tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2025558733089775822..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Planning for repairs and replacementsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7229825281491670422012-09-18T17:11:31.069+10:002012-09-18T17:11:31.069+10:00Wonderful items from you, man. I have be aware you...Wonderful items from you, man. I have be aware your stuff previous to and you are just too excellent.<br />I really like what you've obtained right here, certainly like what you're <br />stating and the way in which by which you say it. You are making <br />it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart.<br /><br />I cant wait to learn much more from you. That is really <br />a wonderful web site.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.prescription-swimming-goggles.info/retro-swimwear.html" title="Retro Swimwear<br /><br />Retro Swimwear" rel="nofollow">Retro Swimwear</a><br /><i>Here is my blog</i> : <b><a href="http://www.prescription-swimming-goggles.info/retro-swimwear.html" rel="nofollow">Retro Swimwear</a></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12692068090369452592012-02-05T18:09:47.733+10:002012-02-05T18:09:47.733+10:00To help with getting linen to last and for cleanin...To help with getting linen to last and for cleaning purposes as well, I now only buy white linen. That means that I don't have to worry about matching and if they get extra dirty they can be soaked in something a little stronger without worrying about losing the colour. Also I find that white linen also seems to look "cleaner".<br /><br />Thanks<br />AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78339410632217761142012-02-04T03:58:30.913+10:002012-02-04T03:58:30.913+10:00Thank you, Rhonda, for another sensible, reasonabl...Thank you, Rhonda, for another sensible, reasonable and reassuring post. Delightful and inspiring.helennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62342351575420126582012-02-03T20:03:47.099+10:002012-02-03T20:03:47.099+10:00very nice and simple post..
Thanks for sharing.very nice and simple post..<br />Thanks for sharing.selfsufficient11https://www.blogger.com/profile/03398777696225024793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26516552444074965822012-02-03T06:35:18.696+10:002012-02-03T06:35:18.696+10:00Hi Rhonda,
I had something I wanted to add to thi...Hi Rhonda,<br /><br />I had something I wanted to add to this. It is a very good example of poor economy. We had friends over on the weekend who are in financial difficulty. One of the things that was contributing to their debt was buying and then trading in three new cars in the last five years. None of the cars cost more than $30,000 but they owe over $70,000 in repayments. We were so horrified by this. We have a cheap old 20 year old ute that runs on the smell of an oily rag and a 10 year old sedan that we bought new and will continue to be a good car for another 10 years because we have well looked after it. I noticed in my children's school parking lot that at least half the cars are the new or previous model and it makes me wonder just how many people are caught in the trap of constantly trading up their cars. Scary stuff.<br /><br />Buy good quality and then use it until you can't use it anymore. <br /><br />Have a great weekend, I am looking forward to listening to your podcast this morning.michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08830431161836892797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-73154343171761017252012-02-03T05:31:39.392+10:002012-02-03T05:31:39.392+10:00Just wanted to say thanks for all the tips on shee...Just wanted to say thanks for all the tips on sheet mending. <br /><br />Socks I can darn, shirts I can repair, but it never occured to me to do anything but cut old sheets up and use them for other purposes.<br /><br />Thanks again.Melissahttp://www.frugalandthriving.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29911649952959121252012-02-03T03:48:24.635+10:002012-02-03T03:48:24.635+10:00We keep a certain amount in our emergency fund jus...We keep a certain amount in our emergency fund just for car repairs, since we decided we will not buy a new car but just keep fixing our old car. We have saved thousands of dollars that way not needing to take out a car loan!The Professor's Wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16729608417909675769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15008239828461329842012-02-03T03:03:41.161+10:002012-02-03T03:03:41.161+10:00Regarding sheets & towels - not all secondhand...Regarding sheets & towels - not all secondhand shops store their donations in a way that ensures cleanliness. Bed bugs are a possibility. I don't let that stop me. I inspect them at the shop - if they seem clean, then I just bring things home & put them directly in the wash on hot water. Then they go into the dryer. Any adult bed bugs are visible to the eye, but you could miss the eggs which is why its a good idea to wash them first. Also, I think 250 ct. percale cotton sheets are wonderful. They are cool for summer nights & those of us who get hot flashes. Higher count sheets have a silkier finish but due to the denser weaver are much warmer. i save those for the winter. Thread count is only part of what makes a quality sheet. I have 250 ct. sheets that are 20 years old. Also rotating sheets helps lengthen their use. I have 2-3 prs per bed. If you hang your towels and sheets they will last longer than if they go in the dryer. If a sheet is really worn, it can be cut up & the good parts made into pillow cases. All my sheets are blue, white or yellow or some combination. Having coordinating sheets helps you mix & match so if a bottom sheet wears out faster than the top, you still have pillowcases & top sheets that will go with it. If you want to mend sheets, <br /> use a piece of older similar fabric and patch a hole; rips can be reinforced with fabric tape and zig-zagged together. These are my thoughts on keeping household linens in good shape.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-21848654946921282152012-02-03T02:46:09.418+10:002012-02-03T02:46:09.418+10:00I use the blind man's stitch (by hand) to repa...I use the blind man's stitch (by hand) to repair small tears in my sheets and duvet cover. The old saying, "a stitch in time saves nine" is really true! Hanging your sheets and bedding on a clothesline to dry helps them to last much longer, too. Right now I am darning old wool socks because once the heels and toes are repaired, the socks will feel like new. The rest of the sock looks likenew and they'll last for years. It's harder to find good quality wool socks now, and they've gotten expensive! So true about the home repairs and maintenance. Many single women struggle to pay their property taxes and home repairs. I am starting to do the easy things myself: painting the fence, figuring out what's wrong with the sewing machine, etc...Also, if you qualify, the gas and electric companies will often replace your old appliances free of charge! They do excellent work, and pay for the permits, too! <br />Once I got into the swing with a food stockpile, that freed up the money I needed for an emergency fund.<br />awakened soulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80742722947906830302012-02-03T01:28:01.958+10:002012-02-03T01:28:01.958+10:00If your sheets are worn, you can make aprons from ...If your sheets are worn, you can make aprons from them if you have enough rags or save it for "batting" for a light weight quilt. Rhonda, I really appreciate this blog. I am a young wife who was raised by working parents. Sometimes I get bored at home but I do realize how blessed I am to be able to stay home. I worked for the first 4 years of our marriage. Could you do a post on what you would do if you were preparing to adopt a child/have a child. How would you prepare your home, mind, budget for a child. You may not have time and I understand but would really be interested in hearing what you have to say. LoriAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59088894386103740942012-02-03T00:48:18.600+10:002012-02-03T00:48:18.600+10:00Hi Rhonda, I apologize if this message reaches you...Hi Rhonda, I apologize if this message reaches you twice...I thought I lost it the first time. <br /><br />This is a very timely post, indeed, as I just found a new book by Kristin M. Roach entitled, "Mend It Better Creative Patching, Darning, and Stitching". The book has chapters on repairing, darning, patchwork, seam fixes, zippers, etc. There are also a template and directions for a great little Mending Tool Clutch for keeping all the tools for mending in one place - really handy idea. This is a good beginner's book with simple instructions, but I've also found a lot of helpful information for those who have been repairing and mending for a while now. I highly recommend it.<br /><br />Diane in North CarolinaJimmiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16620266780624532300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47766179241832740082012-02-02T22:43:29.362+10:002012-02-02T22:43:29.362+10:00Great ideas! We have a store here where everything...Great ideas! We have a store here where everything is donated and worked by volunteers. The proceeds all go to an abused women and children's shelter. Because it's such a wonderful charity, people will donate very nice quality items. It's a great place to purchase quality used clothes, household items, books and even yarn.Kelly Rhoadeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16533283214320938904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84031680388254364502012-02-02T21:53:54.784+10:002012-02-02T21:53:54.784+10:00Thank you Rhonda for this great post.
Old towels...Thank you Rhonda for this great post. <br /><br />Old towels, if cut into squares and overlocked around the edges, make great face cloths and even can be used instead of oven mitts. We live on a tight budget, but most months I manage to set aside something for emergencies. Old sheets are also great cut up and used as straining cloths for making cream cheese from yoghurt and straining juice from fruit pulp for jelly making.<br /><br />Please will you post a link to the podcast you mentioned. i would love to hear it, but have no idea where to find it.<br /><br />Catherine in South Africa.Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12551483728682810449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29795906504394426212012-02-02T20:43:34.398+10:002012-02-02T20:43:34.398+10:00One more thing: Check to see if your city has an ...One more thing: Check to see if your city has an environmental drop off place like mine. Here you can leave cleaners and paints - all kinds of chemicals that you no longer need. Also, just by showing proof of residency (drivers license or water bill) you can pick up a can or two of free paint - of course it may not be the exact shade you're looking for but it might be. I'm repainting our garage using free paint. It's pretty exciting. They will also let you take a cleaner or two.c. Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05957567318434101293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81960508528406941522012-02-02T20:16:19.076+10:002012-02-02T20:16:19.076+10:00Couldn't agree more with this post Rhonda.
It...Couldn't agree more with this post Rhonda.<br /><br />It takes a while to get yourself to a point where you can afford to buy good quality, but the length of time the items last make it more than worthwhile to wait and save.<br /><br />I have a set of egyptian cotton towels which are still going strong 10 years after I bought them. No holes, rips or tears and they still hold a degree of fluffiness that makes them lovely to snuggle into.Steelhttp://steelkitten.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-40807869080214174242012-02-02T18:54:18.246+10:002012-02-02T18:54:18.246+10:00Thanks for this Rhonda! I have an emergency fund ...Thanks for this Rhonda! I have an emergency fund with £1000 (I'm still adding to it) in, and save separately for car maintenance/emergencies, but don't set aside a regular house maintenance budget. I'm lucky in that there's 2 of us, and we're both willing to get stuck in and have a go (and my partner at least knows what he's doing!) but there's things that get left because we don't get round to them (like a slightly dripping washing machine pipe that will cause trouble eventually... <br /><br />A lovely timely reminder that a stitch in time saves nine :) <br /><br />Pretty much all our household stuff comes from charity shops etc, and clothes too! It's amazing what you can find. I've not tried cutting sheets in half (ours are mostly fitted ones), but I am in the (slow!) process of repairing small tears in the mattress. <br /><br />Thank you :)Jennihttp://acheerfullivingadventure.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30471155478755307312012-02-02T18:52:03.095+10:002012-02-02T18:52:03.095+10:00Hi Rhonda
This is the first time I've posted a...Hi Rhonda<br />This is the first time I've posted a comment, and I've been a lurker for a few years now (I don't have my own blog so didn't take part in the 'what I'm thinking about Fridays')but I just had to say how wonderful it was to hear you being interviewed on the radio! I love the internet!!!<br />I am currently unemployed, so finding your posts even more useful than ever, and an inspiration to live a more frugal life. <br />Thanks<br />Caroline<br />Leeds, EnglandCarolinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71772064591586205372012-02-02T17:10:50.649+10:002012-02-02T17:10:50.649+10:00Hi Rhonda,
A very timely post again. I was just t...Hi Rhonda,<br /><br />A very timely post again. I was just thinking about starting a new thread on the forum regarding stock piling clothes. <br /><br />Thanks very much for this.<br /><br />AnnaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-64070619608185408032012-02-02T15:37:10.610+10:002012-02-02T15:37:10.610+10:00You had reminded us yesterday about your interview...You had reminded us yesterday about your interview which was good. Interesting to hear your voice. I first "found" you on Life Matters the last time you interviewed. ELizaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84768720753659706132012-02-02T13:07:57.765+10:002012-02-02T13:07:57.765+10:00If you have a friend that frequents garage sales i...If you have a friend that frequents garage sales its worth asking them to be on the lookout for what you require and let them know what you are willing to pay. My friend has me on the lookout for a bread maker for her as she knows my Panasonic cost me just $5 at a garage sale. She's prepared to wait until I find her a Panasonic. Apparently, they don't make them anymore. Estate sales are good for finding household items. Most of my small appliances came from garage sales. I always ask to plug them in and most people are happy to let you do this so you know that it still works. I recently found a Sunbeam Mixmaster brand new never been used still in the box for $10. An older model but my friend says she has had hers for 20 years!<br />On buying quality linen - sometimes motels have closing down sales. I bought my son a new Sanderson quilt cover for $5. They were all in the same design but being snapped up. When I do replace now I'm looking for better quality than what I used to purchase. Online I found 1000 thread count cotton sheet sets for not much more than the chain stores were selling 250 count thread sets. What a difference those increased threads make to the quality. It's something I never used to consider.Ann at eightacresofedenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15524581927752695509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6721893681798613312012-02-02T11:09:52.187+10:002012-02-02T11:09:52.187+10:00Great post! I think it is important to itemize yo...Great post! I think it is important to itemize your bills and actual expenditures AND save for a rainy day. I had no idea what money was coming in or going out until I met my now husband. It's amazing how much you can save if you know how much you might be wasting.Mary Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17525958667762567812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-140814426142966082012-02-02T09:09:27.268+10:002012-02-02T09:09:27.268+10:00I must add as well that Freecycle is an astounding...I must add as well that Freecycle is an astounding resource for nearly every need in the home. We are careful to not only ask for items we need, but also to give away usable items we no longer need. Anything from small and large appliances, clothing, furniture, tools, linens, bikes, etc. can be sourced on freecycle. Additionally, the FREE column of the newspaper or online buy/sell listings is also a great place to source things you need if you are NOT in a hurry to replace something. I agree about charity shops... just this week, I purchased a much needed 100% cotton bed blanket to replace a very shabby one. It was in nearly new condition for $6.00 - a good investment as it's sure to last as long as it's predecessor (20 years). Thanks for a great post!Little Home In The Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14542813650753976168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77336165063389724782012-02-02T09:06:10.097+10:002012-02-02T09:06:10.097+10:00Great post and I've had an emergency fund for ...Great post and I've had an emergency fund for years.<br />@ Melissa - my grandmother used to cut her sheets in half straight up the middle(lengthways) trim the hems off the existing outside then sew those outsides of each half together so there was a seam up the middle of the sheets, making a new centre, then she'd hem the 'new' outside edges. Of course she didn't wait until they were too worn to do this and it usually gave her a couple of extra years out of them. All sheets were 100% cotton then. Try op shopping some pre-loved sets as I can buy a good set of double sheets with pillow slips for around $8 and you can still find 100% cotton sometimes and they last better. Might give you another year to save up for a good set on sale!<br />Cheers,<br />RobynRobynLouisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08050372484207822842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55663563731676793772012-02-02T09:01:29.092+10:002012-02-02T09:01:29.092+10:00Hi Rhonda, just heard the interview with Life Matt...Hi Rhonda, just heard the interview with Life Matters - lovely and very inspiring. Thank You.DaffodilAngelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03312932573545559546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38818251393666771312012-02-02T08:38:28.020+10:002012-02-02T08:38:28.020+10:00There's a saying I heard from an old timer in ...There's a saying I heard from an old timer in our town - "Poor people pay twice". It has stuck with me over the years, probably because I notice how often it's true. When you don't have enough money to buy good quality in the first place, when you try to stop the gap by buying cheap, poor quality, Chinese made goods, you pay twice. When you don't have a big income, it's often not easy to do. But what he taught me was to hang out if at all possible till I could afford to buy something that will last, then maintain it. And Rhonda, you're right - you often do find better quality buying second hand at op shops and garage sales.Linda Woodrowhttp://www.witcheskitchen.com.aunoreply@blogger.com