What do you do to cut expenses down?

gardeninggirlie

Enjoys Recycling
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
10
Reaction score
3
Points
20
Location
Shawnee, KS
@frustratedearthmother
Yes! Look for the ferny asparagus growing in ditches along roadsides, they'll be 3-4' tall, some have the red berries hanging near the stalk this time of year. Wherever you see the ferny stalks now, there will be wonderful tender asparagus next spring. In the places we've found them, near guardrails of all places, the road is less traveled and the city never sprays the ditches, just mows it well after the best crop has already been picked (by us, haha!).

I would advise against eating any red berries found on asparagus found this time of year until you research it fully yourself, if interested. They could potentially be a source of seeds to plant in your own space though.
 

frustratedearthmother

Sustainability Master
Joined
Mar 10, 2012
Messages
20,485
Reaction score
22,520
Points
453
Location
USDA 9a
Thanks for the info!

I have a small asparagus bed that has gotten smaller every year.... We've been so wet for so long the last couple of years that it just can't tolerate it... If/when I replant it, I'll put it in a raised bed for sure.
 

Mini Horses

Sustainability Master
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Messages
7,073
Reaction score
14,460
Points
352
Location
coastal VA
A closer to home savings ...:p

I turn off the breaker to my hot water tank. Now I have a 50 gal one, WELL insulated, only me to shower. So, I turn the breaker off, still have plenty of hot water for about 3 days of showering if I don't just "stand there". On the days that I turn it to on position, you can bet I take a longer hot shower. But, a couple of days (esp in summer heat) of cooler water can be a savings.
 

MoonShadows

Almost Self-Reliant
Joined
Feb 24, 2016
Messages
925
Reaction score
794
Points
167
Location
not here
Cut another $10 a month off my internet bill, by switching to a slower speed. It is still pretty fast. I don't need lightening. Funny how our local cable company (read: monopoly) charges more for basic internet if you don't have a TV plan to go along with it. We dropped our cable TV a few years back. Mostly garbage anyway. We have a Roku Box, now. Our only cost on top of internet is a Netflix subscription which is $$$ less than the local cable company's TV packages. We watch a lot of old shows and documentaries. Love the YouTube Channel for Homestead/Off Grid vids....but, I'm rambling now! :old
 

lcertuche

Almost Self-Reliant
Joined
Aug 26, 2016
Messages
980
Reaction score
626
Points
163
Great tips! Some new to me, many I already use, so no need to repost.

Only thing I can think of at the moment: Shampoo. I don't make my own, I buy concentrate. I am licensed, and have a beauty supply store near me so, when their gallon sized concentrate goes on sale for 3.99, I pick up some. I would guess an item like that wouldn't be restricted to the public. It can be diluted up to 8:1. I can't make, homemade, 9 gallons of shampoo for under $4. I keep an old regular sized shampoo bottle to mix/use it.


I can't count :p
This is a great tip for those of us with large families. Kudos!
 

baymule

Sustainability Master
Joined
Nov 13, 2010
Messages
10,701
Reaction score
18,598
Points
413
Location
East Texas
Cutting expenses......we traded a horse for hay bales. She weighed 1200 pounds and I didn't do anything with her, so it was a good thing to do. The feed bill has gone down.
 

Latest posts

Top