Is a frugal lifestyle miserable?

[tortoise]

I have been frugal this morning! I picked Chickweed for tacos tonight! Foraging is no trip to the store, where I’d grab more stuff not on the list. Foraging is free, I don’t have to drop a $5 in the pasture. And since I picked it this morning, it’s washed and in the refrigerator, it is fresh! Not shipped 1,000 miles from who knows where.

So nutritious! Sounds like a treat!

 

[FarmerJamie]

As to the thread title, it's going to be miserable here for a while. As mentioned elsewhere, dug into the home finances backlog. The wife did help. It was a stressful day. I am not sure I can have her continue to do the bills. Her ADHD and cognitive function has declined due to her meds.

Didn't find anything horrible, but found several opportunities for savings. Going to need some adjustments

Never a dull moment.

 

[CrealCritter]

Fuel prices last night. E85 (83 ~ 51% tainted corn liquor, remaining % gasoline) $1.95 a gallon. We stopped ofcourse and it was all I could do to get $20.00 in my wife's flex fuel bus.

Edit... Corrected ethanol percentages

Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

 

[CrealCritter]

I thought E85 was 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline.... goes to show what I know about it.

I could be wrong, it's happened before and I'm sure it will happen again. E85 still smells like corn liquor to me.

Edit... I'll research later and if incorrect I will edit my post.

Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

 

[flowerbug]

I could be wrong, it's happened before and I'm sure it will happen again. E85 still smells like corn liquor to me.

you were correct E85 is up to 85% ethanol. if it were E15 then it would be 15% ethanol. and flex fuel can be something else... we don't have a car that can handle any of these other than "regular unleaded" gasoline (which may be blended with ethanol but not usually over 10%).

 

[CrealCritter]

After building ethanol plants for some many years. It's basically the same process with some additives thrown in at the end. Well the same up until the end.

I always wonder how it started getting big. Some moon shiner said this is strong enough to run the lawn mower, (I've known a few that have and did) then some already rich entrepreneur or corn farmer took off with it and made it grand scale.

Also the shiners would never leave it in there or run it for long and clean it out afterwards because it is NOT meant to run in a gasoline or diesel engine. Just flammable/explosive enough to ignite and turn the pistons.

All I know for sure is farm truck doesn't like E85. I tried a couple of gallons man at the pinging and tinging. Mash the gas, get more pings and tings. I DO NOT recommend unless the vehicle is made for it. Farm truck is not.made for E85, wife's flex fuel bus runs just fine on E85 or 87 octane.

Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

 

[farmerjan]

You were right @CrealCritter ... I just really didn't know and just "assumed" it was more gas than ethanol. Nothing I have will run on it either...

 

[Mini Horses]

All this talk about gasolines is a reminder to get oil/filter changed in my generator!! I need a new battery for it too. If I need it this winter, I would prefer to do push button. 😁😁

 

[flowerbug]

I heard you say "I eliminated unnecessary food purchases so I could buy something I'd really enjoy without stressing my budget." 🤷‍♀️

speaking my language...

 

[flowerbug]

...
I wish I could find batteries half off. Using a welding machine battery to start a 7,3l diesel with 15qts of cold oil is not efficient.

can't plug in the block warmer a few hours before (or put it on a timer?)