53. If you live in town, see if your neighbors will split internet access bill with you. Install wireless internet. Thats quite illegal here, and I would imagine in most states.
Futurechickenman, great tip about milk!
PaChickenchick, a relative of ours in a water-restricted area (drought last summer) did this, but used the water to water her plants outside. My DH does the Navy showers sometimes. We have a water bill, but use the well for watering the garden.
We live too far out in the country to walk or ride a bike to any shopping, but Ive started a garden this year and am planning a larger one for next year. Also too far to take advantage of Craigslist or freecycle. We have a large freezer which we keep stocked with sale items and deer meat given to us by relatives. I keep a dry erase board on the front and try to keep it updated so Ill know whats inside.
Also, a tip if you get a good buy on flour and buy a large amount, put it in the freezer, even if only for 24 hours. This will kill any bug eggs that may be in or on it. It often pays to do your own baking. We make a lot of our bread, all of our biscuits and pizzas. I have a recipe for freezer biscuits, so DH takes out a couple every morning, instead of buying the ultra-expensive frozen biscuits at the store. We buy cereal at a discount out-of-date sort of grocery store. I have actually gotten $3.89 per box cereal for 25 cents.
We live on a lake, so we have access to all the free fish we want. Well be doing serious huckleberry and blackberry picking this year. We like mushrooms, but I wouldnt trust myself not to pick a poison one. DH carries his lunch to work.
One thing I can add is repair things that you might not normally repair. I repair clothes, tools, all sorts of things. Next on my list is a wheelbarrow and dog house. Things like bondo, E-6000 glue and Gorilla glue can be very helpful with these things. I make rags out of old towels by serging around them. We reupholster and make covers, etc. DH does a lot of maintenance and repair work on vehicles, power tools, etc.
We have dogs which require regular clipping and grooming. I also clip DHs hair. Weve lowered the satellite package to rock bottom.
For those who use dryer sheets, cut them in half. Of course, clotheslines are cheaper altogether.
Plant watering tip: Products like Agrosoke (water granules) cost $13.00 per pound. Instead, cut up a disposable diaper and place in pots with soil in areas where very frequent watering is required. Remove all of the plastic, of course.
A few good websites:
www.frugalvillage.com,
www.dollarstretcher.com.
Read all three Tightwad Gazette books!
