One of the most overlooked parts of frugality is making things last, akin to what The Simple Dollar recently documented as the (lost) art of wearing things out. This is actually one of the best ways to be frugal.

What does making things last mean? It means using your vehicle until it dies (but smartly maintaining it in the meantime!). It means mending holes in clothing or converting long pants into stay at home shorts; it means using Shoe Goo for small holes in your shoes or issues with your soles. Making things last means that if the coaxial connector on the television comes off with a cable problem, use a spare VCR as a tuner with the auxiliary inputs instead of buying a new TV. It means sharpening a dull knife rather than buying a new one and riding the same bicycle for a few years rather than getting a new one each season.

I was looking at my collection of cycling clothes this past week–I’ve gotten three new bicycle jerseys in the last year, the first ones I’ve gotten in more than a decade, and I also ordered two new pairs of cycling shorts. I realized that at least two of the jerseys that I use on a semi-regular basis are at least twenty years old, and one or two of the others are at least ten. Granted, I had a several year hiatus from cycling, but those are old clothes no matter what. They don’t look the best, but I’m not a cycling fashion plate, so I’ll keep using them until they’re worn out.

Last year, after several bouts of Shoe Goo, I retired my cycling shoes; both sides had the glue holding the soles on fail and were glued back on, but the leather also started failing, so it was clearly time. I got replacements after my 100 mile ride last year, which I’m hoping can last me as long–fifteen years! I believe I paid about $35 for the shoes when I got them. A bit over $2 a year is a great price to pay for athletic shoes.

Nothing can last forever, but doing whatever is possible to keep your equipment working, whether it’s clothing or a car, certainly can help your pocketbook. The lost art of making things last that is one of the pillars of frugality.

3 Responses to “Frugality in Practice: Making Things Last”

  1. Kelli Matthewson 16 May 2008 at 2:06 pm

    Thanks for mentioning Shoe Goo! In fact, most of Eclectic Products are great for helping make things last. I help edit the Eclectic Products blog and just did a post recently on this topic.

    http://eclecticproducts.wordpress.com/2008/04/05/repair-dont-replace-tips-for-saving-money/

    Thanks!

    Kelli
    Eclectic Products

  2. [...] Frugality in Practice: Making Things Last by Uncommon Cents. [...]

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