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Originally Posted by HappyHunter
I make sure to keep my expenditure to a minimum, on €212.00 a week I don't have a choice.
I bring a flask of coffee or hot water and some fruit with me when going out so I am not inclined to buy snacks.
If I do get the urge to buy snacks I read the ingredient list and that is one sure way of putting me off.
I encourage people to visit & have food here rather than going to restaurants to eat. This way they are sure of good service, no tips expected unless it's tips on fun things to do or doing something in the house.
I hand wash dishes because I gave the dishwasher away to save on electricity.
I use energy saving light bulbs all over the house & turn off lights when room not in use.
I never use immersion to heat water, the oil central heating heats that.
I installed a wood burner which heats all rooms if I leave the doors open into the rooms so central heating is only needed to get temperatures up and then it's turned off.
I get my wood from local woods and forests, from ditches where limbs of trees have fallen. Also buy from local person who provides chopped logs by the trailer load for €50. Thus cutting out the need to buy bags of cut sticks in stores.
Bought locally mined Anthracite for little or nothing which does the job.
Air dry clothes as I don't own a clothes dryer - reduces electricity costs.
Use bottle gas cooker which costs €30 x 3 a year.
Make big pots of delicious vegetable soup which are nutritious and healthy. Freeze some, eat some. No MSG or other flavour enhancers.
When cooking spuds, I boil a big pot, mash and save, some for freezer some for fridge & some for dinner.
I mainly buy my clothes in Charity stores, except for more personal items.
Do all large grocery shopping in Lidl.
To feed the desire to shop, I window shop online :) It saves the feet and conserves energy - no need to go buy coffee, drive or wait for public transport.
Get local people to do work on your house that you cannot do yourself. Word of mouth is the best adverti*****t.
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Hi HH, just wondering how ur oil heats ur water? we have to use immersion!
U know how i said we dont use a lagging jacket cos we use hot air to dry clothes...well we will def get a lagging jacket now as bet it is costing us more in the long term!
also my mum leaves the immersion on all the time as she thinks that it takes more energy to heat the water when it is stone cold and she thinks that once the water is hot it is barely using much energy if it is still switched on as tank stays hot and stays the same if u know what i mean? do u think this is true or would it be better just to try on immersion once or twice daily for specific amount of time?!
When i have my own house i think ill get a range as it provides heating, something to cook on and hot water - i think it will be good all round!