A testimony from Leah from Simple.Home.Blessings
A while back we decided to say goodbye to credit cards for big purchases, and since then, we have been saving up and paying cash for everything (including big ticket items).
I have found it is actually more FUN for me to save up and dream for a while before purchasing big things for our home!
Just recently, it was finally time for us to make our next big purchase: a steam washer and steam dryer!
A little background information.
We previously purchased our front-loader washer and dryer over nine years ago and I have been using them in spite of their quirks (developed over nine years of use). I even figured out how to give my dryer a tune-up last year and did it myself to save money on a repair man! However, they were really showing their age.
Then I got a serious case of “I want it” fever when we were staying at my in-laws house and using their new steam units. We needed to save up for it because they are not cheap!
Here’s how we saved up and paid cash for our new steam washer and dryer:
1. We set a goal.
We decided we would like to purchase our appliances and hoped to purchase them by the end of the year. Meanwhile, we were on the lookout for a great price all year long.
2. We saved our $5 bills.
This is harder than it seems! But we tucked away each and every $5 bill that we saw and put it aside for our dream washer and dryer. When we finally had enough to pay for our purchase, we went to the bank and cashed them in for larger bills.
3. We shopped around – A LOT!
We are notorious long-lookers before purchasing. We like to do our research and really know when we are getting the best price on the item we want.
In fact, we went to look at washers and dryers once again on November 30, and found the ones we wanted at the price we wanted. We talked with the salesperson and he said this would be the best price on the pair until July of next year! The only problem was, we didn’t have our cash with us.
We planned on going back the next day, but a mere hour later, my water broke and our third baby was born that night. So we had to shop another day.
4. We remained patient.
I was kind of bummed thinking that we had missed out on our window to purchase our dream washer and dryer at the price we wanted… but, I told my husband to keep watching the prices.
Then a couple of weeks ago, he texted me a picture from another local big box store with the exact price we were looking at back in November, but it was for an upgraded set of washer and dryer! Our patience had paid off and we were rewarded with better appliances for the same price!
Today, we are really enjoying the laundry appliances we purchased. We run at least two loads of laundry a day, and I am so happy that we were able to save up and purchase them at just the right time!
Leah is a wife of almost 12 years and mama to three precious little ones. She loves to wake up early to a cup of coffee and a quiet house. In her spare time, she leads a local Bible study and writes about the joys of homemaking at Simple.Home.Blessings.
Have you saved up and paid cash for something — large or small? Submit your story for possible publication here.
Uma @ Centsible Indian says
How did you search for better pricing? We are on the look out for few washer/dryer. Would like to know how to search for good deals in local stores.
Jessica says
What is a steam washer and dryer? How are they any better than any other sort of washer and dryer? I have a very basic top loading washing machine and a basic dryer. We’re on our second washer in 12 years which seems average. I only put linens and underwear in the dryer. I hang pants, skirts, shirts up to dry on my clothes racks set up in the basement next to the washer and dryer. I also do 12-15 loads per week- 3 kids plus daily gym workout for my husband and I workout at home.
Leah says
The steam washing machine can get your clothes ultra clean. There is even a sanitize cycle. I like using the steam cycle on our bedding to make sure they get really clean. For the dryer the steam helps to release wrinkles really fast and they can remove odors in your clothing without washing (especially smoke). You can save on your dry-cleaning bill by using the dryer.
Melissa says
My husband and I are also shopping for a new washer and dryer and also paying cash for them. I am curious as to what brand and model you went with. Thank you for encouraging article. Yes, it takes patients but the end result feeling is great! ?
Leah says
Hi Melissa, I am not sure what model it is, but they are Samsung steam units. You will be so happy once you save up and get these – they even play a song each time the laundry cycle is finished – my girls still run to listen to it every time!
Ellen says
How wonderful and congratulations on your little one(s). We went without a washer and dryer until they went on sale. Saved more than we spent at the laundromat! 🙂
Leah says
Thank you, Ellen! Oh, yes – the days of laundromats! What a blessing to have working appliances in our homes!
Rosanna says
What a great story! I don’t even know what a steam washer and dryer is, but I’m so happy for you. Also, if that picture is of your laundry room, I am jealous. It is so pretty! I have to remind myself that one day mine will be pretty too.
Leah says
Thank you, Rosanna! Yes, that is our laundry room. We are working on a bunch of remodeling, redecorating projects at our house and this is one of the “finished rooms.” Ours wasn’t that expensive to makeover (minus the washer and dryer) – it is amazing what a good rug will do!