Sometimes you stumble across stuff, which can actually save you money or make life easier. Recently I have discovered some things which I am loving and wanted to share.
Kikki.K
This shop is deadly for me. I found so many things I love in their but most of all was the receipt book. This would be such a fantastic tool for anyone wanting to track their spending. You can write your expenses and there is a pocket to keep all the receipts.
Hot water bottle
I have not used one of these since I was a kid. I do have a couple of heat packs I occasionally use but the other week I got a gift card for a shop with so many things, and one of items my kids picked up were hot water bottles. With electricity prices set to soar I thought they are definitely something I want and the covers are too cute.
Viva
I am in love with their bathroom wipes. Usually I am a DIY/all natural kind of girl since it is cheaper. These wipes make cleaning so easy though. I just wipe the shower down when I need to and my kids actually love to do it. They discovered a packet and had a great time ‘cleaning’ the shower. Using the wipes they actually did a pretty good job!
Viva have a whole range of wipes but I have only been able to use the shower fast/soap scum ones so far, I will let you know later what I think of the rest. I really need to use the screen ones on all the screens in our house! I was rather skeptical of these wipes as I don’t see them as a need and will still do a thorough clean in my usual way when needed but these wipes are brilliant for keeping on top of the bathroom and for getting rid of soap scum.
Books for my kids
At the Digital Parents Conference I got given 2 books to check out. I almost didn’t take the Thomas one as we thought it might be a little too young for my daughters. But as it turns out just after the conference we find out that my eldest has development issues and this book is more her level. My kids LOVE it. Not only have we been reading it, but we point out all the colours, ask questions about things being above or below, on or in, count things etc. It is a simple book but has been great with helping my daughter.
The other book was this Winnie the Pooh counting one. My 3 year old is into counting everything and loves this book. I love that it is the old style Winnie the Pooh too. The illustrations are great and being a board book my daughter can’t rip it apart, well she hasn’t tried yet.
Johnsons and Aveeeno
Lastly I was given some Johnsons No More Tangles and some Aveeno baby products to try. The No More Tangles has been fantastic for my children’s hair. They have curls and my 3yr olds hair easily goes to dreadlocks, which can be very frustrating. I have made my own detangler before, which to me is very similar to the Johnsons one, but I had more luck with my kids being willing to have me brush their hair with a ‘real product’ vs my home made one. Not sure why, but hey, if it works I won’t complain!
Aveeno is a brand I love. I discovered their body wash and moisturizer a few years ago and absolutely love them, so was more than happy to test out their baby range. My youngest daughter had rather sensitive skin when she was younger but Aveeno is so gentle she has not had any issues with it. Recently my skin started to really dry out, so I decided to try it myself and I am really happy with how gentle it is on my skin.
Giveaway
I know this is the part in this post you are all interested in. Well one lucky reader gets a Johnsons No More Tangles Set and an Aveeno set, the same ones I tried.
All you have to do is be following me on Facebook, twitter or my newsletter then leave a comment telling me your best tip for saving electricity in 25 words or less.
Good luck!
(I did receive Viva, Johnsons and Aveeno products, and the books for free, but the opinions are my own.)
Open to Australian residents only. Entries close May 10th 2012)
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Monitor your usage. Put on the washing machine and dishwasher in off peak times. Surf the internet on your phone rather than on your computer.
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Use a low-wattage lamp when watching TV instead of ceiling lights; dine by candlelight a few nights a week – dinners become fun and romantic!
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Train your kids from an early age to switch out lights when they leave a room and switch off TV when no one is watching.
Pretend the dryer is broken, use an airer in sunny place during the day, and place in lounge room overnight.
Turn everything off at the wall. We have solar panels and smart power metre so we use the high power items at the cheaper time.
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Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
Try and use the microwave a lot more than the oven, as they use less electricity!
Choose a front loading washing machine,Use shorter wash cycles,,If you’re using the clothes dryer, fill it – it’s more efficient to dry a full load.
Put on a jumper instead of turning up the heating. This saves a huge amount of electricity.
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Layer up instead of turning up the heater at home. I follow up via email newsletter! I am still not on facebook yet, keeping a low profile…
I subscribe to your blog via email & follow you on Facebook.
Hot water bottle and blanket on the sofa for winter evening telly watching or reading, instead of cranking up the heater!
We all go to bed at a reasonable hour. Power points are checked and all appliances except fridge are turned off at the power point. Follow via E Mail.
Use cold water when washing clothes and wash only full loads of clothing.
Following on twitter, liker on facebook and am subscribed via email
Have regular “Earth Hours”. Play board games, puzzles, dominoes or memory games with the kids with battery-operated torches for light.
We recently brought a front loader to save running costs and water and also wash in cold water. And we make sure we turn lights off when leaving a room
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@KazEdwards23
We have low-energy lights and try and keep them off as much as possible plus we have now turned off our 2nd fridge.
Follower on facebook, twitter & email *stalking!*
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We’ve implemented a reward system with the kids to turn off appliances and switches. They earn screen time and we cut our electricity bills…YAY!
Plan your cooking to use electricity fully- cook two meals at once or put more than one thing in the oven and count the savings!
Upgrade as many appliances as possible to newer technology as they are now built to use as less electricity as possible
check where your second fridge or freezer is. Ours was in our garage – the only room that does NOT have insulation in – and gets the hottest in summer!!! there was our second freezer chugging its little heart out trying to keep up! we moved it into the laundry – and now hardly hear the motor going. Don’t make it hard work for your appliances – think of the best place for them – out of the sun, cooler area of the house etc.