1. Compact florescent light bulbs

2. Turn your furnace down 2 degrees, air up 2 degrees

3. Hang your laundry

4. Turn off the heated dry on your dishwasher



Please add to this list!!!!

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~Happiness is a large family~

1. Use ceiling fans instead of the air conditioning whenever possible.
2. Turn off lights and television when not in use.
3. Normally we automatically turn on a light when we enter a room, double check yourself to see if you really have to. I wander into the bathroom in the dark (don't want to blind myself, and the toilet and toilet paper haven't moved )
4. Get a programable thermostat.

1. Turn your hot water heater down (not only will it save money but also prevent burns)
2. When I turn on the oven I fill it up ... why bake 1 banana bread when I can bake 4 and freeze 3. Or if I am making a meatloaf I will make a side that goes in the oven as well.
3. Sometimes I cook in my toaster oven instead of heating up the big oven
4. Keep your freezer full ... even if that means freezing water (just make sure you leave head space in the container for expansion.
5. Only wash a full load of clothes and use cold water instead of hot/warm
6. Turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth .... not only save water but also energy

*run your dishwasher & washing machine during low rate hours
*Keep your ac set at the warmest temp. you can during the day,
*use your bath towels more than once to keep laundry washing loads down

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

I try to use to micrwave or grill more than the oven,
hang dry clothes, hand wash most dishes

great tips everyone! I'd add mine but you all already did

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Sam
Mom to Devin and Jordyn Anne
Loving Wife to Dave

Unplug any cords with the little black box where the prongs are if they are not in use (ie; cell phone chargers) These continue to use electricity even if they aren't plugged into a phone - more than other plugs w/o the black boxes.

Have your kids play outside instead of watching tv or playing computer...
Don't open your western or southern blinds/curtains in the summer (they let in heat via light)
Cool food before putting it in the fridge or freezer...

These are all I can think of except what is already been said.

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"It's one of the most beautiful compensations in life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

We do just about all the tips shared. Wish I had a clothesline, though!

We do have a programmable thermostat so we do monitor our air condition and heat usage. We close the shades/blinds on our southern facing windows during the summer and raise them all the way up in the winter. We also have several throws, flannel sheets and warm pajamas to use in the winter if we get a little chilly.

I use my slow cooker or our grill a lot in the summer so as not to heat up the house.

We use the dishwasher only if it's full.

We only use air conditioning in our cars if the heat is absolutely unbearable. Otherwise, we just roll down the windows.

If I have a glass of water with ice, once the ice melts I'll use that water to water my house plants.

If you are able, plant trees on the south and west sides of your house. This may take a few years before they are big enough, but they will shade your house from the sun in the summer, saving from having to have your a/c on high. Plus, they allow you to hang out in your yard during the day. Right now, we have only one small tree that doesn't give much shade. We can't hardly go into our southwest facing backyard during the day, because it is so hot.

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My Blog ~ I am currently updating this with my favorite natural beauty routines (some are edible!) and more!


Frugal is being wise with your money and resources and cheap is forcing everyone else to.