What are people doing to save money in this insane economy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so ready to do solar. We have the right roof for it but I'm so worried about choosing the right installer and how maintenance will work that I've never been able to pull the plug. (haha punny)

We went with Solar City (during the time of Obama 1st term). It was later acquired by Tesla. They do a good job of installation and there is hardly any maintenance required. They recently came to upgrade some stuff and install squirrel guards etc.

Here is how we tackled it. We first put in a new roof (we were due for it). We put in the strongest storm-proof and impact resistant shingles that we could. We put in the solar panels on top of that new roof.

We leased for 20 years. We are in year 14. A minimum production is guaranteed by the company. If that does not happen, they cover the shortfall. In case the panels are damaged from anything - the company has to replace (including damage to roof if any) it.

We have been very satisfied with our investment and recovered the cost in first 7 years. Till date, the roof and the panels are working well. So we believe that it will continue to work even after the lease expires.

We also paid Pepco to do an energy audit for us. Based on their recommendation we upgraded our windows, front door and most importantly increased significantly the thickness of the insulation in our ceiling. The extra insulation has been an absolute game changer because it has made our house absolutely comfortable in all seasons. That has been a game changer.

Having the solar panels has also provided with extra insulation to the whole house and protection to the roof.

We also replaced our attic fans with solar attic fans on our roof and we also got new solar attic fan installed over our attached garage. It has made our garage cool in summer and warm in winters.

It’s nearly impossible to justify the costs of new windows, doors and insulation for an energy return. Also, your solar already did the heavy lifting on electricity.

We did an audit (before we added solar) and it was estimated we might save $500 total per year for a close to $30k investment in windows and a new door.

That’s not how anyone would argue they are saving $$$ in this economy as the $30k just invested in a HYSA earns like $1200 per year.

[Anonymous]

Threads like this are depressing to me. I'm going to be school poor post-divorce and nearly everything people are listing as things they are cutting...are things that I already do. Admittedly they got us to a great financial place before it literally became unsafe for me to stay married.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sell all your junk on FB marketplace.

Don't buy expensive plants during summer. Last two summers, I have just planted marigolds in the garden and they are proven performers with least amount of care needed. I plant tomatoes next to them and they thrive. Not much care needed.

I also overseeded with different types of clovers and grass seeds a few summers ago. I no longer fertilize my lawn or use herbicides. All weeds are welcome in the lawn.

This is where I’ll be hurting ; I love buying plants and flowers for my garden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Threads like this are depressing to me. I'm going to be school poor post-divorce and nearly everything people are listing as things they are cutting...are things that I already do. Admittedly they got us to a great financial place before it literally became unsafe for me to stay married.

I'm sorry to hear this, but congratulations on your divorce!

Honestly I'm focusing on earning more rather than cutting back. The weirdness of this economy means that certain jobs are paying astronomical salaries, and its about maneuvering into those.

[Anonymous]

I'm not buying a thing.

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a meal service they like? Blue apron has gotten so expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so ready to do solar. We have the right roof for it but I'm so worried about choosing the right installer and how maintenance will work that I've never been able to pull the plug. (haha punny)

I'm looking into this as well, but concerned that we don't have enough sun.

We have a ton of sun but not the $ for upfront investment. Has anyone rented the panels and how did it go?

[Anonymous]

Be careful about adding solar. Make sure the installer will fully warranty the system themselves. Just quoting manufacture warranty doesn’t include installation cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sell all your junk on FB marketplace.

Don't buy expensive plants during summer. Last two summers, I have just planted marigolds in the garden and they are proven performers with least amount of care needed. I plant tomatoes next to them and they thrive. Not much care needed.

I also overseeded with different types of clovers and grass seeds a few summers ago. I no longer fertilize my lawn or use herbicides. All weeds are welcome in the lawn.

This is where I’ll be hurting ; I love buying plants and flowers for my garden.

Me too😢. But I do belong to Wild Ones that has free plant swaps 2x/yr plus members typically looking to give away their extra native plants. Social media has a lot of plant swaps posted once you get it in your algorithm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Threads like this are depressing to me. I'm going to be school poor post-divorce and nearly everything people are listing as things they are cutting...are things that I already do. Admittedly they got us to a great financial place before it literally became unsafe for me to stay married.

What's does school poor mean? I worked to go to school paying international rates. My own kid works 30 hours to pay for college.
My ex beat me and put me into debt. You don't say anything about leaving your marriage in debt that someone else ran up.
Leaving unsafe marriage is the best thing you can do. There is always someone who is worse off. Compare yourself to them.

[Anonymous]

Start OnlyFans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sell all your junk on FB marketplace.

Don't buy expensive plants during summer. Last two summers, I have just planted marigolds in the garden and they are proven performers with least amount of care needed. I plant tomatoes next to them and they thrive. Not much care needed.

I also overseeded with different types of clovers and grass seeds a few summers ago. I no longer fertilize my lawn or use herbicides. All weeds are welcome in the lawn.

This is where I’ll be hurting ; I love buying plants and flowers for my garden.

Me too😢. But I do belong to Wild Ones that has free plant swaps 2x/yr plus members typically looking to give away their extra native plants. Social media has a lot of plant swaps posted once you get it in your algorithm.

I switched a few years ago to only perennials and it has been so worth it. For planters, I planted mint, colorful coral bells, and creeping jenny and they've come back year after year. I even saved basil seeds at the end of the season and hoping not to buy any this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Threads like this are depressing to me. I'm going to be school poor post-divorce and nearly everything people are listing as things they are cutting...are things that I already do. Admittedly they got us to a great financial place before it literally became unsafe for me to stay married.

What's does school poor mean? I worked to go to school paying international rates. My own kid works 30 hours to pay for college.
My ex beat me and put me into debt. You don't say anything about leaving your marriage in debt that someone else ran up.
Leaving unsafe marriage is the best thing you can do. There is always someone who is worse off. Compare yourself to them.

Horrible response. Just because others are hurting more doesn’t take away someone’s pain. I feel bad for you kid.

OP, I feel you. Once you are out of the abusive situation things could change for you financially because you will no longer be in crisis mode. And your safety is priceless.

[Anonymous]

We make a ton of money, and invest about 80% of our take home income, but I'm naturally cheap. i already shop at Asian groceries for all my veggies and fruit, have had the same furniture for years, make my own coffee, went grey, don't go to the gym, but do calistenics, never eat out, and make a game out of only spending $150/wk on groceries and eating nearly no processed foods, keep the HW heater low, harvest seeds each year from my garden, have a compost pile so I do not need fertilizer, two sided printing, and only take family vacation that involves flights using miles we are racked up from work travel, WFH and expense my internet and cell phone to my company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a meal service they like? Blue apron has gotten so expensive.

I just make everything myself now, with whatever is one sale this week from the grocery store.