The Sears Laundry Detergent deal is back

We loaded up on this stuff last time it was on sale.  See here for details of the sale.  We’ve been using this detergent for several months in our HE machine and love it.

I also like this because it is powder and can be stored in the garage.  When I’ve tried to store liquid detergents in the garage, the heat compromises the plastic containers and we’ve had leak problems.

I tried making my own detergent for a while, but the cost of making it is almost the same as buying this on sale.   And this works better than the stuff I made.

Reducing Electricity bill in Urban Home

Today I’m joining frugal friday.  I’ve never been that concerned about utilities bills until recently.  However, after watching cap/trade pass through the House of Representatives, I think we’re headed toward much higher energy bills.  The Senate may block it, but it is a matter of time before they do something that will cause a spike in these costs.  I’ve decided to really work on reducing our costs in these areas b/c there may come a time when it is critical we keep these low.

Last summer we kept the themostat at 75 to 76 degrees.   This summer we bumped it up to 78 – 79 degrees.  I will keep inching it up as we get used to the warmer air.  We’ve also added fans by our beds and in the kitchen.  The change has not been without ramifications.  I don’t sleep as soundly and I’m a little more sluggish b/c of the heat during the day.  In the afternoon, I’m more interested in a nap than I was before.  Especially if we’ve been running errands and I’ve loaded/unloaded kids in hot hot parking lots.

I’m also keeping our blinds closed during the day.  And I don’t turn on many lights unless we’re in the room.  This is a BIG shift for me.  I hate dark houses.  And I really need new eyeglasses, so shaded rooms are not my thing.  But I can tell this has kept the house cooler than my previous habit of living in bright light.

I’ve cut the usage of my oven by 50%.  The oven does heat up my kitchen considerably.  When I do use the oven, I cook several things instead of just one dish.  Now that I’ve reduced oven usage,  I’m using my pressure cooker, outdoor grill, stove top and crock pot.  I also plan to buy a solar oven this month and will learn this cooking skill.

We have a gym membership.  When we’re there I shower the kids at the gym instead of waiting until we get home.  I realize it isn’t reducing my carbon footprint, but my objectives are economics.  If I shower them at the gym, I don’t use our hot water or have towels in the laundry.  And they also blow dry their hair at the gym.

These are just a few things we’re doing.   In June our elect bill was $100 less than May.  Part of that is we were out of town 10 days, but we left the a/c at 78 degrees while we were out.  And June was much hotter than May, so I think our plan is working based on these numbers.  July will be the real test.