Hello dear--I hope that things begin to start looking up.
here is my 2 cents worth:
We now have a John Deere riding mower(not a zero turn). It is a wonderful machine & my DH loves it. he says it makes his life so much easier.
the new are way expensive,
there are however, different sizes & the smaller the less expensive they are.
WE DID NOT buy ours new.
But when buying used anything I would have a trusted friend go over it for you-to double check it.
a dealer is always a good place to buy used--they will be less likely to sell you old used up junk.
WE first had a Sears riding lawn mower. (whatever brand they make) MY DH hated it (I do not remember why) but it ran well for 12 years, before he sold it.
DO NOT under ANY circumstances
buy a Yard Man (bright yellow & green) the deck does not come off so it can be cleaned easily, and it consistantly leaves a 1 to 2 inch swath of uncut grass between rows, no matter what you do. I also think they do not cut too evenly.