It is now summer in the northern hemisphere, or quickly approaching summer. I know some of our friends are just now having winter in the southern hemisphere! That still just boggles my mind. Anyway, the ideas of ways save a few dollars this summer - work basically at anytime and anywhere.
Just a few simple ideas to save a little here and there. Nothing complicated - just simple things that CAN make a difference.
- Keep lights off as much as possible. Daylight hours are longer - basically little use for lights
- Turn on AC (or furn.) only when needed - use fresh air when possible
- Keep blinds and curtains closed on the sunny sides of house to keep the house cooler - sun is amazingly hot
- Change that furnace filter - AC still uses the system to cool. Clean filters help things run more efficiently
- Keep you AC unit clean and hosed out - dust and pollen build up quickly and it does affect the running power
- Drink water and water-based drinks - stay hydrated!!!!!!
- Use rainwater for plants - collect if allowed in your area. Use a bucket and use bath water or dish water for plants - waste nothing!
- Work outside early and later in the day - in the coolest parts of day
- Use ceiling fans if you have them - they sure help circulate the air
- Use your crockpot or air fryer instead of the oven - the grill is a good idea as well
- Wear lightweight and light-colored clothes
- Hang laundry outdoors if possible
- Eat light meals. Salads, veggie and fruits - heavy foods tend to warm your body as they digest. Eat less meat! Use it only as an ingredient!!!!!!!
- Plan your trips. Super important with the price of gas. Make your rounds and only go out if necessary.
- As always watch the sales and the ads. Buy the lost leaders and clearance. Shop local and use the farmer markets - at least you are helping an individual family not a corporation
- Keep fun simple!!!!! There can be a lot of fun had - just staying close to home
- Garden SOMETHING if at all possible! Use your flower beds, patio pots or windowsills. Anything will help!
- Take a cool shower if you get over heated! It sure does help. Catch that flowing water in a bucket for watering
- Wear a hat if out in the sun!!!
- Your wrists and back of neck are excellent cooling areas. Run some cold water or place a cold rag in those areas if you overheat - it helps cool you quickly (I do this a lot)!!!!
I hope you all have a wonderful summer. Stay cool and do lots of little things to save where you can!
How do you save money during the summer? Any tricks or tips appreciated.
Great ideas!
ReplyDeleteI need a garden hat for sure. I do where my hair up a lot so it's hard to fit one on my big head. Today it's nice and cooler ...didn't get much rain for my barrel that was dry. Have a wonderful day Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteHats do help - I have an old farmer looking hat!!! LOL
DeleteAll good tips, Cheryl. Happy June to you! --Elise
ReplyDeleteThanks. happy June to you as well.
DeleteA/C is a must in SC but we keep ours at a less than cold temp and run fans. We always keep popsicles because they can really cool you off fast. Even though it is hot outside we have found that at 8 PM here it just cools down and feels better outside so we often go out to the porch swing then and enjoy the lightning bugs in the woods and the cooler evening air. (Until I hear coyotes in the woods and then I am in the door like a shot!)
ReplyDeleteI use a dehumidifier in the basement as well as the AC. It helps the AC not work as hard - plus I can use the water.
DeletePopsicles are always refreshing!
Porch sitting and enjoying nature is a great way to end the day!
No basements here but it would be great to have one!
DeleteIT IS! So much storage!
DeleteHere in Saskatchewan, we can run the furnace in the morning, and the a/c later in the day. The difference in temperatures can be that extreme. I keep the thermostat at a lower than normal temp for the furnace, and a higher than normal temp for the a/c. (I do have to manually switch between the two).
ReplyDeleteI've no exciting tips - shade is my friend when I'm outdoors and I'm grateful for the trees that grow in my yard. Not only do they provide privacy, I can work in the shade for much of the day by staying ahead of the sun. Of course, being out early helps too before the day heats up.
Yes, shade is wonderful. It helps so much. I turn my furn/AC back and forth manually as well. I am happy as long as the humidity is down in the house!
DeleteHallo Cheryl, I read your posts every day, but it's the first time I've commented. Your hints and tips on saving money are simple and helpful, especially on a budget. But what I can't understand is why in some areas of the USA collecting rainwater is forbidden so could you explain it for me please? We don't have any such restrictions here in the UK, in fact the councils encourage the buying of water buts.
ReplyDeleteWell many states are in drought conditions and have been for years - they say not to collect, so that it all goes back to ground. Well, in my opinion it would any way - if you are watering ground plants. Right?
DeleteI wish I had a good answer for you - but I do not. In my state there is no restrictions. Maybe someone from one of those states that ban rain barrels can better explain. I hope so.
GOOD question!!!!! I have actually wondered as well. Good to have you here!
Only a few states have rainwater collection restrictions remaining, for example Colorado is one that limits to two barrels per house (but apparently not enforced!). Other than a few restrictions like that, no state bans collection anymore. The bans were due to old water rights.
DeleteGreat ideas, as usual. My idea was another one of those that's done for one reason and worked for solving another issue.
ReplyDeleteOur kitchen faces south and our dining room faces south and west. Beef jerky anyone?! We removed our old blinds, but they were on all those windows. We needed good sunblock, especially for the bay window and back slider. The blackout curtains we found were ugly, for lack of a more accurate term. Dark, dreary colors. And super pricey. We went to Home Goods and found a glut of thicker than normal white 84" curtains in sets of 4. Really unusual. $39.99. They were also lined! White with chenille designs and so bright and pretty. Rather than put just a pair on the slider, I put on all 4 panels for extra privacy. Works great. The bonus is that the extra fabric gathers and provides great insulation from the heat! Who knew! So, we did that on both big windows. The cost was about half what 2 of the blackout curtains woulve cost. I was thrilled!
I think Colorado is one of the states that banned water barrels.. like Cheryl, it made no sense to me. It all ends up in the ground! I'm gonna have to look it up.
Great idea on the curtains. That would sure keep out the sun and heat and keep heat in during the winter. Great price as well.
DeleteNo rain barrels make NO since to me!
Great reminders for the upcoming hot months, I hope!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mam!
DeleteHey Cheryl, in their sporting goods dept. Walmart sells a cooling towel that is kind of like a chamois for humans. They come in several colors. You simply soak it with cool water, wring it out well and drape it around your neck. After doing yardwork (in Texas!) I throw it in with the laundry then hang it to dry. Works like a charm and lasts for years!
ReplyDeleteI have seen those. I have a wrap - that has, I believe Perlite in it. (used in potted plants to hold water). Soak and go. Can use many times. I got it many years ago at a craft fair. I usually just use a very cold wet rag! Thanks!!!!
DeleteYes, we are all trying to make what we have stretch farther. But I wanted to bring up a couple of issues that I'm hearing and actually seeing, just as a counterpoint and for some somewhat-related contemplation.
ReplyDelete1. At $5.65/gal this morning, I’m starting to understand why the only cars available on “Automobile Row” are electric and hybrid vehicles (not that I really want one).
2. With online bill-pay, will there be a need for stamps and a local post office and full-service banks? My branch PO is rumored to be closing, due to less foot traffic, and my bank branch has gone cashless. All transactions involving the exchange of bills must be done thru the ATM. In-person is restricted to things like opening a new account, changes to existing accounts, mortgage applications, and investments. If you need to do a cash transaction that can't be done via ATM, you must go to the main Regional bank, located two towns over. I've been with this bank for over 35 years and am now rethinking that decision.
3. If you strictly utilize a prescription service, such as Express Scripts, what will you do in an emergency. My mom recently went to get an emergency prescription filled and found that her insurance is now only covering mail-order, no in-person or emergency pharmacy orders. Locally-filled scripts are now 100% out-of-pocket (for a retiree living on a fixed income. Argh!!!!).
Things like these are making me re-think how and where I shop and conduct business, especially where small local stores are involved. Rather than buying online, maybe I'll add a stop, when I'm out and purchase locally. It may be slightly more expensive, but by combining my errands, I can maybe spend a little more locally. Perhaps I'll continue (or return to) sending hand-written birthday cards and writing checks, just to help insure that I have a local post office available in my community. It just means a little extra planning on my part and stretching my $$ a little more.
1. I will NOT have an elec. vehicle. Wonder where the plants that manufacture them get their energy - it isn't from off the grid! I have heard someone I know say that a battery replacement is almost the same price as the car! Nope not for me. (No flack please, that is my choice).
Delete2 That saddens me. I do not pay online - I mail my bills. I am a cash person. My bank is very accommodating with that. LOL - at 67, I have NEVER used an ATM!! FACT!!!!
3. Happy I take no prescriptions. Locally filled should be covered the same as mail order.
I do not order online. I buy in person. I will not shop online until it is a have to situation. Like you, yes, I will pay more for a small privately owned business - always!
Yep, I mail cards, pay with checks, buy plenty of stamps and use cash. Call me an antique if need be!!!
Cheryl, you sound like me! I had an ATM card ages ago, but I'm a cash girl. I mail cards, bills, and gifts. I think I'd sooner find a dinosaur bone than an electric charging station where I live! My prescription is from the local pharmacy. My doctor is walking distance. My dentist is my friend! I only order online for 2 reasons. One, it's not available locally, which is usually some obscure appliance part! Two, when we give blood, we often get gift cards from Amazon. I save those for ordering odd things for my craft room or special gifts. Ever seen a Gryffindor wax sealer (Harry Potter!) in a store? I sure haven't! I have an order to my shopping- in my town, then county, then state.
DeleteThe tax bucks stay as close to home as possible. I also support the local stores that support my favorite causes and I make sure to thank them and let them know why we're there. I hope it keeps them supporting it!
I hope that my choices make a little difference in a good way! Oh, and I NEVER use the self checkout, even when they're waving at me with my 3 items lol.
Good for you - sounds like you are really doing your part.
DeleteI love shopping local a much as possible as well. I just like the idea of helping a family - not a corporation!
Like you, hoping these small things help a little. Surely they do. NO self check here either. I will wait. If you can have someone 'help' me self check - then you can open a register. Greedy ars people!!!!!
I'm rediscovering all those countertop appliances I have stored away in the closet that I either got free or thrifted. My mom had a tabletop pizza cooker she never even got out of the box that my brother gave her. I got it from her and my brother kind of teased me about it getting gadgets and never using them. But I make pizza regularly and boy does my oven heat up the kitchen! So I've been using it to not only bake a pizza but to heat up tortillas. I'm thinking I can use it to warm sandwiches too though I do have a Foreman grill. I also make waffles because using the stove to make pancakes is too hot! I have one of those mini cupcake bakers that I saw every where years ago. I thrifted one for a few dollars and now I can bake a little treat and not heat up the kitchen. I admit until recently I wasn't using this stuff much because it seemed like too much effort to haul it out of the closet but those extra minutes seemed worth it now that cost of energy is going up so much here!
ReplyDelete~margaret
Great ideas - so many things I forgot about. I have a George Foreman and a waffle maker and a quesadilla maker (I do use that). I have made brownie mix in the waffle iron before and I love stuffing recooked in it. Soft inside - crispy outside!
DeleteI think we are all guilty of not using all the 'appliances'. Summer is the time. Thanks for a reminder!!!!
Along the same lines, I recently took my toaster oven down from the top shelf where it had lived for 15 years, having been used only once. Works great to heat up fries, chicken patties or fish portions (our version of convenience food) and doesn't heat up the kitchen.
DeleteFrancis--when my last toaster oven broke, I decided not to replace it. Now I'm thinking about trying to find one while out thrifting or asking for one for my birthday.
DeleteI have thought about getting a toaster oven - but really no space really. My late MIL always used hers - she had a couple I believe. They sure are handy!
DeleteYou have listed good ways to save here and there. We do most of the things you mention. Combining errands just makes sense, even if gasoline was not inching toward $5 a gallon. We have a convection oven, larger than a tabletop toaster oven. That is what we use most...doesn't heat up the house and doesn't use as much juice. We had given our daughter the one we had before and she uses it almost exclusively, rather than her big oven. No electric car for us. Too many $$$, both for initial purchase and upkeep. I am very stubborn about not using the self-checkout lanes. We have three rain barrels plus 5 gallon buckets which catch water and that is poured into a closed container. Regarding snail mail, when I was at my sister-in-law's house on Saturday, I noticed that she had several boxes of greeting cards for various occasions. This is part of her personal ministry for her church.
ReplyDeleteStay cool! We just about melted today, it was so sticky.
Never have had a convection oven either - that would be nice.
DeleteOh, I am super stubborn about self check-out too. I will spend the time to stand in the ONLY line, rather than use self check. Just one of my many quirks!
Yay on the rain barrels - they sure do help with water costs. I have birthday and sympathy cards in assorted boxes. Also have many 'blank' cards I can use. I like cards and letters.
It was a muggy one - should be getting better.
A woman after my own heart. I already do all of those and have found that using a fan to circulate cool air around the house on those cool days is great. A friend puts ice in a bowl in front of her fan and gets lovely cool breezes. She does not have air conditioning.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Fans sure can help! Good idea with the ice. Smart thinking.
DeleteI remember back to no AC - I guess I could do it, but sure don't want to again!
Blessings
All good tips. My tip is sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. It's very important. Slather it on every time you're going to be working in the garden, taking a walk, riding in a car, etc. No one wants skin cancer.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip!!!! I am so forgetful about that! I need to put it by the door, so I see it before going out.
DeleteOur self-checkout line is for debit or credit cards only, no cash. I'm not putting my groceries on a credit card. I've only used that line one time, when I was given a store gift card and had only one item to buy.
ReplyDeleteNo electric car here either. Too much $$$ and I'd need another car to travel in anyways, to go any distance. Can you imagine taking a long trip and a "fill up" takes... how long? No way!
MaryB in NC
Our self checks still allow cash - but I just won't use them. I have no debit card either!
DeleteI know! I know I am old fashioned, but I just don't get it. I understand the 'logic' of electric cars - but yet none of it really makes since to me. So many factors.