The Daily Money Saving Challenge

[jeffrey]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

Mara,

I'm glad to hear that another challenge was useful.

It's funny that you asked about the computer screen...it is actually one of the challenges that I have coming up in the next month. The amount of money wasted depends a lot on how much you use your computer, but ranges from approximately $8 to $50 a year just for leaving your computer screen on when you are not using it.

[Caima]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

Hi! It's me again!
This time I would like to know when and if I should ever drive my automatic transmission car with overdrive on. I'm not sure what it is for to be honest, but the book says to leave it on.
Thanks again!
Mara

[jeffrey]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

Mara,

I'm not an expert on cars, but some quick research say yes, you want to leave your car's overdrive one. Basically, it's like an extra gear. It slows engine speed which saves fuel and reduces engine wear. Using it will increases your engine’s overall efficiency and will result in the better fuel economy.

[boxxies]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

Mara,

I'm glad to hear that another challenge was useful.

It's funny that you asked about the computer screen...it is actually one of the challenges that I have coming up in the next month. The amount of money wasted depends a lot on how much you use your computer, but ranges from approximately $8 to $50 a year just for leaving your computer screen on when you are not using it.

Jeff,

I was told that I SHOULD leave my computer on, that the amount
of money saved if turned off was very small.
Now, I need to know if it means the tower itself or just the monitor?

thanks,
boxxies

[jeffrey]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

Jeff,

I was told that I SHOULD leave my computer on, that the amount
of money saved if turned off was very small.
Now, I need to know if it means the tower itself or just the monitor?

thanks,
boxxies

The computer screen is the part of the computer that wastes the most energy, although it is more energy efficient to turn off your computer if you are not using it for an hour or more. Most of the energy programs trying to get companies to reduce computer energy use focus on the monitors because putting them into sleep mode doesn't cause problems with the networks while putting the actual computer on sleep mode does in some instances. The general rule is you should have your computer screen set to go into sleep mode (not screen saver mode which doesn't reduce any energy) if you are not using it for 10 minutes or longer while you should turn off your computer if you are going to be away for an hour or more.

Here is a little FLASH video (no sound) made about it for Tufts university: Tufts Climate Initiative

[boxxies]

Re: computer screens off

Dear Jeffrey,

You're the best for advice and speedy answers.
thanks,
boxxies

[grammie78669]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

Was there a problem with the Challenge for 8/28? I have not received it, and I've checked the junk file -- nothing.
It has been a real pleasure to look for ways to cut expenses in this manner, so unintimidating. I look for the Challenge each day to see what you've thought of next. It's actually fun!! Several ideas I've shared with my grown kids and will continue to do that. Thanks for all your hard work.

[jeffrey]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

I'm happy to hear the challenges have been beneficial and fun.

Hmmm, I'm not sure why you did not receive the challenge today. It was sent out and I received it without a problem to my email address. I will forward you the challenge. Make sure that your subscription didn't accidentally get unchecked someway in your preferences. If you don't receive tomorrow's challenge, post here again and I'll get a message to Nate to try and figure out what the problem might be.

[miclason]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

signing up was one of the best things I ever did!...my sister and I are moving in together next month and, I was unsure of how to bring up the matter of saving around the house (we were brought up under the motto: "spend it while you got it!"). We already sat down and discussed (with our children) what we all need to do/can do to keep our bills low...We still haven't decided on what we want as a reward. As for the Halloween costumes, the answer was staring at me from my desktop: my child in home-made "hula girl" attire!...and, I got some more ideas stashed from previous years that I could even adapt for myself (I'm thinking I might dress up as a Lego block! I know I printed and saved those instructions!)

[boxxies]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

Hi Miclason,

If you ever find the instructions for the Lego block
costume for Halloween, please let us know.
thanks,
boxxies

[jeffrey]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

miclason,

It's wonderful to hear that signing up was a positive experience and that you are taking the challenges and running with them. I hope I can continue to provide ones that are worthwhile and can help you save more.

Lego Block - Taken From Homemade Halloween Costumes

Take a medium sized box (apple/orange boxes were a good size) cut two round holes in the sides for the arms. Hot glue 6 cottage cheese containers on the top of the box (the flat part) like a Lego piece. Spray paint the whole thing whatever color lego you want to be. (We chose our colors based on what color sweats and turtle necks we had on hand) Take a smaller box that will fit on top of their head snugly and hot glue one cottage cheese container and spray paint it the same color. Just slip into the open part of the back of the box and stick your arms through the holes. From: Elliott and Danielle and Kevin and Angela and Kristie (this one is real popular this year!)

[boxxies]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

Thanks so much for the instructions on the
Lego block costume.

Will come in handy.

boxxies

[DivaJen]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

signing up was one of the best things I ever did!...my sister and I are moving in together next month and, I was unsure of how to bring up the matter of saving around the house (we were brought up under the motto: "spend it while you got it!"). We already sat down and discussed (with our children) what we all need to do/can do to keep our bills low...We still haven't decided on what we want as a reward. As for the Halloween costumes, the answer was staring at me from my desktop: my child in home-made "hula girl" attire!...and, I got some more ideas stashed from previous years that I could even adapt for myself (I'm thinking I might dress up as a Lego block! I know I printed and saved those instructions!)

Hey - I know you! It's nice to see you here. Jeffrey and Nate run a great site for money saving and money management tips.

[miclason]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

well, then you know I followed you here! (and just in time, I might add!)

[Hanni]

Re: The Daily Money Saving Challenge

Has this finished? I haven't received one since 28th August.