Wanted Free or Cheap!

 Wanted Free or Cheap: has invaded.  Every time I browse through the sell groups on Facebook I see it.  Now there are times when I would put cheap.  I'm not one to spend more then I have to.  The problem is that people are looking for animals for free or cheap. 

Its a pet peeve of mine.  It takes about one bag of feed to raise a hen to laying age.  Depending on the brand you are spending from $12-$20.  So no laying hens are not cheap.  Then you add the time you have put into taking care of them.  For me that is about 20 minutes a day.  Caring for chicks takes more time, if you want friendly hens you must spend time with them.  I'm not going to count those hours.  So in three day's time I have put in an hour for my 14 birds.  In a week I've worked at least 2 hours.  An expert makes $20/hour.  Every week I should be paid about $40.  It takes 20 weeks to raise a hen to laying age.  That means in the time it took me to raise the hen to laying age I should have been paid $800.  We still haven't figured in the cost of water or housing, but we'll stop here.  So if we take the $12 in feed and divide the $800 by 14 birds($57.14) each bird is worth $69.14.  Most

people sell their chickens for around $20.  Its well worth paying $20 for laying hens!

So no I won't give you a laying hen for cheap or free.

A little hard work goes a long way.  Chicks are worth about $3 each.  Put in the hard work your self and raise your own laying hens. 

Now don't get me wrong.  If I see a need I'm the first to want to help someone.  I'm not saying that you shouldn't give charity.  Help out a new chicken lover and help them hatch their own chicks!

Elizabeth~

Buck up and Start Planning!

Buck up and start planning for what??  Back in October I wrote an article called Death of a County.  Saturday I wrote about a growing bad feeling that something bad is going to happen to our economy.  Actually something bad is already happening to our economy.  Two major companies are closing some of their stores, Walmart and Macy's.  Not a great sign.  Sound like 2008?  So if you can see something bad is happening what do you do?  Sit by and let it happen?  NO!  You do something about it!

I'll have more detailed posts later, but here is what I'm planning for the new year!

1. A Garden.  Ok so I always plan on having a garden, but it needs some major improvements. I'll have a post about that later.

2. Goats.  In the Great Depression it was said that if you had a cow and a garden you were lucky because you ate better then most others.  Goats mean milk, cheese, and soap.

3. A year supply.  Think its for crazy preppers?  Think again!! I'll let you know why I like having some of my favorites on hand.

4. Canning Plan.  I like canning and have even won awards in our local fair, but this year it takes on a whole new meaning.

5. Shopping. Getting great deals means I can buy more food.

6.  Chickens and Turkeys. I love my feather babies!  I talk to them, feed them, and in return I get delicous eggs.  This year I'm going to try to build my own cabinet incubator.  They normally cost $1000+ but I'm trying to see if I can build one for less then $50. We'll see if experimenting will work.

What ides do you have for this year?  Do you feel like the economy is heading for trouble?  Leave me a message!

Elizabeth~

Are Group Buys Worth It??

To Group Buy or Not to Group Buy. What are the most important questions?

Part 1 Group Drop Off

Has someone in your area set up a drop off for a company? Wondering if it is really worth it?

Here are some points to consider.

Do you know the person setting up the group buy?

I've seen to many people burned by someones group buy. Joe talks to Company X and can get sleeping bags $15 cheaper IF they buy 100 sleeping bags. Joe then talks to social media group B to see if they can find people to buy 100 sleeping bags. So you decide that you could use 5 sleeping bags and use an online payment method, and pay for your 5 sleeping bags. ~Lets stop here.~ So much could go wrong. First Joe could be ripping you off. They may have never talked to Company X, and are just taking your money. Since you sent the money online, and called it a gift, there is nothing you can do. Second did you really need the 5 sleeping bags? You might have. On the other hand, are you just buying sleeping bags because they are $15 cheaper?? There are other ways to find a good deal. Most items go on-sale at least once a year. Back to the story. Joe get the sleeping bags and its pick up time. Most of the time picks ups are at one time on one day. Joe picks Saturday at 9:00 am. So you're now pick up your 5 sleeping bags. Everything is happy right? Maybe.

Here's the next problem. Although helping people become more prepared is wonderful, you really don't want the whole city knowing how much you have. This time its just 5 sleeping bags, so really its not a huge problem, except 20 people now know you have an emergency stock pile. Your kids piano teacher, your Spouse's co-worker, and the lady that does your hair. Those people don't seem so bad, and really they are not. The people you don't want know your have a stock pile is the “extreme preppers”. The ones that plan on killing everyone for their supplies. There have been quite a few groups that have come out into the open and have stated, that this is their plan.

Don't become a target think before your next group buy.

Apple Fest!

The first weekend of October Cedaredge, Colorado holds their annual Apple Fest!  This years Apple Fest was amazing.  First we toured Pioneer Town, then we looked at the Car Show.  Little guy was even lucky enough to sit in one of the cars!  Then we walked Main Street and the Park looking at all of the vendors.  Plus they had amazing food.  If your up for some adventure check out Apple Fest next October!  I can't wait for next year.