My husband and I have faced many lay-offs in the past twenty years; each time we hoped to learn something new so that we could help others in the future. Now is that time. As my we worked to “stay afloat” (the opposite of “going under”!) during lean times, I read every money-saving book and magazine on our library’s shelf--some things I’ve worked out for myself. Now that my husband has a steady job, we’ve continued many of these practices as a part of responsible living. In my posts, I’ll include ideas for different levels of need—stretching dollars when you still have some income and stretching even further (when you think you can’t) when the income is gone in hope of helping you hang on until you get some income. I’ll also address things we learned about attitudes—ours and those around us.

I invite you to comment with your money-saving ideas and accounts of what has worked for you, since community is one of our greatest resources. While I’m writing as an American in the framework of the American economy, I also invite those of you from other nations/peoples to share what you’ve learned about stretching resources since many things can be applied anywhere. (Do know that I will delete any comment that’s derogatory or has foul language.) Please share this blog with others who are stretching and help them keep from “breaking”.


Monday, April 12, 2010

Water Conservation

We’ve learned in our area (NC), during recent years of drought, the importance of conserving water--for the environment and for ourselves since neither lasts well without it. As it turns out, conserving water is also good for saving money, especially since water rates are increasing! When you’re running water in the kitchen to get it hot, put a container in the sink to catch the cold water for use in rinsing dishes or watering plants; you can put a container under the bathtub faucet to catch the water that runs before the shower engages and at the end when it returns to the faucet. A short pitcher or a gallon jug with the top cut out (leave the handle) work well (sometimes in the kitchen, I use a glass or whatever is handy). Of course, turn the water off any time you’re not specifically using it, such as while you’re brushing your teeth. A portable kitchen timer can help with shortening showers (the average American shower runs 7-10 minutes; depending on which report you read).
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