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Tuesday, May 7, 2013

I don't always shop at the dollar store ; )


I shave the budget where I can. But I do splurge when the purchase will benefit our family greatly.

I've been making our bread the old-fashioned way, with a bowl, spoon and a lot of muscle, for 25 years now. I also was gifted with a rather used, hand-me-down bread machine a few years ago. But my aging and crippled machine's days are numbered. The time has come to decide how we're going to make our bread. (And while buying bread is certainly an option, we've become so accustomed to our recipe for bread that we're quite spoiled!)

For 7 long years now I've been debating whether or not to buy a stand mixer, primarily to mix and knead bread and roll dough, but also for large batches of other batters or dough. Last week I found a very good deal. The stand mixer that I wanted, on sale at a good price, plus an extra 10% discount with a coupon code, plus free shipping, and I had a gift card in my purse to the store selling this mixer.

The day I took it out of the box I mixed a large batch of whole wheat bread dough, enough for 3 loaves of bread, a batch of hot dog buns and a pan of cinnamon rolls. The next day, I used the mixer to make a double batch of pizza dough, half for that day's pizza and half for the freezer for easy homemade pizza, on another day.

I think it's safe to say that I'll be getting a fair amount of work out of this mixer, and my injured shoulder might just get a break long enough to heal properly.

Have you splurged on anything lately? What's your criteria for splurges?


6 comments:

  1. I have a Kitchen-Aid mixer that my parents got me several years ago. I don't do nearly as much baking as you do, but I find it really comes in handy especially for making things that require kneading. Enjoy your new toy... er... I mean, tool!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So you found me out! When I bought grow lights a few years ago I kept telling my family that these were a tool for getting seeds started early, and they'd pay for themselves in a mere. . . 10 years! So at least if I'm going to buy myself toys I choose ones that are functional and do have a payback!

      But yes, I'm really glad to have it. I know I will get a lot of use out of it.

      Delete
  2. I wonder if everyone secretly wants a big stand mixer. I do. But I don't have the space for one and probably wouldn't use it enough to warrant the cost. But maybe someday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi live and learn,
      I actually did the calculations on for how long and how much I would need to use this before it would actually save us money. I did this based on buying our family's favorite bread (it's a couple of dollars per loaf), as my bread machine made it's last loaf a week ago (talk about cutting it close). I can and do make bread by hand, but it's slowing my shoulder's recovery. So, based on us going through 5 loaves per week, this mixer will pay for itself in about a year.

      I did get a really good deal. I also checked out the refurbished models at the KitchenAid website. I could have saved about $40 more by buying a refurbished one. But they didn't have it in white as I'd wanted.

      Delete
  3. I have been making bread "by hand" as well and have wondered whether it's worth it to buy a good stand mixer. You've answered that question :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi anexacting,
      I went back and forth in my mind, over this, for 7 years. It was a tough decision. But in the end, I'm trying to fulfill a promise to myself, to work smarter, not harder. And this will help me in that regard. It will allow my shoulder and neck to heal properly, and free up some time to pursue other interests. We all have a limited amount of time each day, and have to choose how to spend it. The bonus for us, with buying this mixer is we can still eat our favorite homemade bread.

      Good luck with your decision!

      Delete

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