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Thread: Low Cost Simple Living Products

  1. #1
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    Low Cost Simple Living Products

    I have a shopping list of relatively inexpensive simple living items I either have bought or want to buy that should save more money in the long run than what they cost. I was just curious if the other members here had items they would add to the list. Here are some of mine.

    Rechargeable batteries
    Battery charges / solar chargers
    LED light bulbs
    Assorted motion sensor and dawn to dusk LED lights
    Drying racks to replace using the dryer
    Crock pots and stainless steel rice cooker to save energy in the kitchen
    Cloth napkins, cleaning towels and handkerchiefs
    Natural cleaning supplies - vinegar, washing soda, Dr. Bonner's soap, spray bottles, baking soda, and related items
    Reusable shopping bags
    Mesh and fabric drawstring produce bags to replace disposable plastic bags
    Kill a Watt meter
    Weatherstripping
    Draft stoppers
    Stainless steel pot scrubbers
    Metal nail file
    Solar lights and solar string lights for the back patio for sitting out on warm nights and out front at Christmas time

  2. #2
    Senior Member leslieann's Avatar
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    Vegetable seeds
    Clothes line in basement (for when you fill up the racks)

  3. #3
    Senior Member rosarugosa's Avatar
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    Microfiber cleaning cloths
    Salad spinner
    Sturdy re-usable containers for bringing lunches to work (those ziploc ones that are so popular right now are really crappy)

  4. #4
    Member miradoblackwarrior's Avatar
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    How about a thermos for bringing your own coffee to work? Also good sturdy boots, and a good coat (or two) that will last a while.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Gardenarian's Avatar
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    Hi try2bfrugal - Nice list!

    I have not tried the solar light or string light, though I am interested. I wish there was a solor panel with a plug so you could just charge it up and plug anything into it (computer, radio, lamp, battery recharger) - wouldn't that be simple??

    My library has a Kill-a-Watt that we can borrow. I have it checked out right now.

    Having the right spray bottles and stuff really helps - I love the bottles that turn a small amount of liquid soap and water into foam.

    I would also recommend having a compost container on your counter (a coffee can with a lid will do) and a compost pile outside. Saves you energy if you normally use the disposal, and saves having to put things in the trash. (And you get free soil.)

  6. #6
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    -resuable water bottles
    -library card
    -hot water bottle for extra warmth at night when the heat is turned lower

  7. #7
    Member miradoblackwarrior's Avatar
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    Also extra blankets, extra socks, somebody to love ; )

    And cooking from scratch from all the basics.

  8. #8
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    Leakproof thermal travel cup for coffee or tea
    Assorted insulated bags for carrying meals (we have one that is family-size as well as 3 for us to use individually)
    Ice packs for packing food
    Thermal food jars for packing soup or chili (we use these almost daily)

    Basic sewing supplies for making repairs, re-attaching buttons, etc

    Things that aren't 'things' but rather tasks -
    - organized storage spaces so that you can find what you're looking for - for instance, the binoculars? an extra power strip? candles? Mine are in labeled bins.
    - an organized kitchen so that cooking is quick and easy
    - systems for appointments, to-do items, etc. My DH is suffering from his lack of organization today as he went on a business trip without two essential items, which has cost me two hours of my time today. Both of these items I had reminded him about.

  9. #9
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    Good pressure cooker, the kind that can't explode and you can cook beans in.
    Bad spellers of the world, UNTIE!
    formerly known as Paula P

  10. #10
    bunnys
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    Bread machine. Bought mine used @ thrift store for $7. Loaves are much cheaper @ < $1 per loaf homemade rather than $3-4 bucks per store bought loaf.

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