So for the last 2 years I’ve been collecting recipes for plain cleaners and wanting to go “green” and cheap, and have done nothing. Nothing! I tell you. I am ashamed.
At least we have our 72-hour kits and a good supply of food laid in (but what WE have depends on electricity, yipes). I also have Amy Dacyczyn’s book, The Tightwad Gazette, and there are all sorts of resources online to help pare down.
It’s time for the Mojo-Dude Family to turn Yank: Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
First thing to go: Water cooler and associated water delivery service.
Second thing: Homemade cleaners, coming right up! No more Scrubbing Bubbles or Simple Green, no matter how much I love thee.
Third thing: Homemade bribes for the Tax Deductions. No more “if you eat your dinner, I’ll let you have a [insert store-bought treat here].” This means I will have to, uhm, bake. I’m not a bad cook, nor a bad baker. I don’t loathe and despise and spit upon the act of baking, either. I just don’t care for it much. Today’s bribery stock-up baking: goodie cookies also known as Russian tea cakes.
December 12th, 2008 at 12:23 am
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Lady Steed’s baking-soda-paste, vinegar, boiling-water concoction does wonders on our easily clogging pipes. Like magic, I tell ya.
December 12th, 2008 at 3:14 am
I love baking.
December 12th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Well, you know, I’d rather just have a housekeeper and personal chef, but Dude says no.
December 12th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Ummm…no I didn’t.
December 12th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I remember Amy!
*It’s time for the Mojo-Dude Family to turn Yank: Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.*
I’m actually making a mixed media collage with that on it! My Nana used to say it all the time, and she was a depression kid. So I’m going to hang it in the kitchen.
I’ve cracked down on the Hatchlings, myself. No more throwing out glasses and glasses of fresh OJ. IF I throw out one, they get water to drink for the rest of the day. And I bake. I hate to add to her vast empire, but Martha has excellent recipes. Or my next favorite are the oatmeal cookies on the oatmeal cardboard container but I put Crasins and raisins in them and then before baking roll them in sugar. They get extra chewy. The next favorite is Sheila Lukins USA Cookbook. She did the Silver Palate if you remember those (I have them too, but I use this one the most). And I’m DYING to get Jamie at Home, but I’ll pick that up after Christmas for myself.
I’m a foodie, could you tell?
And yo, Dude didn’t say you couldn’t get a maid and cook. Make sure she’s over 60 and her name is Eustace.
December 12th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Eva, I fixed your link for you; hope you don’t mind.
Actually, what Dude SAID off-blog is, “Sure, if you can fit it into the budget.” Well, pffftt. That’s like telling TD#1 she can have a pony if she saves her money. And she doesn’t have a job. Cause she’s 5.
I have the Fannie Farmer cookbook and the red Betty Crocker cookbook from the ’70s. I also have an old James Beard bread book (I’ve only made bread about 3 times in my life). I’m not sure MAKING bread is cost-effective since it takes up my time I could be making money.
And I don’t think any of my cookbooks have the word “margarine” in them.
You need to post a pic!
December 12th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Oooh! I love talking about Green Geekiness!
Vinegar and water in a spray bottle is great for the kitchen. Vinegar and baking soda’ll clean just about anything. I’m still a bleach fanatic when it comes to the bathroom, though.
December 12th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I like green because it’s cheap and my ADD is very grateful when I Get Rid of Stuff. Going green lets me do that.
I must admit I’m not keen on giving up the Comet. It’s cheap and it works and I like it. It has a comforting smell.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I want to be a green cleaner. I surely do. I’m just too f’ing lazy! A friend told me about the vinegar/water thing but I’m afraid my house will smell like a salad (more than it already does), or a yeast infection (more than I already have).
If I’m wrong, here, just let me know.
December 12th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
.
Not to worry: You’re wrong.
December 12th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
“Make sure she’s over 60 and her name is Eustace”
LOL
“A friend told me about the vinegar/water thing but I’m afraid my house will smell like a salad (more than it already does), or a yeast infection (more than I already have)”
eeeewwww………TMI!!!
December 12th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
MoJo, Dude, we’re all friends here! Let me tell you about my last episode of diarrhea…
December 13th, 2008 at 12:32 am
I’ve heard vinegar is a good all natural cure for diarrhea.
December 13th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Sure, Kel. If you want your bathroom to smell like a salad. How about olive oil for your hemmorhoids? (Actually, that might really work!)
December 13th, 2008 at 8:35 am
I’m not hungry anymore.
December 13th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I’m sorry, man married to woman whose book has hands on boobs on naked body on cover. You must have a very delicate sensibility. No more GI/salad fixings talk. We’ll stick to hands on naked boobs on book cover talk from now on.
December 13th, 2008 at 10:26 am
No, really. You have no idea what unpleasantness this man has done for me in the name of love. I’ll spare you. You’re welcome. LOL!!!
December 13th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
yes, PLEEEAAASSSEEE….spare them!!!