We’ve had a number of super cold days recently. We want to keep our home warm so we’re comfortable and the pipes are protected, but we don’t want to break the bank doing so. I’ve looked into it and found several affordable approaches to keeping our home warm. Perhaps some of these will work for you, too. How to save money when heating … [Read more...] about Frugal Approaches to Heating Your Home
green living
Christmas in July: Going Green with Christmas Cards
I really enjoy sending and receiving Christmas cards. Unfortunately, the amount of paper and energy it takes to produce traditional Christmas cards means they’re not particularly green. In today’s installment of Christmas in July 2014, we’re going to look at some environmentally-friendly ways to send Christmas greetings. Be sure to catch the … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Going Green with Christmas Cards
Line Drying Clothes Indoors
When we first got married, my husband was surprised to find that I hang some of my clothes on racks to dry them instead of using the dryer. Though he encouraged me to toss them in the dryer for convenience, I've continued line drying a significant amount of my clothing. Of course, it would be easier to line dry clothes on an outdoor … [Read more...] about Line Drying Clothes Indoors
Frugal Approaches to Cooling Your Home
I’m so glad that the cold winter has passed and we’re finally getting sunshine and warm temperatures! Unfortunately, this means our electric bill is about to rise sharply. In my never-ceasing endeavor to save money, I’m investigating ways to minimize how much we spend on cooling our home. How to save money when cooling your … [Read more...] about Frugal Approaches to Cooling Your Home
Save Money by Using a Toaster Oven
The humble toaster oven that sits on your kitchen counter could be a great tool to help you save energy and money. Toaster ovens use less wattage than conventional electric ovens and they generally take less time to preheat because of their small size. Additionally, as long as you have a well-insulated toaster oven, it likely will not … [Read more...] about Save Money by Using a Toaster Oven
Safe and Effective Spider Control
I can tolerate spiders outdoors because I know they are part of a balanced ecosystem, but it’s another story when they come indoors. We’ve been seeing quite a few—many of which are large—in our home this spring. Commercially available pesticides are a quick and effective way to kill spiders, but they’re not exactly a safe and healthy … [Read more...] about Safe and Effective Spider Control
Defining Simplicity
After writing about materialism earlier this week, I’ve been thinking about money and possessions. I’ve also been considering these things because my husband and I are reworking our budget in preparation for our baby that is due in October. When I consider money and possessions, my thoughts often turn to simplicity. Simple living has … [Read more...] about Defining Simplicity
The Benefits of Growing Your Own Fruits and Vegetables
My family always grew vegetables during the summers when I was growing up. I’ve wanted to continue this practice, but until recently I haven’t lived in a location that was conducive to this. My husband and I currently have plenty of room to grow a garden, but the sun only shines on a small portion of our yard. Thus, we’ll be growing … [Read more...] about The Benefits of Growing Your Own Fruits and Vegetables
