Only my husband knows my secret and until two weeks ago, he was blissfully unaware.

I want a new stove. Read…want, not need. My stove is a few years old and it works fine. I try to keep it very clean not only for appearance but also for sanitary reasons. I will admit I hate cleaning the oven though!

But, I want a new ceramic cook top stainless steel stove. I like sleek shiny items for the kitchen like many men like sleek shiny sports cars. I don’t have the room or the budget for a professional stove and with my asthma, I’m not sure I could have a gas stove anyway. Last summer we purchased a new fridge because ours was dying and it was old. We decided to get a stainless steel one since almond was a hard color to buy around here. That’s what we had before. We were limited to what we could get because in the 1970s when our house was built, they didn’t allow for huge refrigerators and we certainly aren’t redoing the kitchen for a fridge.

So, I have been saving a few dollars here and there to save up for this luxury item.

Yesterday we stopped by the auction and picked up $28 for the stuff we took there. We normally donate our items to a charity, but these were items I didn’t think they’d want or take so I have $28 to put in my stove fund. We plan on taking a few more items next week. We aren’t making a huge amount, but we are cleaning out the shed and the garage and getting rid of stuff and hopefully getting a little closer to my goal. I still have a ways to go.

My husband gave me his extra change and I have been squirreling change for the past couple of months and we took it to the bank to put in the stove account. He wondered why I was putting money into this little savings account a few dollars at a time. We keep a small amount of money in it as an emergency fund. So, I finally told him. And he’s gladly gotten on board because he says he knows he’ll enjoy my use of it when I get it.

I am up to $284.74. I have a ways to go, but that’s OK. I think saving for it will make me appreciate it that much more.

So now you know my secret! Maybe I should also save some extra to hire someone to clean the oven!