Advantages to a recession

Although the recession has caused a lot of problems for many people, this economic crisis has some advantages, especially for people who are frugal. There is now a perfect excuse to offer spoiled children, freeloading relatives, pushy salespeople, charities, and others who are constantly trying to separate people from their money. All you have to do is mention the recession and people understand. Thanks to the recession, those money grabbers back down when you tell them you have no money, instead of calling you are a miser or a cheapskate.

One of the advantages of a recession is that both children and adults have the opportunity to learn to be grateful for the things they have. Children are more likely to appreciate receiving any gift, rather than complain and ask if that is all they are getting. Children are hearing about the recession and watching people lose jobs and homes. The recession provides the perfect opportunity for children to increase their confidence by earning the things they want. Being spoiled and wasteful is no longer in style.

The recession is a great excuse when dealing with freeloading relatives. These are the people who always need you to save them with your credit card or a loan. They often have fancier clothes and take more expensive vacations than you can afford, but have a way of making you feel like their problems are yours. You may love these master manipulators, who use both guilt and your strong feelings for them, to separate you from your money. Tell them you are not able to save them due to the recession. You will ease your guilt by blaming the recession. These mooches will go looking elsewhere for a relative who doubles as a bank.

Obnoxious salespeople are everywhere. They could be working in the cubicle next to you with their boxes of candy, calendars, wrapping paper, or other items you do not want to purchase. Sometimes they stand in front of stores. The ones that come to your door or call you on the phone are the worst. The recession has made it much easier to get rid of these pests. The best way to deal with these pushy people is to ignore them by not answering your phone or door. You can pretend like you do not see or hear them. If they are able to catch you off-guard, you can complain about the recession and tell them you have no money.

Charities are the most difficult to say no to. You can get away with giving less to charity and blame the recession. However, during a recession charities tend to suffer. The best way to deal with charities is to investigate who benefits from the money you give and only give what you can afford. An advantage to a recession is that people are more likely to make sure they give only to charities that are spending money on helping those in need, rather than on fat salaries for charity administrators.

The biggest advantage to the recession is that you can invest the money you save by blaming the recession in assets that are a lot more affordable due to the recession. Acquiring assets is the key to financial security and will help you to survive the next recession.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly pear cactus is used to make food, red dye, hair conditioner, and possibly medicine. The fruit of the prickly pear is carefully peeled and eaten. Flour is made from the tiny edible seeds inside the fruit. The branches are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Prickly pear nectar and red dye are made from the fruit juice and pulp.

The fruit and branches of the prickly pear are rich in slowly absorbed soluble fiber that help stabilize blood sugar. Researchers are studying the prickly pear to determine its usefulness in lowering bad cholesterol and the amount of insulin needed by people with diabetes.

Edmund Burke Quote

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke

Broccoli grown in raised planter beds

Broccoli is easy to grow in winter and early spring. Raised planter beds protect vegetables and make growing your own food easier.

Happy Spring

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

Edible Landscapes

Turn your garden into an edible landscape by planting a few pepper plants or strawberry plants in with your flowers.

Simplify

Those who live a simple life and do not have too many material possessions have more freedom. When you have too many things to maintain, you end up working so much that you do not have time to enjoy life. The things you own really own you.

Henry Davis Thoreau built a 10 x 15 cabin on the shore of Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. He lived a simple life and did not have to work too much to support himself. Henry grew his own food and had lots of time to spend writing, thinking, and studying nature. One of his most famous sayings is "Simplify, Simplify".

The ruins of Henry's original cabin can still be viewed on the shore of Walden Pond. This cabin is a replica of the home Henry moved into on July 4, 1845.