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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Ways to Save Money And Energy Around The House

WFMW
I will be honest, I.......am a tight wad. I will always choose Kirkland over name brand, Old Navy over Gucci, and even day old half-off donuts over fresh warm ones. I have a hard time spending more money on something that I know I can get for less. Don't get me wrong, I am willing to pay SOME money for good clothes, but there is a limit...for example. I wear Silver jeans, they are long enough for me (which is a struggle), they make my butt look great (which is near impossible), and they are in an acceptable price range. So I don't mind spending $50 on them because they cover all my jean needs. But I am also sensible enough to not spend $20 on pants that only look okay because I know I wont wear them, so I am basically flushing $20 down the toilet.

At the same time I have continued to place a pair of amazing Citizen jeans on sales now for about 3 years. Every once in a while I will find my size, drool, try them on, realize that I will never again look this good, and place them on hold. I have even gone to the extent of buying them and returning them with out even wearing them. I can never own them too long without having huge guilt that I spent THAT much on jeans. I have done this several times....I think the longest that I have ever owed a pair has been three days.

You may all be asking yourself, "If I want something this bad...why don't I just buy them and get it over with?" and I would answer, " Because they are $130-$180 DOLLAR JEANS!" I don't even enjoy wearing them, cause all I can think is, "Don't fall, don't spill, don't rip!". I have a hard time enjoying jean that cost 3 times the amount of my $50 dollar jeans that look great, have lasted, and don't give me an aneurysm from worry.

So as you can see I have already mastered my money saving skills when it comes to clothes and what not, but I have been doing some research trying to find the best ways to save money around the house....mainly with the utility bill. Maybe if I save enough, I can finally justify buying me some jeans :)

Wash in Cold Water
Up to 85% of your energy can be coming from your washer, mainly washing clothes in warm water. Simply picking cold as your choice can seriously save you some money, especially if your family does a lot of laundry. My husband and I usually don't even hook the warm water up because he never use it.
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Lint Filter
Cleaning your lint filter every time after use is not only safe, but helps your dryer to dry your clothes faster. Lint build up can actually cause fires in your home also dramatically drying clothes faster.
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A/C In Shade
Place your window A/C in the shade to help keep the temperate for the A/C accurate. The shade will keep it from working too hard and at unnecessary times. Plus, will also help your unit stay it better shape for longer.

Water Heater
Just simple limbo it.... how low can you go.... how low can you go?! It is suggested that 120* is a fine temperature. High effect to sanitize dishes for the dishwasher and for hot showers, but not high enough as too waste money maintaining its temperature.

Door Breezes
Opps....I see crack. So many doors have cracks and gaps. You can easily buy product that are meant to lay next to your door spotting the breeze from coming into your home, while allowing your door to still open with ease.

Cover Food
Covering your foods that you place in your fridge will help keep your fridge from working too hard. Also letting foods cool first will help save energy as well.


Toilet Level
Put a brick in it! If you have an old fashioned toilet, put a brick in the tank above the seat. This’ll mean you use less water every time you pull the flush handle. This will not only help you not waste water, but also electricity. One of a cities biggest use of electricity is for supply water and cleaning it up. So this will help you with both.

Outside Lights
If your family leaves a security light on overnight on your deck or door step, change the bulb to a compact fluorescent one, which cost more, but last 6 times longer and use less energy. Some compact fluorescent lamps ever come in yellow so they won't attract bugs, which is something I am ALL about!

Shower Heads
This is a tough one cause I hate a weak shower head, but you can save some money with a water saving shower head.


Blocked Vents
Move furniture away from the heater vents . Blocking the heat source forces the system to work harder because the house is not being heated like it should be.


I love these tips because most of them don't mess up my life too much, but also helps me save money. So maybe, just maybe, after a few months of bricks in toilets, lower water heaters, and florescent bug-free patios, I might be able to give myself and break and get my butt into the convented jeans. Just maybe :)

46 comments:

  1. What a great list...thanks for sharing!!!

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  2. Great tips! However, I have been rethinking the jeans issue. I spend way too much money on $25 - 40 jeans, only to decide a month later that I don't like them. I don't know why, they seem fine at first, but then they stretch, or become uncomfortable, and I hate they way they look. So I go on to buy another pair of $25 - 40 jeans. Now, if I just would have forked over more $$ and bought a higher priced pair that fit just right, I would have saved a ton of money!

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  3. I am soooo with you on the jeans thing----It pains me to spend even $50 on a pair. And, being tall too, it is SO disappointing to walk through an entire store and know that not one pair of pants will be long enough.

    (thanks for commenting on my blog; I can already tell I'm going to love reading yours!)

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  4. I too am a tight wad, but that is what helps us get by on my husbands salary so I'm ok with it. But sometimes I dream of being able to go buy food and clothes and not have to worry about the cost. At the same time, I know we have it very good compared to a lot of people.

    Great tips too!!

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  5. Thanks for the FRUGAL tips. I love getting more frugal tips in my life. I am ALL ABOUT saving money.

    KEEP BELIEVING

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  6. Wow these are great tips. I'm gonna have to try the brick thing! Still can't pay a lot for jeans, but I do love Gap!

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  7. I'm so like you about being very spending conscious........however, once I bought a pair of designer jeans, and actually wore them, I haven't been able to go back. I returned my first pair, too. It's amazing what a difference they make. Do they have Nordstrom Rack's where you live? That's where I buy all of my Seven's....for $100. They never have Citizen's, but oh how I love those too. So, if they do, you can save the money you are saving in household intelligence, and buy the jeans at a discount! :)

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  8. Great tips--if you've ever read my blog, you know that I am overpriced-denim addict. We all have our weaknesses, right? ;)

    Funny thing? I actually spend less on clothes since I've started buying Citizens & Sevens--I really do buy less because my jeans always look great! :)

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  9. I really believe $ on good jeans is well spent. I have a few pair of $200 Seven jeans that I got for half that price on e-bay and I feel like I got a bargain...

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  10. I was buying Eddie Bauer jeans back when you could get 2 pairs for $25 each. (Not anymore.) I have the length problem too. But mine are starting to wear out. They get holes in bad places (like the crotch). I'm down to 2 pairs I can wear in public. And since in winter they are all I wear, I am going to be in trouble soon.
    We have to use hot water in the laundry for some things. With 2 little kids peeing on beds on an almost nightly basis, the cold water just doesn't get the smell out. We did install low-flow toilets when we built the house, and have gradually replaced everything but the table lamps with the compact flourescent. (They have mercury, and our table lamps spend an inordinate amount of time on the floor - lots of broken bulbs.)

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  11. so... silently stalking no more... thanks for the tips, we have an energy drainging older rental home, so not much we can usually do, but your tips are great! (and i love the 40, american eagle artist jeans, available in long sizes, witht the ability to make butts look great!!!

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  12. I'm a total tight-wad too . .. but if I found jeans that actually fit well I'd spend the money on them. Seriously . . . Old Navy Jeans just don't do it for my thighs and arse.

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  13. I'm a cheap-o too! Thanks for these great tips!

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  14. Well, we both know how cheap I am :) Goodness- sometimes I embarass myself.

    I don't know if they have them in your town, but they have a store called Plato's Closet that is a chain for teenagers. I realize I am not a teenager, but these teens give away some super awesome jeans and as long as they are not those kind that require you to have no hip or butts, I can usually get some rocking jeans for about $15. Citizen Jeans might run you $40-50 but at least they aren't over one hundred. :)

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  15. Im with you on all of those!!
    Great list especially with Earth Hour coming up!

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  16. Thanks I didn't know that about the a/c unit!

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  17. I've changed most of my indoor lightbulbs to the flourescents as well. Luckily, a few months ago, there was some program going on with our local power co. that made them affordable enough to buy in bulk.
    Great tips!

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  18. Severn jeans can practically change your life. I felt happier every single time I wore them, and I wore them forever. They lasted and so did the pleasure. I can never go back...unless I also don't stop with the cheesecake in which case the issue will get decided for me....
    Great suggestions though...(okay, except for the jeans and the shower head)

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  19. I too have a hard time spending a lot of money on jeans (or really, clothes). I love getting new ones, but I find it almost painful to purchase a tank top for $30, or nice shirt for work for $50+. However this has left me wearing the same clothes for a long time :)

    Thanks for the list! All are great!

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  20. Thanks for sharing your plethora of savings tips... who knew?

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  21. Fun post! I didn't know that the yellow bulbs don't attract bugs - awesome tip! :)

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  22. Are you the best or what??

    By the way, I LOVE Old Navy too. I always figure I should not spend too much on clothes till there is a chance that I can make it through an entire day without blood, puke, pee, or something else from our little lovelies on my clothes. That way I don't feel bad about throwing them out when they are ruined!

    Again a great post. :-)

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  23. I have a hard time spending money on me... I do all of your tips except the cracks in the door. My kids won't leave them alone so they never stay put! :)

    I've noticed a big change with washing everything on cold. Oh and with your lint trap you should also clean it with warm water and soap to get the philm off that the dryer sheets or softener leaves on it and that helps to save electricy too by drying the clothes faster! I've noticed a big change with doing that too. I have to clean it no less than once a month and then sometimes 2 times a month...

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  24. thanks for the tips. I want to save anyway I can. everything so expensive.

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  25. great tips!! thank you. i didnt know how much money you could save by doing your laundry in cold. thanks for filling me in!

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  26. THanks for the comment over at thefairymum... and I loved this - I'm a kirkland girl myself, or old navy for jeans, and just because Ralph (L of course) makes the perfect jeans for my bum doesn't mean I'm going to fork over three times what I paid at Old Navy... even if I have to buy the ON ones more often!
    Cheers!

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  27. Okay so here's my thing:

    * I HATE buying clothes that are not on super sale.

    * HOWEVER, when it comes to jeans, I'm closing my eyes, taking a breath, and getting them. A cute jeans-butt is priceless.

    (Thanks for the tips.)

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  28. Buy the Jeans! You deserve it...And if you have a Nordstrom Rack in your neck of the woods, you can get a slamming deal on Citizen/Seven Jeans. I am tall and love mine, i've had them for 3 years and they are still in great shape.

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  29. So, uh, will you trade me two wood for two ore? I make you good deal.

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  30. Great ideas! I hate spending money and look to save it wherever possible. You spend your money on those jeans, it's horrible to try to find the right pair. When you do, spend what you have to lol.

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  31. I love you for posting this. It is such wonderful info.

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  32. If you want to save even more money on really cute clothes, Sarah Jessica Parker has a line of clothes where everything is like $14.95 or less!!! Even jeans and jackets!

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  33. http://www.bittensjp.com/

    Here's her website

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  34. Thanks for the fabulous ideas. I immediately started with washing my laundry in cold water, since I read this on my laundry day. The only tricky thing for me is that we have really hard water where I live, but I think I solved the problem by putting the powdered laundry soap in first, running some hot water over it for about thirty seconds, letting it dissolve, adding the clothes, and then filling the washer the rest of the way with cold water.

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  35. Great tips! Thanks for sharing... most of these we have already implemented. Have you thought about hanging clothes out to dry? I know that I hang out all blankets, towles, sheets and heavy garments such as jeans and sweats. Then, I pop them in the dryer with a softner sheet for a couple minutes to fluff them and I have saved electricity. For anyone with a backyard this is workable!

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  36. I like to save money, too. Those were very helpful tips, especially the one about covering your food and cooling it before putting it in the fridge. That makes sense, but I hadn't figured that one out yet. Tonight, I let my dishes in the dishwasher air dry. I'm hoping if I keep that up my electric bill will be lower. It needs all the help it can get.

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  37. love the tips! But, you deserve great jeans! I buy Sevens and they fit great, I feel good in them, and they last forever! Plus, spots wash out and tears give character. Go for one pair of some jeans that you love!

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  38. Love those tips....can't say I've bought jeans in a long long time...!!

    One tip I have used 3 times---breast feed instead of bottle feed---saves a TON TON TON of money!!

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  39. Great tips--people don't realize that there are so many easy ways to save that don't take a lot of effort!

    :)

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  40. If you invest in a waterless heater, you get got water faster and don't have to pay to keep that huge container of water hot. You also never run out no matter how many people need a shower.

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  41. Great list. I agree with everything you said!

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  42. Happy Birthday to You!!! I'm so sad that I havn't talked to you today!! I miss you. Hope you had a great time at the cabin, and a wonderful b-day! Love,
    your bff
    Anna Dawn

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  43. OMG!! I wouldn't even have known about citizen jeans if it werent for you coveting them every time we talk about shopping, so I just had to see what all the hype was about. I tried some on today at Nordstrom and they were AMAZING! So much that my step mom bought them for me!! No fretting, cuz it wasn't my money!! Don't worry, i'll share them with you!! :) Miss you a ton, see you at the end of the week!! I get back on Thursday.

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  44. This is awesome advice Thanks!

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