Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Medicare Supplement Advice
For those lucky enough to be on Medicare and have a prescription supplement, there is available LIS,(low-income subsidy) that can greatly decrease ones monthly premium for said supplement and the amount you pay for generics and brand names. For info, visit http://www.medicare.gov/ or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, to learn how to qualify. (A thank you goes to Bill and Nancy Jones for sending in this advice.)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Discussing finances with the Family
Today's Wall Street Journal's Intelligent Investor discusses how and when to discuss finances with the children. Honesty, within reason, is the best policy when the kids are involved. Even when the news is less than rosy.
Keep family life as consistent as possible. Emphasize familiarity, continuity and the comfort of simple routines, such as meal and bed times. Stability reassures all that some things will remain within family control.
Be forthright. Don't let the kids overhear your discussions or hear about layoffs or other set backs from others.
Don't hide changes that might disrupt the family routine. Reassure your children that job or school changes, home downsizing, and other major events won't change your family values. Get the kids involved in brainstorming money saving ideas. Have everyone prioritize what are important to the family.
Keep family life as consistent as possible. Emphasize familiarity, continuity and the comfort of simple routines, such as meal and bed times. Stability reassures all that some things will remain within family control.
Be forthright. Don't let the kids overhear your discussions or hear about layoffs or other set backs from others.
Don't hide changes that might disrupt the family routine. Reassure your children that job or school changes, home downsizing, and other major events won't change your family values. Get the kids involved in brainstorming money saving ideas. Have everyone prioritize what are important to the family.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Supermarket Psychology
I found the following article on supermarket psychology at http://www.pickbrains.com./ A lot of thought goes into enticing shoppers to spend lots of money in the grocery store. If we are aware of these "traps" it might be a little earier not to fall into them.
From a consumers point of view, a supermarket is quite simple; Put what you want into your buggy and go through the check-out. Behind the scenes though, psychology is used a lot to define what products and brands you buy in supermarkets. Stands are designed to catch your eye and the store layout is structured to maximize profit.
Through my investigations, I have found the following tactics can be used supermarkets and similar stores.
Eye level marketing
Generally speaking, the most expensive items with high profit margins are placed on shelves that are at shoppers' eye level. This is because you are more likely to see them than the less profitable brands at the very top or near your feet.
Aisle order
Some customers, particularly men, tend to simply shop for what they want, walking down an aisle grabbing what they want, turning back and walking the way they came, this is called the 'Boomerang Effect'. In order to maximize shopper and produce contact time, shops therefore place major items and brands in the middle of aisles ensuring that from any direction the customer has to walk the furthest to reach them.
Product grouping
Items that complement each other are often found close together to entice you to buy more. You'll often find pasta sauces on the same display as a featured brand of pasta.
Food smells make you feel hungry
Another tactic supermarkets use is the smell of freshly baked bread coming from the in-store bakery during the after-work rush. The smell of warm bread makes people feel hungry. When you feel hungry while shopping you are more likely to buy additional items.
Canned smells
Most Supermarkets bake their bread early in the morning, however to entice more custom some have resorted to pumping out the smell of fresh baking bread to add to the illusion that it is constantly baked through the day.
Essentials at the back
Supermarkets hit upon the idea of placing the essentials, such as bread and milk, at the back of the shop. This is in order to make people have to walk past the rest of the produce, and heighten the possibility of impulse buys, in order to get their necessities. Changing rooms in clothes shops are almost always situated at the rear of the shop.
Attracting children
One American supermarket chain hit upon the idea of drawing a hopscotch in the aisle next to the children's cereal in order to make the children play and thus pin Mom & Dad to a point where the children could hassle them for treats.
Irrational Pricing
Irrational pricing is putting the price of items at say 4.99 instead of 5. The reason offered for not instead rounding $4.99 to $5.00 is based on memory processing time. Rounding upward involves an additional decision compared with storing the first digits. Furthermore, due to the vast quantity of information available for consumers to process, the information on price must be stored in a very short interval. The cheapest way to do so, in memory and attention terms, is by storing the first digits. Therefore customers perceive to be getting a better deal than they in fact are.
Order Of Price
Shops will often be laid out in order of price with the most expensive items being encountered at the beginning of your visit and the cheapest at the end. This is done to play on our sense of comparison, we are much more likely to spend money on accessories etc if we have just agreed to buy an expensive item, as in comparison they will seem cheaper than had we encountered them first.
Point Of Sale
Whilst you are waiting to pay retailers often install Point Of Sale displays, this is especially prevalent in Supermarkets who install racks of chocolate to tempt bored children waiting with their parents.
Shuffle
Many shops have a policy of regularly rotating the stock, this happens especially in supermarkets where people regularly shop for the same items. The idea obviously is to confront customers with a variety of items aside from their regulars and encourage them to explore areas of the shop they may not usually visit.
From a consumers point of view, a supermarket is quite simple; Put what you want into your buggy and go through the check-out. Behind the scenes though, psychology is used a lot to define what products and brands you buy in supermarkets. Stands are designed to catch your eye and the store layout is structured to maximize profit.
Through my investigations, I have found the following tactics can be used supermarkets and similar stores.
Eye level marketing
Generally speaking, the most expensive items with high profit margins are placed on shelves that are at shoppers' eye level. This is because you are more likely to see them than the less profitable brands at the very top or near your feet.
Aisle order
Some customers, particularly men, tend to simply shop for what they want, walking down an aisle grabbing what they want, turning back and walking the way they came, this is called the 'Boomerang Effect'. In order to maximize shopper and produce contact time, shops therefore place major items and brands in the middle of aisles ensuring that from any direction the customer has to walk the furthest to reach them.
Product grouping
Items that complement each other are often found close together to entice you to buy more. You'll often find pasta sauces on the same display as a featured brand of pasta.
Food smells make you feel hungry
Another tactic supermarkets use is the smell of freshly baked bread coming from the in-store bakery during the after-work rush. The smell of warm bread makes people feel hungry. When you feel hungry while shopping you are more likely to buy additional items.
Canned smells
Most Supermarkets bake their bread early in the morning, however to entice more custom some have resorted to pumping out the smell of fresh baking bread to add to the illusion that it is constantly baked through the day.
Essentials at the back
Supermarkets hit upon the idea of placing the essentials, such as bread and milk, at the back of the shop. This is in order to make people have to walk past the rest of the produce, and heighten the possibility of impulse buys, in order to get their necessities. Changing rooms in clothes shops are almost always situated at the rear of the shop.
Attracting children
One American supermarket chain hit upon the idea of drawing a hopscotch in the aisle next to the children's cereal in order to make the children play and thus pin Mom & Dad to a point where the children could hassle them for treats.
Irrational Pricing
Irrational pricing is putting the price of items at say 4.99 instead of 5. The reason offered for not instead rounding $4.99 to $5.00 is based on memory processing time. Rounding upward involves an additional decision compared with storing the first digits. Furthermore, due to the vast quantity of information available for consumers to process, the information on price must be stored in a very short interval. The cheapest way to do so, in memory and attention terms, is by storing the first digits. Therefore customers perceive to be getting a better deal than they in fact are.
Order Of Price
Shops will often be laid out in order of price with the most expensive items being encountered at the beginning of your visit and the cheapest at the end. This is done to play on our sense of comparison, we are much more likely to spend money on accessories etc if we have just agreed to buy an expensive item, as in comparison they will seem cheaper than had we encountered them first.
Point Of Sale
Whilst you are waiting to pay retailers often install Point Of Sale displays, this is especially prevalent in Supermarkets who install racks of chocolate to tempt bored children waiting with their parents.
Shuffle
Many shops have a policy of regularly rotating the stock, this happens especially in supermarkets where people regularly shop for the same items. The idea obviously is to confront customers with a variety of items aside from their regulars and encourage them to explore areas of the shop they may not usually visit.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Announcement-Matt Bell to conduct Workshop
Matt Bell, author of "Money Purpose Joy" will conduct a 3-hour workshop at St. Paul's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Jacksonville Beach, Fl on February 21, 2009. For information, contact Jerri Moats at 904.249.4091 or jmoats@spbts.net
Over the Mountain and Through the Woods...
A couple of money saving ideas as you travel to Grandma's house this holiday:
- Pack a small cooler of drinks and snacks to satisfy your travel munchies. This is much more economical than eating in a restaurant or buying junk food at the gas station's convenience store.
- A simple money saving idea for traveling: Don't give in to the temptation to speed! Not only will you save money on gas, you are sure to avoid a speeding ticket. Take it from anyone who has had to pay for a speeding ticket, it's like opening your wallet and throwing twenty dollar bills out the window!
Safe travels!!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Finding a New Job after Being Laid Off
Finding a new job in this economy will be tough because of the competition for available jobs and will require a strategy different than what you might have used before now.
First, come to grips with your job loss. You need to get over your anger and insecurity by taking some time to regroup. Attitude will be very important as you talk to prospective employers.
Second, determine your willingness to relocate and to what locations. Look at local newspapers, trade magazines, business pubications and the internet to begin to sense what types of jobs are out there and what types of businesses are hiring. Network!! Working your circle of friends and business associates can be very effective.
When applying, don't express bitterness or self pity in any cover letters. Signal confidence. Don't over state gratitude by saying things like "Thanks so much for giving me consideration" because you signal a lack of confidence. Don't come across as too arrogant. Rather, say something as simple as "I look forward to hearing from you."
Demonstrate flexibility such as by being available for training or travel, provided you are willing to do those things. Don't act desparate.
On salary, don't offer to work for less than you made before. It signals that you aren't considering this job as a long term posting. Rather, let the employer raise the subject and then, if you are willing to accept less, say so and express a good reason for being willing to accept it such as that you believe the job is a great fit for you and your skills and that you would be willing to work for less pay in order to have the fit.
Be prepared to explain why you were laid off or why you've been unemployed for any lengthy period. You might explain that you wanted to take some time to assess what you really wanted from life and a job or that you needed to reconnect to your children/family or some such.
Always remember that your attitude speaks volumes about where you are and that is what your interviewer is trying to assess.
First, come to grips with your job loss. You need to get over your anger and insecurity by taking some time to regroup. Attitude will be very important as you talk to prospective employers.
Second, determine your willingness to relocate and to what locations. Look at local newspapers, trade magazines, business pubications and the internet to begin to sense what types of jobs are out there and what types of businesses are hiring. Network!! Working your circle of friends and business associates can be very effective.
When applying, don't express bitterness or self pity in any cover letters. Signal confidence. Don't over state gratitude by saying things like "Thanks so much for giving me consideration" because you signal a lack of confidence. Don't come across as too arrogant. Rather, say something as simple as "I look forward to hearing from you."
Demonstrate flexibility such as by being available for training or travel, provided you are willing to do those things. Don't act desparate.
On salary, don't offer to work for less than you made before. It signals that you aren't considering this job as a long term posting. Rather, let the employer raise the subject and then, if you are willing to accept less, say so and express a good reason for being willing to accept it such as that you believe the job is a great fit for you and your skills and that you would be willing to work for less pay in order to have the fit.
Be prepared to explain why you were laid off or why you've been unemployed for any lengthy period. You might explain that you wanted to take some time to assess what you really wanted from life and a job or that you needed to reconnect to your children/family or some such.
Always remember that your attitude speaks volumes about where you are and that is what your interviewer is trying to assess.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Put your blessings in a box...
Matt Bell in his new book "Money Purpose Joy" suggests that whenever you receive an unexpected blessing to write it down and put it in a box. Then at Thanksgiving you can read the notes and remember God's goodness-all of the blessings, large and small, that happened throughout the year. Matt says that this might be the best money management tool of all.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Spending Plans
People tend to view a budget like a diet... painful and only for those that need to spend less. Nothing could be further from the truth!! At least half of all millionaires use budgets to plan their personal spending. Financially successful people have certain traits in common: they live beneath their means, set aside a portion of their incomes for saving and investing, and use a budget to plan and control spending.
We'll be offering a course soon to help you prepare a budget that fits you. You won't necessarily spend less but you will spend more effectively and get more "bang for your buck." Stay tuned for more.
We'll be offering a course soon to help you prepare a budget that fits you. You won't necessarily spend less but you will spend more effectively and get more "bang for your buck." Stay tuned for more.
Gift Giving ideas
Gift giving can be a real budget killer. Many of us will overspend on gifts, especially during the holiday season. Four ideas to keep your gift expense under control:
1. Plan ahead. Be like Santa...Make a list and check it twice. Make a budget and stick to it.
2. Identify people who really wouldn't care if they didn't receive a gift and talk to them. Our family has grown so much we have now agreed with my sisters that we won't exchange gifts anymore but will limit gift giving to our repective teenage (or younger) children. Instead of each of our children giving each other a gift, our children draw names and agree to a maximum cost for the gifts.
3. Consider giving a gift you make yourself. Most people close enough to you to receive a gift would probably prefer it. Are you a good cook? Give homemade cookies. Can you knit? Give scarves or hats.
4. Be an early bird. Hit those big sales. The Wall Street Journal predicts that deep discounts will remain throughout the Christmas season.
1. Plan ahead. Be like Santa...Make a list and check it twice. Make a budget and stick to it.
2. Identify people who really wouldn't care if they didn't receive a gift and talk to them. Our family has grown so much we have now agreed with my sisters that we won't exchange gifts anymore but will limit gift giving to our repective teenage (or younger) children. Instead of each of our children giving each other a gift, our children draw names and agree to a maximum cost for the gifts.
3. Consider giving a gift you make yourself. Most people close enough to you to receive a gift would probably prefer it. Are you a good cook? Give homemade cookies. Can you knit? Give scarves or hats.
4. Be an early bird. Hit those big sales. The Wall Street Journal predicts that deep discounts will remain throughout the Christmas season.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Who Needs Cable?
At first it may sound like a huge sacrifice, but one way to save a huge chunk of money every month is to cancel your cable tv. Wait! Before you say, "No way!" - hear me out.
First, in this electronic age, MANY of your favorite shows are available over the internet for FREE and with fewer commercial interruptions. Just go to the channel's websites. You may be suprised at what you can view at no charge.
Second, Digital TV (mandatory in February, 2009) offers more channels captured free out of the air than what is currently available through analogue. The picture and sound quality is equal to cable. If you do not own a digital TV you will need to buy a converter box ($40-$70) but the federal government will supply each US household up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase of converter boxes. Visit http://www.dtv2009.gov/ or call 1-888-388-2009.
First, in this electronic age, MANY of your favorite shows are available over the internet for FREE and with fewer commercial interruptions. Just go to the channel's websites. You may be suprised at what you can view at no charge.
Second, Digital TV (mandatory in February, 2009) offers more channels captured free out of the air than what is currently available through analogue. The picture and sound quality is equal to cable. If you do not own a digital TV you will need to buy a converter box ($40-$70) but the federal government will supply each US household up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase of converter boxes. Visit http://www.dtv2009.gov/ or call 1-888-388-2009.
Low (or no) Cost Entertainment Tips from Libra
Libra Gysel shared some reduced cost and no cost entertainment ideas:
1. Wait for movies to come out on DVDs and then don't buy or spend money on rentals. Borrow them from your Library. They have a huge selection of dvds, cds, and audio books.
Thanks for your suggestions Libra!
1. Wait for movies to come out on DVDs and then don't buy or spend money on rentals. Borrow them from your Library. They have a huge selection of dvds, cds, and audio books.
Note from Jerri: The Library has a huge selection of DVDs, CDs, and audio books. Go on line at http://www.jpl.coj.net/ from the comfort of your home and reserve the movies, books, or cds you want. You will be notified by email (or telephone, if you prefer) when they are available. Movies are due back in 7 days. Important tip: Plan library visits into your weekly routine because overdue fines on movies are steep, $1 a day.2. When you must splurge on a night out, try Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater, http://www.abettheatre.com/ or Players by-the-Sea, http://www.playersbythesea.org/. Libra says these venues charge 1/2 the price of a play downtown.
Thanks for your suggestions Libra!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Food-Meals for less than $10
I can't think of a better place to save money than on the food budget. Post your ideas.
Dan L. and I discovered we share a common pastime: We like to make the best meal we can for a very small cost. So let's start there.
The goal is to make a balanced, nutritous meal, a protein, starch, vegetable or fruit, and a dessert. If you can do that for a family of four for less than $10 you're awesome, but I bet several of you can do it for $5 or less.
Here's my first offering. Red beans and rice. If you add meat it will be in the $10 or less category, without meat, I bet I can do it for less than $5 including dessert. Let me know if you want the recipes.
Dan L. and I discovered we share a common pastime: We like to make the best meal we can for a very small cost. So let's start there.
The goal is to make a balanced, nutritous meal, a protein, starch, vegetable or fruit, and a dessert. If you can do that for a family of four for less than $10 you're awesome, but I bet several of you can do it for $5 or less.
Here's my first offering. Red beans and rice. If you add meat it will be in the $10 or less category, without meat, I bet I can do it for less than $5 including dessert. Let me know if you want the recipes.
What are we going to call this thing?
On Sunday (November 24, 2008), Penny Pfab announced that we’d be offering a structured program about personal finances and methods of surviving the current economic times. She asked me what we would call this program and I hadn’t really focused on that question until now.
My perception as of right now, is that we need a two-fold process. First, we need to exchange ideas of how to reduce costs and survive the economy to fight another day, to provide support and comfort to each other, to be there to listen, and to provide individual counseling when needed.
That need is being addressed right now by this blog. You can participate in two ways. If you have a money saving tip, you can email it to Jerri Moats at jmoats@spbts.net. She will post it to the blog. Or you can post comments to any entry on the blog and I’ll make sure it appears. In either case, you need to subscribe to the blog and follow the instructions of how to “follow” the blog. You also need to remember to log on and see what’s new. If something works for you or doesn’t work for you, post a comment telling us why.
The second step of our journey is to learn biblical principles of giving, saving, debt and spending. We now have a structured six-week program that teaches these principals. From these principles, each participant can prepare personal spending plans (or budgets). If you want more information on the program itself, go to www.goodsenseministry.com and read about “Freed Up Financial Living.”
We’ll adapt our program to your needs as we learn what they are. To know that, you’ll need to tell us. One other point, these programs, while held in group settings, are confidential. You needed share anything you don’t want to share. Anything told to a counselor in confidence is and will be kept in confidence.
So what we are going to call this program? How about “Getting By-a journey to financial freedom”?
My perception as of right now, is that we need a two-fold process. First, we need to exchange ideas of how to reduce costs and survive the economy to fight another day, to provide support and comfort to each other, to be there to listen, and to provide individual counseling when needed.
That need is being addressed right now by this blog. You can participate in two ways. If you have a money saving tip, you can email it to Jerri Moats at jmoats@spbts.net. She will post it to the blog. Or you can post comments to any entry on the blog and I’ll make sure it appears. In either case, you need to subscribe to the blog and follow the instructions of how to “follow” the blog. You also need to remember to log on and see what’s new. If something works for you or doesn’t work for you, post a comment telling us why.
The second step of our journey is to learn biblical principles of giving, saving, debt and spending. We now have a structured six-week program that teaches these principals. From these principles, each participant can prepare personal spending plans (or budgets). If you want more information on the program itself, go to www.goodsenseministry.com and read about “Freed Up Financial Living.”
We’ll adapt our program to your needs as we learn what they are. To know that, you’ll need to tell us. One other point, these programs, while held in group settings, are confidential. You needed share anything you don’t want to share. Anything told to a counselor in confidence is and will be kept in confidence.
So what we are going to call this program? How about “Getting By-a journey to financial freedom”?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Why make a spending plan
People hate budgets. They're worse than diets. You start out with the best intentions only to give up the first time your budget doesn't fit your wants.
It doesn't really have to be that painful if you remember that you control your budget, it doesn't control you. Its your money, you get to decide!! There's one tiny, tiny catch, however, you can't do or have everything.
And that's the problem. Too many people want what they want (not need) right now, this instant. Isn't that the reason God created credit?? (A whole different debate is who did create credit)
A good budget is really nothing more than a plan, created either by you or with your unique imput, about how to spend your money but no more. It avoids credit. It teaches patience and intentionality. It distinguishes between wants and needs. It creates priorities, and when those priorities are driven by Godly principles, the spending plan will bring us closer to God.
If you take it a step further and assume that you pay what you have to pay first, that is giving, savings and fixed expenses, that all you really have to plan for is how to spend your discretionary income. For most of us, that isn't a whole lot to worry about.
It doesn't really have to be that painful if you remember that you control your budget, it doesn't control you. Its your money, you get to decide!! There's one tiny, tiny catch, however, you can't do or have everything.
And that's the problem. Too many people want what they want (not need) right now, this instant. Isn't that the reason God created credit?? (A whole different debate is who did create credit)
A good budget is really nothing more than a plan, created either by you or with your unique imput, about how to spend your money but no more. It avoids credit. It teaches patience and intentionality. It distinguishes between wants and needs. It creates priorities, and when those priorities are driven by Godly principles, the spending plan will bring us closer to God.
If you take it a step further and assume that you pay what you have to pay first, that is giving, savings and fixed expenses, that all you really have to plan for is how to spend your discretionary income. For most of us, that isn't a whole lot to worry about.
Monday, November 17, 2008
My 1st $-Saving Tip
This one may be a "no-brainer", but I think it's the first step to saving money. Use cash instead of credit cards. Using credit cards tends to feel more like spending “Monopoly Money” than hard earned cash. If you're used to charging all month and then paying your bill at the end of the month it may take a few months to turn that around, but when you do you will definitely notice a change. It's a little harder to hand over a $5 bill than a piece of plastic to that coffee barista!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
More on Store Brands
So far the only Publix store brand I've found that doesn't match up to the 'original' is graham crackers and they weren't that bad. I probably wouldn't have noticed except I used them for a pie crust.
The breakfast cereals, sour cream, cream cheese, refrigerated biscuit tubes, dairy products, OJ, and the rest I've tried are all just as good.
The breakfast cereals, sour cream, cream cheese, refrigerated biscuit tubes, dairy products, OJ, and the rest I've tried are all just as good.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Dave Ramsey-Fox Business News
Every weekday night at 8pm, Dave Ramsey hosts a show that focuses on personal finance. Worth watching!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Shopping
Learning the difference between "wanting" and "needing" is a great step toward financial independence.
Our culture of spending tells us, "Live for today, because tomorrow we may die." However, there's nothing like a severe recession to make us revisit that one! So what is one to do when you just gotta shop?? I can think of three ideas:
Prolific shoppers can shop in their own closets. I bet you have a bunch of clothes you've not only never worn but that you forgot about?
Been to Fifi's consignment shop?
Then there's always Target. It boasts several well know designers that have produced lines of clothes at moderate prices. Other discounters do too.
Our culture of spending tells us, "Live for today, because tomorrow we may die." However, there's nothing like a severe recession to make us revisit that one! So what is one to do when you just gotta shop?? I can think of three ideas:
Prolific shoppers can shop in their own closets. I bet you have a bunch of clothes you've not only never worn but that you forgot about?
Been to Fifi's consignment shop?
Then there's always Target. It boasts several well know designers that have produced lines of clothes at moderate prices. Other discounters do too.
Store brands
One quick way to save money on groceries is to seriously consider using store brands. Store brands are much better than they used to be and are usually just as good as what you've been using. You'll never know until you try them.
Friday, November 7, 2008
There's no need to face this economy alone
Author, Bo Boshers, tells the story of a group of mountain climbers who had set up their base camp at 9,000 feet. One clear day the group decided to take a day hike to the summit at 11,000 feet. Two of the climbers took their sleeping bags in case they wanted a nap, others took snacks, none thought they'd be gone long.
Near the top, they were overtaken by an unexpected snow storm. The leaders decided it was too dangerous to return to the base camp and decided to spend the night where they were. Temperatures were plunging to below zero.
The leaders lined up the climbers in a seated position so that the back of one was pressed into the chest of the one behind. The first and last persons were given the sleeping bags to cover their unprotected sides. The shared warmth of the group kept all alive and well.
Community is one of the best ways to survive any threat and certainly helps in dire economic times. The purpose of this page is to share ideas of how to control costs, survive layoffs, share misfortunes and victories and emerge "alive and well."
Our community is the spiritual community of St. Pauls By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Jacksonville Beach, Florida but you are welcome to read and post no matter where you live or where or whether you attend church.
Near the top, they were overtaken by an unexpected snow storm. The leaders decided it was too dangerous to return to the base camp and decided to spend the night where they were. Temperatures were plunging to below zero.
The leaders lined up the climbers in a seated position so that the back of one was pressed into the chest of the one behind. The first and last persons were given the sleeping bags to cover their unprotected sides. The shared warmth of the group kept all alive and well.
Community is one of the best ways to survive any threat and certainly helps in dire economic times. The purpose of this page is to share ideas of how to control costs, survive layoffs, share misfortunes and victories and emerge "alive and well."
Our community is the spiritual community of St. Pauls By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Jacksonville Beach, Florida but you are welcome to read and post no matter where you live or where or whether you attend church.
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