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Here Comes Warm Weather: Lawns and Water
Some people think I'm nuts, but I do not like hot weather. I don't like having to water the lawn, fertilize the lawn, mow the lawn, trim the lawn, then start all over again. It just seems pointless to me, but I'm stuck in suburbia and, to keep the neighbors happy, I fall in line with the rest.
I don't, however, hire a professional lawn company to come and spray chemicals all over the lawn, then put those little flags up to keep kids and dogs off of it. If it's that dangerous, I don't want it anywhere near me, either. My lawn may not be the prettiest in the neighborhood, but I don't have a water bill that rivals a mortgage payment, either. In this country, many people water three times a week. No way.
This coming year, with a serious drought threatening, there may not be enough wate for the farmers to grow a crop to harvest… but some people will continue to water their lawns three times a week, then gripe at the prices in the grocery store. I ask you, does that make sense?
Grass doesn't die when it doesn't get watered. It goes dormant and when the rains (or the sprinkler) comes again, it grows again. The only reason to keep watering a lawn when water is scarce is pride and ego. Gotta have the best looking lawn at any price. There. I said it.
No, I don't think a lawn looks nice when it's full of weeds and bare spots and the grass looks dead. We don't have to go that far, but it's silly to waste precious water and tons of money on something as vain as a stretch of useless green stuff that has to be fed, fertilized, mowed, trimmed… and around it goes.
Lawns for Less
Putting in a New Lawn
The Front Lawn
A Frugal Lawn and Garden
Here Comes Warm Weather: Lawns and Water
Some people think I'm nuts, but I do not like hot weather. I don't like having to water the lawn, fertilize the lawn, mow the lawn, trim the lawn, then start all over again. It just seems pointless to me, but I'm stuck in suburbia and, to keep the neighbors happy, I fall in line with the rest.
I don't, however, hire a professional lawn company to come and spray chemicals all over the lawn, then put those little flags up to keep kids and dogs off of it. If it's that dangerous, I don't want it anywhere near me, either. My lawn may not be the prettiest in the neighborhood, but I don't have a water bill that rivals a mortgage payment, either. In this country, many people water three times a week. No way.
This coming year, with a serious drought threatening, there may not be enough wate for the farmers to grow a crop to harvest… but some people will continue to water their lawns three times a week, then gripe at the prices in the grocery store. I ask you, does that make sense?
Grass doesn't die when it doesn't get watered. It goes dormant and when the rains (or the sprinkler) comes again, it grows again. The only reason to keep watering a lawn when water is scarce is pride and ego. Gotta have the best looking lawn at any price. There. I said it.
No, I don't think a lawn looks nice when it's full of weeds and bare spots and the grass looks dead. We don't have to go that far, but it's silly to waste precious water and tons of money on something as vain as a stretch of useless green stuff that has to be fed, fertilized, mowed, trimmed… and around it goes.
Lawns for Less
Putting in a New Lawn
The Front Lawn
A Frugal Lawn and Garden
To Sleep or Not to Sleep
That isn't really the question. It's more like how to sleep. Apparently I know how not to sleep.
I've tried a lot of things to get a good night's rest and, to be blunt, most of them don't work. They might work for someone who usually sleeps well but has an occasional night of insomnia, but for those of us who are hard-core insomniacs, a cup of chamomile tea and a warm bath just won't do it.
I refuse to take sleeping pills, especially after a recent study showed that those who take sleep aids more than 132 times a year are five times more likely to die. (http://hsionline.com/2012/03/12/the-big-sleep/)
So, what to do without spending megabucks to be monitored through several nights (and then perhaps put on prescription sleeping pills)?
It turns out that a combination of things helps me, like doing calming things just before bedtime, taking pain medication when it's needed instead of trying to tough it through, making sure the bedroom is neither too warm nor too cool, and yes, that cup of chamomile tea helps, too.
Don't buy into pricey solutions that may or may not work and could actually be dangerous. Finding the right combination for you might take some patience, but once you find it, it will be worth the time it took.
Beat High Gas Prices
At the risk of dating myself, I'm going to admit to remembering when gas went to a dollar a gallon. It was awful. A lot of kids couldn't afford to "drag main" any more and still more were unable to come up with gas money and a fast food snack too before the drive in movie.
Yup… I said I would date myself. There were tough times back then just like there are tough times now. Some of us feel it more than others, but we're all aware that money is becoming harder to make and easier to spend.
The price of gas is just one example of how quickly money flows out of our hands.
Finding ways to slow it down just a little can become at least a part time job, but the savings will almost equal a part time income if you're thorough with it.
Drive gently, keep your tires aired up, keep your vehicle in good running condition, comparison shop gas, don't buy gas with a higher octane level than your vehicle needs…
The one thing that will save more money than all the others combined? Quit driving so much. If you feel the urge to run to the store for some ice cream, have a cold chocolate milk instead. If you want to go rent some movies, find something online to watch. If you need to go buy groceries, take turns with your neighbors or kids in supplying transportation for all. Walk, ride a bike, take the bus.
If you can cut your mileage enough, the chances are that you can save money on your insurance, too. It's worth a try.
What will you do if gas goes to 4 or 5 dollars per gallon or more?
What to Do Before Gas Hits $5
SMART Ways to Save at the Pump
Avoiding Extra Trips
Grow Your Own Beverages
Enjoying a steaming cup of dandelion coffee, I took mental stock of my beverage stash. Besides dandelion coffee, there's mint tea, hibiscus tea, echinacea tea and a few more. A lot of it was harvested in my own backyard - dandelion coffee is one of my favorites. 
What we drink not only makes a difference in our health, it makes a difference in our budgets.
For instance: I bought a mint plant when I first moved in here eleven years ago. I didn't intend to let it escape its pot, but it did, by growing its roots out the drain holes. Now I have mint here and there and I'm glad. Each year I pick the leaves before it flowers and put them out to dry, then store them in an old canning jar. Throughout the winter, these leaves make a wonderful, and absolutely free, tea by themselves, but I sometimes add them to other teas and drinks. Hot chocolate with mint is awesome in my book!
Considering how easy mint and dandelions are to grow, they're great inspiration for growing other teas and drinks. The price is certainly right!
Enjoyably Frugal Loose Leaf Tea
Growing Herbs for Tea
Tasty Tea
Looking for Cheap Ways to Make Ice Tea
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