Cheap Living: The Grass IS Greener on the Other Side of the Fence, But I Don't Care!
With all my concentration lately focused on building the deck, I put many of the other items we need out of my mind. Now I just wish they would stay out. But even though I would like to never spend a dime again, there are still many things we need… and the list keeps on growing.
The lawnmower and the blinds for the middle floor are still at the top of our list, but I want to hold off on buying those until the deck project is complete. We only have grass in the back yard, and it’s in pretty bad shape. The house was built new last summer and the grass was all new sod. Last summer was blistering hot, with many days climbing up over 100 degrees. Well, the grass suffered, and much of it died.
My wife was distraught. “Our yard looks sooooo bad,” she would say. I, on the other hand, looked out at our yard like a proud father. No grass means no lawnmower. Yes, that’s right. We have lived here almost a year and I never bought a lawnmower. I have; however, cut the grass once. My neighbor Jay was outside cutting his lawn with his lawnmower and I pulled one of those, “Hey, can I see that for a minute?” and I cut our entire yard in about five minutes. That’s how small our yard is. It pains me to spend over $100 on something that would be used so little.
The other day I got home and was talking with Jay about a few things… the decks we are both having built very soon, gossip about the neighbors, possible future barbeques, that type of thing. He told me that he was spreading some grass seed yesterday and he tossed some into some of the barren spots of my yard. I joked that I wasn’t cool with anything that could possibly make my grass grow and that I was trying to make it through another Virginia summer without buying a lawnmower. Little did he know that I wasn’t really joking.
There are basically three types of push mowers: gas, electric, and manual reel mowers:
Gas mowers can be used for larger yards, typically up to a half acre. Gas mowers are high-powered with a wider cutting swath and can handle thicker grass. Gas mowers require – wait for it – GAS – as well as periodic maintenance. Gas mowers are probably the most common type of push mower. Electric mowers are for smaller yards, typically less than 1/3 an acre. They are very quiet and easy to operate. Electric mowers typically have a narrower cutting swath and are available corded or cordless, depending on how much you’d like to spend. Both gas and electric mowers have the capability to bag or mulch grass clippings, and both types are usually available in self-propelled models. Gas and electric mowers are in similar price ranges - $120 for the low-end models with few options and up to $500 for the high end models with all the bells and whistles.
And then there’s the manual reel mower. A manual reel mower reminds me of the 1950s, with Pa out in the yard, Lassie barking, and Ma toting fresh-squeezed lemonade. Manual reel mowers are for very small yards , typically less than ¼ acre. They are whisper quiet, require very minimal maintenance, and are extremely lightweight. These utilitarian mowers can range from $50 to $200 depending on the cutting swath, quality of construction, and brand.
You probably think I want the manual reel, right? Well, you’re right, but unfortunately, my wife doesn’t. She thinks I should spring for a gas or electric mower. My neighbor Jay has a small electric mower which seems to do the trick. It even collapses and he hangs it on the wall in his garage. I will most likely purchase a smaller, corded, electric mower in the $150 to $200 range.
So here’s the plan: I wait until the grass is overgrown, unsightly, and resembles an African jungle, and then I begrudgingly give in and buy a lawnmower. First, I’ll check all the major stores, like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Sears for current or upcoming sales. Then I’ll check some of the smaller establishments, like Ace, True Value, and other local stores. And I’ll go with the best deal. If I can get a $250 mower for $200, I’ll take it. If I can get a $150 mower for $100, I’ll take it. I won’t lock myself into a certain price range, I’ll shop around and find the best value.
So the exciting end to the lawnmower-buying saga will have to wait until my grass starts growing. In the meantime, I’ll discourage Jay from spreading any seed, I’ll “misplace” the hose so a sprinkler can’t be run, and I’ll pray for dry, oppressive heat so the whole yard dies and I’ll never have to spend money on lawn care.
