Monday Q&A | Kitchen-Aids and Kindles (are they worth it?), plus Checkout Donations
Every Monday, I answer a few of the questions that my readers send me. If you have a question you'd like me to answer in a future Q&A post, just leave me a comment here or email me (thefrugalgirl [at] gmail [dot] com) and put Q&A in the subject line. I look forward to hearing from you!
I am interested in two items"”a kitchen aid mixer and an e-reader. The mixer seems so nice but VERY expensive. I have always used a hand mixer. Until I saw kitchen aid, I thought that was fine. Now, I am not so sure. If you had not received one as a wedding gift, would you see a need for one or even the value of one over a hand mixer?
The second item, the e-reader, interest me only because some blogs offer things cheap or free by way of e-readers. I prefer hard copies but sometimes, that is not an option and if it were, the free part goes away. E-readers are not cheap.
Any ideas on cheap ways to go here or even whether you personally even would?
-Sheila
Well, if you made me choose between a Kitchen-Aid and an e-reader, I would SO choose the Kitchen-Aid! I use mine all the time, and I sort of can't imagine living without one. If I hadn't received one as a wedding gift, I'd definitely have saved up to buy one.
A stand mixer is more powerful than a hand-held mixer, and it's also handy because you can turn it on and then go do something else. For instance, I often turn it on to mix bread dough and then leave it to mix for a few minutes while I put away dishes. I do the same thing when I'm whipping cream or beating egg whites.
I own the Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer $339
, a step up from the KitchenAid Classic ($269) 
, which is the most basic model and has a smaller bowl.
You can get factory-reconditioned KitchenAid Artisan Mixers
for $219, though, so that could save you some money.
Either way, my opinion is that the KitchenAid mixers are well worth their price, and if you use a mixer often, I don't think you'll regret spending the money.
Now, about the Kindle...we do have a Kindle e-reader, and while it's nice, I could definitely live without it.
My two favorite things about the Kindle:
-Kindle books don't take up any space in my house.
-I can take a bunch of books with me when I'm out of the house or on a trip, and all I have to bring is the Kindle.
What I don't like about the Kindle:
-I forget that I have books on it because I can't see them. And then I forget to read them!
-I can't easily flip through a book to skim something or re-read something.
You can get a basic Kindle
for $79, but I'd be inclined to spend $99 and get the Kindle Touch
. There are other e-readers out there, but the Kindle is the only one I have experience with. I'm sure my readers will be happy to chime in and tell you about other e-reader options.
If you're wanting a Kindle just to get free books, though, that might not make a lot of sense. It would take a fair number of freebies to make up for the Kindle purchase, and considering that you can get a lot of books free from the library, an e-reader just might not be worth it to you.
I was wondering how you handle stores asking for donations. I usually only make one stop for groceries, but yesterday I had about 4 different stops to make. I donated a dollar to the first stop and felt really good about it. Then every stop after that I was asked to donate more. I denied and felt guilty. My husband and I do tithe every month, so it's not that we don't give. We are on a budget and a dollar here and there really do add up.
-Stephanie
I typically say no to these kinds of donations. Often, the donations are for a charity I know little about, and I don't want to make a split-second decision about whether I want to support it or not. I like to give to charities that manage their money well (for example, I like to give to charities that don't spend exorbitant amounts on administrative costs), and it takes some research to figure that kind of thing out.
There are a zillion and one charitable causes out there, and you can't possibly give to them all. So, decide with your husband how much you can give and where you'd like your money to go, and then try not to feel guilty about saying no to other requests. It's really ok!
____________________________
Readers, what are your thoughts on Kitchen-Aids and e-readers? And how do you handle checkout donations?
____________________________
Today's 365 post: The sea-creature bed (from Zoe)
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A stand mixer is a definite must-have! I'm not the cook here, hubby is, and for years we burned through one hand mixer after the next. I finally bit the bullet and bought him a stand mixer (a Sunbeam, though, in deference to our budget). I don't regret it for a moment. He now makes more things using the mixer than before, even though he doesn't bake bread (yet). I wish we had bought it much sooner.
You don't need a Kindle or any other e-reader to get e-books--just read them off your computer after you download them. It isn't as convenient as an e-reader, but then again, you don't have to spend the money, either.
But you cant slip your computer in your bag 🙁 unless you get a tablet or notebook.
A comment on e-readers: you don't need an e-reader to read e-books. I haven't come across any I haven't been able to read on my computer (though I do now own a kindle (a gift)). I use a program called Calibre to organise, convert and read e-books on my computer. I do however prefer to read on my kindle (as I do most of my reading in bed) and find it very useful now that browsing the library shelves is a little more difficult ( I have a 6 month old).
I have a kindle and absolutely love it. I have downloaded lots of classics for free, as well as some other paid e-books. It is so useful when travelling, as you can take as many books as you like without taking up room in your bag. If you get the one with free 3G internet you can also download e-books no matter where you are in the world.
I kind-of have a follow-up question about the stand mixer, is it more or less important than a food processor? I don't have either, but am thinking of investing in one in the future sometime. I am leaning towards the food processor at the moment, but would love to hear people's opinions.
For me, a KA beats a food processor every time. I do have a 4 cup processor attachment for my blender which I use sometimes.
Agreed...I could live without my food processor, but living without my Kitchen-Aid would a lot tougher.
I lived without my food processor. I don't want to live without it now that I have it. It's just too handy for some things.
I bought the KitchenAid first but we got the Cuisinart food processor for a shower gift. I love both and use them frequently. The blender is the most useless kitchen gadget in my house.
There's enough overlap between standing mixer, food processor and blender that most people need only 2. Which 2 will depend.
I have both and I have to say that I think I'd go for the food processor - BUT, I am also more of a "cook" than a "baker". Both should definitely be on your "save up for" list and are great time savers, however I use my food processor more than the stand mixer because I only bake a few times a month.
I have a food processor and no stand mixer and it was definitely the right choice for me. I can still mix bread dough in my food processor, and that was the main kind of baking I ever did. I make a lot of pesto and salsa and soups and it's just been great.
I use both for very different things. I use my mixer more often, but I don't look at them as a one or the other thing...they're not interchangeable in my kitchen.
I think it totally depends on what sort of things you cook, and what kinds of tasks you like & dislike. I had a food processor but never got along with it. It seemed like it would be so great for chopping things, but when it comes right down to it, I think it takes less time and energy to do it by hand. I mean you have to get the cutting board and knife out anyhow to chop the veggies into pieces small enough to go in the food processor in the first place, and when you figure all the set up, tear down and clean up time, I come out ahead doing it by hand.
I have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer and I used to use it all the time, but these days it gets scant use... If you bake a lot of bread it would be a must have, but for quick breads like muffins, I just find it quicker & easier to do by hand.
BUT the one kitchen appliance that beats them both IMHO is the immersion blender. Makes it a breeze to whip up creamed soups (which I do often) because there's no transferring back and forth and dripping all over the kitchen.
Wow thanks for your help everyone. I am leaning towards a food processor because I am also more of a cook than a baker and want to make things like pesto, dips and soup, but also bread. I'm having a hard time figuring out whether I would actually use either much, or whether it would be too much hassle and mess and I would end up doing everything by hand like I do now.
I love my food processor and use it often to make salsa, pesto, jam and shred things like cabbage, carrots and zucchini. I have an old breadmaker that kneads dough for me, and then I bake it in the oven. I have never had a kitchenaide mixer and never felt like I need one. I bake, but I don't bake every day or anything. A hand held mixer works great for me!
I've noticed some stores are always accepting donations for their charity, not just during a promotion. Not to endorse PetsMart over any other store, but they are a good example. They are always accepting cash register donations for their homeless animal programs. JC Penney now offers a round-up option to support their after-school programs, which programs have been ongoing for more than 10 years. I prefer contributing to these ongoing programs because I feel like the store is more committed to the effort.
By the way, the challenge for me with on-the-spot charitable requests used to be the actual verbiage:
"Would you like to donate $1 to feed hungry people?"
If I said, "No," in my head it sounded like, "No, I hate hungry people." Or something like that. Now, if I don't want to do it, I say, "Not today, thank you." and I feel less guilty. 🙂
I love my Kitchen Aid. I also love my Kindle. I've only recently gotten the Kindle because I was so hesitant. I love hard copy books, but sometimes the kindle is very handy. Also, many libraries loan e-books. I usually have at least one library book checked out on my Kindle - in addition to hard copy books. There are tons of free books on Amazon for the Kindle, too. It would be impossible to own hard copies of all the classics available for free on an e-reader.
I bought my reconditioned Kitchen Aid mixer in 1999 (149.00) still going strong.....love it.
I'm sharing the same info as Rebecca...one of the blogs I follow posts free Amazon e-books from time to time, and if you go to the Amazon site, there's a link for a free program that converts Kindle e-books to a format that you can read on your computer at home. If that happens to be a laptop, it could serve the same general purpose as a Kindle. Sorry, I don't have a link right now, but if I come across one, I'll try to remember to post.
I have been using my KitchenAid Ultra Power Mixer since 1996. I think it was well worth the money.
I have a Kindle Fire, which I use to read books and use a few Apps. I purchased it for about $150 dollars (Wal-Mart had a promotion where you received a $50 gift card when you purchased the Kindle Fire for $199). I can download books from the public library and Amazon has a ton of free books you can download. Some of the freebies are only available to download one day while others are available for many days. One you download them they are yours forever, you can even lend them to others. You can also download Kindle books to your PC, Amazon has free software for that. There are also free apps that you can download, as well as the free app of the day. As long as you have wi-fi the Kindle Fire is like a tablet, you can use it to check e-mail, watch videos on Netflix or Amazon, etc. I do like my Kindle Fire, it's great to have with me when I am waiting or traveling. I have had it for six months and have not spent any money on content (books or apps).
Link to the free read apps:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=sv_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771
There are some used Kindles available. I would think about that if I were interested.
Two Christmases ago, I asked for monetary donations for my mixer fund when people asked me for gift ideas. That way I only had to put a little of my own money down, and it's quite an expensive gift to put on a Christmas list. 🙂 It worked out great, I think it was easier for people to just send me cash for Christmas knowing where it was planning on being spent. (I did the same thing last year for a new camera.) I've fallen in love with my Kitchen Aid, I have the Artisan model as well. It's actually spurred me on to making more foods that I wouldn't have before. I rarely made homemade bread, rolls, or cinnamon rolls. It seemed like so much work to do it by hand. I can now say that I make them regularly, and can't imagine not having one.
I have a friend that won't buy a stand mixer because of space issues. However, I think the stand mixer is the way to go. As, Kristen said, with making bread, whip cream, or anything that you have to beat (even for a few minutes) it is so convenient to turn it on, and put dishes away, measure out the fry ingredients, etc. I find that it also doesn't take up that much space. Also, depending on if you go with a kitchen-aide mixer and it's size, you can buy attachments for making bread (the standard motor sometimes isn't strong enough), pasta, sausage, etc. So in the end, you might be saving space because you ended up just buying the attachments and not all the other pieces of equipment. I got my Kitchen Aide on trade from a woman that wanted to upgrade... so I made 8 dozen cupcakes for her son graduation... and 7 years later it is going strong!
I have a Nook, which I chose because at the time it was the only option for checking out library e-books. I use it mostly during travel, because you can take a lot of books along with little weight. I am the kind of person who reads very quickly and likes to have several books going at once, so I go through a lot of books on one trip! At the time, our library system was also going through a lot of budget cuts and had very limited hours, so I was racking up overdue fines because it was so complicated to get to the library when they were open. So being able to check out books whenever, and never being fined (library e-books are automatically returned), was a real advantage.
Can you get an online account with your library? I can request books and then pick them up on a special shelf. If I haven't returned them by the time they are due, they notify me by email a few days before. I usually will renew them online just in case I can't get them back on time. No overdue fees! It is so sad to me how much libraries have had to cut back on their hours.
I whole-heartedly agree with the Kitchen Aid...we received one from my grandmother (a fantastic cook and former bakery owner) as a wedding gift and I'm still using it reguarly 15 years later!
I also have a Kindle, which I love. I saved up for the Kindle Fire (and opted for a refurbished one to save some money) so I could take along movies and games for the kids to play when I needed a fast distraction (I travel frequently for work and often take at least one child along with me). One of the things that I love about my Kindle is that the ebook version is often cheaper than the paper version. I also get feeds on my facebook page from several sites that offer free and low cost books every day. Pixel of Ink and Kindle Fire Dept. are two of my favorites. There are several more! I've gotten some great deals using these sites, including the entire Hunger Game series for $2.99!
I have a kenwood multi chef, which doesn't get used as much as it should, it can do everything & anything and I have had it for years, I really should use it more, I am trying to get more domesticated (taking nearly 30 years, Lol)
I have a Kobo e-reader and I had always swore I would NEVER give into any e-reader, I read constantly and I love the feel and smell of physical books and have a whole room just for them, (not quite a library), I collect 1st editions, and like old Picture books ie. royal family, (have some nearly 100 years old), geographic, war , cook books, ( I love history),
BUT I finally gave in to an e-reader as paperbacks were taking up so much room, plus I always give them away after 1st read, and I love it, I agree about forgetting what you have on there, Plus I spend more on novels now, as its so easy....also I love the easiness of the handling of it, it fits in my bags, I can read and turn pages with 1 hand (I have a touch), I would Highly recommend one, espescially if you are a book devourer like me!!!
I don't use a mixer very often, but I was given a refurbished Kitchenaid that I adore. It's useful because of all the attachments. I have the ice cream maker attachment, and it doesn't take up nearly as much room as a regular ice cream maker. Also, I highly recommend buying refurbished from a reputable retailer. The warranty that comes with it is unbeatable!
I also have a Kindle (2nd generation Kindle with 3G) which I adore. I prefer the Kindle over the Nook because it's easier on your eyes and Amazon customer service is excellent. It really keeps my bookshelf pared down. I agree with Kristen, though--it is easier to flip through and re-read parts of a paper book, and the Kindle makes it a little trickier. I still love it, though.
I love my hand-me-down KitchenAid! My neighbor's husband got her a new one to match their newly painted kitchen, he wanted her to throw it away because it was old. They had gotten it as a wedding gift in 1990 and I am still using it today...I love it and would absolutely buy another if or when it breaks. As for e-reader, I don't have one and don't feel I am missing anything... I can borrow all the books I need from the library!
That's both the saddest and best story ever! Why would you just throw it away?? (Actually, I'm not sure why you'd just buy a new one to match the new kitchen, but that's just me!) Good find for you!
I've only just purchased and have not yet opened the packaging on my first ever food processor. I'm not one for kitchen-aids generally (aka bread machines - you can do most things by hand) - but I do such a lot of chopping I relented when I saw one on special. I'm hoping it's worth the space it's about to take up in a kitchen cupboard - I'm assured it is!
As for e-reading... I love love love my iPad for reading (not so much for other things but that's probably because I haven't got to grips with it yet being a windows rather than mac user). I'd asked for a Kindle but an iPad appeared (suspect the Hubby wanted one for himself as it's rare I get a gift at Christmas (we agree not to exchange) let alone an expensive one! Very strange!). The best thing about the iPad is (for me) that it's illuminated so at night so great to read whilst other half in bed as it doesn't disturb them. I also love the way it mimmicks a book, you can flick pages as though reading, and the inside looks like a book. It is rather an expensive e-reader though and I'm sure Kindle would be just as good. (You need to download Kindle onto the iPad to get the range of books as Amazon has much more than iBooks ).
Jo - there is a free iPad manual that you can download through iBooks. Love my iPad!
Cheers Renee will take a look!
I have a KitchenAid Classic that my mom bought in 1986 and gave to me when I finished college 10 years ago. It runs beautifully and I've never had to replace any of its parts. I use it about twice a week for bread dough, whipping cream, making waffles, etc., and although I know I could probably manage to knead my dough with my hands, or whip cream or egg whites with my the whisk on my immersion blender, Kristen makes a great point that you can walk away from the mixer while it's churning away. If you bake a lot and if you have the counter space, I think any model of KitchenAid is worth considering.
On the topic of Kindles (or e-readers in general), I suggest that you contact your local public library to see if they loan out Kindles or Nooks. My local library does this and borrowing a Kindle and reading a couple of books on it was a great way of finding out if it was right for me. Also, many public libraries make it possible to borrow books for the Kindle--they're not just books you would get for free, they're brand new bestsellers, books in hardback in all genres, etc. A lot of libraries have created useful instructional materials about "checking out" a book to your Kindle, and many even have classes or a resident expert who can help you if you need that assistance. I don't think Kindles are for everyone, but I know many people who have said, "I prefer print," and then they got a Kindle or another e-reader (like a Nook or an iPad) and have found that they're reading more than ever.
I didn't know some libraries did that. That's pretty cool. I was debating on a Nook tablet/Kindle Fire. I really wanted it for watching Netflix or Hulu while on the treadmill, but I figured I'd read on it too as I'm a voracious reader. My hubby got me the Nook for xmas and it's great for watching movies/shows, but I HATE reading on it.
My parents heard me talking about it and got me a Kindle for xmas. Just the reader kind because they didn't realize I was really looking for a tablet. They were going to return it, but ended up keeping it. My dad, who has NEVER been a reader, now uses it to read all the time. He loves it.
Look to see if your library has a program called "overdrive" You would find it on their website. Both my current and my previous library had it (and I currently live in a rather small town) and it seems to be gaining acceptance all over. On the e-reader vs. tablet, E-readers use "e-ink" rather than a backlit screen. It is less stressful on the eyes. Tablets (Nook COLOR falls into this category) are backlit, which can be nice when it's dark, but you can't see them well in full sunlight, and they cause more eyestrain.
I bought a cover for my Kindle that has a light built in to it (powered by my Kindle) that I can use when I need, and keep off when I don't. I have read whole books at a time on my Kindle with no eye strain. A coworker of mine has a Kindle Fire and a Sony e-reader. She says that the Sony is much better for actually reading books, because the Kindle Fire gives her a headache after a chapter or two.
I absolutely LOVE my Kitchen Aid stand mixer- I have the Classic 4.5 quart which we found on sale at Target for $189 (I've never seen them on sale for that little cash before, I was SO happy!!)
Got it for my birthday in June this year and I seriously use it at least twice a week to make breads or cookies, or both. 🙂
At some point I may step up to the Artisan (all those pretty colors are so nice!) but yes, I'd definitely say Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer over E-reader.
A Kitchen-Aid will last decades - I got mine circa 1992. I use it on average a couple times a month or more, it's still going strong and has never needed repair. I strongly prefer the ones where the bowl drops down to the ones where the head tilts up.
You can get attachments for the KA, such as a meat grinder or juicer. They're generally good attachments because they're run off the same sturdy KA engine. OTOH they're a bit awkward because the base of the attachment attaches to the head of the mixer, making the attachment very tall.
Don't bother to get the KA ice cream maker bowl. It's just as expensive as a Cuisinart ice cream maker, but more awkward to store and pre-freeze.
Something else to consider when deciding to buy a KA or not: in addition to being expensive, it's a space hog.
We got the ice cream maker as a wedding gift and if I could do it over again, I'd probably buy the Cuisinart.
Still, I don't understand the storage problems. Mine lives in the bottom of my chest freezer.
What I meant was that the KA ice cream bowl takes up more space that the Cuisinart bowl. Most people (that I know, at least) have limited freezer space, so size is a consideration.
Slightly off topic - but I was thinking about getting a meat grinder. Heard mixed reviews about the attachment for the KA. How often do you use the meat grinder attachment?
I've used it a fair over the years. It works for me - but here are the caveats:
1) I've never used a different grinder. So I can say KA grinder attachement works but I can't say if it's better or worse than a different grinder.
2) Either you hold the bowl up to the meat output or meat juices splatter a bit. This is awkward because the output is at the level of the KA head.
3) Stringy fat gets caught in the grinder plate; this may be true of other grinders.
Tip: As with all grinders, you should run a potato or onion through after you finish with the meat. This pushes out meat caught in the mechanism, so you have wasted onion instead of wasted meat.
Tip: If you're going to add chopped anything to your ground meat, run it through the grinder. Not only does this clear the rest of the meat from the mechanism but it pulverizes the solids making them easier to distribute through the meat and they cook more evenly. Frex, my grandmother's meatloaf calls for grated potato and grated onion. That's a pain to do by hand - especially the onion - but a piece of cake to go in the grinder.
Thank you. I remember using a regular meat grinder with my Mom (long time ago) and yes, the stringy fat was an issue, but we always had to add fat to the meat - it was so lean. Using a potato - great idea - could always find a way to tuck that into a recipe. I also like the drop down bowl - can just twist off the attachments and place them in the bowl, no dripping. I try to make cookies with it and since it easliy makes a double recipe I can keep a frozen choc chip dough log in the freezer. Much safer for me that to make a complete batch...LOL.
I'm curious, why do you prefer the bowl lift KA over the tilt head? No specific reason I'm asking, just curiosity. 🙂
I don't care about the tilt per se, but the tilt-head KAs all have smaller engines. The bigger engine is more powerful and lasts longer.
Interesting. It doesn't matter to me, I decided to purchase the tilt head, but wasn't aware of the different size motor. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity. 🙂
You can get free Kindle apps for smartphones, computers, and tablets. I have the Kindle app for PC on my laptop and I love it. Granted, it's not as convenient as having the actual Kindle, but I didn't have to buy another device. I have downloaded tons of free books, many of which are classics.
I have the Kitchen Aid Classic (it is 7 years old and still going strong). I find it so useful for many things. I no longer own a hand mixer because I found I always used the stand mixer 🙂 I would suggest saving up for a good stand mixer and watching for a sale (here in Canada, they usually go on sale around Christmas and Mother's Day).
I LOVE my Kitchen Aid. I have the large one and it gets quite the work out. I find that the hand mixer des not go slow or fast enough. The speed range is too small. As for the kindle. You can down load the kindle software to your computer for free, so ou can read those books on your computer without te Kindle.
I bought my Kitchenaid at Walmart on Black Friday a few years ago for about $130 (I think). I'm so glad I did! If you wait til Black Friday, you might be able to find a better deal. I saw them at Kohls last year for under $200, plus you got a percentage off and Kohls cash. Definitely a good investment!
(I have a Kindle too and I love it! It's the $99 model and I take mine everywhere)
I am not a fan of e-readers. Some of what I don't like are inherent in the technology: I like to leaf through a book, write in it, add tabs and bookmarks (you can't skim electronic bookmarks the way you can physical ones), loan it out, have a sense of how much I have left to read in the chapter or book, take it into the bathtub. No matter how the technology changes I will always be able to read a paper book.
Other problems are in the way e-publishing is run: for one, I don't like how e-publishers have turned into Big Brother. As soon as you turn on the wi-fi, they track you. They look at what you're reading, how fast, where you annotate, what you reread, where you stop reading. Technological change can lead to losing one's entire e-library.
For another, I also like *owning* my books not licencing them. If I own it it's mine, I have 100% of the rights to it. I can rip it up, loan it out, keep it no matter what, resell it. E-books are licenced. You can't loan it out, resell it, or be sure that the seller isn't going to force you to return it (see, for example, http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2009/07/18/amazon_removes_1984_from_kindle/). The DRM issues are mind-boggling.
Someone gave me a Kindle and I still use it only for long trips.
You can actually loan them...Beth Terry just loaned me her book about plastic via Kindle.
What are the mechanics of loaning an e-book? I wonder if it depends on the reader (my Kindle is an old model) or the publisher.
I'm not sure, since I've only been on the receiving end of the loaning!
It depends on the publisher. On your Amazon Kindle page should be a list of books, and a tab to the right of each title that says "actions" that will give a drop down list of options. If you can loan the book, the bottom option will be "loan this title." In my own library, out of the books that are not actual library books, I can lend some and not lend others. I would have thought that as a book got older you would be more likely to be able to lend it, but that does not seem to be the case. For example, I can loan my Hunger Games books, but not my Dresden books. Also, of all the books that I picked up for free, very few are able to be loaned out, but I figure that that is not a big problem, since they are free and all.
For free e-books, try Project Guttenberg (vast library of books whose copyright has expired) or Baen Books (SF publisher, very enlightened about e-pub problems, no DRM on what it sells).
Project Gutenberg is excellent!
I just downloaded from Priject Gutenberg this morning!
I love my kindle! But mostly because of my circumstances: I have a new baby, and I can read one-handed while nursing. It's great! Also, our book shelves are filled to overflowing, and it's nice to keep the book clutter to a minimum.
That said, there are some things I don't like about the kindle. Certain books are great for reading on there--novels or books that progress nicely from start to finish. But a cookbook would not be great, because it's hard to flip around and find your place again. It's just not as easy to browse through. Also, with the kindle at least, there are certain books that you can lend to other people (if someone has an amazon account you can lend certain books to others even if they don't have a kindle). But it only works with a few books, and I find this very frustrating, because I feel as though if I bought the book, I should be able to do what I want with it. Also, right now, I think if I want to buy books, I can only get them from amazon (I had a barnes and nobles gift card, and from what I could tell, it looked like their ebooks might not be compatible on my kindle).
That said, there are some free books you can get for the kindle, and my library also loans ebooks, which is great! I was surprised to find that I enjoy reading on the kindle so much.
I also got my kindle during my nursing baby phase! It was very nice to have.
My husband got me started on the Nook when I was nursing. 🙂 It is definitely an easier way to read in that situation.
I read our local newspaper on my iPad every morning. It looks identical to the print version an I don't have newsprint stacking up in the garage to be recycled. iPads are a little heavier to hold. I have a cover on it that allows it to be propped up at several angles which is great to use at the table. I no longer travel with my laptop as the iPad does everything I need computer-wise.
I'd definitely would go with the KitchenAid. They last forever and can be passed on. I have my Grandpop's KitchenAid. I don't know how old it is but it's definitely over 60 years old. It's used all the time.
As for the Kindle - I had a cheap e-reader and I didn't like it at all. I have an app on my iPhone and iTouch and I can read very easily everything on there without the expsense of another device.
I too went through many hand mixers until my kitchen aid. I love my kitchen aid, I have had it since 1995 when my mom gave it to me as a birthday present. And haven't broken another hand mixer since! If you do decide to get one, I highly suggest getting the kind that is NOT the bowl that screws in the bottom (Artisan) if you plan on making breads. I have done a lot of research and the artisan one is fine if you plan on doing cookies, cake batters anything that is a lighter dough. But if you want to make wheat breads or anything with a tougher dough then you should spend the extra to get the bigger bowl (you won't regret a bigger bowl) and the one that sits on arms rather than screw into the bottom. My friend had one of the cheaper models and as soon as she started making 100% wheat bread it broke about a month later. Plus I broke the one my mom gave me from the 70's making bread also (that could not be fixed, the hinge broke, it was an artisan also). Also when the gear breaks (it is a nylon gear with a metal gear) you can get the replacement parts plus the grease on line for much cheaper than paying someone to do it and you can find videos that thoroughly explain how to fix it, I have repaired my friends, and mine (because I lent it to her and it broke). I had done the research before I figured out I could fix our mixers, I was looking into getting a Bosch Universal Mixer....But I make a baked good at least 4 times a week whether it is cookies, cakes, or breads.
I have a smart phone and it is an e-reader too, though I never use it for an e-reader, I am not a book reader in general.
I love my stand mixer. I am not an advocate of credit cards but if you get a kohls card, between Thanksgiving and Christmas they tend to have these things on sale a bit. then add the %30 off coupons they send and kohls cash if you participate and you can get the mixer for nearly half the price! just be sure to pay it off immediately or you will defeat yourself with the interest (you can pay right at the cash register, at customer service, online or by mail). you can also plan a trip to Greenville OH and go to their annual sidewalk sale. they have product as much as 40% off....
I completely agree with Melissa. I did the exact same thing two years ago at Kohl's. KA also often has a mail in rebate, either a $30 or you can choose an attachment from a few options. Between the sale, the %30 with my Kohl's charge, and the rebate, I spent less than $170 on my Artisan series mixer, which kohl's lists right now for $449, though I've seen it other places for $350 or so.
I own a Nook Color Touch, and really love it. You're right, there is a little learning curve in using it like a "real" book (making notes, highlighting, bookmarking), but it is well worth it.
I also own a kitchen aid mixer. Grew up on one as well. Will never do without. Have tried a couple hand mixers (blah!!), and one Sunbean (double blah!!), and none compare.
Kitchen Aids are worth every penny they cost! ALL my small appliances are KA brand. Many of them pushing up on ten years old or more and still going strong. I've bought other expensive brands and they lasted a year or less. KA has never failed me.
My Kindle Touch is with me almost all the time. I love it! We live pretty far out in the country and getting to the library is time consuming. The once a week trips I used to make when we lived in town just aren't possible. With the Kindle I can download books through the library or get free ones. It can be hard to see what books you have but as long as you are careful about deleting or archiving them it's not so bad.
Love my stand mixer and my Kindle. Bought the Kitchen Aide mixer from a co-worker for $50 (she was upgrading) . As for the Kindle, I love a real book . I am a dialysis patient and spend 12+ hours hooked up to a machine. The Kindle is easier to transport and view than a book. Also, a co-worker turned me on to a http://www.pixelof ink.com They offer daily free downloads, including childrens books and cook books. Not best sellers but I have read a few good ones, and I have lots of time to read.
When I was researching prices on Amazon for my KA mixer, I found that different colors were priced differently. The least expensive (at the time - about 1 and a half years ago) was white, and it was at least $50 less than the other colors.
I have a Kindle app on my smart phone and use it all the time. I love it! and I don't mind reading on my phone. Amazon.com has a ton of free e-books you can download.
Okay I'm sure people have all chimed in here but I'm going to add my two cents as well.
For the Kitchen Aid stand mixer: It's a great investment and it will last you a lifetime. Save up, watch for sales and ask for gift cards at birthdays/holidays. You will enjoy it. If you don't enjoy it, you can sell it and get a good portion of your cash back.
My mother owns a Cuisinart Stand Mixer that we got for her refurbed on Woot.com. She loves it and she bakes more cookies than any one I know (well outside of people who work in bakeries.) I prefer my KA. It's classic and comes in a whole array of colors. Mine is Pistachio but if I was to do it again, I'd go with Aqua Sky.
Anyway, here's interesting trivia. The KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer is about $319 on Amazon. On Amazon UK it's £409.00! That's $637.26 in US Dollars! I guess I'm glad I'm an American baker. 😉
I am in Malaysia. Love the KA stand mixer but it's $1000 here! That's the reason I don't have one.
Ouch! I guess if you ever travel abroad you could get one and take it home.
I would definitely choose the e-reader over the mixer! I love my e-reader. I have an Aluratek and it was only $40. As for the mixer, we received one as a wedding gift, but I rarely use it. The cleanup take too long, so I usually just grab the handheld mixer. What I could not live without is my food processor. Now that's a different story.
I'm not fond of the clean-up as well. Ditto for the food processor. But then there are only two of us and we eat out a lot. But even when we had 3 kids at home there were many time I would grate cheese with the hand grater because I didn't want to clean up the food processor. I have a more powerful hand mixer and it does pretty much everything I need.
Hm, I usually just throw everything in the dishwasher after use and it cleans up great...
I do hate when stores ask for donations. It awkward when they put you on the spot.
The important thing to remember is that it's your money and you need to make decisions that align with your principles AND your budget. The best place to research charities is http://www.charitynavigator.org.
A good answer is, "I would like to research that organization before I donate. I'll get back to you."
Chances are the clerk is required to mention the charity and responses rarely register, they just want to move to the next customer. On the off chance you get a hard-sell, request written information about the charity and take it with you. Donate or not, you're not obligated.
A stand mixer for the price KitchenAids go for is only worth it if you will use it frequently. Even when I bake, I don't use a stand mixer. I use my hands. In over 13 years of cooking for myself, my daughter, and my parents (and often various friends and family), I have never needed a stand mixer. It is certainly one of those products where you should assess your need of it before purchasing it. And you can maybe put it out there as a gift idea to friends and family? (Or maybe only my family loves mostly practical gifts...)
I have a basic Kindle. I don't want a Kindle Touch because I touch the screen of the basic one way too much. I would drive myself nuts doing things on the Touch that I didn't mean to do (I know this from having borrowed a Touch). I think e-readers are overrated. Yea, I can keep a whole lot of books in a small space but it is a pain to find them again (maybe the Touch and the Fire are better for this). Also, for the books I love that I already have hard copies of? I'd have to re-purchase them. I don't have that kind of money to waste on duplicating.
Now, yes, you can get free books and cheap (99 cents to 3.99) books on the Kindle. There is also a certain instant gratification to downloading a book you are itching to read. The actual Kindle (the basic one anyway) has limited storage on it but that is only a problem if you are a reading junkie (like me). Also you can check out library books on a Kindle. The selection is limited to what ebooks the library has but even my small area library still has a decent selection.
That's my two cents.
As for the Kitchen-Aid mixer- I literally don't have the storage or counter space for it right now- so my little hand mixer has to do- but when we move- TOTALLY getting one!
As for the Kindle- I have the Kindle Fire, I got using gift cards and cash back rewards and LOVE it. I still love going to the library, I'm totally a library- love the book in hand kind of girl. But... it's nice because my local library system has TONs of free e-books and it's kinda nice have that. In hind sight- I probably didn't need the Fire- just a basic Kindle but it's nice to travel with regardless and has proved it's worth. My only complaint about the Fire is that the touch screen (if you like to use social media and/or the web) sucks! Had I known the husband and I were going to upgrade to a smart phone I would not have gotten the Fire. However- it is nice to use in the kitchen for recipe sites... someday with my Kitchen Aid Mixer! lol
I love my kindle, although its probably not the most frugal purchase ever. I think it's great if you read a lot of paperbacks that you probably won't re-read or loan to someone else, and it is important to only buy books as you read them, because you do tend to forget you have them otherwise. I recommend the keyboard version rather than touch, because I always accidentally turn the page! If you are not too picky about what you read, probably the frugal option is getting books from the library, or a used bookstore...
I love my stand mixer! Mine is from my husband's grandmother (it's old) but still works like a horse. It's completely worth having one. I see them often times at estate sales and the Goodwill bins/outlet store. Also, I bought a Cuisinart food processor second-hand from a listing in our newspaper so that may be another option or Craig's list.
Checkout donations I always say no to. I'm sure they are good organizations but we have a routine at our house where we decide (annually) as a family after researching and then vote on how much to spend and what organization. This gives the kids a chance to see how organizations need donations, helps us focus on groups we value, and helps our kids think of others.
I don't have any hi-tech readers - just books. I like the smell of books 😉
For some reason, I totally thought a Kitchen Aid was much, much more expensive (the number floating around in my head was about $600), and I'd decided that it just isn't worth it since I've been cutting down on most baking for the sake of my weight. $220 plus shipping, though? I'm totally in! (And I can still get my fancy BlendTec, all for less than I thought I Kitchen Aid costs!) There's just something to be said for paying more - even if it's much more - to get something that will last a long time.
I have TWO Kitchen Aides because the husband and the father did not consult each other the birthday they finally wearied of listening to me whining about how much I wanted one and just bought one. So, I have one I use to death and another I will probably never use but will eventually give away to my younger sister who is just learning to bake bread. I use my mixer probably 3 times a week and more at the holidays. It saves me time, aggravation, and I think things like my bread come out better. I love to read, but no contest that I would spend money on a Kitchen Aide rather than a Kindle.
I purchased my Kitchen Aid mixer from the Kitchen Aid refurbish store on eBay for half the price of a brand new model. It was my housewarming gift to myself and I don't regret it for a second. Especially not while making homemade whipped cream.
I have a Kitchen Aid Artisan line and I love it. I use it several times a week, and I love that it allows me to use both my hands while it's running.
I know some individuals who own a classic Kitchen Aid, which has a weaker motor. They say it walks all over the counter when making bread and is more suited to mixing batters than handling thick dough.
I have the classic KA mixer and I have never had this problem. It is still an incredibly sturdy and heavy mixer.
I have to weigh in on the Kindle.
I Love Mine. Love it.
I am a die-hard bibliophile, and was dead set against an e-reader.
Until my FIL purchased one for me for Christmas in 2010. Since then I have amassed over 600 books, and all but a handful (less than 5) were free from the Kindle 100 free list. I was the type of person who would walk through the library and pick up new releases just based on title or cover, and I have not done that in over a year. I also just recently found out that most libraries are set up for e-readers too.
(The 100 free list is updated several times a week with new titles)
I recently had the chance to really test how much I loved it. One of my favorite books of all times was on the 100 free list. (I was not about to pay to test this, so finding it for free was wonderful)
I am the type of person who likes to read favorite books over and over again. I wasn't sure I would enjoy my old favorite as much - but I did. Without having the 200 page volume to lug around.
(I have to also add that my FIL also gave me the lighted cover - it is pretty pricy (around $50 I think) but SO worth it. I use this every single day.
On the other hand - I also received a KA stand mixer for a wedding gift almost 10 years ago. I cook and bake on a daily basis, and I think I have used this a total of 5 times. I could live without it.
I have a KA pro 600, when I got it 10 yrs ago it retailed at $500. I paid just under $200 for it new. I was working at a dept store and it was a return from a larger store and so was on clearance because we didn't carry that color. So I scooped it up. If you do any amt of serious baking, I would go bigger rather than smaller. I would be totally frustrated right now baking and cooking for 5 if I had recieved the 4.5 qt or 5qt that we asked for on our registry.
I also have a KA food processor and I LOVE IT. After 10 yrs I could use a new bowl, as mine is wearing out, but I have also dropped it off the counter more than a few times.
Having arthritis I use it to grate and chop to save my hands. I won't haul it out for a 1/2 cup of cheese (I make my husb grate that) but often I grate cheese in bulk and freeze it, the same with onions and garlic.
And as for e readers, I can't stand them, they make my eyes hurt.
I love both my Kitchenaid and my Kindle! The kitchenaid made a lot of baking tasks so much easier, so I highly recommend it. I love that you can also get attachments for it, we have an ice cream maker attachment and a grain mill which my husband actually uses to grind our own flour for wheat bread. I also love my Kindle, I like that I can have multiple books on it and that I can use one had to read while I'm feeding my baby. Plus my local library does loan e-reader books, so I am able to check out a lot of books and read them for free online when getting to the library isn't as easy.
My vote comes down very firmly in the Kitchen Aide camp. An e-reader is wonderful if you travel a great deal, in which case having lots of different kinds of reading material in a very tiny package can be a godsend. Otherwise, a good old book does just fine. And it never needs to be recharged! I cook every day, and love to bake. After I destroyed my 3rd regular mixer, I decided I had to have a Kitchen Aide. It took me nearly a year to save up the money to get it, but I think it was some of the best money I've ever spent. Even my Christmas bake-a-thons don't phase the thing! (That's how I destroyed 2 Mix Masters.) I consider the Kitchen Aide mixer a serious tool to help you get household work done; unless you spent hours on the road, the e-reader is a luxury.
My youngest daughter--11--is a voracious reader and she wants a kindle (she's saving up money to pay for it, too!). She gets books from the school library and the public library, but some series books by popular authors are not available through those means for a long time. There are other books she owns that she will read over and over, and they are literally falling apart.
However, I'm concerned about how to help her to responsibly make book purchases that will be on our credit card, and also to make sure that it's being used for READING, not so much for games and other web access. Any recommendations on how best to handle this?
As for the Kitchen Aid Mixer, it is worth every penny. Mine is still going strong after 23 years and it's used regularly. I use it for bread dough, mixing batters, beating eggs and whipping cream, grinding meat, and grating potatoes (extra accessories required).
If your daughter gets a regular kindle instead of a Kindle Fire, she won't have web access or games. I returned a Kindle Fire and got the basic Kindle, and I'm very happy with it.
My 12-year-old daughter has a Nook, and I have not told her the password needed to make purchases. She shows me what she wants, and if I approve, I make the purchase for her. It only takes a few seconds to type in the password. She has the version with internet, and I should probably research ways to restrict her access to certain websites. On the other hand, I already take her Nook away in the evenings "to charge it" because otherwise she is too tempted to stay up late reading!
Hi,
I totally agree about the KitchenAid. The other thing is they last *forever*. I've had mine for about 10 years, and it was used for 5 years before that, and still going strong. I use it for everything -- grinding meat, kneading bread, mixing.
As far as reading free kindle e-books, you can download a free reader for your computer. I started that way, then I have this old iPod that someone got for me that I never used, and you can download a reader for that, too, for free.
Best,
LMC
Finally putting my two cents out there on your great blog after being an invisible reader. Got a Kitchen Aid as a wedding present 34 yrs. ago. Used it till my mom's KA was given to me. Gave mine to a sister who had it refurbished. They're great!!! Bought an artisan model off eBay for my daughter for $100 because seller wanted a new color, didn't even look used. Saved on shipping because we picked it up, less than 45 minute drive, well worth the trouble. Was given a Kindle for birthday, it is great for reading in bed because the light in it can be dimmed lower than my book light.
My Kitchen Aid is not new and fancy, in fact it is about 50ish years old. I got it from a relative about 15 years ago. I LOVE it!! Best kitchen item I have ever owned. I love the new ones, but I can't see buying a new one when this one works so well.
I travel frequently and commute by public transit when I'm home so my e-reader has been amazing. I save space in my luggage and purse from not having to carry multiple books around, but I also save a lot of space at home. Although I could go to the library to check out books, my work schedule doesn't make this feasible so I really appreciate being able to do everything electronically. My sister and I both have Kindles with separate Amazon accounts, but we frequently find that we want to download a book the other has bought. To do this, you can de-register your Kindle, register using their Amazon account and then you can download the book to your Kindle. Each e-book is good for six downloads I believe. We're both big readers and this has saved a bit on the cost. Since Amazon does allow several downloads, I don't believe this is illegal. Of course only do this with someone you trust!
Ok seriously, I could live without my Kindle, but I don't think I could live without my Kitchenaid Mixer. I had NO idea how awesome it was until I had one (and yes, I did get it as a wedding gift!) It makes things easier, but it also makes me do stuff I wouldn't normally, like make pizza regularly or make bread.
The other thing is, do you want a Kindle, or a Kindle Fire? There is a difference, and if it's an ereader you want then I say save the money and just go for it (depending on how quickly you save, $99 is that much). A Kindle Fire is a tablet computer...so it's different. If you have a laptop or don't typically use a computer while watching TV or stuff like that, then, in my opinion, a Kindle Fire isn't necessary and a "regular" Kindle is sufficient.
But seriously. My stand mixer is one of those things I wonder how I ever lived without.
Kristen, I'm a total lurker, but I'm dropping by to say that I love your blog! Thank you for posting!
Sheila, I'm sure someone has said this already, but you don't need a Kindle to take advantage of free kindle deals. I was gifted an ipod touch, so I downloaded the free kindle app and now read free or cheap (think 99 cents) kindle books on the train every day. Before I was gifted the ipod touch, i downloaded the free kindle app on my computer, but to tell you the truth, I didn't read from the computer all that much. Best of luck!
I've owned a 6 qt. KitchenAid mixer for quite a few years and there's just no comparison. If you happen to be a bread baker, this is a must. Great for mixing up pound cakes, whipping cream, making your own butter. I can't say enough good things about this product. I agree with some of the other commenters about a Kindle being unnecessary. You can always tuck a book in a bag and take it with you and when you finish there's plenty of places to donate or even trade or sell it back to book stores.
Can't say enough about my KitchenAid. I have the Artisan model, in the breast cancer pink edition. I got it as a gift from my two daughters for Christmas about 5 years ago and as an avid baker, use it three to four times a week sometimes. It is definitely worth every penny you will pay for it!
I have a Kobo ereader and think it is pretty much the biggest waste of money for me personally. I also like to hold and use hard copies of books and magazines and find it very inconvenient to wait for the book I am reading to load, even if it only takes 30 seconds, or so! I would rather pick up a big and just start reading!! I also like to see my books for easy reference. Just my opinion though! Also, books on ereaders cannot be shared with friends, unless you give them your ereader to borrow 🙁
You actually can loan books on the Kindle...I just had one loaned to me for two weeks, actually!
Mine is a Kobo, don't think I can do it with mine 🙁
You should check to see if your local library allows checkout of books that are compatible with Kindle. I did get the Kindle touch for xmas and I specifically got the Kindle vs. Nook b/c the Nook isn't compatible with our library. I rarely buy a book to put on my kindle, I just download them from the library.
Funny how that varies. Its easier to get them on my nook at my library, because the nook isn't proprietary.
I never get envious of people with kitchen aid mixers until I set out to bake up a huge batch of sugar cookies ever December for our annual cookie decorating party and remember that my hand mixer is only powerful enough to handle a double batch, and my arms although in good shape still struggle to stir such large batches evenly.
I personally decline the shopping centre donation calls (with the exception of the RSPCA lady who doesn't ask, she just smiles at you and chats while you pat her gorgeous Newfoundland who comes along with her). But as a rule I say no and it's for similar reasons already outlined - firstly, it is not uncommon to be asked 4+ times while running errands. Secondly, my partner & I do already allocate money to donations to charities we have researched and support and the line does have to be drawn somewhere. We also keep a savings balance dedicated towards friends' fundraising efforts (I know a few people who, for example, are participating in 400km+ bike rides for charity).
I think so long as you keep your manners when declining (I have unfortunately seen some people rather rudely state their point ranging from telling the person where to go, through to standing there berating them) it is ok to say no.
Yep, just a simple, "No, thank you." is sufficient. There's no need to make the poor checkout person's life miserable!
The Kitchen Aid is DEFINITELY worth it; especially for stuff like quickly whipping eggs and cream, and making stiff doughs like bread. Kneading by hand stinks and I would never do it, but kneading in the KA is super easy!
As for the e-reader, I got one for my birthday this year, and I love it! And you can get free books from more than bloggers - Amazon.com frequently offers books for free, and some of them are really good ones. I've been able to get books for free through Amazon that I would previously just borrowed from the library. Now I own them, and the best part is, they're not taking up space anywhere (which is HUGE for me since I live in an apartment). Amazon does offer free apps for reading on your phone or other devices, but I think the Kindle is still the easiest way to read them.
Not sure if anyone has posted this tip yet, but often amazon (and probably other retailers as well) will have a sale on specific colors of the Kitchenaid mixers. So if you aren't tied to a specific color, this may be a good deal for you. I also know that sometimes Kitchenaid has a mail in rebate (not a ton, but still a good way to save on something that doesn't often go on sale).
If you only want it to access free books, you can download a Kindle app for a PC as well - any desktop or laptop. See http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311
I have a Kindle app on my desktop, and I read the free books amazon has all the time on it. The only disadvantage is you cannot take the Kindle app on the PC to the beach 😛
Oh, and the Kindle app is free! I realized I hadn't made that obvious before.
As a minimalist PhD student with two young children (2 and 3mo) I would say kindle all the way. I cook every day, three meals a day, but space is an issue, as well as outlets and the attempt to really keep things simple in our home means we are pretty brutal about anything that takes up space. This is not just for the sake of zen; we live in a small house so we don't have to work as much, and part of being happy in a small house is saying no to certain conveniences.
Kindle, on the other hand, saves space. As I read a lot of Pdfs for my dissertation, the kindle has been a God-send because suddenly I just need one hand to read (which is what I have most of the time), and where I wasn't able to spend much time studying, I now have time in the middle of the night and during the day with the kiddies.
I'm not sure anyone has mentioned this benefit of using a Kindle -- you can change the font size. I'm on the verge of needing bifocals, and especially when I am tired I like to make the type size nice and big and easy to read. I can even take my glasses off in the evening and read my Kindle without them. Unfortunately I sometimes get so comfortable that I fall asleep with my Kindle in my hand.
My main issue with the Kindle is that it is so easy to carry around that I take it everywhere. Really, I should be able to walk the dog for five minutes without needing a book to read. And washing dishes with the Kindle propped on the window sill is probably a bad idea, but I do it anyway. I'll be sorry if it falls in the sink!
Ooh, the font size thing is a very good point.
I downloaded the free Kindle for PC so that I can get the freebies without having to purchase a Kindle. So I can read the e-books on my laptop, and I can print them if I want (for the cost of ink and paper, of course!)
Re. Kitchen Aid: I inherited one from my mom that is over twenty years old (she has upgraded to a Bosch for the larger capacity). I can't leave it on the counter while I do other things, because it will creep off. In fact, it jumped off the counter years ago-- but it still works well. Though every now and then, I have to give it a wallop to correct the speed. 😉
I would suggest looking in to E-readers before buying one. Kindle is NOT the only option out there. In fact, I chose a Nook, because I didn't want to be limited by Kindle's proprietary software. (On my nook, I can read any PDF, giving me the ability to do things like download from Google books. Or put my work documents on it to read.) Plus, I prefer shopping for books (electronic or physical) at Barnes and Noble, rather than Amazon. I have the old e-ink Nook, because I like to read outside. But, with a simple app, I can read those same books on my Ipad when that makes more sense. (Yes, I'm spoiled. I probably wouldn't have bought the Nook after the Ipad, but I bought it several years before I received the Ipad as a gift.) If you do your research, you may find that some other e-reader all together makes sense for you.
Also, on the donations, I have two rules that have really simplified this for me. I do not donate to/buy from solicitations at my door, nor do I donate when approached at a store, etc. (Girl Scouts excepted.) I do offer to take information about the charity/school/etc. and consider it. My husband and I then make thoughtful decisions about planned giving using that information. It works really well for me, and because I know I am going to be making real decisions about how much and where to give, there's no guilt.
I LOVE my KitchenAid stand mixer. I got it for a wedding gift and although I envisioned using it only for baking, it does so many other things (like shred chicken - a huge time-saver!). As much as I love it, I probably under-utilize it because you could pretty much use it in some way for every meal. The counter space it takes up is the only down-fall, but it's worth it to me. Plus, those things last forever so I know I'll have it for years.