Time management and preparations

Waterthrush · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:41 am Post subject: Time management and preparations

I'm curious how people are managing their time to plan for a post-peak world. A little on it every day, a set time per week, spurts of activity?

I have a conventional 9-5 job that is not too wearying, and a 20 minute commute to it. So, although I do have a daily job that takes a fair amount of time, I also have time left over.

But I have been trying to think of ways to rearrange that spare time. For example, I exercise almost daily on a pedal treadmill. This is a good thing, yes, but I find myself resenting this sort of unproductive and rather boring time (I can watch television or a rented movie, but mostly I'd rather be walking or doing garden work.) But the treadmill is efficient in burning calories and developing endurance, and I doubt that gardening would be as effective, at least while I also have to work.

I also spend too much time on the web, I suppose like many of us. The problem with that is that there are so many benefits offsetting the ridiculous cost in time.

Does anyone have any hints for time management at this point in the Peak Oil timeline? I realize others have different starting points - e.g. much longer work hours, or a family's needs.

allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 857

Yes, prepping take time. Even though I only have 2/3 acre I work at preps like another part time job. For 3 months this year I took off from work and devoted full time efforts to prepping.

And sitting in front of any electric tube or screen excessively is not a good way to live our life. Yes, we can spend some of our life doing it, but if we wish to live a good life we need to get out a little. It takes balance with all things. Try using a timer to get you off the 'puter.

I cut my expenses to the min, live simply and make do. The rest of the time is spent on preps and maybe a little fun once in while. Start small and make half an hour a day or whatever you can spare to prep work and build on that. Just be regular with it.

patience · Expert Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1519

Waterthrush,

I have taken the approach this year that Preps come first, to be only grudgingly interrupted by daily business. We are too close to the fan at this point to waste any time. My posts are getting shorter, but this one is important. I never did any exercise for it's own sake, but I do a lot of physical work and preps are part of that.

Currently, I have so much to do that I know it won't all happen by my self imposed deadline of end of 3rd quarter '08, so I've had to prioritize as follows.

1) Take care of money/financial items, since that appears to be the most imminent problem. (banks going bad, etc., probably within a couple months.)

2) Do all the buying now, to avoid price increases from currency dilution to come, and to avoid the rush when everybody wants insulation, etc..

3) Balance #2 against the need to save money for the future, as the economy goes to hell. This means being very careful to get the most for my money, and to make careful decisions about what to buy, vs what can I do without.

4) Food comes next. So, high priority is given to gardens, canning, and food acquisition and storage.

5) Energy is next. Keep the gas tanks full in all vehicles, filled the propane tank (huge) for cooking, finish the woodshed and stock it, and work on solar PV project.

6) Put off time consuming projects that I can do later, such as some construction, and some repairs, but assure that I have EVERYTHING on hand to do those things. Time will be more plentiful when my business is slack, due to the economy winding down.

7) Get the whole family on board for what is coming. If you don't, it will cost you later. If you do, they can be a tremendous help.

Bottom line is: Get rid of all extraneous activities, put preps as high priority, and DO IT NOW.

Yet to do for us: Finish woodshed, finish solar PV, build a wood splitter, overhaul 2 garden tractors, terrace the backyard for mor garden space, can everything I can get my hands on, install the 3,000 gallon garden irrigation tank laying in the yard, put a new chimney stack on the blacksmith forge, repair the house cistern and install the rebuilt hand pump on it, finish interior work on the sunporch/greenhouse, (we're using it now to do baking and canning and food drying), build a root cellar (concrete blocks are here), pick blackberries and make jelly, hill the potatoes, plant late potatoes, build a woodstove and install it, put a 49cc motor on my bike, buy more tires and tubes for it......... That's the high points.
_________________
Local fix-it guy..

Ronin

Prioritize the things you would like to do, not only in importance but time taken to complete each job. Also break up the larger jobs into modules so you can do one phase if you only have a bit of time.

Although you will still get there, time is of the essence
Good luck

kpeavey · Expert Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 1243

I'm considering quitting my job so I can spend every waking moment digging a bunker under my house.
_________________
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever."
-George Orwell, 1984

______________
Accept the Facts.

SoothSayer

kpeavey · Expert Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 1243

I better add a smiley before the Mods come after me!
Very Happy

_________________
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever."
-George Orwell, 1984

______________
Accept the Facts.

energycity · Heavy Crude Joined: Apr 22, 2008 Posts: 124

strider3700

alokin · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 792

The treadmill seems to me the strangest thing ever. Why don't you take your bike for some shopping or whatever (excuse me the direct criticism). Maybe you sell it. I prefer jogging in the morning because I reckon it's far more healthy, being in the fresh air.
I don't spare all exercises out, for example yoga is very good for the health, but I would be more eager searching a dance school without all them mess.
Gardening has tasks without much movement but others which are quite an effort.
I like making written plans (you get a sticker for every task and an outing for xxx tasks done Laughing

)
I do repairements in the house, even if they are cosmetic only, because house prices here in OZ are still up and even if we don't plan to move to the country at the moment - who knows?

allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 857

allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 857

RedStateGreen

I do a little every day. I kind of have to do it like that as I don't have much stamina. But I'm seeing progress. Smile

_________________
Conservation is conservative

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment."

mystiek

I get my kids involved, they actually think its fun to work in the garden, snap green beans, go to the pick your own farms. Its amazing how much energy kids have and how much they can pick. By them being involved they are also learning very important PO life skills. Most of my canning gets done over the weekend. I don't usually have my kids around during the canning process because I'm afraid they could get hurt. They help stock the storage areas in the basement, fill storage buckets with wheat, flour, etc. My
husband has become more involved wrt lanterns, survival supplies, and lately is planning on expanding our gun collection and ammo (I think he wanted to do that anyway). Bottom line-get your family involved. There is no way I could get as much done as we have so far if everybody didn't pitch in.

alokin · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 792

how old arre your kids? I think it is a good thng getting them ready with whatever skills as soon as possible, maybe household chores - I think the adults will have lots to do in future and need help. But you need lots of patience teaching them all.

I try to teach theolder (5) lots of calculation at the m (1-10 only) moment, because they might not be able to go to high school (who knows, ayear before I thought well, they go to high school and uni).

I go at least once a week to the OP shop and stock a bit of clothing, t-shirts, work blouses etc, mostly for $1 each. In future there won't be lot in the OP shop as people will wear their things until they fall apart.

I try to get the house ready renovated (at least we want to face the crisis in a nice house), doing everthing that it will last and that it might be useful.

But the kids are slowing my efforts a lot.