My ancient coffee maker finally gave up the ghost on Tuesday morning.

It started making a sound like a dying robot and then just stopped, right before my first meeting. I found a basic replacement at the thrift store for $8 instead of buying a new one. What's the oldest appliance you've had to replace on a tight budget?

4 comments

4 Comments

anthonys6025d ago

What about your trusty toaster?

harperp2425d ago

Mine gave up on me last week after like ten years of service. It was a sad morning, couldn't even have my usual bagel. Felt like losing a quiet little friend that just did its job. Honestly been using the oven broiler and it's just not the same at all.

rodriguez.mia25d agoProlific Poster

My grandma's toaster lasted 25 years, a real tank from the 90s. They just don't build them with that kind of simple guts anymore. You could fix a loose wire or a stuck lever back then. Now it's all cheap plastic inside, designed to fail. That broiler will never give you the same even, quick toast.

ryan_black22d ago

Modern toasters are actually pretty reliable if you avoid the cheapest models. My current one has lasted eight years with no issues. The old ones just had a simpler failure that was easier to spot and fix.