We don't use air conditioning because....

"We don't use air conditioning because it makes it too hot outside."  Anonymous

We have yet to turn on our air conditioner this year - except for about 20 minutes of run time about two months ago during a bout of extreme humidity - I am determined to make it through the summer without it.

Mind you - I'm not bragging about it.  We have had an unusually mild spring, with evening temps consistently in the 60's and sometimes even 50's.  This has made it relatively easy to resist flipping the thermostat switch from "off" to "cool."   It has also helped that the upstairs AC unit isn't working.  My husband turned it on about two weeks ago to "test" the system and nothing happened. [ Insert evil grin here - and no I did not sabotage it - but fate took a firm hand. ]

Most nights, the boys have been sleeping in the cool basement.  Hubby and I are doing fine upstairs with the windows open and with the ceiling and circulating fans running.

Funny thing - our body thermostats seem to be adjusting to the rising temps.  Twice in the past two weeks, while outside in the evening, I've had to don a light jacket.  Seriously - I was shivering in the cool night air.  We went to a movie a few weeks back and I remembered that the theaters are heavily air conditioned, so I brought along my windbreaker.  Thanks goodness I did.  My boys have even commented on how cold the grocery stores seem to be.  Take my word for it - none of this would have happened if we had been living in an artificially cooled home.    Yes indeed - we are adjusting.  Since we will have to work outside in the garden whatever the outside temps, this internal thermostat change is welcome indeed.

Can we make it through the oppressive heat and humidity of July and August in Maryland?  Only time will tell.  But when we started this experiment, we were sure we couldn't sleep comfortably if the bedroom was above 80 degrees.  Last night it was 84 degrees when we went to bed and we managed just fine.

Today I purchased a new book entitled, "Losing our Cool, Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air Conditioned World, and Finding New Ways to Get through the Summer," by Stan Cox.  Hopefully, reading it will provide us with an extra measure of motivation and increase our determination to persevere - even as the temperatures (both outside and in) continue to rise.

It's around 5:00 p.m. and a thunderstorm is approaching.  Perhaps it will cool things off?  

For further reading, check out these links:
The Unchilled Life, NY Times
Living Without AC and Liking It

This Isn't Paying Me - Value Measuring Methodology

Grow Food - Save Money?

I convinced my family to work harder on our 2013 garden in order to save money.

Surprisingly, more than a few dedicated gardeners report that their gardens cost them as much, or more, than it would for them to buy their produce at the local grocery store.

So,  I've been keeping track of the labor and expenses associated with our 2013 garden as well as our invested man-hours.  When we arrive at the end of the growing season, we will have a very accurate record of the dollars we have invested vs. the monetary value of the produce we have harvested.

To date, we are approximately $100 in the red.  However, I'm using the non-organic produce prices rather than organic.  Since we use no chemicals in the garden, my produce would actually cost more than the prices I'm recording.  However, since we will be strapped for cash when the furloughs kick in, I doubt I will be buying organic produce anyway, so the spreadsheet will remain unchanged.

What do you think?  Will we end up spending as much money, or more, on the produce we are growing?  Are you among those who question the value of putting time into the building, weeding, watering and harvesting the garden requires.  Do you ask, "If I make $$$ per hour, wouldn't it be more cost effective for me to work more hours and buy my produce at the local grocer?" 

Only time will tell.  However, whatever the bottom line reveals, I will garden as long as I  am physically able and have a piece of ground upon which to invest my time, creativity and strength. 

Why?  Well, consider this quote by an unknown author:  

There are so many men who can figure costs, and so few who can measure values.

Yes, for me it's not just about the costs, but also about measuring values.  To do that I must measure my alternatives.  Enter "Value Measuring Methodology."  I intend to research it and apply it to my gardening efforts. Stay tuned for the results.

In the meantime, feel free to weigh in on the subject.

Trimming the Budget by Line Drying Clothes...

Each dryer load costs us approximately $0.65 in electricity.  Since we run about 9 loads of wash per week, line drying our clothes saves us approximately $25 per month.  While on the surface this is not much money, our furlough budget is so tight that an extra $25 per month puts a bit more gas in my Prius.  So hang we will.

Budget Trimming

We have always had a budget of sorts.  However, we started using YNAB (You Need a Budget) this past January.  Right now we're working hard to first pay off both cars and then will start building up our buffer.  Once the furloughs begin, there will be just barely enough to keep up with those living expenses which are absolute necessities, but without the YNAB system, we would be up the proverbial creek without a paddle.  You can read more about this great budget software on their website http://www.youneedabudget.com.