**Bumped, 8/23/22 8:30pm ET**
My jaw came near the floor when I opened July’s electricity bill to find a notification of a 28% increase in electricity rates, effective immediately. An increase of 28%…. just like that. This month, August, even higher with less use.
After the initial shock wore off, I started thinking about what this means to the working-class people in my community.
Already struggling with a doubling of gas prices, massive food price increases at the grocery store and the pain of all costs for goods far outpacing any rate of wage increase, this type of uncontrollable increase in price of electricity is going to hit hard.
In the past we have used CTH threads to spotlight the smart thinking and resourcefulness of Treepers from all walks of life. A discussion thread where people can share tips, things that can actually be done, to help offset the financial pressures during severe economic times. I think we may all benefit from starting a series of post like that again.
Let us share our wisdom and experience again. There are many thousand who will benefit, as I have always done, from reading your smart tips and suggestions.
What ideas, tips and suggestions do you have to help people save money on ordinary life and living expenses?
These are painful economic times and the stress that is caused by financial worry is some of the most horrific family stress that people can face. Let us come together with tips as a community to help each other. No suggestion is too small. What advice do you have that can help people save money on monthly expenses?
During one of our previous discussions someone gave a tip about putting a clean dry towel in the clothes dryer as a way of cutting down drying time and energy used. I tried it and jumping ju-ju-bones it worked fantastically. Simply putting a dry towel into the dryer when you add the wet clothes from the washer reduces laundry drying time by around 25%. Not only does that save time, but it also saves money – and it was so simple.
So, what suggestions do you have? Tips about anything and everything that might lower the monthly cost of ordinary life. No tip is too small. No suggestion is too odd. Your advice can/will make a difference.
Please use the comments section to drop your advice.
Thanks again for being part of our fellowship.
Love to all.
You can also use those laundry balls to save on drying time. I got like 4 of them for about $8-$9 about a year ago at Marshalls. The cotton ones are better because they can be washed and “reenergized” after a period of usage.
-Another thing too, if you really need TV, find a way to cut it down to the most basic plan, or cut out your cable all together and find a way to get the channels you love another means. Most people don’t even watch all that these companies have to offer. I don’t think I’ve sat down for a t.v. program in months, possibly even years — considering that there is better entertainment on the net.
Pay your credit card bill off every month to avoid interest fees.
How about don’t have or use a credit card.
Haven’t used credit for 20 years, and not only survived, but thriving.
I agree your idea is much better.
I am a widow and do not like shopping. I use Amazon a lot.
Just ordered the 4 books of the series Outlander I didn’t have.
So, I need a credit card.
We find that we actually have more control of our spending by using our credit card. It is too easy to have cash just sort of “disappear”. Paying it off on time each month – the entire statement balance from the previous month – is essential.
We are not splurging these days. The credit card is buying essentials.
Well. Lulu, I did splurge for those books..I got the first few for 50 cents each so I did well.
I use a credit card for the convenience, but also for the cash-back rewards points. I write in every credit card purchase in my check register, as though I were writing a check, and subtract the amount from the balance in my account. I draw a circle in the column where I’d write the check number, and write which credit card I used (VISA or DISC) before the name of the store or company I just made a charge with.
When my credit card bill comes, I mark off the little circles for each purchase, and I can write a check for credit card bill, knowing the money is already in my account for it. And the rewards points can be cashed in periodically for extra cash, or used to pay off a future credit card bill. Since I’m going to be spending money anyway, I might as well get some of it back.
Also, if you live in Ohio, Giant Eagle grocery stores have a rewards points program where you can either get money off your grocery bill — or, you can save up the points and get money off at their Get Go gas stations. With gas so high, it’s nice to fill up the tank and get anywhere from 10-50 cents/gallon discount.
I like your style.
Thanks, CR! 🙂
I like using the credit card in much the same way. But I urge anyone thinking about doing it to watch their behavior. If having a credit card leads to spending more than you normally would, then don’t use it. The rewards aren’t worth the extra spending.
But if you live on a budget with the credit card just like you would with cash then the rewards are a perk. Plus, using multiple credit cards can help compartmentalize spending (i.e. one for groceries so you can always look at that balance to see what your grocery spending so far is, one for gas, one for random fun so you can make sure you don’t exceed your fun spending, etc.).
Chase has started an on line program that categorizes my purchases. This is very convenient for tracking expenses.
An envelope labeled Credit card….when you get home, that amount you just charged goes in the envelope.
Brilliant idea!!
Think about the business you’re giving these multinationals, VISA & DISC, for example. They’re WEF members and as such are part of the matrix which plans our undoing, literally.
Starve the beast.
Giving out points works as one of their marketing tools to lure in the unsuspecting; just think about the gazillions they’re making off of us.
Catherine Austin Fitts suggests we go more and more to cash, at least while we still can.
I use BJ for gas and meats and clothes. I use Chase for everything else except Sees candy. I use a Visa for Sees splurge for Easter for grandchildren. I like your idea of keeping a checkbook entry.
I get between 2-4% cash rebate on every purchase, so I use inexpensive. And NEVER have a balance. It’s all paid at the end of each billing period. The CC companies hate me.
Am trying to use more cash.
Missy: I have used credit cards for 35 years. Have two on hand: one for use, the other for backup (with an occasional $25 purchase to keep current). Why? In the event I lose the first one (has not happened yet) or my CC info is hacked and I have to wait for a reissue (has happened a couple times, but thankfully, me and my bank caught it very early).
My father taught me a valuable lesson when I was very young: credit card money is free–but only for (at that time) 28 days. After that, “free” becomes very expensive. Solution: never put on the credit card what you KNOW you will not be able to pay in full at the end of the month.
I have NEVER carried a balance on any credit card I have ever had. (My only debt: my mortgage.) Like you, the CC companies hate me–they make no money off of my spending habits, which are well within my means.
Cash is king! Don’t buy from stores who don’t accept cash. You’ll be happier!
I get 1.75% cash back on all purchases and I pay off my card each month.
Amazon…saves me a bunch of gas money.
Bank America credits 2% per purchase. Additionally, no more change sitting in a jar or drawer.
I retired from BoA. One of the first things I fid was cancel all my CC with them.
They are an odious company.
Well said, Missy!!!!
Interesting comment about that change in a bottle just sitting around.
We finally got around to taking that change we had been putting in bottles for quite a while down to the bank and had them count it for us.
It came out to a $743.
We bought another portable air con for the down stairs, and a few other things we had been needing.
It was a nice little financial jab in the arm and all we did was drop the occasional coins from my husband’s pocket change into the pickle jar ( well it was a lot of pickle jars).
We live along the Texas Guld Coast so AC is a premium so stay out of using the oven unless it’s short cook times and have shifted to microwave and crock pot cooking.
To save even more on your electric bill, get an extension cord and run your crockpot outside. I use my propane grill as an oven (upper rack for indirect heat.
That is a really good idea Marc.
I use my crockpot all the time in the summer because I also do not like heating up the house to cook but never though to put it outside.
Great tip.
When I was growing up in the desert in southern Arizona we had no air con and no swamp coolers at first just small fans in each room.
In the summer my mom use to cook in a small detached kitchen to keep from heating up the main house.
That tiny little detached kitchen would really heat up, we called it the little house from hell.
I’m an Arizona desert dweller — and don’t use the oven for anything from about late Feb to late Nov.
And no complaints from either the bird or the dog.
What a great idea! I will be doing this as the crock pot adds so much humidity to my Florida house that command strip holding a decorative only mitten falls off the wall. Lenny, air fryers are GREAT to reduce heat and are fast especially if you do not have a family to cook for.
Marc, I cook outside with a camper 2 burner stove.
I have a little table I use and I’ve even canned tomatoes on the porch.
Especially cooking bacon –I cook several pkg for my bacon grease.
Instspot on the deck in summer! Or we grill a lot!!!!!!!!! Instapot saves a lot ❤️
Living in GA I hate turning our oven on in summer…so, I plan for meals that can be baked in our toaster oven!
Huge air fryer fan here for same reasons!
I live in Central TX, I posted this above, or below, not sure which way the feed is going, but I saw this recently and had bookmarked it for later use. I was quite impressed with the ingenuity:
https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2022/07/homemade-swamp-cooler-with-stuff-you-already-have-video-3776872.html
Swamp coolers work great if the humidity is less than 50%. If it gets higher than that they won’t really cool you off because they can’t evaporate like they need to.
Air fryer is a game changer. Food tastes great, no oil, easy cleanup and takes only minutes. No oven needed!
Church dinners. When I was raising my 5 kids boy oh boy was money tight. So we would visit different church’s potluck/ham and bean dinners or any type of free public food event they would hold. The kids felt like we were “going out to dinner”. We met new people and would give a small donation. Most of these dinners were run by older congregants and it truly blessed them to have people show up.
MOST Senior Centers in town will not age discriminate and frequently have food pantries or pancake breakfasts.
Look for any type of food pantry in your town. These are not income based/food stamps.
Consignments are great stores to both sell your stuff and purchase inexpensive clothes/furniture. They sell it and split the money with you.
Your town or county dump/recycling center usually has an exchange area where you can scoop up all sorts of household items. Notebooks, pens, containers. I even replaced my coffee pot without having to purchase a new coffee maker.
I used to go dumpster diving at the high school dumpsters at the end of every school year with my sister. I got all my school supplies and some very nice clothes that way.
90% of my work and casual attire is from the thrift store…there is no shame is saving money on perfectly good items!
Thrift stores or yard sales. If you live in a place long enough, you know which areas of town typically have better quality yard/garage sales and which just put out their junk to sell.
I live near a small university. When school lets out in the Spring, the spoiled kids throw everything they used in their dorms and apartments on the curb. Sofas, chairs, bedding, mattresses, microwaves, small appliances. The list goes on. You can furnish your home with what these kids discard.
In a big city like New York, you can keep an eye on curbside discards in the nicer neighborhoods. We used to pick up real nice furniture that way for free. Of course you do need a pickup truck or something similar.
My wife became good friends with a lady who for a good while has been collecting surplus food from food pantries, and supermarkets. Together they distribute the food to needy families. Often times, or rather most during most of the collection cycles there is more collected than can in reasonable time be distributed.
The end result is that I get boxes of canned goods including beans, chili, stew, canned fruit…, and bags of pasta, rice, bread, and pastries.
Out of this experience is my recommendation that you seek a similar arrangement with supermarkets/food pantries.
In 2019 we replaced the HVAC system in our daughter’s house and added a digital thermostat that she can set to vary temps while she is gone. Her old system was original to the home (1994). Her electric bill was cut in half. Her system will pay for itself in 8 years with the energy savings.
Have you heard of a damper zoned AC system? Thermostat can be programed or set to cool only the areas in the house you want cooled. Dampers will cut off air flow to areas zoned off in home not being used.
With us mini-splits wouldn’t work. So I replaced both my gas furnace and my old A/C unit with a variable speed heat pump (with heat strips for the times in the winter the heat pump can’t make the house warm enough on its own). That is paying off well.
When I started living by myself, I was used to cooking for two or more, and it is really hard to adjust to cooking for one! I freeze leftovers in the small snack sized bags (one portion fits in them nicely) and then place them in a gallon sized freezer bag. Great for tossing into soups, or reheating for a meal.
I am in my second year of a Tracfone. I pay annually, unlimited phone and text and it breaks down to $17/month, and I rarely use data, but maybe 3 or 4 gig is included. Now, it IS based in Mexico, which might be a drawback and possibly means they give cartels $8.00, or cartels are tracking me, I don’t know. And I have a couple of govt affiliated accounts that won’t text notifications to my number because TF is not “authorized” US phone provider, so I get those notifications by email instead. ATT was charging around $80 a month and giving money to Woke Organizations and Democrats, so I figure it’s worth the risk.
thank you so much for posting this. I am definitely going to look into it. My daughter uses a GABB phone at $20 a month. It’s not a smartphone. Only text (no pics) and calling. I don’t know if I am ready to give up handheld internet so the Tracfone will at least save me money.
I can access the internet from my phone.
and I haven’t figured out how to edit a posted comment, so I’m adding here.
These are just perhaps silly thoughts I’ve had over the years. I see whirligigs spinning around in yards. Isn’t there a way to harness that kinetic energy to charge batteries or provide small amounts of electricity? and if not, why not? Also, why don’t laptops have solar panels to recharge their batteries? I have light-powered calculators that have worked for years (I do realize the electrical demand is very different).
Well, heres something close.
We use a lot of AA and AAA batteries, for flash lights, stick up lights, remote controls, etc.
WERE buying large packs of standard batteries, every few months, not cheap!
Went on line and ordered rechargeable ni-cad batteries, and a charger.
Then, looked at the solar lawn lights, available everywhere. They are a solar charger, and 8 hrs sunlight will fully charge the batteries.
The lawn lights for AA we got, chargers 2 bats, the AAA takes/charges 3.
Just take out the fully charged batteries at sunset, load discharged batteries in the a.m.
I equipped my shed with a solar panel, controller and two 35AH sealed batteries, then wired it up to recharge smaller batteries. I purchased a bunch of AA, AAA and D cell NiMH ones that are rechargeable something like a thousand times. I figured that if I recharged them 75 times, the whole thing has paid for itself in money saved from batteries alone, and we go through a bunch of them. Also part of the prep stuff since we have lanterns, radios, etc that use them.
Look for marine windmills that people attach to their sailboats in order to charge their gen sets. They also sell some flexible solar panels you can put on top of your sailboat cabin and I’m sure they could be adapted for land use easily because it’s all basically the same Tech. That sort of thing is good for keeping a trickle charge on a battery to keep it fresh.
I have used Twigby for my old flip phone for about $16 a month with unlimited talk and text, no data. Works for me!
I use Patriot Mobile which is based in TX, I didn’t use the data much with a flip-phone so I had them turn it off. Now I pay $30 a month instead of $40.
What to do with disappointing fruit or more than you can eat —before it spoils: make jelly / spread.
Recently made a batch with blueberries, chopped strawberries & peaches and cherries (pitted). Yum❣️
-Heat a bit of water and tablespoon of sugar.
-Add fruit
-Add some chopped peeled apple slices for pectin (if you haven’t any pectin / gelatin)
or a teaspoon of dry jello.
-stir occasionally
– Heat till reduced to your desire of thickness and taste. It thickens a bit after cooled.
A 1/2 teaspoon of butter can be stirred in just before finished cooking. Or a couple drops of lemon juice.
Pour into jar and tighten lid. To seal lid, turn jar upside down while mixture is still hot.
Most recipes call for lots
(gasp!) of sugar.
– Do your own thing
Refrifgerate
Can buy fruits like blueberries on sale and freeze.
Anybody here sauté summer lettuces and can them, like in mason jars? Store in freezer?
I use cranberries frozen from winter for my pectin. Makes great jam mixed with other berries and sets up well. I grind them up.
This is a FABULOUS thread! I appreciate everyone’s great ideas – and I haven’t even made it through the first page!
Here are some of my ideas:
The Dollar Store
I have a Dollar Tree nearby where I’m known by name. It’s amazing what you can get there. I buy reading glasses, spices, household cleaners, gift wrap and cards, gardening tools – and much more. Plenty of name brands, too.
Discount apps
I had to buy a very large deck box for pillows, etc. I started at Wayfair and found the size I needed. But I have the Capital One app that popped up and told me I could save $100+ by buying the same exact thing at Home Depot. There are a bunch of these apps: Honey, RetailMeNot, etc.
Clearance events at discount sites
Much as I’d love to live in sweats and t-shirts, I need some nicer stuff for work. I’m a big fan of Zulily for clothes and shoes, I’ve found some great deals at Nordstrom Rack when they have a clearance sale, and I shop on ebay for all sorts of things. (I never pay full retail for anything.)
CHECK EVERYTHING!
My township sent me a sewer bill that’s based on usage from my water bill. Of course the rate went up – a lot. I thought the bill would be lower just by virtue of the fact that my daughter and her husband (real water hogs) moved out a year ago. But it was $200 more than last year. So I started adding up the gallons I used from a year’s worth of water bills. Let’s just say they are getting a call from me tomorrow…
Thanks again for this thread, Sundance!
Dollar Store in unreal! I bought 5 pairs of backup reading glasses for $2 each!
READING GLASSES are a must have!!!
Close the binds and curtains during the day so the sun doesn’t heat the inside of the house. Helps to contain the cool from the night before.
blinds
My mom always hung up heavier, lined winter draperies to hold in the heat during cold winter months as well.
If you are a customer, Florida Power and Light has an energy analyzer (fpl.com) that gives pretty good tips on how to reduce your energy consumption.
This seems pretty obvious but I only started doing it as a way to save money. Buy in bulk. Invest in air tight food containers and get your dry goods in bulk. You can save anywhere from 25% to 50% off name brand items. And you’re not paying for packaging and saving on paper waste.. You can also buy dry dog and cat food in bulk. I replenished all my spices in bulk. It takes more time but well worth the effort.
Whole spices don’t lose flavor and you can grind as needed.
Sheri, I was gonna comment about that. Recently, I noticed this isn’t true. A lot of times in the past few months, I checked the small quantity price to the bulk.
Lots of times the small X (?)however many was the best bargain.
It may have to do with packaging, supply now, or they think we aren’t paying attention.
I’m a frugal shopper so it didn’t go unnoticed.
So, that was true for decades; I’m finding different now.
Don’t fear!…. Focus!
Strengthen your prayer life, fellowship, and Word walk!
Network!
Strengthen your trusted relationships in case you need help, advice or bartering!
Dump your extra cash for bullion! (use cash transactions)!
Pay off your debt first!
Live loud! Darkness flees our resistance!
Great tips mcullaby.
Do not feel poor and intimidated and live in fear.
Like you say Live Loud and Live Positive and with great strength.
Build friendships and fellowships and annoy the enemy with a great attitude of looking forward to life and happiness instead of a life of hunkering down in fear of what the future will bring.
The enemy really wants to break our Spirits and cause us to give up in great despair.
We have many great Treepers here to share not only practical advice on how to get by daily but to let us know we are not alone in fighting the horrible evil people who are trying to destroy our country.
We need to remember that there really are more of us than there are of them, it is hard to do but it is the Truth.
God Bless America.
I’m embarrassed to share my tip but you all wont hold it against me.
Use baby wipes instead of TP.
Drop them into a container of detergent and bleach. Rise them out every other day ,lay them flat on tub or tank. Use them wet or dry.
Pampers come through so soft and white.
TP is only for what Rush called “ those pesky visits”.
Also save the T P for bartering.
Remember Venezuela?
Sure beats the old corn cob method! Just teasing that’s actually a good tip.
“Rough as a cob…” Grandpa
Keep curtains & blinds closed on windows (insulating effect).
Fill up for gas early in the morning when it’s coolest. The gasoline will be more dense, yielding more energy = better mileage per gallon.
Remove all excess weight from your vehicles (e.g., junk in your trunk).
Keep tire pressures up to the proper levels (as indicated on the sticker on the driver’s door frame).
Make sure HVAC registers (source and return) are not blocked. If deflectors can be added, install them on source registers to direct the cool air upwards for (so that the air is cooler at torso height).
Close registers in and doors to areas that people are not normally using.
Replace HVAC filters.
Avoid using heated dryers for drying clothes. Hang clothes to dry and/or use dryers with heat off.
Install (and use) ceiling fans and/or box fans to help circulate air, alone and when using the AC.
Also, don’t forget you can flip the ceiling fan direction switch during winter and circulate warm air above to help increase room tempature.
One way we save is our method of banking. We have one checking account and each of us has a credit card based on that account with unique id numbers. This is a cash back card paying 1.5% on all purchases. so for every thousand dollars we get $15 credit on next bill. We can check the balances in real time and be able to transfer funds when/if needed.
Every month we get three bills in the mailbox: credit card due in 30 days; phone bill (land line varies but internet always $39.95); electric bill (around $80). The bank has a bill pay feature and we have listed those three bills. So when the bill comes in we type in the amount and hit “pay.” The bank also has zelle where cash can be sent instantly.
The only bills we are not allowed to pay by credit card are taxes (State, Federal and property). When somebody in Israel tried to charge a few cents on one of our cards, the bank called to ask if we were in Israel (not) they then cancelled that card and sent another. I always know who is spending what, how much for groceries, fuel, feed, and have 30 to 60 day float.
really big savings came when our church began with the woke shit. 10% of our income no longer goes to that monstrous institution. also used to give big bucks to GOP, but no longer. not one red cent. used to give money to Judicial Watch until I figured Tom is spinning his wheels. no longer give to the Salvation Army either. Actually I have become adverse to any “charity”
Join another church and resume tithing. God’s math is always better than your math and my math.
God blesses the tither. I can tell you that He has been faithful to me and helped me out of many a tight spot. I have been faithful with His 10% and He has blessed me in more ways than I can count. I’m a hard worker and a good earner, but self employed so I need His help often. He looks out for His own.
As for “Church”: The assembly of God fearing Believers to worship and learn is church. If the church you attended was not Bible based and Christ centered head for the exits and don’t look back. There are lots of scam organizations pretending to be Godly. There are also some fine Bible churches whos leadership is Godly and honorable. You have to practice discernment.
I am the same re: the Methodist Church. They are all compromised, VaticanII gutted doctrine, all are 501c3 corporations. The UMC is perfectly happy to keep a marxist bishop in place in Va. and I refuse to support it. My parents & their generation (in their 80s now) worked like dogs to keep their church & parsonage going, I’m talking physical labor; they decided to sell the parsonage & who gets the money? The CORPORATION. Jesus said love your NEIGHBOR. I give money to local fire dept, rescue, a house for abused women. Give stuff to local thrift shops. I send a very small amount to Toys for Tots. Looking for a local food bank to support. I have sent very small sums to independent people on youtube or blog sites who are trying to get the truth out. I stopped giving to JWatch too, plenty of info comes out, but no one goes to prison. I got AT&T and the garbage on satellite tv out of my house finally this year, to the tune of saving nearly $2,000. We need a dehumidifier, run it part time, we can keep the AC on 73-75 instead of 70 now, it helps. I keep blinds closed and have lined curtains on bigger windows. My new washing machine is smaller to save water, just have to wash more loads (bright idea guys🙄). Wash as much as I can in a load, most is good in cold water except towels. I hang up more clothes to dry. We have bought 3 new vehicles over 28 years, drove one for 15 yrs, the other 2 10-12, the odd repair costs less than a car pmt. We don’t need a rolling status symbol :). I was raised in the country, limited funds, we were taught what was really important, I know how to do things the “old-fashioned” way & don’t mind doing it when I have to. I learned how to sacrifice, prepare & survive. My parents taught us to take care of our things, helps in the long run. Thankful for that!
Same here; in fact the money I donated to the big box charities I now send to my local emergency squad, or PBA. I also now donate to the local street people, but not before I find out who they are, and what their life story is through conversation. So gratifying!
^^^ This ^^^
I also carry grocery store gift cards in my wallet.
The Church of the Nazarene has very good controls in place and transparency so we never doubt that the tithe is used for God’s kingdom.
I’ve become distrustful of most too. I donate twice a year to Nashville Mission and stopped VA donations. altogether.
If this nasty administration can give lifestyles to the damn illegals, it can give to those they lied to.
I do give at home–the tornado and flood in Ky..I live here so I give here.
Oh, Our Daily Bread.
Turn off the car a/c long before you arrive at your destination. Watched my mom do that. Now I understand why.
I dont watch much TV anymore but when I do I use the Kodi platform https://kodi.tv/
I installed the platform onto a spare laptop and connected it to my TV via HDMI cable. (you can install on any device)
Once the platform is installed onto your device, you can then install Third Party Addons onto the Kodi platform and watch virtually anything you want, when you want, with no woke interruptions unless you are using one of the Live TV third party addons in which case you may see the far left advertising as you would if you were watching cable. Watch all the old shows you used to love too back when America was still great. Movies, TV shows, Documentaries, etc…from the 1930’s to the present. If its on the internet the Third Party Addons programs will find them.
Once you install Kodi, I recommend installing the best and most reliable Third Party Addons from the following site. VPN on your device for privacy is recommended.
WirelessSHack: https://www.wirelesshack.org/top-best-working-kodi-video-add-ons.html
Here you can read about everything and anything related to the Third Party Addons for the Kodi platform complete with all info about the addons and how to install them.
Takes some getting used too. Especially for those who are less tech savy and not used to occasional trouble shooting.
Price is $0.00
Lots more info I can share here but before I go any further with tips and tricks you should get familiar with the steps above first. Feel free to send me a message if you need help with anything. Been using it for over 12 years now.
don’t have tv or cell phone but thanks, Mass Psych
Thats fine too. You just need a device and a reliable internet connection. If you have a computer, you can install and watch on your monitor.
But, the price of VPN was $75 a year,,is it now??
We open windows at night and close them when the sun comes up. I open the attached double garage door and the inside door each early mornin until I can feel cool air inside. Then close.
Ceiling fans. Area fans. A/C on 77 all the time and on auo fan setting. Closed miniblinds on sunny side of house all day.
Access into your house through a garage at any hour for any length of time is unsafe. As well, if you have a theft of tools (drug currency) from the garage your Insurance company “may” not have to pay if you didn’t keep your part of the policy; which in writing expects you to do what is reasonable to prevent thefts and fires and losses. You’re not saving enough on cooling to justify the risk. More people have nothing left to lose. They’re looking for an opportunity. Don’t be it.
I wanted the dust to settle before I dropped this bomb
I got notice of an 80 % rent increase !
so if you were paying $100/month rent it is now $180??? How will you cope? did your salary go up 80%?
$1000 / month to $1800 / month !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m 73 – lived in same apt 20 years – new owners – absolutely no place to move to – – this is just another indication of the total decline of our nation
Maybe go month to month instead of renewing for a full year, then actually purchase something small that you can afford, once the housing market truly crashes?
They want $200 / month MORE to go mo / mo !
I live in 425 sq ft now !
For us renting house is cheaper. Many houses here have grandfather cottage attached or in backyard. Our landlord describes how the government pressures him to raise rent to current market rates. We pray for his health.
Meanwhile call your local Area Agency on Aging for resources. I have found that there often are hidden resources that aren’t advertised. We had to actually testify against what our power company was doing to learn that they have senior deals that customer service representatives continually denied us but suddenly after testifying on live TV and causing a storm of respondents just like us – they shut us up with a decent deal. What you are experiencing is a Nationwide crime against seniors. Find your local activists. Ignore their other politics and accept help if available.
been there done that – on a seniors waiting list 8 years – still saying 1 or 2 more years
NO OTHER senior help available !
But if I was an illegal invader I could get housing almost instantly !
GEE, aren’t the BENEFITS OF BEING AN AMERICAN CITIZEN GREAT ??????
You could be me/us. All I know is that being loud sometimes helps. We got loud about the electric. We got relief. Getting loud about not being able to afford insulin did nothing for us in that time period and so many well wishers really believed that the pharma companies would help but if you actually read the fine print – not citizens. That was when hubby finally broke down and went to VA – something that he had made me promise since before our marriage vows that I would NEVER take him there should he fail before me. VA bills your private insurance and Medicare just like any outside provider but they charged copays which outside providers don’t do with our insurance. So life was still unaffordable and we ended up complaining to our Congress critter ( now ousted in shame over another issue.) The Congress Critter could do nothing but something happens behind the scenes and the VA stopped the copay requirements and gave hubby a medical scooter that we hadn’t even asked for. Timing of scandal at Phoenix VA was fortunate for us in this case. Hubby didn’t need the scooter as bad as the double amputee who had been waiting a decade but he needs it -all the time. ( Wheelchair was hard on me.) Something about low helicopter drops that are no longer done. Writing about this experience in places like this here forum provided by Sundance I received information from others that the VA double billing and extra co-pays was being litigated in other states. Just to say that we don’t know what else is happening but your local power people might be saying that they don’t hear anyone complaining.
Make them hear you!
My husband says that his people keep their head down and stay quiet but he is so proud about testifying to our corporation commission about what the electric company was doing to so many people that he shares about the experience to this day. We didn’t have TV then but we know that we were on it because after we spoke the floodgates opened – testimony is usually only 4 hours but I believe it was extended to 4 full days. We were shy. We were in a room with TV cameras and all industry insiders. But we got up and told how we were affected, how our entire street had their electric shut off, how other utilities got shut off because people were trying to get their electric on . . .
Let us know how it goes!
Damn..my mortgage in a 2100 sf house with 2 car garage is $390…damn!!
I’ll pray that something comes soon to relieve you and correct that awful mess.
Usually, when this happens, isn’t it because the new owner wants you gone?
Something up his sleeve??
I know how you feel though; most don’t. I saved in envelopes for the annual bills. When I got my Progressive homeowners, it was the month before it was due. I had 11 months saved and the premium went from 1400 to 3250…..I sat at the kitchen bar and cried.
I got on the phone and with Erie ins comp, I got same coverage for 1300 a year.
If you have space, maybe an employed roommate could ease the crisis. That would allow you your routine in the day. If you personally don’t know someone, contact a church or contact a property management business. I had a church ask me to take in a Mexican couple for a month. He was employed, I had some work for her. It was just great. I asked them to stay longer! They understood how to live with people and how to be useful. Property managers charge a fee; negotiate a flat fee. In exchange they will do the background check, credit check, verify referrals, etc. and match you safely. Worth the fee. Major disruption in your life but consider the warnings of what’s coming and perhaps God will send you someone(s) who has a need to fill your need. Just ask Him. If you must move do it quickly, get enough space to rent some out. It’s a shock but decide fast. Everything is gone by Labor Day.
He said he’s in 425 sq ft. so, no extra space there.
This is not a joke !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe you its countrywide. Look into government assistance it isn`t meant for only the scammers.
Did the property owner not like the MAGA sign on the front lawn?
Yikes!!!
If any one doubts this, here is a link to the only local paper for EAGLE County, Colorado – just check out rentals – residential
https://www.vaildaily.com/
https://classifieds.cmnm.org/marketplace/cmnm/category/rentals/residential-roommate-rentals
Do you have to stay in this area LEW?
The Aspen and Snowmass area is some of the most expensive real estate in Colorado.
If you did not have to stay there for family reasons or some other reason there are areas that are much cheaper.
You might be able to find senior housing quicker in a different area if you are able to move from the ski area’s.
Eagle County has Vail – actually somewhat less expensive than Pitkin County – almost no where in Western Colorado to move to – with costs of moving and very little , if any, less rent – also at 73 the whole issue of Dr. and other medical are issues – I am in REALLY good health, the whole decline in trust of the medical profession is a concern – also, if I can end up in the senior housing here, it will be around $800 / month !
You need to move to a place where the rents are not so high. They are out there. After I sold my condo, I was totally priced out of THREE areas I preferred. Real estate in my neck of the woods is ridiculous. You can rent lower end places, but, landlords are only accepting tenants whose income is THREE times the rent. So, my friend, a disabled vet, has twice what my SS is, but, nobody will rent to her near the Vets Hospital. She was looking at a 600-700 sf for 1500 to 2000/month. You have been on the senior housing list so long that it is not a viable option. You might be able to get into senior housing elsewhere. Check out remote places. I assume you have a car and can still drive.
And count your Blessings.
Fill up your car when it is 3/4 full.
I do that. I have a $20-25 rule for myself. It’s probably silly but it works for me.
Some supermarket vegetables and herbs can be regrown at home. Celery, carrots, garlic and basil are just a few. They can also be grown in containers.
If you do a search you can learn which plants you can regrow, how to start the regrowing process and then how plant them. It’s easy.
I’ve done it accidentally in my compost bin. I’ve had celery take root and so I replanted it and was able to harvest it.
It’s true , I recently cut the bottom off store bought Napa cabbage put it into a bowl with water; new growth for nibbling in 4 days . Celery, lettuce also sprouted new growth . You can plant a sprouted garlic.
Many great “how to do “
Videos online.
I’m working on growing some eyes on red potatoes so I can plant another pot’s worth before winter.
Before this year when I tried potatoes for the first time (one crop now under my belt), redskins in my hanging basket would sprout eyes all the time and I would have to cut them off to eat the potatoes. Now they’re slow, even though I put them in a paper bag to encourage them. Ain’t it always the way! 🙄
Just remembered something…
You can freeze lemons .. I was tired one night, so lemons soaking (for cleaning) were left in pitcher – they really ended swollen. Stick them in freezer bag and get what you need when you want .. zest, juice..
Avocadoes will stay fresh longer if kept in container with water in fridge. Seems to be working w/mangoes as well.
You can freeze avocadoes too! Put them whole in a freezer bag. They come out just like fresh!
I so love them, but, when they are reasonably priced, I can still only eat two before they spoil..
Here’s my routine with avocados.
I buy them completely green, put them in a counter basket, and put them into the refrigerator after exactly 5 days (I even set a calendar reminder to be sure).
Since I’ve been doing this, they are on the peak of ripeness when opening, and they keep for quite a few extra days in the frig at the same ripe state.
Next time I will try putting a couple into the freezer instead of the frig at the same moment, based on what Froogie says below. My only question would be how long to defrost them on the counter afterwards…
Make your own beer/wine. Use kits to start. Have fun. Save $$$.
Im a momma of 6❤️ One clothing tip I’ve used for years is the joy of second hand clothing stores! My mother was horrified to find out that nearly ALL my kids clothes are second hand, third hand….. I go yo Once Upon a Child twice a year and buy all my kids clothes for spring/summer and then fall/winter. Because I spend enough I get points that earn me 20% off the already cheaper price. Most of their clothes are VERY gently used and no one even knows they wear used stuff! We also have a clothes sharing blessing church where moms who are getting rid of clothes from their kids who’ve outgrown them pass them along to moms with younger kids! Bags of clothes!!!!!! Then when I’m done I pass the blessing along to the next mom❤️ I get thousands of dollars worth of nice clothes for a fraction of the cost and so many are blessed! One time I gave all my girl clothes to several ladies only yo find out I was pregnant with our baby girl a year later or so. I didn’t get everything back but so many pitched in because I had blessed them!!!!!!! I got more back I think, just different things.
Grandma Cookies went from $1.09 to $149 today. That is ridiculous. They can keep them. It is time to stop bujying stuff when it jumps like that.
I started baking my own. Taste a lot better and always have all the basic ingredients on hand. We make our own bread too.
I can only hope you forgot to type a decimal and meant $1.49, not $149.
Because otherwise – the Weimar Republic level of hyperinflation has arrived! 😳😆
If possible, changing very old refrigerators or appliances for new ones can reduce electric bills by 1/2. Specifically refrigerators.
Retired Magistrate here: Uh, no. I have two refrigerators: one a 22 year old Kenmore and a Frigid Air that is at least 40 years old. They both run great, keep things cold and are easy to repair if they need it. People I know that have gotten rid of their old refrigerators and purchased new ones and not happy with their decision. Repairs are expensive, the quality is not good and the refrigerators and other appliances have a life span of 5-7 years.
So I will keep my old refrigerators. I did sign up for our township’s aggregate electric plan which will save me about 40% over what I am currently paying. Just found out about the plan. You might want to check with your county, district or township to see if they have an aggregate plan for electric and/or natural gas.
Yep. I have a freezer that’s more than half a century old. The newer appliances, especially refrigerators and freezers that are supposed to be energy efficient don’t work well in my area – they need more juice than the wiring in these homes will deliver so they never work right. Suspect the amount and quality of electricity causes short lifespan on appliances.
Never heard of aggregate plan – will look.
Take advantage of Energy Star programs offered by the utility company. There are free lightbulbs. Energy audits that help you button down your home. We did it years ago when we built our house and paid less for electricity and gas than our previous house that was 500 sf smaller. You pay for these services in your utility bill anyway. Also we got rid of a working freezer a few months ago through the program and got 75 bucks. They come and get it out of your house.
why would you get rid of a freezer??
My husband hunts to offset meat costs. He gets usually 3 deer a year and he and I process it ourselves. We also have meat rabbits🤪. I know, odd but we got them for free from an elderly man who was too tired to keep up. So now our kids are taking care of their dinner🤪. Also we have a huge garden and are building a chicken coop. Probably won’t save money on that but see it as a way to be more self sustainable in case grocery stores run out of eggs. We can store feed in the barn.
My mom would never eat rabbit. I don’t think she would even if she had been starving. Her family had rabbits during the depression and as a child she would make pets out of them, only to have her dad kill them for dinner. Broke her heart!
I did great with chickens till I tried to keep a flock in the coop all the time. With previous flocks I always had to have someone to secure them against predators at night if I wasn’t there. I’m always trying to think up coop designs that have modules you can move around and re-attach so you can give them fresh ground while keeping them secure also cause the wild birds around here have been having lots of diseases and I knew of some bird holocausts not far from me that was never reported with people who have acreage and large free range flocks.
Put “chicken tractor” in the YouTube search bar and you’ll be amazed at how many ways there are to keep chickens cooped and free ranged simultaneously.
I have watched my grandmother, born in the country in 1893, skin squirrels to cook for supper. Her father hunted & they ate what they could get.
We live pretty much by Dave Ramsey principles as much as possible. We save up to buy a car or whatever we need and pay cash. No monthly payments. We only buy a car we can afford then have a system set up for our bank account where each month we automatically put a specific amount of money in each sinking fund. So much goes toward car savings, kids schooling, housing repair, etc…. It’s not always perfect but it helps us plan better for future purchases. I also keep an excel fold for our budget. I generally keep track of every dime we spend to know where are money is going. Sometimes we have to go over in a category but it helps to be more aware of what I’m doing with my cash. My husband is the excel king❤️ Engineer!
We were behind the 8-ball when we married in 1994, I was broke & my husband was entangled with an ex-wife & the IRS, on the verge of bankruptcy at one point. Thought I was fighting a losing battle because he had no head for money or priorities. But I sacrificed, lived out of dollar stores & Walmart, he had good job though & we put highest amount we could in 401k, that was our whole savings for awhile. We made due with what he brought home. Paid off a car early, even paid our house off a couple years early, we refinanced once. Really started saving when house was paid off, our last 2 cars we paid cash for, we are adamant about staying out of debt. We were blessed with a little common sense & the stubborness to do what we HAD to do to survive.
Great principals to live by.
Get out of debt and stop paying interest.
Learn the difference between wants and needs.
Buy used with cash and save the difference if possible.
Unplug your freezer. Put things in canning jars. It costs a little to can BUT you pay for it once. The things in your freezer you pay for every month. Were they really a good buy; even at sale prices, 4 months later?
Yes, they were a great buy==ground beef at $3.30 a lb…vac sealed and frozen for me.
Use financier.io to run your budget. Free without synching. It works making your checking account have “envelopes”. It’s like a free version of You Need A Budget software.
Check your town mill rate. If you live in high one and it’s possible, move to town with lower one.
Your saving in taxes will pay for the move.
I know peope dont like Mark Cuban, but he has started a discount pharmacy
Mark Cuban Discounted Pharmacy Offers Imatinib at a Fraction of the Cost
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/977398?src=mkm_ret_220724_mscpmrk_CRC_monthly&uac=73441PY&impID=4457496
The online pharmacy, known as the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC), began operating in January. It is selling more than 100 generic prescription drugs at the cost of ingredients and manufacturing plus 15% margin, $3 pharmacy dispensing fee, and $5 shipping fee.
https://costplusdrugs.com/mission/
A list of some comparative prices:
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/pharmacy/50-medications-on-mark-cuban-s-online-pharmacy-with-the-biggest-price-differences.html
Sonn
Soon, we’ll make medications ourselves.American drug manufacturing capacity is in shortage after the trend of many pharmaceutical facilities moving offshore. We’re building a state of the art pharmaceutical facility in Dallas, Texas where we’ll produce our own high-quality medicines at the lowest possible prices.
Garage sales, estate sales and rummage sales are all great places to buy many things.
I always go through the free boxes at those sale and so far this summer I’ve gotten not only things I can use and clothes I can wear, but I’ve gotten food — free food that was not expired, but the people had purchased more than one package or can, decided they didn’t like it, and put the other cans/boxes in the free pile.
Heck, I used to do the same thing, but now-a-days I’m keeping everything, realizing that someone else may come along and love that big ol’ can of pink salmon I gawked at.
Teaching oneself sufficiency skills is something I started in the 1960’s, first with chemistry and electronics, then branching out from there into practical skills.
It’s allowed me to live well beyond my apparent means using an old adage my father taught me, that it’s not so much what one makes rather what one does with it. Having the practical skills of the village blacksmith has paid off in spades both in running my own business and living life in general.
Now, in the twilight years, I barter those skills for what I need in the alternative economy and fix all my own stuff, from buildings to equipment to vehicles to everyday bric-a-brac.
Secondarily, analyzing and seeking out low cost of living MAGA areas helped enormously in the pursuit of economical living. Combining that with the ability to live off the land if things go sideways without leaving home brings a air of peace and contentment in the waning years of life.
Been there, done that, all the exploration and hobbies and pursuits. Now it’s time to live small and enjoy the small things in life. With some many loved ones dying, lastly I offer a small prayer each day for the gift of life. Nothing grandiose; just a small thanks.
Dropped PO box. $150 per year. Installed road side box. Dropped local paper. $70 per year. Purchased router and returned rental to internet provider. $192 per year. Reduced internet TV package. $384 per year. Switched to ethanol free gas. Increased power and mileage by 3.5 mpg. Saved about $2 per tank but should reduce repair bills. Burning more wood. Started garden.
Bill pay through your bank may be wonderful for you but it is terrible for any small business you pay. We often have to wait two to four WEEKS to receive a payment made this way. The money is out of your account, you think it has been paid, but the bank pays it much later, it is postmarked a day or two after the date on the check, and then it is delivered days later to us. We usually call clients three or four weeks after the date of the emailed invoice and it usually three or four calls before they finally call back because they know they paid the bill; when they call their bank they are shocked to find the check has just been processed. We know this is the problem because twice the checks never arrived and the hassle had to go through to cancel the original, order a replacement, and have the bank expedite it made them rethink this convenience.
There is only one reason the banks provide this “service” and it isn’t to save you time and the cost of an envelope and postage.
That practice was made illegal many years ago, it was called “The float’ on your money.
The bank keeps your money, and borrows it for overnight uses, like repos, etc, without paying ANY MONEY TO YOU for the use of your money. It’s a grift.
Contact your bank and state banking regulator, and change banks if you can. It’s a complete rip off.
No, no, no, you have misunderstood what I said (or tried to say). This has happened several times to us when clients have promptly paid our invoice and we call two or three weeks later about our unpaid bill. They don’t immediately respond to our calls because they know they paid the bill; they sometimes check their account and sure enough the money was out of their account almost immediately.
The first time this happened we all assumed the check was lost in the mail but that was not the case. The client ultimately found out from someone at the bank the check was not issued when it should have been and then it was not mailed promptly. The bank had no answer for the problem, our client was unhappy about it, and we were scrambling to pay our bills.
You are correct that banks can’t float our money like they used to but we have experienced the situation I described too many times to deny it happens. All the excuses given (client scheduled payment date, client didn’t send payment request to the bank when they claimed they did, insufficient funds for the payment, etc.) fall apart when you keep pushing for an explanation. That’s when there must be a glitch in the system or a backlog of payment requests etc.
I’ll say it again: don’t pay small businesses with these bank payment checks. We need prompt payments. Save these other payments methods for regular, scheduled corporate payments if you have to save the postage cost.
Missy is correct. It is illegal. I use a credit union and their bill pay extensively. I never have a problem. If I ever do, I will find another credit union. The bank is lying/falsifying legal records when they tell you they have paid the bill. They have not paid it until it is in the vendor’s hands. Cal, figure out if these customers are using the same bank. All banks are not doing this, yet.
So you are saying that the banks are essentially floating the checks. Very sneaky
This works only if you live in the southern half of the U.S., own your home, plan to live there at least 10 years, and have either a metal roof or you just put on a 25-year shingle roof.
I put a large solar array onto my house last year, replaced my 2 nat gas appliances with high efficiency electric ones, and studied the data for a year (it produced 58% of all the power I needed last year, with the rest pulled from the grid). So I’m implementing Phase II by upgrading the system (more panels, more batteries, and a 2nd inverter). I’m also just bought an EV to replace my wife’s old ICE car I was about to replace anyway. I used the increased equity from sky high housing prices to get a HELOC to pay for most of it (plus our monthly car allowance from our budget to help pay the car payments). It produces 90% of all the power we need (including charging the EV to drive it ~200 miles/week).
The energy portion of my budget feels like it’s 2019. What I pay for the HELOC + small power bill is a hair over what I was paying in 2019 (the last normal year of Trump before the china virus) for power + nat gas + gasoline at the pump each month. What my old monthly car savings allowance doesn’t pay in my car payment I pull from the HELOC each month. The car payment will be over in 4 years. The HELOC will be paid off on about the 10th year. At that point I’ll still have 9 years left in the warranty for my home solar batteries (guaranteed to still be operating at 50% on the last year of the 19-year warranty) and 15 years left on my panels’ 25-year/70% warranty. All while my budget won’t experience the Brandon effect (at least not the energy portion of my budget).
But do this only if you do your homework on your power consumption habits, the avg daily peak solar hours in your area each month (I get 5 daily peak hours in July, 3.5 in January), have a place on your roof or your land out of the shade and can face toward the equator, and live in the southern half of the U.S. were we get lots of sun and where most of our power consumption is running the A/C, which is more during the day (sunlight) and especially during the hottest time of the year (even more sunlight).
It’s not perfect. I’m not off-grid. Nor am I saving the world from cow fart warmageddon or any of that hogwash. But it gives me a hedge against the Dims’ energy control-freak ways and their desire to make energy too expensive to use.
Hold a clothing swap at your workplace or church. Everyone brings in what they no longer want/can’t wear and then on a pre-planned date everyone can go “shopping” for things they need — for free.
You can do that with household items, too.
In most suburban neighborhoods there are a lot of fruit trees that the fruits are never harvested from. Go out for walks and make note of theses, maybe even mark them on a map and note the seasons they bear fruit. If on private land ask permission to collect some, bring a bucket.
Currently apple’s are coming into season here. I collect 3 or 4 buckets full, I use a peeler, drop the pieces in pineapple juice, sprinkle with cinnamon and dry them between 2 clean window screens. I then zipper bag them and thay last all year, for snacks, baking or as toppings.
I call this cataloging my area of operations or my AO. I also identify other useful plants, various resources like metal, bricks, wells or well heads, springs or water sources basically anything that might have some value in the future. If these things are on private land I will try to build up a friend ship with the owner. This also helps to identify like minded folks who may be interested in bartering or be part of your “tribe” so to speak as things devolve.
You will be pleasantly shocked at how many valuable resources are just laying around out there if you just take the time to look. I earn a second income picking up stuff like this, turn it into artwork and sell it in gallery’s or make it into tools that I use or sell.
I heartily endorse urban foraging!
I know where ai can find black series and English walnuts.
If you use market points to buy you gas at discount, find out the max gallons you can get (our max is 40 gallons). If your tank only holds 12 gallons get some fuel cans so you can get more gas at the discount price and use that while your points build back up.
My favorite fuel cans are the “Racing” cans with a clear hose on top and a vent cap that can be opened once you start pouring. They empty very fast. This also gives you a reserve supply in case you need to run from a hurricane or what not.
Also if the Jimmy Carter days of long lines returns, I remember that it was quicker to walk up with a can and fill up between cars going and coming.
I am retired and have a bit more flexibility with my time. Colorado temps (depending on whether you live in or near the mountains) are usually lower at night and in the mornings, so I have learned to do all of my outdoor and indoor tasks early in the morning when it’s cooler. For the indoor tasks such as cleaning house, doing dishes – anything that requires me to expend physical energy – I open windows to take advantage of the cooler morning breezes.
Also, I pressure-cook quite a bit using a Ninja Foodie – less cook time and far less heat. These are small changes that can make a big difference on the electric and gas bills.
Hang your clothes to dry.
Freeze any fruits or veggies that look like they’re going bad, and use them later on in a healthy smoothie.
Sweep your carpets and rugs (harder to do when you have pets)
Use solar powdered lights and fans.
Practice the art of learning to live without electricity. Read books. Go for a walk. Play games. Write letters. Visit neighbors. Make crafts for gifts. Play an instrument. Do nothing that requires an electric outlet. If you do this regularly it will help you be better prepared for when using electricity is no longer an option.
Drink more water. Being dehydrated can trick us into thinking we are hungry, which causes us to eat more food than we need to — and most of us can handle not eating as much as we do.
Throw little away. Cut up stained or holey t-shirts for rags. Use old news papers to hold off weeds. Old nylons work great as strong, stretchy cording/rope. Crushed egg shells in soil add nutrients to houseplants. Save the water from cooking vegetables, whether you cooked the veggie in the water or steamed them, and make veggie ice cubes that can be used in-place of water in dishes later on. See if there is something you can do with “it” before throwing anything away.
Help at a food shelf. Once all the incoming food is processed and put on shelves there is a lot of food left-over that has to be used or thrown out that day. A lot of that food is given to people with hogs or chickens — just to ensure it is not totally wasted. You never know what food item they may have an abundance of, but you could end up with 6 bunches of bananas (for dehydrating/making banana bread that can be frozen/remove peel and freeze to use later in a smoothie), or a box of green peppers (make jelly/freeze and use later for smoothies or chili, etc.), or a case of individual yogurts. Helping at a food shelf also helps you with food.
Use less soap. Use less of every kind of soap. Use no soap if possible. If you’re just washing your counter-top to remove bread crumbs don’t use soap. Stretch shampoos, conditioners, dish soap, etc., by adding water and using as you did before.
Give homemade gifts or a hand written letter of praise to friends and family for special occasions.
Use it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without.
This little sign hung in my folks kitchen all my growing up years…
I like that sign, and think I’ll make one to keep in our kitchen!
I have been trying to think of that saying for months “jmeryl”.
My Grandma use to chant it all the time to the irritation of us grand kids.
Now I can really appreciate her wisdom.
Well PG&E has already raised our rates by 22% … and 22% MORE is scheduled for the coming year. D’ya remember when the PUC actually PROTECTED the consumer from predatory Public Utilities? Now they simply approve every cost increase to PUNISH the energy consumer into conservation … and to fund “green” boondoggles.
A solar oven is a must. You can easily make your own out of a cardboard box and either tinfoil or foil covered insulation. I did it and it works.
Put your router on a timer to go off at night. Identify all electrical moochers and turn them off when not in use.
We’re hearing of break-in’s of parked cars on the street and in driveways at night. Glass smashing, grab and go. In very, very nice neighborhoods. Because people leave very nice sunglasses in the car and often the cars are not even locked. Security cameras alert owners but the confrontation isn’t worth the $200. sunglasses. The broken window cost the deductible
Remember, your car is never UN-locked except when you open and close the door. It is always locked.
Did you know the two places where cars are stolen or broken into, most?
One- in the owners driveway. Few want to believe their driveway is unsafe.
Two – in supermarket parking lots. People running in just for a minute…
Your garage door is always closed. If your garage is attached then it’s your front door.
If you don’t park in your garage get some big sturdy Irwin “C” clamps, ($9. +/- each) secure one in each track of each door so the door can’t be raised, popped, hacked or pryed open. Stop thinking of it as a garage, treat it like a tool shed.
The PG&E (power company) man watched looters during a wildfire and told me about the “C” clamps. Looters rented UHauls, drove to burning neighborhoods and as people drove away in the evacuations, Looters backed up and looted garages first. People pack clothes, pets and computers not tools. If there are riots I expect the same mentality; turning other peoples things into their cash.
Also, keep nothing in your vehicle, leave the glove box open when in public parking lots or streets.
They look in and then break in. Just for sunglasses and to open the glove box. Contents of your car is usually covered only at $100.
Homeowners policies cover your things left in your car. Be careful when traveling, add up the value of suitcases, coats, spare shoes, sport gear. Photograph before you leave or park.
Storage containers plus. The bakery at my grocery store gets garlic spread and icing in white plastic food grade buckets, one, three and five gallon. The clerk will hold them for me when empty and I pick up same day,or if I am at the store I always check to see if they have empties not taken to the back for the trash\recycling yet. I use them to store dry goods, loose or in store packaging, for vegetable/herb growing , for carrying and storing water for animals and chickens, for storing feed, or using for feed, mixing paint or other substances, soaking dirty clothes or dishes. Endless uses. The bakery does not wash them so I have to clean the sticky icing out. Finger licking good!
Love this, and hope I can find a business willing to part with food grade buckets!
I’ve started using a clothes drying rack to dry laundry, using zero electricity.
If you really need fluffy towels, put in the dryer for a few minutes, then finish drying on the rack.
I lost my job in the wake of the Great Recession in 2010. After unemployment ran out, we made some serious changes.
We gave up satellite tv and went to T-Mobile for our cell phones. We’ve been thrift store shoppers (clothes, household goods/furnishings) for years, so that never changed. I discovered an estate liquidator store, that with antique co-ops, is a great source for furnishings
Although it’s obvious data mining, we take advantage of “loyalty” points/discounts, including gas from our local supermarket! Everyone from Rite-Aid to PetSmart offers this!
Coupons, especially from the checkout are used (e.g. Rite-Aid, Dollar General).
We use PoshMark or Etsy for “new” clothes. My husband shops from brand name stores at the end of the season deep discount (e.g. J Crew). Classic, timeless, clothes will get you through the long haul.
As “shameful” as it may sound, we are not too proud to accept hand-me-downs from family and friends.
When we do buy new large ticket items, such as a car or large appliance, we take our time and conduct extensive research. No impulse buys! Should an emergency strike, say the washer dies, I’ll buy a used machine to use until I figure out what I want.
We don’t get sucked into movie/tv subscription services, like Netflix, unless it’s free.
Since there’s only the 2 of us, we bought a vacuum sealer.
We will buy groceries from virtually anywhere besides our local supermarkets, from dollar stores to Target, along with Aldi’s and local farmer’s markets/farm stands. I conduct inventories as I develop a shopping list, andcheck the sale papers to see what/where the best deals are
I hope this may help some among us, or someone you may know.
Thanks to all my fellow Treepers for the excellent suggestions!
Thank you, Sundance, for bringing us all together!
“As “shameful” as it may sound, we are not too proud to accept hand-me-downs from family and friends.”
Doesn’t sound shameful at all. Sounds like something a down-to-earth grateful soul would do, and wear it well.