Budget Buster- Lawn Mower

[TexasErin]

Our riding lawn mower bit the dust last week......at least we think it did. We need to take it to a repair shop.....difficult when you don't have a truck. But it sounds like it might have thrown a rod, so it's probably so expensive to fix that it would be cheaper to buy a new one......GRRRRR!!!!

Keep in mind we have no money to buy a new riding lawn mower. And we owe enough on credit cards already. We have an acre, so I don't think it would be feasible to mow our yard with a push mower, but there is a nice one for $340. But having an acre to mow would take FOREVER. But I sure hate to charge $1000+ for a riding lawn mower. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[tvguy]

Our riding lawn mower bit the dust last week......at least we think it did. We need to take it to a repair shop.....difficult when you don't have a truck. But it sounds like it might have thrown a rod, so it's probably so expensive to fix that it would be cheaper to buy a new one......GRRRRR!!!!

Keep in mind we have no money to buy a new riding lawn mower. And we owe enough on credit cards already. We have an acre, so I don't think it would be feasible to mow our yard with a push mower, but there is a nice one for $340. But having an acre to mow would take FOREVER. But I sure hate to charge $1000+ for a riding lawn mower. Any ideas or suggestions?

Have you priced replacing the engine?

 

[christineann]

I feel your pain! My riding mower broke down, too, and I've been using a push mower to do my yard, which is right at an acre (July heat and humidity...ugh). My next door neighbor replaced the motor on his lawn mower with a brand new one he found on Craigslist for $100, so I am going to look for one for my mower.

 

[TexasErin]

No, I haven't looked into replacing the motor. DH is a hardworking, wonderful man......but I'm afraid he's not very handy, so I don't think he could do it.

How do you know if the one you're getting on Craig's list is a good engine? I would really, really like to just do something like that if it's easy and you could be sure the engine is good.

 

[queenofthehive]

I second Craigslist! We purchased a riding mower earlier this summer for $300. No issues so far.. Buy it used - do not charge it. Even if it is just to get you thru the season until you can pay cash for a new one if you are stuck on getting a new one. But IMHO you can find good ones used...

 

[Narnia_girl]

How friendly are you with the neighbors? We have a great arrangement with our elderly, widowed neighbor. We use her riding mower but we cut our lawn and hers. Any neighbors you could approach with a similar suggestion?

 

[TexasErin]

Great idea, but there's a college kid in the neighborhood who does most of the elderly people's yards. We had even talked about using him, but then you just keep throwing away money versus putting that money towards buying a lawn mower ourselves.

 

[sksjasams]

I agree, try to find a used one on craigslist. People move and no longer need theirs or they upgrade to a newer model, just like with cars. Check everyday and I'm sure you will be able to find one. Once you find one, then ask if they could possibly deliver it for you for say an extra $25.

Another possibility would be to look for a small engines mechanic on craigslist. Check under "services". We found a mechanic that came to our house and changed the front brake pads and rotors on our car for only $50.

Good luck!

 

[Disney st8 of mind]

I know you said you don't want to put one on a credit card but most major retailers offer same as cash offers... usually 12 to 18 months. You just have to be sure to pay it off before the end of the promo period! That way you could take what you would pay the college kid and put it towards the bill.