Frugal Living: 25 new messages in 12 topics

Saturday, February 16, 2008

25 new messages in 12 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Quick basic advice on a dripping gas 40-gal hot-water heater
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/e565eaf98e0e70b6?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 3:04 am
From: "Bob Shuman"

Donna,

Why should a water heater be any different then any other purchasing
decision? (Referring to your telling your husband what to do on this...)

Bob

"Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator" <donna.ohl@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
message news:wSutj.8886$0o7.1234@newssvr13.news.prodigy.net...
> On Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:37:35 -0600, Bob Shuman wrote:
>> I already posted my thoughts on warranty as well in a previous reply.
>> The
>> bottom line here is you certainly know more than enough to make an
>> informed
>> choice.
>
> Hi Bob,
> My husband returns tomorrow.
> I'll give him all your information and then tell him what choice to make!
> Donna

== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 4:11 am
From: Nate Nagel

Vic Smith wrote:
> On Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:30:25 -0500, Nate Nagel <njnagel@roosters.net>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Vic Smith wrote:
>
>
>>>BTW, I found that the Impala never came with a 3.1.
>>>It's a 3.4 or 3.8.
>>>
>>>--Vic
>>
>>Duh, brain fart on my part. It is indeed a 3.4, which is a 2.8/3.1
>>based engine. Same basic engine, but larger displacement.
>>
>
> I was thinking about an Impala as my next used car, but have to check
> out the 3.4 first. Might go for a Malibu which I can get with a 3.1.
> In 2005 I rented a Malibu with 2.2 for a Florida trip and got 34mpg
> highway. Seemed less thirsty in the city than a six, and had plenty
> of power for me. I was surprised when I checked the oil before the
> trip, and found it was a 2.2. A lot different than the 2.2 I have in
> the '90 Corsica. Much quieter and more powerful.
>
> --Vic

I'm not particularly enamored of the Impala to be perfectly honest with
you... it's a little underpowered, doesn't handle well, is very loud
inside, and has lots of little ergonomic glitches. Plus I've heard the
3800 is the engine to get, not the 3.4. The newer (06-up) cars have a
3.5 as the base engine and at least one of my complaints (awful door
handles that eat your fingernails) has been fixed, although I haven't
driven one...)

Of course, I may be biased as my previous two daily drivers were a
Porsche 944 and a VW GTI 1.8T, so I may be slightly spoiled by good cars...

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 4:13 am
From: Nate Nagel

Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator wrote:
> On Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:33:41 GMT, Bob Shuman wrote:
>
>>If you pay someone to install, then warranty may not be as important,
>
>
> I've learned that I agree with you.
> The warranty is for the fire-and-forget type of homeowner.
> The one who doesn't flush twice yearly, who doesn't add the second anode,
> who doesn't replace the anode after a few years, who doesn't add the ball
> valve, etc.
>
> Even then, the owner with the warranty has to bring the soaking wet heater
> in the back of their car in to the manufacturer after their 1-year is up on
> their supposed 12-year warranty - or else pay as much for the plumber to
> visit ($400) as the heater cost in the first place ($400) to obtain the
> 'free' heater.
>
> Some deal, that 12-year warranty!
>
> Or am I reading it wrong?

You're pretty much right, although you still might find that within a
particular model line there are some quality/efficiency/construction
differences between the 6-year and 12-year models. you'll have to
evaluate those on a case by case basis though.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 4:15 am
From: Nate Nagel

Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator wrote:
> On Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:37:35 -0600, Bob Shuman wrote:
>
>>I already posted my thoughts on warranty as well in a previous reply. The
>>bottom line here is you certainly know more than enough to make an informed
>>choice.
>
>
> Hi Bob,
> My husband returns tomorrow.
> I'll give him all your information and then tell him what choice to make!
> Donna

Please don't do that when I'm drinking coffee... my nose is burning
now... Somehow I seriously doubt you're related to SWMBO but you
certainly sound like you could be! :)

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 6:45 am
From: "hallerb@aol.com"

On Feb 16, 7:13�am, Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
> Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:33:41 GMT, Bob Shuman wrote:
>
> >>If you pay someone to install, then warranty may not be as important,
>
> > I've learned that I agree with you.
> > The warranty is for the fire-and-forget type of homeowner.
> > The one who doesn't flush twice yearly, who doesn't add the second anode,
> > who doesn't replace the anode after a few years, who doesn't add the ball
> > valve, etc.
>
> > Even then, the owner with the warranty has to bring the soaking wet heater
> > in the back of their car in to the manufacturer after their 1-year is up on
> > their supposed 12-year warranty - or else pay as much for the plumber to
> > visit ($400) as the heater cost in the first place ($400) to obtain the
> > 'free' heater.
>
> > Some deal, that 12-year warranty!
>
> > Or am I reading it wrong?
>
> You're pretty much right, although you still might find that within a
> particular model line there are some quality/efficiency/construction
> differences between the 6-year and 12-year models. �you'll have to
> evaluate those on a case by case basis though.
>
> nate
>
> --
> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

more expensive heater tend to have better materials, like brass drain
valves rater than plastic ones. plastics only job is to drain once at
end of life.. helped a buddy his plastic valves stem snapped off
trying to open it.....

we pushed the heater over on its side, and drained thru the fill lines
and T&P valve

a full 50 gallon tank is heavy,,,,,

400 pounds of water and at least a couple hundred for tank

==============================================================================
TOPIC: New Idea For Going Green
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/627ce12a40076350?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 3:09 am
From: Johnnie In The Billows

Recycle your chewing gum! Don't buy a new stick and spit it out on
the pavement after ten minutes.

Remember the old days, when people made a single gumball last for
three months!! (When not in use, you can stick it on your dashboard,
under the rim of the table, on the sole of your shoe, etc.)

Preserve the gum trees and save our sidewalks at the same time.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 4:42 am
From: "The Thack"

"Johnnie In The Billows" <brightice2001@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:01b695fc-6e79-4bb0-8c7f-d7867913edf9@q78g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> Recycle your chewing gum! Don't buy a new stick and spit it out on
> the pavement after ten minutes.
>
> Remember the old days, when people made a single gumball last for
> three months!! (When not in use, you can stick it on your dashboard,
> under the rim of the table, on the sole of your shoe, etc.)
>
> Preserve the gum trees and save our sidewalks at the same time.

Better still, shove it up your arse, you fucking waste of space.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Sewing Machines: Making A Comeback?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/04891ec8941a20e8?hl=en
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== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 3:50 am
From: Al Bundy

On Feb 15, 5:06 pm, rota6...@yahoo.com.tw wrote:
> While we don't have to rely on sewing machines to satisfy our basic
> clothing needs, more and more people today turn to sewing to create
> unique, luxurious, one-of-a-kind pieces. Every family has that hand
> embroidered grandmother's table cloth or a hand-made quilt, and these
> pieces are as cherished as the most sophisticated haute couture
> creations. And instead of paying hefty sums to someone for creating
> these little pieces of luxury for you, you can develop the easy skills
> of making your own monograms, embroideries or even hand-sewn button-
> holes - all the little luxuries that make the difference.
>
> With the help of a reliable sewing machine, you can instantly
> personalize a lot of everyday necessities. For example, you can create
> a set of unique napkins or add a classy touch to your bed linen and
> bath towels with a monogram. And with a little practice you can even
> alter and mend your clothes.
>
> When choosing your first sewing machine, make sure you understand how
> much sewing you plan to do. The honest answer will save you money and
> time, as you will not pick a too complex and upscale sewing machine
> for your basic sewing needs.
>
> If you plan to study sewing and even recreate expensive designer
> clothes to save money, you will need a more upscale sewing machine.
> Sewing your own clothes makes sense only if your sewing skills are
> high enough to recreate high-end clothes, such as suits, jackets and
> dresses. You won't save money on sewing your own jeans, because the
> pattern, fabric, buttons, and the time spent will make this pair of
> jeans more expensive than any of the designer creations. However,
> sewing children's clothes does make sense, because you need little
> fabric, and you don't really need complicated patterns.
>
> A sewing machine is a great investment for those who have a passion
> for clothes design and like to wear one-of-a-kind pieces and don't
> want to limit their clothing choices to what they see in department
> stores. With a sewing machine and a little patience you have full
> control on where the pockets go, what kind of buttons you use, and
> where the hemline stops. You should be aware that creating clothes
> from scratch or even amending the existing pattern requires
>
If your time is worth anything, sewing clothes is too big a waste of
it.
The big savings is in fixing and altering clothes, which can be done
quickly and with a low end machine.

== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 5:34 am
From: Anthony Matonak

Al Bundy wrote:
...
> If your time is worth anything, sewing clothes is too big a waste of
> it.
> The big savings is in fixing and altering clothes, which can be done
> quickly and with a low end machine.

I think welders are making a comeback. The big savings is in
fixing and altering cars. :)

Anthony

== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 8:38 am
From: Samantha Hill - take out TRASH to reply

Al Bundy wrote:
>
> If your time is worth anything, sewing clothes is too big a waste of
> it.

That depends. If ready-to-wear clothing does not fit properly, then
making your own is far less expensive than hiring a tailor/dressmaker to
do it.

If you are an extremely short or extremely tall person, it can be
expensive to buy proportioned-to-fit clothing.

And if you can make a machine washable and dryable garment even for the
same cost as a dry-clean-only one that will last lots longer, you are
saving money there as well.

At any rate, many frugal endeavors would not be frugal if you had to
include the cost of your time, not just this.

== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 8:38 am
From: Samantha Hill - take out TRASH to reply

Anthony Matonak wrote:
>
> I think welders are making a comeback. The big savings is in
> fixing and altering cars. :)

The real automotive money to be made in cars are those unprintable
adjectives who take two ruined cars, weld the good parts together, and
sell it as a used car. :)

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Tips on frugal living in the Philadelphia region
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/26215b0a650faf56?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 4:54 am
From: Joe

http://home.comcast.net/~plutarch/frugal-philly.html

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Was my home purchase in 2006 frugal?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/9d0f58de213b13b6?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 6:56 am
From: Joe

On Feb 15, 11:38 pm, Ron Peterson <r...@shell.core.com> wrote:

> Per month, of course. So, if you can rent something for $2,000 per
> month, it isn't a good idea to buy it for $400,000.
>
> --
> Ron

This cannot be true in the Northeast. If so no home would be a good
investment.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 8:41 am
From: Dennis

On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 06:56:16 -0800 (PST), Joe <joe5345@gmail.com>
wrote:

>On Feb 15, 11:38 pm, Ron Peterson <r...@shell.core.com> wrote:
>
>> Per month, of course. So, if you can rent something for $2,000 per
>> month, it isn't a good idea to buy it for $400,000.
>>
>> --
>> Ron
>
>This cannot be true in the Northeast. If so no home would be a good
>investment.

It probably varies in different locations, but my realtor here in NW
Oregon said basically the same thing. When we sold our apartment
building a couple years ago, he suggested 100 times the total monthly
rent as a reasonable selling price.

Dennis (evil)
--
My output is down, my income is up, I take a short position on the long bond and
my revenue stream has its own cash flow. -George Carlin

==============================================================================
TOPIC: One-stop clinics 'are the future'
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/608f783c7011ab6b?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 6:57 am
From: sindee

"It's very important that whatever developments modern medicine
brings, we don't lose that underlying personal relationship"

Peter Weaving GP

check more here for more details
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7248132.stm

_________________________
http://www.savesecret.com

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TOPIC: www.cheapforwholesale.com cheap nike shoes nike sneakers wholesale
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/ea28720a846ac23b?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 7:27 am
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==============================================================================
TOPIC: Stamps to Cost a Penny More
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/729cf5df8392523c?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 8:02 am
From: KarlMarx_MiddleClass_Ipod_HipHop

On Feb 15, 3:48 pm, clams_casino <PeterGrif...@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
> A way to make a million dollars - buy up ten million stamps at 41 cents
> each & resell them at 42 cents.
>
> vs. the ebay way - start with 2M & end up with 1M.

100 million stamps needed @ 1 cent profit on arbitrage

==============================================================================
TOPIC: The Crack Smoker and the Peter Puffer.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/8b0204bcfb5bfe25?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 8:30 am
From: haber14@lycos.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVeFVtcdSYY

Interesting 1.5 minute video.

Dennis

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Predictions on oil costs for next decade
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/4d8ed6676617cb7f?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 8:53 am
From: Drop_the_chalupa_RodSpeed

I bet oil drops a lot in price for the US consumer.

== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 9:32 am
From: Paul M. Eldridge

On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 08:53:17 -0800 (PST), Drop_the_chalupa_RodSpeed
<kwokx2@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I bet oil drops a lot in price for the US consumer.

Along these same lines, I'm betting disco music, big hair, frilly
shirts, bell bottoms and platform shoes will make a come back.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ox0IzWR4LX8

Damn, now where did I leave the keys to my 'doba?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vIL3fbGbU2o

Cheers,
Paul

== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 9:46 am
From: Just A User

Drop_the_chalupa_RodSpeed wrote:
> I bet oil drops a lot in price for the US consumer.

Not likely as the global demand for oil keeps increasing.

== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 10:09 am
From: Drop_the_chalupa_RodSpeed

On Feb 16, 12:46 pm, Just A User <k...@up-yours-spammer.net> wrote:
> Drop_the_chalupa_RodSpeed wrote:
> > I bet oil drops a lot in price for the US consumer.
>
> Not likely as the global demand for oil keeps increasing.

Yep, so if that is the case, maybe investing in energy conservation
should pay off? I think we are on the brink of cheaper long-run
energy costs via alternative energy. I am Pollyannish about it for a
reason. Almost a devil's advocate too. Once fuel prices go to $4 or $5
or $ 6 per gallon here in the US, consumers will either stop consuming
or look for a cheaper energy source. They will not care if they get 1%
returns on their stocks or bonds or houses annually. They will want
relief from paying an inordinate amount of their income to heat their
houses or fuel their cars.

The run-up in gasoline costs in the past 5 years has been met with no
great increases in wages but increases in housing and insurance and
just about anything that is necessary.

Unless something gives and costs drop somewhere, take home pay for US
consumer will not be geared for spending much on anything
anymore.Extend credit only so long. That is why I think oil prices
will need to drop. As other countries develop and devote more of their
discretionary income to oil costs, they catch up to US standards of
living.

Say what you want RodSpeed, but the USA has a standard of living and
low costs that many countries would really want to have. I can not see
average American going for reduced standards of living without
deciding to bail on the oil companies eventually and starting home-
grown energy projects.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Quit Buying Junk and Destroying tThe Globe
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/04c61287dda5c12d?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 9:02 am
From: Cheapo Groovo

http://cheapogroovo.vox.com/library/post/the-story-of-stuff.html

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Socially Responsible Businesses
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/5916d05bfbeb9eeb?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 9:47 am
From: bjgol

We are working on a blog: 'Doing Good, While Doing Business' at
http://www.changethemold.com.

It features socially responsible
businesses. We would love feedback and also suggestions of businesses
to feature.

You can suggest a business at:

http://changethemold.com/?page_id=26

Thanks in advance!

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sat, Feb 16 2008 10:11 am
From: Drop_the_chalupa_RodSpeed

Check out the Marginal Revolution website too, you commie!

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Frugal Living

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Saturday, February 16, 2008

25 new messages in 12 topics - digest

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