Am I Broke Yet? (Mar-Jun 2016)

GE Front Loading Washer

The bearings on our ~9-yr old LG front-loading washer (Model WM2277HW/01) failed and it would have cost as much to fix it as to replace the washer with a new machine. Just around the corner from the house is a small appliance store and we decided to give them our business. We purchased a GE GFWS1700HWW Front‑Loading Washer, 4.3 Cu. Ft. capacity, http://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-specs/GFWS1700HWW

New Truck Exhaust (07 May 2016)

It was past time to replace the exhaust system in our 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 truck. The local repair shop wanted $550 to $600 to replace the muffler and tailpipe. For $263 and a few hours of my time, I opted for a much better MagnaFlow Exhaust Products "18924 Exhaust System Kit," which provided a larger 4-inch pipe from the diesel engine to the tailpipe. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 07 May 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.8, 1/400 sec and 6.1mm)

New Truck Exhaust (07 May 2016)

It was past time to replace the exhaust system in our 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 truck. The local repair shop wanted $550 to $600 to replace the muffler and tailpipe. For $263 and a few hours of my time, I opted for a much better MagnaFlow Exhaust Products "18924 Exhaust System Kit," which provided a larger 4-inch pipe from the diesel engine to the tailpipe. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 07 May 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.8, 1/320 sec and 6.1mm)

New Truck Exhaust (07 May 2016)

It was past time to replace the exhaust system in our 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 truck. The local repair shop wanted $550 to $600 to replace the muffler and tailpipe. For $263 and a few hours of my time, I opted for a much better MagnaFlow Exhaust Products "18924 Exhaust System Kit," which provided a larger 4-inch pipe from the diesel engine to the tailpipe. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 07 May 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.8, 1/400 sec and 6.1mm)

New Truck Exhaust (07 May 2016)

It was past time to replace the exhaust system in our 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 truck. The local repair shop wanted $550 to $600 to replace the muffler and tailpipe. For $263 and a few hours of my time, I opted for a much better MagnaFlow Exhaust Products "18924 Exhaust System Kit," which provided a larger 4-inch pipe from the diesel engine to the tailpipe. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 07 May 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.8, 1/125 sec and 6.1mm)

New Truck Exhaust (07 May 2016)

It was past time to replace the exhaust system in our 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 truck. The local repair shop wanted $550 to $600 to replace the muffler and tailpipe. For $263 and a few hours of my time, I opted for a much better MagnaFlow Exhaust Products "18924 Exhaust System Kit," which provided a larger 4-inch pipe from the diesel engine to the tailpipe. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 07 May 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f1.8, 1/1000 sec and 6.1mm)

New Truck Exhaust (07 May 2016)

It was past time to replace the exhaust system in our 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 truck. The local repair shop wanted $550 to $600 to replace the muffler and tailpipe. For $263 and a few hours of my time, I opted for a much better MagnaFlow Exhaust Products "18924 Exhaust System Kit," which provided a larger 4-inch pipe from the diesel engine to the tailpipe. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 07 May 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.8, 1/125 sec and 14.1mm)

$500 Piece of Wire (27 May 2016)

When we tried to turn on the upstair's A/C the first time this year, the compressor wouldn't start. I figured out why after pulling the breaker and finding one of the hot wires had shorted to ground. I found the short where the wire entered the fuse box. An easy fix and it turns out the trip to Home Depot for the $10 of wire needed was "profitable" as that is where I found a dishwasher on clearance for $500 off retail. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 05 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.2, 1/20 sec and 10.7mm)

KitchenAid Dishwasher

Our ~11-yr old Maytag dishwasher (model MDB7600AWS) started squealing like a pig. I took it partially apart and cleared out some debris, but the water pump was still barely limping along. The racks were about to fall apart as well (fixed the wheels on those once already), and last time the parents were here, the door latch broke and I had to replace that (thank you eBay!). Just when I decided to bite the bullet and replace the dishwasher, I also learned the air handler for the A/C needed to be replaced. Fortunately, while in Home Depot getting wire to fix the OTHER air conditioner, I found a scratch and dent KitchenAid KDFE104DWH, 24'' 6-Cycle/5-Option Dishwasher, marked down from $700 to $175. Too good of a deal to pass up. The ProWash™ Cycle offers intuitive, one-touch control that makes real-time adjustments to cycle time and water usage to help deliver exceptional results. And with KitchenAid, you get the best performing dishwasher brand, which features a Heat Dry option in addition to a stainless steel tub that help ensure dishes are dry when the cycle ends. http://www.kitchenaid.com/shop/-[KDFE104DWH]-406914/KDFE104DWH/

KitchenAid Dishwasher

Our ~11-yr old Maytag dishwasher (model MDB7600AWS) started squealing like a pig. I took it partially apart and cleared out some debris, but the water pump was still barely limping along. The racks were about to fall apart as well (fixed the wheels on those once already), and last time the parents were here, the door latch broke and I had to replace that (thank you eBay!). Just when I decided to bite the bullet and replace the dishwasher, I also learned the air handler for the A/C needed to be replaced. Fortunately, while in Home Depot getting wire to fix the OTHER air conditioner, I found a scratch and dent KitchenAid KDFE104DWH, 24'' 6-Cycle/5-Option Dishwasher, marked down from $700 to $175. Too good of a deal to pass up. The ProWash™ Cycle offers intuitive, one-touch control that makes real-time adjustments to cycle time and water usage to help deliver exceptional results. And with KitchenAid, you get the best performing dishwasher brand, which features a Heat Dry option in addition to a stainless steel tub that help ensure dishes are dry when the cycle ends. http://www.kitchenaid.com/shop/-[KDFE104DWH]-406914/KDFE104DWH/

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f1.8, 1/60 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.5, 1/80 sec and 15.4mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f1.8, 1/30 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f1.8, 1/30 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.8, 1/125 sec and 7.3mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f1.8, 1/60 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f1.8, 1/60 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f1.8, 1/60 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f1.8, 1/30 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f1.8, 1/60 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 03 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f1.8, 1/30 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (05 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 05 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.2, 1/30 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (05 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 05 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.0, 1/30 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (05 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 05 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.0, 1/30 sec and 6.1mm)

Replacing the Air Conditioner (03 Jun 2016)

We replaced the 19-yr old air conditioner that cools the first floor and basement with a new 16-SEER model. Carlos and Tyler from Chandler's Plumbing and Heating installed a new outdoor unit in the morning then squeezed a new air handler into the existing space in the afternoon. (Image taken by Patrick R. Kane on 05 Jun 2016 with Canon PowerShot G15 at ISO 0, f2.8, 1/100 sec and 21.4mm)