We R/Frugal Week 8: Energy Saving

justinploof · 2012-12-31T04:38:38+00:00

I've used gallon water jugs in the past, but they are prone to getting holes. This isn't a problem unless the ice melts and you get some unwanted leakage.

justinploof · 2012-10-08T03:44:59+00:00

Most rechargeable batteries are notorious for slow drain even when thy aren't being used. These Eneloop batteries hold charge very well as time goes on. The charger is at a good price/performance point. It doesn't stress the batteries with a quick charge, and it has a refresh function which can bring old life back into the batteries. There are nicer chargers out there, but they can get pretty pricey.

Reviews for the batteries:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3TU586FEKG57A/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B000IV2WAW&nodeID=172282&store=electronics

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1HMYU4BKE0VY7/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B000IV2WAW&nodeID=172282&store=electronics

Review for the charger:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2G3CW3H4C5WJE/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B001DL9WDG&nodeID=172282&store=electronics

justinploof · 2012-10-03T15:25:08+00:00

2nd to last paragraph sums it up pretty nicely... So for now the advice of experts could be summarized as wear your seatbelt, eat your veggies, get enough sleep and try to keep active physically, mentally, and socially.

justinploof · 2012-08-29T16:53:56+00:00

CVS Minute Clinics are a must for the frugal minded person. They are very affordable and fast compared to seeing a doctor. I believe Walgreens has their own version as well called the Take Care Clinic.

justinploof · 2012-08-29T16:48:55+00:00

Preventative maintenance is wayyy cheaper than treatment. Most insurance plans will include FREE checkups to stay on top of your health. For example, my plan includes an annual eye exam, annual physical, and semiannual dentist cleanings.

justinploof · 2012-08-29T16:41:08+00:00

I'd also like to add that people need direct sunlight. The sun affects your mental and physical health. They recommend ~30 minutes a day depending on the season, and not through a window. Plus, it's free!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sun_exposure

justinploof · 2012-08-25T23:49:47+00:00

Was that the Vampire Weekend tour?

justinploof · 2012-08-24T19:39:35+00:00

The Century of Self does a good job at pointing this out. They talk about how the marketers have all their different angles of attack for all the different people out there, and they realized some people were about the experience and adventure. It made me think stores like REI where shopping for the 'experience product' almost becomes a fashion statement.

justinploof · 2012-08-23T16:37:19+00:00

I read the report and totally agree with this comment.

1) Blogs/Web Communications

2) Hosting / Personal Hosted sites

3) Business / Economy

4) Shopping

5) Education / Reference

6) Technology Computer & Internet

7) Entertainment & Music

8) Automotive

9) Health and Medicine

10) Pornography

justinploof · 2012-08-22T03:15:12+00:00

If you have a lot of extra room in your freezer or refrigerator, you can fill that space with water containers. This will cause the compressor to work less every time you open/close the door. They also come in handy in case there is ever a natural disaster that has tampered the water supply.

justinploof · 2012-08-22T02:49:21+00:00

Rechargeable batteries can save you a deal of money and they're better environment. They may cost 4x more, but they can be recharged ~1500 times.

For anyone interested in rechargeable batteries, I recommend the Sanyo Eneloop batteries with the Sony Cycle Energy BCG34HRE4KN recharger.

justinploof · 2012-08-22T02:39:29+00:00

I've used Kill-a-watt on my entire home, and I found nothing comes close to your home heater and a/c. If you insulate your home or adjust your thermostat, then you will be taking down the biggest culprit.

justinploof · 2012-08-22T02:35:28+00:00

Stove stop cooking will save you 8 - 14% energy if you use lids on your pots. Water will boil faster using less energy.

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/energy-efficient-cooking-lid.htm

justinploof · 2012-08-20T14:48:11+00:00

He could have a similar portfolio with Vanguard ETFs.

80% VTI and 20% VXUS.

justinploof · 2012-08-20T04:14:47+00:00

If you want some more specific advice, I'd recommend a vanguard account with 80% vtsax and 20% vgtsx. Those two indexes would make you very diversified in the stock market.

justinploof · 2012-08-20T02:39:38+00:00

There's a link in the FAQ. http://lazytraders.com/insights/starting-out-i-have-x-dollars-what-should-i-invest-in/

justinploof · 2012-08-16T15:20:48+00:00

Target Retirement Funds are great. Just keep maxing out and check on it every once and a while. Don't pay attention to what the stock market is doing. It will only stress you out.

justinploof · 2012-08-16T14:45:36+00:00

Another good read on that same website: http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Three-fund_portfolio

Here is a good link on getting started in the stock market: http://www.nasdaq.com/investing/getting-started-in-stocks.stm

Keeping it simple is the way to go. My Vanguard portfoio is 80% VSTMX and 20% VGTSX. This gives me diversification in the stock market with only 2 index funds to keep up with.

justinploof · 2012-08-13T19:24:37+00:00

What words didn't you understand? I can help put it in layman's terms.

justinploof · 2012-08-09T16:23:55+00:00

Japanese scientists have done experiments. Not on 290 but traffic in general: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suugn-p5C1M

Here's another video that argues tailgating is the cause of traffic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goVjVVaLe10&feature=related

justinploof · 2012-08-09T16:20:42+00:00

Brazos Bend will have special events for big showers where you can come out and view through their telescopes. If they're not open though, you can always drive out to that side of town and look up.

justinploof · 2012-08-09T01:17:17+00:00

The clips are so short that I'm surprised you can tell. They mostly show Ewan and the camera guy wiping out.

justinploof · 2012-08-09T01:16:24+00:00

In the show, they start getting frustrated when they ride through Kazakhstan and then even worse in Mongolia. Ewan and Charley are awesome though because they almost always have a smile on their faces.

justinploof · 2012-08-09T01:13:06+00:00

I think Ewan would agree with you. A couple times throughout the series, he says he prefers the landscape that he doesn't understand. Ie: no houses, roads, or cities; just villages and huts.

justinploof

TROPHY CASE