Official SS Poll: What do you do to eliminate bills / cut down expenses?

[frustratedearthmother]

Planning ahead is always a good thing. DH and I are talking about this two story house....we found out how UN-doable it was when the old folks were living here. But, we do have a plan. Just need to decide when to start.

I'm like your DH - plan to do this as long as I'm able and can afford feed, lol!

 

[baymule]

@tortise if you don’t mind my asking, how old is your husband? My husband’s right knee was grinding bone on bone. After he retired, he had knee replacement surgery and the following therapy. He is good for another 40 years. His knee will last longer than he will. LOL

It sounds scary, but it is a marvelous procedure and I’d life changing. He also had open heart surgery and shoulder replacement. He feels great now!

 

[tortoise]

He is 41. He has patellofemoral pain syndrome. Actually both of us do, but mine is fairly well controlled through physical therapy and restorative exercise. He thinks physical therapy is stupid.

 

[NH Homesteader]

DH and I can live off very little. Would be even less if he would stop spending money on stupid things. But I didn't say that... He's very impulsive. We're working on it!

I'm looking into ways to reduce feed costs. Feed has gone up a lot since we started raising animals.

@tortoise good plan to have a second place. I would struggle maintaining our place without DH. I can't even get the stupid boiler going half the time, lol

 

[Wannabefree]

I have multiple contingencies and contingencies for my contingencies. Murphy's law says it's smarter that way lol! My back problems were sorted out a whole whole lot with physical therapy.

 

[tortoise]

We have an offer in on a foreclosure and two potential renters lined up. But apparently there has been quite the competition for the house. We were in the first batch of offers considered. 2 weeks, no news.

Animal feed is a big deal here too. For me it's less the cost and more how to move it. I don't drive the tractor and have no interest in learning how. Even buying small square bales would be an issue because I can't unload and stack it. We have to farm that 40 acres to keep property taxes manageable, and we can't rent pasture land because the fences are so poor. All problems that need to be sorted out.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Part of my money saving is switching to livestock breeds that require less commercial feed and forage better. That means I need to invest in fencing but that's semi permanent so that's OK!

I wish a lot of us lived closer together. @tortoise has the property, @frustratedearthmother can run a tractor and I can do the grunt work. Lol!! We'd get some serious hay moved!!

 

[baymule]

He is 41. He has patellofemoral pain syndrome. Actually both of us do, but mine is fairly well controlled through physical therapy and restorative exercise. He thinks physical therapy is stupid.

I had to look that up. Knee pain is hard to deal with. Mine are crap and my normal gait is a limp, LOL When I ride my horse and get off, sometimes I collapse as my knee won't hold me up. It sucks..... I'll be 63 soon, waiting on Medicare. I have a step counter on my phone and average 3-4 miles a day. I try to keep the count up-use it or lose it! I love my tractor and we have a Kawasaki mule. I can lift the feed sacks and toss hay bales and I will keep on for as long as I am able. Some day I may only have a dog and half dozen chickens, but I'll still be happy.

Having a Plan B is a good idea. Your husband is happy on the farm and should farm until he is no longer able to. Knowing your limitations is a hard knock from reality, but it must be addressed. You are smart to make plans for "that day."

 

[tortoise]

I am thankful my house has main floor master bedroom and laundry. When we were house shopping, those were essentials for me. We're not even close to wheelchair accessible though, which might become an issue someday. I have suggested to DH that when we remodel our bathroom (sometime in the next decade), we should put in accessibility features like a walk in tub and grab bars. Walk in tub being a "just in case" want, but I really should have grab bars in there already.

I am hoping to put in self-sowing, perennial, and creeping plants for my flower garden so that even when I'm not able to tend it, it doesn't turn into a weed patch.

 

[Mini Horses]

Well -- I am so glad that my little reminder is being so very well considered as none of us are getting younger. Yep, a fact! I am blessed with excellent health! I did take an Alleve at bedtime last night because 12 hrs of moving gallons of jugs of laundry detergent told me I would be a little sore this AM if I didn't. It was good that I did because another 6 hrs reset today. My job is very physical and it's as good as a free gym membership! So far I'm keeping up with those 20-30 years younger. But that could change in an instant. You never know. If the darned black cat doesn't stay out from under my feet when I go to the barn at night -- well, that instant could arrive.

I do consider how I do things, if there is an easier way, less expensive, all those things. For me, I must be able to work alone and that is why my little tractor is so important. The muscle and strength I need to help -- lift, pull, dig, grade, etc. Not everything gets done now as I would like -- sharing myself with work time so I can be debt free sooner. It's MY challenge. And, yes, I try to decide where I will cut back, what I can manage and all that. Animal feed is expensive for hay, grains, etc. Probably my #1 consideration for control. I have everything else pretty pared down. I do very little shopping & for needs primarily.
(Yes, a new buckling can be a need!)

Bay, you may be waiting for medicare to do those knees. I've had mine 7 yrs and never used it. No need. In fact, I'm thinking it should be set up like car insurance, you know -- reduce the deductible for each year no have no claims??? YES!! That would be very good.