A dear friend of mine had her washing machine die on her. She needs a new one.
Her husband wants to buy a stacking front loader set like the one I talked about here.
This does make some financial sense. It uses about 1/3 of the water of a normal washer, and they use a well which is in an area where it may run dry this summer. It uses a lot less detergent, and a lot less electricity. Because the clothes are spun so well, they don't need to be dried as long, an important factor for us Canadians who can only use a clothesline for a few short months.
But, and here's the big but, they may need to purchase a new vehicle soon. So what should they do?
We talked about this for a while, and here's what I came up with. Don't buy a cheap washer (which is what my friend was at first inclined to do). The front loader does make financial sense. But maybe not right now. Instead, for $150 go buy a second hand washer that may only last two years. In two years, when the vehicle question is settled and they're in a better financial position, then you can buy the good appliances.
I tend to support spending money on quality appliances because they can work so hard for you, and the right ones can be cost effective. But it is a big price tag at the beginning.
So what do the rest of you think? How would you resolve this issue? And laundromats aren't a possibility, even short term, because they live out of town and it just isn't feasible.
Thanks!Labels: appliances, saving, spending |
Stumble It!
Well, without knowing all the particulars, here is what I have to offer in the way of advice.
Is there more than one appliance store they could purchase the washer and dryer from? If so, they could play the stores against each other and see which one can give them a better deal. My husband spent 2 HOURS going back and forth between 2 stores to get me a beautiful, brand new, front-loading washer and dryer set, free delivery and free installation for $999. And we paid cash. Most other places we saw had that same set for close to $2000.
Scenario #2:
Buy a used front-loading model, or a scratch-n-dent one. Purchase a used car as well. Let someone else suffer the depreciation of the vehicle...lol!
I think your advice is great as well. I was just throwing my two-cents in. :)
Blessings!
Mrs. Q