Saving Money as Prices Increase

[daugen]

I think those oil filled radiator heaters are a great idea if you have some supplemental way of moving the air around in the room, like a ceiling fan.
Plus they are so quiet.
How to save money?
1. don't buy the new truck I want until the dealers stop gouging and we get back to normal
2. always look for the yellow tags for clearance food at supermarket. Might not apply to old fish...
3. turn the house heat down at night and turn up my electric bed mattress pad.
4. use food wisely, throw out less, make creative leftovers
5. cut down on fast food now that a burger, fries and drink are ten bucks
6. More hugs to keep warm...

 

[Oaktree]

a heat pump produces up to three times the energy it consumes because it transfers rather than creates heat.

Huh? Are you saying it's greater than 100% efficient?

 

[RickB]

Advantages of Heat Pumps for Energy Efficiency | Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc

A heat pump is considered one of the most energy-efficient methods for heating and cooling a home, especially compared to homes heated with baseboard electric heat or propane heated homes. With the improvements in technology over the last 5 years, heat pumps are becoming competitive even in...

tristate.coop

What’s the efficiency performance of heat pumps?​

Under ideal conditions, a heat pump can transfer 300 percent more energy than it consumes, compared to a high-efficiency gas furnace’s 95 percent rating. This performance metric for heat pumps is also referred to as the coefficient of performance, or COP. Because of this efficiency, electric heat pumps can also save substantially on fuel consumption.

 

[arto98607]

I realize that. However, a heat pump is thousands of dollars. My oil filled radiators cost me $10 at a yard sale, the external thermostat cost me around $50. At 7$/month to run them, I would be a long time paying for that heat pump.

Are you saying it costs $7 per month in electricity to heat your whole house with oil filled radiators - or is it just one room part time (IE. when occupied)?

We had a two stage (about 11 kW max output) geothermal heat-pump installed back in 2003 and I certainly have no regrets.

When it runs it's usually on one stage only 90%+ of the time & pulling little over 2 kW.

It's also an excellent low kW operation AC

 

[shooterdon]

We had a very large garden when I was growing up and there were 6 of us to feed. The last garden I had was about 20 years ago and I learned a lesson. For a household of two, there are not enough savings and the work is not worth it. The taste of fresh vegetables is great but I can live without it. Just lazy and cheap I guess.

We also raised rabbits and meat chickens. I never got back into it and glad I did not.

I buy a lot of food on sale and in bulk. Invested in a higher end vacuum sealer for meat to make meat purchases last longer.

I do a bit of bartering and that is a win-win for both parties. Some of it involves tractor work but I will never wear out my tractor so the hours are meaningless.

 

[Jstpssng]

Are you saying it costs $7 per month in electricity to heat your whole house with oil filled radiators - or is it just one room part time (IE. when occupied)?

We had a two stage (about 11 kW max output) geothermal heat-pump installed back in 2003 and I certainly have no regrets.

When it runs it's usually on one stage only 90%+ of the time & pulling little over 2 kW.

It's also an excellent low kW operation AC

It's a small house, and the heater only runs when I'm not around to tend the wood stove.
My main concern is keeping my plants and pipes from freezing, so while all rooms get some heat there are only 2 (Kitchen & bathroom) which stay around 50 degrees.

My mother just had a new water heater put in which I believe is a version of a heat pump. Not only does it save her money, but also keeps the cellar a bit less damp.

 

[Alan W.]

We had a very large garden when I was growing up and there were 6 of us to feed. The last garden I had was about 20 years ago and I learned a lesson. For a household of two, there are not enough savings and the work is not worth it. The taste of fresh vegetables is great but I can live without it. Just lazy and cheap I guess.

We also raised rabbits and meat chickens. I never got back into it and glad I did not.

I buy a lot of food on sale and in bulk. Invested in a higher end vacuum sealer for meat to make meat purchases last longer.

I do a bit of bartering and that is a win-win for both parties. Some of it involves tractor work but I will never wear out my tractor so the hours are meaningless.

You hit upon something that you do not hear of it as much as you use to. Barter.
We do that a lot. It is advantageous for both parties and if ya conscience allows tax free.

 

[Snobdds]

Bitcoin is the Keynesian neurotoxin.

It's not just supply chains causing this, the fed increased the money supply by 20% in one year. What do they think is going to happen.

I'm not totally sold on crypto, but seeing how it's preforming during rapid inflation is very interesting. Gold and silver are no longer the place people put money to counter inflation...it's not things like bitcoin.

 

[shooterdon]

Bitcoin is the Keynesian neurotoxin.

It's not just supply chains causing this, the fed increased the money supply by 20% in one year. What do they think is going to happen.

I'm not totally sold on crypto, but seeing how it's preforming during rapid inflation is very interesting. Gold and silver are no longer the place people put money to counter inflation...it's not things like bitcoin.

I am not smart enough to understand bitcoin or stuff like that. I think I understand inflation and cannot comment on it without getting political. But hard assets will hold value.

Folks are in for a rough ride...of that I am pretty sure. Some folks are talking about the "Great Reset". Not sure what that means and do not care much. Gas/diesel at $5/gal will not matter much in my situation. At 71, I just want to be left alone to enjoy my little slice of heaven until the Father calls me home.

I remain optimistic that this too shall pass.

 

[ultrarunner]

You are not alone as I hear the sentiment from a lot of my retired friends and neighbors...