Comments on: Eight Quick Takes on an Icy December Day http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:41:33 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jess http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-134433 Jess Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:10:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-134433 Nick - I used Shaw's brand dry milk and Hershey's special dark baking chocolate and ended up having to run the whole batch through my mom's ancient (at least 40 years old) hand-crank sifter twice and then through a very fine pasta strainer and still had lumps from the dry milk. Sifting helped a bit definitely, but in the future I might not use baking chocolate, I don't really know how exactly it's different from regular special dark. I'm wondering how fine a grater you use, Trent, because I used my mom's Oskar thinger to grate it, put some through a hand-crank cheese grater (apparently we're all about elbow grease in my house!), and still had to re-Oskar it to refine the grind. If only Mom already had the box grater she's getting for Christmas...! Hopefully the bf's family will still enjoy it! Nick – I used Shaw’s brand dry milk and Hershey’s special dark baking chocolate and ended up having to run the whole batch through my mom’s ancient (at least 40 years old) hand-crank sifter twice and then through a very fine pasta strainer and still had lumps from the dry milk. Sifting helped a bit definitely, but in the future I might not use baking chocolate, I don’t really know how exactly it’s different from regular special dark. I’m wondering how fine a grater you use, Trent, because I used my mom’s Oskar thinger to grate it, put some through a hand-crank cheese grater (apparently we’re all about elbow grease in my house!), and still had to re-Oskar it to refine the grind. If only Mom already had the box grater she’s getting for Christmas…!

Hopefully the bf’s family will still enjoy it!

]]> By: Sara http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-130406 Sara Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:06:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-130406 @Travis, Table salt's endothermic properties affect the boiling point of water so little that you would have to add nearly a pound of NaCl to a gallon of water to have any noticeable effect in how quickly the water boils (aka the lowered - not raised - boiling point). I don't know about you, but I don't want my spaghetti that salty. The salt added to a pot of water simply adds flavor. Trent, I can't wait to try the hot chocolate mix! It's going to have to wait until finals are over, but I'm looking forward to it! @Travis,

Table salt’s endothermic properties affect the boiling point of water so little that you would have to add nearly a pound of NaCl to a gallon of water to have any noticeable effect in how quickly the water boils (aka the lowered – not raised – boiling point). I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my spaghetti that salty. The salt added to a pot of water simply adds flavor.

Trent, I can’t wait to try the hot chocolate mix! It’s going to have to wait until finals are over, but I’m looking forward to it!

]]> By: Macinac http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-126913 Macinac Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:01:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-126913 I have not had TV for over 30 years. My adolescent kids (younger wife) never had it so they don't miss it. We have dinner together every night. They do homework, read books, draw pictures, play games, talk on the phone (land line only!), play the piano and sing. On weekends we watch movies which we get on DVD free from the public library. We set up the laptop in the living room on the coffee table, and all sit together on the sofa. One result of this and other parsimonious behavior is that in November my checking account had $4017 put into it but only $2832 was taken out. I have not had TV for over 30 years. My adolescent kids (younger wife) never had it so they don’t miss it. We have dinner together every night. They do homework, read books, draw pictures, play games, talk on the phone (land line only!), play the piano and sing. On weekends we watch movies which we get on DVD free from the public library. We set up the laptop in the living room on the coffee table, and all sit together on the sofa. One result of this and other parsimonious behavior is that in November my checking account had $4017 put into it but only $2832 was taken out.

]]> By: Rob http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-126812 Rob Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:15:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-126812 Nick, I used Carnation brand dry milk and it dissolved flawlessly. No experience with the S&S brand. Hope this helps. Nick, I used Carnation brand dry milk and it dissolved flawlessly. No experience with the S&S brand. Hope this helps.

]]> By: Sm4k http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-126054 Sm4k Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:51:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-126054 One of the things I've tried recently to help stave off game buying is a subscription to GameTap. The service has really matured from the arcade-only persona they were advertising with early on. Now it includes many games that I didn't get to play over the years (Baldur's Gate, Planscape Torment, etc) and even some obscure titles from consoles (Chu Chu Rocket, Typing of the Dead). They have a deal going now where it's $60 a year for unlimited access to their entire catalog. They also have a free client, that as of this writing gives you free access to Psychonauts, among other great games. for the cost of a single game (these days) a year, you get access to an entire legal library. One of the things I’ve tried recently to help stave off game buying is a subscription to GameTap. The service has really matured from the arcade-only persona they were advertising with early on. Now it includes many games that I didn’t get to play over the years (Baldur’s Gate, Planscape Torment, etc) and even some obscure titles from consoles (Chu Chu Rocket, Typing of the Dead). They have a deal going now where it’s $60 a year for unlimited access to their entire catalog. They also have a free client, that as of this writing gives you free access to Psychonauts, among other great games. for the cost of a single game (these days) a year, you get access to an entire legal library.

]]> By: Nick http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-125998 Nick Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:41:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-125998 I made the hot chocolate recipe as well. I used stop and shop brand dry milk and had problems with it desolving. Anyone else with that problem? I made the hot chocolate recipe as well. I used stop and shop brand dry milk and had problems with it desolving. Anyone else with that problem?

]]> By: Rob http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-125667 Rob Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:12:07 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-125667 The hot chocolate recipe produced an outstanding drink. I used 1/2 cup of mix to 6 ounces of water, with a little whipped cream and some chocolate shavings on top. The family and I absolutely love it. Amy, I used non-dairy creamer with no problem. And yes, I first tried to "powderize" the chocolate with a blender too. I melted the chocolate. So, I ended up using the box-type shredder instead using "second finest" side. The hot chocolate recipe produced an outstanding drink. I used 1/2 cup of mix to 6 ounces of water, with a little whipped cream and some chocolate shavings on top. The family and I absolutely love it. Amy, I used non-dairy creamer with no problem. And yes, I first tried to “powderize” the chocolate with a blender too. I melted the chocolate. So, I ended up using the box-type shredder instead using “second finest” side.

]]> By: Travis http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-125420 Travis Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:31:48 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-125420 With regards to your plan to pour hot salt water down the driveway... That's a good plan, and you should be ok, but for what it's worth, Table Salt (NaCl) has a slightly endothermic (absorbs heat) reaction when it reacts with water, and Rock Salt (CaCl) has quite an exothermic reaction when it reacts with water. So that's the reason that you put table salt in your water when you're boiling it (so it raises the boiling point by absorbing some of the energy), and you put rock salt on your driveway when it ices (because it releases heat when it gets wet, thus melting your ice). It's mostly the hot water doing all of the melting when you do that to your driveway... I thoroughly enjoy your blog, just wanted to throw my $0.02 in! With regards to your plan to pour hot salt water down the driveway… That’s a good plan, and you should be ok, but for what it’s worth, Table Salt (NaCl) has a slightly endothermic (absorbs heat) reaction when it reacts with water, and Rock Salt (CaCl) has quite an exothermic reaction when it reacts with water. So that’s the reason that you put table salt in your water when you’re boiling it (so it raises the boiling point by absorbing some of the energy), and you put rock salt on your driveway when it ices (because it releases heat when it gets wet, thus melting your ice). It’s mostly the hot water doing all of the melting when you do that to your driveway… I thoroughly enjoy your blog, just wanted to throw my $0.02 in!

]]> By: SueO http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-125123 SueO Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:29:45 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-125123 To jump in a little late to the "television usefulness" commentary: I have read Gene Kranz's book about the Space Program (obviously including the Apollo 13 Crisis) and have seen Kranz interviewed for PBS about Apollo 13. I was overwhelmed with the sight of this very "manly" engineer being brought to tears once again at the memory after 20+ years. Reading about it made me understand the efforts involved, but seeing a grown man cry made me appreciate how emotionally wrapped they all were with the events and their team members. TV can portray things better than books sometimes. And yes, I do find myself wasting time in front of the TV. Sometimes, the mind drug is all that works after a tough day at the office. Sorry. I'm human. To jump in a little late to the “television usefulness” commentary: I have read Gene Kranz’s book about the Space Program (obviously including the Apollo 13 Crisis) and have seen Kranz interviewed for PBS about Apollo 13. I was overwhelmed with the sight of this very “manly” engineer being brought to tears once again at the memory after 20+ years. Reading about it made me understand the efforts involved, but seeing a grown man cry made me appreciate how emotionally wrapped they all were with the events and their team members. TV can portray things better than books sometimes.
And yes, I do find myself wasting time in front of the TV. Sometimes, the mind drug is all that works after a tough day at the office. Sorry. I’m human.

]]> By: Golfing Girl http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-125053 Golfing Girl Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:20:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-125053 Ditto on the debt repayment. I want the 2nd mortgage gone so badly by the end of 2007 I tried to convince hubby to use the emergency fund. Not smart at Christmas time! Thank goodness he's not as impulsive as me! Ditto on the debt repayment. I want the 2nd mortgage gone so badly by the end of 2007 I tried to convince hubby to use the emergency fund. Not smart at Christmas time! Thank goodness he’s not as impulsive as me!

]]> By: Tanya http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-125044 Tanya Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:57:26 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-125044 Yeah, I hear you on the throwing too much into debt repayment. My company just cut their 401k match from 6% to 3% and I'm trying to decide whether I should increase my contribution another 3%, cutting my student loan repayment, or ignore it until I'm out of debt. So frustrating. Yeah, I hear you on the throwing too much into debt repayment. My company just cut their 401k match from 6% to 3% and I’m trying to decide whether I should increase my contribution another 3%, cutting my student loan repayment, or ignore it until I’m out of debt. So frustrating.

]]> By: Amy K. http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-125043 Amy K. Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:54:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-125043 Thanks for the hot chocolate mix recipe! I have a question about the dairy creamer: I'm not in dairy country, would it be better to sub non-dairy creamer, or to skip it entirely? I'm thinking the cocoa butter will just float to the surface without it, but non-dairy creamer might taste funny. Thanks for the hot chocolate mix recipe! I have a question about the dairy creamer: I’m not in dairy country, would it be better to sub non-dairy creamer, or to skip it entirely?

I’m thinking the cocoa butter will just float to the surface without it, but non-dairy creamer might taste funny.

]]> By: Mark http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-125023 Mark Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:58:59 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-125023 I found a site called wiialerts.com that e-mails and sends a text message when Wii's become available. Looks good, we will see how it works. I will let you know. I found a site called wiialerts.com that e-mails and sends a text message when Wii’s become available. Looks good, we will see how it works. I will let you know.

]]> By: Susan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-124978 Susan Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:04:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-124978 We use popcorn every year on our tree but wouldn't think of throwing it away. It takes way tooooo long to string. After Christmas we very carefully put the stringed popcorn in a plastic bag, tie it up tightly, and store in a tin. It lasts for years and looks great. We've never had trouble with it molding. Just keep it away from the mice. We use popcorn every year on our tree but wouldn’t think of throwing it away. It takes way tooooo long to string. After Christmas we very carefully put the stringed popcorn in a plastic bag, tie it up tightly, and store in a tin. It lasts for years and looks great. We’ve never had trouble with it molding. Just keep it away from the mice.

]]> By: DrBdan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-124973 DrBdan Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:57:39 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-124973 I know I'm a day late in adding my comment but I wanted to reply about finding a Wii. A good way to find a Wii is to talk to your local store and ask when they are getting their next shipment in. Most places will happily let you know, unless you happen to find a grumpy employee. Then just go to that store the day that they get their delivery and you should be able to get one. Keep in mind that the larger stores (e.g. Walmart, Target) tend to get more Wii's than smaller stores (e.g. EB Games). Happy Hunting! I know I’m a day late in adding my comment but I wanted to reply about finding a Wii. A good way to find a Wii is to talk to your local store and ask when they are getting their next shipment in. Most places will happily let you know, unless you happen to find a grumpy employee. Then just go to that store the day that they get their delivery and you should be able to get one. Keep in mind that the larger stores (e.g. Walmart, Target) tend to get more Wii’s than smaller stores (e.g. EB Games). Happy Hunting!

]]> By: Ryan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-124940 Ryan Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:39:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-124940 Careful with using a blender to powder chocolate bars. I tried that once and the blade generated enough heat to melt the chocolate and turn it into goop. Just a forwarding if anyone decides to try it ;) Careful with using a blender to powder chocolate bars. I tried that once and the blade generated enough heat to melt the chocolate and turn it into goop. Just a forwarding if anyone decides to try it ;)

]]> By: Sylvia http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-124678 Sylvia Mon, 03 Dec 2007 02:03:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-124678 It's been pouring down rain here in Western ,Ky today. The temp is about 60 degrees. It sounds like you've had a peaceful day. I'm glad for you. It’s been pouring down rain here in Western ,Ky today. The temp is about 60 degrees. It sounds like you’ve had a peaceful day. I’m glad for you.

]]> By: Mark http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-124635 Mark Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:20:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-124635 As a sports fan, the TV is part of my passion, I could not do without it or cable (NEED ESPN!). However, when a good sporting event is not on, the TV is usually OFF. As a sports fan, the TV is part of my passion, I could not do without it or cable (NEED ESPN!). However, when a good sporting event is not on, the TV is usually OFF.

]]> By: Nadine http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-124589 Nadine Sun, 02 Dec 2007 22:28:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-124589 Super-warm here in S GA. Kids are barefoot and we grilled out. We have two seasons: really hot and somewhat nippy. We had a little somewhat-nippy a week or two ago, and now it's back to being pretty warm. Like anything, TV can be good or bad depending on the user. It is a big distraction I agree, but not entirely useless. Super-warm here in S GA. Kids are barefoot and we grilled out. We have two seasons: really hot and somewhat nippy. We had a little somewhat-nippy a week or two ago, and now it’s back to being pretty warm.

Like anything, TV can be good or bad depending on the user. It is a big distraction I agree, but not entirely useless.

]]> By: Margaret http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/comment-page-1/#comment-124446 Margaret Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:20:54 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/01/eight-quick-takes-on-an-icy-december-day/#comment-124446 -29C here (that's -20F on your weird system). Stupid ineffectual global warming. -29C here (that’s -20F on your weird system). Stupid ineffectual global warming.

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