[LionTigerBear]

Doing our laundry is costing us a lot of money.

I need some helpful ideas and perspective here.

So we moved into this apartment to save us money. The original idea was to save money towards a a down-payment on a home and work on improving our credit score. We have decided we probably won't be looking to buy a home after all, but regardless we want to work on our financial stability.

Our credit is so poor due to our ADD. DH's ADD was pretty bad for a while, and I have Asperger's which presents with many ADD symptoms (any online quiz would tell me I have ADD

) So we really mean well but we are so disorganized. We have been kind of in denial about it for a while-- DH knew he'd been diagnosed with ADD but he didn't really believe it, and we just thought we had a handle on stuff. Sticking to any kind of budget or plan is really hard for us but we try. The thing is, stuff happens like, after a couple years of trying to work on our credit score and thinking we were bringing it up, DH realized we'd been behind on our car payment that WHOLE TIME. That whole time we had the means to get up-to-date on it, but instead it really affected our credit, as did other similar incidents. Anyway, the car is all paid off now. We are now up-to-date on everything and have only about a few thousand worth of debt left which we are rapidly paying off.

Anyway, now we are trying to improve our health (mental and otherwise) through diet and supplements and if that doesn't work for the ADD we will look at medication, I guess.

We still can't stick to a budget, I mean we keep writing them up proudly and then realizing by the end of the month they aren't working for us . . .

So the latest budget-buster is the laundry. We are in these apartments because they are the only ones who would work with us with our credit score.

(Although we had glowing references from our last landlord and we haven't missed a rent payment in years!!) The rent here is reasonable, probably about $50 a month more than the lowest rent we could possible expect to pay-- but we like a lot of things about the apartment complex that make it worth our while. For instance, there is a playground on the grounds, right next to our building, and all of the residents here have to pass criminal background checks, and the boys' Grammy and Grandpa and DH's grandparents all live just blocks away-- walking distance. Plus we have a lovely view of the river from our apartment, and the apartments all have dishwashers which are incredibly rare in apartments in this area (so our rental rate is an excellent value given that cheaper apartments have no dishwashers). the dishwasher is important to me since I am so busy right now-- I have a 4yo with Asperger's who I home school, a 2yo, who along with the 4yo are on a special diet which requires cooking everything from scratch, and frequently, and a newborn.

Our last apartment didn't have a dishwasher in the apartment and it was seriously getting me depressed because I just could not keep up with the dishes. It did have a personal laundry room, though, and I MISS THAT!!!!

The laundry facilities here are down the end of a fairly long hall. The dryers have a very small load capacity and usually require two cycles to dry anything. Each cycle costs a dollar so each small load of laundry costs three dollars.

With two messy boys, and a baby who spits up a LOT, we go through a lot of laundry. It has been such a source of stress for me. First of all, all of the constant taking EVERYONE (all three children) with me each time I go do laundry, and then having to go four times for each small load.

To make matters worse, one of dryers is usually broken.

: I have sometimes used it twice (two dollars) only to find it did NOTHING and my laundry is still wet.

:

:

: SOOOO annoying.

Plus, the machines are usually busy because there are only two each, small capacity and we share them with 10 other families, many of whom also have kids. DH and I know that, if it weren't for this laundry thing, staying at this apartment complex as long as possible would be best for us. But the laundry situation alone has us itching to move already (we've been here 6 months now.) WE HATE IT!!!

So since I have a newborn (8 weeks old now) what DH has been doing the last couple months is two things-- either 1.) bringing the laundry to the wash-and-fold service, which costs about $13-$20 for two huge trash-bags full of laundry, and DH picks it up the next day washed and folded. Ahhhh. So nice. But expensive. Or 2.) taking it to his mom's house and she washes and folds it for us (she says she loves doing it but she's been helping us out with this for two months now and I HATE to take advantage of her kindness, especially since she's in poor health! Oh, but we do offset her costs-- ie pay her a little) DH can't take it to the laundromat since we haven't been able to find a 24-hour laundromat and most days he is working or in school from 7am to 10pm. (Not on weekends, but weekends are when we do everything else already!) I can't imagine taking all of the kids to the laundromat and sitting their for hours with them. Is that lazy of me? I'm sorry I just can't imagine it.

Plus, I would be afraid for our safety. The neighborhoods with laundromats are not terribly safe, and I feel so vulnerable when I'm out with all of three kids-- I can't keep all of us safe in case of an attack. I don't have enough arms. Plus I just "lost" the two-year-old the other day when we went out, which was so scary-- he is really a tricky one to keep track of.

O my gosh this post is so long. I'm sorry. I guess it's largely a vent, too, isn't it.

I am NOT lazy, I would totally keep up with the laundry, easily, if it were in my apartment. I always did before.

But right now I am sitting in the living room/dining room area with wet towels draped over the backs of all of my chairs and the table, trying to dry.

: And laundry is the latest huge expense we hadn't planned for. Worse since the baby arrived-- we were barely keeping up with it pre-baby. Now we are in laundry crisis mode!

So . . . do you think it would be best for us to 1.) move, and pay possibly a lot more for an apartment or little house with a dishwasher AND laundry facilities IN the unit, or 2.) keep using the washers in our apartment but rig some kind of drying system in the house (I have no idea where I would hang all the laundry, we go through SO MUCH laundry and we don't have that mush room!) or 3.) just rely on the wash-and-fold service, or 4 . . . oh I don't know . . . what SHOULD I do????

If you read all of this, God bless you and thank you.

 

[Yooper]

It sounds like the drying part is what is costing the most and requiring the most trips. I would wash in the building and set up a drying system in the apartment. We have small retractable lines that we run across bedrooms. They are mounted up near the ceiling so we can still use the room while laundry is hanging. I stand on the bed to hang stuff

When not in use, they go back in their house. Each unit has 4 lines and we have two of them. I am able to hang three loads at a time with that amount of space. The units cost about $10 each.

If that is not an option and you have a car, I would scope out a laundrymat that is either 24 hours in a good neighborhood so either you or your dh could go alone late at night or one with a good neighborhood near a park. With the second option, dump all your laundry in the washers and leave it to go play. Take a break to move it all into driers then go play again. Return to grab it all and go home. A second variation is to do the same thing on a weekend when dh is with you and run errands between loads.

I actually prefer the laundrymats as I can get ALL of my laundry done in 1.5 hours rather than wait for each load.

 

[EviesMom]

First I would find out if the dryer is costing other families in your building more. What do they do to combat it? If everyone is getting hit with paying $2 and having it do nothing, maybe you can all petition the landlord together or pay to get a new one you don't have to pay for? Or if it stops working, one person discovers that, can they at least put a sign up so everyone else doesn't waste their money before it gets fixed? If they already have some way they know it's not working, then they'll hopefully let you in on their secret!

I also wonder if you could work something out with another parent in the building that would be cheaper than the wash and fold too. You could put a sign up in the laundry room "Looking to hire someone to help our family with laundry." Maybe right down the hall from you is a laundry diva who has figured out the machines working/not working tricks, doesn't have to haul 3 kids down the hall to do it, etc.

 

[angelcollector1]

How about the option of asking MIL if she'll watch one of the older kids while you go to the laundrymat, so you only have the infant and one of the other kids with you, it'll be done faster and one of the children will get to spend time with grandma. That way she's not doing all the laundry work when she's not well and you won't be chasing around 3 kids at the same time while trying to get things done.
I would have said to just wash in the machine at the apt. and hang up to dry but it seems like you don't have room for that since you said space is tight.

 

[Ola_]

Re: broken dryers, I would be speaking with your landlord about that. Since it is a service they (or another company) are providing they should keep them in working order. At the previous place we lived they actually got some new units and increased the cost slightly - I liked it because we could actually get stuff washed and dried properly and more would fit in the machines. The building probably liked it because of the reduced maintenance costs.

For drying, do you have a balcony where you could set up some retractable lines? Is it possible to get one of those apartment sized stacked washer-and-drier sets? I'm not sure if all the driers need the special power outlet though. Might not be efficient if you pay for your utilities too.

BTW, what about taking the laundry to your MIL's house and washing/drying it yourself? Then you wouldn't have to feel bad about making her do any extra work, and she would probably enjoy having the company too.

 

[LionTigerBear]

Thank you Yooper, that sounds so simple.

(Other people's issues really are easier to solve, that's why I love asking for and giving advice on MDC!

)

So I'm thinking maybe a combination of those things. The laundry lines that retract sound awesome. I can hang at least one of those in the bedroom, I think. Then, at least on most Saturdays, we could spend a couple of hours doing the rest of the laundry as a family-- there are a couple laundromats that are right next to parks, I just wouldn't feel safe there without DH. But it would be a nice family outing. Even if we can't do it every weekend (sometimes we are just too busy), at least it would really cut down on our laundry problem.

Thanks.

I can't wait until we get past the spit-up/baby vomit stage!

Okay, maybe I can, she's so cute right now.

Any other ideas are still very welcome!!!

 

[MisaGoat]

$13-20 for 2 bags of laundry washed and folded sounds like a great price. It is $35 a bag here! (Disclaimer: I don't use the service, but a friend does)

I would not move just because of the laundry situation. It sounds like everything else about your living situation is great. Also, it may not end up saving you money. Our utilities were significantly higher when we had an apartment with a washer than dryer compared to the combined utilities and quarters for the washer and dryers in the basement at our current apartment.

Probably I would just look for a laundromat that would work for you. Laundromats are great because you can get all the laundry done in like 2 hours. Also they have the large capacity washers so you can put a ton of clothing in one washer.

I would also bring up the inadequacies of the laundry facilities at your apartment. Small capacity, always in use, inefficient drying. You may not get an immediate response, but you should mention the problems you are having with the laundry at the apartment and ask if they had a solution.

Good luck!

 

[samandhenrysmom]

I think I would do a combination. I would do the absolute necessities in the complex washers and hang them to dry in the apartment and then I would send DH to the the laundromat on Sat morning with the rest - put it all in multiple washers and then dryers and then be home by the time the rest of you are ready to go for the day. If he is more of a night person, he could do this in the evening instead while you nurse the baby and bathe everyone.
On another note, I am a speech pathologist and I wonder if you guys have ever looked into getting some professional help for your own organizational skills? There may be someone available at your husband's school - he could ask in the advisor's office. Since you are so aware of your needs, I think a few suggestions could help you tremendously!
One thing I suggest is a bill organizer like this:
http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog...dId=12041&bs=1
I started using one when my migraine meds made me completely unorganized!
I also found this link while searching:
http://addconsults.com/blog/
Good luck!!!!!

 

[LionTigerBear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EviesMom First I would find out if the dryer is costing other families in your building more. What do they do to combat it? If everyone is getting hit with paying $2 and having it do nothing, maybe you can all petition the landlord together or pay to get a new one you don't have to pay for? Or if it stops working, one person discovers that, can they at least put a sign up so everyone else doesn't waste their money before it gets fixed? If they already have some way they know it's not working, then they'll hopefully let you in on their secret! I also wonder if you could work something out with another parent in the building that would be cheaper than the wash and fold too. You could put a sign up in the laundry room "Looking to hire someone to help our family with laundry." Maybe right down the hall from you is a laundry diva who has figured out the machines working/not working tricks, doesn't have to haul 3 kids down the hall to do it, etc.

Good ideas. I am going to think on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelcollector1 How about the option of asking MIL if she'll watch one of the older kids while you go to the laundrymat, so you only have the infant and one of the other kids with you, it'll be done faster and one of the children will get to spend time with grandma. That way she's not doing all the laundry work when she's not well and you won't be chasing around 3 kids at the same time while trying to get things done. I would have said to just wash in the machine at the apt. and hang up to dry but it seems like you don't have room for that since you said space is tight.

This would work well except that her health issue prevents her from lifting anything heavy, which worries me in case the 2yo needs to be lifted for some reason. Also, FIL loves the kids but has completely unrealistic expectations for them (they musn't break anything, or touch certain tempting items which are within their reach, they must obey instantly, and if they don't he yells and shames them

: Other than that he's great.

) So we only let them babysit for emergencies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ola_ Re: broken dryers, I would be speaking with your landlord about that. Since it is a service they (or another company) are providing they should keep them in working order. At the previous place we lived they actually got some new units and increased the cost slightly - I liked it because we could actually get stuff washed and dried properly and more would fit in the machines. The building probably liked it because of the reduced maintenance costs. As far as this goes, the landlords say that this is a non-profit business (we didn't even know this before moving in) so they don't expect to make any money off of us (so they say) and frankly don't care that much when we have maintenance issues. Apparently many of the people in our complex are on disability, or have special needs kids, or are elderly, or limited income for other reasons. Then they fill up the rest of the apartments with the full-rent payers like us. So I guess for that reason they don't particularly care about the laundry facilities because they feel like they're doing everyone a favor already. This kind of leaves most of the people in the complex in a position where they are afraid to complain about anything, you know?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ola_ For drying, do you have a balcony where you could set up some retractable lines?

We do, but it is littered with the by-products of the bird-lover two apartments above us-- tons of birdseeds and droppings. Oh, and spiders. Not a good place for clean laundry!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ola_ Is it possible to get one of those apartment sized stacked washer-and-drier sets? I'm not sure if all the driers need the special power outlet though. Might not be efficient if you pay for your utilities too.

I asked, it's not allowed. Good thought.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ola_ BTW, what about taking the laundry to your MIL's house and washing/drying it yourself? Then you wouldn't have to feel bad about making her do any extra work, and she would probably enjoy having the company too.

We've done this before but their house is such a mess, it squicks me out

(not MIL's fault, she is in poor health like I said, and sitting and doing laundry in front of the TV is fine for her but walking around and scrubbing or picking things up is too hard for her-- and FIL is kind of lazy and/or depressed) and furthermore, MIL is a smoker (another reason I prefer for her not to do our laundry.) Plus there's FIL with his unrealistic expectations of the little ones. Sigh.

 

[LionTigerBear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by samandhenrysmom On another note, I am a speech pathologist and I wonder if you guys have ever looked into getting some professional help for your own organizational skills? There may be someone available at your husband's school - he could ask in the advisor's office. Since you are so aware of your needs, I think a few suggestions could help you tremendously! One thing I suggest is a bill organizer like this: http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog...dId=12041&bs=1 I started using one when my migraine meds made me completely unorganized! I also found this link while searching: http://addconsults.com/blog/ Good luck!!!!!

Thank you for this, I really appreciate it!

 

[aprons_and_acorns]

I've been there where the coin-op laundry is killing the family budget. Not to mention the stress of going to the laundry mat with a child (just one child, it was stressful enough!) Our rent included water, sewer, and even hot water, so it was very cost-effective to wash things in the tub, or using the 5-gallon-bucket method. Hanging to dry helped too of course.

Here's another idea off the top of my head:

Can you swap cooking for laundry with your MIL or someone else? I would be thrilled to wash a few loads of clothes for someone who would bring my family dinner once a week. Things like lasagna or a soup or cassarole where it's almost just as easy to make two, that way you can cook one for your family too. This might be a good way to wash towels, sheets, kid's playclothes, and other things that aren't too particular or fussy to wash for someone else.

 

[LionTigerBear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aprons_and_acorns I've been there where the coin-op laundry is killing the family budget. Not to mention the stress of going to the laundry mat with a child (just one child, it was stressful enough!) Our rent included water, sewer, and even hot water, so it was very cost-effective to wash things in the tub, or using the 5-gallon-bucket method. Hanging to dry helped too of course.

oooh, what's the 5-gallon-bucket method? Washing in the tub/sink is intriguing, and something I do rarely, but . . .

When hand-washing laundry, how do you wring out the clothing enough that it doesn't take forever to dry (and/or make the floor all wet from dripping-- oh, or ruin the clothing from squeezing/twisting.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by aprons_and_acorns Here's another idea off the top of my head: Can you swap cooking for laundry with your MIL or someone else? I would be thrilled to wash a few loads of clothes for someone who would bring my family dinner once a week. Things like lasagna or a soup or cassarole where it's almost just as easy to make two, that way you can cook one for your family too. This might be a good way to wash towels, sheets, kid's playclothes, and other things that aren't too particular or fussy to wash for someone else.

No, they don't care for my cooking. I don't use tons of sugar/msg/fake cheese/Betty Crocker spice packs.

Good idea, though!

P.S. but some other kind of swap might work-- I'll think about it.

 

[Leta]

I had a similar problem. We loved our apartment, it was cheap and we had no desire to move, but the laundry situation just sucked.

I washed in the tub with a plunger, dried over the tube with a line (actually a broomstick suspended from two plant hooks) and a fan... but it still was crazy.

Then I got a job at a laundromat. I was in school and didn't really need or want a job, but I got paid cash so it didn't impact my financial aid, I got to do my laundry for free (they even provided me with soap!) and once the place was clean, I could study. I worked between 20 and 25 hours per week. I was a great gig, really. I figure I made at least $150 per week, between my actual wages and soap and laundry savings.

I know you have a little one, but maybe you could use a break? The place I worked had a little refrigerator, and ample room for a cooler for pumped milk.

 

[Porcelain Interior]

Well it seems like the money thing is priority so I'd try to figure out a way to have either you or your husband go over to MIL and do the laundry.

Or tell her not to fold it if you feel super guilty and just have her wash it for you- if you can't stand being there.

I'm really ADD, and I do all the bills successfully.

Here's how I do it. I use a calendar on my computer that emails me when things need to be paid. It's essential that you each agree to a budget and ONE person pays all the bills and divies the money- the other person is in charge of reminding and making sure it gets done. That way you have accountability. If you're both paying the bills then one might think the other took care of it, with my system only one person would be doing that. That way there's no "well hmm oh well he probably paid it la ti da...." I'm really prone to that type of procrastinating/forgetting.

I made a budget (we get biweekly paychecks, one for mortgage, one for everything else) and my calendar emails me when I need to pay things.

I do the bills on a set day. If I don't have a statement for a particular bill yet I write on my calendar to email me in a week to check on the bill and pay it if I have the statement. Usually I'm able to just collect the bill statements in my bill folder until the day we deposit the check then I can mail them all off. Also paying online saves my skin regularly.

Grocery/blow money is taken out in CASH before I pay the bills. The rest of the money is for bills- only bills. The debit card is not your friend when you're going to the store here and there and everywhere. It adds up so fast.

Planning meals is essential so you don't run to the store everytime you need crackers or mayo because you never get out of the store without adding more stuff in which costs.

Moving will be expensive, but I think if you're not saving money for the house you want you might as well move. Something isn't working.

 

[1growingsprout]

How about having MIL meet you at the laundrymat and help you with the kids there or take one to the park etc... Honestly the laundrymat is the best option.... huge machines, rather quick process....

IDK about your tv etc but you can get a portable DVD player for the 2 older kdis have have them watch a movie while the laundry is going to kill some time etc.

DO you have any friends with a house and a washer dryer? If i had a friend in your shoes i definately wouldnt mind her coming over to do wash 1x week, the kids could play, we could have adult conversation etc.

 

[Poddi]

Definitely try to find a neighbor to help you. You never know. I myself love doing laundry and will definitely help a neighbor with their laundry in exchange for something else. Also I hope it's OK to say this: you have two boys aged 4 and 2, right? They can help you, they don't have to be obstacles in getting things done. I make my boys help me drag laundry to the machine and sort them by colors all the time. My DS1 loves sorting out socks and pair them up and put them away in the correct drawers (DS2 can't do that as he's severely color blind). Now they can all sort their own clean clothes and put them away as well. Yours are a bit younger but they can get started.

Your 4 Y.O can definitely be a lot of help.

Oh, and I don't know your hygiene standard, but we always wear the same clothes a couple times before washing, more for jeans, unless there are big obvious stains on them. It's great for reducing laundry amount. You can also spot wash fairly easily. A lot of the time the so called "stained shirt" is a perfectly clean shirt with a tiny bit of food stuck to the collar or something, you can just wipe that off with a damp cloth, or pick it off once it'd dried. I had a baby with reflux and we used lots of bibs, burpcloths to cover up so clothes wouldn't need to be changed too much.

 

[LionTigerBear]

I've been really busy with a fussy baby but I am reading all of the responses and getting some very helpful ideas. Thank you!

 

[kittynurse]

Speaking as someone with ADHD I say let the laundry service be your one luxury. Cut everything else in your budget back as far as possible and do little loads in the apartment but save the bulk of it for the laundry service.

I find that when I make life easier for myself, it's a lot easier to stick to my budget because I'm not always stressed out and needing to take the easy way out by eating fast food and doing other things that waste money.

You have 3 kids. One has special needs, you have a special diet for two of them and you have a newborn. Plus both you and your DH have issues that make things more difficult. Oh ya, and you homeschool! Cut yourself some slack mama!

I also I agree with the PP that mentioned rewearing clothes. Although, I hear you on the messy boys things. I found when I lowered my standard on cleanliness it helped. If we are going out then obviously I put fresh, clean clothes on them but if we are just hanging out at home then I let them stay in clothes that are a bit dirty because, quite frankly, they're just going to get dirty again in five minutes so a little bit of lunch on their shirt isn't the end of the world.

HTH

Martha

 

[Purple*Lotus]

Do any of the relatives that live nearby have a washer and dryer? I am thinking your DH could drop the laundry off before work, then you and the kids could walk there, you could do it yourself while the kids play with the grandparents, then your DH could pick it up on his way back home. That way you are still doing the actual work and you don't have to go to a laundromat late at night.

 

[LionTigerBear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kittynurse Speaking as someone with ADHD I say let the laundry service be your one luxury. Cut everything else in your budget back as far as possible and do little loads in the apartment but save the bulk of it for the laundry service. I find that when I make life easier for myself, it's a lot easier to stick to my budget because I'm not always stressed out and needing to take the easy way out by eating fast food and doing other things that waste money. You have 3 kids. One has special needs, you have a special diet for two of them and you have a newborn. Plus both you and your DH have issues that make things more difficult. Oh ya, and you homeschool! Cut yourself some slack mama!

Martha, you are right. DH and I talked about it and we are feeling very stressed lately. On top of my hectic life at home, DH is having to work lots of overtime and he is in college, too. We are both stressed. That stress has been costing us money in grabbing take-out, convenience and comfort foods, DH's massages, my chiropractic. We can also see it taking a toll on our family life and marriage. So we have decided to keep utilizing the easy wash-and-fold service for now. DH figured out that cost is actually comparable to using the washer's and dryers here-- it's nearly as expensive to use the dryers here (and I still have to fold it!) And I will supplement that by doing some of the laundry here and hanging it in the new retractable drying line we picked up.

I also like the idea of re-wearing more often, and spot-cleaning.

When our new baby is a bit older (and not spitting up so much!) and DH isn't working so many hours, we will probably wash more of it here and hang it to dry, among other things. At any rate we won't need the wash-and-fold service anymore.

And all of the dealing-with-ADD tips were VERY helpful, thank you, everyone who shared those ideas. We are writing up a new budget (again

) and trying to get all of our bill-payments set up online and so forth. Trying to get organized, simplify, streamline the process. We are doing better and better every month.