Idea exchange: Share your money saving tips! Conserve money & the planet.

McJag · May 17th, 2007, 04:20 PM

Like: Swedes save gasoline by coasting downhill.
Fed Ex saves by banning left hand turns. What are you doing to conserve or save that the rest of us need to know?? Practical things: not Sheyl Crow toilet paper stuff! I have switched to the new light bulbs. What can you help us all with?

AliceInWonderland · May 17th, 2007, 04:26 PM

good thread btw....I'm thinking....well for one, i never use dry cleaning! I think its in general a sham, your clothes are usually fine if you just use cold water and maybe hang dry.

McJag · May 17th, 2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliceInWonderland

good thread btw....I'm thinking....well for one, i never use dry cleaning! I think its in general a sham, your clothes are usually fine if you just use cold water and maybe hang dry.

I agree! And that dry cleaner smell-yuk.

KrisNine · May 17th, 2007, 06:34 PM

Well, I got rid of my SUV and got a wagon (for the dog). It's not a hybrid, but it's better on gas mileage overall. Also, I use my own canvas bags at the grocery store and the compact fluorescent bulbs. It's a step in the right direction.

ETA: I meant to say it's better on gas mileage than my SUV, not a hybrid

AliceInWonderland · May 17th, 2007, 06:37 PM

yes i use those canvas bags too

which is good for the environment!

missbazilb · May 18th, 2007, 02:05 PM

My first step is to define needs vs. wants. We are constantly bombarded with the fact that we need to buy way too much stuff, and to always buy newer and better stuff. Cutting down on consumerism, and only buying what you need will save money, and you won't be contributing to overflowing landfills with waste.

Recycle everything. I agree with the no drycleaning. So bad for the environment.

Take public transit whenever possible, or walk cuz it's also good exercise.

Live near where you work, shop and play.

Don't use the dryer. Hang everything to dry.

Baking soda and vinegar are the cheapest, most environmentally friendly cleaning supplies.

SVZ · May 18th, 2007, 02:17 PM

Bought a metro pass (monthly public transit)

I bike

Resell my textbooks and recycle when I'm done with them

Replaced all our lights with compact fluorescents and LEDs

eh that's all I can think of right now

AliceInWonderland · May 18th, 2007, 02:24 PM

^ thats amazing SVZ about the public transit, I still can't give up my car and time and go with the bus here in l.a. and its kinda shameful actually i must admit.

Quote:

My first step is to define needs vs. wants.

omg i struggle with this daily! especailly when i go to Ross dress for less in the home decorating dept.

but its helped in the long wrong, b/c so many times before I'll be going through my stuff at home and wondering, "why the hell did i waste $30.00 on this, that money could be in my bank acct. now!", so i'm glad I'm getting my priorities straight.

SVZ · May 18th, 2007, 02:44 PM

The toronto public transit system is REALLY good, you can get anywhere by it. It's a subway and then a bus system.

McJag · May 18th, 2007, 02:52 PM

These are good! Where are our European friends! And Aussies! It is well know they are more frugal than we. Not to mention Canadians. Well,maybe not Grimm.
I did find out on Martha Stewart yesterday-this last pure ground mustard:
Ground in the only remaining stone mustard mill in the United States. Raye's Mustard has been producing award winning mustards since 1900.
I think going back to the real thing with no weird additives is safer for us-maybe choose things like this instead of some new material thingy. Support these vendors-what few remain. under: rayesmustard.com

pacific breeze · May 18th, 2007, 02:55 PM

The Dollar Stretcher

This is a great site.

SVZ · May 18th, 2007, 02:58 PM

Good tips, ugly website.

pacific breeze · May 18th, 2007, 03:02 PM

I know. It's been that way for six years. Hideous.

**Tati** · May 18th, 2007, 03:11 PM

We use compact fluorescent bulbs, recycle and compost/green bin, take public transit or walk in the city, carpool to get to work (in a small, efficient car), wash with cold water (I don't think I've ever dry-cleaned anything), hang about half our laundry to dry (we just literally don't have a configuration in our house or yard that would let us hang a full load of laundry)... and, um, little things, like I wash and reuse Ziploc bags, reuse shopping bags when I use them or simply use a backpack for shopping. And now I shower at the gym, which doesn't necessarily help the environment (though I do tend to take cool showers since I'e just worked out), but it does save us money.

McJag · May 18th, 2007, 03:27 PM

I do semi-dry clothes-first run thru spin cycle extra time, then dry like 10 minutes, hang on hangers on door frame over night, then pop back in dryer 10 min to fluff. Maybe a little longer on some things, but beats 1 60 min dryer cycle which I think is harder on clothes. Mother of small children are exempt from this!