Frugal tips that *did* work for you?

[justmama]

I'm super cheap when it comes to some things. I'm a turn-off-the-power-strip ****, and I charge my phone at work when I can.

I toyed w/ this idea. But dh wasn't on board. I have started unplugging the 3 plug thingy in our kitchen that has tv, light and food saver. We always have a higher bill in December, because our Christmas lights normally stay on for 3 weeks.

Things that would be easily unplugged
DH's Keurig (he's gone 3 days a week anyway)
under the counter radio
under the counter tv
can/jar opener
toaster oven
2 laptop chargers
dh laptop charger
hair appliances

Wonder if that's enough to make a difference.

[foggierbard9]

Do you have a 'recipe' you could post for this? I always seem to run out when there are no sales/coupons!

Thanks!

there are several different recipes online, but I usually do the following...sort of made what works for us.

1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
some people add 1/4 cup kosher salt, I don't though
can add lemon juice or citric acid(just a little) when you put it in the dispenser if you want to...this helps with the sparkle, but nobody sees our dishes but us, so I don't usually use it.

Only use 1 tablespoon of this.....little more if you feel it is necessary, but I haven't had any problems with this getting stuff clean.

i use vinegar in the rinse agent instead of jet dry also

[Lucky1307]

I don't have much to add but these are the things we do.

~ heat turned down to 60 at night and when we're not home, all room doors kept shut during the day
~ heavy curtains/drapes put up and shut to keep the heat in
~ during the day blinds/curtains left open to use natural light
~ switched to energy savings light bulbs and use only half the spots on a light fixture(ceiling fan has 4 we use 2)
~ shut off power strips when items aren't needed, same with lights
~ try to all the laundry on the same day to "reuse" heat from dryer, line dry in the summer
~ left over food ate, frozen or feed to pets, unedible items are put in the garden and will be tilled in in the spring
~ pet vaccines are bought at the vet but we bring them home and give to the pets ourselves
~ bath towels are used more than once before washing again
~ old clothes/towels turned into rags when they can no longer be worn, once they have out lived their use in the house they get taken to the garage for grease rags, old socks are great for dusting
~ limited use of disposable silverware, plates and towels
~ rechargeable batteries for all toys and gaming items
~ bagless vaccum and built in coffee basket(so no filters) on the coffee pot
~ using only 1/2 the meat in hamburger helper

Things we are adding next year
~reuseable bottles and a water filter system
~ keeping the comics to use for wrapping paper
~ using more paperless options on bills

[motherofmolly]

I toyed w/ this idea. But dh wasn't on board. I have started unplugging the 3 plug thingy in our kitchen that has tv, light and food saver. We always have a higher bill in December, because our Christmas lights normally stay on for 3 weeks.

Things that would be easily unplugged
DH's Keurig (he's gone 3 days a week anyway)
under the counter radio
under the counter tv
can/jar opener
toaster oven
2 laptop chargers
dh laptop charger
hair appliances

Wonder if that's enough to make a difference.

i have readthat the laptop and phone charges constantly pull energy even when you dont have the phone/computer attached. we keep our phone charger out of the socket when it isnt in use. the computer is charging most of the time, but if i havent used it as much i unplug it.

i also goodwill/garage sale during the summer. i get dh to bring home the paper boxes from work and put clothes in there for the girls. i try to get winter gloves/boots and snowpants from garage sales. i then look for jeans and play clothes. i buy in the next size and put them in the boxes. that way when i realize she has outgrown what she is in, i go to the box.

i also dont buy books fullprice. i look for them at the garage sales and goodwill. i also find homeschooling items at these places too.

[momto8kiddos]

*fresh roadkill deer meat. we cut and clean ourselves

Now this is a real frugalite! Love it!

I've always wanted to do this but, having never even cleaned one from a hunt, was intimidated. How do you tell if it is still good? And does the injury to the flesh from the auto impact effect the meat? That is, does it need to be discarded? Any how-to articles you could point us to?

[Abbybob]

I toyed w/ this idea. But dh wasn't on board.

Wonder if that's enough to make a difference.

YES! We have a power strip for everything on the entertainment center-tv, VCR, DV and Wii- and I switch the power strip off 4 days a week. We don't really watch too much TV (we don't have cable), so sometimes it's 6 days a week.

We also turn off the computer each night and I have unplugged all of the appliances that we aren't using (toaster oven, microwave, cell phone chargers, beard trimmer).

Doing all of that we saved $15.00 on our power bill from last month.

We also never turn on our heater. Blankets, sweaters and socks to the rescue!


I also charge my cell phone at work too. Mostly b/c I forget to do it at home and the charger sits nicely on my desk.

[chitownmelli]

there are several different recipes online, but I usually do the following...sort of made what works for us.

1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
some people add 1/4 cup kosher salt, I don't though
can add lemon juice or citric acid(just a little) when you put it in the dispenser if you want to...this helps with the sparkle, but nobody sees our dishes but us, so I don't usually use it.

Only use 1 tablespoon of this.....little more if you feel it is necessary, but I haven't had any problems with this getting stuff clean.

i use vinegar in the rinse agent instead of jet dry also

LOve that recipe foggie! Same one I use ;) If you can't get citric acid, you can also use a packet of lemon (only lemon, or your dishwasher will be funny colors) kool aid. I do believe that the citric acid also helps to clean the dishwasher. Bonus!

[VivaciousJewelz]

LOve that recipe foggie! Same one I use ;) If you can't get citric acid, you can also use a packet of lemon (only lemon, or your dishwasher will be funny colors) kool aid. I do believe that the citric acid also helps to clean the dishwasher. Bonus!

Can you use lemon juice?

[chitownmelli]

suppose you could, the recipe that foggie and I use, you make a big batch and just take a scoop as needed, so with the lemon juice you would just add a little each load.

[Doglover8180]

Abbybob - turning off the power strips - have you noticed a difference on your electric bill by doing this and is it substantial?