If experience is the best teacher, surely I have achieved expert status in the field of buying clothes washers and dryers.

25 years ago we bought our first brand new washer and dryer — Whirlpool set from a warehouse club. The price came to $1,100 for the set. Nothing fancy, just a couple of workhorses. After 16 years of constant use, the washer finally failed beyond repair.

After a great deal of research and contemplation, we settled on the LG Waveform Ultra Capacity High Efficiency Top Loading washer and companion steam dryer. I loved that set until we moved into a tiny apartment with space for only the washer or dryer or both, if we could stack them. We can't stack a top-loading washer, so we gifted the LG set to our son, and bought a stackable GE front loading washer and dryer. Fabulous decision. Front-loading washers have been so greatly improved over the years. I had no problems at all with nasty smells or moldy build-up. And I really enjoyed the steam feature on the dryer.

The GE set sits in storage now because our laundry room is not properly configured to accept a gas dryer. That will change one day soon, but in the meantime I am thoroughly enjoying the 12-year-old Whirlpool washer and dryer set that came with this house. Talk about deja vu! I'm right back where I started so many years ago, with a couple of amazing workhorses with basic settings and no digital displays.

With that background in mind, together with a long conversation I had with a repairman who works on all brands of washers and dryers except Samsung (he absolutely refuses to work on Samsung products, which I found interesting) — and in response to so many readers wanting to know the best inexpensive washer/dryer — here is my advice:

SET A BUDGET. Determine the price you're willing to pay for the appliance, whether it be a washer, dryer or the set. Lock eyeballs with that number and commit to it.

MUST HAVE FEATURES. Write down the top three features you need in this appliance. Traditional top-load washers will offer temperature management and load size options, and that's about it. Do you really need more than that?

TAKE A TOUR. Go to a Sears store, which now carries the top brands of appliances with your three requirements and color choice. Then listen and pay close attention to what you learn. In the store, the salesman will try to steer you into a higher-end model with lots of bells and whistles you'll probably never use. Keep going back to your three "must-haves." Personally, I would lean toward a traditional Whirlpool or General Electric appliance. Once they become ancient they'll still be working well. Parts and service for these two brands are considerably less expensive than for brands like Samsung and LG.

MAKE THE DECISION. Once you narrow your choices to the one that fits with your budget and meets your needs, make the decision, find the best price, arrange for delivery and installation and don't look back.

If you hold out to find the absolute perfect washer/dryer at the perfect price, you'll still be looking next year this time — and driving yourself nuts with indecision

Would you like more information? Log on to EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions, comments and tips at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Michael Coghlan