Stretching a buck - Page 3 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

sugarmamma · 04-20-2011, 05:18 PM

So it has been 88-90 degrees here for the past few weeks

I have YET to turn the air conditioner on

(I listen to my neighbor's running though

)

I use ceiling fans and keep my blinds closed. The warmest it has gotten in here so far is 79 degrees. 81 is my personal limit before I turn on the air

I am attempting to make it until MAY since we have a LOOOONNNNGGGG hot season here

Lil Sis · 04-21-2011, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarmamma

So it has been 88-90 degrees here for the past few weeks

I have YET to turn the air conditioner on

(I listen to my neighbor's running though

)

I use ceiling fans and keep my blinds closed. The warmest it has gotten in here so far is 79 degrees. 81 is my personal limit before I turn on the air

I am attempting to make it until MAY since we have a LOOOONNNNGGGG hot season here

I know what you mean... it really depends on how the house is set up if you can prolong doing without air. I sure did love the under $100.00 utility bills of the winter, but budget for the mid 200.00 for summer

Our current house is very energy efficient .. small windows, air tight, newer air handler and now there is not two energy hogs (my daughters who idea of ironing clothes is to put them into the dryer

) we have a much lower bill than our other house which was built in the 70's -- jallousie windows and all lol

We also grill out more... prevents the house heating up from the ovens and save energy that way. Plus... it is yummy!

My lil friend · 04-21-2011, 06:47 AM

There are so many things that I do to save a dime,penny and buck,but I will not be cold or hot,,,,hormones. I'm not a nice person if I am to hot and I cannt move and get anything done if I am cold. Winters in TX can be 25 one day and 65 the next so I do get a chance to open the windows,summer once it arrives is always in the 90s and frequently in the 100s,if the wind is blowing it is like standing in a giant hairdryer.
So DH and I have an agreement air is set 78 to 80 in the summer and 69 to 70 in the winter.

sugarmamma · 04-21-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My lil friend

There are so many things that I do to save a dime,penny and buck,but I will not be cold or hot,,,,hormones. I'm not a nice person if I am to hot and I cannt move and get anything done if I am cold. Winters in TX can be 25 one day and 65 the next so I do get a chance to open the windows,summer once it arrives is always in the 90s and frequently in the 100s,if the wind is blowing it is like standing in a giant hairdryer.
So DH and I have an agreement air is set 78 to 80 in the summer and 69 to 70 in the winter.

That is pretty much where my condo likes to reside (temp wise) naturally! As long as I have fans on I feel cool and don't miss the $140 electric bill

My lil friend · 04-21-2011, 05:09 PM

$140 for an electric bill has not been seen in my house in MANY years. Multiply by about 3 and that would be normal. In the summer time there are 5 people,6 dogs and a pool pump at my house. But I wouldnt trade it for anything!!!

sugarmamma · 04-22-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My lil friend

$140 for an electric bill has not been seen in my house in MANY years. Multiply by about 3 and that would be normal. In the summer time there are 5 people,6 dogs and a pool pump at my house. But I wouldnt trade it for anything!!!

WoW! Normal for me in the winter is about $45. Summers I can add $75-$100

I have a small 900 SQ ft condo tho....

My lil friend · 04-22-2011, 03:55 PM

Our house is average sized,built in the mid 70s. There have been 6 kids growing up here with lots of friends in and out all year. Lots of people at dinner,lots of cooking,lots of baking and a ton of laundry (we call it Mt NeverRest). I think that our front door revolves at times instead of just opening and closing.

sugarmamma · 04-22-2011, 04:08 PM

So I know I mentioned this in another thread....but I snip the tops off green onions (down to the roots) and replant them! They start to regrow within hours!!

:

sugarmamma · 04-28-2011, 02:29 PM

right now I am slightly re thinking my money stretching ideas that went through my head as I picked 70 # of tomatoes this week

My skin may turn red here soon

Cooper2010 · 01-05-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadabug

Here is the recipe I use for detergent. My brother does everything as organic as possible and found this online. I have been making and using it exclusively for over a year now.

1/2 cup of borax
1 cup Arm and Hammer super washing soda
1 bar of Felz Naptha soap (this was all it originally called for but I add a bar of castille soap too)

I use an old kitchen grater to grate up the bars of soap and mix the grated soap, borax and washing soda into a heavy sauce pan(I think the one I use is 4 qrt) add about 1/2 cup of water and heat on medium until the bar soap is melted (I usually stir constantly while it is melting)
Pour this mixture into a 5 gallon bucket and fill with water (I have found that hot water works best. I keep my bucket sitting next to my washer and use 1 cup for a regular load. This detergent doesn't suds up at all and you do have to stir it up or if you put it into smaller containers, shake it very well before using.
I do all of our laundry with this detergent and we use washable pee pads and they come out white as snow.

I made this in a dry form. I found the recipe on Pinterest (which I am addicted to).

4 lbs Borax
4 lbs baking soda
3 lbs Oxyclean (there is a store brand)
1 box of Arm&Hammer Super Washing soda
3 bars of Fels Naptha
(I found everything at Publix)

Grating the soap is the hardest part. This made almost 2 gallons of dry detergent. I use 2 tablespoons per load. I'm anxious to see how long it lasts. I'm going to make my own dishwasher detergent too.

My lil friend · 01-05-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooper2010

I made this in a dry form. I found the recipe on Pinterest (which I am addicted to).

4 lbs Borax
4 lbs baking soda
3 lbs Oxyclean (there is a store brand)
1 box of Arm&Hammer Super Washing soda
3 bars of Fels Naptha
(I found everything at Publix)

Grating the soap is the hardest part. This made almost 2 gallons of dry detergent. I use 2 tablespoons per load. I'm anxious to see how long it lasts. I'm going to make my own dishwasher detergent too.

HMMMM we use a salad shooter (electric appliance) to grate large amounts of cheese. Wonder if you could use it for the bars of soap. They can be found online,Walmart and Target.

Roccosmommy · 01-05-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamrocks

I use coupons to help me stretch a buck. I have a small stock pile and will not have to buy laundry soap for a year. I look for match ups to use my coupons with to get free or cheap items. I now don’t pay over $1.00 for laundry soap I get toothpaste for free same goes for toothbrushes. I am all about making my money stretch

I'm with you there. I also do coupon match ups w/ sales, and buy as many items as possible so I don't have to buy again for a while. Just this week, I stocked up on cereal (Fiber One, Total, GM) for .50 and .30 a box...I bought 30 boxes and will not have to buy again for at least 6 months. They will not go bad, my kids and DH eat it daily. I have not had to buy toothpaste, shampoo, tampons, toothbrushes, laundry detergent, bar soap, dish soap, pasta, peanut butter, tomato sauce etc. since last spring...best part it was all free or nearly free!

Cooper2010 · 01-05-2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My lil friend

HMMMM we use a salad shooter (electric appliance) to grate large amounts of cheese. Wonder if you could use it for the bars of soap. They can be found online,Walmart and Target.

I tried using my food processor but it broke the plastic piece that holds the blade in place (cheap processor anyway) so I just used a box grater. Gives your arm a workout for sure!

Cooper2010 · 01-05-2012, 03:43 PM

Have any of you tried your own dryer sheets? I found one site that says to soak a piece of fabric like a thin washcloth or flour sack in fabric softener and let it dry completely. According to that it can be used for 40 loads of laundry. I'm gonna try that this weekend and see how it works.

sugarmamma · 01-05-2012, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooper2010

I made this in a dry form. I found the recipe on Pinterest (which I am addicted to).

4 lbs Borax
4 lbs baking soda
3 lbs Oxyclean (there is a store brand)
1 box of Arm&Hammer Super Washing soda
3 bars of Fels Naptha
(I found everything at Publix)

Grating the soap is the hardest part. This made almost 2 gallons of dry detergent. I use 2 tablespoons per load. I'm anxious to see how long it lasts. I'm going to make my own dishwasher detergent too.

I just joined pintrest after a friend made me an ADORABLE Christmas gift from an idea there

04-20-2011, 05:18 PM	#31
sugarmamma Donating YT 18K Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Yorkie Zoo Posts: 34,152	So it has been 88-90 degrees here for the past few weeks I have YET to turn the air conditioner on (I listen to my neighbor's running though) I use ceiling fans and keep my blinds closed. The warmest it has gotten in here so far is 79 degrees. 81 is my personal limit before I turn on the air I am attempting to make it until MAY since we have a LOOOONNNNGGGG hot season here __________________ Lisa, Mom to Curri Bee Vindi Loo Tikka Masala Sugar Baby

04-22-2011, 04:08 PM	#38
sugarmamma Donating YT 18K Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Yorkie Zoo Posts: 34,152	So I know I mentioned this in another thread....but I snip the tops off green onions (down to the roots) and replant them! They start to regrow within hours!! : __________________ Lisa, Mom to Curri Bee Vindi Loo Tikka Masala Sugar Baby

04-28-2011, 02:29 PM	#39
sugarmamma Donating YT 18K Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Yorkie Zoo Posts: 34,152	right now I am slightly re thinking my money stretching ideas that went through my head as I picked 70 # of tomatoes this week My skin may turn red here soon __________________ Lisa, Mom to Curri Bee Vindi Loo Tikka Masala Sugar Baby

04-21-2011, 06:47 AM	#33
My lil friend Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: FtWorth,TX,USA Posts: 3,269	There are so many things that I do to save a dime,penny and buck,but I will not be cold or hot,,,,hormones. I'm not a nice person if I am to hot and I cannt move and get anything done if I am cold. Winters in TX can be 25 one day and 65 the next so I do get a chance to open the windows,summer once it arrives is always in the 90s and frequently in the 100s,if the wind is blowing it is like standing in a giant hairdryer. So DH and I have an agreement air is set 78 to 80 in the summer and 69 to 70 in the winter.

04-21-2011, 05:09 PM	#35
My lil friend Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: FtWorth,TX,USA Posts: 3,269	$140 for an electric bill has not been seen in my house in MANY years. Multiply by about 3 and that would be normal. In the summer time there are 5 people,6 dogs and a pool pump at my house. But I wouldnt trade it for anything!!!

04-22-2011, 03:55 PM	#37
My lil friend Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: FtWorth,TX,USA Posts: 3,269	Our house is average sized,built in the mid 70s. There have been 6 kids growing up here with lots of friends in and out all year. Lots of people at dinner,lots of cooking,lots of baking and a ton of laundry (we call it Mt NeverRest). I think that our front door revolves at times instead of just opening and closing.

01-05-2012, 03:43 PM	#44
Cooper2010 YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 304	Have any of you tried your own dryer sheets? I found one site that says to soak a piece of fabric like a thin washcloth or flour sack in fabric softener and let it dry completely. According to that it can be used for 40 loads of laundry. I'm gonna try that this weekend and see how it works.