Some observations from Maine
 

So I need to add a little variety of rice to my stash. The local BJ's (similar to Sam's club) doesn't stock anything but Uncle Ben's (which I have plenty of), so I stopped at my local Thai food store 2 days ago to inquire about jasmine rice. She had several bags available. Being lazy and tired, I decided to come back today to buy 2 20 pound bags. Fast forward to today: The bags she had left, she had to keep for the restaurant that is in her store. She said she was supposed to get a delivery today, but wasn't positive it was coming in. Apparently THEIR supply wasn't a sure thing. So she had to keep the rice for herself. IF it comes in, she would call me and sell me two bags....YIKES!

Stopped at my local bank branch to get a little walking around $$ for the wknd. I asked the customer service lady, if I wanted to pull out $50K how long would I have to wait to get it. Her reply was that I would have to go to the main branch and give them notice. GIVE NOTICE? She asked me why? and I replied in case of a run on the bank. She laughed and said, there's no way there could be a run on this bank...righhhht.

Stocked up at BJ's...more food for the preps. Feel a storm brewing. My GF thinks I'm nuts. But I would rather be prepared then need it and not have it. After watching the Katrina debacle, it really made me open my eyes...

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

DD havent seen you in a while partner glad to seem you still "scent marking" this forum.:D


I fully concur with your actions... when you think about it .......when you buy preps it really is a NO LOOSE situation even if nothing bad happen. SO WHAT ? You are still in posseion of things that are vital and very useful you can always trade with some else. and if you need it THEN YOU ARE FRICKEN GENIUS AND A HALF FOR HAVING FORSIGHT.

Why take chances? It is just like insurance..... you dont really care for it but sweet mother mary if you need it.........


Great going!


T

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

We were talking about this sort of thing today at work, and one of my co-workers was scoffing at the notion of a rice shortage. Apparently, she hadn't heard about the food riots happening over the rest of the world, and she thought the "rationing" some stores were doing was pure BS caused by people hoarding and store chains manufacturing an artificial panic so that people would be willing to pay more . She said that there wasn't any rice shortage, that it was just a supply line thing and a marketing ploy to jack up prices and that a lot was probably just being sold to other countries because the dollar is so weak right now. I allowed that some of that was true, but told her that as far as I was concerned, if the consumer can't buy it because it isn't there to be bought, then it's a shortage.

It's a little alarming how quickly she jumped on blaming hoarders for the shortage. On the bright side, she's actually a pretty smart woman and not totally oblivious to the economic situation. She just made her girlfriend return some furniture she'd bought on impulse. She said that with the economy not doing well, she feels they need to be prudent and not spend on anything they don't really need.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

You're very right about the shortage thing. It's not the fault of the retailers at all when there is a shortage. While it may be somewhat political in nature, it is really all supply and demand. If retailers could get it, consumers would be able to buy all they wanted. After all retailers want happy customers.

I ask the clerk in Sam's yesterday if he knew when they might be getting any jasmine rice in and he said, 'nobody tells me anything'. I had just purchased 100# of Riceland rice and a few other items in bulk and #10 cans of stuff, so he probably thought it strange that I'd be asking anything about rice.

BTW, that lady you referred to, sounds like a democrat, blaming hoarder for the shortage. Last fall the weather was unfavorable for planting of wheat in this area, if it was the same all over the US and Canada, and the crop amounted to only a quarter of the demand, what do you suppose would be the upcoming result? Well I know you know the answer, but that's how it is with rice. Every year in America's we lose more farm land to development. Every year the population increases and more people buy up what used to be used for small farms and crop lands just to build a new home that they may not even be able to pay for, this alone causes a shortage in the food supply.

All of my neighbors have from 2-5 acres of land that used to be crop land. I own a small part of what used to be over 100 acres of crop land. I have 13 acres and most of it is in crop land of some sort. Even our yard area has 3 gardens and many fruit trees we planted, so ours is still producing food. But, this is not the normal situation with most of the neighbors. They mow theirs for a big yard, some don't even plant trees or grow a few veggies, they just mow the grass. Grass, I seldom see them using for anything, no children playing out or anything like a guy putting a golf balls around, nothing but mow, mow, mow. I'll quit ranting now.:rant: :D

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

Just shut up.... that is what I learned to do.

I talked with a couple business associates this week. They blame the rice hoarders and marketers... as if they are scheming to increase prices.

Of course, these folks love Hillary and are part of the "professional wrestling" (political) mentality. Once they show that they are entenched in this mindset, I just shut up and let them think everything is fine.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

Yeah, I only talk to family about preparing and storing stuff anymore. The "shame" of being a hoarder can be pretty intense.

sb

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

funny thing that bank teller was RIGHT.
Aint going to be much of a run on that branch if they dont even have 50,000 puny dollars in stock. ten customers come in friday afternoon, each one cashes a 5,000 dollar check and the money is gone? thats your run right there. 10 customers.
To a starving person, ANY quantity of food will be a "hoard". BE PREPARED.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

For the record, we weren't talking about prepping. One of the women in the conversation had a couple of friends who were getting laid off from their jobs due to a merger, and it was one of those conversations about how times are getting tougher.

We're starting to see the very things we've been talking about all these years when we tell each other not to talk about prepping: "rationing" and placing most of the blame on hoarders. I'm particularly fascinated by the selective-blame thing. Most people are just too lazy to put much effort into figuring out what's going on, so they focus on the part they know and understand and don't have to put much thought into: the consumer. The media, of course, is happy to oblige them in that notion. It fits better in a sound bite and gets people fired up. If something isn't available to buy, it must be because someone else played dirty and bought your share.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

+1


And that is why right there is country is going to pay such a terrible price.... PEOPLE DONT STOP TO DAM THINK .....THEY JUST REACT.

and if you control the stimulus(the dollar) you can predict the reaction with amazing clarity.


Lots of pain is coming cause people wont start thinking until it is to late to do anything meaningful about it.



T

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

+20.

a shut piehole will be paramount as this thing picks up speed.


T

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

Savers are BAD PEOPLE. Gold Bugs are BAD PEOPLE. Trust in the government and thou shalt live long and prosper.

They are partially right. I am sure 'hoarders' are loading up on rice for their families right now. The smart ones are and this causes a (temporary?) problem in the food supply chain.

If there is no shortage, the supply problem will balance out. If there is a shortage, you already have your rice, critics be damned.

No one on this board is, 'the good guy'. You are all economic pirates by wishing to abandon the fiat/globalist float.. get used to it.

Long live the King, we will soon recapture Maine.. those Yankee imperialist rebels be damned...

Just a joke, no throwin rice pls...save it for 'the evil hoarders'

Oh, if your sitting on a silo of jasmine rice while the posh urban family down in the ghetto only has Mr Bens? That doesn't make you an evil hoarder. maybe a little greedy.

Just eat that jasmine rice and smile at the unwashed.. ...because it's speculators sitting on shipments in places like the philippines that is holding up the pipeline, not mom and pop survivalist in the usa.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

I put a LOT of blame for the commodity prices smack dab on the heads of the WallStreet suits driving up the prices.They make a living manipulating markets.

That said,I prep my food anyhow.Crop failures can and do happen,to deny it is folly.Something else...

Even if your stored food outdates,or gets shabby tasting,your pigs and chickens will still eat it up,so its just converted into meat.I think its really hard to lose with food storage,a pantry is a wise and good thing,and right up until after WWII most people understood that as a fact too.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

My answer,SCREW EM! They have just as much opportunity to buy food as I do/did. They chose to buy Chinese trinkets and generally live in debt.

Good for them.Reap what you sow.

I made my choice,its survival.They made theirs,its toys and games.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

Mspuds- couldn't have said it better myself. Hoarding my ass, just looking out for myself and loved ones.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

My family remains convinced that this recession is about over and there is no need to worry. They won't buy extra food because they say they don't want to devote storage space to it, or they can't afford it, or they have a Sam's nearby, or the stores seem well stocked, etc. It's sad. I won't give up but I don't think I'll convince them either.

For my part, the more I stock up, the better I feel. I've devoted half of a 13 x 16 foot air-conditioned storage space to prep items, and I'm working on clearing more space to stock even more.

I'm throwing some plywood over the rafters in my garage to store items that can take a lot of heat, like toilet paper, paper towels, tin foil, and so forth. I'm also going to hang some shelving from the rafters in the attic to store more light weight heat-tolerant items. Soon I'll build some shelves in my garage to hold more non-perishables too, and the empty beer bottles and brewing supplies. I have a small house, so I have to come up with creative ways to use the space I have. It's kind of fun to do this stuff, actually.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

I WOULD DOUBT HALF THE PEOPLE IN THE US HAVE 5K THEY COULD WITHDRAWL FROM THE BANK, I WOULD EVEN GO TO 70% ON THAT ONE.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

I don't have that much in the bank either. Only a fool would hold that much paper :stickyman
:D

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

Rice - open your eyes. Just bought 100 lbs of pasta - ziti, spagetti, elbows. Same price as rice - I like it better, and no one is looking at it, its not in the news - no limits.

Rice isn't the only starch you sheep.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

Pretty harsh calling people sheep on these boards. Don't know if you are joking or being serious, but I have noticed a few pricks on these boards. You would think either help out others who are seeking out information on this board or GTFO.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

My wife gave me grief for buying bulk rice - until she went shopping this past weekend and found absolutely none at the store. After a dose of "I told you so," I gave her my next prediction - which has already been offered by others here: Pasta's next....

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

So right now, what and where, is the cheapest pasta. I think spaghetti is but elbows are easier to bulk store in a bucket.

sb

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

Keef, you are absolutely right! I am a bad, bad person. Your logic has shown me the error of my ways and I will repent....Just as soon as I finish packing up the last of my rice. And, well, maybe the pasta I'm going to buy this afternoon. Uhm, the ammo I've got coming next week? Well, maybe I'll have to postpone my repentance. Ya know, deep in my heart I don't really want to repent of my hoarding.

Is it OK to become a closet hoarder? I know coming out of the closet is a politically correct thing. But what about going into the closet?

Oh, bad thing huh? Damn!!!!

Well, I'll repent just as soon as I load my last set of buckets onto the forklift and put them out in the warehouse. oops, did I say warehouse.........

Oh screw it I just can't do it.

Those stupid sheeple have joined up with Lemmings and they are all running toward the cliff. What a bunch of morons. They'd probably be with the Ostriches, but they got their heads so far in the sand(or somewhere else) they cant run very well, and we all know sheeple like to run around doing nothing important. The Emu's don't seem to know what's going on either, they're just standing around doing nothing(I think they're waiting to be fed!!).

I think I'll get the closet ready. That's where I keep the guns anyway. Crap, did I say guns? I don't have any guns. I better just shut up. Stupid squirrel.

sb

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

Oh no SB has gone rabid!!! No please don't.. Someone has to remain sensible around here... :D

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

Out West at Winco you can buy bulk pasta at about the cheapest prices Ive seen,certainly cheaper than the packaged stuff.So I would say any place that sells it in bulk containers would be worth a try.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

I really haven't looked at bulk - we have a Sam's that's in a part of town I don't get to very often, and there's no Costco nearby. As for places like Walton Feed, noodles and spaghetti are priced $1.25 - $2.00 lb., and that's in the bulk containers. Then you've got shipping to deal with.

On the military base where I shop, I can get Mueller's spaghetti and elbow macaroni in 3 lb. boxes for $1.49. I just pick up 5 or 6 boxes every time I go in there. I think I can get about 6 lbs in a 1 gallon mylar bag, and that should keep for several years, especially with an O2 absorber in there.

As far as storage, I'm leaning toward buying more spaghetti because it takes up less space than the other stuff. And I plan on substituting it for other pastas. In SHTF, I don't think my kids would mind "spaghetti and cheese" instead of mac 'n cheese.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

Yep. Not a real big rice fan so my purchased starch comes in pasta form. The last 10 pounds I bought had a shelf life till Oct 2011. I can usually score it on "sale" for $.99/lb. It's went up 40-50% in price from about a year or so ago. I pick up 10lbs a week like clockwork for preps.

Take 2lbs burger meat, 1lb elbows, and 2-3 cans tomato soup with garlic salt to taste. Brown burger, boil pasta. Combine the two with the soup and add the garlic salt to taste. Cheap meal with plenty of leftovers.

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

If you do not "horde" you are basiicaly putting your faith in Gubbermint .......

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT ONE.


somebody else put this link up IT IS AWESOME.... EVERYBODY NEEDS TO SEND IT OUT TO THOSE WHO ARE THINKING BIG PICTURE


http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse


T

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

One of the most dangerous parts is He made me to understand what it means when something goes 'PARABOLIC ON A GRAPH" (bassically it is shooting straight up like rocket)

Things that get the hair on the back on your neck rasing

1 A parobilc shift CAN NOT LAST INDEFINATLEY...THERE WILL BE A VOILENT COLLASPE EVENTUALLY

2 At this point in human history and the America in particular WE HAVE NO LESS THAN 6 PARABOLIC GRAPHS (oil, food, money, gobal warming, taxes ect)

3 The Collaspe phase MUST happen between now and and 2020



When the collaspe(shift away from parabolic) happens THERE WILL BE MASSIVE, MASIVE,MASIVE change to what our way of life will be like.


Hoarding?? hoarding is the smartest thing you can do ......this presentation proves it.



T



http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse

Re: Some observations from Maine
 

T,

You are a bad, bad, hoarding Avatar. Encouraging the shameful practice of hoarding to weaker lost souls who are not running with the sheeple and lemmings. You should be so ashamed. Repent now and join the faithful in relying on and worshiping the big Government that will provide for us all!!!!!!

lolol......I couldn't resist

Have a good day,

"The rabid squirrel"