Phones and batteries

We bought a set of Panasonic phones from Costco after we moved to Wetaskiwin - about 4 years ago, maybe 4.5.  The thing I HATE about cordless phones is that it is generally more expensive to replace the batteries than it is to buy new phones.  So when phone #1 (of 3) stopped keeping a charge, I put it away without even looking at the battery.  Then the other day I noticed that phone #2 wasn't holding a charge.  With only one phone left, I thought maybe I should look into the cost of batteries.

Imagine my surprise when I opened up the back and saw two rechargeable AAA batteries.  No "special" battery needed.  The batteries are Ni-MH batteries and were replaceable (2 sets) for $15 at Wal Mart (we live in a small town, the only place to buy anything tends to be Wal Mart - I wouldn't shop there if I had other, close options). 

So I don't have to throw the phones into the landfill and buy new ones.  Yay!!  Charged up phone #1 and it is working!  I'm so very happy that the Panasonic corporation went to AAA batteries and not the ones that cost $30 each.

Of course, you can't use anything other than an Ni-MH battery.  Nickle Cadmium won't work in the same charger.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Titanic Connections

Image
100 years ago today, my Great-Grandmother, Nellie Steele, must have been grieving the fact that she had missed the most exciting trip of her life.  Her fiance, my Great-Grandfather, Jack McCurrach, had travelled to Canada 1 1/2 years earlier and was awaiting her arrival so they could marry.  But her sister was very ill and expecting a baby, and as it turned out she died about a month after the baby was born.  My Great-Grandmother stayed behind to support her sister and then take care of the baby girl until she could be adopted out.  The original plan was to take the Titanic to Canada.  Families on both sides of the Atlantic remember the story.  The disappointment that she felt in being delayed in her trip and missing the most celebrated sailing of any ship in history must have been devestating.  And the relief felt when she found out about the sinking of the ship must have knocked the wind out of her.  Talk about feeling somehow blessed -...
Read more

Recipes from the summer of '35

Image
With the economy going the way it is, I thought looking back at some Depression Era recipes might help people save some money and maybe think about eating in a different way. It may also cause a laugh or two - which we can all use. So here are some examples from The Daily Province in Vancouver, British Columbia, printed 25 July. The weekly menu was suggested here: Just looking at the menu shows us how different things are now. This was meant for a housekeeper (whether a domestic goddess or hired staff). Here is one of the main dish recipes (Monday Supper) that we all might have the ingredients for: Scalloped Tuna Fish and Potatoes. 
Read more

home made deodorant recipe

I don't know about everybody else, but I don't like buying deodorant - the aluminum is suspect in things like breast cancer, and the plastic container doesn't impress me. So a friend of mine gave me this recipe for a natural, home-made deodorant: 1/4 cup coconut oil 1/4 cup corn starch 1/4 cup baking soda (they specify aluminum free, but I'm not sure what the concern is there - my baking soda doesn't include aluminum - maybe some do?) Put all ingredients into a saucepan and heat over low, stirring constantly until the oil is melted and it is all smooth. Pour liquid into any container - an old deodorant container apparently works. I poured mine into a toilet paper tube - that way I can rip the tube off and still have it all together. If you live in a warmer climate than we do, you may have to refrigerate - or apply with your fingers. I haven't done it yet, but you can also add a little bit of grated beeswax (1 tbsp or so) to the mix. It apparently keeps i...
Read more