Terry, I agree about the dishwasher. In fact, my best living simple advice is probably heretical, but it might just be "avoid debt and get a dishwasher."
Mine is purring away as we speak. We bought it at a SC Habitat store for 25 dollars seven years ago and moved it up here with us to Michigan.
I was just saying this morning to my husband, I am so grateful for this wonderful dishwasher!