Economy bad... How do you save money?

[McCord6]

I googled the laundry detergent and found one that has only 3 ingredients. I think it's a GREAT idea to do. Thanks for the Idea. I think im going to start doing that myself too. Now Im going to try to get more information on dish soap, bar soaps and stuff like that.

◦1 bar of shaved bar soap (Ivory, ZOTE, Fels-Naptha)
◦1/2 cup of borax
◦1/2 cup of washing soda

mix together until they are well blended powder.

I like liquid detergent for mine and the kids clothes but hubby's clothes must have powder (he is an auto mechanic, powder removes the oil stains while liquid does NOT)

 

[Goose and Fig]

We eat mostly veggies & grains, and grow everything the climate will allow. Still have to buy some fruit trees though. Saving seeds for the next season and swapping/bartering with the neighbors not only saves money- but builds the community.

We gave up a truck that was a gas guzzler and had a ridiculous payment, and paid cash an old farm truck that works just fine.

 

[McCord6]

Im giving up my van for AA transport. My van is down right now, needs a new transmission seal, but once hubby gets it up and running, Im only using it if really needed. If it is just myself and Lily, then AA transport. Me and all the kids, VAN! Really the truck is more of a gas hog, REALLY BAD, but hubby needs it for work, he can't use a family mini-van for construction. OR since hubby works in town, I will ride with him to work then take the city bus to whatever appointments I need to get to. Lily LOVES riding the BUS!

 

[Wildsky]

The biggest thing we did this year was buy and install a wood stove for heat, I can't wait to compare our electricity bills.

I also make my own laundry powder.

You can find lots of tips etc. on BYC sister site... http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/index.php

 

[silkiechick05]

Quote:
It sounds like you're ready for the apocalypse!!

LOL

These are great ideas everyone!

Keep them coming!


(don't you just love it how growing and making your own supplies helps the environment?!)

 

[McCord6]

Buy clothes, shoes, and neccessaries from discount stores like Bealls or BestBuy or buy from Thrift stores, like Goodwill, or craigslist.

I baught TONS of clothes for DD1 and DS and even maternity clothes for myself from craigslist and didn't spend more then $50 per person when everything was well over $300 worth (expecially my daughter's dress which still had the tag on it and it said $80

)

Im still trying to find a cheaper way to buy hearing aid batteries. We have 4 people in the house with hearing aids. My new one, DD1 and DD2's hearing aids are the same size. My old hearing aid is bigger and more $$$, I stop using that one cuz they go dead fast. Hubby's hearing aids are smaller and he only uses them for school so he never really has to change his. Hearing aid batteries run from $6 to $15 depending on the size and brand, cheaper the shorter time frame they have.

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Barter! Barter! And barter some more!

 

[ams3651]

A couple months ago I started going to the grocery store only once a month. I make a detailed list from my pantry and the grocery stores web sale list and my coupon envelope and plan several meals to buy ingredients for. It really helps cut out those extras you tend to grab. Not to mention if I were to do that every week. I also have my 18 year old son contribute by way of a gallon of milk here and there or a loaf of bread, etc. Its not cutting into his finances too much at one time but in the matter of a month makes a small difference.

Certain things like treats my kids like I buy maybe 2 or 3 boxes and tell them when they are gone they are gone. I cant buy more till next month.

Since my venison ran out way too early this year Im buying ground beef in the large package and freezing it as well as chicken breast. Also buying a whole chicken to roast can give you several meals worth of meat.

I hang out a lot of my laundry, especially blankets. And Im not complaining about crispy towels. But its getting too cold right now to do it very often.

Last winter I spent $99 on an electric heater that looks like a wood burner. It heats up the main rooms of my house just fine and saves me on oil to heat the house. Its much cheaper than the oil and i figure, my electric company has me on a budget, cant do that with the oil company. Have to pay cash with them.

I reminded myself how easy it is to make cookies, cakes and brownies from scratch instead of buying packages of mix.

We also eat more rice and pasta.

I also only go to walmart once or twice a month when i need something. Cut down on those little trips to just run in "quick" to grab something and end up buying stuff I dont need. Now I try to anticipate needing things, like batteries, deodorant, etc and get them on sale at the grocery store with coupons.

Ive always lived close. The best thing I can tell you is that I know what I pay for nearly everything I buy often. That way when I see it on sale somewhere I know if its a deal or not. Also most grocery items on sale will cycle around in 4-6 weeks so I will save a coupon for when it goes on sale instead of using it on a full price item.

I always say my money is so tight it squeeks.

 

[chixie]

stay home... used to go shopping with my mom and sister... spent lots of money now i just stay home...

 

[nop169]

When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation.....

Isn't this where we are now?????

Seriously, we have always tried to be frugal & we choose what we spend on. My wife also makes her laundry soap - has for several years... we also keep the thermastat off until absolutely necessary - usually turn the air on LOW (high setting) when we are literally melting usually in July & off again by August... Heat is set at 60 & we usually turn it on around the end of December through Feb. We burn wood (cut off the farm) to maintain until then & supplement the electric throughout winter. We also keep blankets on the couches - we tend to cover up rather than turn up the heat. We always did this but have increased our vigilance the last year due to our power bill jumping from (highest bill in Jan $240.00/month) to this past Jan. it was $502.00 and $505.00 in Feb. What was so bad is that we are using less KW than we used the year before! This year we have managed to keep the bill down since Feb with March being 260.00 April May June were all 160.00 July back up to 225.00 Aug Sep Oct Nov all between 120.00 to 150.00. We also stopped using the dishwasher, cut down the hot water heater & try to conserve our dryer time & washing loads. We also bought "phantom" power strips for the TV/DVD & computer & I use timers (light sensative triggered) for any heat lights I have in use in winter. We SHOULD hang clothes outside more - but we have had a (THANK YOU LORD) rainy year & I work days & the wife works nights so it is hard to do. We do dry on racks inside next to the fireplace.
We also can & freeze garden produce & I have potatoes, carrots, radish & greens growing now. We kill a beef (home raised) every year or so & this year we had 855 lbs of beef to put in the freezer - at about .65 cents per pound. We also kill a soay sheep or two per year.
We no longer eat out except for special occasions (maybe 4 times per year) instead we trade off with 2 other families by cooking potluck & all getting together about every 2 weeks or so - this provides both fellowship & helps us conserve money.
Where we could save money? Paper towels - yeah we use them - but not to a great degree - kitchen handtowels are used more. Other than that I am unsure what else we could do... we buy clothes at yard sales & thrift stores for my 10 y.o. daughter (she enjoyes getting "more" for "her" money") & here many of the clothes we get are unworn & still have tags. As for DW & myself - currently I am wearing 4 yo jeans & a 8 yo shirt. I do have to buy boots every 2 years. Daughter goes to a private christian school but that is not what we consider an option these days! It runs about $400/month but is an excellent school & daughter is a bright child who wants to be a surgeon so... she maintains straight A's & is ahead of her age group.... hopefully paying now will save later with scholarships. If anything, we spoil her more than anything else - but as God gave her to us I don't regret it! We choose this over satellite tv or movies.
We DO have too many animals - but most are fed by pasturage & I usually sell enough calves or goats to pay for winter hay & poultry feed. And I am not sure you can place a price tag on hormone free, natural raised food.
We tend to work 60 hours per week each. This year has been tough but we have been blessed & have not fallen behind even though at times it seemed we would... when we pray for help - God sends OVERTIME!!!!!

I also planted more trees to shade the house in summer & provide a windblock in winter. We live as simply as we can by choice & try to use up or wear out what we have. I am not a mechanic but we do do all the repairs we can. Our vehicles (2) were bought second hand & neither is anywhere near new although they are not falling apart either! As far as animal health - we do our own using whatever method that works for us while giving preventative maintnance to our animals. Educating yourself on animal health & prev. maintanance will save you major money here as a routine farm call costs at least 250.00. Although I do buy my supplies & use my local vet when I need too - it is important to keep a working relationship with him as I may need him one day!
I think we would be in better shape if the real estate market & homebuilding industry had not increased so dramatically in the last 10 years in my area. We bought our land when prices were reasonable 18 years ago. We lived in a "modular home" for 14 years & built our dream home 7 years ago - at the time it was not an issue - but with the current economy & high prices of power & goods & with our property taxes increasing 300% three years ago - our money doesn't go as far. With all of the layoff's - jobs aren't as available for those of us who would pick up a extra job when things were tight... but my daughter will inherit the house & farm - so for her it will be easier.
Even with all of this - WE ARE STILL BLESSED - and I am so glad I live in America even with the tough times - at least I can choose how I live & have the ability to find work.