Every Monday, I answer a few of the questions that my readers send me. If you have a question you’d like me to answer in a future Q&A post, just leave me a comment here or email me (thefrugalgirl [at] gmail [dot] com) and put Q&A in the subject line. I look forward to hearing from you!
A few years ago my husband and I bought a nice-quality umbrella (heavy canvas) with wooden stand and ribs for our deck. We paid around $300. The umbrella has faded from a brilliant cobalt blue to an uneven grey with lines which looks beat up and old.
Similar umbrellas are now $400, and it seems ridiculous to buy a BRAND new set when the stand and ribs are OK. New canvas covers are $170 from Sunbrella, which seems very expensive.
We’ve considered turning the umbrella material inside out it would look new on the top, but that would require switching the “pockets” where the umbrella rays fit into the cloth (which would require a heavy-duty sewing machine (which I do not have) or dying the faded side, but the umbrella is rather large and we’d need to get water proofed dye, etc. And we’re not sure it would work.
-Millicent
I think it’s great that you want to rehab your current umbrella. I agree that turning it inside out seems like a lot of work and since you don’t own a heavy duty sewing machine, it would be an expensive endeavor.
Instead of dying it, I wonder if you could paint it. I haven’t done it myself, but after poking around on the internet a bit, it looks like a number of other people have. Here’s a post from Home Depot and this painted red umbrella looks pretty darn good!
So, I think I’d opt for the paint idea myself.
Do you know of any frugal reusable solutions for foil and/or plastic wrap? On earth911 I found some foil replacement tips however they are a bit pricey to buy enough to replace using foil completely.
Specifically, I am using it to cover my ribs in the oven right now and as a heat retainer for party serving. We do not use foil or wraps for food storage. All containers for us;)
Thanks!
-Holly
Gosh, I don’t know what to recommend to replace foil for your purposes. You’ve already opted to use other means for storing food, which is awesome.
My only idea is to use the super heavy duty foil, which is tough enough to withstand cleaning for reuse, especially if you’re using it for something less messy than ribs. I often reuse my foil when I’m making something like roasted carrots.
Hopefully my readers will have some bright solutions for you.
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Ok, people! You know the drill. Let your thoughts and opinions fly!
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kendra
Tuesday 11th of June 2013
I haven't noticed any difference with the Capital One savings account, but my mortgage is another story. I use to make a payment every other Friday and usually paid extra principal. ING never had a problem applying the payment correctly, but Capital One can't seem to get it right. During a conversation with a customer service rep, I was given numerous excuses why not, some which conflicted with each other, and included "we can't do that" and "you entered it wrong". Interesting since I've done it for years without issue before the switch. I gave up and just make a regular payment now and stash the extra in my savings account to make a lump sum principal payment later on.
EcoCatLady
Tuesday 11th of June 2013
For foil replacement - I'm a big fan of pyrex baking dishes with lids. I got mine at the thrift store, and I totally LOVE them. Some have flat lids, others have domed lids so I can usually find one that works for whatever I need.
I have terrible luck washing foil... I can generally find a way to use it 2-3 times, but beyond that even the heavy duty stuff seems to rip and tear.
Mars1
Monday 10th of June 2013
For the outdoor umbrella- You can buy the entire umbrella at IKEA for less than $100, not just the cover.
Diane C
Tuesday 11th of June 2013
Sure, you can just go out and buy a new one, but where's the challenge in that? If you can renew the original and make it last longer, it keeps it out of the landfill and secures at least $100 (including tax, plus the time and gas to and fro) in your pocket. After all, this is the Frugal Girl blog. Hee!
Battra92
Monday 10th of June 2013
Foil I try to reuse a few times before tossing it in the recycling bin. Yes, you can recycle foil (at least in some areas you can!)
For your uses, try an upside down sheet pan to cover your ribs (providing the walls of your pan will support it of course) and as for keeping food cool when resting use an upside down stainless bowl or the lid off a roasting pan or a kettle grill even if you're making a turkey. Hooray for multi-taskers!
My main use of plastic wrap was covering yeast bread while it rose. After buying a dozen or so Ikea Tekla towels ( http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10100909/ ) I use those instead. I write the date on the boxes of stuff when I open them (because I'm weird like that) and the plastic wrap was opened early last year and it's maybe half gone. I may leave this stuff in my will.
Carla
Tuesday 11th of June 2013
For covering yeast bread while it raises, my mom and I use an empty cereal bag and sometimes a light towel on top of that. When the bread dough would stick to the wax cereal bag, it is a lot easier to clean it off than the towel. I eat a lot of cereal, so it is something I already have on hand. :)
Kristen
Monday 10th of June 2013
I keep wanting to do that (write the date on my plastic wrap!) to see how long it takes me to use a package. I just used the last of one that I know I've had for a number of years, but I don't know how many.
So, the next one I buy is going to be dated!
Tina S.
Monday 10th of June 2013
Just FYI, ING Direct was part of ING Group which is a huge corporation based in the Netherlands. Wikipedia says it is the worlds 18th largest corporation by revenue (source provided). I'm not sure how big Capital One is compared to this.
I also have an account at Capital One and I have not noticed any major changes since it changed hands. It seems to be as good an internet bank as any. I personally prefer to use a local credit union, but I like to keep some money in several places just in case.
Kristen
Monday 10th of June 2013
Hmm. Well, I guess I should say that they FELT like a small company. Ha.