Do you get the feeling all you do is replace stuff?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
Do you get the feeling everything you own is going to breakdown, fall off, come unglued, leak, etc. ? All you do is keep replacing stuff. I'm rebuying everything I ever bought. And if it needs just ONE lousy part, they haven't made that part in 10 years.
 

I have to admit ...no because I'm fortunate that if anything breaks here my husband can fix it immediately and that includes our vehicles..and if there's anything he hasn't time to fix , again we're fortunate in that we can afford to replace it, and we're very lucky in that respect, but I totally understand if someone is on a tight budget and things start falling apart and need replacing it can be a real headache
 
Went through that last year. First the fridge failed, a couple days later, the washing machine packed it in. The cost of calling out the repair man, then paying for the parts and labour meant that was almost the same price as replacing them with new and getting a couple of years warranty.

Just needed to replace my vacuum cleaner. The old one simply decided not to suck any more. I checked everything - no blockages anywhere, it was simply worn out. Managed to get another good one while it was on "special".

Hopefully these ones will last me out.
 

Hmmmm….

TV replaced after 5 yrs (I had an extended warranty)
Microwave has lasted 8 yrs
Toaster – replaced several months ago after 7 yrs
Desktop computer has lasted 8 yrs but had quite a bit of repairs and adjustments/upgrades.
Printer has lasted 8 yrs with some tweaks
Lamps all okay after 8 yrs
Coffee maker – usually replace after 2 or 3 yrs
Digital clock radio in BR has lasted 10 yrs
Hair dryer and flat iron have lasted 9 yrs
Got a new toilet last yr (it was REALLY old)
 
hollydolly said:
I have to admit ...no because I'm fortunate that if anything breaks here my husband can fix it immediately and that includes our vehicles..and if there's anything he hasn't time to fix , again we're fortunate in that we can afford to replace it, and we're very lucky in that respect, but I totally understand if someone is on a tight budget and things start falling apart and need replacing it can be a real headache
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Care to rent him out? :playful: Airfare NOT included!
 
Yes.In the space of about 1 year, possibly less, I have replaced;

garbage disposal
insides of both toilets
blow dryer
shower head
microwave oven
flatware (which somehow disappears)
beverage glasses
cereal/salad bowls
bathroom towels
bathmat
 
Just This year we've had a whole new bathroom ( fitted by my husband)

New electric shower with electric anti scaling fitted as extra ( by hubs)

Bathroom and cloakroom walls tiled... (by hubs)

Electric Anti scale thing fitted under the kitchen sink

Several upgrades of my PC ( by guess who)

Several maintenance jobs on our vehicles ( again hubs)

..and lots of other jobs done...

He also works full time 15 hour days, so I'm very lucky that he does those jobs when he has time off, it saves us a fortune..


he also does all our electrics and plumbing when needed, and builds computers and remodels vintage vehicles as a hobby...


he sounds too good to be true when I write it down, I realise that...but he's very modest about all his achievements.
 
My husband does a lot of repair work around the house and on the vehicles, and he usually can get the parts he needs to do the jobs. I noticed that things like TVs seem to be disposable, only expected to last several years and replaced with a new one. So when the LCDs or LEDs come down in price, you always have to consider that they won't last like televisions used to.
 
My hubby is very handy as well and can fix anything. He remodeled our kitchen and both bathrooms and can do any plumbing or electric. He prefers to let our mechanic take care of the car though.
 
I manage to do my food shopping but walking and hearing problems make shopping and comparing appliances in the stores out of the question. I just bought a new vacuum on-line. Doing the research was horrendous. It seems like there are problems of one kind or another with every brand out there. I finally bought a Hoover upright. It works O.K., but nothing like the old one.
I live in dread of the next appliance to go. I am really not up to handling emergencies. I worry about the water heater, the dishwasher, the refrigerator. My air conditioner died. Researched the new ones on the Web. A repeat of the vacuum cleaner story. I procrastinated long enough to get me through the Summer without one. My roof is over 25 years old. Appears to be in good shape, but I'm in no condition to run around getting buckets if I get a sudden leak. I'm hoping to die before the house does.
 
I've had to replace a few big items this past year which cost more than a mere toaster or kettle. I know things don't last forever, but nevertheless it is a shock to dole out larger amounts of cash at this time in my life. It's a good idea to read the reviews for online shopping as they are usually accurate.
 
Replacing 'stuff', just part of life....my trusty weed sprayer that I pull behind the mower died last week, it was only 10 years old, lol.....looked up the new one, it has doubled in price since I bought the old one....oh well, that's life too.
 
Jackie22 said:
Replacing 'stuff', just part of life....my trusty weed sprayer that I pull behind the mower died last week, it was only 10 years old, lol.....looked up the new one, it has doubled in price since I bought the old one....oh well, that's life too.
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Yes, I've gone through at least 4 weed sprayers in the last 30 years. The price increase and quality decrease makes you want to buy two of everything. No wonder people become hoarders.
 
NancyNGA said:
Yes, I've gone through at least 4 weed sprayers in the last 30 years. The price increase and quality decrease makes you want to buy two of everything. No wonder people become hoarders.
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They certainly are handy, that's for sure, of all my outside gadgets, this is one that saves a lot of time and work.
 
Underock1 said:
I manage to do my food shopping but walking and hearing problems make shopping and comparing appliances in the stores out of the question. I just bought a new vacuum on-line. Doing the research was horrendous. It seems like there are problems of one kind or another with every brand out there. I finally bought a Hoover upright. It works O.K., but nothing like the old one.
I live in dread of the next appliance to go. I am really not up to handling emergencies. I worry about the water heater, the dishwasher, the refrigerator. My air conditioner died. Researched the new ones on the Web. A repeat of the vacuum cleaner story. I procrastinated long enough to get me through the Summer without one. My roof is over 25 years old. Appears to be in good shape, but I'm in no condition to run around getting buckets if I get a sudden leak. I'm hoping to die before the house does.
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{{{{Underock1}}}}

Some of the things you mention show that home ownership is not always for everyone, at all times. I know of a few people who have had similar/worse problems. If they had been renting an apt they would just call the landlord or send an email to maintenance. No matter how smart a person has been with their money, not everyone has large chunks of $$ laying around for home/appliance repair, and many people can't do the work themselves nor do they know someone who will do it at no cost.
 
applecruncher said:
{{{{Underock1}}}}

Some of the things you mention show that home ownership is not always for everyone, at all times. I know of a few people who have had similar/worse problems. If they had been renting an apt they would just call the landlord or send an email to maintenance. No matter how smart a person has been with their money, not everyone has large chunks of $$ laying around for home/appliance repair.
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That's very true, applecruncher. We were within minutes of renting a handicapped accessible senior apartment before we found out my wife would not be coming home. It worked out for the best, though. I am much happier in my debt free home with all of my own stuff. Happy not to be at the mercy of a landlord, or be constantly poked at in a senior facility of some kind. Despite my physical difficulties, I have insignificant medical expenses and enough money to throw at the latest crisis.
 
applecruncher said:
Some of the things you mention show that home ownership is not always for everyone, at all times. I know of a few people who have had similar/worse problems. If they had been renting an apt they would just call the landlord or send an email to maintenance. No matter how smart a person has been with their money, not everyone has large chunks of $$ laying around for home/appliance repair, and many people can't do the work themselves nor do they know someone who will do it at no cost.
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Hmmmm... Actually renting is a lot like budget billing, the way the power company will do here with your electric bill. Instead of shelling out big chunks of money when something on the house needs repaired, when taxes or insurance are due, you even the cost out over time. Never thought of it like that.
 

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