Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

20. Agreed

Sun Jan 1, 2012, 06:46 AM

Jan 2012

Those are all good things to do. I would love to drop cable, but my spouse enjoys it so that is out. I switched to Magic Jack for a landline a year ago. It is far from perfect, but it served as a compromise as she simply did not want to be without a landline & our daughter who calls frequently can't seem to figure out how to use a cell phone, even though we provide one for her.

I will be turning down the thermostat a bit after the first of the year, just a degree or so but it does help.

We have resolved to try & use up some of the pantry stockpile this year. Made a good start in the Autumn. I have a thing about grocery shopping & sales that can cause us to get a little overstocked from time to time.

Wife has rediscovered the library & is getting audio books for her commute there. She also has a Nook which she likes & the E books seem to be a bit cheaper.

More crock potting & home cooking are great ideas. There are a ton of online recipes available as well as online coupons for all sorts of things.

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I need to spend less. [View all] yardwork Dec 2011 OP

Crock pot. Ruby the Liberal Dec 2011 #1

Great idea! I am vegetarian but eat fish and sometimes chicken. I'll look into this. Thank you. yardwork Jan 2012 #10

We eat out too much, too. I've spent this weekend investigating Flaxbee Apr 2012 #41

depends on what you like to eat, but I do a lot of salads and was getting maddezmom Dec 2011 #2

Good suggestions, especially the part about freezing things I know I like and will eat. yardwork Jan 2012 #11

I make and freeze my own spagetti sauce by the buckets full.. Little Star Dec 2011 #3

Do you have a good recipe for spaghetti sauce? Do you use canned tomatoes? What brand? Thanks! yardwork Jan 2012 #12

Well.... Little Star Jan 2012 #21

Whole chickens are the best meat for your dollar. canoeist52 Dec 2011 #4

Absolutely. I can get three meals out of one chicken. cbayer Dec 2011 #7

That sounds fantastic! Do you put the potatoes right in the baking pan with the chicken? yardwork Jan 2012 #13

Pierce the un-peeled potatoes with a fork so they don't explode in the oven. canoeist52 Jan 2012 #26

Thanks. This sounds delicious. I sometimes cook small potatoes and carrots in pan with the chicken. yardwork Jan 2012 #28

Good Plastic Containers Viva Mar 2012 #39

i have found those containers work great, they stack and if you buy the right size, you have NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #29

We boil the chicken with onions, carrots and celery in a large stock po - then strip it off the bone BR_Parkway Jan 2012 #27

Great ideas Irishonly Dec 2011 #5

How do you thaw and/or cook the frozen portions? yardwork Jan 2012 #14

If you have a microwave... Irishonly Jan 2012 #18

Sorry about the meat Irishonly Jan 2012 #23

I eat chicken and fish. I'm a kinda-sorta vegetarian. yardwork Jan 2012 #24

I get a lot of ideas from the cooking & baking group. cbayer Dec 2011 #6

That's my goal. Right now, I spend too much money eating out, and I don't even enjoy it. yardwork Jan 2012 #15

Like you I just go shopping for groceries. RebelOne Jan 2012 #33

I am not a vegetarian, but I find that I am eating less and less meat. cbayer Jan 2012 #34

Probably the first thing you want to do Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #8

My mom taught me to buy at yard sales and Goodwill! She didn't teach me to cook, though. yardwork Jan 2012 #16

I've done all that, too. My suggestion, simplify your diet. freshwest Dec 2011 #9

Good advice. Simplifying is my plan. yardwork Jan 2012 #17

I've only had one summer with sufficient sun at my place to grow anything at the window. freshwest Jan 2012 #19

Agreed Sherman A1 Jan 2012 #20

Reading for entertainment can be frugal.. Little Star Jan 2012 #22

I've thought about getting a Kindle. yardwork Jan 2012 #25

farmers market. getdown Jan 2012 #30

just got an email and found some good ideas here maddezmom Jan 2012 #31

You have made a good start by identifying ways you can save money annonymous Jan 2012 #32

Hey, yardwork, how's it going? Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #35

LOL! I made some homemade chicken soup. yardwork Jan 2012 #36

Well, don't give up. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #37

Thanks. My life has been a bit upside down lately. It will settle down, though. yardwork Jan 2012 #38

homemade 2 liters stevia-sweetened iced tea eShirl Mar 2012 #40

Old fashion oatmeal. safeinOhio Apr 2012 #42

Heating cedric125 Jun 2012 #43