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If it's Already Broken

​If it's already broken, how much worse can it get?

For some things (not recommending electrical) if it's already broken, how much more broken can you make it by trying to fix it?

For example my old Caroma toilet was leaking a lot, costing a lot in wasted water. Got a quote from a plumber and to fix the valve was more expensive than replacing the cistern and pan; $360 minimum to fix, $350 to replace... but something had to be done. I went online, watched a few YouTube videos, spent $4 on valve seals and a couple of hours fiddling around, and now its fixed, saving at least $360, not to mention the $100 a quarter in wasted water (yes we got it checked).

And if I had broken it we would still have been up for the replacement cost anyway, so that was averted. We do have a second toilet, so if I mucked up we still had one working toilet.

I have saved a lot of money like this, pulling broken toys apart to fix them, because if they don't work, how much more broken can they be?

You do have to think about this though; if you're not sure and really can't do without something a professional needs to be called, but you would be surprised what you can do when you really try.
Contributed by Denise Scotford
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  • Home
  • Member Hub
    • Getting Started
    • No Spending Month
    • Cheapskates Club Insider
    • SUPER SHOPPER 2026 >
      • Super Shopper 300 a Month Challenge
    • Our Once a Year Shopping List
    • Handmade Christmas Hub >
      • Make It Monday
    • Articles
    • How to Build Your Stockpile >
      • How to Build Your Stockpile Part 1
      • How to Build Your Stockpile Part 2
      • How to Build Your Stockpile Part 3
      • How to Build Your Stockpile Part 4
    • Take A Pause
    • 31 Days of MOO Index
    • Budget Renovations
    • Saving Stories
  • Recipes
    • Recipe File Index
    • Meal Plans
    • Back to Basics >
      • Back to Basics
      • Simple Bulk Pasta Sauce
      • Back to Basics Ep 1
    • Add a Recipe
  • Saving Money
    • Member Wins Money Smiles
    • LATEST TIPS 2026
    • Cheapskates Tip Store
    • Tip Sheets
    • Bill Paying System
  • Forum
    • Current Forum Discussions
    • How to Use the Member Forum
  • Newsletters
  • Join the Club
    • Why Members Come Back
    • Twenty Reasons to Join the Cheapskates Club
  • Contact
    • Changing Details
    • About Us >
      • Cath's Story
      • Ask Cath
      • Glossary of Cheapskating Terms
    • Help Files >
      • Help File TOTD