Cutting Cost? (Long wanting thoughts)

[big rockpile]

Trying to figure what we need to do to cut cost because don't look like its going to get better around here.

Trying to work with what we have.Decided first thing is to get Wood Cook Stove and Propane.Change slowly over to Solar.Start with the Lights,then Computer and T.V. Was looking at 12V Refridgerators and Freezers sounds very good if they work??

I brought up doing away with Electric Well Pump but my wife is saying no on that for awhile.Still kicking around Composting Toilet my wife is saying the Flush Toilet don't use that much water,I'm saying she would be surprised how much it uses.I do know I'm not real happy with our Enviorlite Toilet at the Cabin,my wife is saying its because we're not up there enough.If I get one for the House it will be Sun Mar.Looking at Hand powerd Washing Machine ,just the two of us,looks like it will work good.

Was thinking of getting Livestock.My wife says Eggs have doubled in price.So thinking about getting a Dozen Young Hens.Have a Pen but mostly let them run and get their food.As far as other animals with the cost of feed and other supplies if I'm wanting to sell I wouldn't make anything.As far as supplying Meat around here with Rivers,Lakes and Goverment Hunting Land we have plenty of Healthy Lean Meat.

Vegatables I have some Raised Beds that did well last year.But for now we are getting alot of Cull Stuff off the Mennonites but with Hard Times I don't look for that to last.

We have our place up at the Lake but. can't go with Solar or Garden up there because not enough Sun but this is good as far as being cool in the Summer.We are going to use Wood Heat.We pay $130 a year for Trash Pickup,Road Repair,Water,Security and use of the Shower House.So cost are not that much up there but can't do enough with it to be selfsufficient

Thoughts and any other ideas?

big rockpile

[Maura]

I think expanding your garden a little is a good idea. So are the chickens, just keep them out of the garden until the plants are big enough to not be attractive. They will scratch up the garden looking for bugs and worms, so you may need a little fence around the garden. Still, it can be a good idea to let the chickens in occasionally to pick off the bugs. The Poultry forum can help you a lot if you haven't raised chicks before. Feed them near or in their night time roosting spot, not near the house or you will have chicken droppings all over. Will you end up saving money? I don't know. You will have to supplement the chickens even if they free range. In the winter, how much foraging can they do? The more foraging, the less you are spending. However, if you look at it from the perspective that you will be eating organic free range eggs, you will save money. Your eggs will also be lower in cholesterol and with a better, richer flavor. you can grow some grain yourself for the chooks. Old variety of corn, amaranth, leftover vegetables.

By the time you paid for a composting toilet I'm not sure you'd be saving any money. Keep the wife happy and keep the old toilet.

[UUmom2many]

I too am wondering about inital cost vs. overall savings. If you're looking at doing this only on the saving money aspect. Its so hard to say what will be money savers in the long run. I've heard that problems with composting toilets that have the receptical in the ground are very expensive to dig up to fix. Then again, septic issues are pricey too.

I'd look for a used woodstove. From what I've looked at they're really pricey, but if it's just you and the Mrs' you could get a very small one and be effective.

Right now we're culling out household things. Saving the money from that to go towards our home building fund. I'm trying to curb our spending and increase savings through gardening, cooking at home etc. but have found that set up is costing me more. In the long run I'm sure it'll pan out but when finances are tight it's hard to pull off the large ticket money savers. Just buying the canning supplies I needed was well over $50I still have to get the food to can and figure out how to do it. I don't see it saving us any money until we have a large enough garden to stock things away.

For hand washing, I've looked into that it seems the most vital part is the wringing. You can hand wash in a bathtub or sink and the agitation is plenty but it's getting the dirty water out of the clothes that's the task. I found a wall mounted wringer at Harbor Freight for $16. Bettween washing in the sink and line drying that would be effective cost wise. But I can't do it for 7 people including cloth diapers. Id' spend all my time washing clothes and we homeschool so that's out for us. Might work for you though.

[big rockpile]

Ok I''l add this.We have raised all kinds of animals all our life,heated with Wood,done without Electric,Running Water,Phone up until 13 years ago.And have had a Large Garden,just where I had mine the neighbors Trees have grown up to where I no longer get enough Sun light so I moved it and went with Raised Beds because of our Soil.So yes we know doing without the Nices.

Now that we have had these things want to continue.But looks like might have to cut back because of income,wanting to do this while we have the funds.Plus it will be nice to continue to enjoy if everyone is out of electricity.

Our Electric Bill for this place runs on average a $100 a month,the Bill runs $300 a year at the Cabin but I'm looking for this to go up.

big rockpile

[FarmerChick]

wow you are going way too fast
research, research, research...LOL

before big changes, remember this

You have tons of bills, luxuries, maybe a higher grocery bill etc.

CUT BACK on your spending NOW

see what money that saves you BEFORE you got spending $2K or $3K for transformations like in a new woodstove etc


Do not spend big money to save money...LOL.....I learned this the hard way...oh yea..---if money is tight there are tons of ways to save and put that saved money int he bank for harder times.

When times are hard, you cut back first. then slowly proceed to know what is the best addition to your home without big bucks.


for me, propane. my electric heat is fine, but when it gets cold the heat strip comes on and it is expensive......so I spent $1,500 for a fireplace, 100 lb propane tank installed and filled, warmer heat, and $ savings, and it is not required to have electric so if lost power it works. That was my main concer, backup heat if power went out.


Think slow. Can or preserve more food to get that grocery bill down.
Wear more clothes to drop back that electric bill...simple...some sweaters and socks you own can save $30 or more per month easily.

Hang your clothes outside to dry.....not using the dryer in summer saves about $25 per month for me.



sit back and think slow-----------a garden is wonderful but can you eat off that garden thru winter? thereby savings tons of grocery money?


how do I live the best I can and have good conveniences working off my existing, and save money.

I hope some of that helps ya!

[cfabe]

Solar is not the answer to high power bills, grid power is WAY cheaper than a solar setup. Solar is still too expensive to every see payback unless you happen to live in a state that has heavy subsidies for buying the equipment. Just work to cut back on your usage.

[big rockpile]

Originally Posted by FarmerChick

wow you are going way too fast
research, research, research...LOL

before big changes, remember this

You have tons of bills, luxuries, maybe a higher grocery bill etc.

CUT BACK on your spending NOW

see what money that saves you BEFORE you got spending $2K or $3K for transformations like in a new woodstove etc


Do not spend big money to save money...LOL.....I learned this the hard way...oh yea..---if money is tight there are tons of ways to save and put that saved money int he bank for harder times.

When times are hard, you cut back first. then slowly proceed to know what is the best addition to your home without big bucks.


for me, propane. my electric heat is fine, but when it gets cold the heat strip comes on and it is expensive......so I spent $1,500 for a fireplace, 100 lb propane tank installed and filled, warmer heat, and $ savings, and it is not required to have electric so if lost power it works. That was my main concer, backup heat if power went out.


Think slow. Can or preserve more food to get that grocery bill down.
Wear more clothes to drop back that electric bill...simple...some sweaters and socks you own can save $30 or more per month easily.

Hang your clothes outside to dry.....not using the dryer in summer saves about $25 per month for me.



sit back and think slow-----------a garden is wonderful but can you eat off that garden thru winter? thereby savings tons of grocery money?


how do I live the best I can and have good conveniences working off my existing, and save money.

I hope some of that helps ya!

Right now with paying extra on couple Bills,Food,Untilties,Gas and Medcation we are spending $1,500 a month for next two years,no way of getting around it without selling property.

big rockpile

[ronbre]

look around and see if you have anything that might be marketable or a marketable skill..that is one thing i've been doing..attempting to find marketable things for next year.

i was going thru some craft books and found a few patterns for cat toys..that you make out of felt..we have gobs of catnip here and i dried a LOT of it this fall..i was thinking, if i can get a good price for the felt...mostly grey or brown ..mouse color and a little bit for ears and a tail..and i have thread..so the rest would be free..i know they sell for a couple of bucks in the stores..was thinking about doing them in the evening while i'm watcing t v..making them up and then putting them in a zipper bag to keep them fresh and in the summer or fall trying to sell them either all at once to a store or market..or selling them at a craft booth in the fall..however..my sister spent all summer making bags and teddy bears to sell at craft booths and she ended up not making enough to pay for her booth rental..

so i'd prefer to find another market for them.

then there is things like making up jellies or teas or dried herbal packages in those little zipper bags that you get at Walmart craft dept.

also thinking of making things from scrap wood like bird houses and feeders over the summer, children stools or chairs and maybe paint them cute..we have a lot of willow so maybe i could do some weaving? sewing things also is a good idea for winter time..or crochet or other crafting..

there used to be a free download of jobs you can do at home..on this forum..you might still be able to find it on a search

[Jolly]

There's a reason the old Southern plantation homes had their kitchens in a separate outbuilding:

A) chance of fire
B) a woodstove is mighty hot in the summertime

I think heating with wood is wonderful. Cooking year-round, not so much. Not unless you can keep that heat out of the house when it's not wanted. A propane stove is not expensive to buy, or to run.

Solar? Passive heating of water may exhibit a decent ROI. Electricity, not so much, IMO. I do think a very simple system, say enough panels to consistently provide enough energy for 12V lights might work, but if you still need to be on the grid for other things, lightbulbs don't pull enough to worry about. A nice device is a Kill-o-watt...lets you see where actual dollars are being spent.

No, when I think of how to really take it down to the bone, I think of my favorite uncle and aunt...heated with wood, cooked with propane, no A/C, had a well with an electric pump on it. Planted all heirloom type vegetables and saved seed. Always had a pig or two in the pen, a few chickens in the chickenyard. Plowed his gardens (and he had big ones) and his corn patch with an old mule.

Had an old used truck, but it stayed parked most of the time. From the time he was 62 he got a SS check, but he supplemented that by selling vegetables, firewood, roast pigs, crafts...whatever he or she could do to make an honest dollar.

Even in today's dollars, I don't think the old couple ever spent over $500/month...

[jehoshaphat]

My thoughts on this have been leaning towards making items that are needed & useful but making them better or nicer. Like fabric tote bags as alot of stores are beginning to charge for bags or will give credit when you use one of yr own. If we make a nice bag at a good price using what we have(think denim or ?) then we can sell or trade. Craft items are less & less marketable where I live. Lots of people have enough doodads that they aren't buying them. Wooden cars, trucks, doll beds ,puzzles, blocks real birdhouses(not just for decoration) might sell better. Soap making seems to be making a big appearence the past couple yrs. Sharing yr experience with others may pay in many ways not just $ but relatioships & trading.

[big rockpile]

Thing with making or growing things to sell here is I live in a Menonnite area you can't sell a Dozen Eggs unless you are Menonnite.

There is a Market 30 miles away where we could sell but people from all around go there so if you sell it,its almost at a give away price.Like half Cord of Firewood brings $10.Plus you have to pay the crooks that run the place their share.

We wasn't going to change everything over at once.The Wood Cook Stove I know about the heat and all.As far as the Solar Power I was just going to keep it simple 12V System with Panels and Battery Bank.

My ground is so rocky and steep I can't grow much in the way of crops.It is good for running Goats and Calves in the brush if I want,done this before,we would still have to put and repair fence.

big rockpile

[edcopp]

Here are some things that I would look into. First take a look at the Meds that you use regularily. Ask your doctor if there is some way to get meds at a reduced rate or for free. There may be. Some companies that manufacture meds have foundations that provide meds free or at reduced cost for people who are poor, disabled or old. Also ask about generics, see if there are cheaper meds that will do the same job.

Take a look at the house. Begin to do some of the simple things that you may have been putting off. Like weather stripping windows, and sealing up drafty places. Take a look at making some window quilt type drapes. I have used wool blankets, and worn sleeping bags for things like this with some success.

Make a door snake. That is a small bundle of rags to place in front of the door to the outside when it is closed to stop drafts from under the door. A couple of old towels or an old pair of pants may work for this task. The whole idea is to use less heat and to be more cumfortable.

Look into your local food bank. See what they have to offer for people like you and DW. There is no shame in using these services if they are needed. Also take a look at your local senior citizens center (depends on age) and what they can do to help you out. Senior centers often provide extra food, reduced priced lunches as well as transportation for medical services and can sometimes arrange free or reduced medical services, as well as home delivered lunches.

For example. I think I am a bit older than you are. My senior center provides a location where dental students can come and work on us older folks for free. They do fillings, cleanings, x-rays, extractions and so on for free. Usually available 4 times per year.

Senior centers are parrtially federal funded, and in my area there is also a tax levy for senior centers. So part of this service is taxpayer funded.

Your local health department may also have some services for you. In my area they provide some simple services like blood pressure tests, etc. for free. Some other more complicated services are available at reduced rates.

If DW is laid off right now you and she may qualify for food stamps. No shame in this either. Take them and stock up for later, or for trading stock when things really tighten up.

Some food banks have other services like thrift stores. Take a look at good warm clothing and layer up. This may also help your comfort level.

Check out the cupboards and so on. Try to use up some of what you already heve, and preserve what little cash you do have. Forget about anything that requires a cash outlay, for now (like solar). Just put it on the back burner so to speak.

Do not invest in new levestock right now, it is the wrong time of the year. Put the word out that you would take (for free) chickens and rabbits. If you get some then set up a small flock and eat what you do not need now.

Just keep it simple and do the simple things right now.

[Callieslamb]

A wood cookstove would cost me almost 2 yrs worth of elec. I am not so sure of the saving in switching. A propane stove might save you more in the long run and you could in a pinch, use it to heat with.

[firegirl969]

We put our wood-burning stove in last January. It paid for itself with the energy savings last winter. We paid $225 for it plus about $50 for the stove pipe, and DH installed it.

[buslady]

The A-Frame flea market had a wood cookstove a while back that was well worth the money. I think it was less than $200, and everything was in good shape. If they still have it, they would probably jew on it. I have one that I have had for about 35 years and it is still as good as it was the day I got it.
If we can be of help, just let us know. Buslady & Graderman

[ChristieAcres]

You can modify a cook stove OR a wood stove to also do double duty and heat your water. We are reducing our propane use, so DH is working on the system for our wood stove. If you go to Shop Talk, you can see the thread I posted about the Radiator. There is a booklet about using your wood stove to heat water (from Lehman's). Since it has been installed in our bedroom, already, and is hooked up to the water heater? When the wood stove heats the water, the hot water heater will no longer be used to heat but used to house the hot water. He is setting up a very safe system. We also have a steel rack installed from the ceiling, near the wood stove (built in heatilator does a great job drying our clothing). So, we don't use our clothing dryer. We don't have cable or pay for tv, just watch movies. We grew more than enough fruit/veggies to feed us with plenty extra (I got carried away, like usual). We get a lot of free things that help out too with defraying expenses.

[PulpFaction]

Mr. Rockpile, looks like you've already cut the costs down to pretty bare bones. Without more details, I'm inclined to echo edcopp's advice about taking advantage of services you've been paying to provide to others all your life.

I'd also try to frequent that flea market you talked about. Not selling, but possibly buying or bartering for things you could use to further cut yours costs. Never know what you might come up with. If Craigslist or similar classified listing services are available in your area, stalk them. I have found every manner of thing I would ever need to get set-up with small livestock for free or cheap. (And the small livestock itself.)

Feed store bulletin boards are good for that, too.

But something tells me you've been around the block and know all this. Are you really just fishing for an excuse to do solar?

[big rockpile]

Originally Posted by edcopp

Here are some things that I would look into. First take a look at the Meds that you use regularily. Ask your doctor if there is some way to get meds at a reduced rate or for free. There may be. Some companies that manufacture meds have foundations that provide meds free or at reduced cost for people who are poor, disabled or old. Also ask about generics, see if there are cheaper meds that will do the same job.

Take a look at the house. Begin to do some of the simple things that you may have been putting off. Like weather stripping windows, and sealing up drafty places. Take a look at making some window quilt type drapes. I have used wool blankets, and worn sleeping bags for things like this with some success.

Make a door snake. That is a small bundle of rags to place in front of the door to the outside when it is closed to stop drafts from under the door. A couple of old towels or an old pair of pants may work for this task. The whole idea is to use less heat and to be more cumfortable.

Look into your local food bank. See what they have to offer for people like you and DW. There is no shame in using these services if they are needed. Also take a look at your local senior citizens center (depends on age) and what they can do to help you out. Senior centers often provide extra food, reduced priced lunches as well as transportation for medical services and can sometimes arrange free or reduced medical services, as well as home delivered lunches.

For example. I think I am a bit older than you are. My senior center provides a location where dental students can come and work on us older folks for free. They do fillings, cleanings, x-rays, extractions and so on for free. Usually available 4 times per year.

Senior centers are parrtially federal funded, and in my area there is also a tax levy for senior centers. So part of this service is taxpayer funded.

Your local health department may also have some services for you. In my area they provide some simple services like blood pressure tests, etc. for free. Some other more complicated services are available at reduced rates.

If DW is laid off right now you and she may qualify for food stamps. No shame in this either. Take them and stock up for later, or for trading stock when things really tighten up.

Some food banks have other services like thrift stores. Take a look at good warm clothing and layer up. This may also help your comfort level.

Check out the cupboards and so on. Try to use up some of what you already heve, and preserve what little cash you do have. Forget about anything that requires a cash outlay, for now (like solar). Just put it on the back burner so to speak.

Do not invest in new levestock right now, it is the wrong time of the year. Put the word out that you would take (for free) chickens and rabbits. If you get some then set up a small flock and eat what you do not need now.

Just keep it simple and do the simple things right now.

At the moment I've cut my Meds back to $8 a month.

Done took care of where air is coming in even as far as Insulation in the Windows coverd with plastic.I just soon let the light in but it is warmer.

Hit the Food Bank and with me losing weight I have been exchanging Clothes with a Church.Plus been making use of the Salvation Army.And do use the Services of the County Health Department when I can.My Doctor is good about seeing where she can cut cost for me.

Actually Chickens are cheap now but it may be couple months before they are laying well.

Originally Posted by buslady

The A-Frame flea market had a wood cookstove a while back that was well worth the money. I think it was less than $200, and everything was in good shape. If they still have it, they would probably jew on it. I have one that I have had for about 35 years and it is still as good as it was the day I got it.
If we can be of help, just let us know. Buslady & Graderman

Buslady nice to hear from you,hope you are keeping warm.That is a good deal on Stove but I'm rethinking things.Like if I was using it for some heat where I was going to put it,I have a Heater in there it cost me $30 a Winter to run at this time.Its safe heat and don't have to feed it.

Ok rethinking all this.We've cut cost as much as we can.Like I say our Electric Bill at this time at its highest is $110 a month.Thats with Well Pump,Electric Cook Stove,Electric Hot Water Heater,Refridgerator,two Freezers,T.V.,Computer,Washer,two Window A/C,lights and all that stuff.I could spend alot of money only cut my Bill in half.So I would never pay for making the change over.

So thanks! I know don't be thinking so much sit back and enjoy

big rockpile

[big rockpile]

Originally Posted by PulpFaction

Mr. Rockpile, looks like you've already cut the costs down to pretty bare bones. Without more details, I'm inclined to echo edcopp's advice about taking advantage of services you've been paying to provide to others all your life.

I'd also try to frequent that flea market you talked about. Not selling, but possibly buying or bartering for things you could use to further cut yours costs. Never know what you might come up with. If Craigslist or similar classified listing services are available in your area, stalk them. I have found every manner of thing I would ever need to get set-up with small livestock for free or cheap. (And the small livestock itself.)

Feed store bulletin boards are good for that, too.

But something tells me you've been around the block and know all this. Are you really just fishing for an excuse to do solar?

Ok you caughyt me

Yea I love Craigs List.Like I told my wife if I ever need another Vehical that is where I'm going.EBay use to be good but its went to pot.

Always looking for a bargain but yes I get to thinking and wind up costing more than if I had bought it New or I find I get things I have no use for.

big rockpile

[Illini]

I read in another post that you're devastatingly handsome. Is that true?