| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 07:54:27 AM
It's EXTREME living here at the Morehouse Homestead!!!
This week, I am NOT using my dryer, AT ALL and I have cut the grocery budget to $50 this week (down from $60). I have unplugged anything that can be unplugged, including lamps, a monitor, and a few other things. I want to see just how frugal I can get this week. Also, the challenge with the $50 is to buy NO pre-packaged items, relying on fruit as a snack and to buy less packaging on things. I have turned OFF the TV for this week (EXCEPTION IS LOST  ) and trying not to turn on the lights in the house until I have too. I sat on the porch in my hammock last night, with a candle burning, it was so relaxing and nice.
Anyone care to join me???
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| mimilou |
Posted - Mar 11 2009 : 12:37:34 PM
We run our dishwasher but rarely let it "dry" the dishes - we stop it and open the door to air dry them. When I do laundry, I run it in the dryer for a couple minutes to get the wrinkles out and then hang the clothes (jeans, shirts, sweaters) on hangers and hang them upstairs for the extra moisture (our house is dry right now). In the summer I rarely use the dryer. We bought a small toaster oven that I now use to cook the majority of our meals etc. Cuissanart convection - it is wonderful and it is so nice not to heat up the big electric oven $$$. We put flor. bulbs in the majority of our light fixtures and I turn off the computer at night and during the day when we're at work. Not unplugging stuff yet, as it would mess up our TV. We don't have cable - just an antennae which gives us a couple channels - it's FREE!! |
| harmonyfarm |
Posted - Mar 11 2009 : 12:23:52 PM
I used to have a dishwasher, until I realized that it took way more energy and water than to just wash them by hand. I put in a few inches of water in the sink with dish soap. Then as the water gets dirtier, I just add more water. I put a few inches of clean water in the right side of the double sink and rinse as I go and put the drainer on a towel on the counter to let dishes dry there. I only use about two gallons of water to wash dishes. I enjoy looking out the window while I do them and it is such a mindless task that I think about creative things to do when I'm finished. I use my dishwasher to store all my plastic containers in now.
Debbie
"If you can't find the time to do it right...how will you find the time to do it over" |
| Sandra K. Licher |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 10:59:27 AM
This is a great idea! But I may have to EASE myself into it.....thanks Heather!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
| kpaints |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 09:08:31 AM
I sure admire what you farmgirls are doing. My electric bill was $365 last month, I live in an old poorly insulated farm house and my heat source is an electric forced air furnace. This is awful but it could be a lot worse. I put all new insulated windows in several years ago (frost use to form on the inside of the windows!) I have insulated all accessible spaces, attics and basement crawl spaces. The outside walls (lots of wood siding with metal siding) are not insulated and no good way to do this. I live alone and only wash clothes and dishes once a week. I never have more than one light on where ever I am and don't use my dryer in the summer. I almost never use my oven but the idea of keeping things unplugged is something I keep forgetting. I do leave my computer on at night and know I need to stop this. I keep the house at 65 degrees and most people think it is too cold but I just wear a sweater, and use an afghan in the evenings. I don't usually watch much tv either. My electric company is one of the cheapest around. One locally is getting a lot of media attention right now as some of their customers have monthly bills over $600! Something is really wrong there. I think I do pretty good on keeping this bill down but it is just the cost of electricity, like so many things now.
Find your joy and live it. http://cheneybaglady.blogspot.com/http://www.kpaints.etsy.com FG #377 |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 08:44:37 AM
I admit, the dishwasher is my guilty pleasure. I can give up daily bubble baths and even turn the water on and off while I am in the shower, using the water to later on bleach the tub and my whites but dishwasher...never!!! Again, childhood memories I do not care to relive... : )
I would actually like to have one plate, bowl and cup for each person, leaving the extra in the cabinets for when people come. Just wash up after each use and go. I actually use my water bottle all day and then just hot water clean it at night. Charlie has a Kleen Kanteen Sippy, so the same thing. I will hit Scott up with that idea AFTER he gets used to this way of living first. Little at a time... : ) or else he will run away. : O
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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| Sitnalta |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 08:28:55 AM
hehe! Heather--you would be surprised how much money the dishwasher would save you if you avoided it all together. We saved almost $40 in electric just by washing dishes the old fashioned way. I appreciate you sharing your ideas and efforts. It is nice to know that I am not the only one that thinks that $160.00 is too high for electric with a family of 3. Money and times are crazy these days. Every little bit of effort helps. :)Keep up the good works!!
hugs
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
"Certain thoughts are prayers.There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees"--V.Hugo
Stop by my blog for a visit www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 08:24:11 AM
Debbie- when I got a bill one month for over $160, I just about flipped!!! By unplugging everything and barely using the dryer, my bill DROPPED down to $90 in one month. Also, not eating out, except for our weekly dinner, and making my own Sweet Tea and giving Charlie just fruit for snacks not only saved $$$ but made us healthier. Now the kid can eat 3 bananas in a day, but I rather give him that than a pre-packaged supposedly healthy granola bar.
I also try to catch the dishwasher as it goes into drying mode. Seriously, the dishes dry just fine and I swear it is saving on $$$.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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| harmonyfarm |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 08:02:22 AM
We must be on the same wavelength.....I am saving for my son to have four wisdom teeth pulled on June 24th. We have no insurance so saving a little out of my check every two weeks. Then our car insurance went up $75.00 a month because same son got his drivers license...I swear we're getting nickle and dimed to DEATH!!!!
So yesterday, I went around the house to see what I could unplug. People don't realize that things not on are still drawing electricity. Bare bones minimum. We have three rooms that use no electric, one computer, two alarm clocks, and answering machine, fridge, chest freezer, and we still ahve a $120.00 electric bill. THis bill paying stuff is making me crazy!
Debbie
"If you can't find the time to do it right...how will you find the time to do it over" |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 08:00:33 AM
Oh yeah, forgot to add. Last night was leftover night, everyone got a little bit of something and this week, I am going to try and cook ONLY what portion sizes we actually eat. I realized each night I have a little bit of this and a little bit of that leftover and half the time, honestly, it gets thrown out. So I am really measuring things out.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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