Great Ways To Save Money And Turn Green Hunt

aandpsclare

Totally agree, we have managed to survive almost 38 years and brought up 2 children without one. The static clothes driers were an even bigger waster of energy, hence money. The clothes line, even in a city home, provides the best way of free drying BUT if this is not available due to rain/freezing then a number of less satisfactory methods can be use provided you think about it and are prepared for the clothes being around a bit longer.

harryhound

Jay1 wrote: »

Now if only I could think of an ethical way to force people to share my point of view :think:

Move to China: One Child permit issued once you are 21, otherwise an abortion unless you are rich enough to pay the fine?

The cost of bringing up a child is a 6 figure sum. I have nothing against children provided parents accept their responsibilities and pay the majority of the costs.
I would also like to see teenage children being forced to care for one of those dolls that behaves like a baby, with serious sanctions for allowing it to "die". There is far too much "hearts and flowers" propaganda about getting pregnant and raising a family. It is a risky business and damned hard work.

Immigration should not be the solution. If it costs a 6 figure sum to raise a child in the UK, I cannot see how an almost feral illegal immigrant child solves anything. If the child has received a good education in its home country, are we robbing that country by taking away its educated minority ? Perhaps there could be a limited licence for people to work here as part of their development and mutually advantageous all round?

Traditionally societies have "solved" the excess fertility problem by dedicating some of their children to a religious institution (perhaps we are doing that by worshipping materialism?). If they did not do this crop failure tended to produce the same effect the hard way.

[Thinks the world is now it its third year of food deficit]

geordie_joe

harryhound wrote: »

Move to China: One Child permit issued once you are 21, otherwise an abortion unless you are rich enough to pay the fine?

Unfortunately that has it's own problems.

When you can only have one child you want a boy, as he will carry on the family name and earn money to support you in your old age. Where as a girl will marry into another family so your name will die and she won't support you in your old age.

This has resulted in 40 million girls been aborted in china, as the parents need a boy. It has also resulted in a high price being paid for baby boys, and around 190 per day are snatched.

This also will have a negative effect in the future when there will be a shortage of girls.

I'm sure it will mean that sooner or later the population of China will fall, as there won't be as many females producing babies. But by then half the male population of China will have emigrated to find love!

harryhound

I agree. The pressure of population is heading us into unknown territory a long way from the "Janet & John" books for educating children.

Parts of India have birth statistics far removed from the "natural" (I believe that is something like 102 boys to 98 girls), we all know what is making the difference - scanning the foetus.

Urban Chinese young women, just like urbanised young Irish women of a generation ago, are realising that they don't have to spend the rest of their life bare foot and pregnant in the kitchen. There is still a taboo in China about matters sexual, but I think it is a generational thing, similar to Britain in the post WW2 years. However China is really more like a continent than a country, and it is only the cities that have burst through into the 21srt century.

Linguistic_Chimp

I really want to try the Ecozone Ecoballs, but I don't know the cheapest place to buy them. Does anyone know?

Also, anyone have any experiences of using them?

guineapig

I bought the Eco balls and the noise of them thumping arround in the washer was a bit irritating!

So I took the "spare" pellets they give you with the set and put them in two layers of old tights and knotted the end.

This "mesh" allows the water to flow through and has the same effect as the balls, but takes up less room in the washer and makes less noise:D (When I found that was better I dismantled the balls and " bagged up" the rest of the pellets in the same way:p

However, I can't say that I think that they are anything special, for a start stain removing was an issue, you need to spot treat things before they go in, which to me defeats the object of "washing" the stuff with this so called laundry powder/liquid substitute.
I have found that using Washing soda ( and nothing else) is the best way for me.

It means there is no soap scum on anything, it is wayyyyyyyyy cheaper than laundry products and the washing soda also can be used for other things around the house.

The clothes don't smell of anything when you take them out of the washer( it depends on your own personal view if this is a "good" or "bad" thing).

You can buy an awful lot of washing soda for the price of these eco balls!


HTH?

Linguistic_Chimp

How would you use washing soda? I've never done anything like that before...

geordie_joe

Linguistic_Chimp wrote: »

How would you use washing soda? I've never done anything like that before...

I just use it like soap powder, the amount I use depends on how bad the clothes are.

I have eco balls, but they are only good for things that just need freshening up. They can't manage stains, so I usually add some soda too.

It's only 52p per kilo at wilkinsons, or 65p at my local Somerfield which is still far cheaper than even the cheapest soap powder.

I also save the bits of soap and when they are dry I grate them, then bung them in the wizzy thing and make them into powder to add to the soda. Got to watch it tho, of you have the wizzy thing on too long it makes really fine powder that gets up your nose when you take the lid off.

MoJo

Linguistic_Chimp wrote: »

How would you use washing soda? I've never done anything like that before...

You need to pay a visit to the OS Board You can find out all about using washing soda, making your own washing powder mix, and using all manner of things like bicarb and vinegar

shirefairy

I've cut down on cleaning products. No separate spray for the bathroom, kitchen, windows, polish etc etc I just use a diluted multi-surface cleaner (ecover if you're interested) in an old spray bottle for everything. Saves a small fortune and reduces chemical use in the home.

Also don't bother with fabric softener and haven't noticed a difference.

I've really cut back on toiletries as well - no liquid hand soap or shower gel any more just a bar of soap. cheaper and less plastic packaging. Don't bother with deodorants and no one has ever complained :rotfl:Only buy asda smart price loo rolls which are made from a 100% recyled paper and cheap - bonus!

Haven't been brave enough to try a moon cup yet...anyone else?

Have never used airfreshners - open a window!!!

Also cut back on plastic food bags by reusing the packaging my bread and other food comes in and digging out some of the forgotten tupperware from the back of the cupboard.

I don't know why I ever used to fall for all of the 'products' out there...something to do with the advertising and nice packaging probably :mad: It's all an unnecessary con.