WOW!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!

Alex's Loft Bed Made From PVC Water Pipe

When Alex was 3 years old I decided to give him a little extra room in his bedroom by building him a loft bed with a lot of play room underneath. I had been using PVC pipe for other projects and thought it would be good for this one, too, so I made some measurements of PVC pipe fittings and created some 3D CAD models so I could construct the whole thing in the computer before ever cutting a piece of pipe.

PVC pipe is great stuff to work with. You can get it at any home supply store, it is cheap, strong, easy to cut, fast to glue, and there are enough standard fittings that you can make almost anything. There's no need to be particularly accurate or precise when cutting, and the fittings provide accurate 90 degree angle joints. The only tools you need are a tape measure, almost any kind of saw, and a rubber mallet. A drill comes in handy, too.

First I measured his mattress and figured out how big the mattress platform needed to be. I also had to figure out how he was going to climb up into the bed- a ladder, of course!

In the end, here's what I came up with (click the picture for a larger image):

So far the loft bed plans have been used to make two beds- my son's and my nephew's. My brother built the bed using my plans and everything worked out exactly as expected (though he left out the middle bar on the railing). I'd post a photo of Alex's bed but his room is so messy it's embarrassing. A photo my nephew's bed (made by my brother using my plans) has been on the web (here) for about a year and I've had about fifty requests for plans to duplicate it. I was hoping to get $10 for a set of plans, but so far everyone who has asked for the plans balked at the price, so I have decided to make the full set of plans available here, free. Don't say I never did anything nice for you! If you build the bed please send me an email and a photo and I'll post it here.

update October 2007:

Finally, after emails from about a hundred people about the bed I have a photo from someone who has built it!

Here's a bed that was made by Stacey S. and her son using these plans. Like my brother, she decided to leave out the middle rail.

Update August 2008:

I finally took a good picture of Alex's bed. Yes, here it is, the original! Note that I have raised the bed height because we moved to a place with higher ceilings. The ladder now has one rung more than shown on the assembly drawing. The vertical support pipes are now about 51 1/4" long and I wouldn't recommend going any higher. The bed starts to get pretty wobbly when they get that long.

The structural part of the bed is made entirely from 2" schedule 40 PVC water pipe and fittings. The railing is made from 1 1/2" schedule 40 pipe. I put a few pine boards on the mattress platform to support the mattress instead of using a box spring. Unless you have high ceilings, you'll want to do the same.

Tips on building the bed:

When you buy the fittings and pipe, buy a couple extra of each piece. You can return the extras when the project is finished. Nothing is more frustrating than making a mistake and having to make another run to Home Depot just before closing time so you can buy one lousy elbow or T.

I made the bed in sections then connected them together. The subassemblies correspond to the assembly drawings (see links below). I made them in this order- base, mattress platform, ladder, railing.

Cut the pipe pieces, then dry-fit everything before applying any glue. This is where the rubber mallet comes in handy! You will need the mallet to get the pieces apart after dry-fitting. Apply a little thought to the assembly sequence. I found for example, that the best way to make the ladder was to first glue a T to the end of a rung, then glue the other T to the other end of the same rung. How do you assure that the two T's will be aligned? When gluing the second T to the rung, quickly position it as close as you can by eyeball, then press it against the floor so that it will rotate into alignment with the other T. The glue sets in a matter of seconds, so time is of the essence! Once the rungs and T's are assembled, you can add the vertical pieces.

The same sort of process is used throughout the bed construction.

PVC pipe usually has some red or black ink markings on it. You can clean the ink off by wiping the pipe with a rag dampened with acetone. Clean off the ink before you glue the pipes together!

I left the main vertical supports unglued so I could take the bed apart easily to move it. It is a good idea to drive a single screw through the fittings and pipes at any unglued connection to ensure that they can't come apart.

The plans consist of shopping/cutting list that you can take to the store and five drawings showing how the parts fit together. Here they are:

THE SHOPPING LIST - Print it out and take it with you to the store. You can check off the items as you fill your cart.

THE CUTTING LIST - note: the lengths of pipe pieces on the shopping list are longer than the dimensions shown on the drawings. The drawing dimensions show the exposed part of the pipe and don't include the ends that are hidden inside the fittings.

ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS - These will show you how the pieces go together. Duh!

If you want to make a bunk bed, you just make 2 mattress platforms, add another rung or two to the ladder and you're good to go (you're going to need high ceilings):

Update July 30, 2009:

Joe "Nitro Joe" Higgs built a bunk bed based on my plans and sent me a photo. Click the image below to see a larger image. Joe has a pretty good science web site with lots of science demos for kids. Check it out here: http://www.nitrojoe.org/1.html Thanks Nitro Joe!

Home

You can send email to me here:

Fudgesicles

All time kids friendly dessert....

Fudgesicles

1 package 4 oz instant chocolate pudding

2 cups milk

1/4 cup sugar

1 can evaporated milk

Combine pudding and 2 cups milk in large bowl. Mix for 2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1 can evaporated milk.

Pour into popsicle container. Allow to freeze.

Enjoy!!

Amanda

One of my favorite things about being a stay-at-home mom....

One of my favorite things about being a stay-at-home mom....

Piling up on my king size bed and watching a good wholesome movie late of the morning when it is yucky and rainy outside. Wow how cozy a down comforter and hot chocolate is when you have your loved ones snuggling with you for hours. Wanna talk about comfort, love, and a sense of security!

Amazing Lemons!

We all know that lemons make great lemonade, but did you know there are numerous other uses for them? Try these ideas the next time you have any extra lemons!

1. Remove ink spots from clothing. While ink is still wet, apply lemon juice liberally to the spot. Wash the garment in normal cycle with regular laundry detergent in cold water.

2. Get rid of dandruff. Shampoo hair, then rinse with water. Mix two tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 cups of water; pour through hair. Repeat every other day until dandruff disappears.

3. Deodorize a cutting board. Wash with lemon juice to rid a cutting board of the smell of garlic, onions, or fish.

4. Remove berry stains from hands. Rinse hands in the juice of fresh lemons.

5. Remove rust and mineral discolorations on cotton clothing. Use one cup of lemon juice in the washer.

6. Clean your microwave. Add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice to one cup water in a microwave-safe four cup bowl. Boil for five minutes in the microwave, allowing the steam to condense on the inside walls of the over. Then wipe clean.

7. Relieve a cough. Mix 4 tablespoons of lemon juice, one cup honey, and 1/2 cup olive oil. Heat 5 minutes then stir vigorously. Take one teaspoon every 2 hours.

8. Help soothe poison ivy. Applying lemon juice over the affected areas should soothe itching and alleviate the rash.

9. Train a dog to stop barking. Squirt a little lemon juice in the dog’s mouth and say “Quiet.”

10. Relieve rough hands or sore feet. Apply lemon juice, rinse, then massage with olive oil. Put on socks so you won’t slip on the floor.

11. Clean brass, copper, and stainless steel sinks. Make a paste with lemon juice and salt, scrub gently, then rinse well with water

Tips for Safer Housekeeping

Steps to "Safer" Housekeeping

* Spray all doorknobs, light switches and knobs and wipe down. I used straight
vinegar in a spray bottle with several drops of lavender shaken in. You can use
alcohol, peroxide (more below) or a spray of tea tree oil and distilled water.

* Use peroxide on faucets, kitchen and bathroom sinks, counters, worktables,
tubs nad toilets.

* Dissolve Borax in clean water and wipe down doorways, appliance handles, wipe
down surfaces, and mop the floors.

* Adding tea tree oil, lavender, or eucalyptus oil in my laundry. I add a few to
several drops as the machine is filling with water.

I'm sure there is lots more but these are some basics I am doing around here.

Another thing:
I already wash my hands so much I have to keep lotion around and now that I'm
doing that even more, I need more. I've started rubbing a small piece of coconut
oil on my hands and between my fingers. Instant softness!

Blessings,

Amanda

What is Home?

What is home?

“A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind? Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is school and church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind, where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick; where joy is shared and sorrow eased; where fathers and mothers are respected and loved, where children are wanted; where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned; where money is not as important as loving-kindness; where even the tea kettle sings from happiness. That is home. God bless it!”

Ten Ways to Make Your House a Home

By Jessica Gerald

Our home is such an important part of our family's life. There are some basic things we can do to insure that our home is a place of refuge and security for our husband and children.

Here are ten tips to help accomplish this goal:

1. Keep it clean and tidy. That doesn't mean we have to be immaculate housekeepers. If we do a daily tidy-up and a weekly housecleaning, our home life will be much more restful. Clutter is stressful. And keep the dishes caught up!

2. Nutritious food and family dinners. Fast food on the go is ok once in awhile, but not as a regular habit. Our children and husbands benefit from simple, nourishing meals and snacks. And having a regular, sit-down family dinner together has been shown to have many benefits.

3. Predictable routines. Our families thrive when things are on schedule. It gives a sense of stability. There should be regular times for eating, sleeping, chores, and homework. It also helps to build responsibility in children when they know they have to fulfill their responsibilities before they play.

4. Cozy and tastefully decorated. This does not in any way mean you house has to be magazine-beautiful. If our homes are inviting, cozy, comfortable, and decorated in a way that we and our families enjoy, that is sufficient. My living room doilies are from the 1940s and 1950s. Some were handmade. But they are pretty and I like them, so that is what I use.

5. Hospitality. Our kids, whether they are small or young adults, need to know that their friends are welcome. When my boys were grade-school age, they would have several friends come for sleep-overs. Many times, I would wake up in the morning and step over sleeping bags filled with boys on the floor. I would usually set the table with bowls and boxes of cereal for all of them to eat when they got up. I put myself out some, but it was worth it to make their friends feel welcome, and to get to know my sons' friends.

6. Demonstrate love. Our children and husbands benefit greatly when we show our love for them in various ways. My husband might not have wonderfully romantic lines to say to me, but on snowy, icy mornings, he cleans off my car and scrapes the windshield before he leaves for work. So when I leave an hour later, I don't have to do all of this. Love is a verb.

7. Mutual respect. Treat your husband and children with as much respect as you would guests. Good manners are contagious. Don't discuss them in a negative way to other people, either. Be each other's allies.

8. Words and tone of voice. This seems like a small thing, but it can make a huge difference. Have you ever been somewhere and overheard a mother insulting or degrading her children? Or a wife speaking to her husband with contempt? Or have you been in a store, and a woman yelled at her child so loudly and harshly that you jumped yourself?

We all have those days when we feel like acting like that. But if we think before we speak, following the Bible's advice, our family relationships will be a lot more peaceful. Plus, we are setting a positive example for our children when it comes to dealing with others. Also, our voices sound much more feminine when they are soft and kind, not loud and harsh.

9. Positive attitudes toward family members. Smile often, use encouraging words, show your confidence in them. Listen when they talk, build them up, boost their confidence. When they have failed, assure them that they have succeeded in gaining wisdom and experience. Let them know you think highly of them.

10. Lastly, keep your sense of humor. Be able to laugh at yourself. Laughter can help everyone de-stress. Enjoy everyday moments with your family. They are your greatest treasure, your gift from God.

from oldfashionedhomemaking.com

The Making of a Homemaker

tips from the experts

General
~
"The relations of woman to home and society have for generations been clearly defined. Her duty to herself and her relations to the community, the state, and the government, are later developments, peculiar to our era, and still in progress"
-Mary Gay Humphreys, The Woman's Book (1894)
~
"The first, most essential, and most practical part of female education is a thorough and personal knowledge of household duties."
-Mrs. L.G. Abell, Woman in her various relations (1853)
~
"Whatever may have been the cares of the day, greet your husband with a smile when he returns. Make your personal appearance just as beautiful as possible. Your dress may be made of calico, but neat. Let him enter rooms so attractive and sunny that all the recollections of his home, when away from the same, shall attract him back"
-Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms (1881)
~
Dining
~
Graham Gems
One egg, one tablespoon molasses, two cups buttermilk, one teaspoon soda, a little salt, Graham enough to make a stiff batter. Bake in hot gem pans.
-Mrs. E. Stevens Tilton, Home Dissertations (1873)
~
Carolina Cake
One pound of sugar, quarter of a pound of butter, one pound of flour, half a pint of cream, one teaspoon of soda. Cream the sugar and buttter, work the flour smoothly in, next the cream, and lastely the soda, stir lightly and rapidly together, and bake quickly, in small patty-pans. Eat while fresh.
-Mrs. E. Stevens Tilton, Home Dissertations (1873)
~
Custard Pudding
Six eggs, one quart milk, six teaspoons sugar, heaped, salt and nutmeg to taste. Bake thirty minutes.
-Mrs. E. Stevens Tilton, Home Dissertations (1873)
~
"There are few things on which health and happiness depend more than on the manner in which food is cooked"
-Catharine Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe, American Woman's Home
(1869)
~
Etiquette
~
"A lady and gentleman should avoid evidences of undue familiarity in the presence of strangers. Couples who may evince a silly affection by overfondling of each other in public make themselves appear extremely ridiculous to all who may see them."
-Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms (1881)
~
"Who does not delight in fine manners? Their charm cannot be predicted or over-stated"
-Mrs. E. Stevens Tilton, Home Dissertations (1873)
~
"Ladies can not make direct moves, but they use infinite tact in giving men occasions to make them"
-Ladies' parlor book and domestic keepsake (1853)
~
"For a love letter, good paper is indespensable. When it can be procured, that of a costly, gold-edged, perfumed, or ornamented in the French style, may be properly used . . . As all persons are more or less governed by first impressions and externals, the whole affair should be as neat and elegant as possible"
-Ladies' parlor book and domestic keepsake (1853)
~
Health
~
"Rise early. Eat simple food. Take plenty of exercise. Never fear a little fatigue."
-Mrs. Child, The American Frugal Housewife (1833)
~
"A raw onion is an excellent remedy for the sting of a wasp."
-Mrs. Child, The American Frugal Housewife (1833)
~
For Freckles: Scrape a teaspoon of horseradish into a cup of sour milk; let stand six hours before using. Apply to the freckles twice a day.
-The Woman's Book (1894)
~
"When a cold affects the head and eyes, and also impedes breathing through the nose, great relief is gained by a wet napkin spread over the upper part of the face, covering the nose, except an opening for breathing"
-Catharine Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe, American Woman's Home (1869)
~
Children
~
"One of the first things that the child should understand is that it should implicitly obey. The parent should therefore be very careful to give only such commands as should be observed, and then the order should be firmly but kindly enforced."
-Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms (1881)
~
"Let not children be dressed in tight clothes; it is necessary their limbs and muscles should have full play, if you wish for either health or beauty"
-Mrs. Child, The American Frugal Housewife (1833)
~
"Try to keep children in a happy state of mind. Every one knows, by experience, that it is easier to do right and submit to rule when cheerful and happy, than when irritated"
-Catharine Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe, American Woman's Home (1869)
~
House and Home
~
"Ink spots: If soaked in warm milk before the ink has a chance to dry, the spot may usually be removed. If it has dried in, rub table-salt upon it, and drop lemon-juice upon the salt."
-Mrs. Child, The American Frugal Housewife (1833)
~
"A piece of stale bread will often remove finger-marks from wall-paper. Rub with the inside of the crust."
-The Woman's Book (1894)
~
To Clean Carpets: "If it needs cleaning all over, spread it on a clean floor, and rub on with a new broom, pared and grated raw potatoes. Dry perfectly"
-Ladies' parlor book and domestic keepsake (1853)
~
Décor and Fashion
~
"With your own work you can embellish at a cheap price, and yet very handsomely, if you have taste. Let the adorning of your private rooms be largely the work of your own hands."
-Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms (1881)
~
"There is nothing more cheerless than a parlor in which no sign of habitation greets the visitor"
-Lida Rose McCabe, The Woman's Book (1894)
~
"Best taste will dictate an observance of fashion, avoiding extremes"
-Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms (1881)
~
"Style of Bonnet: A person of a delicate pale complexion should wear a hat with a pink lining. A person of dark complexion should have white lining with rose trim"
-Ladies' parlor book and domestic keepsake (1853)

Being Frugal

Here are some various tips for saving:

• Do not do any impulse buying, and save for what you want instead of using credit cards.
  
• Shop thrift stores for clothes. You will be surprised at the bargains you can find. Or, make your own dresses/skirts. Patters are good investments since they can be used over and over.
  
• Use a clothes line to dry your clothes. Electric dryers can be costly. I cut my electric costs in half by hanging our clothes out.
  
  
• Always make a shopping list for the grocery store, and do not shop when you are hungry.
  
• Buy clothing that does not need drycleaning. Many items that are "dry-clean only" can be washed with Woolite.
  
• Use what what our grandmothers used to clean with: vinegar and baking soda. This will save you a bundle.
  
• Save leftover scraps of soap and put them in a jar with a little water for a handcleaner.
  
• Turn your thermostat down at night. Better yet, open the windows and leave it off until you can't stand the heat.
  
• Buy your husband a home repair book so he can learn to do those repairs himself. We just remodeled our rotten floor in the back bathroom and ended up having to do the biggest part of the work ourselves. :) We learned ALOT!!

There is great satisfaction and many rewards for spending less and using less, the most important being a stay-at-home wife and/or mother.You may even find that, instead of having less, you actually save money by working at home.

When Your Husband Loses His Job

By Mrs. Anita Koller

My husband was recently laid off for the third time in less then three years due to downsizing and restructuring of business. This last layoff is probably the hardest of the three. As the wife of my dear husband, I have stood alongside of him, and God has sustained us and seen us through financially and spiritually. I have no doubt in my mind that He will do no less this time around.
~
In today's world, when a man gets laid off it is so very tempting for the wife to say, “I need to get a job to help out with the bills until my husband gets back to work.” But would God have the wife to do that? I do not believe so.
~
It is my conviction to wait on the Lord to provide for my family through my husband. He always has and most likely will continue to do so. All this means is that all our future plans have been put on the back burner, we will have to go a little while without the extras, and that new dress will just have to wait.
~
What message would I send to my children if I obtained job to “help out with the bills?” That Daddy is failure and not able to provide? The Lord has called me to be my husband's helpmate. My job is not an easy one, but it is important nonetheless. While my husband is without work, I am trying to make the best of the time at hand by continuing with my duties as a mother, wife, and homemaker. Below I have listed some of the things I have been doing thus far in hopes that it will encourage other women who are in my shoes. You can stand firm, and you will make it through!
~
~

1. Become creative in fixing meals on less money. Dig way back in the pantry and find those lost canned vegetables you have been meaning to use. Also realize that eating out anywhere (even McDonald's) is just not affordable. Be willing to not buy fancy foods, snacks etc. Bake your own bread and drink lots of water. Save the tea and coffee for a special time.
   ~
2. Have that long-needed yard sale to obtain some extra grocery money. This is also a great way to organize your home and to declutter those closets. Besides, your husband's next job may be in a different city, and you may have to move. It is a good idea to be prepared.
   ~
3. Stay home. The less you run, the less gas you use, and the less money you spend. Do not go to the store or anywhere unless you have to. When you do have to go somewhere, try to get multiple errands done.
   ~
4. Give up the extra activities like piano lessons, sports, etc. While your husband is laid off, the money can be used for more important things like groceries or the electric bill.
   ~
5. To keep the children's minds busy, help them find a way to earn money to help out with the family economy. For example, our son is starting a lawn mowing business called “Small Yard Ventures.” We have a push mower, and we live in town, so he will be able to serve others locally. Our daughter is separating some of our flowers and herbs to sell at the farmer's market.
   ~
6. Help your husband stay on track. Being laid off is very hard on men. God made them providers, and when they do not have a job they can become depressed and discouraged. It is important to ask his friends to call regularly to keep him encouraged. Also try to help him stay on a schedule. I encourage my husband to get up at the same time he would get up to go to work. I gently encourage him to shower, shave, and dress. I remind him when it is lunch time and encourage him to make phone calls. I even help him with his resume'. I have cut his hair and made ready his suit for interviews. I have made sure the computer desk is cleaned up every afternoon after he has done job searches, e-mailed resume's, and made phone calls. I have also purchased our local weekly paper as well as the Sunday paper so that he can look at the want ads. I pray for my husband often and encourage him to read his Bible daily and to seek God.
   ~
7. Many folks have offered my husband small jobs, such as hauling rocks or doing yard work, to pay him until he gets a new job. I encourage him to do this to keep his mind busy while he waits for God to open the door of opportunity.
   ~
8. We are attending Church weekly and asking for prayer from our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need all the prayer we can get.
   ~
9. I am prepared for the worst and will not be discouraged if we have to sell everything and start all over. We know God has a plan.
   ~
10. Lastly, I am too busy to look for a job myself. I already have a job! With mothering, taking care of my husband, the home, and homeschooling, I already have a few full-time jobs. The Lord will provide again. I will just have to stand firm.
    ~
    May God encourage you in the midst of difficult times to look to Him and trust that He will provide through the means He has created.

~

~

I thought this article was timely since so many are out of a job. I borrowed it from www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com

Dinner Under $.75 a plate

Chicken & Dumplings (chicken on sale) --------------4.00
Beans------------------------------------------------.25
Mac & Cheese---------------------------------------1.39
cornbread--------------------------------------------.25
*Potatoes* (free from seed potatoes)-----------------.00
Tea--------------------------------------------------.25
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost -------------------------------------------$5.99

Oh, by the way....there is enough food left for me to send Jeff a plate to work and for us to have for lunch tomorrow. So, I will figure the cost on how many plates I can get out of this one meal (with everyone getting a small second helping.)

Grand Total of ------------------------------------- $.62 per plate

*We bought 20 lbs. of seed potatoes for the garden. After cutting off the eyes, I ended up salvaging 2 gallon jugs of peeled potatoes. We can get three meal per gallon. That is what you call frugal.

I challenge you to find ways of saving!!

Blessings,
Amanda

"Determined"

I labeled this post "Determined" for an important reason. I was and still am determined to bring my utility bill down. I feel we pay entirely too much on our utility bills and there had to be something we, as a family effort, could do about it.

~

I first had to make sure this would be something the whole family would be able to do and do consistently. I didn’t want to overwhelm any of us with a drastic change that would not last long.

~

Secondly, I called the water department and the electric system. I inquired about how to determine the gallons of water used and the amount of electricity used daily, weekly, and monthly. The folks at both places were more than willing to help me figure out ways of saving. They were full of helpful advice on checking to make sure I am not wasting water in various places.

~

Next, I started reading my water meter daily. Actually, I read my meter before and after I done anything in the house that used water. I read it before and after showers, laundry, dishes, supper, ect. Thanks to Beverly at the water department I finally figured out how to read my meter correctly. I determined what used the most water and ways of cutting back. Instead of constantly running the water to rinse dishes, I filled a small tub about half way to rinse the dishes in. I am saving about 20 gallons on each sink full of dishes. Instead of my little boy taking a shower, he now takes a bath. Believe me, he could stay in the shower quiet some time and none of us would even realize he’d been in so long.

~

I then focused on my power bill. I automatically knew several ways in which I could save in that area. But, there were things that I had to think about before I started this endeavor. When I was growing up, we had no dryer. I was the eldest of three and had the chore of hanging out clothes. I don’t think there was ever a time that I went to the clothesline and failed to tell myself, “I will never have a clothesline. I will have a dryer. I hate doing laundry. Why don’t they just buy a dryer? I will have a dryer…I will have a dryer… I will have a dryer…” Needless to say, I failed to realize that the reason we had no dryer is because it was the main way of running ones electric bill to an outrageous price for absolutely no reason. I am beyond that now. I still love the ways clothes smell when fresh from the dryer. However, I am also beyond that. I do not use my dryer anymore. I do still have it, but I don’t put it to use. It sits in my laundry room as a folding table and I enjoy saving money by using it as a table instead of a dryer. It has also challenged me to keep my laundry done up daily instead of having a couple laundry days a week. My clothesline is actually draped from pole to pole in the carport, one on each side. I don’t have much space, so that is the reason I must do one load of laundry each day. I do hang my clothes in my room on a rack to keep the freshness of the fabric softener in them.
Surprisingly, as an adult, I love to do laundry. I also love saving my family money.

~

Finally, I realized that my a/c could possible be turned up a few degrees and we’d probably never notice. We do have ceiling fans and that is the way we’ve been staying cool. I turned the a/c up to about 79 to 80 degrees. We have only had a few sweltering day that I wished I had left the thermostat alone. However, since my windows are usually up and the doors are normally open there is always a nice breeze blowing through the house. It reminds me of my Nanny’s house when I was small.

~

Are you are ready for me to tell you how much money we saved on our bills? Our power bill went from $193.00 last month to $137.00 this month. That’s a savings of $56.00 in only 3 ½ weeks. I could have saved a few more dollars if I had started a week earlier. Our water bill has gone from $80.00 to $58.00. That’s a savings of $22.00. I do plan to keep on and save even more next month.

~

I didn’t mentioned the savings we are getting on our phone bill by disconnecting the caller id, the internet by lowering our package, and Direct TV by having it disconnected. I also raised our deductible on our homeowners insurance from $500.00 to $1000.00 and that gave us a savings of $70.00 a month. We have a total monthly savings of $268.00. Now that’s a great job!! I love my sweet hubby and I enjoy making his hard earned money go much further. Oh, we won’t even talk about the money I saved by canning and freezing a ton of produce this summer. That’s for another post.

~

Gotta get goin’!!

I don’t want ya’ll (my internet friends) to cause me to get behind on my chores.

~

Blessings,

Amanda

Frugal Thinking

As of January, 2008 we were debt free, except for our mortgage. It is the most comfortable feeling in the world. We had many trials through the past few years with money, however God saw us through it.

As I went through bill today, I wondered if there was more I could do to save money. After all everyone has utilities. But I wanted mine to be as low as possible.

I wash a load of clothes each day. Therefore, I use the dryer once a day as well. That is something I will do without unless I am made. LOL.

On my phone bill, I called and turned off the caller ID, call waiting, and call forwarding. That saved my a total of $10.50 a month.

On my internet, I called and changed my package from the $44.44 package to the $29.95 package. The lady told me that people have told her that they can't tell a difference in the speed after changing packages. I will see as of tomorrow.

On my Direct TV, I called and changed from the Total Choice Plus to the Choice package. I also had my Starz disconnected since the same movies play over and over all month. I lost some channels, but no many. We hardly watch TV as it is. Daddy watches more than anyone because he likes movies.
While I was on the phone going over my package and bill, I realized that I was being charged an extra $4.99 a month for a fifth receiver that I never had. We actually only have four and have always had four. So, let's figure what I am now saving from Direct TV. Oh, they gave my Showtime free for a month and a $5.00 credit on my bill for three months. That puts me at saving... $20.00 a month.

There are always ways to save money if you look hard. I know we will not miss a thing that I had cut off. I hope this inspires you to look for ways to save at your house.

Blessings,
Amanda

Delight in Simple Things

*Learn to like what doesn’t cost too much.
*Learn to like reading, conversation, music.
*Learn to like plain food, plain service, plain cooking.
*Learn to like fields, trees, brooks, hiking, rowing, climbing hills.
*Learn to like people, even though some of them may be different from you.
*Learn to like to work and enjoy the satisfaction of doing your job as well as it can be done.
*Learn to like the songs of birds, the companionship of dogs.
*Learn to like gardening, puttering around the house, and fixing things.
*Learn to like the sunrise and sunset, the beating of rain on the roof and windows, and the gentle fall of snow on a winter day.
*Learn to keep your wants simple, and refuse to be controlled by the likes and dislikes of others.

–Lowell B. Bennion

From: The Best of Lowell L. Bennion: Selected Writings 1928-1988, Edited by Eugene England, p. xxiii

http://www.achristianhome.org/