Working on My New Washing Machine

[SinkingFast]

I know this is gonna sound a little hokie, but,............ A washing machine is very important in a household of 6 people. Especially with 3 teenagers.

Our 12-14 year old washing machine bit the dust around the middle of November. It needed a transmission and a clutch. Parts alone were the cost of a new machine. So we decided not to repair the old one.

I bought quarters and made the trek to the laundry mat a couple of times while we shopped around. New washers are expensive. It's like sticker shock when you haven't shopped cars in a while. AND, the Laundry mat was costing $30+ a trip.

The repair place I'd called to see about ours when it broke down sells a few used appliances they've gone over. They had a Whirlpool family size washer for $150 and it came with a 90 day warranty.

Soooooooo,.............. We decided to go for the used machine. AND, we are paying ourselves to wash clothes. When we did laundry at the laundry mat, a top loader cost a minimum of $2.50 to wash and dry a load. So every load here costs $2.50 to wash and dry.

We take quarters out of a cottage cheese tub and pay a coffee can. When we start to run out of quarters in the cottage cheese tub, we cash out, put a $20 in the coffee can and put the quarters back in the cottage cheese tub.

So far, we have saved about $100 toward our new washing machine. Depending on how long this washing machine lasts, we may be able to save up for a new washer/dryer pair when we finally do buy.

[lrprn]

Good for you, SF! Glad you found a used washer that met your needs, and what a great idea to direct the money that you would have spent at the laundromat towards a new machine when it's time for that. Great savings idea!

[Minnymouth]

You might really be "amazed" at how long that used washing machine will last, you may save enought to buy you a complete "new set".......

[SinkingFast]

Well I don't plan on doing anything about getting a new washing machine until I have to.

We didn't seem to be making as much headway as we would have liked "paying" $2.50/washer load. So we've upped the ante to $3/load. Trying to save money a little faster.

Part of why I don't mind waiting is we know our needs may change radically within a few short years. Kids are in college. They won't continue to live with us forever. <<We hope!! >>

Mom thought we were gonna just use the "new" washer until we got enough money to buy a replacement. I said "Heck NO!!". We're gonna use it until it dies, and then we'll shop.

That's what we're hoping for, Minny. That we can save enough to buy a brand new pair. Washer and dryer. Possibly,....... Hopefully,........ The last pair we'll buy??!!

[ChainSmokin]

[psirasmom]

That is absolutely ingenious, Sinkingfast - good for you! I myself have turned into the "avid saver" (i.e. if you are not in the room with the tv and lights on, TURN THEM OFF....slowly trying to teach my kids - and my husband - that we don't NEED all of this stuff all of the time!!!!!) - even grocery shopping is a totally different experience for me now - I do NOT bring the kids (they distract me, get me worked up sometimes, and I give in to needless items)...soda is a luxury, not a right!!!!!!

Again, what a great idea!!!!!!

[psirasmom]

Oh and PS - sign up for the yahoo group freecycle - www.freecycle.org - you can sign up for your "area specific" group from there - it's a site created to keep things out of the landfills, and people post TONS of good stuff on there - even appliances when they are upgrading, etc. - I have gotten a hot water tank for our boiler that was never used, an exercise bike (saved myself some needless cash because lo and behold, I havent used it yet!), an almost new crib for my daughter, etc......AND, when it's time to get rid off all the junk collected in your own basement for years, it's a great way to give it to someone who will use it rather than throw it out!