The dryer vs dh

**homesteadmamma** · 01-07-2006, 07:06 PM

Dh has been telling me to get a dryer now for months. I keep putting him off and telling him not until the van is paid. He feels it would cut my work down and make life simpler for me. I appreciate that, however dryers here are roughly $500.00.

Would you wait to get a dryer and agree with me or would you agree with dh and say go ahead and get a dryer. Life is too short not to enjoy one?

**Michelle** · 01-07-2006, 07:08 PM

I'd buy one. That way you can have the option of using it when you're not feeling well or don't have time to line dry.

**canadian gardener** · 01-07-2006, 07:25 PM

I'd buy one, and if it worries you, why not look out for a second hand one in the paper.

Reason being people buy them in sets, a washer and dryer together and it's usually the washer that went, not the dryer. Lifetimes for dryers are a lot longer so people often sell them.

If you find you dont' like it, you can resell it for what it cost you.

**dwallyfam** · 01-07-2006, 07:26 PM

CJ is there a way you could buy a used/reconditioned one. I would be looking at sales and everything and then maybe buy one.

Our dryer is about ready to shoot craps and DH wants to go and buy one. I have been stalling until I can find the deal of the century.

Kellie

**YankeeMom** · 01-07-2006, 07:31 PM

Do you have one now & is it substandard? Or are you without one period?

I would consider two things.

If you have one now that's substandard, it's probably using more electricity than a newer one, thus a new one would save you money in the long rung.

If you don't have one period, buying one would not only cost money you could apply towards the van debt, but would also add to your utility bills.

BUT! being that I have 4 kids and at least 8 loads of laundry per week...I would buy a new/used one. I would not be able to do laundry without a dryer. Especially in the winter/wet months.

**forestdale** · 01-07-2006, 07:46 PM

The problem with dryers is that the initial outlay to buy them is not the only expense. They use a lot of power to run them.

I know your weather is different over there but I would decide if I liked hanging laundry out to dry. If I did, (and I do) I wouldn't buy one.

If, on the other hand, you know you'll get one eventaully you might as well get it now because then I'll win our bet in the no spending challenge.

**SHOPGIRL** · 01-07-2006, 07:59 PM

Well, if you buy a dryer, I'd buy a new one. I bet you can find one for a good deal. Plus, they'll deliver it for free and take the old one away. That is if you buy one from Sears or Lowes. I need to get a new dryer even though I have one. It is a used one that I got for free, but it is really inefficient energy wise so I rarely use it.

Life is short, so if a dryer would make your life easier; such as giving you more time in the day then I'd go for it.

**Kimberlina** · 01-07-2006, 08:09 PM

Gee, CJ, it is too bad you don't live a whole lot closer. We just got rid of a dfecent one for pretty cheap, and are trying to give away our washer, too. It is in perfect condition...only about 5.5 years old.

**PrairieRose** · 01-07-2006, 10:53 PM

I'd buy one. I'm all for saving time/money/energy but my time/energy is important too. I don't want to spend so much time hanging laundry when I can dry it so quickly.

**Jasmine** · 01-07-2006, 11:02 PM

Do you feel as though it's a lot of work not to have one? If so, then I would probably buy one. I'm not using our dryer to dry right now (just to tumble soft) and haven't found it to be a hassle. I do a load of laundry in the morning and hang it to dry. It's usually dry by the evening so I tumble and fold it. If it's damp, I leave it till morning.

**hollyhill** · 01-07-2006, 11:17 PM

Great Thread!
I can't wait to see what you decide CJ.

I just had a similar discusion with Dh, He told me to take some of the student loan money to buy a dishwasher (ours broke a few months ago), I said no way, not till he is earning some money.
So I will be checking here to see what you finally decide.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-07-2006, 11:44 PM

For those who don't know, I don't have a dryer now. I have't had one in over 15 years.

If we were to get one, it would be new, would be top of the line and energy efficient. I'm a firm believer in buying the best so that it lasts the longest. It's not that I don't want one, I just don't want one now.

I do understand where he is coming from though and I appreciate his concern.

It's a really hard decision for me. Holly, I can understand how you feel.

**SHOPGIRL** · 01-07-2006, 11:48 PM

C.J.

It sounds like you've made up your mind. You said that you don't want one right now, so just wait. Didn't you say in an earlier thread that your goal was to pay off your van this year? Also, you mentioned that you might be moving to a different province. Maybe it would make sense to wait.

I could use a new dryer, but I really try to avoid using it as much as possible. Right now, I really want to just pay off some of my bigger debts.

It sounds like your van debt is a higher priority to you than getting a new dryer.

**JaneP** · 01-09-2006, 09:23 AM

I just started hanging my clothes in the basement. I'll have to see how much money this saves on the electric bill. I'm sure all of you have been doing stuff like this to save money for quite a while but I'm just getting into being serious about cutting back and getting debts paid off.
I say if you want that dryer then stash money specifically for that and when you have enough go get it. If you've been without or 15 years it's not a hot enough issue to derail yourself.

**jlxian** · 01-09-2006, 05:13 PM

I am in the camp that says don't get one until the van is paid.

I have a dryer, but I use it very little. I actually prefer my clothes, sheets and towels dried outside. It is nice to have the dryer available during long spells of rotten weather, but otherwise I don't use it much.

However, I do spend the biggest part of my weekends (I work full time) doing laundry and hauling it out to the clothesline. Having my weekends free would be nice, but then again maybe I'd just spend the weekends at some store spending money.