Fridge or no fridge

Is there an el cheapo on Craigslist? How about a used fridge, meanwhile.

Just get one of those $100 mini-refrigerators to see you through.

C0lumbiaC0unty can hook you up with a used but good condition ice box and 2x weekly ice deliveries if you want.

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You can always buy a cheap (new) one and then donate to Build It Green, and get tax write-off. Works out to probably a couple hundred bucks.

You can get by without a refrigerator for a couple of years. Hit the farmers' markets several times a week, and limit your other food purchases to the center aisles at the Piggly Wiggly. Drink hot scotch with lemon instead of sidecars shaken over too much ice for too long, then strained.

If you have a decent cooler, you can actually use that in lieu of a refrigerator. You'll need to buy ice every other day but you'll find it costs less than buying something, plus then you won't have to shop for it. Buy solid ice if you can, rather than cubes, as it will last longer. You don't need much, particularly if you buy a small ice block.

We did this when we moved long distance to Los Angeles in June. We were there for about a month before all our stuff arrived so we went the cooler/ice route without a hitch. Worked like a charm and nothing ever went bad.

Super-cheap answer: Do you have a wide ledge under one of your windows, and do you live on a high-enough floor that no one will climb up there and steal your stuff? You could even cover things in aluminum foil-lined bags in the daylight hours to keep things even cooler.

This was the solution one winter when I was in college and we couldn't afford a fridge.

Note: This probably won't work too well in the summer months.

"This was the solution one winter when I was in college and we couldn't afford a fridge."

You could afford COLLEGE but you couldn't find $99 for one of those little Genuine Vinyl Woodgrain College Cube specials?

Thank you everyone for the suggestions!

Actually, Matt, I think we were waiting to have a "real" one delivered but it wasn't coming for a week or so. I know the school made a killing off renting those little cubes to the dorm residents, though!

Also ask the super whether there's one sitting in the basement somewhere. They tend to sit around for a while after apartments are renovated.

home depot has smallerm size fridges for approx $200. since you are saying the reno will be in a while, this will do the trick for 1-2 people. it's about 4/5 feet tall.

NWT, ab_11218: I think I will go with the mini/compact fridge.

nyc10023: thanks for letting me of Build It Green. Just checked their website, really interesting stuff. May help with my kitchen renovation.

the main problem would definitely be how to cope without fresh sidecars. if you can get around that you should be fine!