It pays to know your neighbors

Last weekend our washing machine gave out after 11 years of use. Not bad, really. So naturally, we went price shopping at Sears and Best Buy to look for an affordable new washer and found two that we were strongly considering. Well the next day a neighbor, who has recently moved in to the house caddy-corner across the street mentioned that the previous owner left both their relatively new washer and dryer behind and for them they were just 'taking up space' and would I like the washer?! I said I'd be happy to look it over and did so last night. It looks only two or so years old and just needs to be cleaned up a bit. Otherwise it's practically new, so yes, I'll take a shot with a Whirlpool washer that's hardly been used, and free.