Saving Money - Then and Now.

Thinking about how saved money in childhood in semi-rural Nova Scotia.
- burned wood (from wood lot).
- raised chickens (fed bread and leftovers).
- drove old car.
- gardened (potatoes, peas, tomatoes, strawberries).
- harvested field mushrooms.
- made maple syrup.
- passive solar (window warmth).
- insulated (straw, fiberglass, fabric window coverings and wall hangings).
- used old machinery for snow removal and yard care.
- used library.
- frugal with clothes and entertainment.

But spent money on lights, TV and telephone without much worry.

Today many things still apply in suburban environment, but it is different...
Save money by:
- efficient lighting (like LEDs)
- [burning wood is frowned upon due to smoke and CO2].
- wind/solar self sufficiency.
- insulate.
- drive new car and get new appliances which are more efficient and take less maintenance.
- use Internet (and still library!).
- take train and boats (mass transit).
- garden.
- raise small livestock, if ordinances and neighbours allow.
- manually mow lawn and remove snow for exercise (or at least use electric).
- frugal with entertainment and clothes.

But spend money on lights, Internet, TV and telephone without much worry.

Property/school taxes, water/trash bills and mortgage are significant costs in suburban home life.

Travel to and from AHR in Chicago

Interesting metering, dashboard and cloud showings at AHR... new devices/sensors/technologies too.

BUT report herein is about travel challenge for the day... to get all the way Home -> AHR -> Home without automobiles.

2:30 Up and tended to son/wife (sick) and prepared for travel.
4:50 Walk to Oak Grove.
5:15 First MBTA Orange Line train Oak Grove to State.
5:35 MBTA Blue Line State to Airport.
5:55 Airport shuttle 55 to Terminal B stop 3 AA.
6:05 No luggage. Had printed boarding pass. Through TSA.
6:15 At gate and get return boarding pass.
6:30 Boarding.
6:55 Flight departs - ginger ale - hour nap.
8:30 Flight arrives Chicago.
8:45 CTA Blue Line from O-Hare to Jefferson.
9:30 CTA Red Line from Jefferson to Cermak/Chinatown.
9:45 Walgreens for bottled water and walk to McCormick and AHR.
10:15 Arrive McCormick and get Exhibitor registration.
10:30 Walk AHR floor.
14:00 Granola bars - bottled water.
16:00 AHR ends.
16:10 Booth close up - bottled water.
16:30 Walk to Cermak.
16:45 CTA Red Line from Cermak to Jefferson.
16:55 CTA Blue Line from Jefferson to O'Hare.
17:40 Arrive O'Hare.
17:50 No luggage. Had printed boarding pass. Through TSA.
18:00 At gate and checked boarding pass - okay.
18:45 Boarding.
19:15 Flight departs - ginger ale - hour nap.
22:30 Flight arrives Boston.
22:40 Airport shuttle 55 to from Terminal B to MBTA.
22:50 MBTA Blue Line Airport to State.
23:10 MBTA Orange Line train State to Oak Grove.
23:30 Walk home.
23:50 Arrive home.

All completed with walking, mass transit and air flight.