So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Things that save time, energy, money, stress...what do you do?

I iron my clothing for the week

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I iron my clothes for the week, as well. I also make my lunch the night before.
I leave my house 10 minutes before I have to because it actually ends up saving me time. If I leave at 6:30, I hit no traffic and get to work by 7:15, if I leave at 6:40, it takes me an hour because of the buses.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I have my own business so I work when I want, wearing what I want...!!

Smart tho - just got a new laptop so now I can work from anywhere in the house - don't have to be banished to my basement office.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Bring my own lunch everyday...I never order out

Message edited 1/1/2008 10:34:57 PM.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

i set the coffee pot timer, take out the toaster, and choose and iron my outfit the night before.

i select my makeup and jewelry the night before and separate it so there's no fumbling in the AM.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

To save $ I pay bills online, only go to my banks ATM (no fees), bring lunch and bring my own tea bags (I have the luxury of hot water anytime at work)
I also have been doing my own nails and toes at home.
I make DH's lunch at night for him and he lays out his work clothes so that he's not all over the place.
I am a little nutty here...but I unplug all, well most of my appliances when they are not in use. I know its crazy, but I hear it saves energy (things like cell phone charger, toaster, coffee pot). And we never really use our microwave so I leave that unplugged too.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I stopped having DH work shirts dry cleaned. Instead I wash them and then put them in the dryer for 5 minutes. Right away i hang up his damp shirts and when they dry they are basically wrinkle free. We save about $13 a week.

I line dry a lot of stuff so the dryer is not used to much. I lived without a dryer for three years and I actually find the clothes last longer and they don't shrink.

Every week when I go through the mail I put all the coupons (Macy's, Kohls, BBB, grocery store) in a envelope. I put the envelope in the glove box of our car. If we are ever out shopping the coupons are always with us.

I keep all my recent purchase receipts in my bag if I am in the mall I check to see if things were reduced since I last bought them and if they were I get a price reduction. That sounds so cheap I know but if a store offers it why not. I don't go out of my way searching for stuff but recently I bought Dh new shoes in Macy's 2 days later I saw they were on sale with an extra 20% the sale price. I was able to get half of my money back

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I separate my silverware in the dishwasher that way I can just grab all the spoons, forks, knives etc. This seems like common sense to me but no one I know does it!

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I keep a running grocery list on a dry erase board we keep on the fridge...I clip coupons and if something we need is on sale I make a mark on the list so I know to get it that week, and if it's on sale and I have a coupon I get a bit more, only if it's non-perishable. I make a grocery list based on what's on sale and what we want to eat. I do not believe in buying something just becasue it's onsale, and the things we use ALL the time i wait until it's on sale. Like at Rite Aid this week Coke is 4 for $12 the fridge packs. Joe and I go everyday to save money in the long run. We have about 12 pks right now. Chicken goes on sale 4lb boneless skinless frozen breasts BOGO and we buy 4 bags for the price of 2. When hamburg goes on sale we stock up and bought a small deep freezer just to hold our meats. Just some very small helpful hints

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

pick out my outfits and shower the night before ... wake up and just GET OUT OF BED without snoozing -- no use prolonging the inevitable!

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I sit down with the food store circular, my coupons, a cook book or two or recipes I found somewhere that I want to try & make our weekly shopping list. I plan our menu around what is on sale & things I have great coupons for.
I rarely buy anything but what is on my list. I keep my reusable totes in the car with me so I'm always ready to shop.

DH & I both bring breakfast, coffee & lunch almost everyday.

I keep current store coupons in my car too.

I have a large basket with handles that all of my cleaning supplies are stored in, so when I clean I take the whole basket room to room.


Things I want to improve this year-

unplugging unused stuff in the house

getting a more simplified system for recyclables in the house

getting a kitchen compost container

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I set aside 20 minutes for myself each morning when the kids are still sleeping. I journal, meditate, drink tea and think about the day ahead.

Once the kids are up - the ME part of Jeannie turns into MOMMY - so that time alone is crucial to my survival as an individual!!!

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I make DH & my lunch the night before.

Have a running grocery list on the fridge so I don't chance forgetting something. As soon as I run out of it or are low, it goes on the list

Take a shower at night & do my hair so I can just get up & go in the am

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I also keep a running grocery list on my kitchen counter.

I too bring my lunch most days.

Keep tea bags on my desk.

I also pay most of my bills online then transfer the rest of what's left in my checking into savings.

I only leave about $20.00 a week in my checking account for "fun money" like a breakfast out, or Starbucks. When it's gone, it's gone.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Umm nothing.. I play on LIF before work and wind up being late...


I don't dry my hair.. It is curly and looks better air dried.. That is about it.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Posted by 2Pisces

To save $ I pay bills online, only go to my banks ATM (no fees), bring lunch and bring my own tea bags (I have the luxury of hot water anytime at work)
I also have been doing my own nails and toes at home.
I make DH's lunch at night for him and he lays out his work clothes so that he's not all over the place.
I am a little nutty here...but I unplug all, well most of my appliances when they are not in use. I know its crazy, but I hear it saves energy (things like cell phone charger, toaster, coffee pot). And we never really use our microwave so I leave that unplugged too.

Message edited 1/2/2008 8:19:09 AM.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

This is such a great thread!

I am going to be on my own with my new DH in just TEN days and this is all great advice!

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

I'm all about saving time, money, and the environment. This will be a long list.

Shower at night
Turn off faucet while brushing teeth
Keep kitchen faucet at half strength and keep it cool to prevent hot water waste
Wash clothes in cold water unless absolutely necessary to use warm. NEVER hot.
Have lights on timers
Coupon cut for myself and for others and freely give them to people who need them
Cut down warm-up time for the car once I found out it's unnecessary to let it run for 10 minutes (a car warms up faster if you drive gently rather than letting it idle)
Unplug unused appliances
Read treehugger.com, hugg.com, and other 'green' sites as much as possible to keep up on environmental helps
Use the timer on the stove so if I walk away, I won't forget something is cooking
Investigate all major purchases to alleviate wasting money on a sub-par product
Bring my own bags to the supermarket
Dry my hands with cloth towel instead of paper towel.
But if I have to use a paper towel, I lay it flat on the counter to dry out for re-use. Or I use it to wipe down the stove, counters, etc instead of a sponge.
Close doors to rooms that aren't in use (like bathrooms) so the heat is only calculated for the rooms it needs to keep warm.
Use Dawn soap and Neem Oil to spray my plants periodically. This prevents use of harmful chemicals to control pests.
ALWAYS use natural solutions instead of chemicals in gardening if at all possible.
If plastic is unavoidable, it is reused and recycled.
Opt-out of all paper mailings and receive statements/bills via email.
Cancel any subscriptions or catalogs that are unnecessary. The B&H catalog alone is the size of a small phone book!
When I called the credit card companies to change my address, I started an interest rate war. One rate in particular was cut in half and card was upgraded to a rewards card.

Plans for the future:

Rain barrells for gutter drains... Can be used to water my plants and lawn. Also helps keep the water from my foundation.

Compost... I bagged my fall leaves in black plastic bags and punctured holes in them for air exchange. I put them next to my foundation to keep them warm. Between the sun on the black plastic and the foundation, I should have some decent leaf mulch in spring.

I also intend on using compost bins in the kitchen and outside for gardening.

Digital thermostats... This will be a DIY project to save money and time.

Ceiling fans... We'll try to use these instead of the A/C in the summer to keep the house cool.

Bicycling... Will replace driving for local items in warm weather.

Craigslist Free section and Freecycle... Will be checked daily for items I need like bricks, river rocks, topsoil. Also plan on garage sale hunting for wood furniture to sand and refinish.

Mosaic tiles... I plan on learning how to create mosaic tile tables etc. so when it comes time to redo the bathroom floors, I'll have a better understanding of thin-set, grout, tile work/spacers, leveling surfaces, etc.

Garden clubs... To exchange excess plants so I don't have to buy from a nursery.

That's all I can think of right now.

Re: So, let's start off postive...what do you do that is smart?

Some things I do:

Unplug all appliances that are not in use during the day and night (washer, dryer). We also turn the water off that goes to the washer when not in use (sounds weird but a while back we had a friend that had a huge flood in the basement so that prompted this)


Keep the following running lists on the fridge: Grocery, misc (target), and things to do

When I take clothes out of the dryer I try to semi-fold them as I put them in the pile (sleeves across the chest, towels folded in half) I do this because chances are they will not get folded right away but if they sit in a messy pile they are all wrinkled by the time I get to them. This way they are not and it's a huge help.

I cut and keep coupons in an envelope in my bag...also I keep recent receipts for the month in my bag. It has come in handy for price adjustments and also when I am out if I see something on sale I can check to see what I spent...if it was more and can be returned I do and buy the cheaper one.

We prepare everything for the next day - the night before. Dry foods for breakfast and lunch get lined up on the counter to take, other food is lined up in the fridge, I made DS's bottles for daycare and pack his bag. Also get my things ready for work and DH does the same.

Spend 15 minutes (I actually put the timer on ) each night going from room to room to put things away. I used to think I had no time but you can get a lot done in 15 minutes...now I make a game of it so that I don't make excuses to not do it.

Every Friday I made a list of the meals I want to make for the next week and then make my shopping list based on that. I also check out the circulars for sales and only take advantage of the actual things we use on a daily basis.