Don’t worry, just a little bump - $70 is just around the corner. Short traders just keep making those margin calls, mortgage the house if you have to. Fortunes await you! PO is for pansies and doomers. At $70 short some more ..... it is going back to $22 .... the world is awash with oil ........ reality has nothing to do with it, its all in those charts!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?
I was just thinking about this the other day! I have a pretty healthy supply of various kinds of shoes, socks, and undies due to working in the skate, snow, and surf industry. A week doesn't go by where a rep isn't kicking down all sorts of stuff, but I never turn down shoes! I basically have enough shoes and socks to last years and all for next to nothing.
Case in point, our shoe buyer just informed me that I have two pairs of free shoes coming from Vox plus a Hoodie. I will toss these and the hoodie into the attic for future use. Not bragging, but I will take free shoes and clothing where I can get it and tuck it away for a later date...until TSHTF, I have a line on endless free goods.
My favorite work boot is from Doc Marten. One pair of Docs last me about 4 years....and that is everyday wear. The big trick for me right now is to get a Doc Marten hook-up! I do have some good hiking boots with Vibram soles that keep on going and some Sorels for winter .
cb _________________ President Bush: “There’s no question about it. Wall Street got drunk—that’s one of the reasons I asked you to turn off the TV cameras. It got drunk, and now it’s got a hangover."
Joined: Dec 25, 2005 Posts: 566 Location: Hillsboro, West Virginia
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?
PrairieMule wrote:
I have a lot of boots but none of them can be resoled. Turns out the only boot that is of high quality and can be resoled are redwing boots. I'll probably drop $100 next month for a pair and never buy another pair in my lifetime. Also I have found that plain colored non camoflaged BDU's that are poly/cotton blend you find at the army/navy surplus are twice as tough as a pair of levis. The most durable t-shirts I have owned are hands down North Face Shirts from REI made of 95% cotton 5% spandex.
Even good boot leather uppers eventually wear out at the ball of the foot, usually first on the little toe side. Good boots are good for 1500 miles, or about that.
Joined: Dec 07, 2005 Posts: 1717 Location: Australia
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject: Re: Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?
I remember when I was younger I bought military surplus stuff and it was all at pretty good price.
Especially the military winter gear was pretty good and the boots were descent.
Secindly, I second some of the other comments. Patching up clothes will come back in fashion. Buy some basic materials, buttons, zippers etc and you can get pretty good like out of most garments, as long as you don't care that you may have un-matching patches. _________________ Lets take a ride, and run with the dogs tonight
In suburbia
You cant hide, run with the dogs tonight
In suburbia
- Pet Shop Boys
Joined: Jan 03, 2005 Posts: 1156 Location: western Wisconsin
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject: Re: Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?
I've always tried to keep a few pair of extra shoes stuck away in the closet as I have trouble finding comfortable shoes, so when I find some I like, I try to get a couple of extra pair. One problem with stocking up on things like socks, the companies make changes in the products all the time--I just opened a spare package of socks the other day, same package, label and UPC code as I have gotten before, but the socks are lighter material, and fit tighter. Not the same as I expected, and I have more packages of 6 pair in the closet.
As far as learning to make what you need--my wife is a good spinner, and has lots of wool stored around the house. We have a couple of antique sock knitting machines that we are learning to use, and they make some of the most comfortable socks I have ever worn, and with experience you can customize sizes to fit really great. We also have an old Singer industrial treadle sewing machine suitable for light leather and heavy cloth or canvas, and have some books on making shoes in our library, along with tools to do most any kind of work.
Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 2661 Location: The Entropisphere
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?
WisJim wrote:
I've always tried to keep a few pair of extra shoes stuck away in the closet as I have trouble finding comfortable shoes, so when I find some I like, I try to get a couple of extra pair. One problem with stocking up on things like socks, the companies make changes in the products all the time--I just opened a spare package of socks the other day, same package, label and UPC code as I have gotten before, but the socks are lighter material, and fit tighter. Not the same as I expected, and I have more packages of 6 pair in the closet.
As far as learning to make what you need--my wife is a good spinner, and has lots of wool stored around the house. We have a couple of antique sock knitting machines that we are learning to use, and they make some of the most comfortable socks I have ever worn, and with experience you can customize sizes to fit really great. We also have an old Singer industrial treadle sewing machine suitable for light leather and heavy cloth or canvas, and have some books on making shoes in our library, along with tools to do most any kind of work.
My plan is to go float down the river once every two years and trade some homemade cheese or cider for some of WisJim brand socks and shoes.
That being said, we keep a few extra pairs of shoes around also and buy an extra couple pairs of good socks every now and again. _________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain."
-Friedrich von Schiller
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:28 am Post subject: Re: Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?
seven wrote:
Depending on what kind of PO scenario you are planning for, stocking up on basic clothing items is a good idea. One relatively cheap way to do this is to hit the thrift and charity stores, buying multiple shoes, socks, tee shirts, etc., which could give you a decent supply of these items with a fairly low cash output.
It would be a good idea also to have a basic sewing kit with plenty of needles and all-purpose thread - plus extras like elastic, buttons, velcro, good scissors, blah.
I am saving all of my old prescription eyeglasses, as well - crucial items like that may become quite expensive.
I agree completely.
Clothing can be had for cheap, brand new. For work I buy 5 pants at a time, all the same, bunches of t-shirts-all the same, socks and underwear-all the same. Although my wardrobe is simple, it makes deciding what to wear a simple matter of rolling out of bed and feeling around for a pair of pants. Goodwill has all sorts of stuff for cheap.
Another consideration is having some oversized clothing on hand. If food shortages become a common problem in your area, clothing that fits may be a sign that you have plenty of food.
With eyeglasses, duplication is handy. 3 years ago I bought 3 pair, all the same. Scatched up a lens on one, broke the frame on another, tore an arm of the third. Take them apart, recombined them, I got 2 decent glasses. I may be able to combine the 2 to make 1 more. Scraps become parts. _________________ If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever."
-George Orwell, 1984
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:43 am Post subject: Re: Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?
We have made it a lifetime habit to get spares for everything. There is always a weak link, or wear-parts in anything, so we buy extras. Shoestrings, iron-on patches, save old buttons and zippers, and keep a lot of sewing supplies on hand, including an old tradle Singer machine. I've done the same with tools, machines, and kitchen goods. Extra gaskets for the pressure canners, spare cast iron cookware, carburetor kits for every engine, etc.
Make or Buy?
Clothing can be made, but as others have said, we should take advantage of mass-produced items that are easy to get now. Yes, I can mke a lot of things, but I can come out ahead at the moment working at my business and buying many of the things I need, so that's what I do. That situation will change, so we keep the tools and supplies to make our own if needed. Figure the time to make, vs work time needed to buy, and decide. I can buy a wood hammer handle for a buck, at the flea market, but it would take me an hour or more to make one with a drawknife (have a couple drawknives), and an hour at shop work will net me $25 or so. In that case, I buy the parts, and save the time. Many things go in favor of making, however, particularly when quality is considered. _________________ Local fix-it guy..
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:34 am Post subject: Re: Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?
SoothSayer wrote:
Do all our "custom size" clothes etc such as shoes come from China?
If so, shouldn't we "pre buy":
- an extra pair of boots (could be VERY difficult to find later)
- extra shoes
- extra suit (to keep tidy for job interviews etc)
If we kept a "buffer stock" of key sized clothing items we could stay ahead of the game (for a while).
Just imagine being hungry, cold AND with your shoes falling apart ... it would be too much!
What other clothing items do you think could disappear from the shelves in difficult times?
Everything that I come into contact with daily I look at and ask "what if it wasn't around any longer?"
Whether it is socks, food or knife sharpeners I inventory these staples to find their average life. For instance. One bottle of 12 oz shampoo lasts me 64 showers One bar of ivory soap lasts for 6 showers before the bar breaks in half. One box of 55 yard floss lasts me 62 times.
So it is easy to extrapolate a years supply of these products to see what it looks like. An in some cases I may have many, many years supple of certain products. And in an emergency we can extend certain items many time over. For instance, floss can be reused for 3 or 4 days without too much problems even mouthwash can be reused once or twice.
Certain staples that cannot be made easily at home are areas that I concentrate on to bulk up on as long as they do not deteriorate ins storage much. And whether they deteriorate or not I rotate stock.
Many areas we normally don't think about come to mind, such as fishhooks, 22 LR ammo, sewing needles, nails...these cannot be made easily at home. So start taking inventory of what you need to lay in.
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject: Re: Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?
Every item you can make, when there isn't any otherwise, will be a treasure. We don't buy soap. We make soap. My wife and daughters all sew, crochet, and knit. One daughter does electronics (electrical engineer), the other is an herbalist (chemistry degree), my wife is a nurse, and I'm a machinist/welder (mech. engineering degree). One son in law is a chiropractor and nutritionist, the other is a forester who also does CNC/CAD work and makes wrought iron and windmills.
Look at your extended family and circle of friends for skillsets. Can anyone do leather work? Solar electric? Mechanics? Bake bread? Grow food?
Most of us can put together a number of people with skills to make shoes, clothes, and many necessities. Shampoo is soap dissolved in water. (Put it in the blender at SLOW speed.) Real soap, that is, not the chemical bar from the store. Rinse with diluted cider vinegar, and get real shiny hair.
I question how badly we will need deodorant, when few people can come up with soap and water... Stay clean, you don't stink. If you are doing heavy work to stay alive (won't we all), then who is going to worry about B.O.? A question of priorities, here. Think hard about what is really important, and what is not. _________________ Local fix-it guy..
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?
Don't forget a few packs of heavy nylon or leather bootlaces, and a good supply of mink oil to keep your gloves and boots water proof. A good pair of "herman survivors" or similar boot is tripple stitched and will last 5+ years with care easily, but your laces won't. A couple tubes of re-sealable black silicone sealant or "gorilla glue" will do wonders if you need to make repairs on leather boots oreven gloves if you have some scraps to patch with.
SoothSayer wrote:
Do all our "custom size" clothes etc such as shoes come from China?
If so, shouldn't we "pre buy":
- an extra pair of boots (could be VERY difficult to find later)
- extra shoes
- extra suit (to keep tidy for job interviews etc)
If we kept a "buffer stock" of key sized clothing items we could stay ahead of the game (for a while).
Just imagine being hungry, cold AND with your shoes falling apart ... it would be too much!
What other clothing items do you think could disappear from the shelves in difficult times?
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