What are your frugal and sustainable tips and tricks?

[saysfaa]

Definitely point to him.

But! I gave him the update just now and... surprise... he suggested one more try at it. Maybe if we take it outside and run the hose through it while it is upside down...

I'd have more hope if I could still hear the cap rattle. I'm afraid the more aggressive tries have lodged it somewhere. Although, that might make it useable for another ten years.

 

[gtaus]

Definitely point to him.

But! I gave him the update just now and... surprise... he suggested one more try at it. Maybe if we take it outside and run the hose through it while it is upside down...

I'd have more hope if I could still hear the cap rattle. I'm afraid the more aggressive tries have lodged it somewhere. Although, that might make it useable for another ten years.

Since the old toilet is already dysfunctional (essentially broke), you don't have much to lose to try everything you can to remove that cap. Turn it upside down, shake it vigorously, etc... Just go ahead... Beat the crap out of it!

 

[saysfaa]

I'm with you, gtaus, about not liking low flush toilets, and liking plain, strong, basic versions. So many things have been made so much "better" that they don't work effectively anymore. I don't know if I can get one like that, though, I don't think they are sold anymore.

Besides, from what the plumber said, an object dropped into the innards via the tank end is more likely to cause problems in standard toilets. They run all the water through the tiny holes under the rim so have even smaller pathways in their innards.

If I have to get a water-saving kind, I do want this kind now that I understand what it is. Maybe even if the old style is a choice. I think it really is a better design, and likely stronger than the old 6 or 7 gallon per flush kind.

 

[gtaus]

Took my weekly trip into town today and swung by our charity Thrift Shop. I picked up one of those countertop ice makers. Here is the exact model...

It looked practically new. Like someone used it maybe only once or twice. It had all the parts and pieces, except the manual (which I downloaded online). I bought the ice maker for $10.00, which is one of my more expensive purchases at the Thrift Shop. I was going to buy an ice maker this past summer when they went on sale for about $60.00, but they were all sold out before I got to the store.

Other than me, who would buy an ice maker this time of year? Well, probably other people who save money by buying products in the off season. In general, I don't mind buying end of season clearance items and storing them until next summer, in this case.

Did it actually work? Yes! I just finished testing it out and it's making all kinds of ice cubes. Very nice. I can see why it got 5 stars.

It does take up a good section of the countertop, so I know Dear Wife will not want it sitting out during the winter months. We don't need so many ice cubes in the winter here in northern Minnesota. So, I'll probably run a cleaning cycle through the machine and pack it away until next summer.

As I have mentioned before, our local church charity Thrift Shop gives money from stuff we donate, and then they sell, to a number of local charities helping those in need. So, even if this ice maker did not work, I would still be OK with the idea that I just donated $10.00 to our community charities. But the ice maker is working good as new, so I'm really happy. Everybody wins today!

 

[gtaus]

I'm with you, gtaus, about not liking low flush toilets, and liking plain, strong, basic versions.

Well, it's really easy for me to with the full flush toilets. I live on a lake and have well water. Water does not cost me anything in that respect. If I lived somewhere out in the desert and had to pay for my water by the gallon, then maybe I would be more open to the low flush toilets. Certainly, if you just need to flush urine, you probably don't need a full flush. So, I'm not against those who prefer those water saving toilets. There is just no advantage to me with a low flush toilet where I currently live.

As a kid, way back in the 1960's, my grandparents had a summer lake cabin without electricity or running water. We had to use the outhouse for going to the bathroom. Nothing broke on that design.

 

[fuzzi]

Well, it's really easy for me to with the full flush toilets. I live on a lake and have well water. Water does not cost me anything in that respect. If I lived somewhere out in the desert and had to pay for my water by the gallon, then maybe I would be more open to the low flush toilets. Certainly, if you just need to flush urine, you probably don't need a full flush. So, I'm not against those who prefer those water saving toilets. There is just no advantage to me with a low flush toilet where I currently live.

As a kid, way back in the 1960's, my grandparents had a summer lake cabin without electricity or running water. We had to use the outhouse for going to the bathroom. Nothing broke on that design.

When I've had toilet problems I've thought about getting a composting toilet...

 

[Molpet]

When I've had toilet problems I've thought about getting a composting toilet...

I have a couple buckets I leave in the shower that I fill while the water is getting hot . Handy if the toilet that is older than me acts up or the power goes out.

 

[fuzzi]

I have a couple buckets I leave in the shower that I fill while the water is getting hot . Handy if the toilet that is older than me acts up or the power goes out.

I have rain barrels outside, good for that sort of situation.

 

[gtaus]

I posted an answer to the gardening thread that actually fits better here. Hope this idea might help someone save some money on their tools and batteries....

Using Batteries With Adapters For Different Brand Tools

Given the high cost of power tool batteries, in many cases exceeding the value of the tool itself, it sure is tempting to buy an adapter to use your batteries on other brand tools. I have seen YouTube videos on the pros and cons of using those adapters. It's probably a good option for most people. However, these adapters sometimes bypass the battery and/or tool's safety features which, in theory, could damage the tool and/or the battery...

In my case, I have the Ryobi 18v One+ battery format with the stem sticking up. I have not seen an adapter for the old stem style batteries...

The advantage to Ryobi keeping that older stem style battery is that their newest batteries will work in my ~20-year-old Ryobi tools. It has saved me many $$$ over the years with that battery format locked into place.

But if I had another tool brand with the newer slide in battery format, I would certainly consider an adapter if I had different brand tools in my garage.

I am pretty much locked into Ryobi at this point. I have over 45 18v batteries that I have acquired over the past ~20 years. Seems like every time I buy a new Ryobi tool or kit, it comes with new batteries. It would cost me a small fortune to switch to a different platform. I have no complaints. Ryobi tools have more than delivered for my DIY needs. I'm still using the tools from my first kit I bought ~20 years ago. The old Ni-Cad batteries died long ago, but the tools work better and longer with the new Li-Ion batteries using the same stem style format.