THE LOGISTICS OF BUYING A REFRIGERATOR

So we were finally ready to buy a new refrigerator.  The old one was still working, but something somewhere was leaking.  It wasn’t the ice-maker because the line had been disconnected.  However, every day there would be dripping from the back under the freezer.  We finally resorted to putting large plastic cups under the drips.  But they filled quickly, froze up, then overflowed, sending water everywhere else into the fridge.  And that froze on the shelves in the back, so bottles and cans froze to the shelves.  I’d have to completely empty and clean it every couple of months.

Of course, that kept my fridge clean and I never had rotten food hiding in corners.  Still, it was a hassle I didn’t need.  So finally, we had saved enough to buy a new fridge.  We didn’t just go out and buy one, though.  We looked at sales papers, looked at stores, read reviews, etc.  And the features in a fridge now!  I remember seeing one at one point that had a television in the door!

After looking at all the styles, we knew we wanted a bottom freezer.  We also liked the French doors on top.  So the next step was measuring our space.  The size we bought would be determined by the space, of course.  We took our measurements and headed for the store.

We decided to go to Abt Appliance.  We took other store’s ads with us, so we had a good idea of what a reasonable price would be.  As luck would have it, we decided to shop on Customer Appreciation Day.   It was purely coincidence, but the deals were great!  After looking around, reading measurements and opening many doors, we decided on the one we wanted. 

Then comes the hard part - paying for it.   Not having bought a refrigerator in at least 20 years, there was quite a sticker shock!  Especially when you start adding in the extended warranty, water line, etc.  The nice part?  They would take away the old one free of charge.  AND they generated a customer number for getting a rebate on our electric bill for buying an energy efficient model.  All we had to do was write the number on a piece of tape and put it on the old fridge.  We scheduled a delivery date and left the store - with a mattress purchase too!  One stop shopping!

But we still had to go home and take one more measurement.  While we knew it would fit into the space, we didn’t know if it would fit into the house!  We don’t have sliding doors to the house, so it had to go through the front door.  And up six stairs.  We knew the size of the fridge with and without the doors and handles.  We measured the inside of our front door, and knew it would fit if we took the front door off the house.  We called the store back and told them to go ahead with the order!

The weekend before delivery, we started cleaning out the fridge.  I tossed the old food, especially the old stuff at the back of the freezer, and emptied the frozen cups of water.  The day before delivery, I took out anything that didn’t need to stay cold, like cans of soda.  I removed all the magnets and papers from the fridge, sad that the new one was stainless steel.  I have so many cute magnets!  But it looked so neat and clean when the door was empty, it was sort of nice to see.  We then moved a lot of the food to the fridge in our garage. 

The morning of delivery, we moved the rest of the food to the freezer/fridge in the garage, and were able to leave some on the back porch because it was below freezing.  Nature’s refrigerator.  We mopped up the rest of the water and wiped out the bins.  Call us anal, but yes, we cleaned the fridge before sending it to the landfill.  We wrote the rebate number on duct tape and taped it to the fridge on two sides so it wouldn’t be missed. Then we took the front door off the hinges, and removed the railing and the baby gate we keep up - for the dogs.  Anything to make the job easier.

Then the new one arrived!  They had to take the doors off the refrigerator also to get it in the house.  Finally, after removing ceiling tiles in the basement and running lines, all was set!  We had a new fridge!  We didn’t fill it right away, though.  We put ice cube trays in the freezer to make sure it was getting cold.  Then after a few hours, started putting non-perishables back, and finally brought all the food back in.  We were told not to use the first few batches of ice, so we just dumped them as they formed.  By evening, we had everything back in the house in our shiny new fridge! 

Afterward, I realized what a process it is!  It’s not like buying a sweater that comes home and gets folded and set on a closet shelf.  It takes planning, organizing and scheduling.  We were fortunate that everything fell into place.  We could have measured incorrectly.  We could have ended up with a leaky water line.  There could have been a scratch on the door.  So many things could have gone wrong--some under our control, some not.  And we were especially lucky that the old one hadn’t completely died, possibly spoiling food.  But by planning ahead, the experience was a good one!

Adding Space to Small Kitchens

Tips for Tuesday

No matter the size of your family, a small kitchen can be a big drawback.  Where do you store your food, appliances, pots and pans, etc.?  It’s difficult preparing a meal or entertaining guests.  But there are some changes you can make to your kitchen to make it seem larger than it really is.  Here are some tricks of the trade:

·        Extend your upper cabinets to the ceiling.  The soffit above your cabinets is usually empty space behind the drywall.  Installing taller cabinets will give you space for storing those seldom-used items.

·        Use multi-purpose appliances.  Purchase a unit that chops and blends, or another that steams and deep fries.  Having less items to store will free up space.

·        Install a storage bench that can double as a seat for your kitchen table.  Use it to store linens, extra paper towels, or household files and bill-paying supplies.

·        Use the space under your upper cabinets.  Install hooks or magnetic strips for hanging knives or cooking utensils.  Install drop-down cookbook holders or spice racks.

·        Double the space on a shelf with a wire rack.

·        Use an island on casters so you can move it where you need it most.

·        Hang pots and pans from the ceiling.

·        Don’t buy in bulk, as tempting as the price is.  If you don’t have room to store it, it will be nothing more than clutter.

·        Downsize!  Get rid of everything you don’t need or use or like.  Be honest and brutal!  Peace of mind is worth more than the mugs you donate to charity.

Organizing Your Kitchen Gear

Tips for Tuesday

As mothers and homeowners, we spend a good amount of time in our kitchens preparing meals and cleaning up afterward.  While it is necessary to eat, it isn't necessary to waste time.  Having an organized kitchen will help you spend more time with your family and less washing dishes.  Here are some ways to keep your kitchen functioning smoothly.

·        Clean out your cabinets!  Be ruthless.  Are you really using every appliance and every gadget in your pantry?  Or are some wedding gifts still unopened?  Get rid of the items you don't use.

·        Remove seldom-used and holiday items from your kitchen cabinets.  Store them elsewhere in your home.

·        Use space outside your cabinets.  There is space under your upper cabinets, on the wall, on your countertops and above your head.  Take advantage of every inch.  For example, install a paper towel holder under a cabinet near your kitchen sink.  Or hang a magnetic strip on the wall above your stove to hold knives.

·         Containerize small items.  Use plastic bowls for spice packs, cake decorations, etc.

·         Use dividers in drawers to keep gadgets separated and easy to find. 

·         Use a letter or file organizer to store pot lids.

·         Insert vertical tension rods in your cabinets to store cookie sheets and trays vertically between the rods.

·         Use box lids as a cheap alternative to slide-out drawers.

·         Discard broken and mismatched items such as pot lids missing handles or lids with no bowl.

Make it easy to find, and your life will be easier!

Green Cleaning—Using Lemons in Your Kitchen

Frugal Friday

 

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at using lemons in the kitchen.

• Rub cut side of lemon on aluminum pots and pans, then buff with soft cloth to brighten.
• Squeeze lemon juice over door thresholds and other cracks where ants could come in.  Also scatter lemon slices around the outdoor entrance.
• Simmer a lemon slice in water for 15 minutes to loosen burned-on food.
• Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to one cup of milk to make buttermilk.
• Rub the cut side of a lemon on your cutting board to sanitize.
• Place lemon juice in the soap compartment of your EMPTY dishwasher and run as usual to sanitize.
• Dab lemon juice onto a cotton ball or rag, and let sit in your refrigerator overnight to deodorize.
• Mix three tablespoons of lemon juice to 1¾ cups water, microwave on high for five to ten minutes, allowing the steam to condense.  Food particles will wipe away.
• Pour lemon juice and alum powder onto your porcelain sink and scrub to remove stains.
• Mix lemon juice and baking soda to scrub stained plastic food containers.  Let sit overnight if stains are stubborn.
• Toss lemon peels into your garbage disposal to deodorize.
• Squeeze lemon juice onto your countertops to remove stains.  Don't leave on for too long, as lemons have a bleaching agent.

Green Cleaning—Using Baking Soda in the Bathroom

Frugal Friday

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at using baking soda in the bathroom.

·         Removable shower traps can be soaked in baking soda and warm water.  Adding vinegar increases its effectiveness.

·         Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar, then use a rag to wipe soap scum off the shower and sink.  Rinse with cold water.

·         Use the same paste for wiping the base of your faucets.

·         Pour baking soda into your toilet bowl and let sit for a while.  Stains should disappear.

·         Make a paste of two parts baking soda to one part vinegar.  Using an old toothbrush, scrub the pink mildew off your tile and grout.

·         Sprinkle baking soda into your toilet tank once a month.  Let sit overnight, then flush for freshness.

·         If you store damp items like facecloths, rags or old toothbrushes under the sink, place an open box of baking soda under your sink to absorb the odors.

·         Make a paste of 2:1 baking soda and vinegar, then use a damp rag and solution to clean the scum off your shower doors.  Use an old toothbrush to get into the corners.

·         Take down your shower curtain, sprinkle 4 or 5 tablespoons of baking soda on a brush, then wipe down the curtain in your bathtub.  Rinse with hot water and hang to dry.

Green Cleaning—Using Baking Soda in the Kitchen

Frugal Friday

So many cleaning products on the market are full of dangerous chemicals that can harm both the environment and your health.  They are also expensive.  So why not look to the past for both inexpensive and healthier alternatives?  Over the next few weeks, we're going to look at ways to use common household products to clean your home.  This week, we'll look at using baking soda in the kitchen.

·       Baking soda in various strengths can be used in the kitchen for cleaning.  The more dried on the food, or the greasier the spot, the stronger the solution should be.  Baking soda can be used in a food processor or blender, the garbage can, oven, stovetop, dishwasher, or coffeemaker.

·      Baking soda is also good for deodorizing.  Use it in baby bottles, your refrigerator, your drain, water bottles, vacuum flasks, garbage disposal.  Always wash and rinse thoroughly with warm, soapy water after deodorizing.

·        Make a paste to clean coffee stains from mugs.

·        Wipe stainless steel appliances with a baking soda mixture to remove stains and spots. 

·        Combine with vinegar to clean cast iron skillets/casseroles.

·        Remove melted plastic bags from counters or appliances with a water/baking soda solution.

·        Do NOT use on non-stick pans.

·        Note:  Make sure all appliances and pots/pans are cooled off before cleaning.

Frugal Uses for Kitchen Items

Frugal Friday

As the cost of groceries and gas continue to rise, we are looking for more and more ways to save money elsewhere. Coupons can save money. Purchasing second-hand can save money. Another way to save money is to use everyday household items for purposes other than for what they are intended. It's called "Re-purposing." Here are some ideas:

• Use an empty egg carton or ice cube tray for earrings or rings in your dresser drawer.
• Use an empty egg carton to hold paperclips and other small items in your desk drawer.
• Use empty checkbook boxes (or other small boxes) for dividers in your kitchen drawers.
• Use a muffin tin to play sorting games with your children.
• Make a funnel from the top of a soda bottle.
• Empty baby food jars can hold screws, nails, beads, or buttons.
• Large glass jars can be filled with candy, topped with fabric and ribbon, then presented as a gift.
• Glass jars can be used as vases—with or without decorating.
• Cut the bottom off a plastic bottle and use it as a scoop for bird food or dog food.

What have you re-purposed in your kitchen?

Maximizing Space in Your Kitchen

Tips for Tuesday

For those with small kitchens, or moderately sized kitchens, storage can be an issue. There are limited places to put pots and pans, dishes, food, etc. For large families, the challenge is greater. In this case, it is important to make the most of the space you have.

Here are some things you can do to maximize the space in your kitchen:

• Install cabinets that extend to the ceiling
• Use wall space whenever possible for items like utensils, paper towels, spice racks, etc.
• Install battens in a drawer to hold a cutting board/work surface, but still house items beneath
• Hang pots and pans from the ceiling if you have an island or peninsula
• Hang storage racks inside cabinet doors to hold garbage/compost bin, paper goods, towels
• Install hooks under your cabinets for mugs/cups
• Use small wire shelves inside cabinets to store smaller items above larger ones (salad plates over dinner plates, for example)
• Store flat items vertically with separators rather than stacking them
• Place a shelf over your sink faucet
• Install shallow drawers in the kick plate under your cabinets
• Convert the front panel of your sink with a tip-out drawer

What Can You Do in Two Minutes?

Tips for Tuesday

One of the most common excuses for not being organized is not having enough time. But what if I told you that you needed only two minutes to be on your way to getting organized? Mind you, not completely organized, but on your way. After all, it took weeks, months or even years to accumulate your clutter. It won't go away in two minutes. But you can get on top of the situation.

How many times have you had two minutes of free time? Maybe you were waiting for the water to boil on the stove. Or you were on hold with your utility company. Maybe you were waiting for your child during their doctor's appointment. All of these are opportunities to do something useful.

There are lots of little things you can do in ten minutes. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
• Go through your wallet and remove the old coupons and receipts.
• Go through your fridge and look for expired or spoiled food.
• Go through your pantry and look for expired food products.
• Go through your medicine cabinet and look for expired medications.
• Delete some old emails from your Inbox.
• Flip through a magazine and tear out the articles you want to read. Recycle the rest.
• Go through a dresser drawer and pull out clothes you don't like or don't fit.
• Line up the shoes in your closet, and get rid of a pair or two.
• Delete old messages on your answering machine or cell phone.
• Remove expired coupons from your fridge door.

These are just a few things you can do in two minutes. What other tasks can you think of to add to the list?

Safety During the Holidays--Entertaining

Tips for Tuesday

The holidays are fast approaching. Along with them, are the stresses for preparations. Part of the holiday tradition is entertaining family and friends, whether it's a cozy cookie exchange with the ladies or a formal dinner with the boss.

While these are fun times, there are some hazards associated with entertaining. Take cautions so you aren't a victim.

• Keep an eye on the stove, oven or grill when cooking. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires in the U.S.
• If deep frying a turkey, keep the fryer at least ten feet away from the house.
• Turn pot handles in when cooking so you don't bump into them and little hands can't grab them.
• Unplug small electric appliances such as mixers and waffle irons when you are done with them so they don't get turned back on accidentally.
• Keep dangling cords on the counter and set back so kids or pets can't reach them.
• Don't leave hot dishes or liquids near the edge of the counter. Kids or pets might pull them over, or someone might brush up against the counter and knock them over.
• Supervise children when they are in the kitchen.
• Test all food for temperature before serving so it isn't too hot.
• Test internal temperature of meats to ensure they are cooked enough.
• When cooking on the stove top, always have a lid handy. If a grease fire starts, slide the cover over the pan and turn off the heat.
• Test smoke alarms before guests arrive.
• Place hot pots and pans on hot pads or towels. Never place them directly from the oven onto the counter or table.

Caring for Expensive China and Glassware

Frugal Friday

You never like to break anything, even if it's just a juice glass or dessert plate. Who wants to have to go out and spend more money just because they were careless? Even worse, is breaking something expensive like china or crystal.

There are ways to care for your precious pieces, though, that will preserve their life.

• Place delicate china in quilted storage containers.
• Rather than stacking delicate cups, install hooks on the underside of your cabinet shelves and hang the cups from the hooks.
• Pouring hot liquid into non-tempered glass can cause them to crack. Place a metal spoon in the glass before pouring so it will absorb the heat.
• Place a rubber mat in the bottom of your sink when you wash your crystal. Never put your crystal in the dishwasher, even on the delicate cycle.
• If you chip or nip a piece of crystal, take it to a jeweler so he can file it down. This will avoid you having to purchase a new one.
• If you need to replace glassware, go to a restaurant supply store rather than a department store. Items will be cheaper and last longer.

Frugal Tips for the Kitchen--Stale Bread

Frugal Friday

With the rising prices of groceries, it's more important than ever to not waste any food that we buy. In addition to making smart purchases, try to find uses for old food that isn't spoiled. One of these staples is bread. If it doesn't mold, it dries out. We all know about making bread crumbs in the blender, but what other uses are there for stale bread?

• If it's not too stale, place it in a 300 degree oven for ten minutes to freshen it.
• Day-old bread makes better toast than fresh bread because there is less moisture in it.
• Cut the bread into small circles and freeze. When you need an appetizer, toast the rounds and use them as you would crackers.
• Make croutons for your salad. Cube them, sprinkle with olive oil, season to taste, then bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. These are best used the same day.
• Make bread pudding.

Here are some uses for bread crumbs:
• Sprinkle over baked macaroni and cheese.
• Mix with ground beef for meatloaf or meatballs.
• Add seasonings for breading meat or eggplant.
• Make a crust for your quiche.

What do you do with your stale bread?

Store Items Where You Use Them--Kitchen

Tips for Tuesday

Although this makes perfect sense, many people, for whatever reason, don't store items near where they use them. Maybe whoever helped them move in decided where things should go. Maybe the space is better designed elsewhere for what you want to store. Maybe you were pressed for time and just put things wherever they would fit.

Whatever the reason, your life will run more smoothly if you follow this simple rule--store items near where you use them. Here are some tips for the kitchen:

• Plates and flatware should be near the table. This will make it easier to set the table for meals.
• Glasses should be near the sink--your water source.
• Mugs should be near the coffee maker.
• Pots and pans should be near the stove.
• Bakeware should be near the oven.
• Utensils for cooking should be near the stove.
• Plastic bowls for storing food should be near the refrigerator.
• Appliances you use every day can be on the counter. Those you don't use on a regular basis should be in a pantry or cabinet.
• Spices should be near the stove, as should other cooking ingredients.
• Large serving pieces that are used often should be in lower cabinets near the table or stove.
• Serving pieces that are for holidays or special occasions should be stored up high or in the pantry.
• Vitamins and supplements should be near the sink.

If your cabinets aren't suitable for the items where they should be, consider converting some space with pull-out shelves or vertical dividers.

Frugal Tips for the Kitchen--Food

Frugal Friday

Not only is food getting more expensive, but the portions and boxes are getting smaller. It is more important than ever to spend wisely and not waste any food you purchase. Here are some tips for safe storage and use.

• Rotate items in your pantry and fridge as you put them away. Look at expiration dates, pulling the oldest items forward. If you keep putting new cans in front, eventually the ones in back will get too old to use.
• Keep a running list of items you need to buy posted somewhere in your kitchen. Take the list with you when you go grocery shopping. Don't rely on memory, as it often fails you. You won't buy what you don't need, thus using up what you have before it spoils.
• If you buy in bulk, package it into smaller portions immediately upon returning home. If you happen to need more than one portion, you can grab two packages. This is easier than defrosting the entire bulk package and trying to use it all at once.
• Some foods can be consumed past the expiration date. This is usually not applicable to dairy products or fresh foods. But canned and dried foods can often be safely consumed after the expiration date. The taste might not be as good as if it were fresh, however. Use your judgment--a product only 3 weeks past the expiraion date is much different than one three years after the date. And NEVER eat from any cans that are bent or damaged, or packages that are ripped. For more information on this, check out the Gourmet Sleuth web site.

Use Less to Save More in the Kitchen

Frugal Friday

The best part about being organized is that you will need less in your home. You will need to buy less because you will have learned to live with less.

Here are some ways you can save money by using less in your kitchen:

• Save plastic containers from food to use for storage or leftovers--no need to buy expensive brands.
• Turn your clean used plastic baggies inside out to use a second time.
• Aluminum foil can be reused after washing with hot, soapy water.
• Use an empty tissue box to hold plastic grocery bags.
• Clean styrofoam egg cartons make excellent ice-cube trays when you need extra for a party.
• Nail polish can be used to identify your keys.
• Roll your tablecloths, napkins and placemats around empty paper towel rolls for creaseless storage.
• An old vertical desk sorter holds cookie sheets upright in your cabinet.
• Line a pizza box with craft paper to use as an art portfolio for your children.

Keep Like Items Together--The Kitchen

Tips for Tuesday

This is one of the basics of organizing tips--Keep like items together. But what does that mean? How can you implement this practice in your kitchen or your bath? Here are some tips for your kitchen.

• Keep all baking items togther--pans, cookie sheets, drying racks, etc.
• Keep all baking ingredients together--flour, sugar, baking soda and powder, extracts
• Categorize the food in your pantry--breakfast items, pastas, canned vegetables, fruits, soups
• Keep paper goods together--plates, cups, napkins, tablecloths
• Keep cooking and baking untensils separate from eating utensils.
• Keep dinner plates, bowls, and dessert plates together.
• Keep glasses and mugs together.
• Keep serving pieces together.
• Keep holiday and entertaining pieces apart and away from everyday dishes.
• Keep all plastic containers together with their lids handy.
• Keep wraps (plastic, foil, etc) together with baggies.