Need advice: New Dryer Dilemma

[MamaLuna]

Question Mamas...
I need some unbiased advice about purchasing a new dryer, or as the case may be, a new washer/dryer.

So the story goes that we very much in debt (ie credit cards )....DH and I are both back in school, so money is tight. Our 25+ year-old dryer (which was given to us) recenly broke. So, the fact that we need a new dryer is inevitable. We have gone for over a month+ w/out it, by the way, but I simply don't have the time to hang dry every single load, as a result we have had to make more than one expensive trip to the laundrymat to catch up on piles and piles of laundry--so not replacing it is not realistic.

Also, we have noticed the reduction in our energy bill from not using the dryer. Which leads me to want to replace the dryer with one that is energy efficient (of which there are only a few dryers that meet this qualification)--I really like the idea of saving money and energy!

After some reasearch, I came upon an LG washer/dryer combo. This is an all-in-one machine that washes and dries your clothes. Added bonus: it is one of the most energy/water efficient machines you could find, with the highest energy star rating possible. Plus, since we have a small house, this would be ideal for saving space. Unfortunately, they are not cheap--around $1,500. However, we are getting a tax return soon that would cover this.

So...the question is, can I justify spending $1500 on a highly efficient washer/dryer when we have so much other debt????

I would appreciate any advice, my conscientious is struggling with this one.

Thanks! Erin

PS...for those of you that are curious, here is a link about the LG washer/dryer:
http://www.lgwasherdryer.com/combos.htm

[Snowdrift]

I really wouldn't. DH and I have noticed that we tend to look for ways to save money by spending money and so often it just doesn't work out that way. You will probably find that you can save energy on drying by doing things like line-dryign the easy stuff (towels, sheets) and then just using the drying for the PITA stuff--socks, underwear, any garment that you won't be hanging up int eh closet anyway, fluffing towels when they're mostly dry, etc.).

Once you calculate the interest charges that will accumulate on the CC bills that you won't be paying down with the $12-1300 bucks you'll save by buying a conventional dryer, it will probably turn out that this washer/dryer will not cost $1500 but probably twice that at least.

Honestly, I'd probalby post on freecycle fora dryer...on out freecycle there's always someone lookign to get rid of a dryer.

[Snowdrift]

Sorry, double post.

[Steady101]

I wouldn't either. I would try your local freecycle or craigslist and see if you can get a dryer for free from there. I would then put that money from your taxes in savings or pay it against some of your debt.

[bellini'smama]

I would also be wary of washer/dryer combos. I have heard that they don't always dry very well, so you might end up drying twice or having to hang anyway. I would research that aspect before buying one. Good luck.

[TiredX2]

I don't know if washer/dryer combos have improved, but we had one four years ago and it SUCKED. Seriously. It broke easily, didn't dry well, etc...

[momto l&a]

What is exactly wrong with your dryer?

[Free Thinker]

I think you'd be better off getting a nice set used, or a new set that is still somewhat energy efficient, and putting the rest toward your highest interest CC debt.

[jentilla]

If freecycle doesn't have one there are always some for sale in teh paper. Also put the word out and you may be surprised by who has one. We had a neighbor buy a new house and he had just bought a new set that he liked and the house had a almost brand new set (basic, but so what) that he sold us for $150, the store sticker was still on it! Then you still have a huge chunk to apply to debt.

[Fiercemama]

Don't do it.

I did some research when we bought our washer and dryer. Dryers are not that complicated, and not necessarily worth spending a lot on for the bells and whistles. Can you think of any other appliance that would last for 25 years?

DH got sucked into buying the dryer that matched our washing machine. I would have been fine with a cheaper, even used model. It has a "moisture sensor" and is supposed to turn off itself once your clothers are dry. In reality, it just keeps going. It may switch off (once the load is BONE dry), but then it just starts up again. I've started getting used to using the timing instead - which is what cheap models do.

I do line dry, or use the rack sometimes. I'm surprised how quickly stuff gets dry in the basement, next to the furnace, in the winter. I also don't put in stuff that dries really fast - synthetics, cotton shirts, etc.

[NCHIN]

If I were in your situation I would NOT spend the money. I would try to pay down my debt first. I would suffer through it. Hang drying is not that bad. We have a dryer but I chose to hang dry because I think it saves us money.

I am quite dubious of the washer/dryer combos.

I would also suggest buying a used dryer or a low end one. Dryers usually outlive Washers so when people go and buy a new washer they will end up replacing a working dryer to get a matching pair. This happened to us. The washer died but the dryer was still good. Sears took both away. Check out the classifieds or craigslist for a used one or how about Sears scratch and dent outlet. I am not sure if you have one there but you could ask.

[MamaLuna]

Thanks all of you for the advice! That's a pretty unanamous NO on that one! Thanks for helping me see the most rational course of action. I think I will go the route of looking for a cheap used one. I wasn't aware of freecycle, but looked into it and found that there actually is a group in my area! Awesome...I got on their list and will have to take advantage of that. Although there are currently no dryers on there, I did find a set (not that we need a new washer) in the paper for $100, I will look into that.

Thanks again for the help with that decision.

All the best,
Erin

[MamaLuna]

Originally Posted by momto l&a

What is exactly wrong with your dryer?

The drying element quite on it? After hours of "drying" the clothes were still cold and wet. We did speak to a dryer repair guy and he quoted us a price for fixing that was pretty high, and given its age we decided that we would rather put that much money toward a new one.

[KariM]

In addition to the newspaper classified ads, check out any farm auctions or estate sales in your area.

I know around here you can just about always pick up a used dryer at an auction or estate sale for $50 or less.

--Kari

[lenore80]

No, don't do it!! For $1500 you could practically buy a Kenmore HE2 set from Sears! Those all in one machines are pretty much for people to have them on their boat! At least thats what a salesperson told me after I saw one, and thought it was a great idea.

If you are struggling, I would just look at the freebie ads in the paper. Spend the rest on the bills.

(Nevermind, I saw that you already decided no!)

Fiercemama, my DH was suckered into buying the matching dryer for our HE machine too. He wanted them to "match". I do love my dryer, I use the moisture sensor setting all the time, but the wrinkle guard stays on for about an hour after the load is done!