Last year we invested in two rain barrels. We've had SO much rain this spring and both are full and running over. Spurred on by a cut in my husband's salary, I decided it was time to USE this water creatively. See that white bucket beside the barrel?
Here it is again!
We have city water and sewer (the rates continue to rise). When we don't have company, I've been filling buckets for both bathrooms to use in flushing the toilets. It works. My husband isn't sure that we will see reductions in our water/sewer bill. He thinks we operate at the minimum rate. We'll see.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to think of other uses for the water. Our plants certainly don't need it just now!
Any ideas?
How are YOU meeting the challenges of rising costs and (possible) reduction in income?
I don't know of another creative way to use the water, but we are certainly counting pennies, too. Using more coupons and not buying unnecessary items. The more I think and pray about it....we should have been living this way all along...not just when crisis is looming around us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea
PS: Sitka has an award for you at All Gods Creatures!
Oh, SO true, Andrea. (And I think we DO live fairly simple, but there are always more ways to conserve & live simply.) Thanks for the honor of the award.
ReplyDeleteYou're very creative!
ReplyDeleteOur rain barrel is over flowing too! I could use an over-flow of sunshine for a change!! LOL!
My husbands been retired for 12 years, and I retired about 3 years ago. At first I feared we wouldn't survive...I have great faith like that! In reality, our wants and needs are less and we do just fine. For today, it all seems to balance out.
Oooo I love this idea Rebecca. Our water rates are so high, not just for us but the whole town. I have been wanting a rain barrel for awhile but my husband is always so busy when he's home, it's just hard to do everything!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had another idea for you to use the water but I can't come up with a thing.
We have cut back everything as much as possible. When the checks get low, we just don't buy anything! Love Di ♥
I think it takes a while to get use to less income. After the transition I realized I was better off as I spent to much on things I didn't need or seldom used. Life is good...Hugs
ReplyDeleteGreat idea sweetie.
ReplyDeleteI think you are VERY smart...and are making use of water in a perfect way. What a great idea, Rebecca. You are inspiring....very inspiring....and NO..it is not too much information....it is perfect!!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jackie
Wow, you amaze me. I REALLY wish I had time to think creatively as you do. Well I'm sure you already use the water for things like washing your car, or watering plants. Forgive me, but I'm trying to figure out how you use it in the toilet. Do you pour it in the tank part? I m still reeling over our new, improved sewer bill. And our new improved house payment. Between the two, they increased $80 a MONTH! And that is a lot on our budget. Mostly I'm sad to hear about your hubby's cut in salary. I'm assuming this is due to the economy. It's just not right. But I so admire your thrift.
ReplyDeleteHonestly (and this is going to sound a bit selfish on my part), one of the ways we're cutting back is eating at home a lot more than we used to... with me doing a lot more cooking than I'm used to or like to. So, I appreciate any great recipes, like the chicken one you've posted. Just this morning I was reading one of my devotions in my book (I've grown a bit sick of them all at this point but am trying to look at them with fresh eyes) regarding our "storing" up of things on earth when our focus should really be on storing up of things in heaven. I made a long list of possessions that were once "must haves" that no longer seem as necessary. It was an eye opening experience to me, especially in this season of moving. I need to be more thrifty and a better steward of the generosity we've been given.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
peace~elaine
Rebecca, I've told so many people about your rain barrels and toilet flushing with the rain water that I should be hired by the environmentalists. LOL... I'm sure you've heard of this, but two people said rain water is the best for shampooing hair. Ever tried it?
ReplyDeleteJacquelyn, I HAVE heard it is great for shampooing and no, I haven't tried it! My habit is to wash my hair when I shower in the morning. I just haven't taken time to figure out how to reschedule or USE the rainwater in this way. I'd have to heat it....etc.
ReplyDelete