My Take

I've been listening to and reading a lot of news lately, especially as we lead up to the midterm elections in the U.S. And I've also heard a lot of complaining, too -- about the costs of food, gas and more. And I'm getting tired of it. (Even though I've said a few of those things myself.) But, as many of us are filling out absentee ballots, participating in early voting or planning a trip to the polls,  today I'm going off the grid and taking a diversion from my usual day-to-day topics and offer some food for thought.

Because it's not all about us. It's about something much bigger.

I should add at the beginning here that everyone lives in a different situation and for some, today's current issues are spiraling out of control and this post probably seems pretty "privileged" to you. 

I don't mean it that way. 

But for many, many people, there is a lot of complaining without considering where we fit into the giant scheme of things. And many of us have choices.

Clearly there are some challenging problems with our economy, particularly for those with large families or those who are in underpaid positions (if they are lucky enough to have a job at all -- and given employment numbers being so good, that might be an issue, but I'm still seeing plenty of signs for help wanted). It can be challenging for those on a fixed income. (Aren't we all sort of on a fixed income when you get right down to it).

So, I'm not downplaying those concerns or really even dealing with them here. (Apart from the fact of considering what do you and your family really need? Not want. Need.)

But really, aren't we whining a little too much without thinking about not only how we are part of the problem but could be part of the solution? And how this isn't just a problem in the U.S. but the world? 

There are more important and critical issues for the midterm elections than the economy, which is going to be pretty darned bad no matter who is elected?  

Remember -- we have had inflation and recession before. It doesn't last forever. Not that it's fun -- but it is finite. It's part of a cycle -- not part of a Democrat thing or Republican thing (or whatever political parties might be called in your area.) There are a lot of factors that contribute to it, some political -- but many are just part of the cycle of life events. Think "war." "Covid." "Supply chain."

Some of the issues in the U.S. this year are far beyond finite, not the least of which (from my perspective) is preservation of democracy and our valuable vote. The damage that can come from either party denying well-proved election results or tossing out votes with "alternative electors" will last far beyond us, well into the lifetimes of our children and grandchildren as well. I want my little guys to grow up in a world where their vote will count, where if someone legitimately loses, they don't claim they won but move forward, where they will be able to have choices and feel safe. 

(We all knew the kid who did that when we were in grade school -- we didn't like him.)

I want our beautiful world to last beyond the next generations -- and if we don't address climate change, the repercussions can be significant. I want my little guys to have clean lakes to swim in, clean air to breathe and to be able to experience the world of nature, knowing its creatures are protected. And, if they someday want to, I want them to be able to visit the frozen regions of our world where ice is now falling into the sea and see polar bears and other species that rely on that climate.

And think about it -- aren't we all a little spoiled? We are, after all (and as Rick calls it) The United States of A"ME"rica. We often see things through our personal myopic lens without examining a wider or deeper view.

Again, I want to point out that this "economy thing" isn't just an American issue. It is a world issue. If you live in Europe, you are dealing with lots of these same issues (and in terms of energy, they're in much worse straits than any American.)  Take a look at the chart below.  

credit: O.E.C.D. via the New York Times

Between Covid and the Russian war in Ukraine, we are all affected. And if you live in the UK and are dealing with the aftermath of Brexit, add that to the mix. 

So, fellow Americans, don't go blaming the U.S. politicians or believing those who are trying to pin the blame. The economy mess is universal. 

Which doesn't mean it's fun. Rick filled his car a few weeks ago. It was $75 (he was practically on empty). He has a relatively gas efficient car, a Toyota Camry. I think the last time he bought gas might have been in March. He griped about it. But some folks are doing that -- and more regularly.

Now, he works at home (but then, so do a lot of people since the pandemic). He has a bike and that is both his recreation and preferred mode of travel. He lives four blocks from the grocery. He's an odd case. 

When I filled my car at $4.77/gallon, I paid $40.                        

But I drive my Toyota Corolla much more than he does. I don't like the neighborhood store (they had bad Covid protocol and fewer selections and still, no sales. I cancelled them.) And I like to get out. During the April 1-June 18 period of this year, it was $70.80/in 2021 it was $57.06. Definitely an increase.

Again, neither Rick nor I are driving back and forth to work or carting kids to school. When I filled the car to go to the lake, there was a bit of a gulp. But I can live with that. Because I made a choice. Choices can be exhausting. They can be difficult. But we make them every day.

I have little sympathy for the family of one or two who drive a gas-guzzling SUV, rarely -- if ever -- carrying more than an additional passenger or some groceries in the back. Or the single guy (because it's usually a guy) with the big truck who never carries anything in its flatbed besides the occasional yard sale purchase. 

I'm sorry if that's you. But don't complain to me about gas. (If you have a full load of kids or use your vehicle to haul business items around, that's a different thing.)

By the time you factor in insurance and fuel, it may be less expensive to rent a car, truck or trailer for the occasional longer road trip or to haul something that wouldn't fit in a car.

And SLOW DOWN! I have a little gauge on my car that indicates, as we drive, what our mileage is. When I go 70 or more, it levels off about 35-40 miles per gallon (not bad, I might add); when Rick drives 65, it goes up to about 50 mpg.

People are passing us at 80 and more with their big SUVs and trucks. No wonder they are paying more for gas! I have zero sympathy. Gotta get there five minutes faster than me? Knock yourself out -- but don't complain.

Cutting the cable? I'm doing that as soon as I can round up all my devices to return. I'll add streaming services and an antenna and still save a considerable amount.

It comes to choices. And some of them are hard. But are they bad?

Grocery prices are increasing too. But again, look at your choices. What do you really need? And Can you make choices that are tasty and delicious -- healthy, too -- and maintain a budget, even with a family?

An egg strata feeds a lot of people, is relatively inexpensive to make, makes good leftovers and can be made with or without meat.

Yes, you can. Carole wrote a wonderful post about how she's making some choices and shared a delicious meatball recipe using less expensive ground chicken. Or try Gluten Free from A-Z's great sounding carrot salad. And don't forget our friend "Google" for economical or budget recipes -- you'll have plenty of choices!

You probably are already watching sales. Even with only a fridge-top freezer, I buy up when the price is right. I picked up pork tenderloins at two-for-one this week and I'm going back for more. Buy chicken breasts (or chicken thighs, which are lots less expensive and just as tasty, in the large package, break them up into individual servings or servings for two (or more) and use them as you go along. Or buy a larger pork loin and cut it into thick chops and package individually. (Rick does this and doesn't label them. I call it "Mystery Meat." You might want to have a Sharpie on hand!)

Chicken thighs are still one of the best buys around.

You may not want pasta every night but with one chicken breast, chopped into smaller pieces and sauteed, juice from a lemon or two, your noodle of choice and some herbs and olive oil, you have a terrific pasta dish. Serve it with a salad or add chopped veg, like broccoli or frozen peas and it's a one pot dinner. 

There was a reason our frugal parents served a lot of casseroles. Not only did they feed the family (maybe for more than a day) but they were less expensive to make. And if you watch sales, you may well find two-for-one bags of shrimp (an indulgence, to be sure!) or specials on other meats. 

And what about energy costs? My bill went up this month and it isn't even winter yet. But I keep a warmer house. My choice. This year I will be turning on the heat and putting a turtleneck under my favorite fleece top. Some of us in the U.S. are old enough to remember the Jimmy Carter years when there was an energy crisis. We survived. You will, too. (And yes, it may be a cold, tough, expensive winter. Considering climate change when thinking about whom to vote for isn't bad to add into the mix, either.)

It isn't going to shame us to wear last year's clothes. Skipping a big vacation may be tough -- but have you explored what's practically in your own backyard? I haven't. 

There are plenty of issues to consider when voting this year. For me, it's about protecting our democracy, our climate and our freedom of choice and making sure not one 2020 election denier in our area is elected. This is an issue that affects us forever. And, as there are two more mass shootings in the past couple of weeks, I'm also thinking about crime and the importance of gun reform (which doesn't mean destroying the second amendment). 

I'm also thinking about Ukraine and the fear that the sorely needed financial support that the U.S., along with its world partners, is supplying to help keep democracy alive in this country that is closing in on a year of fighting an invasion that has turned into a war.

Inflation/recession may take a few years and it won't be fun but it will level out. It has in the past, it will again. We can make it easier or harder by how much we complain and how much we modify our own actions -- or not. 

But what counts most of all is that you vote.

For you the issues may be something different. But remember, we are all co-responsible for how we handle challenges. We can make choices and changes. It may not mean they are permanent but they will get us through. 

If nothing else, think about the future beyond yourself. 

Remember the children. They have castles to build and mountains to climb.

(I'm leaving comments on for this post but won't be replying directly. You may well have different opinions than I. I will publish only comments that are written with respect and that do not use inappropriate language, whether I agree with them or not. The fact that I even have to mention this makes me very sad.)