A difficult decision most people have to make when "adulting" is deciding whether to fix or replace something. Some people, who rather not be stressed out and could afford it, would advise you to replace the item if it is not under warranty, but if it is under warranty, you should get it fixed. On the other hand, people who are a little more prudent with their earnings may advise you to get a repairman to give you an estimate of how much it would cost to fix.
If you were to replace everything that was broken, then there would be no need for repairmen and well, large manufacturing companies would make a mint off of us. How then, do you determine whether appliance repair is an option?
Consider the Cost
When in doubt, count the cost. Compare fixing it versus replacing it. How much are you willing to spend as well? Are you willing to buy a used appliance or are you willing to take credit? You can better understand your options by getting an estimate of the cost to fix. If the cost to fix costs more than 50% of the cost to replace the item, then you should probably just replace the item rather than having it repaired. If it is less than 50%, you should get the item repaired. Cost doesn't always have to be for replacing the item but what if the new fridge or stove cannot fit where the old appliance was housed? Then, you may also have to add fixtures and fittings for the new appliance.
Consider the Age of the Product
The age of an item would determine whether your broken appliance would cost you more. Some appliances have a useful life of about 15 years and any time after that means that the appliance is basically on borrowed time. If the appliance is less than 3 years old, it is possible that it is still under warranty so you can check the booklet to verify. However, if it has crossed a decade, you may want to consider replacing the item as the manufacturer may have discontinued the model and you will be required to import any spare parts that you may need.
Consider Whether You Can Do it Yourself
If you are skilled enough to do it or think that you are handy enough to do an internet search and watch repair videos online, then maybe you should give it a shot. Appliance repair though should be done by companies like A OK Appliance Service as you can cause further damage to the appliance and you can also injure yourself. Yes, the cost may be cheaper, but some manufacturers may void your warranty if you attempt to fix it yourself. Leave the job to the appliance repair professionals.