If you don't need fancy stitches, I'd recommend hunting up a good vintage machine with zig-zag capabilities. By "good" I mean all steel, no plastic parts! I do all my sewing on vintage/antique machines and I really haven't seen a modern machine that's tempted me to change my viewpoint.

Annie

Ditto what Annie said. Check out craigslist.com for your area and also thrift stores or the "thrifty nickel" type buy/sale/trade magazines where you live. Yard sales, garage sales, estate and rummage sales also are good places to find used vintage machines very cheaply. Even if you need a tune-up and a cord replacement, you can get a good used machine for less than a brand new piece of plastic at the local W-mart.

You may have good luck just letting your neighbors and friends know that you are looking for a "used, older model sewing machine." Sometimes people are glad just to get it out of storage in their house.

I third the vintage machine. I do have a new machine that I use for embroidery, but I do all of my sewing on a 1964 singer.
Susan

Thanks guys, My DD told me of a sewing machine store close by and Saturday went and found a White that was used and a simple heavy duty one. I may still keep an eye out for an older singer tho after reading your posts.
I never buy anything electronic from Walmarts. It will never last.I found out the hard way.

Older Singers have a good reputation around this forum. Some of us dearly love our older T&S machines. I am sure you will be more than happy with your White and don't forget you should get as much help learning your machine from your sewing machine store as you would have if it had been a fancy new machine. Don't be afraid to ask them questions - even over the phone. Who knows maybe you will trade in the White in a few years for something else that caught your eye. I am a firm believer that alot of those lovely trade-ins are worth more than the latest fad machine in the long run. Let us know how you make out and good luck. Budster