My family has made a bunch of changes to become frugal

**jdr250** · 10-10-2008, 06:37 PM

One day my husband went to the grocery store with me and I asked him to grab eggs, well when he saw the price his jaw dropped. That got us to talking about how much the rising costs of everything was effecting us. So we started brainstorming. The first thing we decided on was we have a big yard and had a big unused shed in the back so we were going to get chickens. We ended up with 9 laying chickens and 3 meat chickens.
Then we discussed how every summer we put a garden in but so much of it is given away because we can't used everything in it. So we decided to can did some research and invested in a pressure canner and a ton of jars. We have also started buying meat from our local grocery store that marks down all of their meat that wasn't sold that day. We buy all the meat that we will use and rewrap it in vacuum sealed bags.
We decided that we spend a lot of money needlessly because we are to lazy to shop around so most of this years school clothes were bought on ebay my sons were happy because they got all the brand names and I saved a ton of money.
I also started making all my own cleaning products except for dish liquid and laundry detergent. It's really cheap, works wonderfully, better for the environment, and really helps my husband with his breathing problems because there aren't all those chemical odors. I stopped using paper towels and started using cloth napkins and dish towels to clean with and wipe up spills and at dinner time.
Then we decided that heating our house this winter was going to be insane so we bought a wood burner. We have a big old 10 room house with 10 ft ceilings so heating with gas is really expensive. Now we figured we could have our original chimney cleaned and use it wrong we had to have a stainless steel chimney liner installed but better safe than sorry. We ordered a load of wood plus my husband went and cut a bunch of dead trees so we're stocked up on wood for the winter. Well this wood burner is in the basement (I was too scared to put it in the living area figured a cement basement was the safest place for fire to be) with a vent in the floor directly above it. We know it won't be able to completely heat the house when it's freezing cold out but it will save us a lot of gas furnace use. So far it has been as low as 40 degrees and the temperature in the house hasn't gone below 72 degrees. Well the great thing is that not only is it saving me on my gas bill but I have also been able to hang my clothes in the basement thus eliminating a lot of dryer use. Also because my basement is so warm my hot water tank is working less as well because the water in the pipes is heated.
So I don't know exactly how much I will save in the long run but I have noticed already about $300-400 extra every month. But I'm hoping that by the end of winter I will see it jump to $500-600. I'll keep you posted.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?

**HappyMama** · 10-10-2008, 06:59 PM

First off welcome to FV. I love your post and you have done a fantastic job and will hopefully have some great savings.

I have about a two year supply of laundry soap. But I do make my own as it is better for our allergies etc and I love it. I use different fragrances. I do a dry mix as well as a liquid. I know others on here do as well. You might want to try that as your next step.

We are heating our house this year with all wood also. We have about the same amount of rooms and our ceilings are 10-12 feet high also ( big Victorian), I am hoping to save 500 a month by doing so. Good luck with yours let me know I will be very interested in your savings.

I buy in bulk and keep a whole foods pantry . This as well as cooking from scratch and in bulk saves me so much money. We really do it for health but it saves as well. Not sure but you probably do this also.
I know you will get plenty of advice. So just wanted to welcome you.

**jdr250** · 10-10-2008, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the welcome.
I will search and look for the recipe for laundry detergent and give it a try.
I agree with you that cooking from scratch is so much healthier plus tastes better. I've also noticed that my youngest is willing to eat so much more if he knows mommy made it. He's even gotten to the point that if I have something from the store he will say it's full of yucky stuff.

**prftstrngr** · 10-10-2008, 07:37 PM

I also have a big old Victorian house.....we have an oil furnace and a wood stove insert in our fireplace that has a blower on it. It makes the fireplace efficient heat and pretty much heats the downstairs. We also run ceiling fans on low to draw the heat up when we have it running. I rarely use my dryer when the fireplace is running as well. You were wise to put the chimney liner in. It makes it virtually impossible to have a chimney fire...plus in our case...we wouldnt have been able to get insurance without it. Good luck with everything!

**Darlene** · 10-10-2008, 07:42 PM

Just wanted to give you a pat on the back for seeing what needs changing and going for it. Best wishes to you and yours.

Oh wanted to add, can you cut back on cable or other utilities? Many times people have extras they really can do without.

**Trishagirl** · 10-10-2008, 08:25 PM

Welcome to FV sounds like you're off to a great start. I would add start clipping coupons, every little big helps. Save your change in a jar it's like giving yourself a tip for spending. You can also use oil lamps in the evening. Look for freebies online & I also do surveys for extra money. Keep up the good work.

**Gibs** · 10-10-2008, 08:50 PM

Welcome to FV, I know that I have learned so much since joining this site. Sounds like u are off to a great start. I agree with using the coupons it will deffinately be a hugh help in the savings.

Do u put plastic on your windows in the winter time? That might also help keep some heat in. We are planning on doing that this year.

**madhen** · 10-10-2008, 09:51 PM

Welcome and greetings.

There are some great articles in here about all the ways that you can save. One thing that I didn't see mentioned was stockpiling. Buy those things that you have to buy when they are on sale, and buy extra. That way, you aren't a slave to high prices because you are out of something. You can pick and choose when to buy. Don't forget dehydrating as a form of preserving food, as well! I am slowly building up my herb pantry that way, and you can put pots of herbs just about everywhere.

**peanut** · 10-10-2008, 10:59 PM

Welcome to FV!

One thing I did that saved us mega money was to dissect the phone bill, drop cable, and dissect the grocery bill. Everything I thought was a 'staple', I asked myself if I could make it from scratch. It's amazing how much 'basic' foodstuff you can make from scratch. Mayonnaise didn't used to come in a jar. Our grandmothers made it from scratch...much cheaper I might add!

Jean

**Cricketlegs** · 10-11-2008, 12:21 AM

Hi and welcome. I make liquid laundry soap and I will never go back to store bought again.

I have and 8 year supply of laundry soap making supplies to back me up lol.

I looks to me like you have a great handle on things.

**macemesmum** · 10-11-2008, 01:25 AM

Way to go on the changes you have made, do you have a grocery stockpile made up of loss leaders (super cheap grocery sale items) I have a largeish stockpile and it saves me a fortune some months i dont even have to shop if i dont want to. Also search online for freebie samples!

**jdr250** · 10-11-2008, 08:39 AM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
I always check the coupons, but it seems like most of what I find are cleaning products (which I make my own) or items I don't use, but when it's something I normally would buy it gets clipped. The grocery store I shop at is also one that does gas points so I save that way.
Plastic on the windows you bet, we have started replacing the old air guzzlers but it's really expensive when there are 25 windows all 5' tall. So the old ones already have plastic on them I started last week before I hurt my back.
I did change phone companies, but cable I have to admit its one of my pleasures and I add a movie channel when it gets cold since we're in the house alot more.
We've also changed over completely to those electric saving lightbulbs. But whew they were too expensive to do all at once so once a month I bought a box of regular and a box of those until I had all the bulbs replaced.
I also revamped my car insurance boy you don't realize all the extras you're paying for if you just let the insurance lay. I didn't change it when we paid off the car because every year it was going down but I decided to call and see I ended up saving $25 a month.
Oh and I've tried mayo especially with me having free eggs but it didn't turn out well really runny...lol

**sueh** · 10-11-2008, 08:45 AM

Great ideas!

**Patty A** · 10-11-2008, 09:51 AM

Glad you joined us here at FV! I have to say you are doing an awesome job!
You really need to be proud of all the things you have done and are doing. I think you need a pat-on-the-back for a job well done. I know you will come up with plenty of ideas just looking around here. This place is awesome and everyone is so will to help with ideas. You will also "spot" many more ideas as you go along, you will find things that you have missed. Hang in there and keep up the great work, your doing totally awesome!

**rainbowgc** · 10-11-2008, 09:52 AM

Great job! I wish I could have a garden, I am growing some tomatoes and peppers in pots. 2 things for you: www.magicjack.com phone service for under $20 a year
Cellphone: www.consumercellular.com