Washing Laundry

So, yesterday I was putting a load of laundry in the washer and I was thinking about one of the things I do that saves us a bit of money (I had also just read it in a book.).  

Now, it isn't the obvious thing of washing your clothes in cold water.  Oh No!  I don't quite wash my clothes all in cold water as it doesn't quite make total sense to me even though I have read in numerous places that it is a good energy, and therefore, money saving tip.  I have a top load washer, so to compromise, while I am filling up the washer, which usually takes me a couple of minutes, I turn my washer on to the setting of Warm/Cold.  Then when I am done filling and adding detergent I turn it to Cold/Cold.  Ta da!  Clothes washed mostly in cold water with some warm water for my peace of mind.

So, to my main tip which is on adding detergent and that is take a look at your bottle of laundry detergent.  If you're like me you buy your detergent based on the best cost/load.  Well, when you get home look at the measuring cap. Find the lines – usually there will be 1, 2 and the top of the cap which is way above the lines.  Then look at the bottle and find the small print that states what fill line the manufacturer used to estimate the number of loads.  Fill the cap to that line and you will use the right amount of laundry detergent and, theoretically, get the number of loads on the bottle.    Now if you were filling it to the top of the cap that is quite a significant savings. 

A non-money benefit of a single salary

Even though this is a money blog, I am going to start with a non-monetary reason for being a housewife.  That is that it gives my husband and I more time for each other.  Who doesn't want to have more quality time with their spouse?

Let me give you an example:  Today is Saturday.  My husband, ironically, is working for the 2nd Saturday this year.   OH NO!  You think!  We can't get all the pile of things that have to be done on a Saturday done!   Well, what did I do on a Saturday when I was working:  yardwork, cleaning the house, laundry, renovations, try to spend some quality time with my husband, walk our dog, etc..   Well, the first three things I can do during the week when he is working and I am not.  The renovation work I can help my husband with so that when he isn't working he is ready to go on our renovation.  The quality time with husband can actually happen which is what I would much rather do and walking our dog can be done while he is working on renovation work. So, less stressful, more time for each other, yes, less money to spend, but better all around.

About Me

I am married with no children and my husband has a good full time job but the pay is not glamorous.  We chose to have him keep this job to provide more time with myself (and hopefully a future family) and because the benefits and holiday pay are great.   He has had the option in the past to go to a better paying job but has chosen not to due to the hours required.

Lifestyle is quite important to us.  Since we have always planned on having kids but do not have them yet we have chosen to live off his salary.  This also enables me to be a 3/4 time housewife at this time even though it was not in the original plans.  However, we also must watch our money closely, hence, my reason for writing a blog.