Expenses – The FIRE Shrink

What’s piqued my interest this week?

This week that bulwark of British strength Theresa May advised us all we should start prepping for a “no-deal” Brexit, just as the Government had by stockpiling food and medication. We should “take comfort” in the Government’s actions (1). “It’s right to prepare for all eventualities” (2). Unfortunately the actual understanding of how they’re going to do this is lacking (3). Currently the EU supplies 31% of the UK’s food, and Brexit will have huge implications across the supply chain (4, 5 ).

This led to lots of media outlets running pieces on ‘what to stockpile’. The Guardian recommended olive oil, pasta, pepper, rice, spices (6). The BBC warned of the threat to our sandwiches (7). Heavens! Anything but the sandwiches! Even The New Scientist got in on the act (8). Plenty of organisations are piling on the warning bandwagon. The UK dairy industry has warned that butter, yoghurt and cheese will be occaisional luxuries (9).

My solution to this problem is to gradually move my consumption to more local suppliers. Coming from a farming family I’ve always tried to support UK growers. For at least the past few years I’ve only bought UK grown seasonal veg, and cooked based on what is in season. Very middle class yes, but healthier, more varied, and often cheaper. This year I’ve tried to take this further, using a local butcher and market garden co-operative (feel free to roll your eyes) delivery. It appears I’m not alone. We all saw Blue Planet 2, the anti-plastic movement gains traction, and people are finding ways of reducing their packaging usage. One of these ways is going back to the local milkman with his bottles. Milkmen are seeing a surge in demand throughout the country (10). Fresh local milk served in retro glass bottles delivered by an electric van does sound pretty ‘now’. Expansion has not been without it’s problems for the national Milk&More, but these appear to be teething problems (11). The traditional local trader milkmen are doing better (12). We’ve come full circle with convenient deliveries from local producers. Everything old is new again.

Have a great weekend,

The Shrink

Side Orders

Other News:

Opinion/ blogs:

What I’m reading:

Eric by Terry Pratchett – light relief

Religio Medici by Sir Thomas Browne – the theological and psychological reflections of a C17th doctor

Enchiridion by Epictetus – Bedside reading for a bad day

References:

Tag: Expenses

The Full English Accompaniment – A nation of preppers?