy my food that way.To be honest...i couldnt afford to even if i wanted to!.Still,each to his own and all that!.Ive got a shopping day tomorrow but i am lucky that 2 Aldi,an Asda and a Tesco are all within 5 mins drive from me.My fridge and shelves are almost empty because i like to try and use most things up before i shop.Hope everyones having a good day!,Debi,xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com