Here we go, the start of a new year, and I see people posting all over blogland these huge lists of goals they have for the year.
Honestly I find it kind of overwhelming to set those enormous goals for myself. I already feel as if I'm stretched too thin and need a clone.
So, I'm focusing primarily on trying to cut my yearly budget.
2018 was all about me reducing my monthly bills, and focusing on living within my means. I cut a ton of money from my yearly expenses, and I'm determined to see how much lower I can go.
Here are a few of the ways I'm trying to reduce my yearly bills even more in 2019:
Reduce my heating oil bills: I already keep my house cool and rely primarily on my wood stove insert for heat, but you'd be surprised how much lowering the thermostat just 2 degrees can save on heating oil. I'm hoping to reduce my yearly oil bill from $2100/year to $1600/year. That might be a little ambitious, stay tuned. Of course it all depends on how cold our winter is, and how long our heating season is. Fingers crossed! I also stopped using the wood stove too early last season, and winter dragged on an on into spring. This year I'll wait to clean out the wood stove until I'm sure we're done with winter! Let's face it, firewood is a heck of a lot cheaper than oil!
Reduce propane usage: I try to use my clothes dryer much less than I did in the past. If sheets/towels are still damp at the end of a cycle, they get hung over the railing in the kitchen, instead of putting the dryer on for another round. I'll do the same with some clothing, although it's mostly the flannel sheets and towels that come out still damp.
I really, really miss my clothesline in the winter months, but it's simply too cold here to dry outdoors in winter, even though I know in some climates people do just that. Bring on the spring so I can dry my clothes outside once again! Now if only I could get my daughter to be even the tiniest bit more conservative in her laundry/dryer use that would be incredibly helpful!
I'm also not using my bedroom fireplace as often. I'll put it on before bed or in the morning before my shower if it's really chilly in my room, but I'm very conscious of my usage and try to limit it.
As for cooking, my new Instant Pot is going to help reduce propane costs as well, no doubt. I made a pot roast in the Instant Pot the other day and it took under 30 minutes and was absolutely fantastic! I think I'm going to love my new Instant Pot!
I'm hoping to cut my yearly propane bill from $1100 in 2018 to around $800 for the year - wish me luck!
 |
| Instant Pot Smart WiFi 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker, Silver |
Take Advantage of Solar Energy: Since I installed solar panels a couple of months ago, it makes sense to use that solar energy to help reduce propane/oil bills wherever possible. The Instant Pot is one way for sure, since it reduces cooking time to a mere fraction of the time needed to cook the same meal on the stove or in the oven.
 |
| Duraflame Electric DFI-550-38 Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove Heater, Cinnamon |
Another way I'm using that solar energy - I ordered a Duraflame electric heater for the lower level, to use in my daughter's family room. The heater was about $130, and looks like a little red wood stove. I can keep the lower level thermostat set lower now, and my daughter just puts on the heater when she's spending time down there. It's a great way to use that solar energy to help cut heating costs, and it's super cute as well!
I've also been keeping my grocery budget around $200 per month (yes, that's right, per MONTH, but that's a post for another day!) and cutting expenses wherever possible on beauty and hair products. I've been experimenting with a few different much less expensive moisturizers and hair products, and I'll keep you posted on the results! Still no luck on an eye cream, but I haven't given up hope.
Now if only I could find a way to bring in a little more money per month in addition to cutting expenses that would be awesome!
I never make resolutions, because as soon as I do I end up breaking them. I do plan, like you, to spend less money this year. I keep my house very cool and save a decent amount of money there. I have a voice controlled thermostat, so it’s at 62° during the day, but at night I turn it down to 55°. I find that’s a good temperature for sleeping, and using lots of cozy blankets, and during the day I just bundle up. One thing I’m going to try to do is cut back on food bills. My mind is blown that you spend only $200 a month. I am one of those people who likes to have a well stocked larder, so if I want to make a recipe, any recipe, any ethnicity, I have what I need on hand. But, that’s not always practical, and it takes up a lot of space. I’m trying to plan out a week’s worth of meals, and only buy what I need.
ReplyDeleteI think 55 is the perfect temp for sleeping, I prefer having cozy blankets on the bed rather than a hot stuffy room! As for the grocery bills, that was a challenge, but I find that if I do a big shopping once a month that usually lasts me for the month, with the exception of perhaps bread/milk/fruit. I already built up a stockpile of pantry items, canned goods, meats, and freezer meals, so now at this point I only buy those items when they are on sale, I almost never pay full price, except for perhaps spices when I run out of one. The key is to have a stockpile for sure! I will do a post on it at some point, I started to and it seemed to get too complicated and rambling so I need to edit it, ha ha!
DeleteLike you, I don't understand the long list of goals. I too plan and try to stick to the plans. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, but at least I know I've tried. I like your ideas and since I read your post about the Instant Pot, I've set my mind on getting one. I got some VISA gift cards for Christmas and will use those for some of the things I want...that way, it is no extra $$$ out of my pocket! Looking forward to seeing your progress! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm making another Instant Pot recipe tonight, Benita - I must start taking photos of the end result so I can post about it!!
DeleteFor the past 5 years, we've been using a pellet stove insert in our fireplace in the living room. Most of the time that heats the whole house. The bedrooms are cool, but we like that. We have an electric blanket that I turn on half an hour before bedtime so the bed is nice and cozy to get into, then once we're in bed we turn it off. We just turn on the oil-fired boiler for hot water - no separate hot water heater here. We often run it for one cycle in the morning to have hot water for most of the day and always again at night for dishes and showers. The hot water part was hard for me to get used to but it's just part of the routine now. We have a second pellet stove in the basement that we run when the temperature goes under 20 degrees at night. By the way, I don't know if you saw my answer to your question on my blog the other day? I'm in Stillwater, just outside of Saratoga Springs.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, Sue, I love Saratoga!! We recently spent a night for our anniversary in the Adelphi, it was fabulous!!
DeleteYes, I like my bedroom cool also...I cannot stand a hot bedroom, I guess my hot flashes keep me hot enough! If the temps outside are above 40, I usually crack the window also - there's nothing like a bit of fresh country air to help me sleep!
Love the looks of that little heater! I guess we keep our heat too high. Putting it down at night to 72 seems cold enough for us. 75 in the daytime and we use the gas fireplace to help sometimes and sometimes an electric heater a bit to shower and first thing in the morning in my bedroom. Sure would like to get my food bill down too. Maybe I will gain some ideas from you. Seems like we spend way too much on groceries for two old people!! Nancy
ReplyDeleteI guess it's whatever you get used to, Nancy. When I was living in NYC my apartment was right over the boiler room and always hot. I got used to it, but when I moved to the mountains I had to get used to turning down the heat...and also I loved sleeping with the windows open, even in winter, as long as it wasn't too crazy cold! Now I can't stand a hot room, I'd rather it be cool and I can put on another layer than too hot. Helps with the oil bills, that's for sure!
DeleteI want to see a post on how you only spend $200 a month on groceries!! Please!!
ReplyDeleteI started writing it a while back, but it needs to be edited, Penny. But I'll tell you the first trick is to stay out of the stores! I try to go do the main shopping the first week of the month, and for the rest of the month I stay out of the supermarket. If I need milk or bread I can pop into our local convenience store, or ask my daughter to pick it up on her way home.
DeleteAnother great post! Since cutting my budget this year is my number one resolution, I look forward to reading your additional ideas.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd look forward to any ideas from you as well, Linda! It's not easy but it can be done, that's for sure! I wish I could get rid of my cable bill, but unfortunately our internet is not strong enough for consistent streaming, it's incredibly frustrating to try and watch anything on Netflix or similar....sigh. Someday!
DeleteYour tactics are wonderful, Debbie. Please plan on a post or two with your Instant Pot results. I am one curious consumer, and I'm sure there are many more out there. Do you use an Air Fryer too? I'm also curious about those.....from trusted sources. Best wishes on the continued frugality.
ReplyDeleteI do use an air fryer, Rita, and I love it! I haven't made a ton with it, but it can't be beat for making buffalo wings....and I love buffalo wings! I must experiment with it a little more, although right now I'm busy playing with my instant pot, ha ha!
DeleteI like all of these ways you will cut costs hopefully this year. I hope our winter is shorter this year than last year. We really did not have any Spring here in the midwest. I keep my heat down at 68 during the day and 65 during the night. In this smaller house it stays warm pretty great. With the plaster walls and brick exterior the heat stays in. I just got an instapot too. My daughter raves about hers. So I am going to give mine a spin too. Have a great rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
There are a million recipes out there for the Instant Pot, Kris - I'm trying another experiment tonight, for Butter Chicken. It's an Indian dish....I've never tried it, but I have a feeling my sweetie will love it!
DeleteThat stove is just like mine, but mine's black.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Yes, I saw yours, they're awesome, aren't they? My daughter loves it. I had bought one for my other daughter years ago, she loves hers as well! It adds another level of cozy to a room!
DeleteLoved this blog post! I don't drink, which saves me roughly $1200- add it up and it sure adds up! Another thing I did this year was to join the YMCA, which at $35/month is significantly cheaper than the "boutique" fitness of spin and barre classes I was doing in the past- savings of about $500/year! I also only get my hair done twice a year now for a total cost of about $300. As for making extra money, I do Poshmark, and sometimes, catering. Love Poshmark and hate catering! Love the 55 degrees for sleeping- I will have to try that! xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou're the queen of saving and making additional money no doubt!! I'm not as successful with Poshmark as you are, but every little bit helps, right?
DeleteI don't do New Year's resolutions or make any lofty goals. I'm a work in progress every day - I just try to be the best I can be! :-) Thus said, I am working through Jennifer Louden's New Year's workbook, but it's directed towards creative goals.
ReplyDeleteYour heating costs are high, but I know propane is expensive. Our furnace runs on natural gas which isn't cheap, but it's not as expensive as propane.
I use Acure eye cream and love it! Not that expensive for a good cream either and a little goes a long way.
My mom hangs out clothes all year round, even in winter! Yes, she's nuts. lol She brings in her frozen laundry and either lets it thaw out indoors or throws it in the dryer for just a few minutes. My grandma (her mother) did the same thing. I'm not THAT crazy. ;-)
I don't know how you keep your grocery budget so low. I could make a lot of meals out of what we have on-hand, but we're always running out of fresh produce (we eat a LOT of fresh veggies and fruit) and almond milk.
Have a good weekend!
My furnace runs on heating oil, the propane is for cooking, 2 clothes dryers, and the fireplace in my bedroom. I'm going to check out that eye cream, Melanie, thanks for the tip!
DeleteI was thinking of your mom this morning when I was hanging my Lularoe leggings over the railing in the kitchen (they can't go in the dryer) and gosh, what a woman, hanging out laundry even in the freezing cold! They do it in Ireland, too - clothes are on the line all year - but the weather is much more temperate there. If I had a 50 degree day which happens here and there I would hang out laundry...the smell of it would be worth the chapped hands, ha ha!!
I just looked up that eye cream, Melanie, and there's more than one version - which one do you use?
DeleteThanks for your post on saving, enjoy all the information provided for us. Have you tried EBATES? You sign up for an account, each time you order, click on EBATE, this will bring you to list of stores, click on your store, this will bring you back to site you are ordering from, continue with order. Each store will offer a small % of savings. You can make a small a amount from each order. It is so easy, hope thus information is helpful. Please continue with all your money saving post, recipes, gardening etc., this is a very helpful, informative site.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Ebates, Theresa!!!! I've been using it for years, since 2012, and I've gotten $1159.71 back in Ebates in that time!!! Every little bit adds up, right? I'm also using Wikibuy - it's the same concept, and often you get cash back from both Wikibuy and Ebates on the same purchase!! Since we live on a mountain top, we don't have access to stores without traveling a half hour down the mountain, so I often shop online when I need something, with the exception of groceries. Every dollar helps, right?
DeleteThanks for your sweet words, I am so glad you find my site helpful and informative!!
Oh that red stove is darling, Debbie!! We have been taking about solar, a lot more now since you shared your experience. And $200 a month for food?? Tell me your secrets friend. We are many times that here. Of course, I have a full house and teenagers, a husband that works from home and we do entertain here often. But still...I need to cut back!
ReplyDeleteI am working on a post to share my secrets, Kim, but the biggest one is to stay out of the stores! Once a month grocery shopping, with a pop in to a convenience store as needed for milk, bread, or eggs. Before I started trying to cut down my expenses I was easily spending that much per week in groceries - insane!
DeleteThe red stove is darling! I want to cut expenses as well. We heat our entire house with wood heat so no costs there. We need to rid ourselves of some animals to cut feed bills and that is where I hope to start.
ReplyDeleteYeah, my doggies are expensive, between vet bills/meds/food/treats, but they also bring so much joy to my life, I'm sure you have the same with your animals, Carol. You don't have another source of heat, just wood? Do you have an outside wood burner that heats the whole house?
Delete