Search Results for: blog appliance repair for less

Appliance Repair for Less

Just recently, I wrote about how sometimes it makes sense to pay for an extended warranty when buying products on appliances. But what if you don’t have a warranty on your machine? Major and minor appliances can be costly to repair. When something such as a dishwasher breaks down, it can cost hundreds of dollars just to have someone look at the appliance, let alone fix it. This goes for other things around your home, too. One time, a plumber tried to charge us $300 just to tell us that we needed a new sink. He did nothing more than … Continue reading →

My Favorite Household Appliance is…the Vacuum

Recently, one of my daughters and I were watching a television program about how appliances have changed the domestic scene and the every-day life of the average family. The program talked about which appliances save time (and how much) and how some appliances have actually added to the work load of the average Western person. It got me to thinking about my own relationship with appliances–especially since motherhood. And, I have to say that I am unusually, and perhaps unhealthily, attached to my vacuum. The fact is, I can tolerate a fair amount of dust and dishevelment in my home … Continue reading →

Frugal Appliances: Scratch and Dent Store

Ready for a major appliance? Save up to 50 percent on a new appliance with a scratch and dent store. As part of our frugal lifestyle, I do a lot of stockpiling and freezer cooking, so a stand alone freezer became a real need for us. I love being able to buy large bags of chicken or vegetables on sale (March is Frozen Food Month), and take advantage of buy one get one free turkeys. Tripling my recipes and freezing the extras saves on both money and time. Having a well-stocked freezer also means that we are less tempted to … Continue reading →

Cleaning The Things That Clean

Most of the time I don’t think about the things I use to clean my house. They are always there, ready when I need them. Things like the washer, dryer and vacuum, I don’t give them much thought, until they don’t work. A little maintenance goes a long way towards keeping things running well, and this is especially true for your vacuum. Just think about all the dirt your vacuum collects in a typical month and you will understand the need for a cleaning. At least twice a year you should completely take your vacuum apart and clean it. Pay … Continue reading →

Sell Your Home In Any Economy

I love my home, with all of its challenges and quirks, but one day I may want to sell. In order to sell your home, in any market but especially now, you need to make your home look inviting and livable. There are many ways to do that. The very first thing is to clean it. A clean home gives the impression that it has been well maintained. No matter how lovely your home is if it is dirty, cluttered and smells funny prospective buyers will have a hard time imagining it as their home. Decluttering is essential. Less clutters … Continue reading →

Another One Bites the Dust

Just when we thought it was safe, we had yet another appliance break down on us. With a replacement cost of anywhere from $600 to $1,800, we need some fast thinking and a little bit of faith to reduce that cost as much as possible. The appliance in question happens to be our washing machine. We just replaced the dryer last year and the stove a few months ago. The dishwasher and fridge had to be replaced when we moved in and major repairs were recently made to the oil burner. Sigh. Although I’m not that old, I still think … Continue reading →

How To Save While Living Paycheck to Paycheck

In our current economy, more and more Americans are finding themselves in a situation where they are living from paycheck to paycheck. Living from paycheck to paycheck is very stressful, and even a small unexpected expense can leave you wondering whether you will be able to pay all of the bills this month. I heard that it was possible to save money while living from paycheck to paycheck, so I decided to take a closer look to figure out how it’s done. Since there is little room for error in calculating your monthly budget when you live paycheck to paycheck, … Continue reading →

Why Bother Being a Homemaker?

When I’ve muttered about going back to work full time, they’ve been very vague mutterings. Recently my husband said that he thought it was a spectacularly bad idea. I tend to agree. Homemaking is a lost art. I live in a place where the cost of living is very high. It’s not as high as a few places in the world, but it’s high enough to make it quite difficult to get by on one income, depending on what that income might be. The truth is, I work part time at a day job and part time on contracts, making … Continue reading →

Two Home-Based Business Ideas And Where To Find More

If you are thinking about becoming a home-based professional, you may be concerned that you will have to come up with a lot of money to get your business up and running. While there are many great home-based business ideas out there that do require a substantial investment to get started, there are plenty of others that require much less. A repair business could be a great thing for you, if you are naturally handy. Whether you have a knack for repairing and customizing bicycles, computers, or small electronics, other people that own those items could use your help when … Continue reading →

Spring Cleaning: Electronics

Some people believe it is a cardinal sin to clean CDs and DVDs with Windex. Meanwhile, others brag that they use the popular glass cleaner all the time to remove smudges and fingerprints from their favorite discs. So what gives? It is really safe to use commercial glass cleaners on delicate discs? According to experts, Windex is not the recommended cleaner of choice for discs, neither is hydrogen peroxide. Apparently, both products have abrasive qualities that can damage CDs and DVDs. The same is true for baking soda, metal cleaners and other all-purpose cleaners, such as Pledge Multi Surface Spray. … Continue reading →