Economy bad... How do you save money?

[sundance]

Quote:
My Oldest son is a desil(sp) mechanic and desil smells BAD on clothes. I add a cup of murphys oil soap to the load of clothes when they are washed. I use dollar generals cheap brand, works just as good and it takes the odor out. I also use plain white vinegar to mop floors the vinegar deodorizes, cleans, disinfectsand is cheep. when I finish moping. I pour it in the toilet to get rid of the limestone deposits our water leaves in everything. by moping at night, the vinegar sets all night in the toilet and melts the limestone away. marrie

 

[silkiechick05]

Turn off shower when shaving!

 

[McCord6]

Quote:
My Oldest son is a desil(sp) mechanic and desil smells BAD on clothes. I add a cup of murphys oil soap to the load of clothes when they are washed. I use dollar generals cheap brand, works just as good and it takes the odor out. I also use plain white vinegar to mop floors the vinegar deodorizes, cleans, disinfectsand is cheep. when I finish moping. I pour it in the toilet to get rid of the limestone deposits our water leaves in everything. by moping at night, the vinegar sets all night in the toilet and melts the limestone away. marrie

we have the same problem.

Diesel is the correct spelling. My best friend named her dog that as well

He is GASY!

 

[ams3651]

i found that the vinegar and baking soda and water concoction I was using as a fabric softener actually was very good at taking out smells such as diesel when added to the wash directly instead in the fabric softener dispenser.

 

[hens & chicks]

I think it is great that so many have responed to "saving money" and way's to do it.

TipNut.com has many receipes for laundry detergent--in a liquid and in a powder form, hand soap, dishwasher, cleaning supplies and etc. Also has cleaning tips and ingredients, sewing, knitting and crochet patterns and many more.

Soapnuts works great in laundry and as a general cleaner. Will plant more trees of them this spring.

The "hoop houses" for the chickens also work great as a greenhouse. Same simple process in building. Harvey Ussery's web site also has some great ideas. His greenhouse houses his chickens, pigs, garden produce and earthworms!! A hoop house will work in the winter to even grow winter crops of produce.

Invest in a several books on "putting food by", root cellaring and etc. Many books through library to check out before ordering to make sure your money is well spent. Or maybe readers here could do a "book review" for others? I hate buying a book and then when it comes in it is not as good as I thought it might be.

The WWII war effort built buildings in a community and women met there to do canning and share ideas and etc. Why not try and utilize the local County Extension office to do the same? Or for any craft-quilting-needlearts and etc? Share ideas,swap patterns and etc. Extension offices can also schedule classes for instruction in many areas. Soil and Water Conservation dept. of many counties have a low cost tree program to help in obtaining native trees for planting and reforestation. Also programs that assist in monetary help with fencing programs and free soil conservation programs providing seeds of various plants to not only use as habitat but also seed for wild birds and tame. I plan to use this to plant "pockets" of seed for the free-range chickens.

Maybe several prople can go together to buy bred goats and then "share" the kids in the spring at birthing time. My does are bred for the spring and for an April birthing and the "kids " will be either given away or sold to someone close by to use. Nigerian goats are known for multiple births.That way I can "sort of" keep an eye on them , be available if they no longer want them and close by to "assist" if need be with any problems. But the idea of "passing it foreward" should prevail. Hoop houses also make good housing pens for animals. FarmTek will be willing to sell you a "greenhouse plastic" that will cover your hoophouse and will last for years. Or get their roll plastic and use as you need. I am sure there are other suppliers.

Canning of course is a must as well as freezing and drying of foods. I buy almost any canner at garage sales and etc. that I can. I have 6 and use them all. Extension office will also check the pressure guages for free in the fall for you. Canning of all types of meat has been done as well as veggies and fruit. Again, good books for assistance and info are valuable.

Learn to kill and butcher your own animals. Not that difficult but is an all day process and is tiring ( ok-not the youngest of the group) Excellent books are available-some out of print though for processing meat. Many women also at one time had a "canning machine" that was for metal cans. I am currently looking for info on them to buy.

So much is out there in resources and information-just "pay it foreward".

 

[skeeter03]

our own garden - and storing/canning/drying all the food.
basic meals - we eat simple food usually.
i try to keep my hydro bill as low as possible.
bought a logging truck of wood $ up front but I think its money well spent cause we didnt have to make 100 trips to the bush to get wood.
We are thinking of buying another logging truck of wood and cutting and splitting that and selling it by the cord.
we dont go out much. everytime you go out it costs you money. unless you are walking to the park or something.
Groceries are every two weeks.
make my own snacks as opposed to buying prepackaged ones.
my chickens i sell all excess eggs. meat birds in the freezer.
we put half a cow everyear at a 1.50/lb in the freezer.

 

[ProductionRed09]

Make my own powdered laundry soap, as well as dishwasher detergent
planted a garden and froze all the veggies
Grocery shop once a month and only get what we need
Only take trips into town on days I take son to school (Tues, and Thurs)
make my own bread, crackers
use sunlight during the day, do not turn on lights
Keep thermostat low during the day and at night
Use my BBQ more


The only big expenses I really have each month are the co-pays for my son's medical supplies~ can't avoid it so I deal with it

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

As far as TP goes the old way is to boil corncobs till they get soft then use them. The Romans used lufas an had a stream of water to was them in. The same idea could be used today by hanging a rack full of sponges in the back of the toilet. Every time you flush it fills with clean water anyway.

 

[Mahonri]

About 1/4 of my retirement was in the stock market until about Noon today. As of closing all of my funds in the stock market were liquidated and transferred into a 4 year Bank CD.

Now we just pray that the banks stay solvent...

... but I'm still buying commodities to tide me over in case of a banking crisis.

 

[McCord6]

We are drinking more water then anything else. I baught 3 gallon jugs of water, after we used up the store baught water, we kept filling them up and putting them in the freezer. Everytime one runs out, we fill it up, put in freezer and take another one out and put in fridge that way our water stays icy cold! Great when the weather is hot.

use milk for more cooking then drinking...

Hubby wants to learn how to actually do bio-fuel for the truck.

Get auto parts from the junk yard then buying them brand new. Sometimes a totalled vehicle at the junk yard can have a NEW part.

My brother in law gives us unused deer parts to feed the dogs with, we get unused organs also from a friend of family when he butchers his cows, pigs, and goats to feed the dogs with also. Mix it with their kibbles.