Another One Bites the Dust

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

29 May 2011 06:26 AM

Just when we thought it was safe, we had yet another appliance break down on us. With a replacement cost of anywhere from $600 to $1,800, we need some fast thinking and a little bit of faith to reduce that cost as much as possible.

The appliance in question happens to be our washing machine. We just replaced the dryer last year and the stove a few months ago. The dishwasher and fridge had to be replaced when we moved in and major repairs were recently made to the oil burner. Sigh.

Although I'm not that old, I still think I am living 30 years ago when you could expect an appliance to pretty much last you a lifetime, not a mere six or seven years. I keep expecting more from my stuff when parts were made of stainless steel and not plastic or nylon. Okay, I can't complain about the stove going, it was older than I am, and it went out in a spectacular blaze of glory (well, a blaze anyway). The washer, however, is only from 2002.

My husband are having several tense moments deciding what to do. With a family of five out in semi rural Pennsylvania, I'm in danger of being consumed by a landslide of laundry, a sort of mount washmore in the basement if more than a few days go by without laundry being done.

We are examining our options:

1. Buy a new more efficient machine that will save time and energy costs but costs more upfront. $900
2. Buy a new standard machine that may get us another nine years of service. $600
3. Buy a second hand machine off of Craigslist. Cheap but unknown reliability and we could get stuck. $200
4. Buy a second hand machine from a dealer who may throw in a short term warranty. $400
5. Buy a new motor for our existing machine (we know its condition and history) and hope nothing else breaks. $300

What would you do?

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, online content manager, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania in the middle of the woods but close enough to Target and Home Depot.

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