False Economies

[egray]

As well as living frugally, I have an austere outlook on living. I own very little, I can pretty much carry everything I own. But as well as being frugal, I don't see the point in buying cheap things all the time. I prefer to own less, but buy higher quality items. Cases in point would be my computer, I didn't see the point in buying a Windows PC and have to spend a lot of money on repairs, upgrading and maintanence, so I bought a more expensive iMac. This is still serving me well beyond my needs some 4 years on. My guitar, my hobby, is the same, I bought a handmade Martin guitar, for a lot more than a standard factory made guitar. I've seen Martins that are 30 years old and sound better and better with age. Mine is now 5 years old and it just gets better by the day.

These to me are sound investments. Buying anything less is a false economy as they need replacing/fixing more often. Low cost throwaway culture really lowers the quality of most products.

So my friends, the question: does anyone else agree with this strategy? What examples of that, if any, do you have?

[hermione]

I do the same with some things but not others.

I bought a DELL PC with Windows XP in April 2006 when my old computer died because it was all I could afford ($550 as opposed to $1,000+ for a Mac) but which is still working fine. I've learned through previous experience about how to keep my Windows system healthy and I've also learned how to repair the installation if something goes wrong. Not to say I wouldn't love to own a Mac, but Windows meets my personal and business needs and is affordable, so I am happy with it.

My sister and I watch a lot of DVDs which is our main source of entertainment, so when it was time to replace our old DVD player in October 2006 I opted to pay a little more for a Sony, which I know to be a reliable brand because our TV is a Sony, rather than less for a brand I wasn't sure of.

It depends on what the item is - some things you don't need to pay top dollar for if medium dollar will get the job done just fine - and also what I can afford out of pocket at the time I need it.

[gt0163c]

Originally Posted by hermione

It depends on what the item is - some things you don't need to pay top dollar for if medium dollar will get the job done just fine - and also what I can afford out of pocket at the time I need it.

I agree. I don't need a super high watt LED flashlight that takes weird batteries. My AA Maglite will work just fine. My middle of the road Chicago cutlery knives have served me well for 10+ years so far and cost well below what many high end knives cost (plus, Mom bought them at an outlet store and gave them as Christmas and birthday gifts to my sister and I). All Clad are nice pans, but my Revereware that I got for college graduation (another outlet store purchase from Mom and Dad) work just fine for me.

That said, I've been very happy with my iPod and glad I bought it rather than a non-Apple MP3 player. The user interface and easy of dealing with my music and podcasts via iTunes makes the extra cost worth it for me. I also buy high quality shoes, on sale and at outlet stores. My feet are weird to begin with and I've already had one knee surgery. So I'm willing to pay more for better shoes. I also wear merino wool socks almost exclusively. They are expensive, but since I started wearing them exclusively when I traveled, it's been very difficult to wear anything else. Less than frugal, but so much more comfy than cotton. The key is shopping the sales and stocking up when good prices can be found.

[khorrell]

I agree that it is a matter of choosing where to spend and where to save. While it is great that you are able to have very few things, we are a family of six, we have frequent visitors, and we entertain a good big. All of those equal stuff.

I purchase high quality basic clothing for myself, but get an occasional cheap trendy item. For the children, I try to stick to durable but not expensive - there are good inexpensive brands and there are lousy expensive brands. I don't spend a lot on toys, dishes & glasses (will get broken) or furniture (we move a lot and stuff gets wrecked.) I do have lovely pans that I got on sale for a steal, and decent knives. For me, it is about being sensible - there is no sense me owning expensive white t shirts when cheap white t shirts will get stained at the same rate of speed.

[RickLee]

While I am frugal too, there are some things I spent more money on, but use much more often:

1. Work Clothes. I wear higher quality (long lasting) items to do business, as I like to wear the same item many times a week. It has led to reduced closet requirements and saves time deciding what to wear each morning. Jeans: Levi's Vintage Clothing. Jacket: Barbour hunting jacket with great rear game pocket.

2. Watch. I trimmed down to 1 daily wear watch. A Rolex Daytona in stainless steel. Wore it now for 12 years. No batteries. Can wear it with jeans and t-shirt, or with a suit for weddings. Can sell it for more than I paid for it, as Rolex Sports models tend to do.

3. Pen. Cross 3-in-1. 2 inks (black or red) and 1 pencil. Great for highlighting notes differently without switching pens.

4. Leather Daytimer. Organizer in paper format is fast and easy and long lasting. 10th year of use.

5. Stainless Steel insulated coffee mug. 2nd year of use.

6. Phone. I like HTC Diamond with Windows Mobile and unlimited text messaging with my carrier. Never tried the iPhone or Blackberry.

7. Boots. Timberland leather chelsea style. On my 3rd year with them.

8. Shoes. Terra steel toe with thick lugs. On my 3rd year with them.

9. Hat. Tilley ventilated travel hat. Sun protection, goes anywhere. Lifetime warranty. On my 3rd year of use.

10. Wallet. Roots deerskin credit card wallet. On my 8th year of use.

[purplefdu]

I agree there are things you need to spend on.

We do need LED flashlights, but Maglight makes them in regular batteries (AA, D). We own a 2D and 3D as well as a couple others we bought recently on clearance for under $5 from Target. 3watts not the cheap 1watt kind. Tim has had his for almost three years now and hasn't killed it yet.

Work boots/riding boots. Security on feet all night or safety for horseback riding. $100 a pair. Mine last for years, his about a year but worth every penny. Can't imagine what he'd do with the stuff they sell at Walmart.

Computers, our desktops are over 10 years old and revived after switching from XP to Ubuntu. Would love to invest in newer or a MAC but the savings of a $400 emachine over the amount of time its been used is extraordinary and we don't need more right now.

We do have the high end Chicago Cutlery, my wedding officiant has the same set he's used for 50+ years. Mine doing ok. The All-Clad pan I won in a contest gets more use than the others but the cast iron we invested in helps. The Calphalon measuring spoons, batter scraper and muffin pans and other high end stuff we got from wedding registries is indispensable and cost us nothing.Antique table from his mom (we borrowed it permanently when she moved in with her boyfriend). Antique reproduction rolltop desk. Double massage sectional couch (we're the third owner) with wood display shelves.

However I have the same set of cheap Ziploc plates (not in production anymore) I bought in college. Ten years is probably stretching it but other than a couple that got melted over the years they've held up well for only $20 and they are more like Tupperware only cheaper. We have a couple stoneware plates as well that Tim had from being on his own. Cheap barware from TJ Maxx (although nice quality and all matching).

And all name brand items for food, hba, etc. But I won't say we pay more (or sometimes at all) for that compared to store brand, lol.

[egray]

Some really good points there everyone, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[bizcash]

I had a Canon printer that lasted about 8 years so after it bit the dust I went and bought another Canon, it lasted a year so now I have to take it back to BestBuy and see if they will do anything to help, to pay to fix a $59 printer would probably cost more to fix than to buy a new one, what say you?

[egray]

Originally Posted by bizcash

I had a Canon printer that lasted about 8 years so after it bit the dust I went and bought another Canon, it lasted a year so now I have to take it back to BestBuy and see if they will do anything to help, to pay to fix a $59 printer would probably cost more to fix than to buy a new one, what say you?

Yes I imagine it would be cheaper to buy a new one. Printers nowadays are as disposable as printer cartridges. It's sad. This I think goes back to my original point, that if you need to own a printer, it would work out better for you and the environment to make a bigger outlay initially and buy a higher quality device.

[AlmostFrugal]

I'm loving reading where everyone puts their priorities- funny how we're all different! I try to buy quality stuff used as often as possible- I've found that it's a great way to get much more than you can pay for. For example, nearly all the furniture in my living room is used, bought from expats returning home (I live in France) or eBay. Much of it is at least 5 years old, and I never would have been able to afford it new, but got it for a song by waiting until I found what I really wanted, only used.