The Homestead Mindset Anywhere: by Donna Miller

Of all things! My bread machine (of 15 years) finally completely gave out!  Pretty sure it's past its warranty. Oh wait! I think got it at a garage sale so there likely IS no warranty.

I've done my due diligence with it over the years; soldering 'this' that broke, unscrewing and cleaning 'that' that leaked, reconnecting wires when there was a short, so what was different this time when it made that unfamiliar sound of ...... nothingness.....?

Well the time this week has been limited. Frankly, I have it apart already; inside out and everything, but I still can't figure out the problem. Could it be that using something daily (often twice to three times a day) really DOES ware it out eventually?  Nah....couldn't be that.

But alas, the disassembled machine is sitting in my pantry without a chance for revival. I mourn the fact that I cannot repair it. I got it when my baby (now 19) was 4. But bread must go on....with our without a machine.

So if I spend even more time trying to figure out just what might be wrong, I don't bake bread at all! Now that's a problem here in the Miller household.  So, do I buy a new one?  The current answer to that is 'no'.

There always is a third option when the time spent repairing something is not worth, well the time, and buying the replacement (either new or used) is out of the question for the time being. That option is to do without it.  Gasp! Yes. It is an option...although not a very popular one.

I have two hands. These are my 'new' bread machines.  The bread is actually the same and I get some much 'kneaded' therapy (sorry, couldn't resist the pun). 

Go ahead and spend time repairing before trashing and buying a new anything!  But remember, just because something breaks beyond repair - it doesn't mean we HAVE to replace it....there is always a third option.

Best Blessings and Budget Stretching!

Donna Miller

Come listen in or call in to my new Radio Show! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/millersgrainhouse