I took off the grill, pulled out the drip tray and washed both. I used a coil cleaning brush and the vacuum to clean out all of the dust on the coils. There was a lot of dust collected on the coils. Now this is a frig that is at least 13 years old which is the average life span of one. I want it to last until we sell the house in 5 years. It would help if I cleaned the coils and door seals more than once every 12 to 18 months. The manual suggests every other month! I will put it on my schedule in Outlook and be more diligent. As the idiom goes, A stitch in time saves nine - or in this case, maintenance reduces the cost of repairs or replacement.
This however led me to thinking about how to help our other appliances, electronics, cars, etc. last until we are ready to move or even longer. We are all used to the following saying.
And there are many others. Here's a whole article about frugality idioms - Idioms clarify frugality foundations. Well, I think that it is time to apply these even more about these as I countdown to retirement. I'd rather become more disciplined and have more money for travel, generosity, fun and savings.
So I am starting a new series as I look for ways to stretch the life of what we have, appreciate what we have, learn new skills and resurrect old ones, and maximize our savings while having a happy life now.
So lets all:
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without - Get creative!
Take a stitch in time to save nine - You already bought it; make it last.
Save for a rainy day - or retirement, a vacation, or whatever will drive you forward.
a rainy day:
One reader, Caitlin L. from California, shares: "The main thing my dad
drilled into my head was: 'If you make $40, don't spend $50. Spend $30
and put the rest away for a rainy day.'"
#For some people, it seems impossible to save any amount of money when
they're trying to provide basic needs. Start a change jar. It's the
easiest way to start an emergency fund or to teach kids to save money.
#For ways to find loose change and kick-start your savings, visit
www.frugalvillage.com/2008/12/14/see-a-penny-pick-it-up/.
#A stitch in time saves nine: This is helpful when confronting money
issues, repairs and your health. It's better to take care of things,
practice preventive maintenance or address problems earlier rather than
later, when it gets worse.
#Waste not, want not: Think before you spend. Don't be greedy. Take what
you will use and no more than you need. Don't waste anything you might
need later. Make the most of your resources.
#Give a man a fish: Learn to do things for yourself in case you ever
need to. Teach or show someone how to do something instead of doing it
for them or giving them money. Visit
www.frugalvillage.com/2010/07/03/help-without-lending-money for
suggestions on how to do exactly that.
#Were you raised in a barn? Don't let heat or cold escape through an
open door. Don't leave a mess behind you, be kind to others and remember
your manners.
#Put a sweater on: Turn down the thermostat to save some energy and
money. Along the same lines, unplug items in your house when they're not
in use. Think: DVR, cable boxes, microwave ovens or coffeemakers with
digital clocks.
#Another reader, Gabrielle F., shares: "See if you can borrow a P3
International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor from the
library to check your electricity usage on household appliances. I can't
wait to find out what is sucking up the most electricity! The devices
start at about $16 retail, so how cool is it to use one for free?"
#The grass is always greener: Don't compare yourself to others.
Appreciate what you have. Recognize the difference between having the
things you want and wanting the things you already have.
Read more at: http://www.monroenews.com/news/2011/sep/18/idioms-clarify-frugal-foundations/
Read more at: http://www.monroenews.com/news/2011/sep/18/idioms-clarify-frugal-foundations/
Love it... :) I agree, we should definitely "make it last"!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carla. There are so many "things" in this house I want the next owner to replace instead of me!
DeleteA good philosophy. Right now B and I are furiously trying to eat up, or cook up, everything in the refrigerator . . . in anticipation of tropical storm Sandy which will likely take our power out.
ReplyDeleteHope you aren't without power too long.
DeleteLove this philosophy and we try to live by it too. We are getting better and better at it...takes discipline.
ReplyDeleteIt does take discipline when it is not an urgent necessity. I have to push myself back into those habits periodically while not losing the fun in life.
Delete