I was thinking we could list some things we notice are money wasters.

Glancing around my house, I see a food processor that is still brand new and collecting dust.

Sara

I can give you a list that would be at least a mile long. I have clothes with the tags still on them, I thought I was saving money because I bought them on sale. The only thing is, I have never worn them and it has been a couple of years. <p> The food slicer I HAD to have from the Pampered Chef. I thought I could save time, it takes more time to use. <p> I will stop at just these two so others have room to write. I mean it, I could go on for ever!

On 2001-08-02 19:28, Blussell wrote:
The food slicer I HAD to have from the Pampered Chef. I thought I could save time, it takes more time to use.

Oh my gosh, I have a food slicer too.

*LOL*

Sara

Ok, then you tell me, am I using the thing wrong? I thought it would cut slicing time. Ugh!

On 2001-08-02 20:23, Blussell wrote:
Ok, then you tell me, am I using the thing wrong? I thought it would cut slicing time. Ugh!


Asking the wrong person. Hubby bought it for me for french fries. It was one major pain, and it hasn't been used, but the one time. *LOL*

Sara

Ok, here is another one and maybe you can help me with this.... my espresso machine. I bought it so I would not spend $3.30 on a white vanilla mocha everyday at Starbucks , but the mochas I make do not taste the same. Do you or does anyone know how to make a good tasting mocha at home?

On 2001-08-02 23:20, Blussell wrote:
Ok, here is another one and maybe you can help me with this.... my espresso machine. I bought it so I would not spend $3.30 on a white vanilla mocha everyday at Starbucks , but the mochas I make do not taste the same. Do you or does anyone know how to make a good tasting mocha at home?


Ahhh I want the french vanilla cappucino like in the stores too. The closest I have come is to buying the mixes. Have you bought the flavored syrups and not just the flavored coffee beans?

Have you seen these?
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/java/recipes.html

http://www.robinsfyi.com/food/coffeerecipies.htm

There are quite a few retailers online for flavored syrups for coffee too.

Sara

Thank you Sara. Yes I have tried the syrups, my problem is no one sells the white chocolate syrup. I need to do so experimenting, but I just have not had the time. When the weather turns cooler, I will make the time. <p> Stacy

I don't know if this is true or not, but someone I knew who worked at an espresso place told me that the home espresso machines will never work as well. Her reason was they burn the coffee while the water is heating up enough to create the steam. The professional espresso machines always have steam, it is separate from the part that spouts out the coffee. Some jee wiz info for you.

As for stuff that I buy and don't use? I am afraid to go there!!! I just had a whole yard sale full of it!!

Glad to hear that you were able to at least get some of your money back.

A money waster? Hmmm..... how about the answering machine that replaced the one that got ruined by a storm and doesn't work very well. The other half is ready to take it outside and run it over by the car, but I like the other person's idea better... sell it at a yard sale and maybe get a little bit back to pay for the other one we'd need to buy.

ANYONE have any ideas/suggestions for a good answering machine?

_________________
Kay
couponclipper@usave2day.com

www.zuggyscouponplace.eboard.com (http://www.zuggyscouponplace.eboard.com)

On 2001-08-08 22:59, Kay wrote:
sell it at a yard sale and maybe get a little bit back to pay for the other one we'd need to buy.

errrr, I guess I won't be shopping at your yard sale. I don't need a money waster at my house.
mom2tam

First of all, in terms of your answering machine question, we use the phone companies call answering service. Yes, it's a certain cost a month, but it never, EVER breaks. Secondly, in terms of money wasters...I petitioned my husband for a breadmaker for Christmas a few years ago. It was all I wanted. I HAD to have it. However, I made bread once, and since then, it's been sitting in the pantry, collecting dust. Same thing with the paper shredder that I HAD to have.

I bought my husband a telescope for our anniversary last December...it's now August and we've not even used it once. It was way too cold to use it in December. It almost makes it feel like he didn't get a gift for the anniversary.

Well, the answering machine works... but, not like my old CONAIR 2100 model. I loved that one. Guess I got spoiled by it.

Hey... I'll trade you for your BREAD MACHINE... would use that one daily almost here.

MOM2TAM, gee... I'll have OTHER STUFF at my yard sale, too.... you would love some of the stuff there, too. I'm sure.

_________________
Kay
couponclipper@usave2day.com

www.zuggyscouponplace.eboard.com (http://www.zuggyscouponplace.eboard.com)

I have a digital answering machine that I bought at Wal-mart for $10 on clearance and it works like a charm. I have had it for about 3 years and and never had any problems out of it. It holds up to 50 messsages and theres no tape..yeah!! The only thing that I can think of that I regret putting money into is toys that NEVER, EVER get played with...and the satelite dish that hasnt been turned on in years (we never watched it, we always watched broadcast TV)and the exercise machine that I payed $400 bucks for and it never gets used...its HUGE and it takes up too much space in my bedroom!!!

The ice cream machine we bought 2 summers ago. After you buy the rock salt, ice cream mix, milk etc it costs $4 for half pint. Screw that, its $1.50 half gallon at Wal Mart and isnt all mushy LOL
I use my bread machine to mix the dough for me since I dont like the way the bread comes out of it. I use it to knead and rise etc all my doughs.
~Michele~

As far as bread machines go, I wanted one for years, but it simply wasn't a priority. Dh finally bought me one a few months ago. I used it faithfully one to two times per week all winter. I haven't used it over the summer, but I plan to use it again regularly. It's not a money waster in this household. (although not too economical)

Sara

I love my bread machine. I have RA and since I like homemade bread, I let it do the heavy work and I do the rest.
My money wasters, thank God I didn't buy them my daddy bought them, include but are not limited to: a curly fry maker; a cookie factory; and a convention oven.

On 2001-08-31 11:15, Pacma wrote:
I love my bread machine. I have RA and since I like homemade bread, I let it do the heavy work and I do the rest.
My money wasters, thank God I didn't buy them my daddy bought them, include but are not limited to: a curly fry maker; a cookie factory; and a convention oven.


hehe curly fry maker. That's a new one for me. I never heard of one before. *LOL*

Sara

for me it would be cable, dsl, romance novels *lol*... toys that get played with once or twice..game systems..games for those systems that get played once or twice....and lots more

Stacy,
There is a company that makes white chocolate syrup. The company is Davinci Gourmet, LTD. I bought my husband a bunch of bottles of the different syrups online and the white chocolate was one I got. I wish I could remember which site I ordered it from. I know that Cost Plus carries a lot of the syrups. If they don't have white chocolate, you might ask them to order it for you. If I figure out which site I ordered the syrup from, I will post.

On 2001-08-17 10:14, Ann Austin wrote:
The only thing that I can think of that I regret putting money into is the exercise machine that I payed $400 bucks for and it never gets used...its HUGE and it takes up too much space in my bedroom!!!




In our house...we call those the "400 clothes hangers"

ps. About the answering maching. Got mine at a yard sale for a buck. I see that ALL THE TIME at yard sales for about that price...

As far as other money waster..just about every appliance in my kitchen (except the coffee pot, micro and toaster) to include that dang trash compactor that I just HAD to have...that has now been rolled out to the porch (because I just HAD to fit that new cabinet in!)

I wanted to add since I had my daughter a few months ago I have discovered more money wasters. A wipe warmer (she peed on me when it was warm too, go figure!) and a bottle warmer (by the time it was warm enough she was screaming, too slow!). And small bottles. I must have bought 20 of them only to stop using them in 3 weeks after she was born! ARGH!:angel2:
~Michele~

I have a breakmaker question. Some of you said you use yours regularly. Once you buy the ingredients to make the bread, isn't it just cheaper to buy a loaf at the store? Hubby would be thrilled if I started making it, but unless it is actually cheaper to do so, I just don't think I will.:paw:

Yes for me it is either the same price or actually more. What it is wonderful for is "exotic" breads or quick breads. If you can get over the shape, it makes awesome garlic bread. I also use on the "dough" setting more than anything else! I mix up breads, rolls, pizza dough, pretzel dough etc. the list goes on. I also only paid $15 for mine at a yard sale, its was new in the box never opened!!:angel2:
~Michele~

Well, most of the money wasters here went by the wayside when I decluttered...many were money wasted by someone else and then given to me (or bought super cheap by me somewhere...so at least LESS money wasted.)

I'm thinking in particular of those little machines to SPRAY or BRUSH melted butter onto popcorn, corn on the cob, etc. I mean how hard is it to melt the butter on the stove or in the microwave?

How about those little hot dog roasters that cook one or two hot dogs (No, I did NOT buy one, or even get given one...lol).

Goodwill here has an "Electric Bagel Slicer" sitting on their rack right now (and since it's IN THE BOX, they want $8 for it though used, lol). Good grief, the thing is HUGE and cuts one bagel at a time...easier to get out a little cutting board and a serrated knife....LOL....that one had to top off all others I've ever seen in the cooking department money wasters...

Here are a few that I can think of:

Pop -- especially when I buy it out of a machine. I LOVE pop and have cut back on buying it from a machine.

Our furnace. Whoever built this place, put it in the ATTIC. And, they installed an electric one. The vents are are at the ceiling level. So, we waste too much money heating this place because of this stupid system. But, since I rent, there is not much I can do about it.

Eating out. Out of necessity, I have really cut back on this one.

Hmm I use my food processor all of the time. It was great when the kids were babies. I made baby food in it. I still use it to shread cheese, slice veggies and mix homemade bisquick.

I use my bread machine to make the dough, then I bake in the oven. It gets used at least once a week, usually more.

I have gotten rid of a lot of the "money wasters" I had like my electric skillet. Didn't use it even once.

I have a food steamer that I used to use ALL of the time to make chicken breast, but since I got a grill I haven't used it. I guess I should think about getting rid of it.

I have a fry daddy that my dh just had to have. It actually is pretty cool, it has a basket like restaurants have. But since we don't eat fried food, it is a big waste of money.

All of these strange exercise equipment pieces that I have down in the basement that never get used:eek: The only exception is my treadmill and hand weights. Also my salad shooter that I was all hyped up about getting:laugh: Then theres alot of gizmos and gadgets that well.........I don't remember what they are for!:confused:

I LOVE my bread machine-there's no taste like hot fresh homemade bread. I don't use it every week, but it does get regular use.

Ok I DO have every kitchen gadget known to mankind..HOWEVER...I got them all second hand from my mother and sister in law...they buy them...get bored..and then give em to me :)

My OWN secret money eating vice....is....LIPSTICK!!!! I have more lipstick than any 10 women could possibly ever use in their lifetimes...but I love it so...gotta have it..need more..gimmegimmegimme:yippee:

I have a bread machine my mom gave me that she had got at a yard sale or the dorcas.. I used it once with a box mix that my MIL gave me and the bread was ok...but I did mess up on it too :P

My money wasters..definitly breaking things when I'm mad and then needing to replace them :(
I do it thinking "ohh this'll make him mad!" but it never does it only makes me mad because then I have to replace it!

I have a lot of gadgets, most of them I like, just dont use them often enough so I guess thats a waste of money, the never used items are the popcorn maker and the onion do-hickey...makes the fancy onions ....what a joke, that flowering onion thing is.......Karla

Mine has to be the indoor grill. It is big enough to make 6 burgers.but it's such a pain to clean,no one wants to drag it out.
My most used gadget is the ice tea maker. I love it:D
We don't really have lots of other things-just the blender,and we do use it for smoothies etc.

Well, I must tell you all that I used my breadmaker today! My big money waster is now sitting on my counter next to a fresh loaf of bread! Yeah!!! Actually, I'm trying to spend very little on groceries this month, and I figured one way to do that would be to finally use the two boxes of bread mix I have had in the pantry for 3 years. So, I pulled it out while dd napped and made some bread. The crust is hard as a rock, but hey, it's free! (Well, not free, but I didn't buy it this year, so I'm counting it as free!)

I have a generic model of the George Forman grill. You know the thing you close and it is supposed to cook your food really fast? It always flattens our food too much.

I can't use my bread machine here in Germany because of the power difference:( . I sure do miss it!

I also have a crockpot that has never been used. Mainly because of the power thing. I will use it when we get back to the states!:D

My husband is the family cookie baker. I decided to buy him a Christmas present 2 years ago of a heavy duty mixer to make the cookie mixing a lot easier. I decided on a heavy duty Toastmaster mixer.

He has used it once. The mixer has a special bowl you have to use with it, that does not allow for double cookie batches, and when he gets in a cookie making mood he makes LARGE batches. So the mixer sits on top of the cabinet.. waiting to be adopted somehere.

Next time I went mixer shopping I got him a hand one. At least I am still getting my cookies

I love my bread machine...it's 5 years old and although I still use it a bunch, at one point I was making 2 loaves a day!! And yes, I use Aldi's a-p flour, it is cheaper than store bread...not the .33 loaves, though! (The only thing I hate is that we go through so much more BUTTER when I'm making more LOL!)
My food processer...very rarely use it...my Kitchen Aid mixer, wouldn't be without it! Yogurt maker (thank goodness, from a garage sale) - only used it twice! Waffle maker- not for years! Yep, I could keep going LOL.....

Money wasters!! :(
New Blender I have not used it yet!!
NewFood Dyhydrater I have not used it yet!!
New Food Processor I have not used it yet!!
Recipe Card Collection I have not used it yet!!
Well that is just a few that I can think of at this time!!

mine would have to be an iron never use it i don't think i know how. And a scanner that i had to have from walmart but there is no cd with it so it is collecting dust on the computer stand. then i have the usual assortment of kitchen gadgets that i had to have but never use.And always the toys that just get thrown down. i should have a yard sale too. ;) forgot the food processor that was given to us for our wedding one time it was used. and then there is the shake maker that isn't used now i can't have ice cream. most of my house is a money waster.

I waited and waited and waited for DH to buy me a ScrubBuster right after they came out. I was very disappointed and have hardly used it at all. I think DH has used it to wax/buff car a time or two and that was it.

Rhonda:smball:

My money waster...books, ice cream maker, telescope I bought for dh 3 years ago.

My worst....buying stuff on clearance that I don't need because I MIGHT need it some day. That some day has yet to come. LOL.

Keilley

Umm... I bought a special keyboard for the computer that was supposed to reduce wrist strain, but I couldn't stand it, so it's now "decorates" my closet. =)

Money wasters for us include an espresso maker too. It does taste different, I don't know why they sell them.
Cat toys: The only cat toy that they like is the rattling mice. Anything else I buy, they turn their nose up at it. They are just fine terrorizing the toilet paper though. Must be their favorite thing.
:purpcat:

My money wasters are a big colour laser printer that I should sell but it just sits there; a telescope in the garage that I think I'll use every time I see it - it's been untouched for three years and a HP scanner that I bought about 6 months ago and then DH replaced it with a three in one printer thingo that has a scanner in it.

I used my food processor last month -- it was the 1st time I'd used it in 3 YEARS!

But I'll be using it every month from now on: My SHARE (www.sharecolorado.com) produce order comes once a month. It was great to use the food processor -- dicing carrots and zucchini; chopping onion. I even shredded some lettuce with it.

But I live about a mile above sea level -- and have not figured out how to make good bread at this altitude.