There's something weird going on with our dishwasher. I thought perhaps it was the drain/food catcher. We try and scrape and light rinse, but lets face it, we get lazy at times. I got down on my knees to clean it out, then pour vinegar to clean any other residual, plus ran the washer with a couple cups of vinegar. It seemed to help with the residue for about a week, but I noticed last nights load was problematic again. I'm not even going to tackle right now as when I doing more cooking and baking, it seems almost as easy to just hand wash, dry and put things away right away. Sometimes, I wouldn't mind just pulling it out getting more storage, but know if we ever moved, the kitchen would have to have a dishwasher.
I don't want to refer to these things as Murphy's law, well maybe the car thing. Frustrating yes, but owning a home comes with appliances, and appliances don't always do what they should. We are particularly hard on appliances apparently, though I don't understand what we do that others don't, if that is the case. This dryer is only four 1/2 years old. It is our third one since being married and living in the house, though the first one was already six years old when we moved it here from our first house. I know people that have had appliances for decades. This is our 4th dishwasher, the first three averaging only 8 years. I looked up a guide and life expectancy says 7-12, so 9-10 is average, so we are below average. I can't help wondering if the new chlorination in the water is impacting how well the dishwasher is working.
If we get through December without tapping into any savings, I will be very grateful. It will come down to DH's final sales this week before he's paid Friday, and any corporate perks. The VISA has most of the Christmas gifts, but there will be some residual into January. We also have a lot of cash expenses before month end that will impact money flow. Also on the final VISA for 2018 will be several expenses for DD2 such as final show choir payment, yearbook, and the all night grad party ticket. Both yearbook and party ticket were bought before the rate goes up $10 each after the new year, so better overall, but a bite now. Besides the overflow of a bit of Christmas spending, DD2 also needs a new parking pass in Janaury, and we have three nights of hotel for two different show choir trips, plus gas and meals. She has a birthday next month as well.
We are living on the cash flow edge right now. All I can say, not happily, but honestly, let it flow. I'll keep looking for places to find the shut off valve.
I believe the problem is that "children" aren't equipped at birth with shut off valves. They never tell you that and you don't think about it when they are cute little gurgling babies....lololz
ReplyDeleteOh is that ever the truth! then there are the last minute needs for school projects, field trip money. party account money, meals for practice etc. etc. They are cute when little though aren't they?
DeleteAppliances just aren't made like they used to be. Our washer and dryer are the original to the house, 2007. We've had repairs to them 2x (washing machine, none on dryer). Fingers and toes crossed they will keep going for a while. We only do about 4 loads a week though, families do go through a lot more laundry. I am saving for replacement in the mean time (appliance fund only has $700 right now). December is always one of the most expensive of the year, just save where you can.
ReplyDeleteWe do about 6 loads, but two of those minimally don't go in the dryer, so about the same use. I'll be looking down on the gorund for pennies this month.
DeleteAs I have fixed our dryer more than once it sounds like a belt. Try googling a repair and look at your owners manual you can probably due this yourself. I hate it when appliances break right at the holiday time.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm not so brave, Kim. I hope it isn't more than a replacement dryer!
DeleteYou know, if I had to PICK an appliance to be without for a time, the dishwasher and clothes dryer would be my #1 and #2 choice. Dishes can be hand washed, and clothes hung in the laundry room to dry. Even here in the PNW, it takes only about a day for my clothes to air dry indoors. Towels are a different story, but perhaps your family doesn't feel the need to use a clean towel with each shower as mine does. Grrrrr…. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteI could hang more clothes than I do, but hate that crunchy feeling for things like towels, jeans, under wear.
DeleteI went almost a year without a dryer- I got used to it but I'll never do it again LOL. My fridge (knock on wood) is 21 years old and still works fine. I know one day I'll come home and it will be gone. My sis keeps telling me to just buy a new refrigerator but I don't operate like that! I didn't realize choir was so expensive-older grandson was in it the last 2 years and band too (he's an exchange student in Germany this year) but they probably didn't do as much. Activities are pretty cheap here because people just dont have the money. Younger GS is still in band- in fact, I'm going to the Christmas cocnert tomorrow. He says this is it for him- he's a freshman and not that interested in marching band again and you have to be in it to be in concert band.
ReplyDeletethis is show choir, so they travel to competitions, and have four trips where they stay over night, two e nights, one two night, and their nationals four nights. Costumes are in the price as well. This is probably less than 1/2 of what it costs because we do a major fundraiser-hosting a competition, plus have preview nights. It would be a tough decision if it was the full price.
DeleteHere's hoping that the cash settles down & you end the year on a positive note. I'm working on getting all of our last 2018 expenses wrapped up, & planning for our giant second half tax bill that's due at the end of January. Always a fun surprise right after the holidays ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell, I have many more appliances that can break so need to keep my fingers crossed!
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