Comments on: The Cost of Convenience

By: deputyheadmistress

deputyheadmistress — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:34:22 +0000

Steve, it did occur to me that the dollar for drying clothes idea could be put to use for other items, too. We live in the country and sometimes my driving-age Progeny take the van into town for trips I feel are unnecessary. So I asked for a gallon of gas every time they take the van to town.
One-errand trips magically ceased.-

Food left out that might spoil, or requests for convenience items that cost extra money.

Mrs. W, I am surprised beans don’t soften for you- do you live at a high altitude?

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:47:05 +0000

I have become crazed with hanging up laundry instead of using the dryer I throw things in the dryer for 3 minutes or so to steam out any wrinkles (our high-efficiency washer spins all the water out, but puts the wrinkles in), then hand them on a super-cool drying rack. (www.bestdryingrack.com) I don’t have an affiliation to them, but it’s so cool and gadgety- it folds up to nothing, and can be used inside or carried outside. (Tie it down in the wind, though: http://lloydandlauren.com/2009/03/31/a-small-fail/ )

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:30:54 +0000

I’m not sure I’m ready to install a clothesline, but I love your post. What you did with the can on the drier and requiring a $1 makes me think I should put a can by each light switch in my house. My kids would need to put a quarter in when they turn a light on, and could take a quarter out when they turn it off (or I would get the quarter when I turn it off)… this idea has potential! Steve

By: KarenE

KarenE — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:29:44 +0000

Xenia Katie makes a great point – when our very lives are busy, we tend to gravitate towards convenience items out of “necessity”. Part of frugality is spending our TIME wisely as well. Slowing down, staying home more, choosing less activities for our families all lend towards a frugal lifestyle. Y’can’t hang your laundry on the line if you’re always out and about…it’s just about the last thing you want to do, because the beauty in hanging laundry is at the bottom of the list of must-get-done-NOW!s.

By: Mrs W

Mrs W — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:52:41 +0000

I love my line dried clothes and diapers. I think that line drying helps disinfect the diapers even more, and they surely smell better.

On the canned vs. dry beans…I always used canned…I have wasted a lot of money trying all the ways I can to get dried beans to actually softe and it has never worked.

By: Rich MOMents

Rich MOMents — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:46:03 +0000

[...] Owlhaven posted a link to a blog on “The Cost of Convenience.” I recommend reading it. If we could sit down for tea, there are a lot of things in the article we could talk about. [...]

By: Kika

Kika — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:38:48 +0000

I genuinely enjoy using my laundry line (during the warmish months here in Alberta), don’t mind mending, enjoy baking and cooking from scratch, using homemade cleaners, etc. But today, it took my daughter and I one and a half hours of peeling, coring, quartering the little apples from our trees to fill just one crockpot (for applesauce) and I’m thinking this is not worth my time!

By: xenia katie

xenia katie — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:06:45 +0000

Great post! I was directed here via Owlhaven.

Life can get hectic around here sometimes, and that’s when “conveniences” are nice. HOWEVER, when these conveniences become the “norm”, I do notice I become lazier, less attentive to the home environment, a little directionless and unmotivated… When I cook from scratch, wash diapers, sew, grow a garden, walk instead of drive etc., my days are filled with purpose and meaning. Being a SAHM is hard work, but very fulfilling.

By: Days 12 and 13: Windfall — Owlhaven

Days 12 and 13: Windfall — Owlhaven — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:44:20 +0000

[...] what you are actually paying for ‘time-savers’? Here’s a great article about the cost of convenience. [...]

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:03:51 +0000

I agree, this is something we often take into consideration. We do use the dryer because we have terrible allergy issues, and the increased energy bills are less expensive than doctor bulls for our family;)

In our area, the shredded and block cheeses are the same price, and coupons have been available on the name brands recently (and our store doubles) so that makes them substantially cheaper than the generic brand. Last week I was able to get them for free when matched sale and coupons, so I used all the coupons I had and froze the excess. This same store runs the rotisserie chickens on sale for $3.99 one night per week, and I get them and shred the meat to use in recipes, and it makes 2 meals for our family. It pays to read the sales ads and watch for in store signs!

Finally, most of our neighbors use a family lawn company to cut their yard. We had an issue with a lock getting stuck on our gate and couldn’t get the lawn mower to the front yard to cut it. So, I called the number and got a free estimate. We have small yards (about 1/4 acre lots including house!) and they wanted $45 for just the FRONT yard! My neighbors pay this weekly. It just shocked me. Instead, I put down newspaper on the carpet and pushed the mower through the house to cut the yard. Where there is a will to save, there is a way, LOL;)