Buy Single Function Appliances

I saw this nifty doo-dad advertised the other day. It would brew your coffee, fry your egg, and toast your muffin all in one handy-dandy little appliance. The counter-space craving lady inside me swooned. Much like most of the men I know get downright giddy (yes, they would deny being giddy vehemently, but giddy they are...) about combo electronics that will play and record both DVD's and VHS's while also playing CD's and doubling as a surround sound system. What's not to like? These gadgets do everything for you!

Well I'm here to tell you- don't buy them. That is, if you want to save money in the long run- don't buy them.

Even if you get a great deal and the multi-function unit costs you less than the sum of its parts, just remember that, as soon as ONE component fails, you have to replace it. Our DVD player and VCR are separate. If either one goes, it's a cheap fix. And we're not left with a half-broken player that we have to hold onto in order to use the other part.

Better to seek out sales on the individual parts you actually need. Because that's the other issue at play here... do I NEED an appliance that will fry my egg? Um... last I checked, they called that a STOVE. ;) And I already have one.

Save yourself a little dough. Buy single function appliances.
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This post is linked to Frugal Friday, hosted by the incomparable FishMama at Life As MOM.