DAWN

Jun 11, 08 - 5:40 PM

The price of things..

Holy cats! I bought two nice grilling steaks from the butcher the other day for $7.67. After work today I stopped at the grocery store to get some peppers for shishkabobs..$4.99 each. I walked back out the door and will find something else to do with the steaks..unreal!

Our gas is only $3.99 a gallon thou. I watched something on tv over the weekend about $4 a gallon in the midwest being totally different that $4 in the west coast. Cost of living or something. I talked with a fellow today that just got back from Italy and he said it was $9 a gallon. WOW!

Someone fix this! PLEASE!

Tammy

Jun 12th, 2008 - 12:58 AM

Re: The price of things..

I get tore down every two weeks when I go grocery shopping. Talk about stress .. right now the grocery stresses me more than anything. Meat was the cheapest thing you could eat IMO and now it's crazy. Chuck Roast $8 for a small one. I was paying no more than $5 for one we could eat on for 3 days. It's unreal!!
Laundry detergent just keeps going up up up. Oil .. thank goodness I rarely use it. Was 2 for $3 most of the time, now it's almost $4 for one bottle. Cheaper to cook with butter. Again thank goodness I don't use oil or butter like I once did years ago. Chicken .. unreal prices for a dang chicken.

I feel so sorry for the Farmers .. their livlihood is being taken away. They can't afford the gas for the tractors and then if they raise their prices they can't sell their produce. What the hell is a new President going to do to fix this? May GOD guide him as he will need all the guidance he can get.

Old people are starving. It is in the news everywhere right now where Meals On Wheels is begging for help as they have so many older people in need they have a waiting list for meals. I can't feel good when I know there are old people out there that have worked all their lives and now are hungry with no one to help them. I can't possibly feel good with this going on outside my doors in my Country the good most prosperous Country in the World. WTF????

Somehow we have all got to start thinking about folks outside our doors, in our neighborhood, our town, or cities and help them somehow. If we all could just help feed one person we can make a difference. These young people with 3, 4, 5+ kids can manage as they are getting plenty of Food Stamps and I guarantee it is enough to feed them if they shop properly and cook properly instead of trying to buy heat em up bull and microwave crap.

I know we can all cut back a little and help someone in need. If we don't start taking those steps ourselves and doing our best to make a difference then we all will loose in the end. Please call your local Meals On Wheels and find out who you can help tomorrow. They need us and even just one meal a week can and will make a difference.

Tammy

Jun 12th, 2008 - 1:02 AM

Re: The price of things..

Sorry for Preaching but I feel so strongly about this. We have got to help this Country before we try and help another at this point. Our people are now starving because we as a Country have forgotten what it means to clean up our own backyard first.

oldtimer

Jun 12th, 2008 - 5:04 AM

This is a letter I wrote

to our provincial news paper yesterday.
Good marnin' Ms.Fownes,
I would like to comment on your article in todays(Wed.) paper.
You have the "sidebar" called "Stretch Your Food Dollars" and I would like to comment on that.
1st "compare apples with apples". when I look at the comparison prices you will see that when one brand tells that it is so much per 100 grams the next name brand switch to so much per ounce or so much per kilo switched with so much per lb all mixed up.It makes it very confusing and then the lower shelves you have to get on your/my old knees in the aisle to read the tag that is curved inwards so the info is pointed at the floor.
Then comes the cost of the freezer.It is not so much the cost of the freezer it is GETTING !!!! enough money together at one time to buy it.(and then actually afford to have it plugged in).
Next is the cost of the gas to get there if you can afford the insurance on the car.I also live 15 miles from a grocery store over pot hole roads not to be confused with pot roast roads.
It ain't easy Nadine !!!!!!
My deceased mother could never understand why people(old people) didn't eat well with "the freezers" and "the microwaves".She would go out and buy a big roast and cook it up with all the trimmings and divide it up into "the airplane" meals and then freeze it and then do the same with "the chicken" and "the fish".At the end of the day she had all "the vitals" she needed for about 30 lovely ,well rounded meals for the month.
Now take into consideration here that only 8 years ago at the age of "almost" 92 years old she drove a 1971 Toyota Tercel from Pictou Nova Scotia to downtown Toronto, and back,by herself in 24 hours,each way,with only a few "winks" at trucker stops along the way !!!..did I mention "by herself"...hehehe
Ain't spunk GREAT !!!!!!
Sometimes it's a rocky road to Dublin and Sobey's doesn't give a rat's ass either.
Yesterday I looked at english cucs and at Sobey's they were $1.99 and at the Superstore they were $3.99 for the exact ones !!!!!
When is enough enough !!!!
The people writing these articles (no offence) should be the old people from the fish plants,and the shipyards,and the car works,and ladies(home makers) who husbands died and left them with only enough money to give to pharmacare...now don't get me started on that...hehehe
Have a good day and take an old person shopping and then write the same article again...and I'm very serious about that.
(My name)

Tammy

Jun 12th, 2008 - 6:55 AM

Re: The price of things..

Amen!!

It is unreal what is going on. We were definitely not prepared for everything to hit at once. From Groceries, to Gas, to the electric bill, and now I hear the water is about to get a big increase. I just don't know what people are going to do. To Hell with vacation or anykind of enjoyment in your life .. we are talking just plain survival and having the necessities we all need or at least think we need to live.

Suz

Jun 12th, 2008 - 7:21 AM

Re: The price of things..

Our gas hit $4.57 a gallon this week - I have started car shopping, because as much as I love my jeep, it has to go - I can't afford the gas with how much I drive.

CC

Jun 12th, 2008 - 8:06 AM

Re: The price of things..

Amen to all you guys! I feel the same way lately. I hate going to the store now. EVERYTHING has gone up.
And the news is trying to tell us to not expect gas prices to go down anytime soon. We should get used to it. To He** with that!!! They just want us to roll over and play dead. That is after we spend $80 at the pump. Be a good doggie.

Tammy you might feel like you were preaching, but you ain't seen nothing yet. As southern women, we just don't sit quietly and do what we are told.

I am totally disgusted with the way our govt and others around the world are just allowing the big oil countries to walk all over us. Gas in South Amer is freaking 14 cents. What kind of BS is that?? You can give me a list of excuses on why that is, but the simple fact is we are getting screwed and obviously like it whole a lot. I'm in the same boat as the rest of you, but really getting tired of this beating by govt and big oil companies.

The price of food going up is a direct relation to the gas prices. As much as I am paying for gas, I would be willing to take a vacation day to sit home and boycott the oil industry. I am that freaking sick of it. I know in reality most can't do that, but if they could I would be right there with them. The transportation system here in MEM is so bad, you almost can use it. I'm surprised they haven't shut it down with the prices of gas nowadays.

My restuarant friends are seriously feeling the pinch too. BBQ places generally are inexpensive to eat at, but they are being forced to raise prices. They have bills and salaries to pay too. The food service companies they use are all jacking up prices through the roof. 3 gallon container of mayo was $10 last yr and now is close to $20.

As for my personal shopping.... I am really starting to use almost all off brands with the exception of mustard (just love my French's). I am using coupons, although recently they have stunk too. We are not eating speciality foods as much. Making lots of stuff that will last several meals. Haven't even had a steak on the grill this yr, which is a tradegy in my family. Just too darn expensive, like Dawn was saying.

I'm usually not the flaming liberal out there on the street corner with a sign, but people I am seriously ready to do something about the high prices. Its outta control and you know a bunch of oil executives are flying their jets, getting in their Hummers and looking at billion dollar houses in the Carribean. Or better yet looking at the whole darn island. How's that make ya feel????

LivingLegends

Jun 12th, 2008 - 8:32 AM

Re: The price of things..

Haven't hit $4.00/gal gas...yet, but I KNOW it's coming. Thank goodness we have an Aldi in Beaver Dam (unfortunately it's 26 miles from Mayville) where we can purchase canned, frozen, paper goods & other necessary staples.

Hate to say, it's gonna get worse before it gets better....

bozz

Jun 12th, 2008 - 8:46 AM

Re: The price of things..

there has been much talk of eating healthy in the press lately...unfortunately with the high prices of healthy foods, much folk can only afford to buy crap for food, ie: mac and cheese, chips, white bread, and even that is a far reach for many....our town is encouraging folks who garden to plant an extra row for the less fortunate....the problem is there is getting to be way more less fortunate than the elite who can afford the best of foods...even though my budget for food is not that abundant....i donate a percentage to the local food shelter...every little bit can help....peace

Suz

Jun 12th, 2008 - 9:20 AM

Re: The price of things..

That's a great idea, Bozz - Unfortunately, my garden usually ends up feeding the wildlife! This year, I put a fence up, so we'll see. However, yesterday am I had a mama deer and her two babies playing in the yard in the am - This am, I woke up to four fat raccoon babies scampering across!

Lola

Jun 12th, 2008 - 10:21 AM

Re: The price of things..

Actually, by eating healthy I find we spend less on food than we did eating junky stuff. There's so much we don't have to buy anymore, I don't think twice about paying for produce. And I'm moving even more into a raw, organic, mostly vegan diet. I also think we have been trained to eat more food than we really need. I'm paying more attention to what my body, mind and spirit really wants and needs. And that's waaay different than how I was raised. Food prep is easier this way too, and so much more creative.

bozz

Jun 12th, 2008 - 10:24 AM

Re: The price of things..

another thing they finally allowed to be contributed to food banks is wild game, ie: deer, moose....at one time it was not allowed, but im happy to see that with the over population of deer the contribution of the meat is feeding many families...sorry to all the ones this may offend. as for myself, seeing bambi in my front yard each day, i cannot eat deer or moose any longer...but thats another story....peace

schultz

Jun 12th, 2008 - 11:49 AM

Re: The price of things..

Maybe a change-up to a Democrat would change the economy.

I hate going to the grocery store now too Tammy! It's depressing.

Montie

Jun 12th, 2008 - 12:27 PM

Re: The price of things..

One(or a few) thing I'd like to impart, is that maybe the Arab Oil Countries wouldn't be gouging us so much on the oil if we didn't spend so much time & money trying to impose our will & our beliefs on them(re: Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, etc.) The USA has a long history of being the bully, & maybe this is a little payback. The reason gas is so cheap in South America is that it doesn't have all the transport &/or refinery fees on it, plus the 'Hated Hugo Chavez' of Venezuela sells it cheaply to impoversished/lower income countries. Now, don't feel TOO bad for the farmers(at least the big ones) as corn & beans are at an alltime high. A friend of mine just sold 240,000 bushels of corn @ $6+ per bushel, as well as 100,000 bushels of beans @ $13+ bushel. The economy is VERY worriesome, but don't think that a switch to a Democrat leader will automatically turn the tide. I've said for years that NOTHING will change dramatically in the U.S. until we have a viable 3rd political party, but the DEMS & REPS will NEVER let that happen, will they? Also, isn't it strange that we've seen 'Solar Panels' & 'Windfarms' since the early 70's, but the further development of that technology has been seemingly stunted or ground to a halt? Hmmm, I wonder why? Could it be that non of those Crooked Fargin Politicians & 'Speical Interest Groups' (I got your special interest right here in my hand!) & Lobbyists, nor anyone wearing a turban, DOESN'T OWN THE SUN OR THE WIND! Given that, they will never fully develop solar, wind, or hydro power! I believe either Brazil or Argentina has already completely changed over the electric source(s) to 'hydro'. Sorry about the rant, what the hell do I know anyways? Time to go sample some good 'hydro' of my own.

BBS

Montie

CC

Jun 12th, 2008 - 12:51 PM

Re: The price of things..

Montie,
You definitely have some good pts there. I find it interesting that all of sudden people want to go green, but the tech for a lot of that stuff has been around for awhile. You mentioned solar panes and wind turbines. Once again...those have been around for many yrs, but I agree with you...someone in corp America is making WAY too much off us to think thats a viable idea.

As for eating more organic, I have to agree with those of you who say its too expensive. I love going to Whole Foods, but my god I need a personal loan when I check out there. The produce is awesome, but I find going to a local farmers mkt I pay much less and I know the $$$ is going right into the growers pockets. Who knows how some of these grocery stores give back.

A vegan friend of mine told me that with the health food grocery stores you really have to watch the frozen/refrig items. Many of them are no better than your Banquet tv dinner as far as health wise. I personally love the frozen section of these types of grocery stores. So many interesting food choices, but once again just too expensive and as my friend says not always better for your body.

Got 3 gardens, but the squirrels always get my veggies, so I gave up on that. With the tomato scare, I might have to reconsider that next yr.

DAWN

Jun 12th, 2008 - 1:02 PM

Re: The price of things..

With the midwest being dunked in rain and storms...corn and such is going to nothing but go up...it you can grow it..

Montie

Jun 12th, 2008 - 1:35 PM

Re: The price of things..

Much agreed on the corn prices escalating, not just 'E85' now, all the lost crops affecting it as well. The farmers who 'held over' last year's corn are the ones who are really going to cash in. The Iowa damage is BRUTAL! Very sad to see the full extent of the rain/storm damages. Pretty bad just 50 miles south of me, in Southern Indiana, as well. Just a mess in the Midwest in general because of the recent deluge of rain!

Time for everyone to bear down, work together as one, & struggle through these existing & forthcoming tough times.

"If you can't earn no sense(sic), you'd better beg for the quarter!" Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges

BBS

Montie

ray

Jun 12th, 2008 - 2:11 PM

Re: The price of things..

okay guys - i have been finding little things to save money. So here are some tips:

Tammy - you mentioned laundry detergent. Well, I have been experimenting and found that a little more than half of the recommended amount of detergent works just fine and helps the environment. I also have been using a little less water with the loads and keeping a good eye on the laundry to water ratio and have probably cut down water usage in the wash about 25%. And, i only use hot for towels and sheets - everything else in cold, even colors as i always have and it does not amount to any difference.

Dishes...do not keep the water running! wash a bunch at a time - put aside, and rinse all at once. avoid that dishwashing machine. Turn the water off and on when shaving, brushing and bathing in the shower - can cut water usage down here too. Change old toilets for new ones with less water. I put a little stopcock on the shower head that i can shut when i am not using it.

Switch all your lights to energy saving bulbs. This can save alot! Cut my bill down almost thirty bucks a month. Unplug unused appliances as even when off many appliances use energy. Do not just winterize..summerize too..can save on cooling costs. Add insulation - i think there are still tax credits avaialbe here too. Think about new windows if yours are old and drafty...goes for doors too.

Watch your temperatures! If going below 68 at night...open all your windows! Check the weather channel and find the coolest time of the day and shut the windows back up before the temp rises (ue the 24 hour tab to get an hour by hour estimate). Use the reverese process in cooler seasons opening the windows during the day, pulling blinds and shades in sunny windows and letting the house heat up and then shut them at the warmest point fo the day. Then you may not need the air or heat until later in the day/night and maybe not at all. In hotter seasons, keep sunny windows covered with your blinds, shades or curtains to keep the heat out. Get yourself a timer thermostat. Program it to meet your needs. Raise the temperature for air a tad and lower it a tad for heat. Use manual overrides to cahnge the temps when you will not be in the house. (I learned some of the above from my neighbors who had immigrated from brazil - saves a bundle).

Gardening - put in some vegetables. Make a compost pile - less trash bags and saves the city/county money and less trash to haul to the curb - can even throw most non-meat scraps in the pile and the worms just love it. Put compsot or mulch down around your plants - saves on water and keeps the soil moist and it also fertilizes to boot.

shopping - i go through all of the local supermarket papers and only buy on sale - can even get milk on sale at state minimums now. Throw a cooler or two with some ice in the vehicle and you can hit all the store sales. I will only buy on sale and stay away from anything processed. I also went on a diet - using slimfast and saving bucks there. Eat out less ad make more cold items. Cook some things like rice in batches or veges that you can use for a couple of days.

Refrig - keep that door closed. Here is another tip most people would never think of. Fill empty milk cartons or other containers with water and fill up all of the empty space in your freezer with them. Do the same with water filled containers in your refrig. The less air there is in there, the less variation you will get when you open the doors and you will use less energy. When you need more room, you can take them out. Drink the water as needed too - better for you than soda and other drinks which cost alot of money and eat up gas in transportation.
And, you cna save calories too.

If you smoke - quit...i did it again and will tell you that nicotine gum really helps with the urges.

Plan your driving - try to avoid left turns and routes with traffic and lights. Try to hit all of the stops you have in the same day and on the same route avoiding left turns and traffic. Avoid rush hour driving. In fact, shopping off hours saves gas and time - less time in the lines and saves patience - less chance you will run into negative, complaining and ignorant people! Take public trans if/when you can. Do not use the air/heat unless really necessary - dress up or down depending on the situation. Keep your tires inflated, your air filters clean, routine oil changes, tires balanced and front wheels aligned. Check you fluids and make sure they are changed regularly. Keep that older car a little longer when it is paid off. Take care of your car and it will take care of you.

Do your wash when it is cool....hang it on the line instead of in the dryer. CLothes hanging makes clothes last a lot longer. Buy quality rather than cheap quantity. My clothes usually run out of style before wear.

Okay - so you aer one for happy hour. Instead of spending money at the bar, invite some friends over - tell them to BYOB and something to thorw on the grill - make it informal and you will improve your social life and save money too. Avoid costly mixes and use natural ingredients - tastes better and is cheaprer in the long run.

Okay everyone - add on some tips of your own and we can all save, save, save!

Lola

Jun 12th, 2008 - 4:09 PM

Re: The price of things..

CC wrote: A vegan friend of mine told me that with the health food grocery stores you really have to watch the frozen/refrig items. Many of them are no better than your Banquet tv dinner as far as health wise.

That's it in a nutshell! pardon the pun :)

People shouldn't be eating the prepared crap anyway, even if it says organic or vegan or whatever. You will get the same diseases and lack of vitality as you would with similar items at your reg. grocery store.

You are certainly better off eating conventionally-grown produce instead of organic, if you have to make a choice on cost or availability. Locally grown is also a great choice!

There is a short list of items you really SHOULD eat organic because they have the highest levels of pesticides and you CANNOT remove them by washing or peeling. Apples, Strawberries, Raspberries, Spinach, Peaches, Bell Peppers, Celery, Lettuces, Grapes (Domestic usually less contaminated than imported), Potatoes there's a few more but not on the tip of my mind.

Here are items you can safely buy conventionally grown: Asparagus, Avocadoes, Bananas, Brocolli, Cabbage, Kiwi, Mangoes, Papaya, Pineapple, Winter Squashes. So we don't buy organic on these items.

I was shocked to see pineapples 2/$5 this week, we've been eating them up!

Ever wonder about those stickers on the produce? 4 digits (usually starting with 3 or 4) are the specific variety of produce. If it starts with a 9, it is organic, and then the following digits correspond as above. Starting with an 8 means it is genetically modified, fortunately there is not too much of that in the stores. HOWEVER, prepared and processed foods often contain ingredients that are GM!!!! And they don't tell you on the label....

Buy REAL food and prepare it yourself. Anyone who says its too hard or takes too much time hasn't thought about what food is really for. OUr family buys produce (primarily), meat, some dairy, a little bit if high fiber/low sugar bread and that's pretty much it. We're only in an aisle for oil, maybe a few condiments, tp, things like that. Bob still cops out with deli meats and forgets to put veggies in the kids' sandwiches but its a process of understanding and willingness to change your habits that evolves over time. Changing our food and shopping/eating habits has been a transitional process that started almost 3 years ago.

I recently faced the fact that some of the food I eat just doesn't serve me in what I am trying to do in life. I had been on an emotional junk food binge for several months (I ate healthy meals but daily crap for treats - and daily was the problem!). My body reacts more strongly to sugar and refined stuff than it used to. I noticed I would have a racing heart and other miserable feelings after eating it. I was sleeping poorly and waking up tired, and it just got worse & worse. But everyday I was still looking forward to treating myself to some junk, and the cycle would repeat.

I knew I wasn't doing myself any good and finally it dawned on me that it was like an addiction. It made me feel bad but still wanted it to help me feel better so I would do it and then I'd feel bad all over again. Finally I became ready to let go of what was holding me back because most of all, I want to move forward.

I realized that despite all the work I have done on myself, the one thing that I had resisted listening to, was the effect of food on ME. I believe it has been THE reason why I struggled so much, worked so hard and yet kept experiencing the same undesireable consequences over & over again. I thought there was something wrong with ME the PERSON, but now I'm pretty sure, its what I've been putting in my body every day.

Sorry if I come off lecture-y, I know its a sensitive issue and it can be hard to digest (heh) because most of us have been raised very similarly with regard to food and its shocking to consider that what we know, and what is for sale all around us might be really harmful.
.

.

oldtimer

Jun 12th, 2008 - 6:38 PM

Lola...you are so right !!!!

That was an EXCELLENT !!!! 5 star food report !!!!!

bozz

Jun 13th, 2008 - 10:22 AM

Re: The price of things..

bravo lola, can i come live with u for a month and get healthy lol

CC

Jun 13th, 2008 - 10:59 AM

Re: The price of things..

I agree....well done Lola. You are so right.
I think its how I was raised. Not that my mom didn't cook, but we did eat TV dinners (remember the good ole ones with the alum foil that went in the oven).

What shocks me is food like Healthy Choice Dinners. Have you seen the sodium in some of those. My god, I might have heart attack after the first bite (Just kidding). I'm guilty of eating them. Used to eat them a lot, but now I limit one or two a month. Plus the cost of those things is plain stupid when I start to really think about it.

See that's the thing...I am starting to "think about it." Starting to not only consider what's going into my body (should be callallo and jerk chicken all the time. LOL). Considering how much I am really paying to stay trim and is it really working? Many of you are right....eating more fresh fruits and veggies is so much better for ya. Matter of fact, a friend and I are going to the farmers market tomorrow morning. Three reasons to do farmers mkts: 1)support locals 2)fresher produce. 3) usually better prices

We will all get thru these times, and I think we will come out wiser. Not to say we aren't wise now, but you know what I mean....

ohliz

Jun 13th, 2008 - 1:42 PM

Re: The price of things..

"Switch all your lights to energy saving bulbs. This can save alot! Cut my bill down almost thirty bucks a month."

I have been really surprised how much my bill went down when I did that. I was able to get the bulbs on sale for about $1 each so it has REALLY been worth doing.

Tammy

Jun 13th, 2008 - 2:34 PM

Re: The price of things..

I have been using these bulbs every since they came out so I guess I don't see that much change now. Mother used to talk about me having them in my ceiling fan as she thought they looked ugly but like I care what they look like if they save money.

Also how many people look at the light bulb in the dam ceiling fan? There are only a couple places I don't have them and that is because I rarely use those lights but when I do have to replace them I will definitely be replacing with curly energy savers. Oh and they last forver. I keep my back bathroom light on all the time for the most part and I used to have to change that bulb dang near every month not to mention it would always blow at the most inconvenient time. These energy bulbs will last a year in the bathroom being left on like I said almost 24/7 so not only are you saving electric but also saving money on replacement bulbs.

Tammy

Jun 14th, 2008 - 8:36 AM

Re: The price of things..

Great info Lola. I don't think I will ever be converted over to healthy eating though. Now I do eat a lot healthier now than I ever have but I just love good ole Country cooking too much. Gotta have Greens with Hamhock, Green Beans with hamhock, fried chicken is a must, love my cokes (sorry

), Homeade Mac-N-Cheese, Pork Chops, Boston Butt Roast, Steak, Chuck Roast, Pizza, Pizza, Pizza with lots of real cheese. NO I'm not thinking about giving up any of those good foods unless I can't afford to buy them.

One thing we don't do in this house is heat a lot of processed freezer type foods. I just don't like TV Dinners, MIcrowave foods, and stuff like that. The one thing I do eat from the freezer section and I know they are probably very bad for you but that is pot pies. I love them and they are a quick meal for me when working. I don't eat a lot of them but I do manage about 2 every couple weeks.

Lola

Jun 14th, 2008 - 9:56 AM

Re: The price of things..

Got the current copy of Energy Times (?) in the mail yesterday, saw something about healthy soul food recipes on the cover, will let you know!

Sharleen

Jun 15th, 2008 - 11:10 AM

Re: The price of things..

The war in Iraq is costing each and everyone of us:

http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Price_of_Iraq_war_now_outpaces_0318.html

Where I live, gas is now $4.27 per gallon. Because I live in a rural area in upstate NY, many of us do not have the option of having gas heat in our homes. Last year it cost my about $350 to fill up my oil tank, this year it costs $800, and only lasts 6 weeks or less! The other day I was in my local supermarket and a van with senior citizens were in there, it was pitiful seeing what they were buying -- canned beans, crackers, soup. I live only about six miles from my job so that saves me on a weekly basis. How about starting a thread on Savings on the cost of living. Some great ideas are above. Last year I switched from a cell phone plan to a pay-as-you-go plan (with T-Mobile To Go). That worked out great because I was paying for a plan for myself as well as my daughter. I just don't gab on my cell phone anymore. I would also like to find a cheaper plan than my $26 (I think) per month AOL plan. I've never been a clipping coupon fanatic, but I am now -- I even go to Walmarts twice a month because they are alot cheaper than my other option Hannaford. I never buy any chicken or meat from them though.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads!

ray

Jun 15th, 2008 - 12:27 PM

Re: The price of things..

sharleen - if you cannot afford too many meats, it is still improtatnt that you get adequate prtein. one of my favorite sources of non-meat protein are beans and rice. The combination provides all of the necessary amino acids - building blocks of protein for your body to build or sustain muscle.. i also use rice and beans when on a diet to cut out fats and lower the amount of meat sources.

skim milk is also a good source. while a little expensive, you can get many servings of protein out of a gallon and skim is cheaper than other milk with almost no fat. i love skim milk and if you drink it long enough, you won't even like regular milk and you will realize how sweet skim milk is.

also - with the rice and beans - some hints - throw a little sausa on there - or make your own. if you did not plat any tomatoes - hurry - it is not to late. some cut up tomato is good on the rice and beans - maybe a little cheese, etc. try different things.

i switch it up too - white rice sometimes, brown others and you can use different beans - a batch can last a few days - so make extra and i even eat it cold.

another idea - buy the whole chicken on sale and cut up the parts you want - can make your own chicken broth which is healthy and nutritional.

just some ideas.

jaith

Jun 15th, 2008 - 1:33 PM

Re: The price of things..

i love this thread.

i've been the queen of cheap for soooo long that it's hard to come up with new ways to be cheap....my favorite strip mall has an Aldi's, a Savers & a Dollar Tree side by side by side.....so i can even save gas when i shop cuz it's truly one stop shopping. i say, if you can't get it at one of those places, reconsider....you might not need it.

i unplugged my Bunn coffeemaker cuz i only brew one pot every other day & replaced 3 lightbulbs (the 3 that are on the most) with fluerescent & cut $5 off my $30 electric bill.

i watch the air pressure in my tires (cuz i have one slow leaker) & set my cruise at 60mph instead of my previous speedy 70mph.....& upped my gas mileage from 26-31 to 31-36mpg.

Sharleen

Jun 15th, 2008 - 9:19 PM

Re: The price of things..

my current downfall is my addiction to caffeine -- I usually buy one extra large Dunkin Donut coffee at least six times a week at $2.39 each time + tip. My unemployed recently Bachelor degree daughter is addicted to Red Bull at $2.00 per day. That's almost $5 per day x 7 days per week =$35 a week. And not even nutritional.
I have switched some of my light bulbs to the energy saving kind "BUT" they don't really shed enough light as I like, plus they seem to have a delayed reaction.
I've never been a big meat eater, probably from my days of living in JA in the 70's and seeing brahma bull owners hack their juggler veins way out in the west end, that would always break my heart seeing that.. in the northeast we have lots of access to fresh fish. I'm also partial to tiny portions of veal though my grad student helpers let me know the horrors of the history of eating veal.
In the area that I live in, we have a gigantic Jamaican population and (though I don't follow their ways of savings), I'm amazed at how they stockpile items that you will always need: like buying A YEAR'S WORTH of toilet paper from Sam's Club, utilizing toothpaste coupons and then stocking up with those $1-$2 off coupons.. buying rice in a HUGE quantity from Sam's Club and having these huge glass jugs to keep the rice in, and holding down two jobs at all times one of which the salary just goes into savings.

Tammy

Jun 16th, 2008 - 12:13 AM

Re: The price of things..

OK Shar your story is sounding like my sis which is hooked on Joe Mug's Mocha's and drives about 60 miles roundtrip twice a week to pick up two @ close to $6.00 each and this don't count the two she buys on the weekends. Way too much wasted money IMO. Not the drik really as if that is what you enjoy that is fine but the gas to make all those trips is a big waste and not cool considering the way things are in this World right now. Not to mention she drives a big jeep which sucks the gas down like nothing. I got the calculator out and gave her a rough cost of what one trip and two mocha's were really costing her. Needless to say she was speechless. Hell she could invest in a $500 or even a $1000 machine and make her own and it be pd. in full in a couple months.

Jaith .. $30 electric bill? You got a one room apt. or what? I could move out and turn everything off and I bet the light bill would be $30 still for a month.

jaith

Jun 16th, 2008 - 7:42 AM

Re: The price of things..

yeah tammy...i kinda thought my electric is cheap. i live in an apt, heat AND hot water included in the rent. i think my rent's pretty cheap too, $570 for a 1-bedroom....they just raised it last year after i'd paid $550 a month for 4 years. like i said.....i'm the queen of cheap.

sharleen....my BIL got addicted to his daily coffee when he went back to college.....my sis bought him a machine & now he makes it at home & saves lots.

ray

Jun 17th, 2008 - 8:09 AM

Re: The price of things..

funny how we think alike...reading the last posts, I was thinking - get a real espresso machine and then tammy said it. I have a double Chimbali left over from my coffee shop and cannot wait to get to the kitchen to install it. I get my coffe from wawa - twice a day 24 ouncer at only $1.67 a pop with tax, but still that is $3.34 a day plus gas. Just stopped buying it and am brewing on my own (wawa is also where i got my cigs). I love ice coffee and can make a whole batch to last me two days far cheaper - no gas and no interruption to work (except to make coffee - less tiem than a trip to the wawa).

As for those squiggly lights. I had some I was very unhappy with - they were a little too yellow and not bright enough. I did find better ones and am completely happy with that. They have the equivalent of 100 watt bulbs. The delay is a bit annoying...come on low and increase - some are better than others. I have some that are real quick now (and they have some modified for floodlights and to look like regular bulbs). If you have lights that you turn on and off quickly - like a closet - it may be better to go with a regular bulb. These energy savers have a transformer built in and it costs a bit on the front end to get it going (which is why they are dim at first). If the light does not stay on for a long enough period - there is no savings with the energy savers.

Shar - I try to eat fish as well - but be careful with the fish - got to worry about poisons, especially all tunas - fresh and canned. I know a guy who was eating two cans of tuna a day - lost all his hair from mercury poisoning and when it grew back, the new patches were white. I call him patches. He was trying to be healthy - lol.

finally - between my roommate and I, the electic bill (on a budget which remains the same all year) is $65.00 per month for a single three story house (well the basement is one story and open in the back, covered in the front and hills on the side where it is half exposed). We do run air conditioners - the bill stays low by doing the things I outlined above in the other post. The refrig can cost a bit - do the ice thingy/cold water thingy and you will save there. Sort of like the great lake effects/ocen temps...water abosrbs heat/holds cold and keeps the temp more stable - acts as an insulator. Use nature to keep your house the right temps - ie. opening closing windows,etc. I don't know anyone with a house my size with a lower bill (although I did reinsulate and weatherize well).

More tips:

When going out with friends - take one car....take the one with best gas milage and slide a few bucks to your friend or grab a few from them.

Don't rush to the lights, work with them. If you see a red light, take your foot off that gas (I hate when people rush to red lights). If you go the right speed - you can avoid having to stop at all...coast rahter than use the foot. As someone said - stay at 55 or below - the efficiency of the engine declines once you pass 55.

And again, travel off peak hours.

Need a new roof? - stay away from dark colors, if shingles - try and get light colors with reflectivity in the shingles. Flat roof - use energy saving relective coatings. Don't need a new roof, put down that relective coating anyway and save money!

Have blacktop driverways - they get real hot and heat up around the house - put htat refelctive coating in here too.

Plant some trees in the right locations to shade your house. Pines are good in that they provide shade all year round and do nto shed leaves that make waste.

Gardeing tip - expand your beds and cut down the grass. Less running of the engines and less clippings. I am moving towards no grass and only beds. Be sure to mulch two to three inches.

Lola

Jun 17th, 2008 - 5:48 PM

Re: The price of things..

One thing about gardens - expand them only if you have the wherewithal to keep them up! Mulch is not the final answer, it can become the source of new problems. About 7 years ago we replaced some grass areas with gardens and did all sorts of great mulch things like first laying down old carpeting (upside down), landscape cloth, resourcing patio block from our transfer stations rock pile, found a source for free mulch delivered, etc. The problem is, mulch breaks down and seeds LOVE to grow in mulch and between blocks, etc.

We are now taking some areas back to grass because the upkeep will be easier. Sigh.....

ray

Jun 17th, 2008 - 7:24 PM

Re: The price of things..

interesting lola - i have found myself pulling weeds quite a bit and do not like using chemcials but have resorted to it. I end up using more checmicals on the lawn however. Did anything you try work better than otherthings...how about that landscape fabric?

Lola

Jun 17th, 2008 - 9:05 PM

Re: The price of things..

Weed seeds will grow in anything we've found! I think the only true longterm solution 'might' be (recycled) rubber mulch. Still have the problem of seeds settling in under the mulch, and growing little roots into the landscape fabric. Carpet was great because it has weight to it, but all the same problems. Mulch breaks down into soil, seeds have enormous potential for life! We try to not use any chemicals at all. Hence our dandelions and creeping charlie.....

Maybe if you are diligent about stirring up your mulch every year, you will dislodge the rooting seeds and cause them to die off.

ray

Jun 18th, 2008 - 4:42 PM

Re: The price of things..

looks like i will keep on pulling weeds

Tammy

Jun 19th, 2008 - 7:28 AM

Re: The price of things..

so right Lola .. I am constantly fighting weeds in my landscaping. I landscaped beside the driveway twice .. lot of money .. lot of time and hard work .. finally said forget it and just let the hedges take over which has now finally cut down on the weed growth. Of course I had no grass on that side of my driveway but my neighbor doesn't know how to mow against his fence in the direction that would keep his dang grass seeds on his side.

Oh well I still like him most of the time.

EXCEPT when he blows that dam grass on my driveway. Then I get an attitude but he hasn't gotten a piece of it just yet. lolol I think he just don't know any better.

I have decided come fall I am going to over plant in my landscaping out front and make it so full no weeds or grass can grow. What you think? lololol Last time I got the bright idea to fill it with Ivy and yeah it killed the grass and weeds but this spring it also got so thick it killed one of my Azalea Bushes and did quite a bit of damage to everything else planted there so had to pull it all out. It was pretty but don't mess with my Azalea's or you are out of here.

VeryVeryHappyTraveler

Jun 28th, 2008 - 6:42 PM

Re: The price of things..

Great post.

Do a google search for Vampire Voltage. See how many appliances in your house are constantly drawing electricity even when you think they are off.

All my computer equipment is on one power strip, once I shut down I turn of the power strip so no components draw power.

How many kitchen appliance tell you the time??? I had five, now only one. Do you really need your coffee machine and microwave to tell you the time???

Many different types of Compact Flouresents available. Check on line if you are happy with the ones you can get locally.

Trips to the grocery store are down right painful these days. Thanks for all the tips.

Enjoy,

VVHT

ray

Jun 28th, 2008 - 8:49 PM

Re: The price of things..

thanks for bumping this back up VH and giving some more ideas...gotta work on that wasted appliance thingy and the computer which i tend to leave on unnecessarily! with my debt load from business, personal and school, i really cannot afford to waste a red cent!

yeah those lights come in the tpical swirl, a mock rgulat light bulb, floods and more! and they are always on sale somewhere - home depot, walmart...etc.

Tammy

Jun 30th, 2008 - 8:17 PM

Re: The price of things..

Don't forget to clean your Air Filters every month or more if nesessary. Want to keep that AC working as efficient as possible.

ray

Jun 30th, 2008 - 9:20 PM

Re: The price of things..

good idea tammy - did them this weekend in fact! Boy are you right - what a difference in made in cooling too! On the subject of filters...don't forget to change that air filter on the car too and keep that speed at 55 or under!

Tammy

Jul 1st, 2008 - 12:46 AM

Re: The price of things..

55 or under? Not happening .. lolol
I did hear on the news where they said any speed over 65 MPH you could add .25 per gallon to your gas consumption. You drive 55 on the Interstate you are about to cause a crash and get a whole lot of cursing and fingers your way.

ray

Jul 1st, 2008 - 5:25 AM

Re: The price of things..

lol...i thought i heard 55 but i could be wrong...it was couched within a discussion that perhaps the national speed limit should be lowered to 55 to save gas. with that said, you are probably right becuase if the speed limit is 55, most people are going to do 65. I been driving 55 and you are right, I get some very angry people acting out on me - with their horns and the middle finger. oh well...wher i drive, the speed limit IS 55.

Tammy

Jul 1st, 2008 - 7:07 AM

Re: The price of things..

LOL Well Ray if the speed limit is 55 then you are doing right. You don't want a ticket these days as they are the same price or more than a roundtrip ticket to Jamaica. Last one I got was in 2001 and it was over $300 by a State Trooper just over the Georgia Line. He won't get me this trip as I will be obeying the speed limit when I pass through his State.

Actually what I was referring to was doing 55 on the Interstate. Be very careful trying that. It is dangerous.

Mike in NH

Jul 2nd, 2008 - 8:40 AM

Re: The price of things..

How about 800 + 80 court costs for 92 in a 65 mph zone in the mountains of N.H. Yup thats what it cost me about 2 months ago. Oh yeah , the fine is due in full at court or your butt comes to jail at something like 15 bucks a day. Certainly put a damper on my fun for awhile. The state trooper could have arrested me for it to boot. Mike

schultz

Jul 2nd, 2008 - 2:45 PM

Re: The price of things..

OMG Mike I've never heard of a ticket being so expensive. This is over the top fe true!

I guess I'll keep driving like granny. I've never got a ticket in my life. lol.

Tammy

Jul 3rd, 2008 - 2:08 AM

Re: The price of things..

Oh my goodness Mike. Dam !!

They would have to put me in jail I guess. Do weekends for a long time. lolol

Yes that is considered wreckless driving. 15 miles and more over the speed limit can land you in jail. I was doing 91 in a 70 when I got mine. I been being very good ever since trust me.

VeryVeryHappyTraveler

Jul 3rd, 2008 - 4:05 PM

Re: The price of things..

Unplug your cell phone charger when not in use. It still draws power if left in.

Check air pressure on your tires. I use valvoline Oil Service to change oil twice a year. You get FREE air pressure checks any time you want. I usually stop back in every few weeks for a air pressure and fluids check.

AC is very expensive. The older your system the more expensive. I open all windows once the sun goes down and shut them in the morning. On most days this will keep the house cool for most of the day. During the day close your blinds or curtains on the southern exposure.

Every Sunday I cook a different double batch casserole. This usually lasts me for lunch and dinner for four of five days. Cook once, eat for several days. This might not be practical with kids or spouse, but works for this single guy.

Used to spend $7 for lunch every day and $4 or $5 for coffee and a bagel for breakfast, no more. Cereal and fruit for breakfast at home. Bought a box of tea bags for the office and bring my casserole lunch in a tupperware. The money adds up quick quick.

Just bought several pairs of Dockers Wrinkle free slacks for work. No more dry cleaners! I'll let you know how they hold up. Now if I could just learn how to iron my shirts!!!!

Enjoy,

VVHT

Suz