TOTW, $ going NUTS

[springfield art]

I was shocked to spend $160 yesterday at chinamart for what usually costs me $100. Guess I won’t be retiring anytime soon.

If we got into an actual shooting war with the Middle Kingdom, the entire chains of Chinamart, Hobby Lobby, Dollar Stores, and most of the electronic stores would tank immediately. The computer we're typing on are probably Cathay, also.

 

[Rifleman1776]

If we got into an actual shooting war with the Middle Kingdom, the entire chains of Chinamart, Hobby Lobby, Dollar Stores, and most of the electronic stores would tank immediately. The computer we're typing on are probably Cathay, also.

Yep

 

[BuffaloSoldier]

Just reading this, have wanted to jump into this for awhile. Everybody's comments making me hesitant to even start. Can anyone share with a newbie a straight answer? Appreciate your help. As my old unit's motto,
Ready and Forward!!

 

[vintovka]

Just reading this, have wanted to jump into this for awhile. Everybody's comments making me hesitant to even start. Can anyone share with a newbie a straight answer? Appreciate your help. As my old unit's motto,
Ready and Forward!!

If its your first purchase, a quality, used, complete and functional rifle or pistol seems the only way to go. Buying a fixer that requires parts, pieces or supplies out side of your immediate grasp seems to has slipped into the non cost effective /benefit zone.

 

[necchi]

Can anyone share with a newbie a straight answer?

What's the question?

 

[Ed C.]

When my grandmother, born in 1903, passed away, one of her small kitchen drawers was jammed full of plastic bread bags. Why, we‘ll never know, but I doubt you could of squeezed one more bag in there.
Many years ago, worked with an old fellow who would bring his sandwich wrapped in aluminum foil. Every day he‘d wipe it off, neatly fold it, and take it home to re-use again. Never asked him how many times he used the same piece.

I had a friend that would do the same thing. A bank manager. Kinda goes with the job I guess.

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Flintlock Whiskey:
I can't afford 5160 spring. I only use 1095 and that stuff went up 10% in the last year. Try Admiral Steel in Alsip, Ill. They aren't too bad on price. I buy al lot of my steel there. NJ Steel Barons ain't bad for small quantities.
Good luck.
God bless:
Two Feathers

I haven't ordered from them in a little while, but Jantz at the time had the best price on 5160 and 1075. If you haven't, check them out.

 

[Two Feathers]

I haven't ordered from them in a little while, but Jantz at the time had the best price on 5160 and 1075. If you haven't, check them out.

I'm pretty much stocked up on steel right now, but thank you for the heads-up.
God bless:
Two Feathers

 

[Rifleman1776]

Just reading this, have wanted to jump into this for awhile. Everybody's comments making me hesitant to even start. Can anyone share with a newbie a straight answer? Appreciate your help. As my old unit's motto,
Ready and Forward!!

What's the question?

 

[vintovka]

Disturbing economic trends can be seen in the smallest things. Went on a short trip up the coast 50 miles today. The question of lunch came up and both wife and i came to conclusion that spending $30-50 is now unappealing (especially for fast food). Went to supermarket and got 2 very large large roast beef sandwich's for under $10. I doubt we are alone and the impact to the local economy may be significant. Meanwhile gas went up another .19 in the 4 hours we spent on the road.

 

[Coinneach]

I have cut back on driving and shopping for necessities only. In the last year if not working I might go several days and never see the highway. Gonna be home for several days now due to string beans coming off. Pressure canned 7qts and 3qts to freezer today, looks to be repeat tomorrow.

Here in Australia I've always bulked shopped for groceries only every 2 weeks, when I was a boy country people only visited Town when it was necessary and even then held off when there was more than a few things do in town.
Nearest town to me is Rosewood around a 40 minutes drive for me, at the end of the south eastern Rail link and has just about everything I need; the less I see and experience of urban or city folk the happier I am.

 

[Coinneach]

I will be 70 this year. Already slowing down.

Just turned 71 here but Lordy be its a miracle, when I land in Bangkok every March and October for my "Scent of a Woman" holiday I'm only 55 !

 

[Coinneach]

When my grandmother, born in 1903, passed away, one of her small kitchen drawers was jammed full of plastic bread bags. Why, we‘ll never know, but I doubt you could of squeezed one more bag in there.
Many years ago, worked with an old fellow who would bring his sandwich wrapped in aluminum foil. Every day he‘d wipe it off, neatly fold it, and take it home to re-use again. Never asked him how many times he used the same piece.

I cut buttons off my old worn shirts, save good thick linen thread that can be waxed and used again; small medium and large wooden boxes; old Kero Lanterns; Candle sticks; salvaged screws and Sights from old Gurns; and anything I think that can be re-used.

Do all my own hand sewing, and whatever repairs needed, was brought up with the ethos "Never pay someone to repair or build something when you can do it yourself; and if you dont know how then learn to".

My good friend and neighbor John (same age as me) is a 5th generation farmer here, hoards old Cars and machinery; his great grandads Smithy Forge is a veritable museum still intact and workable.

Every now and again some fast buck whizz kid will call in and offer him peanuts for this or that, ol John sends them on their way muttering.
Meanwhile his two Dawgs are on hand to tear the rear end off any intruder that may try their luck, and he cradles a SS 12 Gauge Shotgurn.

 

[Coinneach]

When my grandmother, born in 1903, passed away, one of her small kitchen drawers was jammed full of plastic bread bags. Why, we‘ll never know, but I doubt you could of squeezed one more bag in there.
Many years ago, worked with an old fellow who would bring his sandwich wrapped in aluminum foil. Every day he‘d wipe it off, neatly fold it, and take it home to re-use again. Never asked him how many times he used the same piece.

Psssst When I grocery shop everything that fits goes into one of their plastic bags on dispenser rolls in the Fruit and Veg aisle, thats what I use to drop Chicken and Chop bones in and any kitchen waste that cant be eaten by critters before binning it.

IMO "Frugality" is something of an Art form, once you get the mindset imprinted it becomes like a Sporting challenge; how I lerve this grumpy old guy phase of my life now !

 

[Two Feathers]

I have a bunch of old mower blades, files, leaf and coil springs. I always see old files and tools for sale cheap in junk stores.

Ghost23:
You have to be careful with a lot of that stuff. A bunch of it (especially the files) are only case hardened and made from junk steel. So you won't be able to actually harden it once you've made a knife out of it. Old coil and leaf springs should be fine, but a lot of the knife makers (newbies in general) who like using worn out files. Just thought I'd mention that.
God bless:
Two Feathers

 

[COTNTOP]

Coinneach it sounds like you could use company, or might I say hope you might like some company. Had a friend move down under back in the 70's and we heard of him only once and all he said was "Paradise". I was young and always heard the women were mean and ugly, that scared me away. Now with modern communication that was proven wrong. LOL

 

[Jim K]

When my grandmother, born in 1903, passed away, one of her small kitchen drawers was jammed full of plastic bread bags. Why, we‘ll never know, but I doubt you could of squeezed one more bag in there.
Many years ago, worked with an old fellow who would bring his sandwich wrapped in aluminum foil. Every day he‘d wipe it off, neatly fold it, and take it home to re-use again. Never asked him how many times he used the same piece.

I had a boss I worked for 32 years. He would wash his hands, dry them with a paper towel then lay it out to dry and reuse. Lol. He was a millionaire!!

 

[sheriff john]

First time in years - diesel was 6 cents cheaper than unleaded locally. One problem with newer vehicles is that not much can be repaired. Lots of plastic. Various parts have to be replaced, not fixable. People here are salvaging old barns, selling old, weathered wood for super high prices.

Don't see old farm equipment sitting around these days like we used to. Used to be common "Behind the barn" supply - no more. Times change.

 

[jimairwin]

I will be 70 this year. Already slowing down.

I'll hit 78 this Fall. My gunsmith shop keeps me too busy, but new folks keep coming.

 

[TDM]

My parents were born in 1913 and 1917, so they both grew up during the Depression. I was raised to be frugal, waste not, want not.