Comments on: I Am Having GAS Pains!

By: Charlene Teglia

Charlene Teglia — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:11:12 +0000

Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but…laundry detergent. From the back of the Seventh Generation laundry detergent box: if every family replaced just one 42-load box of petroleum based detergent with vegetable based laundry detergent a year, the barrels of oil saved would heat 12,500 US homes.

It’s not hard to switch detergent brands, and these little changes can make a big difference.

By: bluecat

bluecat — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 08:01:56 +0000

When my mom and I moved into our current home almost 3 years ago we had to buy a washer and dryer. Unfortunately we only had enough for one. The washer it was. Later we were going to get the dryer. Well, electricity bills being as high as they were Mom decided not to get the dryer. The cost of the electricity would be too much on a limited income. We use liquid fabric softener in the wash but even then the laundry is usually stiff and linty. I miss having a dryer.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:45:27 +0000

Great post, Leslie. I’ve tried the new light bulbs in my daughter’s room. However, noticed the light is so bad I had to add a regular one so she can work on her word search books (so not sure if this helps). Like you, I pull the microwave, etc. plugs out when not in use. I always turn off lights, use sweaters rather than the furnace, &, living in L.A., hang out my clothes, foregoing the drier. I’ve always done errands with a plan to drive as little as possible. I had a Scottish mother, & there weren’t any money-keeping tips she didn’t know & use.

I HATE SUVs, not only for the gas they consume, but, because, with my 19-YO Corolla, they keep me from seeing anything in front of me. Last year, I had my Corolla’s top 1/2 of the engine overhauled. I had bought the car new, it still worked quite wonderfully (I’ve serviced it well), I loved it, & couldn’t see getting a new one. Most people were appalled, telling me how it didn’t make financial sense. However, to me, my insurance & license fees will be considerably less, it still gets great mileage (&, in CA, they are tested for emissions all the time), Corollas never leave you stranded, & I didn’t want to buy a new one. In 19 years I don’t think this car has cost me $15,000, & another $2,000+ to drive it 5 more years seemed a bargain.

BTW, as a Xmas present to me, just ordered your 5 in 1 from eHarlequin.com. Should be arriving soon. Speaking of eHQ, it is having money saving deals every day in Dec., in case anyone has an interest.

& Happy Hanukkah to Karen (sorry if it’s late–new medical challenges with daughter).

Patricia A.

By: katie

katie — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:52:34 +0000

Holy Cow, Plotmonkeys…I just bought SWAK at eHarlequin (don’t tell hubby), LOL! Okay, I also bought other books (shush, don’t tell anyone else!).

By: Lynn Matherly

Lynn Matherly — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:36:06 +0000

Great post, Leslie. I often consider that the main incentive to oil companies to keep prices high is the astronomical records they are setting for profits. All in the guise of how expensive it is to produce oil. /we aren’t using our own supplies because it costs too much to pay people real money to do the exploration. Oh, and we don’t have extensive pipelines that go from all over to a very few refineries in the US. Now, I’m not an economist or international trade expert, but when you can make that kind of profit, why expend any on finding new sources or other alternatives. No need. Big business is getting bigger at the expense of every day people. :arrr: Ok, that’s my rant. I could go on, but I’ll spare you all.

I’d really like to buy a hybrid, but keep hoping that the car companies will realize they don’t have to charge us an arm and a leg. As long as it’s so expensive, people will buy the less expensive fuel hogs. It’s a trade off I suppose. My biggest challenge is getting kids to turn off lights when they leave a room and close doors to conserve the heat or a/c. I’ve started working at home one day a week (I would love to do it more, but there is still the old school of thought that if you’re at home you’re not working.) Everything I do is via telephone or email. Where I’m at physically doesn’t make a difference. However, it is saving me a roundtrip to Dallas from Ft Worth once a week. Save me about 75 miles a week in commute.

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:51:20 +0000

Ev! I love your coupons!

BTW, this is a great place for us to announce (I’ll go into more details tomorrow!) that if you buy a book (or books) by any of the Plotmonkeys, either as a gift for yourself or for someone you love for the holidays, we will send you an autographed bookplate (for the author you bought) and a Plotmonkey bookmark! Just email me the receipt (if you order online) or send it to me (I’ll put up my PO Box tomorrow) and we’ll pay the postage to send you the bookplates and bookmarks! Don’t forget to send your snail mail address!

Remember, Plotmonkeys make great gifts!

By: Bailey Stewart

Bailey Stewart — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:09:47 +0000

I don’t turn the lights on at night - I’m watching tv, who needs lights. I also use nightlights so I don’t have to turn on the lights when going into a room. I use the laptop more than that big ol’ PCU. I don’t turn the furnace on unless it’s at the freezing mark. I have an electric blanket I keep in the living room, plus a space heater - less electricity and gas than the furnace. I have lights on the Christmas tree, but not outside - I can’t see them anyway and it saves electricity. Rooms not used - the doors are closed.

By: ev

ev — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:34:03 +0000

:cold:

Here’s a money saving link. Anyone recognize any of the names on here. LOL

http://beta.bordersstores.com/online/store/BordersMediaView_couponromance

Hope it works.

:fourturkeys:

By: katie

katie — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:29:05 +0000

:cold: :santawhat: :elf: :happychanuk: :candycane: mastree: :wreath: :stocking: :snowmanhead:

Leslie:I have been doing everything everyone mentioned, except the canvas bag thing and I FINALLY did that! Whoo hoo. Hubby thinks I am crazy (he also thinks I am crazy when I tell him other energy/water saving stuff, too).

The oil companies have us ‘by the barrels’, if you know what I mean. I would drive a smaller car (other than a mini van), but there are five of us.

By: jeannie and Zoey

jeannie and Zoey — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:44:28 +0000

:happychanuk: :menorah:

May you enjoy the Holiday Carly and everyone who

celebrates! Jeannie and Zoey

PS 18″ here but we are going home tomorrow.

“Awe shucks,” Zoey