tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post4746639982644298777..comments2024-03-28T01:51:22.367-03:00Comments on Not Buying Anything: 10 Things On My "Buy It For Life" ListGregg Koephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-31151656205855851442020-11-30T03:26:39.113-04:002020-11-30T03:26:39.113-04:00I floss so often that I use the same string all da...I floss so often that I use the same string all day and sometimes longer. I store on piece on friend's dashboard...lol. ASA shoes are indestructible, cast iron, old appliances! I bought my vacuum in 1985 and it works like a charm!Practical Parsimonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08419071209412207674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-26798245367267390452018-05-21T03:36:21.079-03:002018-05-21T03:36:21.079-03:00More information on reusing dental floss. I use th...More information on reusing dental floss. I use the plastic type. It's like a ribbon. (I don't buy it, someone gave it to me.) It takes a lot to fray it. Yes, once it frays, best to toss it as it gets stuck and pieces come off in between teeth, yuck, that is uncomfortable. Yes rinse it each time you use it. I have a drawer that I lay it in on a wash cloth for airing out and drying. So far, so good. No bad results from reusing. Thank you for your interest!Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13353098535307566034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-58906428883388553972018-04-09T20:08:19.382-03:002018-04-09T20:08:19.382-03:00Terri z,
No way! I have often thought about dent...Terri z, <br /><br />No way! I have often thought about dental floss. I suppose if it isn't frayed, then rinsed, it could be used over and over. Now that is extreme frugal living. I love it.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-24617829950681445092018-04-09T20:03:33.849-03:002018-04-09T20:03:33.849-03:00Sophie,
Hooray for push lawnmowers. And bomb proo...Sophie,<br /><br />Hooray for push lawnmowers. And bomb proof British bikes. Frugal fathers are fine, too.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-82360997482239353402018-04-09T20:01:33.867-03:002018-04-09T20:01:33.867-03:00Erin,
There isn't really a lot that one needs...Erin,<br /><br />There isn't really a lot that one needs to live a satisfying simple life. If we use things for as long as we can (as you are doing), it does them justice, reduces waste, and saves us money. Gratitude for what one already has is an excellent thing to cultivate.<br /><br />Terri z,<br /><br />That is interesting information about IKEA. It indicates that perhaps their model is floundering. I am sure they hope to pioneer the next great consumer thing. I have heard there operations sometimes depend on wood from old growth forests.<br /><br />I also like to keep away from big box stores such as IKEA. It's Crap Overload.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-59603667042089234532018-04-09T19:56:17.518-03:002018-04-09T19:56:17.518-03:00Franny and Danny,
I like your attitude.Franny and Danny, <br /><br />I like your attitude.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-16401425684775986902018-04-09T19:48:37.720-03:002018-04-09T19:48:37.720-03:00Madeleine,
I believe linen has been made in Austr...Madeleine,<br /><br />I believe linen has been made in Australia since the beginning of European settlement. For ship sails, I think. It is a beautiful fabric.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-33673814691052437912018-04-09T19:43:02.529-03:002018-04-09T19:43:02.529-03:00Marla,
I like that saying. Old things have a spec...Marla,<br /><br />I like that saying. Old things have a special energy. Old people, too!Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-53890632788772666182018-04-09T19:37:36.974-03:002018-04-09T19:37:36.974-03:00Vicki,
Hand tools are timeless. Good luck with yo...Vicki,<br /><br />Hand tools are timeless. Good luck with your Free Market. Linda and I have been involved in several of these when we lived in the city. <br /><br />Welcome back to our blog! Thanks for the link.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-19691172769093111822018-04-09T19:34:36.511-03:002018-04-09T19:34:36.511-03:00You mentioned an important goal of living simply w...You mentioned an important goal of living simply with few, well made possessions - "spend less time shopping". That leaves more time and money to be used for a higher purpose.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-28730344819592550462018-04-09T19:29:15.158-03:002018-04-09T19:29:15.158-03:00Marie,
I love hearing about 45 year old boots th...Marie, <br /><br />I love hearing about 45 year old boots that are still going. I agree that so much of what is in stores these days is of dubious quality, if not outright designed for a short life in order to assure future purchases. Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-45315637134273849622018-04-09T19:23:01.751-03:002018-04-09T19:23:01.751-03:00We have an antique silver pie lifter that Linda...We have an antique silver pie lifter that Linda's mom passed on to us. It appears to be very old. We don't eat that much pie, but when we do, we serve it in style.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-92196052578692857942018-04-03T00:39:04.370-03:002018-04-03T00:39:04.370-03:00Coffee mugs and most dishes/kitchen utensils last ...Coffee mugs and most dishes/kitchen utensils last forever. I'm currently drinking coffee out of a mug my daughter gave me 23 years ago. I'm using the same silverware my mom bought me when I left home to go to college in 1975, 43 years ago! I still have a casserole dish she bought me way back then. Still in use...<br /><br />Camping gear (most of it never needs replacing if you take care of it. Most of my gear is decades old. I don't camp much anymore but my gear is a staple to keep around. You never know when that might come in handy like during storms like hurricanes, ice storms.)<br /><br />Most furniture and wall hangings (I have a few things hanging on the walls that I'll never replace and not likely to purchase any more.)<br /><br />Tools (screwdriver, hammer, and garden tools)<br /><br />A car/vehicle at some point in our lives, we are driving the last car we will ever buy. If we don't drive much like in my case, the car can last the rest of my life.<br /><br />Fleece winter scarves Though I wouldn't buy a new fleece scarf because of the micro fibers, the couple I own have been used for many winters. I see no need to replace.<br /><br />I loved seeing a razor on your list Gregg. I have one too! Though I don't use it often. It would be fun to see what people who comment on NBA have learned to make last much longer than the instructions say it is to be used. Dental floss comes to mind on my end. I have a drawer I store dental floss in. I use the same string every night for months! I do rinse it off after each use. No telling how many containers of dental floss I have NOT bought because I reuse it for so long. Dish soap is another thing I stretch way out. I only use a couple of drops and very little water with it. It soaps up my dish cloth or brush I use and washes quite a few dishes. If the dishes don't have oil on them, then my brush with water cleans them just fine. Simple. I just got my bottle of dish soap out and looked at the date I wrote on the bottom of the bottle when I began using it. November 27, 2016. It's a 16 oz bottle. It has about 1/4 left in it. So 3/4 bottle of dish soap has lasted for 16 months. (The brand I use might be slightly more concentrated than the dish soap on store shelves, but still this is frugal use of it.)Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13353098535307566034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-26236080267555916432018-04-02T23:49:44.012-03:002018-04-02T23:49:44.012-03:00Erin, totally agree about not throwing anything ou...Erin, totally agree about not throwing anything out that is useful even if it was bought somewhere that you wouldn't shop at now. I have a number of items like that. Very nice that your IKEA coffee table and couch are still in good shape. I've read somewhere that IKEA intentionally designs items to last no more than 10 years. I think I read that about IKEA on Wikipedia. I've also heard that IKEA feels they have worn the public out on buying home decor items and were going to shift their focus. That place overwhelms me terribly. I used to have to go there as a part of a job I had. Terri Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13353098535307566034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-65806974061770296062018-04-01T12:59:18.217-03:002018-04-01T12:59:18.217-03:00My (push) lawnmower and my 1972 Raleigh Tourist bi...My (push) lawnmower and my 1972 Raleigh Tourist bicycle! My brother-in-law bought me my lawnmower in 2005 to replace my late father's fifteen year old one. My son and I do regular maintenance on our mower to help keep it going strong. I bought my bike from a friend who used to have a roadside bike shop back in 2012. I love this bike - it is built from good British steel and rides like a tank! I also have a pair of Birkenstocks that are the best. In fact, most of my stuff is pretty old (bought at flea markets, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and happily inherited from relatives who were happy to unload their old stuff on me.) Gardening tools, old furniture, basic tools - good thing my father liked to save good stuff!<br /><br />SophieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-53725624797072824382018-03-31T19:39:25.350-03:002018-03-31T19:39:25.350-03:00What a great list you have. Mine includes:
My Birk...What a great list you have. Mine includes:<br />My Birkenstock sandals - I wear them every day for nine months out of the year. They are now four years old and going strong. I was happy to read about re-soling! <br />We have a beautiful cherrywood mixing spoon and spatula that were wedding gifts from an aunt - eleven years in, with daily use, and they are still beautiful and very special. I expect them to last for decades. <br />My sterling silver and gold jewelry will certainly last me a long lifetime. I really like having a few pieces and wearing them a lot - it gives one a style that can't be bought in a fast-fashion world. <br />And, as I type I am resting on our couch, which was my grandparent's. It couldn't be comfier and more comforting. :) <br /><br />I, too, find that most things last for a very long time. And I am happy to say that even the coffee table and couch we purchased from IKEA when we got married (we had little money and were not as aware) over a decade ago are still in very good shape. I wouldn't choose to shop there now, but it only makes sense to keep what we have and use it with gratitude. -ErinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-20351708957262267502018-03-31T02:51:33.111-03:002018-03-31T02:51:33.111-03:00I love to think that everything we own is kept and...I love to think that everything we own is kept and bought with a view for it being for life. I’m sure something’s won’t last the distance, but as I hope to buy very little in the next 40 years, I’m optimistic.Darwin Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05715389494434546700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-37379903861353211072018-03-30T23:21:34.695-03:002018-03-30T23:21:34.695-03:00Just remembered, linen sheets. I was lucky enough...Just remembered, linen sheets. I was lucky enough to buy some of these after our house fire, replacing very thin, worn organic cotton sheets. They were made in Australia and such beautiful quality. I feel fairly certain these will see us out if I look after them.<br /><br />Madeleine.xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-49465854600079182962018-03-30T19:07:07.570-03:002018-03-30T19:07:07.570-03:00We have a saying around here that an item will &qu...We have a saying around here that an item will "Do me out", meaning it is expected to last your lifetime. When we've had to make new purchases, often we say "This one will do me out"<br /><br />In my room I have a rocking chair that was owned by my great great grandmother. We are so fortunate to have many such items in our house. Not only are they of good quality, they have a wonderful history and a connection to the ancestors. Nothing purchased at Ikea could compare.Marlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04823027336359766111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-7238119432606531072018-03-30T17:38:37.589-03:002018-03-30T17:38:37.589-03:00Hi there. I just came back to your blog. I did not...Hi there. I just came back to your blog. I did not intentionally leave but somehow I think technology had something to do with it. This is a great list! I wanted to let you know about a friend of mine who blogs at https://jolowimpact.wordpress.com/, Her recent posting over here was about using old school tools :)I thought it may resonate with you. Currently organising a Free Market at enjoying life in all of the simple ways one can :)Vickinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-39948414279436934002018-03-30T15:32:02.087-03:002018-03-30T15:32:02.087-03:00I love this idea and have been slowly working towa...I love this idea and have been slowly working towards this for several years. I used to buy cheaper disposable clothing but tired of the endless cycle and waste. The movie True Cost also showed me the impact that cheap clothing has on the communities that make all of that stuff for us. I've had great success buying used wooden furniture and refinishing if needed. I now only buy my clothing from companies that stand by their products. Duluth Trading is my favorite place to get clothing that will last for years. There are some great shoe companies out there that truly make their stuff to last. <br /><br />My favorite part is that overall I spend so much less time shopping than I used to. I don't need any new clothing for the coming summer. Everything from last year is still in great shape. I won't need anything new for next winter either. It makes my life better to buy fewer quality items and it has a positive impact on others as well. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-42068132339519489272018-03-30T12:24:03.777-03:002018-03-30T12:24:03.777-03:00Great list I agree with everything on it.I have so...Great list I agree with everything on it.I have something similar to your boots, I've had them for 45years, North Star. They are looking a bit ratty now but still do the job.<br />I love Birkenstocks, the pair I wear now have been resoled once, I've had them since the eighties.<br />My furniture is from the seventies, Roxton maple, I recently had the table and chairs refinished and good to go for another thirty years.<br /><br />I wonder if the problem today is that most of the stuff out there is garbage. I don't know where one would go to buy quality...at any price.<br /><br />I shop the thrift stores looking for older small appliances but even there they are getting harder to find<br /><br />MarieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-49090129611929554712018-03-30T08:53:39.154-03:002018-03-30T08:53:39.154-03:00I share many items on your list, and also have a s...I share many items on your list, and also have a stainless steel fountain pen. I expect it will see me out! Quality kitchen tools are definitely on the list too - a good knife, a mouli, vintage egg beater and coffee grinder, mortar and pestle. <br /><br />Madeleine.xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com