I think I'd like to try the house sitting or house sharing some time. Ever since I saw the movie Holiday with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black I've wanted to do this. Man, I love that movie too!
My bad habit is just buying something because it's a great deal. Anything from an expensive handbag (that just sits in my closet) to magazine subscriptions that just pile up and make me feel bad for not finding the time to read them. Fortunately, I am now attempting to pause before each purchase and ask myself if I really need it. I am now doing more window-shopping (vs. buying) and letting my magazine subscriptions expire (no matter how low the annual subscription price goes). Less is more!!!
I think squash flowers are one way farmers stick it to us. They're easy to grow, you only need adequate watering and land. One year two squash took over most of my plot, so that was the last year for that. (I now do mostly hearty leafy greens for a large daily output.) Farmers outside of cities know we will never be able to raise our own.
At "I eat weird stuff," I thought "come on, I've eaten brains and tongue and grasshopper tacos." But you're right. Guaranteed at least one of those foods is going to puzzle people.
In the shower, I turn off the water while I soap my body and wash my hair. I turn it back on to rinse off. Most of the time in the shower is spent soaping yourself, so I think I've reduced my shower water consumption by more than 50% this way.
I also collect the gray water in a bucket while taking a shower. I use it to flush the toilet after I shower. (You simply pour the bucket of water into a used toilet and it drains automatically).
I try not to pour any water down the drain. I use left over water glasses (from parties, etc.) to fill the dog bowl or water plants.
Wise Bread is the best of all the money sites I read because there is so many relevant money issues constantly being written about! Whenever I am feeling low about my frugality and desire to be better with my money, I come to Wise Bread and read a few articles. I always am back on track after that!
I limit myself to a 3 minute shower with a kitchen timer, I never fill the sink water to the top or even middle of the sink, I never just let the water run aimlessly. I always do a full load of laundry, never small or medium loads.
A rich person wrote this. Real working class don't:
1. Go to top tier schools unless it is on scholarship .
2. Buy new cars, much less research them.
3. Buy an expensive watch.
4. Buy designer close or bags. We are the champs at finding designer knock offs.
5. Buy timeshares.
6. 3D TV's & Whirlpool hot tubs, yes but off of craigslist with no regrets.
I put a bucket under the tub's faucet and catch all the water that would go down the drain in it while I'm waiting for the it to warm up. It also catches all the water that would be lost when I turn off the shower. Our water costs so very much, so I'm always looking at ways to conserve.
I don't pay for water, so my reasons for saving are environmental mostly. I really just hate to waste anything!
I turn off the water when brushing my teeth. I try not to linger in the shower. I only run the washing machine when I have a full load of clothes. Every little bit helps.
Time shares are the biggest waste on that list. Who wants to go to the same place year end and year out. Friends have one for Disney the points system is to high for there nice hotels. Why lock yourself in when you can just pick one hotel brand and earn points with them and go where ever you choose.
I installed low flow toilets, shower heads and faucets many years ago. When my son learned about water conservation in school last year we started doing more. We capture the water from the shower while we wait for it to warm up and use it on our low water requirement plants in the back yard. We make sure we turn off the faucet while we are brushing our teeth, don't turn on the dishwasher until we have a full load and only wash full loads of clothing in the washer.
Very inspiring. Those with student loans should first take into account the interest rates of their loans. If a loan tends to have a fluctuating rate, pay that one first before it goes up. Federal loans have fixed rates, so they can be saved for last. By developing small money savvy habits such as cutting cable, using public transport, cooking, having a roommate, and many more, you can save thousands of dollars every year. Getting all the help you need to get rid of debt is more crucial than ever nowadays.
Hi Meg,
Good luck w the new gig!!
You have made WB a fantastic site.
Scott
I don't leave the water running when brushing my teeth or washing dishes, I take quick showers and don't water the lawn.
I fill up empty water bottles from the tap instead of buying water...saves plastic too!
I think I'd like to try the house sitting or house sharing some time. Ever since I saw the movie Holiday with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black I've wanted to do this. Man, I love that movie too!
My bad habit is just buying something because it's a great deal. Anything from an expensive handbag (that just sits in my closet) to magazine subscriptions that just pile up and make me feel bad for not finding the time to read them. Fortunately, I am now attempting to pause before each purchase and ask myself if I really need it. I am now doing more window-shopping (vs. buying) and letting my magazine subscriptions expire (no matter how low the annual subscription price goes). Less is more!!!
I use an app for this. It saves me a lot of time. But for my sister, who does everything by hand, would love to read this.
We made the one time decision at purchase of our washing machine and also when we replaced toilets to go for the models that save water.
Love the R.E.M. reference! Thanks!
I think squash flowers are one way farmers stick it to us. They're easy to grow, you only need adequate watering and land. One year two squash took over most of my plot, so that was the last year for that. (I now do mostly hearty leafy greens for a large daily output.) Farmers outside of cities know we will never be able to raise our own.
At "I eat weird stuff," I thought "come on, I've eaten brains and tongue and grasshopper tacos." But you're right. Guaranteed at least one of those foods is going to puzzle people.
Unless you've modded the engine in your 68 El Camino for high compression then premium fuel is not necessary.
In the shower, I turn off the water while I soap my body and wash my hair. I turn it back on to rinse off. Most of the time in the shower is spent soaping yourself, so I think I've reduced my shower water consumption by more than 50% this way.
I also collect the gray water in a bucket while taking a shower. I use it to flush the toilet after I shower. (You simply pour the bucket of water into a used toilet and it drains automatically).
I try not to pour any water down the drain. I use left over water glasses (from parties, etc.) to fill the dog bowl or water plants.
When you consider how much you are spending on a timeshare the hotel rooms are a real bargain.
Wise Bread is the best of all the money sites I read because there is so many relevant money issues constantly being written about! Whenever I am feeling low about my frugality and desire to be better with my money, I come to Wise Bread and read a few articles. I always am back on track after that!
I limit myself to a 3 minute shower with a kitchen timer, I never fill the sink water to the top or even middle of the sink, I never just let the water run aimlessly. I always do a full load of laundry, never small or medium loads.
I love that one! My husband's mom also has hoarding tendencies and we fight them all the time!!
A rich person wrote this. Real working class don't:
1. Go to top tier schools unless it is on scholarship .
2. Buy new cars, much less research them.
3. Buy an expensive watch.
4. Buy designer close or bags. We are the champs at finding designer knock offs.
5. Buy timeshares.
6. 3D TV's & Whirlpool hot tubs, yes but off of craigslist with no regrets.
I put a bucket under the tub's faucet and catch all the water that would go down the drain in it while I'm waiting for the it to warm up. It also catches all the water that would be lost when I turn off the shower. Our water costs so very much, so I'm always looking at ways to conserve.
I don't pay for water, so my reasons for saving are environmental mostly. I really just hate to waste anything!
I turn off the water when brushing my teeth. I try not to linger in the shower. I only run the washing machine when I have a full load of clothes. Every little bit helps.
Time shares are the biggest waste on that list. Who wants to go to the same place year end and year out. Friends have one for Disney the points system is to high for there nice hotels. Why lock yourself in when you can just pick one hotel brand and earn points with them and go where ever you choose.
We shut off the water while brushing our teeth and use a low flow shower head.
I installed low flow toilets, shower heads and faucets many years ago. When my son learned about water conservation in school last year we started doing more. We capture the water from the shower while we wait for it to warm up and use it on our low water requirement plants in the back yard. We make sure we turn off the faucet while we are brushing our teeth, don't turn on the dishwasher until we have a full load and only wash full loads of clothing in the washer.
We fill a bucket while the shower gets warm, use it to water plants. Also turn off water while soaping up.
My family's motto (to be kind to the septic system) "If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down."
Very inspiring. Those with student loans should first take into account the interest rates of their loans. If a loan tends to have a fluctuating rate, pay that one first before it goes up. Federal loans have fixed rates, so they can be saved for last. By developing small money savvy habits such as cutting cable, using public transport, cooking, having a roommate, and many more, you can save thousands of dollars every year. Getting all the help you need to get rid of debt is more crucial than ever nowadays.