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I drive as little as possible, and go to all the stores for groceries the same day, or go one direction one week, and the other direction the next week. Food is determined by the cost per 2000 calories, rather then cost per pound. For example 1560 calories of dried lentils cost less than $1, compared to 150 calories of frozen strawberries for $1.69. This is $1.25 for 2000 calories for lentils and $22.53 for strawberries. Both weigh one pound.
I pushed a freezer home 2 miles on a piano dolly because I don't have a truck, then converted the freezer to a fridge with a temperature switch, and have a separate freezer. I am looking forward to putting radiant barrier on the tops and around the compressor boxes, which should save quite a bit more. I'm getting radiant barrier for the attic. Utilities are at the minimum, heading downward. I am getting bubblewrap to help insulate the windows that are not being used for a few. I might sew radiant barrier to the insides of roman shades and curtains.
I "bathe" with a washcloth from a 1 gallon plastic bowl in the tub, taking as long as I want, then finish with a 2 to 3 minute shower. This saves both water and heating of the water. I wash my running togs in the same bucket (separate fills), and any other small items, instead of using the washing machine. I hang up clothes instead of using the dryer, which never gets used. I see value in bargains that are used, and get rid of things that are not.
Make homemade soups. Very economical. We always have left overs to do this, a ham bone for pea soup, chicken for chicken soup or stew. Bean soups are cheap. Pasta e fagoli (Italian pasta and bean soup) goes a long way. Make a nice pot then freeze them in small containers. Canned soups are not for me plus they have lots of salt.
Last wk my wife and I sat through a time share presentation (80 minutes). We received a 3/2night vegas vacation for roughly $100 (cost of airfare + hotel) + a $250 gas rebate....
It's been touched on here in a lot of posts already but I will mention it again. One of the best ways to save money, and it's quite significant over time, is to learn to cook and even better learn to cook from basic ingredients.
It's been touched on here in a lot of posts already but I will mention it again. One of the best ways to save money, and it's quite significant over time, is to learn to cook and even better learn to cook from basic ingredients.
I touched on this in my post above with making soups. Now if you cook on a regular basis, not only do you save money but you may have leftovers to turn around and make soup.
As to driving, we drive slowly. Here's a true example. One of our vehicles is a shameless SUV- Ford Escape. In cruise control, I get 34 MPG at 55 MPH. That's not bad. If I drive 65, it drops to about 28 MPG.
I'd love to hear you explain this to us. The Ford Escape gets an EPA estimated 28 mpg in the 2010 model. Even the 4cyl Hybrid version tops out at a combined 30 mpg. And we all know that those EPA estimates are best case scenario that most people never acheive. So what is it you did or do, to that vehicle to increase it's efficiency so much that you actually BEAT the EPA estimates?
I'd love to hear you explain this to us. The Ford Escape gets an EPA estimated 28 mpg in the 2010 model. Even the 4cyl Hybrid version tops out at a combined 30 mpg. And we all know that those EPA estimates are best case scenario that most people never acheive. So what is it you did or do, to that vehicle to increase it's efficiency so much that you actually BEAT the EPA estimates?
They are probably basing it off of the computer's estimation on the dash. I regularly beat EPA estimates on multi-hour cruise control drives. Don't know how accurate the onboard computer is at calculating mileage, though.
Either way, the point still stands. Driving habits can affect mileage, though it may be to an extreme penny pinching amount. It wouldn't surprise me if combining an errand or two into one excurstion would completley negate the gas saved from driving differently. If you're on a multi-hour trip, 10 miles an hour might be worth the extra bit of gas money it takes.
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, was succinct, clear and very helpful!
Christmas ideas that cost nothing or very little to help others
