What are your plans?

From Mother Earth News: What steps would you take to prepare if you knew that five years from now verything would cost 10 times what it costs now

I have been shopping lots of sales, and stocking up on a lot more nonperishables. And not just foods; also toiletries and OTC medicines.

I did a little bit of gardening this past winter (Florida -- everything is backwards). And we'll be expanding to more veggies and more space this coming fall.

I have been improving my sewing skills.

We have been actively and frequently discussing ways we would change our lifestyle. We already own lots of books and boardgames and craft supplies. Talking about which activities we'd give up or have the kids give up. We've been cultivating friendship with a family whose house we can walk to.

We've already cut back on some of the more unnecessary expenses -- for example: gym membership and wine club (those two were kind canceling each other out anyway!)

We are planning to get a three-wheeled bike with a canopy and a large basket, and might start doing some of our grocery shopping with that. Luckily we live within easy biking distance of 3 grocery stores.

Relatedly, husband is talking about learning some bicycle repair.

We are going to replace my car with an even more gas efficient car.

The kids will be riding the bus to and from school instead of just from school in the afternoon.

This August I'll be setting up a compost system, and a rain barrel in our tiny backyard.

I am going to buy an old-fashioned cast iron Dutch oven, and learn to cook and bake over an open fire (or the grill).

We are consciously appreciating the time we spend in air-conditioned comfort, playing the Wii. And a 3400 mile road trip with the kids, and another trip out to the West. If things do get that much worse... that could be my kids last trip out West for a very long time. So rather than fretting about the expense, we're making sure to enjoy the hell out of it. Next summer... we might go to NC or Tennessee for vacation instead of Maine (*sniff*).