I'd like to introduce myself.
My name is Lisa and I live in CT. Currently I live in the busy suburbs on a 1/4 acre lot. Not my ideal situation by far (I'm a land living country gal), I make the most of every inch of my space.
In my home there is only myself and my 17 yo daughter who will be leaving for college this summer. My older son moved out of the country for grad school several years back. Once my daughter is gone it will be me, my 2 dogs, 8 cats and a small herd of meat rabbits that I raise for personal consumption. I wish I could have chickens and such, but zoning does not allow it. Rabbits are it.
I grow a small veggie garden each year (zoning limits the size - which I always violate!) as well as a herb garden. I have some blackberry and strawberry plants and lots of perennial flowers.
I've been on disability for 5 years now following a spinal cord injury and severe back damage (and several surgeries) so what I do and how I do it has changed a lot. I do a lot less and it takes a lot more work, but I refuse to quit so I find a way
My only living family are my two children and with one living in a foreign country and one leaving for college half way across this country - i'm pretty isolated. It's ok though - it's taught me how to be creative and to find ways to do things for myself despite my limitations. Rather than looking at what I dont have or cant do, I'm thankful for what I do have and can do. My mind is positive even if my body disagrees
I joined this group hoping to find more ways to utilize the small space I have and to find ways to lower my cost of living. CT has the highest electrical rate in the nation and most other utilities are at or near the top as well. I heat with oil which is OUTRAGEOS. I just had my tank filled. 275 gallons @ $3.89 a gallon = $1070.00 which will only last 6-7 weeks and this year our lovely govt cut all energy assistance - so i'll be using a lot more blankets and sweaters!
Since i'm on a very tight fixed income and have limited motion and few around to help - incorporating a lot of ideas I found on the web are not an option. They either take money to start up or more ability than I have. It's frustrating, but i continue my quest.....
Well that's it - i'm open to any and all ideas of how to lower my utility bills (heat with oil, electric stove, no fireplace, city water and sewer charges) and also open to any ideas of what else I can do with my small plot to be more self sufficient, such as anything else I can plant/grow, any indoor ideas or gadgets, things I can grow in the house? gadgets to lower costs? any ideas are welcome and much needed. Oh - I did recently aquire a food dehydrator but other than dehydrating some rabbit to make home made dog and cat treats, I haven't used it for anything; i'm clueless what to do with it and since it will be only me, dont need mass amounts of anything.
Hope to learn and share and thanks for listening!
Lisa
My name is Lisa and I live in CT. Currently I live in the busy suburbs on a 1/4 acre lot. Not my ideal situation by far (I'm a land living country gal), I make the most of every inch of my space.
In my home there is only myself and my 17 yo daughter who will be leaving for college this summer. My older son moved out of the country for grad school several years back. Once my daughter is gone it will be me, my 2 dogs, 8 cats and a small herd of meat rabbits that I raise for personal consumption. I wish I could have chickens and such, but zoning does not allow it. Rabbits are it.
I grow a small veggie garden each year (zoning limits the size - which I always violate!) as well as a herb garden. I have some blackberry and strawberry plants and lots of perennial flowers.
I've been on disability for 5 years now following a spinal cord injury and severe back damage (and several surgeries) so what I do and how I do it has changed a lot. I do a lot less and it takes a lot more work, but I refuse to quit so I find a way
My only living family are my two children and with one living in a foreign country and one leaving for college half way across this country - i'm pretty isolated. It's ok though - it's taught me how to be creative and to find ways to do things for myself despite my limitations. Rather than looking at what I dont have or cant do, I'm thankful for what I do have and can do. My mind is positive even if my body disagrees
I joined this group hoping to find more ways to utilize the small space I have and to find ways to lower my cost of living. CT has the highest electrical rate in the nation and most other utilities are at or near the top as well. I heat with oil which is OUTRAGEOS. I just had my tank filled. 275 gallons @ $3.89 a gallon = $1070.00 which will only last 6-7 weeks and this year our lovely govt cut all energy assistance - so i'll be using a lot more blankets and sweaters!
Since i'm on a very tight fixed income and have limited motion and few around to help - incorporating a lot of ideas I found on the web are not an option. They either take money to start up or more ability than I have. It's frustrating, but i continue my quest.....
Well that's it - i'm open to any and all ideas of how to lower my utility bills (heat with oil, electric stove, no fireplace, city water and sewer charges) and also open to any ideas of what else I can do with my small plot to be more self sufficient, such as anything else I can plant/grow, any indoor ideas or gadgets, things I can grow in the house? gadgets to lower costs? any ideas are welcome and much needed. Oh - I did recently aquire a food dehydrator but other than dehydrating some rabbit to make home made dog and cat treats, I haven't used it for anything; i'm clueless what to do with it and since it will be only me, dont need mass amounts of anything.
Hope to learn and share and thanks for listening!
Lisa
