Gas prices go up...as do other costs

Yeah, not newsbreaking, or anything, to say that when gas prices go up food costs and other costs go up along with them, because of transportation and production costs, etc.--but thought you might be interested in the details in this article, which talks about what's going on with the prices now.

Also, found this article on the shelf life of spices interesting. If you are going to try to make limited resources taste good, spices are a good addition to the food storage list. They, as mentioned here, can be expensive, but might help when one of your children or other member of the group you'll be responsible for is really craving something with a different flavor...


Hope all is well with everyone--weather here in Idaho can't seem to make up its mind. At some points, it has seemed like spring has arrived...only to find that it's raining/snowing/sleeting (? It has looked like possible hail recently, but I wasn't curious enough to go out and actually get hit with it to find out :) soon after. Anyway, got to get to the gardening soon, even if it's only inside.... :)

Oh, and on the third try I did get the deal on the flour mentioned in an earlier post. Am wondering at what time the price of the gas surpasses the money saved on the food deal, though....

Speak out on "Cap and Trade"

You might be asking yourself why I would want to make a post about the cap and trade bill coming up for a vote tomorrow in the House of Representatives, or link to an article like this one. What does that have to do with prepping?

Well, according to the linked article, this bill:

--has the potential to really, really, really negatively affect our energy bills.

--could cause food prices to go the wrong way---up, up, up.

I don't want to have to resort to using what could be considered emergency supplies before I have to in either the energy or food arenas. These problems are only two of the problems I see with this bill, but aren't they reason enough?

I hope that you are against this legislation as well, but whether you agree with me or not, I ask you to contact your Representatives about this matter as soon as you can--it's scheduled to go to a vote tomorrow. If you are in Idaho, our Representatives are:

Congressman Walt Minnick

Congressman Michael Simpson

If you are not in Idaho, you can find your Representative's contact information here. You will need your zipcode to access information.

The bill is H.R. 2454, but asking them to vote against the cap and trade bill will help everyone. Food and energy prices are at sticker shock levels for many already. The good news is that the previously linked article also indicates that the result of the vote is not set in stone.

I just got off the phone with Congressman Minnick's office. His staff indicated that he has not yet made a decision on this legislation. This may be true with other Representatives as well. Your voice can make a difference.