Comments on: Make It Do Or Do Without http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/ Learning about frugality Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:32:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Oliviahttp://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-5824 Olivia Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:17:46 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-5824 I just wanted to say that a great resource is your local 'freecycle' thru yahoo groups, you could probably find help to fix your dishwasher or a new used dishwasher. And for that person who said dishwashers aren't frugal, it has been said that using a dishwasher is actually more economical than washing by hand, and when we had a electricity spike because an avalanche wiped out our electric towers we were switched to deisel fuel and told by our electric co. to NOT wash dishes by hand, but rather use the dishwasher. Just a few thoughts... I just wanted to say that a great resource is your local ‘freecycle’ thru yahoo groups, you could probably find help to fix your dishwasher or a new used dishwasher.

And for that person who said dishwashers aren’t frugal, it has been said that using a dishwasher is actually more economical than washing by hand, and when we had a electricity spike because an avalanche wiped out our electric towers we were switched to deisel fuel and told by our electric co. to NOT wash dishes by hand, but rather use the dishwasher.

Just a few thoughts…

]]> By: Deano...http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-4967 Deano... Wed, 20 May 2009 00:18:36 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-4967 Kelly, I pop in here to read now and again and came across this post from your sidebar. "Frugal" being your word, I cannot believe that you are having a dilemma about microwaves and dishwashers? A frugal person would get rid of both of them! microwaves are known to remove nutrients from certain foods, not to mention the electricity they use - thats a no brainer - don't use them full stop. Dishwasher? - I am puzzled by this, a dishwasher (even a second hand one) uses a large amount of electricity, especially in heating the water up, far more than a back boiler/water heater would. as regards its water useage, I am assuming from this you are on a water meter? if so, why? non water meter users pay a flat fee, I don't need yet another service provider analysing my home useage, to find new ways to increase profits for shareholders, whilst cutting back on what they are obliged to provide in the future. Fill the sink with water and top up from kettle if needs be, and wash by hand. If you wash pots as you go, there are no stubborn stains to scrub off and washing pots is easy, regardless of family size. Dishwashers drain electric, which costs you more money - they use more water than washing in a sink, costing more - detergent is far more expensive, costing more - apart from "convenience" they have no use at all in a household thats trying to be "frugal" I'm going to read your attempts at cutting your grocery costs now... <abbr><em>Deano...´s last blog post..<a href="http://www.denzil69.com/penny-pinchers/index.php?topic=512.msg670#msg670" rel="nofollow">comparethemarket.com | what are they up to?</a></abbr></em> Kelly, I pop in here to read now and again and came across this post from your sidebar.
“Frugal” being your word, I cannot believe that you are having a dilemma about microwaves and dishwashers?
A frugal person would get rid of both of them!
microwaves are known to remove nutrients from certain foods, not to mention the electricity they use – thats a no brainer – don’t use them full stop.
Dishwasher? – I am puzzled by this, a dishwasher (even a second hand one) uses a large amount of electricity, especially in heating the water up, far more than a back boiler/water heater would.

as regards its water useage, I am assuming from this you are on a water meter? if so, why?
non water meter users pay a flat fee, I don’t need yet another service provider analysing my home useage, to find new ways to increase profits for shareholders, whilst cutting back on what they are obliged to provide in the future.
Fill the sink with water and top up from kettle if needs be, and wash by hand. If you wash pots as you go, there are no stubborn stains to scrub off and washing pots is easy, regardless of family size.
Dishwashers drain electric, which costs you more money – they use more water than washing in a sink, costing more – detergent is far more expensive, costing more – apart from “convenience” they have no use at all in a household thats trying to be “frugal”

I’m going to read your attempts at cutting your grocery costs now…

Deano…´s last blog post..comparethemarket.com | what are they up to?

]]> By: Betsy Bargainhttp://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-4063 Betsy Bargain Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:36:32 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-4063 I don't think I would want to live without my dishwasher or my microwave! I prepare meals in the microwave, which uses a lot less energy than turning the oven on, and I also use it to heat up leftovers. The dishwasher I love because it uses less water than washing all the dishes by hand and it sanitizes them. I also hate standing there for so long washing dishes by hand. I guess we all have to draw the line where it's right for us. Some people might not find these appliances necessary to their lifestyle at all! <abbr><em>Betsy Bargain´s last blog post..<a href="http://talkthrifty.blogspot.com/2009/03/good-cheap-food-and-thats-no-crock.html" rel="nofollow">Good, Cheap Food, And That's No Crock!</a></abbr></em> I don’t think I would want to live without my dishwasher or my microwave! I prepare meals in the microwave, which uses a lot less energy than turning the oven on, and I also use it to heat up leftovers. The dishwasher I love because it uses less water than washing all the dishes by hand and it sanitizes them. I also hate standing there for so long washing dishes by hand. I guess we all have to draw the line where it’s right for us. Some people might not find these appliances necessary to their lifestyle at all!

Betsy Bargain´s last blog post..Good, Cheap Food, And That’s No Crock!

]]> By: Brendanhttp://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-377 Brendan Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:03:00 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-377 I'm not saying you should do without the dishwasher, but you could handwash your dishes in cold water. I've been doing it for years and really don't see the need to waste hot water on it... I’m not saying you should do without the dishwasher, but you could handwash your dishes in cold water. I’ve been doing it for years and really don’t see the need to waste hot water on it…

]]> By: ktoth04http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-361 ktoth04 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:31:00 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-361 You can try posting details of your problem at Fixya.com, and you may get someone who is able to tell you how to fix it. You can try posting details of your problem at Fixya.com, and you may get someone who is able to tell you how to fix it.

]]> By: Ann - One Bag Nationhttp://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-354 Ann - One Bag Nation Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:03:00 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-354 We're so dependent on the microwave and the dishwasher, but if I had to choose one, I'd choose the dishwasher! I had to talk my husband into getting one, but now that we have it, even he loves it. We’re so dependent on the microwave and the dishwasher, but if I had to choose one, I’d choose the dishwasher! I had to talk my husband into getting one, but now that we have it, even he loves it.

]]> By: Amyhttp://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-348 Amy Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:36:00 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-348 Nice job distinguishing a real need from a want. I agree. . . I can make do without a microwave, but a dishwasher is worth every penny! Nice job distinguishing a real need from a want. I agree. . . I can make do without a microwave, but a dishwasher is worth every penny!

]]> By: Frugal Trencheshttp://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-347 Frugal Trenches Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:29:00 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-347 I have no microwave and no dishwasher and am uber happy :) I have no microwave and no dishwasher and am uber happy :)

]]> By: Amphritritehttp://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-346 Amphritrite Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:09:00 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-346 Ah, microwaves...<br/><br/>I wrote an article back in December about the weird looks I get when I tell people I don't own a microwave:<br/>http://debtlessinseattle.blogspot.com/2007/12/no-i-do-not-have-three-heads-just.html<br/><br/>I haven't had a microwave since back when I lived with my mother. She was bent on feeding us food that came from the freezer or from a box.<br/><br/>Since I moved out eons ago and started eating only fresh stuff, I really haven't had need of a microwave. Leftovers for lunches? I just take them to work. Leftovers at home? I have a rice cooker that reheats EVERYTHING quite economically, too ;)<br/><br/>Deep breaths! Who needs modern science? Ah, microwaves…

I wrote an article back in December about the weird looks I get when I tell people I don’t own a microwave:
http://debtlessinseattle.blogspot.com/2007/12/no-i-do-not-have-three-heads-just.html

I haven’t had a microwave since back when I lived with my mother. She was bent on feeding us food that came from the freezer or from a box.

Since I moved out eons ago and started eating only fresh stuff, I really haven’t had need of a microwave. Leftovers for lunches? I just take them to work. Leftovers at home? I have a rice cooker that reheats EVERYTHING quite economically, too ;)

Deep breaths! Who needs modern science?

]]> By: Nicolehttp://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-345 Nicole Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:20:00 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/2008/06/04/make-it-do-or-do-without/#comment-345 My microwave crapped out when I lived on Vinalhaven and I never replaced it. I was only using it to make popcorn so I just bought a popcorn maker... healthier and easier! You probably won't miss it at all... My microwave crapped out when I lived on Vinalhaven and I never replaced it. I was only using it to make popcorn so I just bought a popcorn maker… healthier and easier! You probably won’t miss it at all…

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