Long Time, No Post

I can't believe I haven't posted to the blog in 5 months. I need to do a major update, we not only have a new baby, but also a new house. All in the same week :) On June 6th we got the keys to the new house so on the 7th I was cleaning the kitchen and getting the house ready to move into, and labor hit, July 9th we were blessed with the birth of our 2nd son Tyson.

I can't believe he is going to be 2 months old already and I can't believe we have been in the new house for 2 months already (we are still stepping over and moving around boxes).

So, what have we been up to? We have been slowly going green and frugal. With the economy who can't afford to become more frugal, and if your going to do that you minus well go green too.

Our first project cut our biggest expense, Diapers! with 4 kids in diapers it is easy to spend over $40 a week just buying the cheapest off brand diaper made, when you add my kids sensitive bottoms and the need for more expensive diapers the price sky rockets. Solution, first we looked into the flushable gdiapers, but there was still quite a bit of cost and the closest place that sold them was a good 30 minute drive in town. So we went cloth and its so much fun and addicting if you are crafty you can make your own out of anything from store bought material to old t-shirts or there are the WAHM who can whip up some very cute diapers, washing is no big deal. I throw them in the washer before going to bed each night and hang them out the next morning.

Next, we cut the cleaners, save more than the average family here because we have so many little ones always spilling something. Vinegar and baking soda make are excellent cleaners and even fabric softeners.

Next, more homemade from scratch foods, not only healthier but also a money saver. coupons combined with sale ads save a ton also.

Next, the dryer. With all the laundry we do this is a big energy saver. We can easily have the washer and dryer going 24/7 trying to keep up with the every growing dirty clothes monster. When we started this I didn't think it would last because the clothes were coming out stiffer than cardboard. But I stuck with it and suddenly I noticed that the clothes were coming out better than if they were dried in the dryer. Tips: use vinegar in the rinse, give the clothes a good shake before hanging (the tumbling action in the dryer is what makes them soft), and plenty of clothes pins will have them coming out looking freshly pressed. Remember, hang bottoms from their tops and tops from their bottoms.

Next, lights OFF. if the sun is seen, the light bulbs better be off. new house rule.

Next, cable. Since the switch to digital TV, public broadcasting is nice. We didn't watch that much tv anyways, I had most of the channels blocked with the kids around, and what we did watch was on the local channels anyways. We don't miss it (that much) and save a lot.

Next, I've been recycling thing around the house. old bed sheets are cut into strips and made into rag rugs (or diapers), recycled bags fused together to make various item like coasters, kids play mats, reusable bags, baskets, the list is endless, Rick and Grandpa's old dress shirts found new life as a jumper for the little girls, too many projects here to list. I will try and post some pictures and patterns in the coming weeks.

Who knows what will be next, but every penny saved is a penny made.