Keep in mind an electric iron draws a lot of electricity so it probably evens out by just drying all the clothes instead!  Add in your time to hang clothes and take them down, plus time to iron....

Cinnamonhuskies:

I found that out this summer. I had a revolt on my hands because all the menfolk here want name brand Head and Shoulders and not the dollar store brand. Same with underwear. Same with pop.

I had this problem also then I took my guys shopping with me. After seeing the price they agreed to trying differnt store brands until they found one they like.

Cinnamonhuskies:

I tried cloth napkins many years ago, but didn't like how they would get stained. then I tried to add some bleach to them and they faded too much. It doesn't look nice to have guests sit down to stained napkins...and it's unappetizing for the rest of us too. How did you avoid set-in stains on the napkins? I had bought my cloth napkins at Walmart.

After a messy meal when I'm done with the dishes I rinse out any heavily soiled or greasy napkins and let them soak for a bit, sometimes over night depending on the stain. After soaking I ring them out and toss them in the washer. Rarely I've had to toss them back for a second wash. Like Brandy I just toss them into other loads I have going. My coth napkins also come from Wal-Mart. I also have a "company set" that I keep pristine.

My latest thing I've given up is smoking and I'm doing quite well there. $6 a day x 7 days = $42 x 52 weeks = $2,184 a year.

cyn

Cinnamonhuskies:

I just traded one bad caffeine habit for another LOL! Now I am back on the coffee kick.

Yes, but you made a "good" trade.  Those energy drinks contain far more caffeine than coffee does, so you sort of created your own "step-down" program!

 Has anyone else tried really turning down the thermostat to save heating $$?  Last year I was able to keep the thermostat at 62 during the day & 59 at night.  Wearing layers, both DH & I were still comfortable, it cut our utility bill by more than half, & saved us over $100 a month.  I tried that this year, & neither of us felt warm enough.  Tonight while I was sitting in the rocker knitting in the family room, I found out why - - some of the grout around the windows in the family room has deteriorated & multiple frigid little breezes are blowing through!  So sealing around those windows became a task on the "to do" list for tomorrow. We have an applicator gun & several types of sealant, so hopefully we have the right kind for windows. No wonder we've been cold!! 

zohnerfarms:

Has anyone else tried really turning down the thermostat to save heating $$? 

In VA I kept the thermostat at 68* during the day; maybe 62* at night.  Here in Indiana where it will be colder I am forcing myself to adjust.  I keep the heat at 64* during the day and around 56* at night.  I have to keep the heat lower than 60* at night or DD's nose will bleed.  We have a humidifier but it's still good to keep the heat down.  I have to say we've done pretty well.  It is chillier here and I know it will get colder as winter settles in in a couple of months, but I'm finding that I keep myself in layers, wear warm socks (shoes during the day), keep a throw blanket around, and try not to sit still for too long.  We've had a few days already where I've woken up and it was in the low 30*s outside; on those mornings I run a little electric heater in the living room and let DD dress in front of it.  Little things like that help a lot.

goldenblaise:

I had this problem also then I took my guys shopping with me. After seeing the price they agreed to trying differnt store brands until they found one they like.

That doesn't work for me. DH goes shopping with me all the time. His reply to my making my own laundry detergent: "we can afford to buy laundry detergent". We do have a bottle of unscented laundry detergent in the house. But that's because he won't be caught dead using the homemade stuff, even for the few loads of laundry he does do (and he admits it).

I have found that Spray N Wash stain stick is the most effective stain remover for me. It works great on most every kind of stain, including greasy stains. Maybe something like this would work with the napkins, if the concept can be frugally converted using more natural ingredients. Also, buying dark cloth napkins might better disguise the stains, if they don't fade too much.

Congratulations on giving up smoking, GoldenBlaise!!

Jill

Cinnamonhuskies:

How did you avoid set-in stains on the napkins? I had bought my cloth napkins at Walmart.

I have white cloth napkins made for commercial use that we only use for company and foods that won't stain them. I have colored napkins for other uses and they don't show as badly if a little stain does set in.

trulyfrugalintexas:

Add in your time to hang clothes and take them down, plus time to iron....

My husband prefers his clothing on the line because it comes off crisp as if I had ironed it. It ends up wrinkled and certainly not crisp out of the dryer.

jillibean:

His reply to my making my own laundry detergent: "we can afford to buy laundry detergent".

Sometimes it's not about affording something but about your own efforts for self sufficiency and accomplishment to have a more enriched life. Sometimes it's about spending less so you can have more.

AMEN BRANDY! That is the whole point here.

Dh thinks it's cool I make my own laundry detergent, he even tells people about it....which results in either oohs and ahhhs or weird looks.

He just has not found a generic dandruff shampoo that he likes. I tried converting ds#2 to Suave brand, but after a week he requested the regular H&S stuff. Ds#1 or 2 will use another brand name...Old Spice Head and Body shampoo! Has nothing to do with dandruff....they just like using the same stuff for their hair as the rest of their bod!! I wish the dollar store would make their version of it...they make a look alike Old Spice body wash, but not the combo.

Brandy-how many cloth napkins should I make/buy to get started with cloth?