Times are so tough-what are some basic or creative ways you have saved or cut back?

[Anonymous]

zumbamama wrote:We stopped using the drier and set up a clothesline inside and in the yard. It's more work, but feels better. We give kids points for remembering to turn off lights/tv/electronic equip. We bought a big backyard pool instead of spending $20 twice a week at the pubic pool. Didn't do summer camp, and had them stay with family instead.

We've been hanging out clothes out to dry for years. Even in the fall/winter (although we will use the dryer because the air is so cold). It is very common in Germany to do this (and many other European countries I assume) so I've always been puzzled why my DH (American) is so dryer-crazy. Maybe because the clothes are softer in the dryer.

[zumbamama]

Anonymous wrote:

zumbamama wrote:We stopped using the drier and set up a clothesline inside and in the yard. It's more work, but feels better. We give kids points for remembering to turn off lights/tv/electronic equip. We bought a big backyard pool instead of spending $20 twice a week at the pubic pool. Didn't do summer camp, and had them stay with family instead.

We've been hanging out clothes out to dry for years. Even in the fall/winter (although we will use the dryer because the air is so cold). It is very common in Germany to do this (and many other European countries I assume) so I've always been puzzled why my DH (American) is so dryer-crazy. Maybe because the clothes are softer in the dryer.

I know what you mean, my mother and grandmother still use clotheslines, and DH was drier crazy. The drier does make them softer but uses so much energy. I also split between handwashing dishes and the dishwasher. Unplug laptops when they are not being used.

[Anonymous]

I always use the line for towels and bath mats since they hold so much water. I also use the line at night when I don't need the clothes right away, and can afford to wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cook from scratch. And purchase my meat in bulk from local farms and buy all veggies at farmers markets.
Consolidate trips in the car
Turn A/C way up or even off during the day (I WFH and am just sitting, so I don't mind it a bit warm)
I keep cars for at least 10yrs
I have a mortgage I can afford and therefore live in a small and modest home.

I've always done these things being a frugal person. In reality I don't really feel that economic times are tough. For gas, I'm paying on average about $60 more per month and on groceries probably about $200 more per month. Its pretty easy to make up for an extra $260/mo, we were not living pay check to pay check before gas prices.

I don't understand all this talk about a disasterous ecomomy, going to Tyson's Corner on the weekend, you'd think it was Christmas. I think Americans might just be getting a wake up call for being big spenders and scant savers.

I find farmers markets around here to be much much more expensive than the grocery store.

[Anonymous]

We live in a pretty central location and drive a tiny car only occasionally, so the increase in gas prices isn't affecting us as directly. Of course, it raises all of our consumer prices indirectly, and my job is funded by donations, so we're still worried.

For us, the real standard of living kick in the stomach happened a few years ago when we returned from living abroad as first time home buyers. Our purchasing power was reduced to not much more than it had been when we were fresh out of college. Needless to say, we're living more humbly than we ever expected we would at this point in our lives (mid-30s). I could no longer afford to SAHM and took a part-time job I would never have considered under other circumstances. But because my time has become so much more valuable as a result, I haven't done very well in cutting basic household expenses.

[Anonymous]

Two things have really helped me. One is to use cash. Just try it for a week. You will be amazed.

The other is that my parking lot for commuting is right by my grocery store. I stop in each afternoon and shop for dinner for that night and I limit myself to $20.00 for the four of us. It works great for me, because I have all my ingredients and I am not throwing stuff away anymore. I know it's not practical for alot of people because of gas and time, but it really cuts down on what you spend.

[Anonymous]

I have to say this, even though most people will think its gross. But especially because I am pregnant and pee all the time--I basically don't flush at home if I just pee. Its ecologically sound and really helps the water bill. . . hey, you wanted creative!

[Anonymous]

I totally do that! I don't flush all night (and I pee probably 6 times a night...and I'm not pregnant!). I thought I was alone and then I realized at my sister's house she does it to. We probably started because we didn't want to wake the kids.

[Anonymous]

Stopped buying things like books - DD and I make an afternoon of going to the library for books every few weeks; some suburban libraries even have DVDs, though we're in the District so our selection is limited. Started bringing lunch from home which really saves $. We don't have cable tv (and managed to wean ourselves off tv pretty much altogether) and my husband called up Verizon and got us cheaper yet faster DSL service. Ebay is great for kid clothes, and now I'm trying it for things for me like shoes (many items are new or barely used). Started taking Metro again after a year of driving to work (it's hard with a 2-year old in tow, but the $3,000 we save on parking and gas will now go to DD's college fund which previously wasn't being funded at all, and I tell myself that the mile we walk each day to and from the Metro is good for our health / DD loves the "choo choo train"). I also try to wait before buying something to see if it's something we really need/want so impulse spending is way down - impulse buying has always been my weakness, so I avoid shopping unless necessary or I send my DH who will only buy what is on the list. We've also cut back on driving - consolidating trips and walking to our local grocery store instead of driving farther out which also keeps us from buying too much at once and throwing food away. It's not much, yet it all does add up.

[Anonymous]

I find Farmers Market prices to be pretty high, almost what you'd pay at Whole Paycheck.

I find that in making a list before shopping, I've cut down on buying extraneous foods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say this, even though most people will think its gross. But especially because I am pregnant and pee all the time--I basically don't flush at home if I just pee. Its ecologically sound and really helps the water bill. . . hey, you wanted creative!

If its brown, flush it down but if its yellow just be mellow!!

Its an old saying out West where water is scarce.

[Anonymous]

I am pregnant, and if I flushed EVERY time I pee'ed I wouldn't be able to live with myself! Sometimes it is only a thimble's full. Should I waste all that water for that measly amount? nope. Husband now gets it and is on board. And I do flush enough so it doesn't get icky. . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say this, even though most people will think its gross. But especially because I am pregnant and pee all the time--I basically don't flush at home if I just pee. Its ecologically sound and really helps the water bill. . . hey, you wanted creative!

I agree with this, esp since I'm pregnant too. But lately I've been wondering if the tp that I'm using makes up for the water costs. Being pregnant is better than any diuretic pill that I've ever heard of!

[Anonymous]

OK, a little OT, but I wonder: for those that use clotheslines, what, if anything, do you do about bird poop? My yard is under a heavily populated tree!

[Anonymous]

I love reading this thread! I don't think anyone mentioned it yet, but along the same lines of making grocery lists, I use the grocery store sale flyer to plan my meals for the week. Chicken and asparagus on sale? Okay, then I guess that's what we are having. I also stock up & freeze whenever meats and non-perishables are on really good sales. I make sure to get rainchecks when something on a good sale is out of stock.