Ask Me Anything: Is Making Ice Cheaper Than Buying It? Plus DIY Butter & More!

Have you ever had a debate over whether it’s cheaper to make ice at home or just buy a bag from the store? Does making ice at home cost more than buying ice? You’re not alone! Today, I’m diving into this ice conundrum and a few other reader questions, like making your own whipped butter and what to do with a decades-old turkey. Plus, I’ve got the scoop on Nok-Out and life insurance policies!

I don’t remember the last time I laughed right out loud while reading my mail the way I did today—not because an aged turkey is so funny or spending $3.00 to save half a penny is particularly hilarious. It’s just that, well … both tickled my funny bone!

Contents

Here is a quick summary of the questions I’ll answer in today’s post. You can click on one to go straight to it or scroll down to read all.

1. Does Making Ice at Home Cost More Than Buying It?
2. Where to Find Nok-Out and Sniper After Nokout.com’s Closure
3. How to Make Your Own Whipped Butter with Olive Oil
4. How Long Can You Safely Freeze a Turkey?
5. How to Track Down Lost Life Insurance Policies
6. Everyday Cheapskate’s Global Reach—¡Gracias, Carmen!

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Does Making Ice at Home Cost More Than Buying It?

Dear Mary: My husband says that making ice in the freezer costs more than buying it in bags. I find that hard to believe. Do you know the answer?

–J.M.

 

Dear J.M.: Your husband’s theory might sound plausible at first, but let’s break it down. Let’s say that a 10-pound bag of ice at the store costs $3. Three dollars worth of water from your tap would be nearly 452 gallons. Currently, in the U.S. the average price of residential water is $6.64 per 1,000 gallons. That works out to a smidge more than one-half cent ($.0066) per gallon.

As for energy, your freezer is already set at 0°F, meaning it’s working hard to freeze everything else in there, not just ice. So, there’s no extra cost to make ice in your freezer unless you’re using a separate ice machine, which would indeed pull extra electricity. In that case, your husband might be onto something—but for regular freezer-made ice, I think he’s a little off!

Also, by making your own ice, you’re also saving on plastic waste from those bagged ice purchases. So, you’re winning on both the financial and eco-friendly fronts!

• MORE: Do I Need to Drink Filtered Water or Is the Tap Okay?

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Where to Find Nok-Out and Sniper After Nokout.com’s Closure

Dear Mary: Thank you so much for the many helpful tips you so positively and generously share. My question for you is: Where can I purchase Nok-Out and Sniper online?

Several years ago, I read about Nok-Out in your daily email. I followed through and have been ordering both Nok-Out and Sniper from the owner, Ted, ever since. I love Nok-Out first because it always works. Second, I love Nok-Out and Sniper because they are so safe for me, my family, and my friends. Third, Ted has always packed the product really well to avoid any damage or leaks. He is most unusual in this, and I have written to him to thank and commend him for it.

Sad to say, Ted of nokout.com has retired and closed the website. Are you aware of any other Nok-Out dealer who will mail products to consumers?

–Alice

 

Dear Alice: First off, thank you so much for your kind words. I received Ted’s announcement as well. Ted, his mom Lou (founder of nokout.com), and I go way back. I knew this day was coming, but even so it was shocking.

I contacted Ted immediately and asked the same questions. The only other independent distributor we know of is in Canada. However, we can dry our tears thanks to the following message Ted has asked me to pass along to all of his EC fans:

“Nokout can now be found on Amazon and Walmart.com. Sniper is a different story: It can be purchased from Amazon and Walmart, but only in certain states. Specific levels of disinfectants have to be registered for sale individually in each state and renewed annually. This costs a lot of money, and the manufacturer has not paid, so Sniper isn’t available in those states. 

“My mom and I had always been a small operation, allowing us to fly under the radar and, therefore, could sell and deliver to those states without any issues. However, Amazon and Walmart have to toe the line.”

I know it’s not the same as ordering directly from Ted, but at least you can still find Nok-Out! Thank you again for reaching out, and I hope this helps clear things up.

• MORE: It’s a Smelly World Out There—Thank Goodness for Nok-Out

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How to Make Your Own Whipped Butter with Olive Oil

Dear Mary: I love the soft texture of whipped butter, but the stuff in the tubs costs more, pound-for-pound than stick butter. My favorite is the butter that is whipped with olive oil. Do you have any suggestions on making my own whipped butter? I have no idea what type of proportions I would need or if a third ingredient is necessary so it will spread easily.

–Sara

Dear Sara: Yes, you can do this yourself. You’ll need two sticks of real butter (one cup, please do not substitute with margarine), one cup of olive oil, half a teaspoon of sea salt, and an electric mixer.

Allow the butter to come to room temperature in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Mix it with an electric mixer set to low speed for about 30 seconds or until it becomes creamy.

While keeping the mixer running, s-l-o-w-l-y add the oil in a steady stream. Add the salt. Keep mixing until it looks very light and fluffy.

Store the whipped butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will be spreadable straight from the refrigerator.

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How Long Can You Safely Freeze a Turkey?

Dear Mary: How long will a turkey remain edible in the freezer? I still have an uncooked turkey in the freezer from Thanksgiving 2013. Should I toss it or can I do something with it?

–Lina

 

Dear Lina: I just did a double-take! I thought I read 2023, but now I see you’ve had this bird in your freezer for 11 years!?! You may have a collector item on your hands—a petrified turkey! No, seriously, you need to dispose of it.

My best sources assure us that a turkey frozen solid in its original packaging is good for up to one year. After that, it won’t kill you, but it begins to degrade into tasteless, poorly textured, very old, and basically awful poultry that should be tossed. I recommend giving it a proper send-off. Please.

• MORE: Fresh or Frozen? Large or Small? How to Choose the Best Turkey

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How to Track Down Lost Life Insurance Policies

Dear Mary: I read your column all the time and can’t thank you enough for all the helpful money-saving hints you publish.

My mom bought two 20-year life insurance policies for my two sons when they were young in the 1970s. I know she finished paying for them, but she didn’t cash them out. Mom passed away, and we have found no trace of these policies or even any information on them. Now, what do I do?

I called Prudential and Mutual of Omaha and told them my story. They checked the Social Security numbers and didn’t find anything. There are so many insurance companies and little ones that have been bought up by big ones, so I am writing to you in hopes that you can help me locate the company that holds the policies now.

–Judith

 

Dear Judith: First, thank you for your kind words! I’m glad the tips have been helpful. Now, as for those elusive life insurance policies, I can understand your frustration. The good news is there’s still hope.

When life insurance companies can’t find the beneficiaries, they’re required to hand over the unclaimed benefits to the state’s unclaimed property office. This means if your mom’s policies were never cashed out, those funds could be waiting for you.

Start by contacting the unclaimed property office in the state where the policies were originally issued. You can search online for “[State] unclaimed property” to find their database. From there, you can enter your family’s names and other details to check for any unclaimed insurance benefits. Also, keep in mind that even if a company no longer exists or was bought out, the policy might have transferred to another company, so this step should help you track it down.

I hope this helps, Judith! Keep me posted on your search.

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Everyday Cheapskate’s Global Reach—¡Gracias, Carmen!

Dear Mary: Recently, I read a Spanish newspaper cover-to-cover on a flight from Miami to Madrid. The newspaper, El Pais, features articles from The New York Times, Washington Post, and others. Well, right there in one of the articles was a quote from you. Talk about reaching readers! 

I have been blessed to take my children to see my elderly parents and my sisters and nephew in Spain for six weeks. I didn’t have internet access like at home, but I checked your column at least three times a week while there. Thanks for the job you do and for inspiring us. Congratulations on all your accomplishments. You are a blessing in my life.

– Carmen

 

Dear Carmen: Wow, what an incredible story! Who knew my tips could fly across the Atlantic—literally!–or that I could write in Spanish? Haha. Seriously, interviews I do or articles I write are often licensed to other publications without my knowledge. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with me. I loved hearing from you and learning how far-reaching Everyday Cheapskate has become.

¡Muchas gracias, Carmen! Wishing you and your family all the best, and here’s to many more adventures!

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Got a Question?

I’m all ears! If you’d like to submit a question or share your thoughts, head over to the Ask Mary page for all the details. I’d love to hear from you!

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