My oven went out a couple of weeks ago. My husband and I are committed to using cash and not buying on credit (living within our means=radical concept). We are saving money in order to get a nice stove. I have been making more things in the microwave-used only to defrost before. I have made ziti, macaroni and cheese, chicken divan (low carb versions) and other things. Most of the dishes were better cooked in the microwave! They were creamier tastier and the kitchen didn't heat up. Also, it was quicker than baking the stuff. You learn something every day!
Oh you poor thing........I could say I would be lost without my oven, but I would be lying - I've learned how to live without it.
Like you, my husband and I do our absolute best to live without using credit. I remember a couple of years ago when the gas company cut us off because of a bounced check............while I fought with both the gas company and the bank we went without the stove (showers were miserable) but between the microwave and the grill, which has a side burner, we were able to get ourselves through it. Thankfully it was in the summer, when we practically exist on salads and grilled meats. I don't particularly care for any cheese dishes from the microwave - in my experience the cheese tends to seperate and I don't like that.
As to the gas being turned off, my husband was to the point of putting it on the credit card and I absolutely refused to pay the them more than $500 to turn it back on when we were not the ones at fault to begin with. In the end I was right, and both the bank and the gas company were wrong.