I saved $2,400. and improved my health in just 2 years

I've turned off my heatpump and open windows for the cool breeze to cool down the house.  Un plug all unneccessary appliances and use a rain barrel for outside watering, filling the pond and topping off the hot tub.  That's as good as I get.

Interesting post. But I think it depends on where you live. Our climate in Charlotte is such that there are actually very few days when open windows work. And unfortunately, if you live in most of our subidivisons, you are prohibited from hangind laundry outside the home.

Great ideas and tips!  I was super excited to be able to follow suit but I love my dishwasher and my allergies prevent me for too much window opening and line drying things.  I already limit TV =)  Maybe I'll come up with some other ways to save money and improve my health

Ricki,

Wow! I love your ideas. I'm always looking to simplify things in my life.

Rich

Yes to this post and host. What we are looking for should be found not put off

Hi Ricki, I love washing my own dishes, I could never get use to a dish washer. Natural light & fresh air is the way to go. I still need to work on my "not watching" tv so much though :(

I prefer washing dishes by hand. My wife hates it. If you do them after every meal then it only takes a minute or two to complete.

My family has always been big readers, but my wife drives me nuts reading and watching TV. I want to concentrate on one or the other.

These are all great ideas, except for washing dishes by hand.  I grew up with no dishwasher, and I'll always have one and use one.  I'm on board with everything else though!

Ricki, what an excellent set of ideas.... I am shocked myself how little TV I watch anymore. More channels, less TV... go figure.

Hi Ricki. These are some great ideas. I can't say we do as well, but it seems we're "going backwards" to a simpler time, too, and it feels good. TV is still there, but we're watching almost everything "on demand" which seems (so far) to cut out most of the commercials!  One hour shows only take about 40 minutes.
Thanks for sharing,
Bruce.

There are things we can do to cut costs and save money.  But sometimes, it's not easy.  Hanging laundry outside??  Not allowed in so many areas due to subdivision restrictions.  Open the windows?  Can't do it very often in my area or others nearby .. as there are so many outside fireplaces and firepits it often looks like a fog hovering in the air.  The air is thick and the smell is worse.  This issue is actually costing me money ...

It shouldn't be that hard to accomplish something so simple ... should it??

Gene

Updating appliances certainly helps. I don't wash dishes by hand but I only run the dishwaser about once a week. Got a 13 seer A/C and it dropped electric bill $100 a month.

Ricki-Living in the Texas Hill Country has lots of advantages for things like fresh air and clothes drying on the line. I'm guessing the temperatures are a bit cooler there than here in San Antonio. But then I guess-95-100 is hot regardless of where one is on the map.

Those are great and measurable results.  Once you get into a new routine it's easy to not look back.  

The one thing I cannot do in Texas is hang laundry outside due to the pollen.  Everything would be yellow green.  I used to love the smell of fresh laundry that was dried outside as a child.  It is so easy to wash a few dishes and quickly put them away and a good book is so much better than TV.  Great post!

Maybe we can all learn to live our life a little differently Sharon. I enjoyed this post.