I couldn't possibly take a 5 minute shower, but that doesn't mean I have to run 10 or so minutes of water either. After the initial "wetting" of body and hair, I turn the water off while I shampoo, shave my legs, etc. I have to briefly run the water during this process to rinse the shampoo out so that I can add in conditioner, but I've found I still only have the water running for less than 5 minutes even with a longer final rinse. I've plugged the tub to catch and measure the water used during a "regular" shower and my "water on/off" shower - I use less than half by turning the water off when I can!
I also collect water that runs while waiting for it to heat up, water used to boil eggs, etc and use it to flush my toilet or water the plants. These measures have reduced my water bill considerably. ... View related article.
Cover your turkey while roasting until the last hour (then you want it to brown). If you don't, the skin will become very dry and over-brown long before the turkey is done.
Don't put absolute faith in the pop-up timer - they are often wrong. Judge your cooking time by the weight of your turkey, and use a meat thermometer to be certain the internal temperature is hot enough to be safe (180 degrees in the thigh, 160 degrees in the stuffing). As a loose guideline, allow 15 minutes of roasting for every pound of turkey (stuffed). ... View related article.
Dish detergent (Dawn works well) instead of shampoo. Add a tablespoon or two of baking soda to it. Lather, rinse, repeat. This is harsh on the hair, so follow with conditioner. Good luck. ... View related article.
The suggestion to post pictures next to emergency numbers is an excellent one. I would think it makes sense even for somewhat older kids that are reading, but may panic during an emergency. I am fortunate that in my area, all emergency calls are dialed 911. ... View related article.
Without a doubt, we are a nation of spoiled, wasteful creatures. I suffered a severe cut to my income at the same time my expenses went up dramatically (new baby). I am learning to stretch a penny til it screams. Remarkably, I have cut my electric bill in half, and reduced my other utilities as well. I am (somehow) feeding my daughter and myself on $15 a week. If you had asked me two years ago to do this, I would have said it was impossible. We take so much for granted! I genuinely thought back then that I was broke all the time. I was, but only because I wasted a good portion of my income on fast food, convienences, and wasteful habits. If only I had lived frugally then and saved the "extra" $15,000 a year! ... View related article.
Nothing beats straight white vinegar for cleaning a humidifier tank. Fill with vinegar, soak overnight (don't run it), empty, then rinse. If you have a heavy buildup, you will have to wipe out the deposits after soaking. You only have to bear the smell occasionally, and it really works well. ... View related article.
Great idea! Be careful to not let the nail overheat. My former nail tech used a rotary tool on my acrylic nails (gave them up a year ago) and had, on occasion, burned them. Unlike humans, dogs have feeling in their nails once you get down the nail a bit. ... View related article.
This will also help to reduce lint transfer from garment to garment (like when a red sweater comes out of the washer covered in black fuzzies from a different sweater) ... View related article.
"shake-n-bake" bags, freezer bags for meat, storage bag for homemade baked goods, dirty diaper disposal bags, storage for grocery bags, trash bag for car travel, cast cover for showering, cover feet before putting on boots that aren't waterproof... I never seem to run out of uses! ... View related article.
I tried to post a reply but received an error message. Forgive me if this is a redundant post.
I understand the point you're making. Please keep in mind, however, that many of us are in dire financial straits and absolutely MUST live frugally just to get by. I personally have to feed my daughter and myself on $10 a week, so saving a few pennies on a can of corn might mean the difference between being able to get the corn or not. I am college educated, and I work full-time, so my only other option to living frugally would be to get a second job - which would take me away from my daughter even more. I far prefer to spend the extra time hanging my laundry with my daughter playing close by. I do admire your priorities (they are mine as well) but when times are rough, you "do what you gotta do" and hope for better days ahead. Fortunately, frugality comes in varying degrees to meet the needs and desires of everyone. ... View related article.
