tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post7933724529718152667..comments2024-03-29T21:11:37.724+10:00Comments on down to earth: Let's reduce the cost of livingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55996168670040175652022-10-03T20:55:26.482+10:002022-10-03T20:55:26.482+10:00Dear Rhonda, I seem to no longer receive your wond...Dear Rhonda, I seem to no longer receive your wonderful blog, I thought perhaps you were taking a break after your sad loss. I can’t seem to find where to subscribe. I really miss hearing from you and have followed you for a long time and would love to continue doing so. Could you please let me know via these comments how I can reconnect. With warmest regards, CarolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-32059780049873728052022-10-01T04:43:24.631+10:002022-10-01T04:43:24.631+10:00Hello Weronika. Thank you. Yes, they're large...Hello Weronika. Thank you. Yes, they're large bricks called Besser blocks. They're set into the ground about an inch or two deep and become quite stable in the ground. They don't need any cement or anything else to place them in the ground. Just pack the soil in around them and they'll be fine. They're easy to move as well if you rearrange your garden over the years. Look on Gumtree as people often want to get rid of bricks and Besser blocks on there and they might be free as long as you go and pick them up. Good luck with your gardens. xxRhonda Hetzelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71223533006372863202022-09-30T14:01:48.402+10:002022-09-30T14:01:48.402+10:00Hi Rhonda, may I first say that I have read all yo...Hi Rhonda, may I first say that I have read all your books and absolutely loved them. You're like a wise grandma that I never had, showing me how to run a home. Thank you so much! I'd like to ask about your garden beds. I noticed that the borders are made with bricks. Could you please tell me if the bricks are fixed to the ground in any way? It may be a much cheaper alternative to raised beds which cost a fortune! Regards, WeronikaWeronikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03895167364088626184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15911613872907131382022-09-20T07:03:52.195+10:002022-09-20T07:03:52.195+10:00If I’m looking for new clothing I often go to the ...If I’m looking for new clothing I often go to the Salvos online shop and local pre loved stores. Have found some real bargains there. Recently bought a pair of Revere sandals for $17.50 which retail for $189. Currently looking for a dress to wear to my sisters wedding next year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59718625626784717132022-09-19T05:18:43.471+10:002022-09-19T05:18:43.471+10:00Thank you again for continuing to offer direction ...Thank you again for continuing to offer direction and insight for living in today's world. It has been a struggle for so many. I certainly appreciate the fact you do NOT charge for viewing your sight, helping others with your kindness it a gift to so many.<br />I think of the 5, 10, 15 minute guide I adopted many years ago while quilting. It is surprising what a person can accomplish in just a few minutes at a time. I use this in cleaning, crafting, sewing, cooking etc. Just a few minutes can make a job seem less overwhelming and more rewarding. While a meal is cooking, I can be clearing off a counter, sweeping the floor, organizing the refrigerator or working on a gift that I am making. I stop viewing things in a "to get finished" mode to a slower pace of accomplishment. I feel better, less stressed and enjoy life more by this approach. Just a little change, mind set and viewing the tasks in a simpler way sure helps. I also always save those little bits of veg by freezing so that I can make soups, cut up citrus for the freezer, make extra when I cook such as pancakes, breakfast burritos, anything that can sure time and expense for later. If you use plastic bags wash them and reuse (no meat storage previous).<br />Teaching generations how to live within their means is one of the greatest gift one can receive. I learned so much from my mom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66085861351367244802022-09-17T18:19:38.346+10:002022-09-17T18:19:38.346+10:00Thank you for your kind words. I was so sorry to ...Thank you for your kind words. I was so sorry to read about Hanno - I send my love to you. I lost my lovely Dad in June - he was a true family man, full of ‘the crack’ (he was Irish) & a hard worker - you’d have loved him. He really knew poverty as a child so I need to think of that & those in real poverty now & stop bleating, we have plenty. This is just another season. Thank you though, I cried when I read your reply but now shoulders back & onwards. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91653533171304139432022-09-17T17:35:24.244+10:002022-09-17T17:35:24.244+10:00I'm. sorry to read your news, dear. Hang in t...I'm. sorry to read your news, dear. Hang in there and try to work out who would be the best person to talk to in your family. Family is there to help in times like these. That doesn't mean they feel sorry for you or help financially but having someone to talk to would help your mental health. I send you my best wishes and love. xxRhonda Hetzelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19451528326454977192022-09-17T03:19:08.646+10:002022-09-17T03:19:08.646+10:00Dear Rhonda, thank you for all you do. I’ve been ...Dear Rhonda, thank you for all you do. I’ve been reading since my children were little, now they are mid to late teens. My youngest was diagnosed with a life long health condition during the first covid lockdown & various other life changes over the last 5 years have meant I’m on my own bringing the family up now. I was particularly anxious today about finances and I’m just so glad I read your blog because I don’t feel so alone. The outgoings are huge & the income small but I listed all the things I can do for free & then walked the dog with a friend & felt much better. The worst thing is that friends, family & work colleagues all assume we have a good income like them (possibly I don’t know). I can’t really say anything as what can anyone do & it would only make them feel sorry for me. It feels quite lonely sometimes. I think the psychological impact of scraping through is tough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21006834937492389542022-09-16T12:12:41.023+10:002022-09-16T12:12:41.023+10:00Rhonda, thank you so much for this post. Your hone...Rhonda, thank you so much for this post. Your honesty and authenticity makes what you have to say even more powerful. Some wonderful tips and reminders here for how to save money. I totally concur with reviewing yearly bills - I save $100s this year on house insurance which we had just kept running with the same company for years! Times are changing and building individual and household resilience is a must. Carolynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10219530267438648852022-09-15T09:56:33.498+10:002022-09-15T09:56:33.498+10:00Oh, Rhonda, I'm sorry that happened after Hann...Oh, Rhonda, I'm sorry that happened after Hanno died. How upsetting. I just straightened out the registration on my dad's car today. I bought it from my brothers after he died, but didn't realize that I needed to go to the DMV and change the title. My brother had said that he did it online. Anyway, it cost me $1,300. today in late fees. Ugh. They were closed during Covid, and then I forgot about it. An expensive mistake, but I got the car for an excellent price. Love all your tips and reminders. I love living in walkable town. I bike everywhere. Being in the mountains is so much cooler, so I don't need to run the air conditioning. At night I am starting to light a fire in the fireplace with the cast iron insert. Wood heat is so lovely...TheAwakenedSoulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11636961399581011120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22217961326321331942022-09-14T00:04:58.423+10:002022-09-14T00:04:58.423+10:00It's doing virtually all these things that has...It's doing virtually all these things that has gotten us to be in the position we are today, with our mortgages paid off, debt free and able to live a good but simple life. You have given some good advice there for anyone who is on the first steps of sorting out their finances for these tough times that we are facing all over the world.A Smaller Lifehttps://asmallerlifelivingsimply.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53578763452110685272022-09-13T18:27:25.744+10:002022-09-13T18:27:25.744+10:00Thank you again Rhonda for your tips. I think one ...Thank you again Rhonda for your tips. I think one of my favourite pass times is finding more ways to save, make from scratch or reorganise. Each year I go through al our expenses and check to see if I can improve on our outgoing costs. Saved thousands on home loan interest last year just by doing this.<br /> Your photos are always images of the life I hope to achieve.Anne Robbinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9053785987093336232022-09-13T18:12:33.804+10:002022-09-13T18:12:33.804+10:00Always love reading your notes. We have been tryin...Always love reading your notes. We have been trying to declutter as well. On the financial side, I go through all our outgoings each year and revisit them all. I am pleased that I did the mortgage last year, as I was able to negotiate my interest rate down by almost half and fix it for two years. Very happy I did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-17755246319541835112022-09-13T13:21:06.103+10:002022-09-13T13:21:06.103+10:00Thanks Paula. Good luck with your move. xxThanks Paula. Good luck with your move. xxRhonda Hetzelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35705029612079004802022-09-13T13:19:39.914+10:002022-09-13T13:19:39.914+10:00Great ideas, Pat. Thanks for sharing.Great ideas, Pat. Thanks for sharing.Rhonda Hetzelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9412386828316417412022-09-13T13:18:53.105+10:002022-09-13T13:18:53.105+10:00If I had to change my washing machine now it would...If I had to change my washing machine now it would create a problem for me too. I've never had a problem with homemade laundry liquid, or the powder. A couple of years ago the washing machine stopped working - a sock blockage 😧, and the repairman asked me what detergent I used. Immediately I thought - oh no, here we go! But no, when I told him I used homemade liquid, he said it was the cleanest machine he'd ever seen. I gave him the recipe. There are three ingredients - plus water. If you look at the commercial liquids, you need a science degree and 5 minutes to read the ingredients label. Give it a go. I think you'll be surprised. xxRhonda Hetzelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69898530653440729402022-09-13T11:02:33.894+10:002022-09-13T11:02:33.894+10:00A wonderful post Rhonda! If we all had the benefit...A wonderful post Rhonda! If we all had the benefit of hindsight, life would look very different, but I think we all do the best we can at the time. You would certainly have had enough concerns managing your new life with Hanno becoming so unwell and needing your assistance in so many ways, emotionally and physically, without having to be mindful of managing the finances also. The bills have a way of reminding us that they are there and need attending to! I hope you are feeling in control of the finances now. Your tips have been a godsend to many and are very relevant now, as they have been in generations past. I am looking forward to moving home and being able to re-establish a vegetable garden. Ours has been sitting idle as we knew we had to move, and our slow to start growing season made growing our own the past few months untenable. It has resulted in a noticeable increase in our shopping trips. Who knew the humble silverbeet was so expensive! Take care Rhonda and enjoy all the fruits of your hard earned labour xxPaulahttps://aboutasimplelife.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62873820507112322612022-09-13T09:05:26.476+10:002022-09-13T09:05:26.476+10:00Ronda, I always enjoy reading your posts. I'm ...Ronda, I always enjoy reading your posts. I'm mindful of waste, but I feel inspired to do even more. One thing that helps me: several years ago I bought a solar oven. Here in hot & humid Texas I cook outside with it. (a LOT!) Today I baked a couple of loaves of sandwich bread, yesterday I baked apple bread using apples from my aunt's apple tree to use as a hostess gift, and the day before that I baked sweet potato brownies for a dinner party. Thank you for sharing the days of your life with us! ~TxH~Texas Homesteaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04875287623361173707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82660555669645803652022-09-13T08:15:20.211+10:002022-09-13T08:15:20.211+10:00Great advice as always Rhonda. It’s good to sort o...Great advice as always Rhonda. It’s good to sort of get back to basics sometimes. I know i have let myself get caught up with life and meal planning in particular hasn’t been happening and so there’s been more ”ugh what are we going to eat? ” moments and not optimal meals or resource use than i would have liked.<br /><br />One question though. Have you ever had problems with your homemade laundry detergent? Either nit cleaning enough, smelling off or damaging your clothes or washer? Because i keep coming across conflicting info on the subject and while i absolutly want to use green homemade laundry, i am scared to ruin my machine and i can’t afford to change it. <br /><br />Thank you!des vies à tablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02311898676194441562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31348137211232190822022-09-11T15:41:09.849+10:002022-09-11T15:41:09.849+10:00Still full of good advice Rhonda, thank you. I sta...Still full of good advice Rhonda, thank you. I stated changing my budget. I have always acted as if I earned €100 less on my salary and that of my husband, and I continue now that we are retired, it allows me to save them.<br />Regarding the shopping budget, I have totaled the expenses for the last six months , and I removed 20% of this sum.<br />I decided to put this sum every week in an envelope and pay in cash.<br />I am lucky to be the age that I am (65 years old) and I knew a time when we had less comfort, and where we had to pay attention to expenses.<br />I hope to be able to teach it to my children and my grandchildren.<br />I hope my translation is correct (thanks google)patdubnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-23458103652856297062022-09-11T15:40:07.472+10:002022-09-11T15:40:07.472+10:00Oh yes times are going to get hard. I'm greatf...Oh yes times are going to get hard. I'm greatful I negotiated with our power company and locked in a rate for two years. I'm sorry Hanno's care cost so much. I had to step in when my folks got unwell - became enduring power of attorney and sorted out all their finances and medical needs. A really hard time. Take care you You. Love leanne NZLeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00420783423172718178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50076639261671669582022-09-11T08:50:46.507+10:002022-09-11T08:50:46.507+10:00I want to share my bartering experience. There are...I want to share my bartering experience. There are a number of widowers in my area that know that I can sew. I take up their trousers, sew on buttons and mend tears for them. They 'pay' me in fresh caught, cleaned and filleted fish. I feel like I am the winner in this barter. This to me is more than just bartering. It is a sharing of skills that are exchanged. I have the skill to sew and they have the skill of fishing. Sharing skills is another way of saving money.Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964345893499561504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47846304852671997532022-09-11T08:16:23.318+10:002022-09-11T08:16:23.318+10:00Hi Rhonda. In our house I manage the finances and ...Hi Rhonda. In our house I manage the finances and I just told my hubby the predicament you found yourself in but assured him I have a list of bills he needs to pay if the time comes and I am incapacitated before him. I still get hard copies of most bills sent for his sake but a couple of bills are received online and he isn’t techy at all so couldn’t access them. I agree that there is a big difference between being on a couple’s pension compared with a single one. I hope our young people can learn to live frugally and it is encouraging to see some of them going down that track. Chelhttps://goinggreyandslightlygreen.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91023739984485086072022-09-11T05:31:41.235+10:002022-09-11T05:31:41.235+10:00Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and advi...Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and advice over the years. I’m probably your age and have been living frugally all my adult life and am still learning. Part of my retirement plan was to pay off my mortgage. I was able to do that in thirteen years. I think your advice to discern the difference between wants and needs is key to getting finances under control, and it is so rewarding and freeing to live debt free! I also want to put in a plug for LED bulbs. They are 80-90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs and have a long life. They may be more expensive, but do save money in the long run.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65415764384460073952022-09-10T18:20:58.952+10:002022-09-10T18:20:58.952+10:00Thank you so much for such an informative post, Rh...Thank you so much for such an informative post, Rhonda. I have loved reading through the comments as well. Everyone has such good tips. We are okay financially as we have always lived simply but I really feel for our children (17, 20 and 22) who are unable to afford to move out and start their own lives or even find a place to rent with the housing shortage. We are lucky to enjoy their beautiful company for a few years longer although I am not sure they would agree!<br />I very rarely comment, but I have enjoyed your blog for a long time and was very saddened when I read of your husband's illness and passing and even though we are strangers you have often been in my thoughts. Thank you for always being so kind and generous with your time and knowledge. Xxmichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08830431161836892797noreply@blogger.com