Let's be thrifty Today!

On a beach in Clearwater

I read several blogs today and found many were writing about being thrifty, so thought I would continue with the theme.

1.THIS SATURDAY 28 MARCH AT 8.30PM YOU CAN VOTE EARTH BY SWITCHING OFF YOUR LIGHTS FOR ONE HOUR - EARTH HOUR. Please join in, it's only one hour!
2. We have been hanging clothes outside on the line- here at my daughters it saves about $30 per month! The clothes smell so good, and reduces the ironing too!
3. Get your gardens ready! even if ya live in an apartment you can container garden and have enough tomatoes & herbs to last the summer-PAX! Dau #2 built a small 10X 5 ft garden which supplied cucumbers, peppers, & string beans for her and her family last year. With enough to share with folks @ church. There is a fun way to grow veggies someone told me about where I live-you get a 20 LB bag of potting soil, lay it on the ground, cut horizontal, plant your tomatoes, peppers etc in it, grows the veggies perfectly, keeps out unwanted weeds. I am trying that this year, since space is limited where I live. If I ever get back!
4. Don't ever forget "Good Will or Salvation Armies"- they have some great almost new stuff for pennies of what you would buy in the Macy's/Penny's and even Walmart! At our church we have what is called 'the Clothes Closet' You could go there once a month and get nearly new and new stuff for nothing! You are supporting good causes plus saving a ton of money- These places are no longer only for the indigent. My younger brother would never go, but I kept egging him about it, so he finally went. he doesn't get his Jeans anywhere else now. It is quite surprising what folk literally throw away! It may not fit right, or they didn't like after they came home. Many things even have the price tags still attached.
5. Get a neighbor or friend involved with your saving- barter for things. For example if you don't have a much needed wheelbarrow or like borrow instead of buying and let them have something in return. Maybe you could go to the store for them or borrow something they have. And return in a timely manner in the way you got it! Bartering has been around a long time and we have just forgotten about it.
6. and lastly think! yes think before you buy! Sounds crazy I know, but think "do I really need this" or "do I want this" I personally am on a 'vow of poverty" for one year. I am using everything out of the overstuffed kitchen cupboards unless I really need it( I can't tell ya how many different kinds of tea are in my cabinets!, or how many bottles of barbecue sauce, and don't even ask how many bottles of wine! and I don't consider myself a drinker!). I am not buying any new clothes unless I really need. Have been bad while here in MD but will get back to it when I go back to FLA.
You have any ideas? just let me know!