Can you be a gofor? Can you hold that end of a stick? Can you operate a broom and a shovel? Can you drive a wheel barrow?
Solar Cooking
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Ross- Thanks for the link there... I've been wanting to learn about canning since last years garden... that link seems to provide most of what I need to know.
Merry Prankster - these are hard times, and as I am contemplating purchasing a bigger boat for us, it does loom in my mind that when the whole system here in the USA comes to a collapse, that boat would be alright for us all to live on as it will be paid for... I'm sure to many that sounds very doomsday, but I'm just being honest...it crosses my mind. Do you mind sharing your age? I am young to mid-30's myself and many on this forum are older and most are wiser. There are many ways of cutting your budget, and I think that living on the hook, you could do a lot to live off little. I've never tried myself as that's not what "cruising" means to me at this point, however, I never rule that out. Being an avid fisherman, I dream of catching my meals off my boat and cooking em up.
I have numerous friends in and from Germany that have travelled all around the world... they take jobs here and there and then move on.. similar to what is being discussed, I don't know if I am brave enough to embrace a lifestyle like that without being forced into it. If I felt, like it seems you are feeling, that you are going to be forced into that situation, I would evaluate the everything. Having reserve cash will be key, keeping your hands off of it will be even more important.
I really feel I hit rock bottom at one point in my life.. I joined the army after that.. it was the best decision I ever made. I wouldn't be living where I am with my boat in the back yard, a beautiful wife and daughter, and another kid on the way if I hadn't done that. I am a spiritual person, perhaps, but not a "religious" one. I felt like, and still feel like I was guided in the direction I went. I guess what I am saying is, if you feel like it's something that you need to do, then you can probably do it right. Canning is a cool idea, but think about the cost of canned vegetables and rice & noodles... I don't think you can 'can' most raw goods as the big factories, especially those those that sell under the generic brands.. they just do too much volume. There is no way (i don;t think) that I can make broth (stock) cheaper than I can buy it, but I do it anyway, though I buy it too.
I really do wish you the best in these hard times and these times of uncertainty in your life.
Merry Prankster - these are hard times, and as I am contemplating purchasing a bigger boat for us, it does loom in my mind that when the whole system here in the USA comes to a collapse, that boat would be alright for us all to live on as it will be paid for... I'm sure to many that sounds very doomsday, but I'm just being honest...it crosses my mind. Do you mind sharing your age? I am young to mid-30's myself and many on this forum are older and most are wiser. There are many ways of cutting your budget, and I think that living on the hook, you could do a lot to live off little. I've never tried myself as that's not what "cruising" means to me at this point, however, I never rule that out. Being an avid fisherman, I dream of catching my meals off my boat and cooking em up.
I have numerous friends in and from Germany that have travelled all around the world... they take jobs here and there and then move on.. similar to what is being discussed, I don't know if I am brave enough to embrace a lifestyle like that without being forced into it. If I felt, like it seems you are feeling, that you are going to be forced into that situation, I would evaluate the everything. Having reserve cash will be key, keeping your hands off of it will be even more important.
I really feel I hit rock bottom at one point in my life.. I joined the army after that.. it was the best decision I ever made. I wouldn't be living where I am with my boat in the back yard, a beautiful wife and daughter, and another kid on the way if I hadn't done that. I am a spiritual person, perhaps, but not a "religious" one. I felt like, and still feel like I was guided in the direction I went. I guess what I am saying is, if you feel like it's something that you need to do, then you can probably do it right. Canning is a cool idea, but think about the cost of canned vegetables and rice & noodles... I don't think you can 'can' most raw goods as the big factories, especially those those that sell under the generic brands.. they just do too much volume. There is no way (i don;t think) that I can make broth (stock) cheaper than I can buy it, but I do it anyway, though I buy it too.
I really do wish you the best in these hard times and these times of uncertainty in your life.
Ross, I do have many of those skills. It does matter which end of the stick. I have little doubt that I will be able to maintain my kitty or increase it. I do have many special skills. As I think about it I do posses a boating skill, splicing. My best friend says I just have to get a website and cruise from boat to boat. I also am a past yo yo pro. With my yo yo collection I could start a small local yo yo craze and make some marina operator and myself 250 each in a couple of weeks, maybe in Perryville MD. I have always had a job, and know that I can always get one. That's one of the things that doesn't scare me about the whole casting off lines deal. I'm dealing with the rest of my anxieties by obsessively thinking (not a bad thing if it is a voluntary obsession, and I've volunteered do it most of my life) about all the details that I'll face and the best solutions. I work to learn my boat better and develop maintenance skills.
I ramble (if any needs a yo yo pro please e-mail me. I can be there soon, 5kts!).
I ramble (if any needs a yo yo pro please e-mail me. I can be there soon, 5kts!).
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I was going to bed, but wanted to cheer up Cpt Jon first. The world is not coming to an end. It came to an end in the early '70s when the MAN kept us down. Oh wait, it didn't end then either. I won't tell you my age. I started sailing at the age of thirteen in 1964, and have been dreaming of cruising before I knew what it was. Mine is not a desperation attempt to escape ala Waterworld, it is a move to the next stage while everything physical still kind of works. Nothing really changes, people will always have what they earn. 
Cpt Jon, I bought turkeys just after thanksgiving for 5 dollars each. Bought five. Cut them up and froze the meat boiled the bones with onions, celery, and carrots and canned 25 quarts of stock. Before I take the boat out this spring I will can 5-10 pounds of meat, some turkey, some beef, some pork to take with us. I bought a half bushel of seconds grade apples for 5 dollars from a local orchard. I buy canned tomatoes for a $1.25 per quart and make pasta sauce with onions, mushrooms, fresh herbs, garlic, spinich and minced carrots for about a 1 dollar per pint. I buy canned peaches and pears. I don't like canned green beans or peas and I can fresh corn in season. I can baked beans and chilli, pea soup and beef ,chicken and turkey vegetable soup and beef and lamb stew. I have compared prices and quality and I come out far ahead on both counts. I bake my own bread, pies and cakes. Bread includes muffins and biscuits, I never buy mixes or prepared packaged food other than sausage.
Hey Merry P, you're not looking at yourself. You said you don't have any special boating skills, yet your background is as a chef? Ever notice how people on this site sit up and pay attention to discussions of food. Maybe you should look into a line of prepared foods tailered to the boating community, including means to transport/heat up/cook them, either as you prepare and package them or operating a kitchen with recipes, supplies and packaging for others to come in and use. There might be a market out there.
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
I have been job searching since the beginning of December. I am hoping that these days are numbered though because there is supposed to be money set aside in this stimulus package for the hiring of law enforcement (my job of the last 9.5 years). I also have an expertise in motor vehicle crash reconstruction, graffiti interdiction and deciphering, and I am also an instructor. It is amazing that I am having a hard time finding jobs as hardly any of the law enforcement agencies are hiring right now.
It would be cool to be able to cruise around and find some work. I have met some people who are cruisers that sail to the Bahamas in the winter and sail up to the Chesapeake Bay for the summer. They take jobs at marinas and save every dollar that they make there to use when they sail south. Some marinas will provide slippage for you and pay you to work for them. Then again, this was when the economy is good and I am wondering if marinas are going to be spending less and hiring less this summer due to the economy.
Oh well, I hope that things start shaping up soon but that hope probably won't be realized.
The thing that is killing me right now is that I pay $427 a month for health insurance and around $70 in prescription medications.
One thing to consider if you are planning to cruise is to keep your health insurance, somehow.
It would be cool to be able to cruise around and find some work. I have met some people who are cruisers that sail to the Bahamas in the winter and sail up to the Chesapeake Bay for the summer. They take jobs at marinas and save every dollar that they make there to use when they sail south. Some marinas will provide slippage for you and pay you to work for them. Then again, this was when the economy is good and I am wondering if marinas are going to be spending less and hiring less this summer due to the economy.
Oh well, I hope that things start shaping up soon but that hope probably won't be realized.
The thing that is killing me right now is that I pay $427 a month for health insurance and around $70 in prescription medications.
One thing to consider if you are planning to cruise is to keep your health insurance, somehow.
BadO, Put yourself out the the legal profession as an expert witness. There are more lawyers than law enforcement departments. I am sure that in 9.5 years of work you found yourself in the witness chair on occasion. Volunteer to the civil rights groups as an expert in the areas you mentioned. You have no doubt investigated anti this or that graffiti and they could be a place to start a job search and perhaps get lower cost health insurance.
BO is absolutely correct on the health insurance suggestion. When I was laid off 5 years ago, I spent a fortune on a COBRA. After the layoff, I started up my own safety consulting business and after six months, I couldn't afford to continue with the COBRA and let it lapse. Bad mistake! Prankster, I was a year younger than you in 1964. In order to get a NEW health insurance policy, it is ESSENTIAL to have a current policy still in force. None of the health insurance companies like to write a policy for folks over 50 years old anyway, but forget it if you do not already have coverage! The ticket is to already have a policy with NO lapses in coverages. Then, you can shop for a bare bones policy, but make sure you still have your previous policy in force. Just sharing some of my experience. BrianW
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I have been self employed for 30 years and Blue Cross/Blue Shield- Care-first has always been most accommodating in tailoring a policy to fit our situation. When we set up the business we made the transition from a very large group to a smaller self-employed group. For many years we had a 1000 dollar deductible 25 % co-pay policy that limited out of pocket expense to 2500 dollars per year each. No prescription or dental coverage. When my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes we were still covered under the former policy. When Nancy had cancer we were covered under the new policy and out total out of pocket for that treatment was only about 5k. After I went on social security we bought a suppmental policy and my surgery 2 years ago was covered 100%. But for health insurance, prescription coverage, dental care, co-pays and OTC meds we spend about 10k per year. My company insists that I have coverage so it is a business expense.
The rough thing I found that no one is hiring experts right now. I am an expert in Vehicle Crash Reconstruction and I use to organize and train the crash team for my last Department. I was known to have skills and deep knowledge in this area.
I have been unable to locate anyone looking for crash reconstructionists in my area.
I think that things will pick up and I should find something with in the next month or so. I have a test in Maryland for a job in March so we shall see how that goes. I guess one of the fustrating parts about my field is that it takes so long to get hired in a new job.
I have been unable to locate anyone looking for crash reconstructionists in my area.
I think that things will pick up and I should find something with in the next month or so. I have a test in Maryland for a job in March so we shall see how that goes. I guess one of the fustrating parts about my field is that it takes so long to get hired in a new job.
Anyone know a site where these Solar Cookers are sold? A fold up version would be cool. It might be a good idea to have one on board just for an emergency.
There is a lot of foil faced insulated building board sold for construction and I should think that a sheet of that would provide enough material to make a nice collector that would fold compactly. Use cloth for the hinges and aluminum sheet for the corner clips.
Those interested should check this web site. http://www.chillibreeze.com/articles/SolarCookersinIndia.asp#types
I used a solar cooker on a month long cruise last year. I made it on the boat, from cardboard and aluminum foil. It came in handy for heating up lunch in the cockpit, as I was single handing, and couldn't leave the cockpit for long. It took about 1/2 -1 hour to get a pre-cooked meal hot. Much easier than cooking on the stove.
I have just been reading some web sites by peple that have worked to make solar reflectors for cooking purposes and probably a large golf umbrella modified with a reflective coating on the inside would serve quite well once it was stablized and a means for hanging the pot was provided.
BO and Merry Prankster-Insurance Info
Bad Obsession;601803 The thing that is killing me right now is that I pay $427 a month for health insurance and around $70 in prescription medications. One thing to consider if you are planning to cruise is to keep your health insurance said:
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