Search Results for: blog the power of neighbors

How to Be Frugal When the Power is Out

Yesterday was pretty tough. I had two wet loads of laundry, a sink full of dishes to do, and about five hours of online freelance work when the power went out. My husband was working from home, as well. A tree limb had fallen on the power lines a few houses down from ours, and it blew out the transformers, leaving our neighborhood without power from 11:30 in the morning until about 5:30 in the afternoon. That is six hours without power. We were tempted to turn the generator on, as many of our neighbors did, but with gas expenses, … Continue reading →

A Problem with Neighbors

Mary Ann’s blog started me thinking about the importance of neighbors. It’s great to have good neighbors and can make living in a place difficult when they are not. While it’s great to have neighbors who are helpful and supportive, sometimes there can be too much attention. I know someone who had exactly this problem. Her neighbor treated her house almost like it was her own. As soon as the woman, who was a writer, came home from shopping or being out, the neighbor was sat the door. It got to the stage she tried to sneak into the house … Continue reading →

The Power of Neighbors

Do you have a good relationship with your neighbors? Most of us these days don’t even know much about our neighbors, let alone have a close bond with them. If you can forge a friendship with your neighbors though, it will pay off in many ways. This was especially true for us this weekend. We are dealing with a situation at home that is taking a lot of time, and our neighbors have really come through. From baby sitting to helping to clear our driveway, we have greatly benefitted from having them in our lives. Here are some ways that … Continue reading →

Did You Have A Power Outage While You Were Away?

Sometimes if you are away for more than eight hours, your home may have suffered a power outage without your knowing. This could have some serious repercussions. For example, if your power went out and your frozen food thawed and then later refroze, it won’t be safe to eat. In the winter, a power outage can mean a loss oh heat and frozen pipes that burst, causing a flood. The soon you take care of a power outage, the better. It is also good to know if you had a power outage, because your electronics can be affected. Some electronics … Continue reading →

Homeowners Guide For Action When The Power Goes Off.

There are many reasons power to a home can be disrupted. The best way to avoid losses caused by power outages is to be prepared and understand what steps you can take to reduce risk of secondary losses. Homeowners should have regular inspections of the interior and the exterior electrical wiring. Surge protections and understanding how to prevent damage to personal property is a vital preventative measure. In some areas of the country, an alternate power sources, such as generators, maybe a good idea, especially where electricity is needed to pump water from their private wells or run medical equipment. … Continue reading →

How to Talk to Your Kids about the Economic Crisis

“How can I talk to my kids about the economic crisis?” It is a common question that most parents face today. As prices on consumable goods rise, from food and gas to the cable bill, and families feel themselves pinched, even the youngest children are starting to notice that things around them are changing. Neighbors and friends may be moving away, favorite stores and restaurants may be closing, and everyone seems to have to sacrifice something they enjoy just to get through this time. Parents should see this time in our history as a teaching moment, but the lessons should … Continue reading →

Let There Be Light

If it were a crime to be eating leftover Halloween candy in late November, I’d be in jail right now. There’s something not quite right about stuffing your face with Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins while stringing up Christmas lights. Which is why I did the former rather than the latter today. Apparently, I was the only one. It seems all my neighbors were on the same page this weekend: “Let’s add some holiday twinkle to our homes while Michele polishes off her kid’s Halloween treats.” Mission accomplished. On both fronts. Listen, I’m all about decking the halls, but my family … Continue reading →

Lights Out? Work On!

As I sit here writing this evening’s blog posts, the lights in the living room are flickering. With each flicker, I wonder whether that is the moment in which we will lose our electricity to Hurricane Sandy. Since I am in Vermont, there is still plenty of time before the storm passes, so losing power is well within the range of possibilities. In fact, I went through my day today with the notion that it’s not a matter of if the power goes out, but when. After Hurricane Irene struck Vermont last year, we were without electricity for about ten … Continue reading →

Travel Smart and Save

You don’t have to be a super sleuth in order to score big savings on travel expenses. Rather, a little common sense can go a long way when you are venturing away from home. The following tips illustrate how to stretch your dollar when you are on the road: Public Transportation: Don’t underestimate the power of public transportation when you are traveling to big cities. Buses, subways and other rapid transit systems can be huge money-savers, especially if you are exploring a major metropolitan area like Chicago, New York or Washington, D.C. One way to save is to purchase a … Continue reading →

Top 5 Skills for Frugal Times

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the times that we’re in. I’ve been thinking about ecology and about frugality, and about how challenging economic and ecological times mean that we need to think hard about the skills that we develop. I’ve been considering the skills that are most useful in these times. Here’s what I’ve come up with: a list of the top five skills for frugal times. What would you add or subtract from this list? 1. Growing your own food and medicine This is something that I write about a lot. I love plants, I love being … Continue reading →