look before you leap

**happyathome** · 09-12-2004, 01:40 AM

On the side of frugality I wanted to say to think carefully before you replace something that has worn out.
We have had our microwave go to the dump but are not going to replace it. One can keep food warm by placing the plate, covered with tinfoil or the lid of the saucepan, over a bowl of simmering water if a family member is going to be late home for dinner.
We defrost our meat by placing it in a plastic bag tied in a shady tree (making sure the cats can not get to it) and it is defrosted in no time.
If your toasted sandwhich maker is no longer working make your toasted sandwhiches in a skillet on the stove top.
Speaking of stoves - before you replace your stove think about getting a little bench top sort (this is ok I would think for a family of about 4/5 ) I use mine and make casseroles, cook sausages ,biscuits,cakes,scones etc and I have often used the top of our fireplace to cook casseroles, soups and to keep the kettle hot - so we don't have to keep on using electricity to boil the jug!! I have even cooked a whole meal icluding vegetables on the top of our woodburning firpelace.
And then you can use your b/b/q. Ours is gas and has a hood so I have used it to cook bread and even a roast of lamb!
We live in New Zealand and electricity prices are astronomical so I am always looking for ways to cut down on the consumption.
In the Winter we use clothes racks - up to 5 - in the living room by the fire to dry the clothes and my darling husband has put up lines in the garage and other places so we do not have to use the dryer. As soon as we begin to have 2-3 days of fine weather the washing goes on the clothes line outside.
Blessings- Karen

**Darlene** · 09-12-2004, 08:16 AM

Sometimes its hard to realize how we ever did without things like microwaves etc. but our parents and their parents somehow managed.
Good for you on finding ways to cut that electric bill for your family & sharing them with us Karen.

**homesteadmamma** · 09-12-2004, 11:57 AM

Great tips.

Its interesting because I don't have a microwave nor a clothes dryer. When we did have the microwave all we ever used it for was heating water. We purchased an energy efficient electric kettle to heat water with.

With the clothes, I have a clothelines outside to dry my clothes on and during the winter months, I too have clothesracks, 3 of them. Fortunately dd has a huge bedroom, so I put the clothesracks in there for the clothes to dry.

Darlene, I agree with you. The same goes for cell phones!!

**Early Bird** · 09-13-2004, 11:46 AM

Oooh! Unless it was a fancy, many-options microwave, you should try replacing the fuse.

Once we found a simple microwave on the curb on trash day. DH (an engineer) said, "There's not much that can go wrong with a microwave." He replaced the fuse ($2) and ... it worked!

**simplemom** · 09-17-2004, 09:30 PM

Thank-you Karen for sharing your great tips with us.

A few years ago, we didn't have a microwave or dryer either...and we managed very well. Now when my dryer has problem, Pierre fixes it...

Actually, we fix everything we can, before buying something...

**happyathome** · 09-17-2004, 11:44 PM

I just read your reply Lucie and at the bottom was your grocery goal for September stating that you had $500 to spend for the month and so far I see you have only spent about 117- WOW.
Good on you- well done- give yourself a pat on the back!!!!
You only have about 10 days to go until the end of the month - be proud of yourself so far - you deserve it. Want to share how you have spent so little over the last 17/18 days???

**mustang80** · 09-18-2004, 07:03 AM

That plate idea on the stove works beautifully. My MIL taught me to do that many years ago, and when DH is late, I do that and it keeps the meal hot and moist. I use the lid of a pot.

**happyathome** · 09-18-2004, 04:21 PM

Danielle - I see you have a big age gap between children. Me too- I have a 27,26,24,12 and 10 year old!!! My 12 year olds name is Courtney!!! and currently we have our 4-1/2 month old grandaughter living with us - phew. When her mummy goes back to work we will be having the day to day care of her so am going to to a schedule so I can fit all I have to do into each day - like homeschooling, helping dh on the farm,gardening,and I really,really want to do more sewing.

**kaykwilts** · 09-23-2004, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by Early Bird
Oooh! Unless it was a fancy, many-options microwave, you should try replacing the fuse.

Once we found a simple microwave on the curb on trash day. DH (an engineer) said, "There's not much that can go wrong with a microwave." He replaced the fuse ($2) and ... it worked!

This is how I got my latest microwave. I found it at the dumpster. All it needed was a fuse.

**Mom23boys** · 09-23-2004, 01:21 PM

I think it is great how you came up with other ways to cut out appliances in your home.

WTG!!

**mommy2three** · 09-23-2004, 03:25 PM

when i want to thaw meat quickly, i put it in a sink 1/2 filled with hot water. (meat sealed in plastic) it thaws in no time!

**Heather** · 11-24-2004, 07:34 PM

I've been looking through older threads and came across this one. Our microwave stopped working on the weekend, I'm going to try the fuse~! Thanks! If is doesn't work we are doing without.