Frugal Living: Jul 25, 2008

Friday, July 25, 2008

25 new messages in 9 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:

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TOPIC: Molded wood -vs- plastic toilet seat
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1f97d88adb8c4be7?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 9:55 am
From: Seerialmom

On Jul 24, 10:16 pm, Doc <docsavag...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I replaced a toilet seat. At Home Depot they had a large selection of
> various materials - wood, plastic and molded wood. The old one was a
> molded wood seat that came with the house.
>
> There seemed to be more molded wood models than any other. The paint
> had worn off the old one in spots and it actually cracked which is
> what finally prompted me to replace it. I went with a plastic model
> with a "quiet close" hinge and a quick release feature which seems
> like a really good idea for convenient, thorough cleaning of the
> toilet.
>
> I went with plastic because it doesn't have paint to wear off and I'm
> guessing won't break on the load bearing area like the old molded wood
> one did and will hold up better over time.
>
> What's the benefit of a molded wood seat? Some of them were pretty
> expensive, so it doesn't seem to be just a "cheap" alternative.

Not as cold as plastic?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Frugal tea making: Automate it?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/49f2703bd6991ac2?hl=en
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== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 10:43 am
From: me@privacy.net

I drink a lot of tea and am currently buying it
pre-made in gallon jug at the store

I know making it at home is cheaper/better..... but
would investing in a Mr Coffee tea maker make sense or
is it best to just use a pot and heat water on stove
and use tea bags?

Bottom line...any value to buying an automatic tea
maker such as link below?

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-TM3-2-3-Quart-Maker/dp/B000EYO8AK

== 2 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 10:47 am
From: Goomba

me@privacy.net wrote:
> I drink a lot of tea and am currently buying it
> pre-made in gallon jug at the store

Gads. And you LIKE that stuff?
>
> I know making it at home is cheaper/better..... but
> would investing in a Mr Coffee tea maker make sense or
> is it best to just use a pot and heat water on stove
> and use tea bags?

Good grief.. how in the world do you think people survived before
specialty appliances?? Try using a pot or a kettle to boil water. Just
like your momma and grandmomma did. Then pour boiling water over tea.
Steep. Drink.
Why make it more complicated and costly than it need be?

== 3 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 10:51 am
From: "Rod Speed"

me@privacy.net wrote:

> I drink a lot of tea and am currently buying it pre-made in gallon jug at the store

Fark.

> I know making it at home is cheaper/better.....

No surprises there, its another one of those things thats much better freshly made.

> but would investing in a Mr Coffee tea maker make sense

Depends on how lazy you are.

> or is it best to just use a pot and heat water on stove and use tea bags?

I prefer to zap the mug full of water in the microwave and then add the tea bag to that.

> Bottom line...any value to buying an automatic tea maker such as link below?

> http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-TM3-2-3-Quart-Maker/dp/B000EYO8AK

Not if you have a microwave.

== 4 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 11:31 am
From: me@privacy.net

Goomba <Goomba38@comcast.net> wrote:

>Good grief.. how in the world do you think people survived before
>specialty appliances??

I realize that... but the question was if any value in
"automating" it?

== 5 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 11:48 am
From: clams_casino

me@privacy.net wrote:

>
>Bottom line...any value to buying an automatic tea
>maker such as link below?
>
>
>
>
None.

== 6 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 11:57 am
From: Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply

me@privacy.net wrote:
> Goomba <Goomba38@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Good grief.. how in the world do you think people survived before
>> specialty appliances??
>
> I realize that... but the question was if any value in
> "automating" it?

No.

== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 1:23 pm
From: "JR Weiss"

<me@privacy.net> wrote...
> I know making it at home is cheaper/better..... but
> would investing in a Mr Coffee tea maker make sense or
> is it best to just use a pot and heat water on stove
> and use tea bags?
>
> Bottom line...any value to buying an automatic tea
> maker such as link below?
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-TM3-2-3-Quart-Maker/dp/B000EYO8AK

If you like hot-brewed tea rather than "sun tea," a tea pot and stove would
probably work better than the "Ice Tea Maker."

Several years ago when we were on a hot tea kick, we tried making tea in a
regular drip coffee maker that had an extra "tea basket" that went inside the
regular coffee basket. It worked OK, especially when we wanted it ready when we
woke up in the morning. However, after a while, we found the regular old tea
pot worked better for us.

== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 1:55 pm
From: "h"

"Goomba" <Goomba38@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:6euhucF92i12U1@mid.individual.net...
> me@privacy.net wrote:
>> I drink a lot of tea and am currently buying it
>> pre-made in gallon jug at the store
>>>
>> I know making it at home is cheaper/better..... but
>> would investing in a Mr Coffee tea maker make sense or
>> is it best to just use a pot and heat water on stove
>> and use tea bags?
>

We have a Salton iced tea maker. We make at least a gallon a day and it's SO
much better and less expensive than the jug stuff. The best thing about is
you just start it up and walk away. No worrying about steeping, etc.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Bug stray
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/95b487bea7bbfd49?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 10:55 am
From: "Rod Speed"

James <j0069bond@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Does it make any difference which you buy?

It can do depending on what you are trying to kill.

> Would flying insect spray kill roaches and ants just as effectively?

It does if you spray it on them directly. The problem is that roaches
particularly come out in the biggest volume when you arent around
and so you really need something that works when you arent around.

Ant bait works best with special formulations that see the ants cart
the ant killer back into the nest and kill the ants that are still in the nest.
You cant kill very many ants by spraying the holes even if you can find them.

> If you are going to buy just one type as a general bug spray?

Doesnt work very well for some bugs like ants and roaches particularly.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Dieting on a budget
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/7cbeb26b885dc908?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 11:02 am
From: "Rod Speed"

Shawn Hirn <srhi@comcast.net> wrote
> Al <aebaxter@gmail.com> wrote

>> Somehow it seems like eating less should cost less, but I always
>> end up spending more when I'm dieting. I just read this article:

>> http://www.livestrong.com/article/4096-need-diet-programs/

>> It talks about how diets can fit every budget. But what
>> are your tips for losing weight on a tight budget?

> Get out and walk. Walking costs nothing ... except time.

Thats not necessarily true. Most of the fools around here walk on
the roads, quite literally. Its amazing that more dont get run over.

Plenty of geriatrics can get quite injured even just falling over, and can end up dead as a result.

> Its awesome exercise, burns lots of calories if you walk
> briskly, and its a great opportunity to clear your mind.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: look to the bible for answers?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/2c1e11836f90c57d?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 11:38 am
From: clams_casino

Jeffy3 wrote:

>>Too bad President Bush has violated God's law more then anyone in modern
>>times.
>>
>>
>
>But is he frugal?
>
>

Certainly NOT with tax payers money.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 12:01 pm
From: Jeffy3

On Jul 25, 2:38 pm, clams_casino <PeterGrif...@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
> Jeffy3 wrote:
> >>Too bad President Bush has violated God's law more then anyone in modern
> >>times.
>
> >But is he frugal?
>
> Certainly NOT with tax payers money.

Maybe someone should direct him to this newsgroup!

==============================================================================
TOPIC: ~Name Brand SCAM
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/24d9192f319b26f3?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 11:44 am
From: clams_casino

gsus wrote:

>Adidas, Gap,
>

This same scam has been spammed onto every newsgroup I've seen today,

==============================================================================
TOPIC: clothes washers and dryers for older units with "weak" plumbing?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/c09777ed837c7055?hl=en
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== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 11:55 am
From: Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply

Dave wrote:
>
>> And if you are paying a million for a condo, can't you afford to run
>> a new drain pipe down to the basement?
>
> That's what I was thinking. I'm guessing it's landlord preference as
> to why there are no washers in the building. That is, the landlord
> doesn't want them in the building, and is using the weak excuse of, the
> pipes won't handle it. -Dave

If it's a condo, there's no landlord -- just a homeowner's association.

== 2 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 11:56 am
From: Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply

Seerialmom wrote:
>
> I agree with you. The H/e detergent is designed to be low suds and
> should work. I never could understand the concept of a "condo" that's
> nothing more than an apartment, except you can paint the walls and
> change the flooring if you want.

It saves you from rent hikes yearly and hopefully also gives you some
equity.

== 3 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 12:43 pm
From: Seerialmom

On Jul 25, 11:56 am, Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply
<samh...@TRASHsonic.net> wrote:
> Seerialmom wrote:
>
> > I agree with you. The H/e detergent is designed to be low suds and
> > should work. I never could understand the concept of a "condo" that's
> > nothing more than an apartment, except you can paint the walls and
> > change the flooring if you want.
>
> It saves you from rent hikes yearly and hopefully also gives you some
> equity.

That's about the only thing I could think of, too. But HOA fees go
up, so do the taxes. But for those who want to wear the badge of
"home ownership" I guess it's better than renting.

== 4 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 1:13 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

Seerialmom <seerialmom@yahoo.com> wrote
> Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply <samh...@TRASHsonic.net> wrote
>> Seerialmom wrote

>>> I never could understand the concept of a "condo" that's nothing more than an
>>> apartment, except you can paint the walls and change the flooring if you want.

Presumably you actually are that stupid.

>> It saves you from rent hikes yearly and hopefully also gives you some equity.

> That's about the only thing I could think of, too. But HOA fees go up, so do the taxes.

You pay those even if you are renting, stupid.

> But for those who want to wear the badge of "home ownership" I guess it's better than renting.

Pity about the tiny matter of equity, stupid.

== 5 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 1:55 pm
From: Seerialmom

On Jul 25, 1:13 pm, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Seerialmom <seerial...@yahoo.com> wrote
>
> > Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply <samh...@TRASHsonic.net> wrote
> >> Seerialmom wrote
> >>> I never could understand the concept of a "condo" that's nothing more than an
> >>> apartment, except you can paint the walls and change the flooring if you want.
>
> Presumably you actually are that stupid.
>
> >> It saves you from rent hikes yearly and hopefully also gives you some equity.
> > That's about the only thing I could think of, too. But HOA fees go up, so do the taxes.
>
> You pay those even if you are renting, stupid.

You don't pay HOA fees OR property taxes when you're a renter...and
I'll return the favor: DORK! :-p

== 6 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 2:00 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

Seerialmom <seerialmom@yahoo.com> wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote
>> Seerialmom <seerial...@yahoo.com> wrote
>>> Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply <samh...@TRASHsonic.net> wrote
>>>> Seerialmom wrote

>>>>> I never could understand the concept of a "condo" that's nothing
>>>>> more than an apartment, except you can paint the walls and change
>>>>> the flooring if you want.

>> Presumably you actually are that stupid.

>>>> It saves you from rent hikes yearly and hopefully also gives you some equity.
>>> That's about the only thing I could think of, too. But HOA fees go up, so do the taxes.

>> You pay those even if you are renting, stupid.

> You don't pay HOA fees OR property taxes when you're a renter...

Corse you do, the landlord includes those in the rent, stupid.

== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 2:19 pm
From: WDS

On Jul 24, 11:12 pm, Dave <no...@nohow.not> wrote:
> If you used H/E detergent with a non-H/E top loader? It wouldn't suds
> enough to get your clothes clean. That is, unless you used about twice
> as much H/E detergent...in which case you'd be paying more money for
> the same amount of suds, and you'd be flushing the same amount of gray
> water down the drain... (back where you started).

Suds don't clean in and of themselves but are a byproduct of the
detergent.

The manufacturer of one HE detergent had this to say:

Can I use ARM & HAMMER Liquid Detergent HE in my regular washing
machine?

HE detergents are specially formulated to work best in HE machines.
While ARM & HAMMER Liquid Detergent HE will work (clean) in regular
machines, we recommend that consumers use one of our other liquid
detergent products in regular machines.

== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 2:47 pm
From: "John A. Weeks III"

In article
<d9771ae1-3a0e-4bf1-a9f1-8b2bdd9ec076@x29g2000prd.googlegroups.com>,
Seerialmom <seerialmom@yahoo.com> wrote:

> On Jul 25, 11:56 am, Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply
> <samh...@TRASHsonic.net> wrote:
> > Seerialmom wrote:
> >
> > > I agree with you. The H/e detergent is designed to be low suds and
> > > should work. I never could understand the concept of a "condo" that's
> > > nothing more than an apartment, except you can paint the walls and
> > > change the flooring if you want.
> >
> > It saves you from rent hikes yearly and hopefully also gives you some
> > equity.
>
> That's about the only thing I could think of, too. But HOA fees go
> up, so do the taxes. But for those who want to wear the badge of
> "home ownership" I guess it's better than renting.

The great thing about the world today is that we have all kinds of
choices, and you can aspire to buy or rent whatever kind of housing
you want. In my case, I don't want to both with outside maintenance,
and I don't want to live next to somebody who thinks it is funny to
paint their house pink and yellow polka dots. It is a lot less
responsibility for me, and it fits in well my on-the-go lifestyle.

-john-

--
======================================================================
John A. Weeks III 612-720-2854 john@johnweeks.com
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
======================================================================

==============================================================================
TOPIC: am i getting the floor model?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/08e6b64125d04228?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 1:55 pm
From: missyluv09@gmail.com

So, I placed an order for a new mattress set, and when I stopped in
the store on the delivery date, the floor model is missing!!! The
salesgirl assured me I'm getting a new mattress, and that floor model
was just shipped to their other store.. HMMM....I don't really belive
it. How can I tell if I got a new one or a display?

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TOPIC: Is this a good deal on a bed?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/ff8643d3ef33e2e1?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 3:05 pm
From: metspitzer

http://www.bedroom-furniture-direct.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=SLY1185&refid=FR6-SLY1185

Seems too good to me?

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Jul 25 2008 3:13 pm
From: "JR Weiss"

"metspitzer" <kilowatt@charter.net> wrote...

> http://www.bedroom-furniture-direct.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=SLY1185&refid=FR6-SLY1185
>
> Seems too good to me?

Nope. Fair to middlin'...

What is deceptive is the "original price" that represents only a fictitious
"suggested retail price" set by the mfgr or dealer home office, at which level
absolutely NO mattresses were actually ever sold!

You can occasionally find closeout and inventory clearance sales that will sell
you a Sealy at "$99 per piece," which is about $300 for a King set (which comes
in 3 pieces -- mattress and 2 foundation pieces). Beds that you can actually
comfortably sleep on go for $199/piece at similar sales, for about $600 total.

It is NOT a good idea to buy a bed unless you can test it in a showroom first.
Individual preferences are too varied to guarantee that price & quality =
comfort...

==============================================================================

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26 new messages in 16 topics - digest

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5 new messages in 4 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:

* Algodones dentists? - 2 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6d2cb9598c481755?hl=en
* clothes washers and dryers for older units with "weak" plumbing? - 1
messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/c09777ed837c7055?hl=en
* Dieting on a budget - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/7cbeb26b885dc908?hl=en
* Molded wood -vs- plastic toilet seat - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1f97d88adb8c4be7?hl=en

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Algodones dentists?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6d2cb9598c481755?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Thurs, Jul 24 2008 7:17 pm
From: Marsha

The Real Bev wrote:

> Marsha wrote:
>> Well, you had me fooled. I was looking for a type of dentist that
>> does algodones work.
>>
>> Marsha/Ohio <------ honest, we're not all stupid in Ohio
>
>
> No. That responsibility devolves onto ONE woman from Cleveland who
> wasn't allowed to pet her own horse by her horse-trainer -- the one SHE
> hired -- and (2) couldn't figure out how Californians kept their lawns
> green if it didn't rain in the summer.
>

I deny any connections to Cleveland, other than visiting the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame twice. Dennis Kucinich is a short idiot...

Marsha/Ohio

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Thurs, Jul 24 2008 10:30 pm
From: hchickpea@hotmail.com

On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:17:40 -0400, Marsha <mas@xeb.net> wrote:

>The Real Bev wrote:
>
>> Marsha wrote:
>>> Well, you had me fooled. I was looking for a type of dentist that
>>> does algodones work.
>>>
>>> Marsha/Ohio <------ honest, we're not all stupid in Ohio
>>
>>
>> No. That responsibility devolves onto ONE woman from Cleveland who
>> wasn't allowed to pet her own horse by her horse-trainer -- the one SHE
>> hired -- and (2) couldn't figure out how Californians kept their lawns
>> green if it didn't rain in the summer.
>>
>
>I deny any connections to Cleveland, other than visiting the Rock and
>Roll Hall of Fame twice. Dennis Kucinich is a short idiot...
>
>Marsha/Ohio

I give up. That went over my head. I think I'm happy that it did so.

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Thurs, Jul 24 2008 8:43 pm
From: CJ

I live in a relatively old condo complex, built in the 1960's or
1970's, and not the fanciest place around. One issue is that we can't
have clothes washers or dryers in the units because (we are told) the
plumbing can't handle it (and maybe the ventilation system, I'm not
sure if that's an issue too). I don't know the technical details of
that, just what they tell us. (We have a common laundry room with
coin machines.)

Question: With all the advances in technology, you'd think someone
would have developed washers/dryers designed for these older type
living units. The people who run the condo complex may not be aware
of such units (if they exist), so I'm posting this query. Does anyone
know if there are special washers and dryers that have been designed
to work with plumbing and/or ventilation which is otherwise too "old"
for standard washer/dryers? And if so, can you specify what such
washer/dryer units are called, and/or who makes them, etc?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Thurs, Jul 24 2008 9:49 pm
From: don@manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein)

In article <g6bbp3$juo$1@aioe.org>, h wrote:
>
>"Chief Thracian" <chief_thracian@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:4888c287.4769648@amsterdam.newsgroups-download.com...
>> On Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:33:24 -0600, timeOday
>> <timeOday-UNSPAM@theknack.net> wrote:
>>
>>>I agree. Starch is cheap calories but they don't satisfy for long. Fat
>>>is pretty cheap calories, if you don't mind having a heart attack later.
>>> I would like to hear about some cheap sources of lean protein.
>>
>> Legumes and whole grains.
>>
>Cut the starch, eat mostly protein and fat, and stop worrying about the
>heart attack. Without the carbs your cholesterol will stay low.

Cut calories of any/all types enough to lose weight (or stay lean) and
generally cholesterol and triglycerides will be low. Have fat intake less
of saturated and the worse-still trans fats and more of unsaturated
especially cis-mono unsaturated (majority of olive oil) and "good
cholesterol" goes up. Get plenty of aerobic exercise and "good
cholesterol" goes up and "bad cholesterol" goes down.

If you are one of the 15-20% of the population with a genetic deficiency
in cholesterol regulation, then there is an extra need to eat animal
products in general in quite a bit of moderation, and to eat egg yolks,
organ meats, and most shellfish in severe moderation.

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Thurs, Jul 24 2008 10:16 pm
From: Doc

I replaced a toilet seat. At Home Depot they had a large selection of
various materials - wood, plastic and molded wood. The old one was a
molded wood seat that came with the house.

There seemed to be more molded wood models than any other. The paint
had worn off the old one in spots and it actually cracked which is
what finally prompted me to replace it. I went with a plastic model
with a "quiet close" hinge and a quick release feature which seems
like a really good idea for convenient, thorough cleaning of the
toilet.

I went with plastic because it doesn't have paint to wear off and I'm
guessing won't break on the load bearing area like the old molded wood
one did and will hold up better over time.

What's the benefit of a molded wood seat? Some of them were pretty
expensive, so it doesn't seem to be just a "cheap" alternative.