[mom-from-missouri]

Combine trips to town to save fuel.

cook from stratch

do our baking from scratch, UNLESS i can find the frozen loaves of bread for 6/2.59

keep heat at 60-63 at night

keep heat at 66 or 67 during the day if I am home, if not home, it goes back down to 60-63 (depends on the wind chill)

line dry clothes or use folding clothing rack

buy groceries once a month at aldi's-no inbetween trips except for milk

i have a large pantry downstairs-i keep it rotated and can take advantage of sales

only use coupons with a sale if it comes out cheaper than the generic

use the low energy cf bulbs

use ceiling fans both summer and winter

keep beds made-(water bed-keeps the heat in!)

let sunshine in during the winter

only wash full loads of clothes

only wash full loads of dishes

we dont use a lot of paper products-i keep a mess bucket and a rag for spills and cleanups

use cloth napkins

wash laundry in cold water

i only use 1/2 cap of laundry soap instead of the recommended full cap-they still get clean

garden and can

make my own jellies & jams from our orchard and grapes

chickens for eggs

i don't use a lot of commercial cleaners-i do use a lot of vinegar & baking soda--sometimes commet

reuse my vacume bags (cut off, empty out, roll back up staple and duct tape) find a lot of change and buttons that way...

often burn firewood

pay my bills on time to avoid late fees

pay and use my visa check card as much as possible to earn rebates-it still comes out of my checking account and has no finance fees

keep closet doors closed-i don't want to waste heat heating up those rooms!

we pack our own lunches

few dinners out

i buy flour, potatoes, sugar, salt and spices in bulk

take advantage of farmers markets during season

watch auction bills. I probably have $300 worth of canning jars that came from auctions for a quarter a box

freeze leftovers and date them then remember to USE them.

i keep a list on my refrig in the kitchen telling what foods are in the pantry refrig and freezers so that they don't get forgotten about and wasted

we eat a lot of potatoes, rice and beans. they are cheaper and good for you.

crockpot meals on hetic days. That way, I know it is hot and ready at home and i wont stop and buy a quick food or go thru a drive thru

keep lights off (basically following my kids around!!)

keep computor and tv off when not in use

we spend about 1 night a week at the library-usually when DH is working. keeps the heat down lower at home since we are not there, and is free entertainment for the kids.

higher deductable on our vehicles

burn & recycle our trash saving $18 a month to not have a trash man

take advantage of freebies--from calendars at the banks to free pencils that businesses give out

keep snack items in my vehicle (usually its cookies or popcorn) and a container of pre sweetened drink mix in my vehicle. If we do have to eat out, we hit the mcdonalds $1 menu, it cost us $4 to get something for the girls and myself. we each get a free ice water and then i add a couple spoonfuls of the drink mix to it.

rewash my baggies (yes, i am one of those people!!) I also wipe off and reuse foil

i try to use rubbermade lunch containers that are washable when possible

save my soap slivers-i either put them in a pump container with hot water, or in a mesh baggie or washcloth baggie to be used till gone

frequent the $1 shops when possible--a real good source of hats and mittens for my kids

shop consignment stores

sew for new clothing and also to mend

try to do my baking and ironing on days when it is super cold outside

dress according to the weather. putting on 2 pairs of socks or wearing slippers makes a huge difference in our house

staying organized and clean. Why go buy something again because you couldn't find it when you had it all along? as my kids outgrow cothing, i box them up and label them so that we can find them when needed.

resell or donate what we don't need-saves on clutter, and if it is useful, let someone else use it!

make our own when we can--such as shrimp sauce, sloppy joe sauce..... cheaper than buying it

trim hair & bangs myself

take advantage of the local beauty schools when its a hair cutting job beyond my skill

keep lightbulbs and shades clean--they let out more light than dirty ones

keep heat registers and vents clean

keep areas clean around freezer, refrig, lint traps, computers for proper air flow. Dust makes the motors work harder and uses more electric

keep the garage doors closed. helps keep house warmer in winter and cooler in summer