Well, it seems like I haven’t been here for ages. This is Mr. Dirty Boots in case you had forgotten about me.
In an effort to ensure we can continue our self sufficient life on our mountainside I have been spending the last few months learning all there is to know about Internet marketing and making money via the Internet. Amazing what you can do with a laptop, a solar panel and a satellite Internet connection really.
It has gone surprisingly well and I can see us being able to easily support our lifestyle whilst making money online via what is known as “niche marketing”. Working from home has so many advantages to doing building work for others I can’t begin to tell you how pleased I am.
Anyway, not really the subject of this post but if you are interested in how to be your own boss and make money for free via writing blogs (not like this one though, it’s not here to make money really) and other such things via the Internet if you leave a comment I may be persuaded to reveal how to do it. We are actually now earning an OK living via our endeavours which at least makes us feel secure for our future.
This is not to say we don’t still save money whenever possible and this tip actually came about by accident.
Because we live off grid we have a fridge that runs on gas. A large bottle normally lasts about just under four weeks making it expensive to run. Now, a number of weeks ago the thermocouple broke. This means that it won’t stay lit as the sensor thinks the pilot has gone out and won’t allow the gas through. Something like that anyway.
Repairing it is on the ever increasing “to do” list. In an effort to get it working in the meantime I rigged something up to keep the ignition button depressed so I can light it. Obviously this is not safe when we are out or in bed as there is no sensor working to cut of the gas if the pilot goes out.
So, we turn it off every night.
The result?
The same amount of gas lasts twice as long.
As long as the door is kept closed it seems to make no difference to the temperature of the food in the fridge or small freezer compartment in the morning. I haven’t tried it with a load of raw meat in the fridge and I don’t know if it would still last as long but it has certainly worked amazingly well for keeping all manner of cooked foods, chickens etc.
If you want a really simple way to cut your electricity bill then instead of purchasing a new highly efficient A+ rated fridge why not just turn yours off before you go to bed. You could even plug it into an inexpensive timer so you don’t even need to remember to do it.
I have no idea how much electric it uses to run a fridge freezer but it all adds up. If you have been conserving electricity by ensuring that you turn off the lights wehen not in use and never leading things on stand-by then you can add this to your arsenal.
Obviously any food that goes off is Mrs. Dirty Boots fault and not mine as she told me to write about this!
Just joking. Give it a try and see if your groceries are still as fresh and cool the next day. If it works you could be looking at some significant savings.
By the way, please don’t jury rig your gas fridge like I did, I don’t want to be held responsible by the gas police if you blow up.
Hopefully I will be here a lot more often now we have sorted out the finances somewhat and I will have more time.
For a more self sufficient future
Great post thanks! I would love to know more about niche marketing if you wouldn’t mind sharing!
Hi Guys,
Love the blog, it’s given us loads of ideas for when we get out to portugal next month. We’d be really interested to know about the internet business that you’ve embarked upon, We currently sell t shirts online but would love to find some different options for making money with the laptop online.
Your’s
John
Ho! Ho! Ho! Mr Dirtyboots you nearly had me falling off my chair. Writing blogs that are generally about ‘not buying stuff’ is definitely not the way to go with internet marketing, I’m with you there -but wish you well with your other on-line endevours!
Before we got our inverter we used to use a fridge that ran on gas but we abandoned it in the end because it’s mostly cold enough most of the year just to leave stuff outdoors. We also decided that people seem to refrigerate an awful lot of stuff that is already preserved in the first place. When did people start refrigerating jam?
Hey Mr. Dirty Boots,
it sounds like you have a lovely setup there. I would be very interested in any advise you could provide around making some money out of blogging. I had a nice day dream about doing the same and giving up the rat race which is really killing me !!! Any advise is greatly appreciated.
Conor
I’m interested in how you’re making a living from online! Go on you know you want to tell us!
Hi Everyone
I will write a few posts soon all about how to make money on the Internet.
Anyone could do it but you must put in the work. There is no short cut, it does take dedication.
Goo,
I wish we could say the same. It’s been so hot here this month. Aparently the hottest for 80 years.
Mrs.Dirty Boots was just saying yesterday that it saves her loads of time though. About all I have worn for the past month is a pair of shorts. No need for the washing machine.
I will writes some posts this week all about Internet marketing so keep an eye out.
interesting post – I’d been considering the idea of going fridge-free for several months and finally did a couple weeks ago. So far so good. I sold the fridge and have a so much extra space in my tiny kitchen. I love it! I’ll be interested to see what my utility bill is next month.
Thanks for the tip, sounds good but I don’t think the missus will go for it unfortunately. Have you guys tried solar cookers ? Free cooking, but I have often wondered how effective they are.
Hmmm… you got me thinking…
The defrost heater went out in my electric fridge a few months ago so I’ve been moving the freezer contents to the fridge and turning off the unit with the freezer door open for several hours, once every few days. Even as I write.
I already have a decent timer, so I’m going to try your overnight off-method and see if I can skip the defrosts, at least till I can spring for the chest freezer fridge.
ps. I have a mental image of using a pair of supports like are used for car hatchbacks to allow installation of racks on the lid of the freezer-fridge for condiments, some produce and eggs, and light items. Just to share…
It should definitely work well just turning the fridge off and i love the idea about the chest freezer door. It is still working amazingly well and I wish I had converted a freezer ages ago.
Oh yea! I want to hear about the money!
this is one great way to save, I also freeze bottles and jugs of water,tea,what have you this helps keep the freezer cold when off like to hear more about making money online I am disabled and every little bit helps thanks for a great site
Great ideas jayne. Thanks for the tips. Take a look at http://aselfsufficientlife.com/make-money-online.html which I wrote a few years ago now.
please share with me how I can make money writing a blog and how to do it. I am 54 lost my job over a year ago and have gone on more interviews than I care to admit, no job as a result. I want to buy land and a small one floor home to live with my husband. I plant what I can now but my space is very limited and I want to be able to grow all our food. Thank you for any help you are willing to give.