Recently, I was propositioned to be a part of a sustainable info graphic as part of a sale promotion.
Though flattered that they would ask little ol' me,
I decided not to do it for a couple of reasons.
It did however get me to thinking.
They asked what my number one sustainable tip would be.
I wasn't really sure since there are so many aspects to this lifestyle we are trying to live.
And with that, we aren't always successful.
After a couple days of pondering, I came up with the title of this post.
Buy It Once and Buy It For Life
I think this would be it.
From utensils, shoes, tools, housewares, to automobiles and clothes.
Yes, some things do wear out.
But shoes for example- I purchased these shoes over three years.
They were $200ish dollars.
They are the most expensive shoes I've ever purchased.
I wear them nearly every day, 5 out of 7 days each week or more.
(Yea, I know they are due for a polishing.)
(Yea, I know they are due for a polishing.)
Since purchasing them, I have had the heel tip replaced and recently a portion on each restitched.
I've spent about $35 on these repairs.
They are still comfortable and are a basic black shoe that should reasonably last another year or two.
Maybe more, but if at 5 years they begin to fall apart, I will understand.
I keep a list of things I would eventually like to find.
About a month ago, I got to scratch one of those things off the list.
I found a concrete double sink like this one.
I would show you mine, but it's not set up yet, and the light is burnt out in that corner of the shop
so a picture of it would be less than flattering.
We process any game we are fortunate to get as well as large batches of fruits and vegetables.
Our grandmothers knew what they were doing when they used these sinks.
They are deep and sturdy = extremely functional.
This is an item that was on my list for 2-3 years.
The thing is, I wasn't willing to settle.
I ran across many of the plastic "shop sinks."
I had also found several of the sinks like this, but the owners were asking way too much
and advertised them as yard ornaments with pictures of them filled with flowers.
Again, I didn't settle.
Aside from the crazy prices being asked, I was planning to use it as a sink
for food and have it properly plumbed.
If it was outside with flowers planted in it, the quality would be questionable.
The sink we now have may very well out live me.
I should never have to buy another one.
We buy our vehicles new then use them until they totally conk out.
The commuter car Mr.LB is driving has about 327,000 miles on it.
The old wood pick-up has nearly 400,000 miles on it.
There is an old saying~
"If you take care of your things, you'll always have something to take care of."
We live in such a disposable world and have been really well trained
into the "I want what I want, and I want it now," mentality.
If we are only patient and are willing to hold out for delayed gratification,
we might find we are able to save significantly.
If you're at all like me,
the fact that I don't ever have to think about it again is golden.
(Or at least for a very long time.)
And in addition, it results in a much more sustainable way of living.
Soooo,
What's on your list?
I keep a list of things I would eventually like to find.
About a month ago, I got to scratch one of those things off the list.
I found a concrete double sink like this one.
so a picture of it would be less than flattering.
We process any game we are fortunate to get as well as large batches of fruits and vegetables.
Our grandmothers knew what they were doing when they used these sinks.
They are deep and sturdy = extremely functional.
This is an item that was on my list for 2-3 years.
The thing is, I wasn't willing to settle.
I ran across many of the plastic "shop sinks."
I had also found several of the sinks like this, but the owners were asking way too much
and advertised them as yard ornaments with pictures of them filled with flowers.
Again, I didn't settle.
Aside from the crazy prices being asked, I was planning to use it as a sink
for food and have it properly plumbed.
If it was outside with flowers planted in it, the quality would be questionable.
The sink we now have may very well out live me.
I should never have to buy another one.
We buy our vehicles new then use them until they totally conk out.
The commuter car Mr.LB is driving has about 327,000 miles on it.
The old wood pick-up has nearly 400,000 miles on it.
There is an old saying~
"If you take care of your things, you'll always have something to take care of."
We live in such a disposable world and have been really well trained
into the "I want what I want, and I want it now," mentality.
If we are only patient and are willing to hold out for delayed gratification,
we might find we are able to save significantly.
If you're at all like me,
the fact that I don't ever have to think about it again is golden.
(Or at least for a very long time.)
And in addition, it results in a much more sustainable way of living.
Soooo,
What's on your list?
hi,
ReplyDeleteread where two pairs of shoes worn alternately will last, of course, more than twice as long.
but if three pairs worn alternately last way, way longer.
if you get another 400$ maybe two more pairs and use for most of the rest of your life?
My Grampagrampa had two pairs he altered back and forth. I had completely forgotten about that. Thank you. I'm not sure we can do it in the next month or two, but maybe after the first of the year sometime. Another pair on hand isn't a bad idea.
DeleteI too don't mind waiting. I have a list that I keep in my handbag and it comes handy when I'm at a thrift store or a yard sale. Instant gratification can be very expensive. And I find delayed gratification is more satisfying.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I had a list in my purse, but finally put it in my phone so it wouldn't be a crumpled mess.
DeleteCongratulations on finding your sink. Delayed gratification works for me as well. The search is part of the fun, I think. I coveted a pair of similar, though brown, shoes of my cousin's when I was a kid :o). Do you mind sharing what shoes they are?
ReplyDeleteI had to look in the shoe 😋 They are "earth" brand. They have been comfortable from day one. Typically after a few months, I start getting headaches as the shoes break down. These have held up well.
DeleteOh, what a great post, Lady Locust! I have a thirty year old Kenmore washer and dryer that I bought, used. They still work beautifully. My car is a 2000 Beetle. It belonged to my mom, and it only has 40,000 miles on it. I use it sparingly, and also take the bus and bicycle. My stove is from the 1950's. It's a O'Keefe and Merritt. I had it brought up to code, and it now has two pilot lights instead of eight. I got my bicycle second hand at the Salvation Army. I've had it four years, and I ride it daily. I take it in for repairs when needed. Like you, my shoes last for several years. I could go on and on...it's a good feeling, isn't it? (My furniture is all vintage. The bedroom set belonged to my father.) Things were so well made in those days...
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget your cottage 😊 Those older Kenmore washers and dryers last forever!
DeleteI love this post as I tend to keep using things until they are more than 'dead'. LOL But things just don't seem to last like they should...I've bought two items recently that lasted less than a year! If you discover they don't work before the warrenty is out...well, good luck with that....never seems to work out for me. I do have a Maytag dryer that is 42 years old and my house is 111 years old, so some things do last a long time. I'm just trying to use less.
ReplyDeletelove that sink have been thinking of adding one to our house.
ReplyDeletecome see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Amen to that. I have dresses and skirts that I bought when I started teaching that I still wear, a pair of cowboy boots that I have had since high school, a second hand hand grinder, the plates we got when we were married. It takes an act of God before I replace something. Your sink is wonderful and long live the wood pick-up.
ReplyDeleteOh that sink! Both my mother and grandmother had them and I wanted one too but ended up having to settle for one of those plastic (or whatever fancy name they give it to pretend it's not plastic) sinks. It was supposed to be "heavy duty," but one has to ask - compared to what? Your tip is so great and it's a shame that it's getting harder and harder to find anything that lasts even 6 months ,let alone a lifetime.
ReplyDelete