Hi Salve,

Fixing broken appliance is relative. It might be too old and not efficient anymore or actually consumes more electricity or not environmental friendly. It may save you money from buying a new one but in the long run you are getting higher bills or worse, harming the environment.

And since we are on this topic, my frugal tip is to look at the power rating and efficiency when buying new appliance.

Regards,

Nina

Hi Salve! This is the first time I address you but I’m a regular reader here.

Do you know about SDT bonds? They seem to praise it at PSE FAQ # 28 (http://www.pse.com.ph/html/Faq/faqs.html).

I want to know its maturity and composition.
Is it purely bond?
If so, why does it have a “fixed coupon rate of 13.625% per annum?”
I assume that “fixed coupon rate” is a fancy way to say interest rate so correct me if I’m wrong.

It’s so high! What then is the catch?

Plus sorry for the off-topic post. It was just convenient to post it here.

Thanks Salve for the tips.
I, too is a regular reader here. Isang OFW working in the US.

I heard in Bloomberg TV about the plans of oil producing countries (Saudi Arabia etc) to depeg from USD. Ano po ba ang effect ng ganung sitwasyon sa USD-PHP Exchange rate?

sometimes it’s really better to let go and buy a new appliance to save you headaches

it’s also a good thing that i can fix things myself - electronics and computer stuff. i don’t need to pay anyone but buying the spare parts takes time and effort if i can’t find one in cubao. also better since i got the parts at store price. some repairmen charge you extra for the parts they got cheap in Quiapo

@maria,

i think the sdt you saw at pse website is already history. it was also called erap bond with maturity in 2003? i think. and yes, it was a good public offering with coupon rate or interest of 13.625% less 20% tax.

Hi Salve,

electronics and electrical appliances usually have an optimal life span of 3 years. this means, they have been designed to work efficiently for three years, and are most likely to break down beyond that. so even though repairs might lengthen their usability by a few more years, it will cost you more to buy spare parts and pay for the repairman to do the job. not to mention that old appliances consume more electricity and most of the time contain materials that are considered toxic by the new environmental standards. one tip i could give is this: if a sales guy asks you to extend the warranty for your new appliance to 3 years for an additional fee, DONT FALL FOR IT. the free one year warranty will cover for whatever deficiencies the appliance will have almost all the time. and if you’re careful with your stuff, it will work and last for more than three years before needing a replacement.

Sometimes it is better to get rid of old non-functioning or semi-functioning refrigerators and air-conditioners as the newer ones are more energy-efficient. They will save you more money in the long run.

here’s my two cents worth :

1. electric fans - forget about getting it repaired. new ones are quite affordable anyway. besides, when it breaks down, it usually because the motor has broken which entails rewinding or new motor…

2. airconditioning system - spend on preventive maintenance e.g. getting the evaporators and condensers cleaned at least once a year to maintain efficiency of the aircon (lower electric bills) and prolong its useful life. if you have interested and able bodies in the house, you can ask to observe how the aircon tech performs the cleaning and perhaps consider doing it himself/herself in the next PM cycle. it’s really easy and the items needed (e.g. cleaning agent, brushes) is readily available in the hardware store

3. TV sets - avoid dust build up on the rear part of the telly (regular wipes or vaccuum helps). accumulated dust particles is one of the main reasons why electronic equipments breaks down. again PM is key for prolong useful life. if it breaks down, bring it to an manufacturer authorized (emaphasis on the last 2 words) repair center for an initial quote. ask them what they think is the problem and why it cost that much. then decide whether to go ahead or just buy a new one.

4. kitchen appliances (e.g. rice cooker, oven toaster) - just buy a new one… it’s really not worth the hassle of calling mang tino (your friendly neighborhood repairman) or bringing it to a repair center… i donate mo na lang kung may interesado

again… this is just my own thoughts and should not be taken as an expert opinion

@don2x

Ok, thanks for the info!

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