I was shopping at the case lot sales and had an interesting conversation with the guy demonstrating his “Morning Moo” products.  He told me that his products would be on sale every other month for the rest of the year.  I told him that was so great, because I for one, hate to walk into one case lot sale a year and be expected to buy everything all at once.  With having so many sales over a period of time, it allows me time  to set aside additional money to get more of what I need, rather than just making snap decisions.  When pressured, I often end up buying something my family has never, nor would ever eat.  I hate decisions made too quickly.
We are all worried about the economy right now, but there is no need to panic.  We can still provide security to our families.  The important thing is to not go into debt, but to actually do something about our situation.
As I walked through the store, I thought of all the corners I could begin cutting.  I have bought day old bread, for cheap, forever, but it won’t kill me to start making my own bread every once in a while.  Jam is just too expensive for me to consider buying an entire case, when making it just isn’t that big a deal.  I quit buying cereal a couple of months ago (my family is still in semi-revolt over that).  I used to have a strict rule:  I will not purchase cereal if it is over $2.  I can’t do that anymore.  I’ve started making granola.  Granola isn’t necessarily cheap, but I can decide how simple or fancy I want it to be.  I’m also considering serving rice and beans for a month straight (some variety added to please my husband) just to see if we CAN do it before we HAVE to do it.  With that saved money I can load up on even more food.
Another thing Mr. Morning Moo told me was about a strike that lasted for six weeks, at the grocery company he worked for in California years ago.  People panicked.  The Seven-Elevens and small stores were still getting supplies, so when a shipment came in, people were lined up and waiting.  Fights would break out, and yes, there were deaths—over food. 
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to see the signs, not do anything now, while I can, and end up in line waiting for the chance to be killed.  I repeat, there is no need to panic, but there is need to act. 
We have time to really look at how we use food.  Are we eating too much? Duh! We live in America.  Are we putting our leftovers in the freezer, so they can be added to other meals?  Are we cooking from scratch a little bit more than we have in the past?
Baked goods are the biggest rip-off ever.  When housewives started working, but still wanted the homebaked freshness of cinnamon rolls (or whatever), price became no object.  Can you believe how much we are willing to pay for ready-made chocolate chip cookies?  And we go ahead and buy them!
Sisters, we can do this.  We can bake our own goods.  We can cut corners.  We can buy systematically and wisely.  All without panicking, but staying diligent, creative and productive.