As we watch EVERYTHING (not just fuel) double and triple in price, we'd like to know what you are doing to save money. The reason, right now we're "land locked" but this fall we want to start traveling again and need suggestions on how to try and save for the trip - we plan on going from Deming, NM to SF area of California, then down to LA area for the Rose Parade - putting about 3200 miles on the RV. So, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. As to what we've done so far:
1. Parked the RV, it's plugged in and the Fantastic Fans are trying to keep it from drying out;
2. Drying clothes on clothes line;
3. Eat only two meals a day (early morning & then around 1:00 p.m.);
4. Make one trip a week to town (only 25 miles away - one way) for mail and few groceries on motor cycle;
5. Make one trip every six weeks to larger town for major grocery shopping and anything else needed around the homestead in Geo Metro (37 mpg) or very old Pick Up (1971 Chevy - 12 to 14 mpg);
6. Between trips to either town keep running list on what we run out of - no "in between" trips;
7. Changed all lights in house to new fangled florescents and only burn them if needed;
8. ALMOST going to bed with sun and getting up with sun so we don't use lights;
9. Have a "telephone grocery line" going with neighbors - if someone in area is going to town they'll call everyone in neighborhood and see if we need anything - we don't give them large lists but we've found this really helps make staples last longer...
Anything else you can think of that will help us will be greatly appreciated...Micky Moose

I've read of the dreaded "phantom vampire" which is the electricity used in what we think are appliances that are turned off. Recommended way is to plug everything into a strip plug outlet that you can turn off when things are not in use. Simple things like cell phone chargers in the wall when not charging the phone take electricity.

I read today about eliminating an answering machine for the same reason, and going to the phone company voice mail....to me, that seems to defeat the purpose (pay for one or pay for the other, your choice). The obvious of lowering the setting on water heater, adjusting the temps on heat pump/ac.

But overall, it seems you're on a roll with your ideas so far. We're going to try the drive one day a week, and even if we fail, we figure we'll still drive less overall. And yes, it'll be list! list! for that one day of errands.

We've cut way back on restaurants and take-out; we make fewer trips into town for just a couple of items when we can make do with what's on hand til the next big shopping trip; we're more aware of what's in the fridge, and make extra effort to use up what's there before it spoils; we eat more fruit and raw veggies - less expensive and healthier than most packaged snacks; make bread at home (which I love to do anyway), rather than pay over $4.00 a loaf in the store. I can bake one loaf in my toaster oven, saving all that propane needed in the regular oven.

I save money by walking & taking public transportation to the places where I mug and rob people.

Economical and completely green.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: leftyf,

Our daughter was just here visiting and we got to talking about sponge baths. She takes hers in the shower but fills a pan of water to use. The system is basically wet a washcloth then soap it up and wash yourself without wetting yourself first. Lay the soapy cloth aside to use again next time then use a clean washcloth to sluice water from the pan over your body to rinse. She has enough water left in her dish pan to soak her feet while drying her body which she says feels like a treat.

I do the washcloth washing bit but I use the shower for rinsing so I don't get the foot soaking she does. I may bring a pan into the shower next time because that foot soaking does sound good.

Linda

Sadly, we didn't renew our Escapees membership, but I will still stay on the forum.

Marv

we recently visited in Canada and were shocked at the price of groceries and gasoline being so much more than in the US! In fact, some things were close to double. Gas is at this point almost $1.30/liter....4.5 liters to the CAD gallon....a lot anyway! We all have to pull ourselves out of this rut and carry on and hopfully continue the lifestyle.
Kathleen

quote:

Originally posted by Alwaysonthego:
4.5 liters to the CAD gallon

I don't know what a "CAD" gallon is, but there are 3.785 liters to a U.S. gallon...which is the figure you should use when doing the conversion for figuring gas prices in U.S. dollars.

quote:

I don't know what a "CAD" gallon is, but there are 3.785 liters to a U.S. gallon...which is the figure you should use when doing the conversion for figuring gas prices in U.S. dollars.

LindaH is correct. If anyone is interested, this article explains the "weights and measures" system currently used in Canada:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_Canada

I moved out of an apartment and into my trailer. Less rent and no trailer storage fee.
I just bought a motorcycle(it'll take a while to get to initial investment back though...)
Gas is cheaper than diesel and 50mpg is better than 13mpg in my F-350.

Phill

Drive slower, between 50 to 60 mph.
Put more air in the tires.
Lower furnace to at least 68 and wear sweaters, use blankets, etc.
Raise to at least 78 the air conditioner or don't use it at all.
Shop using coupons, sale prices, store brand.
If there is a near buy dollar type store, use it while I don't think their store brands are good, they usually have good prices.
Buy most clothes at thrift stores or garage sales.

Many of the same things that are more expensive in Canada are cheaper in Mexico. We've been saving money on fuel by driving more slowly. We're also hugging the southern US border right now, dipping into Mexico every couple of weeks to fill up on their much less expensive diesel. Sometimes the "price" we pay is a wait at the border crossing, but we're in no hurry and enjoy the people watching in the crowds.

We are not living in our coach but like Art a d bev We just started using our bread machine we've had for 20 years and never used before. We just bought 50 pounds of Bread Flour and 50 pounds of Rice and lots of dry goods like pasta and dried potatoes and dry milk. We intend to save a ton of money on groceries by not eating out anymore. or at least not often. My coach is already parked in front of the house. my f-350 has two tanks and I am not going to reinsure it again for a while. We own a scion box car and will keep it going as long as we can. I could use this opportunity to walk a lot more I need to loose some weight anyway. Fortunately I do not have far to walk to a store.

Thank all of you for your suggestions. Lefty, we live 25 miles from town and our closest neighbor is 1 mile away...public transportation is not even possible out here, but we got a giggle out of why you take it...Mickey Moose

Im not moving as often on my way north east for the summer, I stop and spend 3 to 4 days in one stop. I could probably stay a week but Im impatient to move. Ive planned this trip all winter long, and Im gonna do it. Next year may not be the same. Ill adjust then. If I have too. george