My five best major investments in frugality

1. • Blowing insulation into the attic
   

Helps a lot with the comfort level inside the house, and helps to keep the power bills down

1. • Xeriscapic landscaping
   

Watering grass costs as much as a summertime power bill in 110-degree weather. Desert landscaping cuts water bills by one-half to two-thirds.

1. • Skylights
   

In the three rooms that have skylights, I never turn on a lamp in the daytime. And they make the rooms designer-gorgeous!

1. • Shade tree on west side
   

Keeps the dining room significantly cooler; keeps the climbing roses alive; keeps the power bills down.

1. • Cover over patio
   

Goodbye to the solar oven outside the family-room Arcadia door; hello, cooler family room and lower air-conditioning bills!

My five best minor investments in frugality

1. • CFLs
   

Seem to save money; at any rate, they cast a nice green glow.

1. • Sweaters & fleece coverups
   

In the wintertime, wearing these around the house allows me to set the thermostat at 62 degrees and keep it there—or actually turn the heat off altogether.

1. • Heating pad & warm socks
   

Put a pair of fluffy socks and a nightshirt under a heating pad, which itself is under the sheets and blankets, and turn the pad on “high” an hour or so before bedtime. Then turn down the thermostat for a good night’s sleep!

1. • Ceiling fans
   

These allow me to set the thermostat at 78 during the summertime and still sleep all night, even though my idea of a comfortable snoozing temperature is about 60.

1. • Crock pot
   

Best gadget ever invented to cook cheap meats, beans, and soups—and have dinner ready when you get home!

What investments in frugality have worked best for you?

frugality