tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post873405312176097276..comments2023-10-30T09:36:47.844-05:00Comments on Penless Writer: LIVING A FRUGAL LIFE STYLESusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11360047123820906113noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-79288198442055121992008-08-20T22:26:00.000-05:002008-08-20T22:26:00.000-05:00Sorry I'm giving you so many comments to read toni...Sorry I'm giving you so many comments to read tonight - I've had so many saved in bloglines to get to read that I started putting it off because the list was growing longer LOL!!<BR/><BR/>This was such a great post and I already do many but have found many new things as well.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure there are some other ways I could cut down as well.<BR/><BR/>I really appreciated this post and all the comments as well!Momma Roarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16585669348993487403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-77425276413269497192008-07-28T14:58:00.000-05:002008-07-28T14:58:00.000-05:00Wow Susan, I'm so proud to be able to say that you...Wow Susan, I'm so proud to be able to say that you and I do many things alike! I use every drop of everything, I reuse my plastic shopping bags as trash can liners, I don't mind adding water to our shampoo ( I need to do that more often now). I've also started using hair conditioner on my legs and underarms before shaving them, rather than buying the "special" stuff they sale in cans! Neat post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-42852140577510408832008-07-22T12:41:00.000-05:002008-07-22T12:41:00.000-05:00Wonderful post Susan, full of great ideas :)I'll h...Wonderful post Susan, full of great ideas :)<BR/><BR/>I'll have to try diluting my shampoo. I still have long/thick hair so that shampoo goes quick!!!<BR/><BR/>I also like the idea of mayo/milk/and sugar. What portions do you use to make Ranch dressing? I'd like to try it.<BR/><BR/>As for saving around here, when I do use my dishwasher, I put it on at night with the Energy Saver mode, (no heat drying), and the dishes are pretty dry by the morning. Also, I've been trying to consolidate my trips a bit more. It takes planning, but it's worth it!<BR/><BR/>I'd also like to sell a few things on E-Bay soon. I have some nice baby items that I'm sure others would love (ie: highchair, jogging stroller). My family and friends are past the stage of little infants and into the pre-school through college ages with kids :)Susan Skitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13871921369901815459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-40286440759214355292008-07-22T00:50:00.000-05:002008-07-22T00:50:00.000-05:00I really enjoyed reading all this and I'm happy to...I really enjoyed reading all this and I'm happy to say I do most of this as well! I had to smile at you scraping every last smidgen out of jars, bowls, etc. because I do the same thing!! Same with toothpaste too! LOL!<BR/><BR/>I'm trying to think of something to add - hmmm, I'm trying to cut out buying/eating meat! I can do it just fine, but my meat lover husband keeps buying some! I make a LOT of veggie meals! (The main reason I started this is because of my husband having cancer last year.)<BR/><BR/>Another thing I do is use my cruise control whenever there's a fairly long stretch of road, this is supposed to use less gas. I don't drive fast either! <BR/><BR/>KatherineYellow Rose Arborhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17293145838400788866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-67255656876017884492008-07-21T16:43:00.000-05:002008-07-21T16:43:00.000-05:00Can't say I have changed or plan to change anythin...Can't say I have changed or plan to change anything b ut I would if |I needed to.<BR/>I already re-cycle and don't cook more food than I need. I also have always bought in bulk and buy one get one free where I can and never use my dryer when the weather is dry. I too have 2 freezers and 2 fridges so stuff does not go off.<BR/>I Do not put the dishwasher on every day but stack it until it is full as we do the pots by hand. We make our own bread but that is because we prefer it and I do all my own baking and cooking for the same reason. I'm sure there is lots more but that is what comes to mind.<BR/>Our petrol is equivalent to $10 gallon now.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05799594980600477320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-26007818631739489682008-07-21T14:09:00.000-05:002008-07-21T14:09:00.000-05:00Thought I'd let you know, Susan, that I linked to ...Thought I'd let you know, Susan, that I linked to this post in a post I made today about baking soda. It seemed to fit. I didn't think you'd mind.Maxinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00040368808197747483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-49110605873596717482008-07-20T13:17:00.000-05:002008-07-20T13:17:00.000-05:00Many of your practices sound just like my mom. I ...Many of your practices sound just like my mom. I am sorry to say I am a bit more wasteful, but not as much as I used to be. I would also like to add that I used to have terrible debt and horrible spending habits and am now completely debt free except for our home. My husband and I both make good salaries. My husband has a large child support payment each month that comes right off the top, plus we have full-time daycare for our youngest which is costly. We manage our money by "paying ourself first" meaning contributing to savings and IRA's. We do not eat out. We do not waste food and we do not eat a lot of quick prepare food like frozen, etc. because it is much more expensive. I plan my errands so I use the least amount of gas. We rarely drive any long distance unnecessarily. We take one family vacation each year and that's it. I sell things I don't use on Craigs List. I borrow books from the library instead of buying them. I bring my lunch to work instead of eating out. I do not buy $5 coffee every morning on my way to work! I bring a 50 cent cup from home. Great post. I've loved reading the comments.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17786838392389718536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-56560361263336028842008-07-19T01:56:00.000-05:002008-07-19T01:56:00.000-05:00Hi Susan, thanks for sharing those. I do a lot of...Hi Susan, thanks for sharing those. I do a lot of them. I enjoy perusing others' frugal sites to pick up ideas. In this day, it's so much more important to be wise with our resources the Lord bless us with.<BR/>For my cleaning business I mainly use vinegar/water and Co*met. I've read that baking soda works like Co*met. I'll have to give that one a try.<BR/>I hadn't thought of diluting our shampoo. I'll try that one as well.<BR/>I love the challenge of being frugal and not wasteful.<BR/>Have a great weekend.<BR/>Brenda :)Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14289590616497815887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-45856833735382568122008-07-18T22:38:00.000-05:002008-07-18T22:38:00.000-05:00most of the things I do are already on your list.....most of the things I do are already on your list...but how does the stamp thing work? You still have to buy 1cent stamps or 2cent stamps to total what the current price is to mail a letter...right?<BR/><BR/>by the way, I'm back and am catching up with everyone.MightyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02563721884001643857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-45993740025535683132008-07-18T13:00:00.000-05:002008-07-18T13:00:00.000-05:00THank you so much Susan for the wonderful tips I h...THank you so much Susan for the wonderful tips I have been thinking about ways I can cut back with this suffering economy. Glad I stopped in today I have not been up on blogging much as my days are so busy we have been outdoors a lot!!!Kristiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17143405152956976162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-58311001005728251482008-07-18T10:15:00.000-05:002008-07-18T10:15:00.000-05:00What a great post! I loved reading it. Because I l...What a great post! I loved reading it. Because I love all things frugal. :)<BR/><BR/>I do most of the things you mentioned. One thing I am trying to do is shop for future presents when I find a bargain. Not shopping at the last minute and spending to much.<BR/><BR/>My blog is geared toward bargain shopping using coupons. I'm not trying to advertise myself at all, I just thought if you haven't tried using coupons you might want to check it out.Lindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00811597673896121654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-57520188432863768862008-07-18T05:24:00.000-05:002008-07-18T05:24:00.000-05:00Kim, What a fantastic tip. I never thought of thi...Kim, What a fantastic tip. I never thought of this but will certainly be adding this to my frugal life style. Thanks for sharing. <BR/>SusanSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11360047123820906113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-6089885751051486062008-07-18T02:05:00.000-05:002008-07-18T02:05:00.000-05:00Hi Susan,Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong...Hi Susan,<BR/>Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong generation. I do so many of these things already! One thing I do is keep 2 containers in my freezer one for reds one for other...what I mean is that if we have leftover red items..spagetti sauce, empty catsup or bbq sauce bottle( I add a little water and rinse and dump it in the freezer container) basically anything that can go into a red based stew or soup. In the other container I add other left over items like vegies or gravies what ever they happen to be..even the top of green onions that may be left from a salad. Into these containers I will also add left over meats....then when they are full I take out what ever one I need and make my soup or stew with it. It is like a free meal, and the different items add great flavor. ..add homemade biscuits and the kids feel like royalty! <BR/>This can sound funny to do but it is a regular habit and it really works well.Ross' Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15615776221237708609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-20341730684350213462008-07-17T19:22:00.000-05:002008-07-17T19:22:00.000-05:00This is such a helpful post, Susan. I use some of ...This is such a helpful post, Susan. I use some of your ideas, but you gave so many other helpful ones. All our life when we could afford more, my husband and I always tended to live a bit below our means, which is definitely helping us now that we are on Social Security and retirement. Living a frugal life style is a blessing and I am thankful that the Lord has given us neither poverty or riches. Thanks for all your tips. I'm going to check out the post by Christy.Maxinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00040368808197747483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-81998423025197201492008-07-17T18:43:00.000-05:002008-07-17T18:43:00.000-05:00Wow - that's quite the list!For some time now ...Wow - that's quite the list!<BR/><BR/>For some time now I try to only run errands if I am already going out - partilly because of the gas but also it's a big hassle to load up a bunch of kids just to go to the store.<BR/><BR/>I have a clothes line and use it every year from spring (or when it stops raining long enough) to early/mid fall. I love the smell of the fresh air on the clothes and I feel like I'm helping to save $$.<BR/><BR/>We also have mostly energy efficient bulbs (& our basement suite) and I'm always concscious of turning lights, etc off when they're not being used.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure there are more - these are just off the top of my head. Thanks for sharing and inspiring others to follow suite!<BR/>~ LeanneThe Olson's:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04221366724367675456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-20870125318602300692008-07-17T14:56:00.000-05:002008-07-17T14:56:00.000-05:00Dearest Susan!I just popping by to tell you that y...Dearest Susan!<BR/><BR/>I just popping by to tell you that you should NOT miss to pass by my blog tomorrow because there will be a little surprise waiting for you over there!<BR/>Blessings!<BR/>AnitaAnitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08751093479686765693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-47638534134553760672008-07-17T14:48:00.000-05:002008-07-17T14:48:00.000-05:00Shirley, Thanks so much for adding that....it is ...Shirley, Thanks so much for adding that....it is so true. Having an accounting background this is second nature to me and I forget that it is not something all are aware of. Glad you did!<BR/>SusanSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11360047123820906113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-50878642838445382142008-07-17T14:31:00.000-05:002008-07-17T14:31:00.000-05:00Thanks for the tips - I have stumbled across some ...Thanks for the tips - I have stumbled across some of these myself since moving to Alabama and our new career.<BR/>We have put up a clothesline and I hardly ever use the dryer right now and love it. Some days, I have to plan around the weather, but so far it hasn't been a problem.<BR/>The one thing I might add is that people watch (scrutinize) everything - receipts, credit card bills, telephone bills, etc. I have found SOOOO many mistakes in the past few months that it makes me wonder how much I have lost over the years because I didn't pay attention.<BR/>Blessings!<BR/>ShirleyShirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15979209821976003043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-38111992321784980812008-07-17T12:59:00.000-05:002008-07-17T12:59:00.000-05:00Great list Susan. We do a lot of this too. We sh...Great list Susan. We do a lot of this too. We shopped credit cards and found one with 1% rebate and 5% on gas and groceries. This has been really helpful, as we pay it off each month.<BR/><BR/>Yard sales are our lifesaver for kids clothing and toys. I do most of the Christmas shopping that way too!<BR/><BR/>Good thoughts! I'll have to get back tomaking my own dressings too...I like them better anyway :)Mary@notbefore7https://www.blogger.com/profile/17294717852179643696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-28072054217897358592008-07-17T02:40:00.000-05:002008-07-17T02:40:00.000-05:00Susan, I am the first time on your blogu.Blog you ...Susan, I am the first time on your blogu.Blog you is really good and I will read it in the futureAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-76791107403102634202008-07-17T01:15:00.000-05:002008-07-17T01:15:00.000-05:00I do a great many of these too, Susan. It is a glo...I do a great many of these too, Susan. It is a global shake-up at the moment, and I actually think we will all be the better for it too. I keep looking for new ways to be frugal. I am also looking forward to everyone's ideas.Lindshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-76749412005297844412008-07-17T00:20:00.000-05:002008-07-17T00:20:00.000-05:00wow! you've been really diligent in economizing. ...wow! you've been really diligent in economizing. that's great. there are some good lessons there....https://www.blogger.com/profile/02410214795470767158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-65775075743376768232008-07-16T23:22:00.000-05:002008-07-16T23:22:00.000-05:00When I was reading your post I realized that we ce...When I was reading your post I realized that we certainly do a lot of the same things. Maybe it has to do with our ages being so close and our parents teaching us to be frugal. <BR/>I can't think of anything to add to your list, but as soon as I go to bed tonight I'm sure something will come to me!<BR/>Thanks for sharing this Susan. I believe it will be of help to your readers.Mountain Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05484592294033354129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-71023027536840596902008-07-16T22:55:00.000-05:002008-07-16T22:55:00.000-05:00I do a lot of those things as well - it frustrates...I do a lot of those things as well - it frustrates me that I haven't passed them on so well!Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14938607712512860569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183659495792368796.post-25759548014994725562008-07-16T22:28:00.000-05:002008-07-16T22:28:00.000-05:00Those are great ideas and I'm glad to say that I a...Those are great ideas and I'm glad to say that I already do many of them. We have really cut down on our driving since I left my teaching position last year - 20,000 km instead of more than 40,000! And I only go into the city (an hour away) every month or six weeks. DH is still adjusting to both of us doing things in the same trip - really it's the waiting that he needs to work on :)) <BR/><BR/>I found a recipe online for making laundry soap and that's my next project. The cost of it is pennies per load. I already use dryer balls instead of fabric softener and microfibre cleaning cloths instead of products. Huge difference and much healthier too!!<BR/><BR/>I'm looking forward to more on this topic in the days ahead.Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04273314911940422824noreply@blogger.com