I am updating my kitchen as well, see Kitchen appliance thread and we are on a budget also. I definitely vote for a D/W. It saves money (as brian said) and disinfects better, it will use much hotter water than hand, unless you are wearing gloves and washing using very hot water, which sounds like not (water through fingers). I know what you mean about being on a budget. Try looking at Sears, especially if noise is not a big factor for you w/the D/W. If you still want to wash by hand, then you have that option.
