Reducing living costs--extreme examples

[daveshoe]

When Diesel hit 4. 75 this summer,I decided enough was enough. I was working on an old farmhouse getting it ready for rental. Even though it was only 20 minutes travel,that was still 10 $ a day. It got me and my wife in a real penny pinching mood. So far we have 1. limited travel to a great extent--even me driving home twice a week 2. cooking cheaply--I buy at a discount grocer and typical meal is eggs stretched with potatoes or chuncky sirloin soup stretched with potatoes or rice less than a buck for supper and lunch the next day. Usually one good meat on the grill meal a day Cheap onions keep the flavor interesting. Cast iron skillet cuts down on dishes. I get more work done,and am saving about $300/month. I have also lost 15 pounds without trying. Working longer hours and no dessert I guess did that



It is getting cold,so we heat the house at 55 and I get a nice hot shower[but watch the water consumption] towel off, pile on layers of clothing,and insert a heating pad between the layers of clothes to keep comfortable watching TV.

We have also purchased a pellet/corn boiler for our heat. Even with borrowed money,it will pay for itself quickly,and my corn crop will fuel the beast,or wood pellets for when the corn price spikes.

Am also installing my own septic system,after completing another at te rental house. Installing these as per the present rules will save 10 grand for each one under the new rules--and these old systems work much better anyway

These changes may seem extreme for our pampered ways,but compared to rural life 50 or 60 years ago without indoor plumbing,refrigeration just coming on stream,and the upstairs bedroom heat consisting of a stove pipe from the kitchen--not that big a deal

With the 401K turning into a 201K the only money you can make is the money that you save

 

[The patriot]

We've limited our travel substantially since the price of fuel went up.

We have a woodstove, but at $175 + a cord I dont see it saving us money.

It also burns coal, but at $325 a ton, it aint there either.

I also got one of these:

multi fuel stove heater insert tent,camp, shop heater - eBay (item 270296563750 end time Dec-02-08 07:22:37 PST)

I'm considering hooking it up in the garage, but not in the house. I have lots of WVO to use in it.

 

[jgillott]

We've done a couple of things differently over the last year or so. They are somewhat to save money, but also to take a more relaxed, simple approach to life.



We are lucky enough to have a large farm here. So this year, we planted a nice size garden and my wife spent the fall canning vegtables to use throughout the winter. The wood stove and the fireplace are being used this year to save some heating oil. I'm also thinking about selling some wood for a little extra cash.

 

[kenny61]

I've cut back on evertyhing I can, The only thing I haven'tcut back on is the cigarettes and that would save me the most $7 a 30 $210. 00 per month X wife at least 400. Oh well I'll keep tryin#@$%!

 

[The patriot]

You could grow your own. :-laf