- No meals out this week for lunch. DH did pick up Domino's Tuesday night, but he ate the leftovers on Wednesday for lunch. He spent about what he might spend on lunch a couple days, so I consider it thrifty.
- I hauled out the bread maker that I haven't used in ages and made bread to go with the salads and freezer soup. I had all the ingredient at home, and made vegan as DD2 came over. I'll make some more this weekend.
- Both DD2 and I received tickets for volunteering at Mardi Gras (which is why DH picked up Domino's for himself), making dinner out of the relatively healthy fare.
- I love travel, so this was a hard one, but we didn't send DD2 to Ireland with about 30% of the band and orchestra. She had Spain and Costa Rica, and we both are saving towards college and opportunities for study abroad.
- Found a bunch of change and a few dollar bills this week in laundry. It all got added to the croissant canister, which we will deploy towards something fun in the future.
The part for the oven will be nearly $300. All the simple fixes have been ruled out. I have a whole post in mind of our decision dilemma on the kitchen. I won't be asking for advice but certainly love everyone weighing in on what they would be do. No matter what we decide, we will be spending money on things that might not have been part of the plan. That's life and that's why I'm trying to be thrifty with the every day stuff.
I would definitely fix the oven. I can't remember if you are on the fence between needing to replace the entire thing, or fix the part. That would be a harder decision.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing well on the thrifty side. Some weeks are thriftier than others! I also find that I have more thrifty wins to report when I'm buying more, which isn't such a good thing. Vs, if I'm staying home & eating from our house, there are less opportunities for good deals.
We are really on the fence. We've been making due, but the appliance is 15 years old and we've seen similar modes under $600.
DeleteIf it were me, I would have purchased a new oven already. I couldn't live without my oven. I don't think, in fact, if it was over 10 years old, I doubt I would even monkey with getting repaired. My best trick for thrift is staying home. I have to chuckle when the cashiers tell you, as they hand you your receipt "you saved $4.82 today." All I can think is "How much would I have saved if I stayed home?" That said, this weekend a local store is having a great meat sale. I will pick up some sirloin steaks and sirloin tip roasts, though I want to clear out my freezer.
ReplyDeleteLOL-I know what you mean on the "savings". Kohls is the biggy, especially with clearance, Kohls cash, and 305 discount. You saved $356. No, I spent $125! Now that we've done taxes, we have a better picture of finances-but wait for my post today. We have some major unknowns on the horizon with DH's job. Still, a working stove is probably a need not a want.
DeleteDepending on the age of the oven & the cost differential between fixing(the labor)or buying new, I would repair OR replace. I'm not one of those "green" people who would repair or buy secondhand over replacing at all costs. My bottom line trumps being green. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't gone crazy with eating out and am limping along without the oven, but a decision needs to happen soon. I hat that the whole darn thing didn't just break and make it an easier decision.
DeleteI am sure this lovely snow is keeping you from making any kind of a decision on that oven. It is like survival mode there and you are doing a great job I might add.
ReplyDeleteIt actually is part of the dilemma. We're thinking of a whole redo, as it is on the list anyway-just wasn't planned for this year, but would need to wait for no snow or mud.
DeleteYour comment, Sluggy, brought to mind my refrigerator situation: Two years ago ours decided to break down--gasket corroded. We got the quote for repairing it, and on a whim went to Lowe's that evening, where we found several refrigerators which had been returned or were older floor models, all of which were just about $100 more of the quoted repair cost, including warranty, delivery and removal of our old refrigerator. We walked out of there with a newer model of our old refrigerator--it had been returned because there was an obvious dent on the side, and a scratch on the plastic facing of the water dispenser. I didn't want to buy a new refrigerator so close to our move, but it just seemed wiser. In any case, home improvements stores usually have several appliances they are anxious to move off their floors.
ReplyDeleteMaybe finding a scratch and dent model might be a great way to go. There is also a place that sells like new used-which might be less than the repair and sort of a comromise.
DeleteDepending on the age of the oven and the cost of what you would want to replace, I'd probably go with new oven if your's was old and you weren't buying anything too expensive. If you are buying a top of line model, then the $300 would seem the better deal.
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice stove-I love it, but it was not top of the line, Just practical and neat looking. I would not replace with top of the line-practical and neat looking as well.
DeleteSometimes you have to let things go and accept that some months costs more than others. At least I have to do that.
ReplyDeleteIf the repair to the oven is not worth the cost, buy a new one. My caveat to that is it seems like most older appliances are built better than most new ones.
this is a 15 year old oven, so not particularly old, which is part of my dilemma. What a boring topic-ovens, but such the stuff of life. I guess I'm just looking at every day spending as opportunities to save, knowing some days I just get plain fatigue and will go with the convenience.
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