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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Freecycle frustration. . . .

My clothes dryer is still on the fritz, mostly because I've been unable to find a repairman who will come to my house on a Saturday. I have to admit, I'm not trying very hard, because the longer I can last without my dryer, the more money I'll save on my electric bill (theoretically).

There are literally clothes and linens draped everywhere in the house: in the livingroom, on the dining room chairs, in the bathroom. Although I truly don't mind air-dried clothing, I'm finding that I'm using this damp laundry as justification for turning up the heat. So, the money I save on my electric bill could very well be canceled out by my gas bill!!

In any case, the lack of a dryer has driven me to begin looking for drying racks and clotheslines---I would love to find an umbrella clothesline for the backyard, so I can dry my clothes outdoors when it finally stops raining.

Because I'm on The Compact this year, I've been looking for used items---I only have six 'freebies' (where I get to buy six new items) and I don't want to waste them on laundry paraphernalia! I've been cruising Craigslist and Freecycle for weeks, and actually found a free clothesline listed on Freecycle! I've emailed three or four times, to no avail. The person who listed the clothesline hasn't removed the listing, nor has she responded to my emails!!!

So, needless to say, I'm in a state of total frustration. I love the concept of Freecycle, but knowing that what I need is out there without being able to access it is driving me a little nuts. I am trying to learn a little frugal patience, while continuing to cruise Craigslist and Freecycle for a clothesline (or even a garment rack with wheels). . . .

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Try googling your brand of dryer and the word repairs. I have found many sites that provide free help. I fixed my dryer myself. Could be something simple like a fuse.
Sara

Lucy said...

Also--don't forget to pick up a free copy of Thrifty Nickel/American Classifieds. You might luck out and find what you need in one of their listings.

marci357 said...

Saw an umbrella/octopus looking drying rack in a home depot ad - had 6 or 8 'arms' - wooden - that came out from a post attached in a corner. Was $39. That might work for you if you decide to use a freebie... or just tie a rope up between two posts, a tree, a corner, etc - and hang clothes hangers from it with the clothes on them. Works well. IF...if ever quits raining..... looking good for this weekend tho :)

Sharing Thoughts on Things I Love said...

what about getting some rope (on craigslist or freecycle) and making a makeshift clothesline for the time being? Or do you have any rope, like in some camping supplies?

Finally Frugal said...

Update: I did crawl back behind the dryer last weekend to see what I could see. Aside from the hose thingy being unattached from the outlet to the outdoors (how you do you like my super technical language, here), I could see much that was wrong. I unscrewed the front panel hoping to find the heating element, but I believe that is located either under the drum (and therefore not visible to my untrained eye) or under the back panel. So, no luck yet on fixing this myself.

I did, however, find three pairs of underwear that I haven't seen in ages, so I consider the project a semi-success!

Finally Frugal said...

Oops, I mean COULDN'T see much that was wrong. . .

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