I ordered a Kraft Maid vanity for my new house because the last house I remodeled I used Kraft Maid and they were nice. This time the backs and sides were particleboard.Nice. However I never would have never owned a 2003 Taurus or particleboard cabinets in the first place. Buy quality and keep it forever. I should have qualified this in my post.
Thanks.
Also, the street sweeper does not do that good of a job. And I value the exercise.
For us, I'm not sure if pride of ownership is solely our underlying principle. Obviously, if we buy something, we want to take care of it to make sure it lasts.
But we also want to understand how much value and usage we're going to get out of it. The larger the price tag, the more analysis.
Are we going use something enough where we're going to get enough value/happiness from buying it or a higher end version?
Do we have enough space to store it?
Is it going to be better just to rent it?
Are we going to get enough use of it before it becomes obsolete/surpassed by newer technology?
Are we skilled enough to appreciate the higher end versions that provide more precision?
Should we need pay more for bells and whistles that we may not use?
(However, we're also not immune to buying something just for the sake of liking it. )
This group is a pretty conservative bunch in my estimation. Never the less I would like an opinion regarding owning "things" and minimal waste in our lives. For example when putting away our lawn furniture my DS exclaimed that we should get the record for lawn stuff lasting over 25 years. Likewise our inside furniture, kitchen (all white which I guess is back in fashion) other than a new faucet and 50 knobs is over 25 years old. DW's Lexus is 14 years old and spotless. We clean the street and gutters in front of out house. Old time German approach to belongings and an attitude of preservation.
I feel that this basic attitude contributes greatly to success, rather than discussions about AA, SWR and when to take SS. Thoughts?
Not trying to be snobby and I'm sorry if it came across like that. The point I was trying to make was to take care of what you have and minimize waste yet present yourself well.
The last dozen years, we have been buying more and more items at thrifts and on craigslist. We recently paid less than $200 for 6 high quality chairs (equal or better than Thomasville) with solid mahogany legs, and in mint condition. DW could not find similar chairs for less than $400 EACH at high end furniture stores. We bought an Ethan Allen solid cherry dining room set for under $500 a few years back. And we still have many pieces of our original EA bedroom set we purchased (retail, ouch!) in 1976. Well made, and classic styling.
There are so many estates and downsizing sales...lots of good values if you like to shop that way and save serious $$.
Nice. However I never would have never owned a 2003 Taurus or particleboard cabinets in the first place. Buy quality and keep it forever. I should have qualified this in my post.
Thanks.
Also, the street sweeper does not do that good of a job. And I value the exercise.
Case by case. Furniture and cabinets are not the same as electronics. With electronics, I no longer rely on longevity. Last fall I bought on sale a 65" Proscan 4K TV for $700 rather than one of several other models that were $1500 - $3000.
If it fails in 5 or 6 years I'm only out $700 rather than $3000...and the difference in features and picture quality is negligible. Even if it still works in 7 years I'll probably give it away and buy as new one that's bigger or has some features I want.
I get my miles out of furniture. The sofa gets replaced when holes appear not before.
Like others said...sometimes people do not have the pocket to purchase expensive items right off the bat and keep them for life.
Case by case. Furniture and cabinets are not the same as electronics. With electronics, I no longer rely on longevity. Last fall I bought on sale a 65" Proscan 4K TV for $700 rather than one of several other models that were $1500 - $3000.
If it fails in 5 or 6 years I'm only out $700 rather than $3000...and the difference in features and picture quality is negligible. Even if it still works in 7 years I'll probably give it away and buy as new one that's bigger or has some features I want.
About 5 yrs ago I bought a 55" plasma for $600 (they are supposed to be bad after 5 years).
Now I'm itching to replace it with a 75" 4K, but delaying as I have no use for what would become the old one...
And I rarely replace anything that’s still working, no matter how out is date it might be.