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Money saving ideas; Ways you save and also good ideas to make life better.
Topic Started: Dec 1 2011, 04:32 PM (5,869 Views)
Memphis metro


This is not really about saving money but a useful tip. I have found that the bottom of a wet/dry vac comes in real handy. Here I used it to put under this engine to catch crud after washing the cylinders out. These things have wheels on them and make it easy for rolling around. They are nicely large and hold a lot and is great for storing nails and other stuff in, in the garage. You often see them on the street when they burn up and someone throws them away. Real handy to have around.

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Coche Blanco
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That is a good idea!
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bogs
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Duct tape heals all wounds

And they are also good for holding large gauge extension cords neatly :thumb :thumb
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AlexK
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[ *  *  *  * ]
You get the most result from your efforts if you concentrate on the largest expenses. For example forget the $3 shampoo expense, find a cheaper place to live that's close to work so you can cut down on housing and commute expenses. Better yet, walk or ride a bike to work to cut both gas and medical costs.

When you work a job you are trading your life energy for money. So when you waste money you are wasting your life energy, something we have a finite amount of before we die.

I live on $15k/yr and my life is very good.
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clarkdw


AlexK
Jan 21 2012, 02:27 PM
You get the most result from your efforts if you concentrate on the largest expenses. For example forget the $3 shampoo expense, find a cheaper place to live that's close to work so you can cut down on housing and commute expenses. Better yet, walk or ride a bike to work to cut both gas and medical costs.

When you work a job you are trading your life energy for money. So when you waste money you are wasting your life energy, something we have a finite amount of before we die.

I live on $15k/yr and my life is very good.
:gp
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ascensions
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Je conduis une petite voiture.

This here was probably my biggest savings. Added a switch to my water-heater, and turned the temperature down to 127.5 degrees. Saved me $30+ dollars a month.

Also .5 gallon low flow aerators and shower head make a huge difference.
Edited by ascensions, Jan 21 2012, 02:57 PM.
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maxmpg
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ascensions
Jan 21 2012, 02:43 PM
This here was probably my biggest savings. Added a switch to my water-heater, and turned the temperature down to 127.5 degrees. Saved me $30+ dollars a month.

Also .5 gallon low flow aerators and shower head make a huge difference.
These are *very* good ways to save a lot of dough, easily.

High Quality low-flow showerheads ( the well designed ones, not the super cheapy-cheap, bottom-shelf, good-for-nothin' F'n cheap Bull :shit ones :banghead :shake :shake ) actually do give you a nice shower experience AND save water.

Low-flow showerheads and aerators on faucets save money THREE ways - they're a TRIPLE money maker...

1) less gas/electricity paid to heat less water
2) less water usage = lower water bill
3) less SEWER usage = lower sewer bill

Many/most places combine 2 and 3, they actually charge you twice for the same amount of water. They assume all the water you use is piped into the sewer, as they don't actually meter sewage use most places. Unless you're on a septic system and don't have a sewer hookup, this is fairly common practice I believe.

Unless you run a medical facility, 128 degree F water is *plenty* for most situations. I don't take scalding hot showers and very warm showers are plenty.

Edited by maxmpg, Jan 21 2012, 03:43 PM.
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Way


ascensions
Jan 21 2012, 02:43 PM
This here was probably my biggest savings. Added a switch to my water-heater, and turned the temperature down to 127.5 degrees. Saved me $30+ dollars a month.

Also .5 gallon low flow aerators and shower head make a huge difference.
Only problem with a switch is that in some situations it's not practical, especially if someone forgets to turn the switch on in time. A water heater still needs a little time to bring the water back up to temperature. In some areas, that temperature difference can be a deal breaker.

For instance I have a walk-in basement that's unheated and will most likely remain that way and in winter the ambient temp can go as low as 50F. A timer would shut off the heater for maybe 12 hours at a time but would also be set to allow some lead time. This would happen automatically, so no one can forget to turn on the switch. Just something for folks to consider.

Of course in my situation an instant water heater would be the best and so I have one, sitting on the shelf waiting for its turn to be used. :cheers

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Old Man


My kitchen is a long way from the water heater (by house design). It takes
a long time for the hot water to get from the heater to the kitchen sink,
wasting gallons of water monthly.

I bought a cheap ($100) in line 120V water heater and installed it under
the kitchen sink. I set it to 5 degrees below the regular water heater.

Just as soon as the faucet is opened the in line heater delivers hot water.
When the regular heater hot water goes by the inline heater the
inline heater electricity shuts off.
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Shinrin
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Why use a switch instead of just flipping the breaker? My breaker box is in the hallwall between my room and the kitchen, so I pass it constantly. Have a breaker just for the water heater.
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maxmpg
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Old Man
Jan 21 2012, 04:53 PM
My kitchen is a long way from the water heater (by house design). It takes
a long time for the hot water to get from the heater to the kitchen sink,
wasting gallons of water monthly.

I bought a cheap ($100) in line 120V water heater and installed it under
the kitchen sink. I set it to 5 degrees below the regular water heater.

Just as soon as the faucet is opened the in line heater delivers hot water.
When the regular heater hot water goes by the inline heater the
inline heater electricity shuts off.
Have you looked at adding pipe insulation? Or is that even practically feasible?
Edited by maxmpg, Jan 21 2012, 05:47 PM.
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maxmpg
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Way
Jan 21 2012, 04:25 PM
Only problem with a switch is that in some situations it's not practical, especially if someone forgets to turn the switch on in time. A water heater still needs a little time to bring the water back up to temperature. In some areas, that temperature difference can be a deal breaker.

For instance I have a walk-in basement that's unheated and will most likely remain that way and in winter the ambient temp can go as low as 50F.
You bring up a great point - ambient temperature *around* the water heater can be an issue - especially if it's in a garage or unheated basement.

Best thing to do is get ~R30 of the pink fiberglass insulation and thoroughly wrap the entire waterheater. True, it adds ~20 inches to the overall diameter of the waterheater, but boy will it keep it warm and snug ^o) :thumb

If you want to go for broke, R49 fiberglass insulation can be had but it's thick stuff, around ~16 inches thick and would add almost 3 feet to the diameter -but it's the best available and will *definitely* keep your water heater nice and toasty. An R49-wrapped waterheater would keep it toasty even in an Alaskan crawlspace :ermm: ^o)

Other key is keeping the waterheater *properly* wrapped. I mean *air tight* wrapped, not just *ehh, I'll throw some insulation and hope it sticks*.

If it looks like this, you might as well not even bother...
Posted Image

It's *gotta* look like this to get your money's worth:
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Edited by maxmpg, Jan 21 2012, 05:59 PM.
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ascensions
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Je conduis une petite voiture.

Shinrin
Jan 21 2012, 05:36 PM
Why use a switch instead of just flipping the breaker? My breaker box is in the hallwall between my room and the kitchen, so I pass it constantly. Have a breaker just for the water heater.
Breakers aren't meant for continuous switching, and I'd hate to one day be standing there naked with no working breaker. Secondly, my breaker box is on the outside of the house which means, I'd be standing naked, outside with no breaker.

For anyone is considering, there usually is always warm or hot water. It holds water even when off for days. Just flipping the switch for about 10 minutes boosts it to the highest temp (just past 126F to prevent legionnaires disease).

I can still take a 25 minute scolding hot shower. If I were to forget turning it on, and if the tank was charged the night before, I could still take a 15 minute shower.

It has however cut out the 45-130 minute showers that I and the kids used to take. It also, probably has saved me in the neighborhood of $500 since I've installed it. It's also fantastic on vacations.
Edited by ascensions, Jan 21 2012, 06:25 PM.
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Way


How does a switch reduce the 45 - 130 min showers? It's a switch.. once it's on, it's on.

You have to remember we're not all in North Carolina and it still takes time to heat up regardless. I would bet that timers are worth the extra expense for the majority of folks who like me, would like to save as much money as possible without having to remember to do anything even as simple as flipping a switch. :cheers
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Memphis metro


Buy waterless soap and you will not have to use any water bathing. :lol
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