My efforts at frugal living

[Kaleva]

51. Update 5/17/13

Been here at the house long enough now so that I'm on a $35 a month budget plan for my electric bill.

Put last year's compost in the garden and mulched up another big pile of leaves and a big box of cut up cardboard with the lawn mower a couple of days ago to get started on this year's compost. As I live in the north and the compost pile doesn't compost during the cold months, I may try worm composting this coming winter. I have the containers for that already and just need the worms.

Except when the ex wife come over, the gas valve on the water heater remains on pilot and I myself have yet to run out of hot water. I have it to "on" when the ex is here but turn it back to "pilot" when she leaves back to her place. She likes long showers.

My gas bill for the past 12 months has averaged out to $34.50 a month. That's for heat, cooking and hot water. I might sign up for the budget plan for that soon.

Haven't smoked a cigarette in over two months now. Big savings there!

Got the peas and red onions planted in the garden. Might go out later today and get started on planting the radishes. Next month after the danger of frost has past, I'll plant tomatoes, beans, beets and cucumbers. All of which i already have. Just waiting for warmer weather to plant them.

Switched my line line phone service to local and emergency calls only and that with internet brings my monthly phone bill to $57.24 (includes tax). I use my cell phone for which I get 250 minutes free every month for longer distance calls.

My water bill has been below $50 a month now (use less then 300 gallons) for some time except for 1 month when it hit $52 and change. Next month I'm going to order soap nuts to use as laundry detergent so I can use the wash water from the clothes washer for watering the garden.