another question

[sonj]

taking into consideration that I don't have savings and no free money...when something breaks ie vaccum cleaner what do you do? Do you use lay away, live without....or?

[34saving]

Fix, live without, borrow, or freecycle (www.freecycle.org). If it's truly a vacuum cleaner you need I bet you money your landlord (unless you're your own landlord ) will loan you one. (Landlords are always in favor of clean floors!)

[sonj]

yes it truly is a vaccum, we have been living without so far I have been sweeping the carpets, but I know that is not getting them real clean. I have been borrowing but even that gets annoying for me, I can't imagine what the loaner feels. We our are own landlord, so no go there. I will look at that Free cycle.

[Fern]

I would NOT buy on a lay-away plan. If you do so, you're paying extra in interest, no? I say, if you can't afford to pay for something in full then you can't afford to buy it. Bide your time and do without for the time being. And do check out freecycle.org....it's a GREAT resource where everything is free.

[Snoopy2645]

I would do layaway at like walmart or something I know walmart dont charge for layaway so I would check that also. You may also want to check out second hand stores my cousin found one at a goodwill brandnew one time.

[marjorie]

Perhaps you've thought of this, but it may be something as simple as a belt. It might be worth a trip to the library to see if ou can borrow a book on vacuums. My first vacuum broke a belt, and the part was $1-2, and I'd been looking at several hundred dollars for a replacement.

[jmjj215]

Doesn't layaway just mean they're holding it for you? You don't actually get the item?

[obi_positive]

Yep, laywaway means you put some money down for an item that the store keeps for a set period of time (like 60 days) until you finish paying for it. When I worked retail, many people did not come back for their stuff before the layaway period was up and ended up losing the money and the merchadise. After 60 days, many seasonal items would have been half off in clearance anyway. You're better off putting some money aside for 60 days yourself.

Best way to borrow a vacuum: offer to vacuum the lenders home first before borrowing.

[PrincessPerky]

My vaccum has been busted for oh over a year, but I got the sucking part working, just not the roller part, so I can vacuum with the attachment (like for furniture) on my hands and knees, does the job, till I find one that will not break (I have LOOOOOOOOONG hair, always clogs rollers) and by the time I find one, I might have the ,money .

really check into a book on fixing it or even call the company who made it, they have a vested interest in keeping yours working, afraid you might switch brands on them if it can't be fixed.

[pennywise]

I agree with most, we go without or figure another way to do the task.
Sweeping is probably the best method if the other solutions do not work. Make a rule on eating in the kitchen only so crumbs are in one place. Perhaps a painters cloth under the table when the children eat will limit crumbs in the carpet. What is the main source of dirt on your carpet, children eating, dogs? Then we can give suggestions on clean up. I remember one of my patients told me "no sense in complaining, what could the slaves do"? Wow, think about that, they had to slave in the fields in the hot sun and could not say anything for the punishment was worse. How lucky we are! Keep your chin up, save your pennies and one day you will think this funny.

[kashi]

Also, if you're near a big city, look on craigslist.org. They have an area of "for sale" things, which also includes free stuff people are giving away, and an area for "wanted" items. You might find a vacuum there!

[jmjj215]

Reminded of an old saying:

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

[akaivyleaf]

Originally Posted by pennywise

I remember one of my patients told me "no sense in complaining, what could the slaves do"? Wow, think about that, they had to slave in the fields in the hot sun and could not say anything for the punishment was worse. How lucky we are! Keep your chin up, save your pennies and one day you will think this funny.

I don't think Slaves ever found it funny...but they put up until they found or created a way out

[cicy33]

Try at a yard sale, I picked up a kitchen vacuum for $1 a couple of weeks ago and when I don't want to haul out the heavy (I really hate it alot) Kirby that I have ( and it won't die) I just use it. It is for hard wood floors really but it works! I can remember the days of having to sweept the floor clean and you would be surprised how that does work. One other way to get your floor vacuumed for free: Set up an appointment to have a kirby tested in your home and they will vacuum and clean one room!

[robex]

Our vacuum broke last year and I borrowed my sil's until my mom's realized she had two because when her first one broke she went and bought a second one and didn't get rid of the broken one. Her friend fixed it for free as she had housesit for him, and then she gave me the vacuum because I housesat for her.
So, we got a great vacuum for free and everyone was happy (especially my sister in law who finally had her vacuum all to herself!).

[Bluezy]

Do what I did for years - use an old fashion broom! To this day I can get a rug cleaner with a broom than with an electrical vacuum.

[CRFSaver]

I agree on garage sales. I got mine from the nunery (convent) that was a few miles from where i grew up. Cost me 10 bucks and works like a charm to this day. I bought it in 12 years ago. Even has a light in front when I feel like vacuuming in the dark. The other thing you might consider: Little dirt devil vacuum. I got one for 20 bucks to clean my car with. That thing has better suction then some full sized vacuum cleaners. The downside is you have to be on your hands and knees to vacuum. I had a neighbor who did this in his apartment every week. A little ghetto but it definately works.