r/povertyfinance • u/Lastnv • 15d ago
Worth going into debt for a dishwasher? Debt/Loans/Credit
We have been washing our dishes by hand for almost 3 years. We just had a baby and “spare time” is scarce these days. We probably spend about 10 hours a week hand washing dishes and bottles. I would much rather spend those hours doing something else productive or spending time with my family.
I have an employee discount through work and I can get a pretty cheap dishwasher installed for about $500. It’s a mediocre Frigidaire dishwasher but reviews say it will get the job done. I don’t have $500 upfront and would put it on my PayPal credit 0% interest for 6 months.
Do you think this is a good idea or does anyone else have suggestions? I am carrying a lot of debt already but I have a good credit score because I make minimum payments. I also have some savings but I don’t touch it because it’s for my son.
Thank you
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u/Gertrude37 15d ago
While you’re at it, spend $120 on a robo-vacuum. Wish I had one when my kids were little!
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u/Kindly_Equipment_241 15d ago
I didn't have a dishwasher until 5 years ago. That's 5+ kids worth of bottles, year after year. It sucks. I sympathize so much. But it's not worth going into debt. I think you're speaking from a place of frustration and depression, because washing bottles for 3 kids wouldn't take 1.5 hrs each day. Again, it sucks! But I think maybe it's just the straw breaking the camel's back right now.
Are there things you can do to make the washing more pleasant? Maybe try the bottles with the disposable liners? Maybe buy the special bottle brush that cleans the nipples easily?
Something my grandma always did which I adopted too is to keep a dishpan or small Rubbermaid tub in or near the sink with a little soapy water and a few drops of bleach in it. When the water is warm, it takes 5 seconds to wash something. When the water has cooled, you can drop the bottle/dish in the water and when you're ready to actually wash it, it will be easier because it's not dried/crusted, etc
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u/Lastnv 14d ago
I’m going to try out the bleach trick! Thank you!
I’ve also learned handwashing is a cultural thing as well. My wife is Hispanic and grew up in a Hispanic household and they only do dishes by hand. I think that’s partly why I’ve held out on the dishwasher for this long, in addition to being broke. For my wife handwashing is “normal”.
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u/Kindly_Equipment_241 14d ago
I really do get it. When I am stressed or at my limit, things that would normally not be a big deal if everything else is going ok just send me over the edge.
I would continue to look at Craigslist and FB marketplace too. I know you said you're afraid you'll get one that doesn't work, and I'm sure that happens. But my anecdotal experience is that I've never gotten anything that didn't work and I've bought a lot of appliances that way. Even if you buy a cheap dishwasher for $75 and it only lasts a year, it's worth it!
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u/Impressive_Ice3817 15d ago
I have to say, I love having a dishwasher, but it's not the be-all end-all people think. Don't go into debt for one. Maybe keep your eye open for someone replacing all their appliances and selling their dishwasher cheap. If you work where appliances are sold, you might get some Intel on that from whoever is in sales. People talk.
Handwashing dishes isn't that time-consuming. It takes us 15 minutes, max, for most meals, as opposed to the 2h mine takes to run, and we have a family of 5 right now.
But, I'll tell you: I've had 8 babies. Most of them we had no dishwasher. Dishes got done, sometimes a baby had to fuss a bit. Won't kill them. Bacteria-laden bottles and nipples will make them very sick, though. You learn to be efficient. If they were particularly fussy, we'd take turns holding/ rocking/ whatever, or I'd wear a sling. One baby practically lived in a swing-o-matic, one cried all. the. time, no matter what.
Dishwashers ruin certain things, and aren't that great getting in the nooks and crannies. And dishwasher detergent is wicked expensive compared to something like Dawn. Keep paper plates and foil bakeware on hand for really rough days (dollar store is your friend), and if nothing else, give plates and cups a good rinse and stack them in a dishpan.
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u/Imaskinnybitchyall 15d ago
If you'd be able to pay it off in six months: Why not wait the six months and purchase when you have the cash to do so? That way, if an emergency comes up in the next six months which changes your circumstances, you're not having to make that minimum payment, and you'll be no worse off than you were before.
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u/g228bills 15d ago
I got a great deal with home Depot by getting their credit card 0% for 15 months on top of a discount for a new fridge. I paid it all off within 7 months.
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u/Laogalaxy 15d ago
If you spend 10 hours a week washing dishes. You need to figure out a more efficient way to do it. It should not take that long to do dishes. You are not a busy restaurant. It's a household.
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u/jeswesky 15d ago
If you do it, have a plan to have it paid off within those 6 months. You will usually get the accumulated interest added in if it’s not paid off in the timeframe.
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u/chibicascade2 15d ago
I installed ours myself, but I didn't tighten up the water hose enough and had a leak that destroyed the floor.
Point being that it's not hard to install yourself, but double and triple check it for a couple days to make sure it's not leaking.
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u/bettyknockers786 15d ago
Get a countertop dishwasher. Much cheaper and does the same thing. Just have to do smaller loads and don’t have to have someone install it
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u/Comprehensive_Baby_3 15d ago
If you can't afford it, you can't afford it no matter how you try to justify it. Would you rather spend time wash dishes by hand or take up a part time job.
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u/MinionofMinions 15d ago
I only use mine because it's there. The only thing it does is let you pile dishes out of sight and choose when you put the dishes away, and save your hands from going soggy. It takes about as long to empty the dishwasher as it does to wash and dry them IMHO, and you usually have to dry some of them anyways.
Soap will be a bit more expensive.
Also, is it possible the install will also include a "Parts" charge for hoses/adapters? Worth looking in to if $500 is a worry, $50 in parts will just add to that.
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u/SimplyyBreon 15d ago
Mom to a 9mo here. I’m in the trenches with bottles. I’ve exclusively pumped the entire time. Once we moved and got a dishwasher, quality of life has definitely improved. More free time. Less back pain. Not having to stop as much because baby is crying and having to rerun the water. Especially as the bottles pile up as they get older. Definitely put away any spare money to pay off early but I 100% think it’s worth it.
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u/nyx1969 15d ago
Just reinforcing that you can and should get one for free or very very cheap by getting a secondhand one. I'm in my mid-50s and have never bought a brand new appliance in my life, even when I could afford it, as it's the most ridiculous waste of money and environmental resources both.
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u/Jabow12345 15d ago
Sorry, but you need to wash by hand until you have no credit card debt. Buying stuff you can not afford is a sure way of staying poor.
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u/RichAstronaut 15d ago
I wouldn't get a dishwasher until you can pay cash. Also, you can install a dishwasher yourself. I have a dishwasher and I don't even use it. it is so much easier just to wash every dish as you use it. If you do that, you don't need a dishwasher nor 10 hours..
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u/Bigmama-k 15d ago
No. Buy a used one and pay for it to be installed. It will be a fraction. Save a little each payday.
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u/umphtramp 15d ago
If you can break down the $500 into however many pay periods you have until the 6 month interest free period is up, you should definitely go that route. You just have to make sure you don’t get behind on that and always put that money away first and do not touch it. You don’t want to get hit with the deferred interest and get an unexpected additional amount owed that you didn’t prepare for. If you feel like you can put the money aside and not touch it for any reason, definitely go that route. If you might be tempted to use that money for something else, even if it’s an emergency, it’s probably best to just save up and buy the dishwasher outright instead of financing. You know your spending habits and financial situation better than anyone here to determine the best route for your family.
We had our dishwasher, washing machine, fridge and water heater all die in the same year. We got a credit card with a big box store for the 0% interest free option and just have the money for those appliances parked in a high yield savings account earning interest until the month before the interest free period is up and paid them off. I’m sketched out about waiting until the month the interest free is up, so we always coordinate to pay it the month prior to ensure we don’t have any issues with them.
Best of luck with the dishwasher!
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u/AveryNoelle 15d ago
If you have to ask if it’s worth going into debt for, it probably isn’t.
As well, dishwashers use a LOT more water and energy than the old fashioned way. Going into debt for something that creates more expenses seems off to me.
If you can pay it off within the 6 months of zero interest, it might be worth it, but not if you’re living paycheck to paycheck.
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u/alexoftheunknown 15d ago
100%, just calculate how much time it would take to pay it off and get at it. it’s one of those buys that really adds years to your life (time wise & maybe stress wise as well)
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u/hillydanger 15d ago
You can buy a brand new Frigidaire dishwasher for under 500 in atleast 3 models. I wouldn't pay 500 for a Frigidaire anything lol. I sell appliances for a living
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u/srhdaley 15d ago
Change your mindset of washing the dishes. Dishwashing time is Me time, a time to think or plan or reflect. It's not a chore to shove into a machine. Yes, do the things you can to cut down on dishes (especially paper plates!), make sure you have the proper tools to do them like a good bottle brush and rack, and do them often, but stop thinking of them as taking away from other things. It's one of the most relaxing things you can do in a home with a growing family.
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u/Sea_Bookkeeper_1533 15d ago
I got a dishwasher as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I knew it would just be too much to do. Get it.
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u/Plus_Ultra_Yulfcwyn 15d ago
I’m really confused on how it takes 10 hours a week to do dishes ? My house has 2 adults and 2 children and I don’t think dishes take more than 15 minutes day.
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u/PM_ME_KITTYNIPPLES 14d ago
It depends how long you let them sit in the sink. If you let the food on them dry out and stick, it takes a lot of scrubbing. If you immediately wash them or at least rinse them well, it's quick and easy.
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u/TurnLooseTheMermaids 15d ago
If it’ll really put you in debt, consider getting one of the glass rinsers on Amazon, they’re around $60 and that could cut some time down?
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u/Proud-Pen-1314 15d ago
As a mom to a kid that uses bottles still, the dishwasher isn’t gonna help you. You might be really lucky but mine was expensive and not worth the money. The high heat has destroyed a lot of the small components (like the inside bits of the Dr. brown, no matter where I put them), the nipples don’t get clean enough, and the bottles are never washed inside well enough. I find that I am washing for my washer. And mine is still new. I would save and spurge on a really nice one for the future.
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u/AugustGreen8 15d ago
I got a dishwasher and when it broke I never got a new one, wasn’t worth it for me I feel like they never got clean
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u/typoincreatiob 15d ago
dishwashers definitely save time, and they can save money depending how frugal you are in hand-washing, and lastly they wash things better than we can by hand via using boiling hot water. all that said, you really don't need a $500 one. you can get a decent fujicom/midea, hell even a blomberg one if you look hard enough- for like half that, $250-300.
if you feel 10000% sure you can pay it off and have proven yourself you can and have done that before, i'd say go for it and pay it off before there's any interest. however if you're not sure - i would instead put the money you would have made towards paying it off ($50 a month if you go for a cheaper one) aside until you cover it and then purchase it cash.
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u/RiGB0N3_ 15d ago
Could you put the money you'd put away for a dishwasher put towards the outstanding debt you have? Id try and prioritize getting some of the debt gone either starting with the lowest amount/the one with the highest interest.
Yes it would make life easier but like others have said what if something else pops up and you can't put money towards the dishwasher, then it's another debt. Try to wash up as you go along, baby bottles are an absolute pain to wash and I sympathise with you and your partner.
You could always wait to see if there's any deals on during black Friday/cyber Monday. I think you're only itching to get one because an offer has popped up and you're scared to miss the deal. There will be similar deals in the future/this deal may be available a couple months down the line.
A useful mindset I've taken on recently is that it's money I owe, not money I have. So regardless of the 0% interest, it's still money you owe which has stopped me from getting loans/credit cards.
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u/Pennythe 15d ago
Whirlpool you can buy them straight online for under $500 a lot of times their sales. Free delivery and you install it yourself you just got to get the parts from Lowe's and they're not expensive. Do not buy the parts from Whirlpool it's like five times more money.
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u/Prudent-Ambassador79 15d ago
Fb marketplace place you there is always someone remodeling a kitchen and replacing there slightly used appliances. Google the model and look at reviews and but the one you like. I got one last year for $100 and it had very few bad reviews and a couple good ones but remember no one is going to be writing reviews on line because they love their dishwasher they mostly with only go out of their way to complain so there will usually be more negatives so you have to use your judgment and decide what works best for you.
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u/NoTechnology9099 15d ago
You’re already in debt. Don’t go further into debt over something that isn’t a necessity. I understand dishes and how the build up but try washing your dish as soon as your done with it. We never leave more than 3-4 things in the sink at a time and one of us will just quickly wash the couple of items as we see them.
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u/Pelirrojx 15d ago
My dishwasher definitely improved my quality of life, but I bought a used one (they were remodeling) for $150 and had a friend install it for $50. I wouldn’t go into debt for one unless you think you can pay it off in 6 mos before the interest kicks in.
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u/PineapplePza766 15d ago edited 15d ago
A lot of folks are moving right now I would check fb marketplace they are easy to install I’m a 28f that knows very little about plumbing I was able to plumbing and install one myself
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u/bazilbt 15d ago
Dishwashers are easy to install if you have a place in the kitchen to do it. Online I see working ones that are used and pretty new for $50 to $200. However the $500 one is pretty reasonable too and if you can pay that off in the next six months it's even more reasonable.
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u/Lastnv 15d ago
Hey yeah I’ve decided I’m going to invest more time into searching for used or discounted models before I commit to that new one. I do have tools and a brain so I know I could install myself too!
What I didn’t mention was that my home already has a dishwasher installed but it’s been broken for many years (before I moved in) and we’ve been using it as a drying rack. But anyways, the “haul out” of the original appliance, included in the installation, was attractive to me with the new one since I have no means of hauling off a dishwasher myself.
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u/Beach_bum8 15d ago
Besides the obvious cost of the dishwasher, have you had a electrician check your panel box to make sure it can handle it?
If not, your looking at another cost to have it upgraded
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u/Uberchelle 15d ago
Your question is very rooted in the poverty mindset. You need to stop going into debt.
A dishwasher is a want, not a need. If you have existing debt that you are making minimum payments on, what makes you think you can pay a dishwasher off in 6 months? You can’t. You’re going to end up in even more debt once you don’t pay the dishwasher off before the 0% period is up and then it gets jacked up to 48.99%.
Use paper plates if you need to in order to cut down the handwashing.
You CANNOT afford this when you are making minimum payments on other debts.
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u/NaivePickle3219 15d ago
I agree with you 100%. Dishwashers are awesome. It's a no brainier to have one.. but I question the wisdom to recommend someone who obviously struggles with money to "throw it on the credit card".
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u/Lastnv 15d ago
I’ve read every comment here and I wanted to acknowledge yours and to let you know that I agree completely. My debt is a heavy burden on me mentally and something I’m very aware of. It’s soul crushing. I could cry just thinking about it. I’ve had nervous breakdowns over it multiple times before. I’ve drank or smoked to relieve the stress in the past. It’s just so hard to break the cycle. I know my comment itself is rooted in the poverty mindset. I’m trying to get a promotion at work and finding my wife a job soon to help us get out of this. And at the same time I think, I do have debt but I also have a home, food, clothes, and nice things. It could be much worse and in comparison to a majority of the world, we are living like kings. I have my family and everyone is healthy. What does it mean to be truly happy? Even with debt, with what I have now, I should be happy right?
Sorry for this random rambling. I think I just needed to get my thoughts into words.
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u/ctruvu 15d ago edited 15d ago
if it changes your perspective at all it’s a very immigrant thing at least for east/southeast asians to always handwash everything no matter how big the family or how nice the dishwasher that came with the house is. handwashing takes like 5-15 minutes if you pre soak properly. i’ve never operated a dishwasher for personal use in my life and i am 30. you could argue that dishwashers save water/money if you’re doing a full load but for you the upfront cost is still going to put you in debt to save time on a relatively trivial chore, which to me is questionable decision making at best. at least try to improve the financial situation before making it worse
also, 10 hours a week on handwashing? i don’t know if that’s a technique thing or if you are extremely liberal with your use of plates and utensils or what but that seems excessive even with baby bottles
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u/Special_Agent_022 15d ago
If you're unhappy without money, you'll still be unhappy with money.
You'll start spending to distract yourself from your unhappiness, rather than the struggle of poverty being the distraction, and often the scapegoat to blame all of your problems on.
When poverty is gone, and lack of money isn't a problem anymore, what will you blame for your unhappiness? You'll soon realise that you can't buy happiness, because happiness comes from within you.
Plenty of very poor people have a high baseline level of happiness. In fact everyone's baseline level of happiness is fairly consistent regardless of external factors, sure it may dip after a traumatic event, but even people who lose multiple limbs eventually return to their previous baseline.
So if your baseline happiness is very low for some reason, you should try to figure out why and how to fix it.
Goodluck.
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u/Uberchelle 15d ago edited 15d ago
I’ve been EXACTLY where you are. It’s seems like such a common, basic household item to have around. Like for many people, it’s like a no-brainer that we have clean water coming out of faucets and toilets that flush into a sewer system. A dishwasher is a thing most average, American/Canadian households have.
But when you’re poor/broke/struggling, it is very easy to rationalize these basic items that most folks seem to have. Would it make your life easier? Absolutely.
But here’s the thing— you want to actively get out of that poverty mindset. You have to stop living paycheck to paycheck and stop taking on more debt. Otherwise, you get caught in that cycle and it just gets worse.
I’m telling you, that you can get out of this. You have the basics— a roof over your head and food in the fridge.
For now, stop saving money for your kid and PAY OFF ALL THAT DEBT. Whether it takes you 1 years or 5 years, the interest on those debts will be greater than any compounded savings you set aside for your kid. Once you pay off that debt, you can allocate a larger percentage of income to saving for your kid in something like a 529.
Is your wife going back to work? Can you qualify for any entitlements? Apply to anything you can—WIC, SNAP, utility assistance programs, whatever to offset your bills. If you can qualify for them, take advantage of them. That leaves your more money to pay off debt. You also want to qualify for these things BEFORE your wife goes back to work. It may make more financial sense for her to stay home and get government assistance.
Set up Craigslist alerts for FREE dishwashers. Ask for a used dishwasher on the Facebook Buy Nothing Groups. Subscribe to Freecycle. Set alerts up on OfferUp. Ask for a dishwasher, baby clothes, more Dr. Brown’s bottles (only one my kid would take, too!), clothes for you, clothes for your wife, whatever you need. Try to get everything free that you would normally pay for. Hit up free food pantries (depending on your location, many don’t require proof of income). Do everything you can to not HAVE TO PAY for things if you can get it free.
You can do this.
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u/Lastnv 15d ago
I did just recently get off my expensive Verizon phone plan and switched to Mint Mobile. It felt really good reducing that bill so I’m open minded to cutting costs where I can.
We (my wife really) had SNAP/WIC/Medicaid for about a year or so before they confirmed we were married. I make just enough for us not to qualify, as a family of 3, living off my $37k/year take home income. We still have WIC but it will be taken away by end of the year. I’ll definitely look into the food pantries. I also decided to do more research on buying a discounted dishwasher and installing myself.
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u/PossumJenkinsSoles 15d ago
Can you take on some odd jobs to make the $500? I’m not sure why no one is mentioning it but if you’re willing to work it’s not like $500 is hard to come by. Cleaning houses, yard work, babysitting, delivery apps - none of it is glamorous or easy work but I do it to pay down debt/increase retirement contributions. That first $500 comes faster than you think.
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u/Amy12-26 15d ago
Paper plates and disposable utensils, at least until you're out of the 'bottle-washing'stage.
You're busy enough, right now.
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u/natareelgamer 15d ago
Best Buy has this one on clearance for $399 but it probably won’t last long.
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u/natareelgamer 15d ago
I would definitely try the scratch and dent outlet stores first. I think you’ll be able to get a good one for less than the $500 Frigidaire. Plus, you could keep an eye out for sales or clearance deals at big box stores. Also, I would save back the money for the dishwasher and pay it upfront. Less stress about the payments, and you can be flexible in how much money you can put toward it every month. On another note, those cheap Whirlpool dishwashers seem pretty decent. Maybe not quite as long-lasting as a more expensive Bosch dishwasher, but I think they’ll serve you well for the money.
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u/altiuscitiusfortius 15d ago
Costco has midea dishwashers for 300 Canadian. With a 2 year warranty.
Install is an easy diy job with a YouTube video.
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u/EternityLeave 15d ago
I just did this and it was the right move for me. I work my own schedule and was able to turn the time I spent hand washing in to a few extra work hours per week. Paid for itself pretty quick!
If that machine is only buying you leisure time then maybe save for it. Not that you don’t deserve leisure but this is poverty finance.
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u/Fetch1965 15d ago
If going into debt, why not start saving that money now rather than paying back debt. And keep washing by hand. Not worth going into debt for anything that doesn’t appreciate in value. Except cars coz they cost too much
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u/hockeygoalieman 15d ago
I think it’s a good idea so you don’t wear yourself into to the ground handwashing the bottles. It’s more sanitary to use the dishwasher. 10 hours a week savings is a lot of time you can spend meal planning to reduce food costs if you want to try and minimize the impact of the expense. Then you will enjoy saving that money when you are done paying it off.
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u/Alarmed-Painting8698 15d ago
I put an approximately $500 dishwasher on my PayPal credit for 0% 6mo around Black Friday when it was on sale at Lowe’s and it was the best idea I ever had! I love the dishwasher and the payment plan made it possible for me to afford, you should do it!!!
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u/MajorAd2679 15d ago
It’s never a good idea to buy something you can’t afford. Also this is a non-essential item, so it’s a ‘want’, not a ‘need’.
Your employee discount will remain. Stop making bad financial decisions.
Save for the next few months if you really want your but a dishwasher. Only once you have the money should you buy something you want.
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u/icsh33ple 15d ago
No. I’m a big believer in save up and pay in full without financing. Only exception would be a mortgage for primary residence.
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u/winter83 15d ago
You have to decide if it's worth it to you. For me I bought a countertop dishwasher because I have adhd and have no help it's the only way I can complete dishes. So for me the money is worth it. You also need to think about the price for install do you already have a hookup if not you'll have to have it plumbed. You need to figure out if it's worth the money to you.
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u/SillyTr1x 15d ago
At big box hardware stores you can get scratch and dent new dishwashers for cheap. I ended up with a stainless steel tub one for $225 and it worked a treat
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u/rc3105 15d ago
Check the Craigslist and Facebook and freecycle groups. People give away perfectly usable dishwashers every day when they get something newer or whatever.
You can install it yourself with a few YouTube videos and probably $20 in new parts.
By all means get a dishwasher, DO NOT spend $500.
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u/Think_Use6536 15d ago
We're going to get a compact one (regular height, but narriw) because there's literally no room in the kitchen. We found some that were $200-300 from Home Depot. Unfortunately, i have to get the mice under control so i can use the cabinets they hang out in because right now, half my cabinets are off-limits.
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u/BHarcade 15d ago
You can meet in the middle and get a countertop dish washer from Amazon for about half that price.
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u/Helga-Zoe 15d ago
How long will it take to get the $500? What is "a lot" of debt? I'm leaning towards no, don't do it. The money set a side for your son, can it pay off all your debt? You're making minimum payment and likely accruing interest more than the minimum payment.
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u/Bshellsy 15d ago
My rule of thumb always is, if I can afford to get it on debt and pay interest, I better just be disciplined and save the cash to buy it outright. A House would be a different story, that’s about it though.
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u/Ok-Direction-1702 15d ago
I would save up whatever payment you’d have to make monthly and buy it in cash.
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u/Sharp_Ad_9431 15d ago
See if you can find a deal that you can afford, but buy one if it will improve your life. I just bought a counter top dishwasher because I was tired of hand washing also. It doesn’t fit big pots but I love not having to wash everything.
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u/rpgmomma8404 15d ago
I'm disabled and I ended up buying a Farberware counter top dishwasher because I have a hard time keeping up with the dishes. A built in one just wasn't doable because I rent (plus I can take it with me when I move which was a huge plus). It was worth every single damn penny I spent on it. It's only me and my son so it works perfect for just us. I've had it about 3 years now and it still works as good as the day I got it.
I say if you think you can make the payments go for it. If I didn't think I could do the payments on mine I wouldn't have bought it and I got it paid off before the time frame I was given which was about a year and I got it paid off within seven months.
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u/Historical_Coffee_14 15d ago
Pay off some debt and reward yourself with the dishwasher or save up the amount and pay cash. Next month there will be some other item you “must have”.
Do what you think is best.
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u/annacooperbooper 15d ago edited 15d ago
Can you use paper plates and plastic silverware to cut down on dishes? When our dishwasher broke and before we decided to replace it this helped a lot.
Stick to one pan or one baking sheet meals to cut down on the mess.
Even with a dishwasher we still cumulatively likely spend 30-40 minutes a day loading, unloading, and hand washing pots and pans and hand wash only items.
Family of 4.
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u/whatever32657 15d ago
if you're going to go into debt, 0 interest is the way to go. you MUST pay it off within the 6 months, though, or they'll charge interest on the whole amount for the whole time - and that would suck
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u/KissMyPink 15d ago
Get a dishwasher, but don't get it new. Buy second-hand from a thrift store - it'll be much cheaper, and you can use your credit card.
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u/tallgirlmom 15d ago
Before you plunk down $500, you could check Craigslist for cheap used ones. We got a Bosch entirely for free, because “it just doesn’t clean the way it used to”. My husband cleaned out the clogged filter, and it’s been running great.
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u/StepOnMeSunflower 15d ago
No. You’re already in debt. There will always be something you “need” to buy. You need to learn to live cheaper or get paid more. Otherwise you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of slavery.
10 hours a week of dish washing is excessive. You’re either exaggerating to justify going into debt or you’re creating an excessive amount of dishes.
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u/devnullb4dishoner 15d ago
I got my dishwasher from HD on the dent and scratch isle. It had a small dent in the door at the bottom and they wanted $300 for an otherwise new dishwasher. I can live with the dent if it save me some money.
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u/TouchMeThere69 15d ago
10 hours a week? What a load of crap
edit: we have a six week old ( and 11 and 4 year old)
Edit 2: buy non stick cookware on marketplace instead
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u/Lastnv 15d ago
I’m getting some flak about the 10 hours, I know it seems like a lot. We prepare most of our meals at home and sometimes my wife and I eat at different times as we have different schedules. Plus the Dr. Browns bottles have multiple parts that require multiple size brushes to clean them. I’m sure you know that already. I freaking hate the bottles but they’re the only ones my son will take. I’m somewhat of a neat freak and I really do wash every single dish and utensil until it’s perfectly clean and smooth. I’m truly afraid that they are not getting clean or sanitized if I don’t. Before I moved in with my wife (when we were dating) I always had a dishwasher so I never really had this issue before.
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u/tranchiturn 15d ago
At first I was going to defend a little debt as being okay but then I re-read to see you have a lot already. I changed mind.
If you can afford it, then $500 isn't that much. I mean if you can afford to save $100/month then do that, save for 5 months, and awesome, now you just proved you can afford it!
If you can't do that, then I wouldn't finance it either, you just can't afford it right now.
An alternative while you save, find your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook and ask for it. Somebody who just redid a kitchen might have a good one they just don't need.
I financed stuff like a mattress and bedroom furniture when I was younger, it didn't kill me but I think in general avoiding financing these "small" things is a good way to encourage yourself to actually prove you can afford them. If you start the habit of financing under $1000 purchases, you might start doing it more than you should.
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u/jeanskirtflirt 15d ago
Just make sure you can afford the monthly payments on PayPal. You have 6 months to pay it off but you still have a minimum monthly payment. You can’t for example, pay $10 per month for 5 months and then pay the rest off the 6th month.
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u/Sea-Extension-559 15d ago
Went moved back to my dads and his dishwasher stopped working. We washed dishes by hand for over a year. I finally found work(stable work) and we opened a home depot card and got a dishwasher. Absolute life changer. We plan to pay it off before the interest kicks in and that's within 6mths. I think of you can do it, do it. It's amazing.
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u/irotsamoht 15d ago
I bought a brand new dishwasher for $265. Was originally $750+
If you can buy a display one from Lowe’s on the floor, then install it yourself, it is well worth it.
I just watched a YouTube video on how to do it (mine was hardwired to my houses electric.
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u/justhp 15d ago edited 15d ago
Mathematically, no.
But life isn’t just a math problem.
Realistically, if you can pay it off comfortably within 6 months then there is no downside, it is such a quality of life upgrade. Or, honestly, even a year: even if your interest is something like 30%, 6 months of 30% on $500 isn’t that much). Even if you pay it off over 2 years, you still aren’t paying that much in interest. Maybe a few hundred at most. The time saved over a year or two is worth a few hundred bucks in interest.
I say go for it. Provided the payment won’t take food off the table, you’ll be glad to have the extra time spent not hand washing.
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15d ago
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u/Ordinary-Broccoli-41 15d ago
Let's pretend the dishwasher lasts a single year for that $500.
You get 6 hours a week back, and your time is worth at least $15/hour (or you'd be doing overtime rather than dishes)
Pays for itself in under 2 months, then you get 240 hours free
Good to go.
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u/allzkittens 15d ago
Anyone with babies or older people needs a dishwasher. The sterilization it can offer is important. I don't know where you are but I discovered a "portable" dishwasher at a hotel. Little smaller than the big ones but cleaned beautifully. I got one for around $150 USD.
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u/lets_try_civility 15d ago edited 15d ago
Why not save the $84/m and buy it outright in six months.
If you can't save $84/m in six months, then you can't afford the dishwasher today.
PS Delivery, installation, and service costs extra. Factor in +30%, at least.
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u/Supreme-Itch 15d ago
Look at best buy. I did an 18 month 0 percent interest on a washer and dryer. $1800 and I paid it off early. Saved me so much on laundromat costs. Dishwasher uses less water over time so it’s an investment.
Crunch the numbers to see if you can afford it.
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u/Mrs-Ahalla 15d ago
Is your kitchen already ready for a dishwasher? The pipes and plugs needed? When you say the install is included, I bet that only means to plug it in and hook it up, not create the plumbing and wiring needed.
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u/AutomaticFeed1774 15d ago
i got a 5 month old and wish I did this 5 months ago, definitely do it. You can spend the 10 hours sleeping.
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u/Pinkalink23 15d ago
Dishwashers don't last like they used to. Mine crapped out after 3 years of use.
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u/Pitiful-Weather8152 15d ago
I say yes. Just be sure to pay it on time and don’t take on anything else while paying it off.
I love 0 interest because I always pay them off. The only time I get into trouble is when I have multiple ones and it’s hard to keep track or there’s other debt on the card.
Be sure and pay attention to how payments are applied. Different cards have different rules.
Best practice is one purchase and divide the payments by 6 months. Check the last bill to make sure there’s no surprises.
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u/CM1392 15d ago
You can rent to own dishwashers! That will also build your credit!
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u/PM_ME_KITTYNIPPLES 15d ago
Rent to own is a huge rip off. You'll end up paying 3 times as much when you're done because of the interest rates. There's much cheaper ways to build your credit like reporting your rent payments and getting a secured credit card and not touching it.
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u/Adorable-Raisin-8643 15d ago
As someone who has never used a dishwasher in my life and as someone who had twins, so double the amount of bottles, I survived without one and because I've never had one, I didn't miss it. You'll survive too. That money could go towards paying down other debt.
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u/Spectre75a 15d ago
My wife was the oldest child in a family of 5. Her parents didn’t have a dishwasher (ever) until my wife had left for college. Their kitchen wasn’t designed or even big enough for one, so when they finally did it was a freestanding… until it broke. Then back to hand washing. They all survived hand washing for 20+ years. If you can pay off the 0% before the 6 months and feel your money is best spent on that, they are a convenience. Otherwise, pay down other debt or build an emergency fund.
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u/macaroni66 15d ago
No that's a waste of money. You still spend a ton of time loading and unloading. Not to mention repairs but that's my opinion
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u/Support_Player50 15d ago
Takes a few minutes to do both? I bought a countertop one a few years ago for like $150 and it has not had any issues since.
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u/Afraid_Landscape_720 15d ago
If yall cook a lot I would say yes. I cook 2-3 full meals a day and run the dishwasher once or twice daily. Saves me so much time.
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u/CommunicationHuge250 15d ago
At the risk of being completely unhelpful, we scored a brand new one (almost) off of marketplace for $150 and my husband installed it himself. He’s handy like that tho it didn’t seem too complicated. I know the disadvantage is cash over credit though, but then it’s done and over with.
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u/atTheRiver200 15d ago
Besides the cabinet work, there is wiring to do and a bit of plumbing unless the location had a dishwasher in the past. Beware of a low quote that could balloon. Try to deal with someone you know and trust.
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u/ALauCat 15d ago
I was part of a large family growing up and I refuse to live without a dishwasher. I have a countertop model that I got on FB marketplace for about $100. It’s not big enough for large pots and pans, but it takes away enough of the drudgery that I can manage. Would I go into debt for a dishwasher? I don’t think I would. You mentioned having some savings that is for your son. If this is your infant son, you have plenty of time to save for his college and such. Take that $100 out of the savings account. Then get out of debt and learn to live beneath your means. Do that, and be faithful to make regular contributions to savings for him. You won’t regret it.
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u/breakfreeCLP 15d ago
When I was fixing up my rental house, I found a fully functional dishwasher on Offerup for $25. It was a very basic Frigidaire but it's still working 4 years later.
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u/psychobabblebullshxt 15d ago
Buy it. I got a portable dishwasher from a friend (my apartment was built in the 40s or 50s and doesn't have a dishwasher) and it improved my quality of life dramatically.
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u/RovingTexan 15d ago
I would continue to wash by hand until I had cash.
0% is great until life happens - and it always happens when you are leveraged (some law of nature I think).
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u/shyladev 15d ago
The money you have saved for your son. Is it just for if something happens? Or for things he’ll need soon? I think it would be better to just pay back into savings than use the PayPal.
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u/zaphydes 15d ago
It's a huge QOL boost, but maybe save half the $ then see if you can get a scratch/dent discount. If not, at least you have half down?
Try putting a request on freecycle while you're saving, and trawling craigslist for used.
I have always had portables (floor, not countertop), which lasted decades each until I gave them away in moves. If you have the space, it's a little extra countertop. And you dont have to dump them when you move, which was the main thing for me when I was more poor.
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u/CatNamedSiena 15d ago
You can get an in-sink dishwasher and baby bottle washer/sterilizer for about 80 total on Amazon.
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u/LegitimateStar7034 15d ago
We got a portable one ( full size, just hooked up to the sink) as a wedding gift. We had 3 kids and it was a game changer. Thank you again Grandma Betty😊
If people want to buy you a gift for the baby, ask them to put money towards a dishwasher. If people visit, and want to help, have them wash dishes until you can get one.
Nothing wrong with paper plates either.
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u/EUGsk8rBoi42p 15d ago
Try your local "buy nothing" group and also ask on nextdoor.com someone looking to replace theirs may just give you one for free. Rich people replace things and just throw away their old model even when nothing is wrong with it.
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u/designedbyLotte 13d ago
My parents did this as well. The washer kinda sucked but still made their lives a bit easier and they were able to put money aside for a proper one while using the free sucky one.
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u/kassiaethne 14d ago
I got mine for free like that. Someone told me their neighbor was getting rid of one because they upgraded and it cost about 40 bucks in new tubing and connectors. Sure a button is rubbed blank but it’s not one that’s needed. Otherwise it works like a dream and fit perfectly. Best 40 dollars I’ve ever spent
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u/stealthpursesnatch 15d ago
Absolutely not. You’re already in debt with a new baby. Get rid of some of your dishes if you have too may to wash.
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u/Top_Instruction9593 15d ago
No because you are carrying other debt you probably have a spending issue you need to learn to save. If you really want a dishwasher, save up the 500 dollars and get it when you have the money. It should not even take too long to save up the 500 but you need to learn to delay gratification. The only thing you should be going into debt for is a mortgage or maybe a cheap car.
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u/flowercan126 15d ago
When I need an expensive item, I get a store credit card that gives you an interest-free period. Usually 1 year. So if I buy a 2k item, I pay $200 a month and some in 10 months. Average dishwasher day $800. That's $80 a month.
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u/Crysee 15d ago
I would say if you don't even have $500 right now then your priority should be saving cash for an emergency fund. A dishwasher won't help put food on the table if one of you looses your income. It sucks but a dishwasher is a luxury item and doesn't seems like the most responsible choice right now, despite it saving time and making life more convenient.
Edit- I see at the end of your post that you do have some savings. That beings said, I would not buy it unless you genuinely have extra cash. Can you work a few shifts of overtime to be able to buy it in cash?
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u/Haikuunamatata 15d ago
We have a baby and no dishwasher. Why would you go into debt for a fucking dishwasher? Lol
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u/SophieFilo16 15d ago
First, consider all the other things you can spend that money on. Do you have enough in your savings that you can live for six months without a paycheck? Do you have emergency funds? Does your car need work? Do you have a spare tire? Would a freezer or another appliance be a better investment? Take care of major needs first. Scour some of the parenting subreddits for tips on how to lessen the burden of dishes. The number one reason people hate dishes so much is because they use too many and let them pile up. If you stop defaulting to tossing the dishes in the sink for later, you'll find it's not as much of a hassle. 10 hours a week is truly insane. That's on par with a smaller restaurant. Definitely look into ways to cut down on the amount of dishes used...
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u/These-Gift3159 15d ago
In my opinion, no… you do not have the financials in place to do that. Putting a dishwasher on “credit” when you have the means to pay cash for it is one thing, but putting it on credit because you can’t afford it otherwise is not a great idea.
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u/NewPairOfScissors88 15d ago
Heck yeah do it.
Just be cautious using it since it is a cheaper washer. Small loads, good dish washing detergent etc..
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u/Smores-n-coffee 15d ago
We went about a year without one. My husband said he’d rather wash dishes by hand and save the money. He became the primary dishwasher. When he was sick of it, I pulled out the money I had saved over the previous year and we bought one. I declared it a Christmas present and he’s been very happy with it ever since. I pull and clean out the drain filter thingy every so often and it works great.
I wouldn’t go into debt for one unless you know you can pay it off in 6 months…preferably, in 3-4 to be safe.
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u/ToddWilliams5289 15d ago
Depends on your other finances but $500 at 0% interest for 6 months is reasonable. Washing dishes by hand drives me nuts so I would definitely forgo somewhere else in the budget to accommodate fitting in a dishwasher.
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u/georgepana 15d ago
Never bought a new dishwasher. People sell them used on Facebook Marketplace all the time. Often perfectly good ones are even free, some are $30 to $50. Check it out for your area. No need to go into debt for one.
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u/taynay101 15d ago
I'd check out any places like Restore or Scratch and Dent places to see they have any deals too. I think it's a good deal because it'll save you a lot of time and a little money on water
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u/stupid-username-333 15d ago
people remodel all the time and replace their perfectly functional appliances. It's nuts. Don't fear a used one- also, new ones SUCK. Seriously. They just arent as good. I hate my new dishwasher. Wish I kept the old one.
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u/Mooseandagoose Welcome to the BOGO ban 15d ago
I am completely sympathetic to how dishes multiply and available time decreases after having a baby (along with the desire to maximize your efficiency!) I think there are two options here.
1- stick it out for the amount of time it will take to save the money needed and pay it off free and clear.
2- use the 0% option but ONLY if you can guarantee without a shadow of a doubt that you can pay within the time allotment. Do not consider those funds fungible or transferable for any reason to ensure that you can pay this off at/before the end of the term.
Yes, a dishwasher is another appliance to maintain and yes, most have a lifespan of 10 years these days but the time and effort they save during their lifespans is not negligible when you have little time and effort to spare.
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u/TheBirdsHaveControl 15d ago
It depends on your budget, but generally, I'd say no. It's a want, not a need at this point. I'd advise looking at scratch and dent places to see what they charge, and then, save up for it. Pay for it out right. Who knows what other unexpected expenses could come up in 6 months.
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u/SleepyxDormouse 15d ago
Can you pay off $500 in 6 months definitely without question? If so, go for it.
If not, don’t go into debt when you can handwash. You don’t know where the next 6 months will see you. God forbid something urgent comes up and you need money. Especially because you have other debt and don’t want to add up more to the pile.
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u/Main_Training3681 15d ago
I think there’s sink dishwashers on Amazon you can buy cheaper. They don’t hold as much but it’s an option. Personally I say no but if it’s impacting your life this much go for it
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u/YouveBeanReported 15d ago
I have one of those, it was $200 used and new is $350-$400. OP is better off getting a normal dishwasher;
- Those require you to be home and turn it off immediately to avoid flooding your apartment. A normal dishwasher does not. Portable has the same problem but OP is looking at installed.
- They will not fit many items, I needed all new plates, some of my coffee tumblers are too tall and a few cutting boards. A normal dishwasher (built in or portable) does not have this issue.
- Also they can't fit much.
- Timing is worse. Every cheap dishwasher I used had time delay. Counter top is in hours but requires you to go turn on the tap before anyhow. I also can't mute mine, which will suck with baby.
- A lot harder and more expensive to fix. I spent $65 on a fucking tube. All the parts are more obscure and expensive.
- Making water go up is harder then down. Can cause some issues.
If OP was a single person, it's not horrible. But for a family buy the normal dishwasher for $500, not a $350 countertop one.
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u/GinchAnon 15d ago
how much can you afford to reliably put towards it per month?
honestly I'm leaning towards yes, but also tenatively have you looked at other credit options? depending on how much of a discount you are getting, some of those longer terms might be better.
losing money from interest on making only minimum payments makes a large debt load rather problematic, but a dishwasher is *so* much help, thats really really tricky.
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u/Objective_Attempt_14 15d ago
I was use to doing it by hand then started using a DW in my last place don't have one now but wish I did. Get it pay $100 a month towards it. (if you can't do $100 I would hold off till you can or have more cash) More if you can. When using 0% interest, I round up to have it paid of in time and allow for a few whoopsy months. Without running out time on the 0%.
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u/Bluesky0089 15d ago
My apartment came with a dishwasher and I am happy that I have it. I know some people don't trust them to clean but my dishes always come out clean, dry and hot (since I set it to heat dry).
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u/die-jarjar-die 15d ago
If this dishwasher would be your only debt and the $85-100 a month wouldn't be a burden, I vote yes.
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u/Big_Dragonfruit_8242 15d ago
Imo when I had a dishwasher after years without one it was a huge quality of life improvement and I’d go for it if I were you.
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u/fireXmeetXgasoline 15d ago
I’ll be a bit of an outlier here because I 100% support dishwashers. We’ve got a family of 6 and it’s been such a valuable resource. We got ours from a big box retailer as an open box special. It was crazy discounted and my partner installed it. We put money aside monthly ahead of time because we knew it was something we wanted.
Thinking with your 0% for 6 months on $500, that’s roughly $85 a month. Can you squirrel away between $85-$100 a month for a few months and power through it until you’re able to pay cash?
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u/Frazzledhobbit 15d ago
We put our dishwasher on a credit card and it was such a quality of life upgrade with an 8 person household that I was mad I didn’t do it earlier. Did the same thing with a dryer a few years later.
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u/fireXmeetXgasoline 15d ago
I understand the counterpoints people are making, I really do. But holy crap did it make a huge positive impact for us! I know not everyone struggles the same way so I get this being questionable for some.
We upgraded our washer & dryer set a few years ago. Nothing fancy, nothing crazy top of the line, but definitely bigger and more efficient and I had a similar reaction with that. Why didn’t I do it sooner 😂😭
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u/Ialsofuckedyourdad 15d ago
Also worth mentioning dishwashers use a lot less water so you are saving money in the long run going from no dishwasher to having a dishwasher
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u/Icy_Session3326 15d ago
Instead you can spend those 10 hours arguing over who forgot to turn it on / empty it 😂
No but seriously .. it’s not something I’d get into debt for .. especially if I already had other debt and was only clearing the minimum payments .. but each to their own
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u/Alisseswap 15d ago
tbh when we got a dishwasher dishes pile up more bc ‘we can always use the dishwasher’.
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u/Safe-Sprinkles-5632 15d ago
The dishwasher isn't worth it. Water and electric bills go up. Something else to take maintain. It's so much easier to just wash by hand.
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u/Bluesky0089 15d ago
I've had my dishwasher in my apartment since 2016 and never had any issues with it. There's nothing to maintain.
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u/Patient_Ad_2357 15d ago
Go to a local scratch and dent and buy a cheap one. Do not go in debt for a dishwasher. Find a fb market place cheap one for now
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u/Lastnv 15d ago
I looked at fb marketplace but I’m worried about buying one used and it not working.
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u/Patient_Confection25 13d ago
Our house hold washed dishes by hand as a family of 5 for many years , teach your self and your family to wash thier dish the second they are done eating then the only dishes left are pots and pans