This recent article in the NY Times addresses the energy consumption of computers, the biggest culprit I tackled in saving electricity in my home.

The article also mentions a neat device called Kill-A-Watt, something I have been wanting to buy to experimentally prove what gadgets in my home are energy-hogs. The reviews on Amazon will give you an idea of how this device has worked out for people.

Labels: bills, frugality

With gas prices so high I was glad to find this article by Edmunds: What Really Saves Gas? And How Much?

Edmunds actually tested the different theories of how to save on gas consumption and the results were interesting. I have tried to incorporate what I can.

I have also heard that gas prices are higher right before the weekend - I am keeping my eye on prices this week to see if that really plays out. The other tip I have read is to fill your car in the cool of the morning because gas condenses when cool - makes some sense but still not sure there is much to gain there.

It is also important to identify where the cheapest gas station is in your area. The best way is probably just to take a mental note of prices as you drive around but you can also get some clues from online sites like gasbuddy.com.

Finally, the most straightforward way to save on gas is to use less. Try to consolidate all errands keeping in mind the shortest route. If you have two cars, try to use the car with the better gas mileage for errands and for longer trips.

Labels: frugality

About two months ago I decided to see if I could get my electricity bill down.

One of the biggest changes I made was with our computers. We have a desktop and a laptop and both computers were left on all the time though they were in standby mode (which is less energy consumption than being fully powered on). This was a matter of convenience which allowed us to jump on the computer at any time. But the fact was, for many, many hours the computers were not used which was a waste of energy.

I also noticed that the laptop power cord contained a transformer which had a small green light on. That meant that even when the computer was not directly pulling power, the transformer was always pulling some small amount of power (this would be true of other charging cords like for a cell phone). Likewise, we often left our cable box on and just turned off the TV – yet a small light on the cable box told me that power was still being used.

To conserve energy (and money), we began to power down the computer whenever we were done with it. If we would be using the computer later in the day, we would be sure to put it into standby (instead of waiting for the computer to do that itself after being idle) and turn off the monitor (desktop). This was a little less convenient, but it turned out that the desktop was sometimes off for days in a row instead of constantly on (despite not being used).

We also began to use the laptop more - laptops are generally cheaper to run than desktops. And we unplugged the laptop power cord as much as possible (to avoid pulling power through the transformer). Again, when not in use, the laptop was shutdown completely.

In addition to the computers, we tried to be conscientious about turning lights off. We turned the cable box off when not and use. I also tried to not overuse my clothes dryer. Before I would just turn the timer up to some high setting – now I have gotten a feel for the minimum time I need to let the dryer run.

So, did all of this pay off? Yes – we saved $20 off our electricity bill during the first month. Plus I feel better about conserving energy from an environmental perspective. It is now less convenient to just jump on the computer whenever I want (and not have to wait for it to start up), but that convenience is not worth $20 per month.

If you would like to learn more about saving on your electricity cost there is some good information in these articles (and on this website in general): Hidden Electrical Bandits and Electricity Myths.

Labels: bills, finances, frugality

I got this idea from another website and it worked.

We have a combined phone/internet/cable package through Verizon. The prices seem to have slowly crept up since the the initial starting package which is easy to just ignore. However, this is an area where you can use competition to your advantage.

I noticed that another company in our area offered the same type of package for about $30 less than what we are currently paying. So, I called Verizon and mentioned the competitor's package and asked if I could get a discount on my current plan. Verizon agreed to offer me a 1 year promotion which saved me about $30 per month.

I would have been willing to switch to the other company, but by staying with verizon I avoided any installation fees and the potential "we'll be there to hook you up between 9am and 2pm". I am happy with the outcome.

So do your homework. See if you can find a better offer for any of these services (usually you can find pricing online but you may need to call) and then call your current provider with the information and ask for a better deal. It adds up!

Labels: bills, finances, frugality

Yesterday I received some shampoo and and conditioner in the mail from NFO to use for a few weeks and then provide feedback on later. So not only will I get points for the survey (which can be cashed out) but I have some free products to use (and a nicer brand than I usually use).

Through the years I have signed up with many different online survey sites which offer cash or points (which can be redeemed for cash or prizes). But I have only continued with a select few survey sites because many times the effort wasn’t worth the payout. Two of my favorites are ACOP and NFO because the time is worth the effort. I have gotten cash and free products to test from both these companies.

If you are interested in paid surveys, check out my website article on this topic where I list a few other survey companies I like along with other ideas for making a few extra dollars online. If you have any other companies to recommend, please leave a comment.

Labels: extra income, freebies, frugality

This is good news:
Do less work and save more water when running your dishwasher.

I use my dishwasher anyway because even if hand-washing were cheaper, the time it takes is not worth it to me (balance). The recommendations on the enzyme-based detergents are interesting. I am partial to Cascade, but it appears the cost per load is about three times higher than a Walmart or Costco non-brand detergent.

Two other tips I found for reducing the cost of dishwashing were to turn off the “heat booster” (if I can find it?) and turn off the dry heating at the end of the cycle. It is worth a try (although I worry about water-spots).

This is what it is all about when it comes to the frugal balance - finding ways to do things cheaper without compromising your life. Although in this case, using the dishwasher may actually be the more frugal option (yeah!).

Labels: balance, frugality

If you are unfamiliar with Crown Financial Ministries, I encourage you to visit their website and look around. There is alot of great financial wisdom floating around the internet, but Crown's kingdom mentality makes it a winner for Christians. Just look at their mission statement:

Equipping people worldwide to learn, apply,and teach God's financial principles so they may know Christ more intimately, be free to serve Him, and help fund the Great Commission.

Now that is my dream and one of the reasons I focus on frugality. I don't want to be "rich"in the wordly sense, but I do want to be free from financial burdens to pursue the kingdom. By regulating my spending, I can can put my money to better work - financial freedom and giving.

Labels: finances, frugality

Now is a great time to start a butterfly garden. By planting a few butterfly-attracting flowers together, you can create a space where (hopefully) a variety of butterflies will visit. If you have children, a butterfly garden is a great opportunity to observe nature and a good learning opportunity.

The more frugal way to create a butterfly garden is to use perennial flowers. The upfront cost is a bit higher, but the flowers will return each year bigger and better. The butterfly site contains a list of flowers for attracting butterflies along with other resources (like butterfly species in your state). A butterfly bush, salvia, daisies and marigolds (an annual) are the more common plants that you can find at your local garden center.

Look around in your area for the best-priced source on flowers. Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart are usually cheaper than the local nursery. You can also order flowers online through places like Michigan Bulb Co although the flowers will arrive as roots/bulbs and will take some time to grow.

Labels: frugality, gardening

Here is an interesting little booklet from the Department of Agriculture: Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals.

The tips are basically common-sense and nothing earth-shattering for anyone who tries to save money on groceries, but it’s free and has some basic recipes. Good for a beginner.

Labels: cooking, frugality, recipes

(Originally written in November 2005)

I was watching a news program yesterday that was talking about the Christmas shopping season. They mentioned a few items from the Neiman Marcus catalog for the rich of the rich, like a $75,000 handbag and a diamond-covered iPod case of which I don’t remember the cost. When I hear about those kinds of things, I just can’t understand why anyone would want to spend that much money on such frivolous items.

Actually, frivolous or not, I don’t see why anyone would want to live such a life of luxury when they could simply live comfortably and give the rest of their money to charity. It makes me sad to think of all the people in the world, especially children, living in terrible poverty while people here are spending money on luxury items.

And it’s not just the rich. Look at the average American with their big cars, cell phones, and sipping their Starbucks coffee everyday. Sadly, take a look at your average American Christian and you see much the same. Not that I’m advocating a life of poverty nor can I say that I don’t have “nice things”, but there should be a limit. If we can cut back here and there, we can devote more of our income to giving.

About a year ago I came to the realization that by living more frugally I could give more. Often times this doesn’t mean missing out on items, but simply shopping for the best deals. It takes some time, but is so worth it.

Other times it’s important to decide if the price you are paying for an item or service is really necessary. If you can stop buying coffee everyday at Starbucks and make it at home instead, you could save yourself $10 per week that could go to missions. Isn’t $10 per week to the work of God a better feeling than the fleeting pleasure of a cappuccino?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:19-21

It’s important that we are good stewards with the money that the Lord has given us. Even if you are already tithing on your income, don’t think the remaining 90% is yours to do with as you will. Try cutting costs where you can to free up more money to give. Don’t base your comfort on the things of this world. The real comfort is yet to come!

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2Cor 9:6

Labels: christian living, frugality, giving