DH won't get new washer/dryer :(

[sierramist03]

Every year we get money back on income taxes so we splurge on usually 1-2 things and then save the rest. I really really want a new washer and dryer but DH said he didn't want to buy one until our current one breaks our current one is a very basic kenmore model from Craigslist $125 for the pair. I can't wash our comforter in it because its too small. I tried using the well I won't have to take the comforters to the dryer cleaners anymore but it didn't work. I also really want a steam function for the dryer. I do not want a front washer I just want bigger and uses less water. Any other things I can add to my side of the argument? Does anybody else's DH not want to replace stuff until the current one breaks.
Hmmm maybe I'll say we don't need a new tv since our current one still work (he been considering a LCD ours is plasma.)

[mrs.jacinthe]

Does your power company offer rebates for upgrading to HE washer/dryer? Our last two have. It's enough to make R decide to upgrade. LOL

[bunnymendelbaum]

Sorry, but I'm with your DH here. We had a fancier washer/dryer and the stupid dryer broke. It was out of warranty, so the repair was going to be $$$. We got rid of it and bought a new super simple one because it was less than the repair.

My MIL got a fancy set w steam function and had to have it repaired twice already.

More functions= more things that can break.

I know most ppl wash their comforters at the laundromat, right?

[sierramist03]

Our electric company is city owned and small. I already tried the well I do the laundry lol

[sjh722]

Jan 15, 2013 19:08:43 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

More functions= more things that can break.

I know most ppl wash their comforters at the laundromat, right?

Ditto. I bought a set at the same auction we bought our house at - $150 for the pair. They do the job. We also have a king-size bed, so I can wash a thin quilt or blanket in the washing machine, but I've always had to take our duvet or comforters to the laundromat.

I would probably try to come to a compromise on something you both want/are going to use that falls somewhere between a plasma TV and a steam washer/dryer set. Or alternate, he picks what item you get with the money in even numbered years and you pick in odd years.

[Deleted]

I'm with Bunny and SJH. You don't necessarily want bigger and better. The older get the more crotcehty I get about appliances. I want plain simple to the point and affordable. The high tech stuff is sweet, but I don't have time for it to be broke either.

I say deal with you got for now. And then if you really want it down the line when it breaks, you can say, "Look. I waited X years for something with all the bells and whistles. We're getting it now!"

Otherwise, sometimes I cut deals with H. He gets this. I get that. Fair enough for the most part. One of us may have to wait a bit but it usually happens.

[SusanBAnthony]

I definitely wouldn't spend the money until yours breaks, and even then I wouldn't get a steam dryer. Aren't they like at least twice the cost of a regular one? That is like a whole lifetime of taking comforters to the laundry mat! And trust me the dryer won't last that long

Now I do understand the fact that it is a pain to take stuff to the laundry mat. Instead of spending all the money right now on new ones, why not set it aside in an account, so it is there if yours suddenly breaks, but wait until that happens?

[sjh722]

Jan 15, 2013 19:53:47 GMT -5 @justdairy said:

The older get the more crotcehty I get about appliances. I want plain simple to the point and affordable. The high tech stuff is sweet, but I don't have time for it to be broke either.

LOL - we just bought a fridge and specifically looked for one WITHOUT an in-the-door water dispenser. Both of our moms have always had trouble with theirs (on several fridges), we know a few people whose icemakers have flooded the kitchen floor, and we had more than one appliance sales person tell us they have more complaints about broken ice makers/water dispensers than anything else.

I now have extra space in the fridge door and no water dispenser to break. The ice maker came with it anyway, but it's not hooked up. H is paranoid about the wood floors.

[pitterwoo]

Luckily both my H and I always want to wait until the bitter end with big ticket items.

A couple things for your case though. If this washer is so bad and your H doesn't want to replace it then how about he takes over the bulk of laundry duties?

Or have you considered adding up how much it costs to have the comforter cleaned per year and show him what you would save by not having to do that?

I don't know if you have a laundry room that needs to match, but if your laundry is in the basement like mine you can get away with just getting the new washer and keep the same dryer. Dryers don't change as often as washers and you could save by not going for the set.

I totally would nix the new tv that he's interested in. That's clearly in the 'want' category. Maybe you can come up with something you are both excited about.

[sierramist03]

Unfortunately our washer and dryer are out in site if you enter from our "back door". it's just seems to take forever to do laundry and I do at least a load a day. It would be nice to have the shorter cycle. Thanks for the input though ladies.

[pitterwoo]

a load a day and it's just the two of you, right? and no physical labor jobs either? ::faints:: I do 2-3 loads a week for H and I.

[katie4253]

Jan 15, 2013 19:08:43 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

Sorry, but I'm with your DH here. We had a fancier washer/dryer and the stupid dryer broke. It was out of warranty, so the repair was going to be $$$. We got rid of it and bought a new super simple one because it was less than the repair.

My MIL got a fancy set w steam function and had to have it repaired twice already.

More functions= more things that can break.

I know most ppl wash their comforters at the laundromat, right?

I agree. We do have a large capacity washer, but if we didn't I'd be 100% duvet cover. Then you'd be able to wash it in house. Growing up my mom always went to the laundromat to do our comforters. I know it stinks, but I respect that he is wanting to hold off since he JUST got the job.

[lys]

A new basic frontloader will be more energy efficient -
Sell the current ones on CL

[TBM]

My DH would add up the cost of having the comforters cleaned (sounds like you do it often enough that it is $$$), and weigh it against going to the laundromat (factoring in the time suck of going there and waiting, compared to doing laundry at home and multitasking), and see if it makes sense financially to upgrade the washer. He is all about the 'time is money' argument, which is why he gets his hair cut at lunch time at the kind of pricey salon across from his office, and why he gets his car detailed by the service at the parking garage there while he is working. He doesn't have enough free time to want to spend it driving to get the cheapest price and waiting around for his car to be detailed...he figures that his time is worth far more than the perceived savings of going to a cheaper salon, or going to a laundromat.

You could probably sell the washer & dryer to help offset the cost too.

[katie4253]

Jan 15, 2013 21:19:20 GMT -5 lys said:

A new basic frontloader will be more energy efficient -
Sell the current ones on CL

for $100? A new set of HE will be about 1500-2k. That math doesn't make sense to me. It doesn't sake THAT much energy. I have an HE top loader and love it. But, if I had a washer that worked, I would use it until it died.

[sierramist03]

Jan 15, 2013 20:57:49 GMT -5 pitterwoo said:

a load a day and it's just the two of you, right? and no physical labor jobs either? ::faints:: I do 2-3 loads a week for H and I.

I wear basically two sets a clothes a day at least and that's if I don't work out. I wear scrubs daily so that's a load every 3-4 days( my day off usually)

[sierramist03]

I think we will just put a good portion of the money in saving marked for new washer and dryer when we need it. We will see if ours survive another move. Last move it lost a plastic spacer.

[sierramist03]

Jan 15, 2013 21:41:41 GMT -5 @callmefia said:

A) you are jumping ahead. You haven't even done your taxes yet, right? (Ok I work in tax, so I estimated our taxes based off our last paystubs, and yeah, I know what I want to spend it on. Originally it was all going towards debt, but it appears I need a new car pretty bad) do you know how much it will be yet?

B) I feel like we bought middle of the line w/d (we didn't have anything at the new house) and it was over $1500. They are HE and top load washer. The washer runs for 40-50 minutes. My dryer is about 40 minutes. The old cheap set at our apt was quicker. So, how much did you want to spend? Mind you, I don't have a steam function. Those were ALOT more expensive when I looked. My parents paid for a nice chunk as our wedding/housewarming gift.

C) I can't fathom spending that kind of money on something so UN-FUN, especially if you already have something that works.

So, I totally side with your H, clearly. and it's probably fair that you spend it on something you both enjoy. Or save it for your house fund.

A) our tax return is pretty much the same every year so I have a general idea.
B) the set we like is around 1500
C) I was pretty spoiled for Christmas so I got a lot of fun stuff so I don't really want anything fun.

[emoflamingo]

I would still wait until you get your refund, but I know you could probably get most of your money back on your set on the CLs here. Those things go fast! I'm betting, if there's a CL more local to you guys, it's about the same.

I have to say, I love my front loaders so I am totally biased in this fight.

[sierramist03]

Oh we wouldn't buy anything for months probably be summer. We were just talking about it today.

[cosmowife]

We bought a fancy Electrolux washer because our old washer was no longer getting clothes clean. I love it and it makes my life much easier (especially during the two years I cloth diapered). However, we still have a very old dryer (and it is in plain sight as well). The dryer actually works better because the washer spins clothes practically dry. Could you compromise like this? I am dreading the day the dryer does because I do not want to spend money on a new one.