Making any changes to save money?

[Stumpy]

My best tips:

www.frugalvillage.com
The Tightwad Gazette books
www.dollarstretcher.com

We had already been doing several things. I WANT chickens, and hang out here to keep my dream alive ;-).

We don’t eat out often. I often make our own bread. I am hanging out clothes more and using my old wooden racks, too. We live about 9 miles from the nearest town, so I try to only go about once a week. I’ve put in a garden this year, but it’s still not big enough. Wish we could eliminate the land line, but DH’s job requires it. When we built this house (still building/no mortgage), we installed point-of-use water heaters. We have cut down on colas. I have been in the habit of turning off lights when I leave a room most of my life.

Some people may find this gross: To easily wash dirty, sturdy Ziploc bags, put them through the washing machine when you’re doing a load of towels. They may need extra rinsing.

We rarely ever go on a vacation.

 

[mangled]

I cut out the pop, too.

Unfortunately, when I quit smoking, I guess I needed a "vice." Diet Pepsi is that vice. I stopped buying the 24 packs and only get a pop when we're out and about.

Once in a while, my husband will pick me one up when he's on his way home from work. Sad thing, but it's a total happy treat when he comes through that door holding a Pepsi.

Em

 

[nccountrygirl]

Quote:
DH and I have been using that energy waster er saver for years.

 

[ZykloniaDark-GothikRanchr]

I am REALLY cheap!! I HATE spending money on things I don't need. I have all my windows open and fans running, and will continue until I can't stand the heat anymore!!! I turn off EVERYTHING, and chase the kids around so they do the same! I have managed to get my power bill down to $75 a month in a 4 bedroom house with 4 people. I work for my cable company doing tech support, so I get my cable for next to nothing, or I wouldn't have anything but internet. I don't really watch tv though, I spend most of my time outside working with my animals. I gather the eggs from my hens, and raise chickens for meat, and will be milking my goats, as soon as the first kids (I think she is holding it in on purpose!!) I try to consolidate my driving as much as possible, and I don't buy meat at the grocery store!! anything else I can do, I do...make my own clothes, jewelry, accessories, build my own computers (cheaper!!!)

I even print my own money...JOKING!!!!

 

[Half-a-dozen]

Quote:
I hear from friends who have done it that you break even in 10-15 years...or was that when your done paying for it....

anyway hear it pays off waaaaaayyyyy.....down the road....

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

We did alot to save as most of you did.

We got chickens and an incubator just in case things got bad...we can always live on chickens

We canceled cable got rabbit ears. (I have lots of LHOTP dvd's to watch so I"m good!

)

We planted our first ever garden this year!

We don't buy clothes from the store anymore...only goodwill/garage sales when we need something.

Buy half a grass fed cow every year from a local farmer (turns out to be MUCH cheaper then store bought meat even tho we didn't think it would)

Make ONLY home made bread now...never buy store bread

Managed to trim 20 extra dollars off grocery bill by not buying junk food anymore

We ALWAYS budget now so this allows us to be more careful at what we do spend

Pay everything online to save on stamps and checks.

Always try to remember to turn off all lights we are not using...this saved us over 10 bucks a month.

Take showers every other day instead of every day...better for your hair anyway

I know there is more we changed but can't think of any more right now

It's to late!

OH YA canceled our home phone and only use our cell phone which is free incoming calls and free nation wide calling

 

[zippychickens]

solar power is great. Basically the monthly payments on the solar unit is about what you'd pay each month for electricity. So your still forking out "x" amount of money each month but in 10 years when it's paid off you have many years of no electricity bills.

 

[DaveMN]

we have changed all outdoor lights including the coop light and many indoor lamps to compact flourescents - not all indoor since when my epilepsy is bothering me the flicker from flourescents can bother me.
Oh and i know they are not cheap, but, contact your power company. our rural electric cooperative encourages the use of CFL bulbs by giving out a coupon each year for two free bulbs from the local hardware store.

reduces the price of the electricity they need to buy which in turn keeps our costs down.

The local farmers market sells 'shares' in the spring where you get a portion of whatever the fresh fruit/vegatable is for the week for really low price through out the summer.

bought 100# ground beef from a friend when they butchered a steer so we are good for the year. better tasting and leaner meat.

House has basic landline and use cells for long distance.

closest grocery store with decent selection without high prices is 50 miles - local store is 16 miles but prices are high. pantry and freezer are filled during trips to big store every couple of weeks. buy in bulk when possible, rice from asian market when in twin cities.

wife showers every day since she works at the hospital but i conserve by not showering as often - telecommute part-time job - but sometimes i can't remember if i showered two days ago or 7 days ago

she lets me know if it has been too long. plus by spending most of my time in lounge pants she does not have to wash as many clothes each week.

clothes line going up when the ground dries out.

have one of those satellite dvd-r things so we record the shows we like and then can speed through commercials, watch a 1 hour show in 40 minutes. can watch all of our shows in 2/3 the time it would otherwise take. All My Children (even a guy needs a vice) can be watched in 15 minutes. who wants to listen to angie whine and cry again anyway?