www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Savin' a buck

ANDREA:

Funny you should mention that. Replacements for so many things are not able to last like things made some years ago. I remember when it became necessary to change paint formulas, the way brass plumbing fixtures were made, and similar things happened whether for worker safety or environmental reasons. The problem is that these things last far less in time than what they replace and fill our landfills unnecessarily. I have had the kitchen faucet replaced so many times in the last 27 years I can't count them, for one example; just ahd to have my bathtub set replumbed and it was not that old--but leaked continuously.

We finally need new carpeting but I'm afraid to buy it because people tell me it won't last--the stuff on the floor now finally wore out after 34 years.

BOB

Part of it with the toasters and other appliances comes down to "LCD engineering" the lowest common denominator being the minimum required in material and cost to produce the product. They do that with construction, with building materials; the minimum to reach the building codes and with other things.

Dear Bob,

For around the same cost, you may want to consider wood or wood laminate flooring instead of wall to wall carpeting. It lasts forever, (my house's wood floors turn sixty in a few months!) is super easy to keep clean, and is warm. It is definitely an investment, as it is something which home buyers generally want these days.

(To add more coziness and warmth, one can buy inexpensive area rugs that can be rolled up in the summer, and cleaned as necessary for very little money).

Alice

Bob, I know what you mean about carpeting! Again, our carpet was new when the house was built, but it wore out within a year. I second Alice about the wood flooring or laminate. We went with laminate. Though, I have heard that if you go with carpeting, make sure you get good quality pad if possible as that helps the wear on the carpet.

And just to throw a cost saving suggestion in to stay on topic... homemade cleaners are a good way to save money and are healthier too. Vinegar and baking soda can clean a variety of things and cost very little. Vinegar can even be used in the laundry as a fabric softener.

Andrea

I may toss in the "controversial" reply. I first saw, "savin' a buck" and it got me thinking. Most here happen to live in the USA (where hunting opportunities are everywhere and affordable) and while it may seem backward or what not, it would amaze you at how much money you can save by legally harvesting a deer or two. Not only do you end up with a lot of deer-burger but you also have roasts, steaks, etc..... If you don't hunt or are not interested there are usually people that you may live near or work with who harvest deer and may give you one if you pick it up at the butcher shop and pay the bill (40-75bucks). I know people who fill their deer tags and pay for the butchering and then a charity organization gives the deer meat to the poor. In other words, they want to help and know a deer can put meat in the freezer and save big bucks (no pun intended). It'll hurt you when you see 5 pounds of hamburger for 11 dollars after you had roasts, steaks, butterfly cuts, roasts and a ton of deerburger for 40 bucks minimum. Plus deer is low in fat and free ranging.

For every day cleaning I use a vinegar/Alcohol solution. It's perfect for around the kitchen (it sanitizes), it won't leave any foul chemicals and it's non-toxic in case the spray comes too close to food.

The other day I got a 25 pound bag of salt for $3.50, and I use it for cleaning my pots and pans. I would recommend caution if using it to scrub counter-tops. I took a few layers off mine before I realized my folly. Make sure that what you are cleaning is relatively harder than salt.

Terry

Indeed. "Planned obsolescence" for the "consumer culture."



-- John

Part of saving is stretching to buy the best you possibly can afford at the outset, taking great care of it, and making it last as long as possible. That's why we're still walking on the same carpeting. We can feel the padding being completely shot because we've got places that are depressed in certain places. But we're researching carefully so that we don't ahave to replace it again in our lifetime.

I fully sympathize with carpeting that wears out in a short period. It seems that contractors will cut corners in housing construction by putting in the cheapest possible items when they build. Everything looks great, but later things wear far earlier than they should.

We had a stove that we'd had for many years and had no problems with until one day there was a flash under the electric coils.
When I had an electrician look at it, he discovered that the factory had spliced wiring together for one burner--something that should NEVER have been done--and we were simply lucky that it had lasted as long as it had. (Who says there is no Divine Providence?) The wiring had completely failed and the whole wiring harness was burned out.

BOB

It's true. Last week I needed a replacement battery for a cordless phone. The battery cost would have been $3.00 more than a new phone.

Here's the best tip someone could have given me for saving money:

Don't go to college (unless you're going for free).

You have no idea...

I will probably have school loans when I retire.

I went for free!

As a New York city resident, in those days, the City University of New York, with its many colleges and campuses throughout the city was actually completely and totally FREE! I chose the Liberal Arts, and I got an excellent education, all my teachers were full professors, and my college had one of the best departments in my major.

I understand that it is no longer free, but I understand that it is still relatively inexpensive--probably more inexpensive than a state college.

Alice

So the school takes in city, state, and federal money?

C'mon, Nathan. You have always impressed me as a very intelligent person. Why would you bury your talent in the ground? College can help you develop yours.

Sometimes you need to work your way through and take longer than the traditonal 4 to 5 years. So what if you gradaute at age 25 or 26 than 22. You've still got lots of year sot work full time.

A friend of my son worked 40 hours a week at a restaurant when they were both attending university. He still maintained a 4.0 average. So where there's a will, there's a way. Might cut into your party life and dating, but one has to ask what are my priorities.

BOB