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The Rural Voice, 1980-02, Page 34"How / fad a family of six on 36,65 ?" "How I fed a Family of Six on $36.65" is typical of articles in current magazines with a lot of advice on living on a budget. Since costs on the farm are forever escalating and prices almost depressing I figured why not. If they can do it so can I. I would have made a tidy sum had 1 sold the events of the following month for a comedy movie script. I meticulously planned every expenditure and income and even went so far as to copy their sample menu for a month to cut food costs. Just in case, I added a bit here and there for unforseen events. That was a joke. How do you forsee having your children turn against you and your husband barely civil. Anyhow, the first week went relatively snag -free but I noticed the family had a pained expression when I continued to trot to the family table my yummy meatless meals and broccoli surprise. The only surprise was that even the dog wouldn't eat it. The dogs were frankly starving with no juicy roast bones and chop bones etc. and I ended up breaking down and buying a big bag of dog food which wasn't on my budget because I was afraid they'd eat one of the kids on the way to the bus. Evidently most families don't have a St. Bernard, a golden Lab and a half-grown Shepherd pup. I also noticed that the allotment of fruit which should have lasted a week was gone on the third day. Maybe my kids are just hollow from the neck down. DO WITHOUT IT The second week a big tractor tire blew and would cost 3400 to repair. I blithely informed hubby that it wasn't on the budget and he'd have to do without it till next month when I would work it in. His remarks were parental guidance only and a decided slam to the door on his way out. The soymeal that was delivered was up from last month so I figured I would have to buy 235 lbs. less to meet the budget. Somehow I didn't have the guts to tell the trucker this as he was unloading it into the three ton bin. I went back with pencil and paper tofigure how I could work it. The next day the washing machine was clunking away and leaking all over the laundry room floor. 1 knew if I mentioned it to my husband he'd tell me to do without for a month. I didn't relish washing the clothes in the creek for three weeks either. Besides the ice was too thick or I might have been tempted, so determined was 1 to see this buget through. The repair bill was not on my budget either. The next few days drew a whole spate of friends dropping in for coffee and a few extras here and there for dinner and supper. 1 just didn't have the nerve to tell them they weren't on the budget because I figured my husband would tie me to the maples in the yard until I came to my senses. By this time my popularity at home had reached a minus level with carrot stick snacks and spinach souffles. They all looked 's if they would eat anything that moved. I overheard the children remarking that it was a shame that there was no McDonald s close by where they could go, for they were sure that was where the families in these articles must hang out after home cooked meals. Come to think of it, it never does tell you in these articles what the family does after a hearty meal of tomato soup and jelly sandwiches. Maybe they do go to the closest McDonald s. The third week continued in the same vein with costs more than expected. Little things like bearings, a couple of new belts for motors, a new hockey stick (which looked almost like someone had chewed it) and other every day costs on the average farm. The prices coming in were always slightly higher than expected and other than gnash your teeth there isn't much you can do about it. Needless to say, the budget never made the month. We went back to feeding the little hollow bellies with roasts and chops and an unlimited supply of fruit. I don't have to wash my clothes in the creek and my husband doesn't look like Chief Thundercloud. These articles must serve a purpose but it didn't seem to work for the average farm family. Perhaps we should be trying a few of our own ideas in these directions of how to make a feasible farm budget. The field seems to be wide open. Willy Keller. board director from Perth County, Doug Farrell, vice-president of the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board and Adrian Vos, Huron County director, admire the revised menu of The Pork Place restaurant In downtown Toronto. The restaurant was recently awarded The Toronto Sun's Hestaurant of the Year Award for Lunch. (Photo by Gibb) PO. 32 THE RURAL VOICE/ FEBRUARY 1980 Pork Producers Continued from page 36) clogged by hair, mud or feed, which also makes the tattoo difficult to read. Willy Keller of RR1 Mitchell, the Perth committeeman on the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board, told producers he thinks the board promotion program has 'proved to be "money well spent." He told younger producers not to be overly concerned at the current situation and said, "Do a good job and you'll survive." He added, "Big is not necessarily the way to success." Mr. Keller said he feels pork producers "have one of the best marketing boards in the country and I'm proud to be a part of it." Next month's report will include the names and addresses of committeemen and alternates elected at the annual meeting on Jan.