Search Results for: blog cutting water costs without cutting hygiene

Don’t Water Away Your Money

When our rent bill came last month, I was startled to see that it was over a hundred dollars more than we usually pay. I read down the itemized list to see what on earth had happened, and saw that the water portion of the bill was through the roof. We had been watering the lawn, but my husband had been overseeing that particular chore, and I didn’t know how much he’d been using. When he came home that night, he explained he’d been doing quite a lot of watering, but after seeing the bill, he said he would cut … Continue reading →

Waking Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed

Almost everyone has probably heard that expression before. You feel grumpy or are having a bad day and someone says, “What’s wrong with you? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?” Although it doesn’t really matter which side of bed we crawl out of in the morning, you can always tell when it’s going to be one of those days. Is it simply our mindset or a sixth sense when we awaken and can almost feel that gray cloud hovering above our heads, warning us that today will not be a good day? As you stumble … Continue reading →

Gardening As A Whole Curriculum

Now that spring is here, most states are starting to thaw out and warm up. This an excellent time to begin a garden, no matter how small, and teach the kids about botany, art, vocabulary, water conservation, nutrition, and so much more. I’m a firm believer in getting the most bang for my buck and most use out of every moment. Each lesson you teach your kids can incorporate many subjects, not just the most obvious one at hand. Gardening is no different. The house we live in now has a nice back and front yard, but even when we … Continue reading →

How I Cut My Electric Bill In Half

Today I received my e-bill from the electric company. Each month I’ve been trying to reduce spending. I now make my own cleaning products, and eat less prepackaged foods. When I get my electric bill I like to check the handy graph on my statement to see how much I spent this month last year compared to the current year. Since our house is almost all electric, it’s always my biggest bill. Imagine my surprise when I went onto the Tucson Electric Power website and saw that I had gone from using 1240 kWh in March of last year to … Continue reading →

Eating Healthy On A Frugal Budget

Too many people tell me that the reason they eat such unhealthy meals is because healthy food is expensive. I tend to disagree with them, but converting these spendthrifts isn’t all that difficult when I tell them that our family of four eats pretty healthy and my food budget is half of the national average (according to my online research). I’m not a health nut by any means, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that junk food makes you feel terrible and it doesn’t cost less than healthier foods. Not to mention you’ll have fewer trips to … Continue reading →

High Fashion On A Low Budget

With the economy as bad as it is, being frugal is a must. You could be cutting costs by making your own frugal cleaning products, or making more meals at home. When it comes to clothing though, being frugal takes work. Thrift shops are no secret to those with a tight budget, and today they’re almost trendy compared to 20 years ago. But I see a lot of people who shop at thrift shops dressing like they shop at thrift shops. All it takes is a bit of time and patience and you can accumulate a wardrobe that would even … Continue reading →

The Conversion of Sytrofoam Sue Into a Frugal Environmentalist

Who knew that being Green could mean being frugal as well? One of my friends wasn’t aware of this, that’s for sure. Before I started blogging here at Families.com I was visiting her and listening to how proud she felt that she was becoming “Earth Friendly.” Actually, it was a big step since my nickname for her was Styrofoam Sue. That woman would go through more foam plates, bowls and cups than ten people could in twice the time. Okay, the only reason she joined the Green movement was because her latest boyfriend that she met online is into environmental … Continue reading →

Homemade Green Cleaning Products That Work – Degreasers

If you have tried to “clean Green” while trying to scrape off greasy gunk or stuck on food, the you’ve probably noticed that you need a whole lot of elbow grease to degrease. A few places in my kitchen that get particularly dirty are the inside of the microwave, the oven and the stove top. In the past, I’d buy products like 409 or Easy-Off and it would get the job done. I’d also be choking and gasping for air due to the products’ harsh chemical smell. Although a lot of companies are now making earth-safe biodegradable products, many don’t … Continue reading →

Homemade Green Cleaning Products That Work – Bleach Cleaner

Having five daughters means there’s a healthy mix of likes and dislikes, beliefs, and personal or world views to consider. One of my kids is a vegan, two are vegetarian, a few are worried about global warming, some are concerned about animal cruelty, and my 16-year-old pretty much thinks the entire world and everyone in it sucks right now. I try to remain open-minded and support them, but it can be tough and frustrating at times. I’ve stopped buying paper towels and paper plates, though I refuse to stop buying toilet paper! I read labels carefully to be sure they … Continue reading →

Finding Me Time And Not Feeling Guilty About It

Anyone who’s a single parent knows it’s a full-time job and then some. You fulfill the role as maid, nurse, cook, disciplinarian, leader, handyman, psychologist, friend, confidant, teacher, and more. Combined with the fact that I homeschooled my kids and had a full-time job, so I could pay the bills, keep a roof over our heads, and clothes on our backs, it left no time for “me” time. Or so I thought. I went through two decades of setting myself aside so I could take care of the house, the kids and everything else that was crammed into my already … Continue reading →