Since we have started this gazelle intense mission of paying off our debt, all of our extra money that isn't already allocated, is thrown at our debt. It has been so nice to watch our numbers go down month by month.
We knew sometime around the summer that we needed to buy a new stove, so I slowly began saving money back for this hefty purchase. The stove I needed was almost $1000. My meager $60/month was taking forever.
Then came the demise of Mrs. Range. We continued to save up, and make due with my oven that wouldn't close.
Aggravating, yes. Impossible, no.
The crazy number plugging side of my brain was working in overtime trying to figure out just how long it was going to take me to save up for this $1000 stove. I kept trying to rationalize and justify ways that I could just take our snowball and buy my stove instead. (**By the way, if you ever find yourself having to justify or rationalize anything, that is when you know that that particular decision is not right. Look the other way and move on. You should never have to justify a decision.**) Afterall it was a necessity. We had to eat. And we needed this fancy $1000 double oven, right?
Wrong.
This past weekend Mrs. Range decided that she wasn't going to close at all. Unfortuntely an oven that is wide open tends to be a burn hazard, and it doesn't cook near as well. We needed to do something quick. A $1000 stove was just no longer an option. Period.
We turned to the idea of used. Thankfully we came across one on Craigslist for $50!! We picked it up, and it is perfect. Definitely not the $1000 double oven that I had in mind, but the oven door closes and it has 4 working burners. Who knew that my $50 stove works just as well as the $1000 would have? Hmm.
We were able to use the money we had set back to pay for our new to us stove, and use the remainder to throw at our debt.
Definitely better than throwing $1000 at a new stove. Atleast on this budget. I still hope and dream that one day that double oven will be sitting in my kitchen cooking me up some food.
Until then, Craigslist definitely works for me!
22 comments:
That is so awesome!
WOW! Impressive. My sister-in-law shops on there a lot! Hmmm... I need a few things--- GOTTA GO! :) (p.s. Thanks for sharing!)
Wow! What a wise decision! I feel bad and good for you! I could tell how much you wanted that other stove, but I know what it's like to make the RIGHT decision and know that you've glorified God in it! Way to go! ...I love Craig's List.
Live like no one else so LATER you can LIVE like no one else!!! I keep wanting to use our Emergency fund to buy a more "modern" TV....we still have an old box 30 inch, and it sits in an entertainment center that can fit up to a 50 inch....needless to say it looks a bit ridiculous! BUT, we will continue using the old TV until our debt is paid and we've saved enough to buy a new one with cash....can't wait! One day you'll get your double door oven...one day!!! :)
Live like no one else so later you can LIVE like no one else!!! I feel your pain....we still have an old 30" box TV...I keep thinking we can use our Emergency Fund to buy a more modern flatscreen hi def TV, but we will wait until debt is paid off and we've saved enough to pay cash!! Sidenote: our 30" tv sits in an entertainment center made for a
50" tv. It's depressing to see the huge "gap", but I just think one day....one day!! :)
Not only was your decision a wise one, but a sign of maturity.
Hayley-
I so know how you feel! We have an "old fashioned" TV, too. It's on the notorious list! Somedays it is so hard because we get caught up in the wantsies. And I LOVE that statement: Live like no one else, so LATER you can LIVE like no one else. Someday! I know that there are people who think I'm crazy for some of the things I do, but like the local radio station said the other day, That is how you know when you are a Dave Ramsey Fan!
True!
Thank you, ladies for your continued support and encouraging words! They mean a lot to me! :)
Great job! I bet you'll get more satisfaction out of getting your nice, new double oven stove when your debt is completely gone anyway!
I've got a question for you regarding credit card debt. I don't want to leave it in the comment section. Could you please email me and let me know if you'd be willing to answer my question. Thanks!
Sorry about the double post....I didn't think the first one went through!! oops!!
Good for you. That is a very wise decision. We limped along with our stove for years. First, one burner went out than another. So I made do with two burners for a few years.
Then another burner went out and I was left with one burner (fortunately we had a microwave). We did have an extra stove in the downstairs kitchen but it had it's own burner-related issues.
My hubby and I began looking at Craigs List as well, but then my mom moved in with us and gave us her stove.
Yesterday I noticed that one burner went out, so unless it can be fixed I am back to three burners again....still, it beats having only one!
Good for you! I know it wasn't your "dream stove", but doesn't it feel so good to have made such a wise choice?
I love what you wrote about rationalizing... it is SO true. Good, solid decisions require no rationalizations. :)
How awesome! What an encouragement...sometimes our plans don't work, but they DON'T work to our ADVANTAGE! :P I love hearing that used is ok, too! Almost everything in my home is used...except our underwear! :P Thanks for sharing and happy baking! :)
Good decision. I recently went out and bought 3 new appliances that ended up costing us over 1000.00 but its a 0% interest for a year and weve already made a huge dent in it but still i wish i had looked at some other options even though i got these items for almost 50% off.
good job.
Thanks for being so open about that. I find myself wanting to rationalize a purchase all the time and remind myself of what our goal is.
Here's a pickle for you- my husband and I won round trip tickets anywhere in the US, Mexico or Caribbean. Yes, that's right free airline tickets. The only problem is that we have to pay for everything else...and we have to use the tickets by March 31st. Rationalization is creeping in...
Who gives up free airline tickets?
Good for you! That is awesome that you were able to put more money toward your debt after buying the $50 stove!
That was such a wise choice!! I know too many people (such as my self *cough*cough*) that would have used the rest of the oven budget as "splurge $" for other "needed" items. I so need to work on this!! Thanks for the great motivational example!
Great post! You are an inspiration to anyone who also needs to get "gazelle intense"--getting your thinking right is more than half the battle. Best wishes on your debt snowball!!
Good for you! Keep your eye on the prize!
Praise God for your faithfulness to stick to getting out of debt. Hubby and I facilitate Dave Ramsey and the new class starts this Sunday!!
Glad you found a bargain.
That is awesome!
Congrats on working to pay off your debt and good luck!
I like your "have to have this $1000 dollar oven"
Isn't craigslist cool!
Well I added your blog button to my TOFF (the organic frugal freak) blog
Faith
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