What Did You Do Frugal Today??

[ldyroper]

Does anyone know with electric water heater? And how many gallons per min does the water come out?
My electric bill went up $20, and I swear, its because my stepson turns on the bath water (hot) and lets it run for like 3 minutes, then pulls the shower button for the shower. The water is almost instantly hot, so there is no need for this, and its a squabble I have with my husband over this. To top it off, the kid is in the shower longer than I am. GRRR . It happens every nite.
So if anyonw has any numbers for me Id appreciate it.
There must be several gallons per minute coming out,
How can I be frugal with this going on?
I did pick up a vinyal shower curtian at the dollar store for $1, and a few cards a 2/$1. Gas here is $1.95 gallon, so I really need to combine everything since I have so far to drive.

[barbszy]

ldyroper, I don't have a number for you but I do have a couple of suggestions....

First of all, I imagine this is an older child/teenager. Show him the bill! Ask HIM to come up with some ways to lower it. Maybe he's just clueless that water and heating water cost money.

WITH your husband, set a time limit on showers and make sure it's enforced. If your stepson won't comply maybe he'll have to pay a "fine" $20 over a month is about 75 cents a day for long showers....

Buy a low-flow showerhead.

[Songberries]

Anna - that purse sounds cute! That was a good deal selling it already. I agree with your hubby though, I'd sell the next one for $25.

I took in some of my tshirt tops this morning. They look pretty good. Next time I'll by new ones though, I figure I'll deserve it.

Carol

[MrsManiac]

Oh, does THAT bring back some memories!! We lived with my uncle and his family for a while, and they had a "5 minute" shower rule.(There were 10 people in the house). If you weren't out in 5, he'd shut the water off!! It was my aunt that taught me about "sailor showers". To this day one of my favorite "splurges" is a long hot shower!!

Anna--I've used the solar-heated water before for dishes...and laundry. Works quite well, I think. Not as hot as water from the faucet, but warm enough to clean!!

Not an iota of frugalness here today--took both kids' for a "real" haircut since my clippers died. Spent a few dollars buying slushies at the party store, then each picked a toy from the dollar store. We had a good time, though!! I spent a bit extra at the grocery for some Crystal Light and some lc tortillas--I'm tired of iced tea and I am craving TACOS!!

[VickiLynn]

OSI, your "free hot water" idea reminds me, I haven't had solar tea for a long time. I think I'll get a jug of it started.

Idyroper, when my 2nd son was at home, he took long, hot showers, too. The electric bill dropped quite a bit when he moved out. Our water pipes run by the washing machine before they get to the shower. So sometimes, when he was in there especially long, I'd start a load of hot wash. That would pull the hot water to the washing machine, and the shower would turn cold. Then he'd get out fast!

If you want exact numbers of what it costs, you could probably call your electric company.

[leasmom]

I got some Low Carb tortillas, I used the store coupon-(50 cents off)- they gave me not long ago and with my receipt they gave me another coupon for the low carb tortillas. They had burritoes for .19 cents each so I got 6 of them for dd. I got some coleslaw mix for $1.50 on sale-(it was cheaper on sale for $1 a few weeks ago), got some frozen broccoli for $1 each, some spaghetti squash for some low carb spaghetti for $1.49 a lb and a can of tomato sauce with jalapeno slices for $1.

Hoping not to have to buy any more food since we've got just 2 1/2 wks more to go...so trying not to bring in more than we can eat. I already sent my sister home with a huge box of food!!!

[OSI]

Long Showers reminds me of my x bil when he stayed at our house and would run the shower for half hour... what he was doing in there I don't know... my water and electric bills were huge!

I've sold 2 more of those purses today... unbelievable! That's $60.00 and another person is thinking about buying one. I've sold 1 go bucks and 2 USA ones so today has been a good "frugal" day. Probably not frugal is I have to stop at the fabric store tonight and buy velcro to put inside the sold purses and some fray stopper stuff, I do have a coupon for 40% off but I love the fabric stores... I hope they have the items I need as this is one of the Joann's that is closing otherwise I'll have to go to Hobby Lobby which is a bit of a drive.

looks like solar water heating may have to wait another day as I try to keep up production on these purses. One lady has a friend who has twin girls and thinks she might one for each... what a surprise. Ladies, think about school craft bizarres for next year they aren't too hard to make.

Anna

[LoriMae]

Anna, You go girl! I love crafting and making things, it's a bonus when someone buys. I usually just give everything away. LOL


Idyroper; We put a bucket under the tub faucet when we first turn it on, cause the water is cold coming out first. Then we use the BW to flush with even or odd times during the day. Or sometimes I use the BW to clean tub or sink or toliet.

Useing the extra water has cut down on our bill and useing it to fush with sometimes has cut down on our sewer bill too. BIG sewer bill.

[OSI]

Thank you Lori Mae it's very tempting to just give them away, dh is really bad about that but we have to rationalize that for us, this is a business... we did do loads of Christmas gifts from our crafts.

Well frugal for tonight was calling ahead: Called the manager at Joann's and ask him if they had the items I needed and would he pull them for me... which he did. So all I have to do is go in and pick them up:p

Anna

[LoriMae]

Does anyone know exactly how to dry roses for potpourri with out using preservative?

Also I have lavender in the yard do I pick it before the buds open or just after they have opened?