The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Reader Recommendations => Topic started by: Justaerin on June 25, 2012, 05:27:59 PM
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So over on Reddit there's a subforum called "Buy It For Life" that includes items found (or requests for items) that for the rest of your days you'll only need to buy one of, or at least for some vast amount of time. Different rules apply for immortals, obviously. Unfortunately this little subforum doesn't get much traffic, but I think it'd be far more popular here.
So, say you need X power tool. You've done a ton of research as a mustachian, asking friends, checking reviews, looking at prices. You've decided on the "DeWalt Warhammer BFH1000" to suit your needs based on the results of all of your research, despite the fact that it may cost twice as much as the other options, it can be reasonably expected to perform well for 25-30 years. May or may not have been used on CL :) It is then labelled as "BIFL" and shared with your fellow mustaches. Right here!
And if you have a request, throw it out there too! Work boots, camping gear, tools, appliances, whatever. I, unfortunately, can't think of anything to start off with :\
ETA: This is an old thread that could definitely do with some cleanup and arrangement. User "godin1" created this website: http://LastMeALifetime.com/ If anyone had a desire to spreadsheet all this stuff in a shareable google doc, I'd be happy to post up here at the top as well.
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Duralex glasses. We got a set when we got married 27 years ago. They are touted as being virtually unbreakable, and this is a perfect description. I believe we've replaced 2 of the 18 glasses in that time, and no other glasses have gone the distance with us. They are clear drinking glasses, but can also be used in the freezer or for hot tea. They are probably microwave friendly, but I'm not sure since we don't have a microwave.
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Bikes:
Steel framed touring bike (Trek 520, Surly Long Haul Trucker, Kona Sutra, Rocky Mountain Sherpa, 100s others). Parts will wear out over time, but all are easily replaceable. Short of being hit by a truck or bear, the frame will out last you (if you are still on it when either of those potential events occur, it will probably survive better than you). Touring frames made in the 70s are still seeing service hauling people and gear across the globe. Good luck finding one on CL though, because they last so long almost no one ever sells one (after waiting six months for one to show up on my local CL, I jsut bought new).
Camera:
Manual Focus Lenses (Lieca, Olympus, Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sigma, etc). No motors to wear. Put a UV filter up front to protect the glass, and keep it out of the dust and rain (unless you buy a weather sealed model, in which case just put the filter on and forget). My favourite lens is as old as I am, and the one I use for shooting sports is 6 years older than I am.
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Awesome suggestions, thanks! This is the kind of stuff I'm talking about.
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I would also mention anything from REI or Altrec. The prices on Altrec are a bit better. Both of these places offer lifetime replacement or returns, which is pretty incredible. I've seen some ridiculous things returned after years of hard use.
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My Grado headphones (SR225's, but applies to virtually all of them).
I enjoyed audiophile sound from them for the past 8 years until they fell off my table and the left driver was punctured.
Grado repaired them with two new drivers, a new cord and earpads for 35$ plus shipping; original cost was 150$.
The only problem is that now I won't be upgrading for at least another 8 years...
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I hadn't bought a backpack since high school, surviving on a stream of hand me downs, despite the fact that I've carried my stuff to work in one every day for the past 8 years.
When the last inherited backpack bit the dust, I couldn't find a good replacement through friends, family, Goodwill, or Craigslist. Stuck with the idea of buying new, I figured I'd get the cheapest bag I could find, until my fiancee convinced me to buy a decent backpack from LL Beans.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62115?feat=816-CL1
Bean's lifetime guarantee pretty much equals BIFL for me. I've excercised it on other purchases, and it's actually that good.
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I just bought a couple of bicycle inner tubes from Walmart made by Bell called "no-mor flats". It is a solid inner tube that is a little bit difficult to get on the bike in the first place, but once it's on it should be the last tube you will ever buy. I got the 26" one. I first tried it with a 26X1.75 tire but was unsuccesful in putting it all together. I got a 26X1.95 and it went together very easily. Now my bike is all back together and after I give it a try I will report back with my results. :)
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For those of us that walk through the soles of shoes on a regular basis, my Sperry's (with the original bottom) are going on four years with minimal wear. For someone who can destroy a pair of sandals in a summer, that's a miracle.
This thread is headed towards man-land, but reusable feminine products are BIFL. The ladytime thread covered a few.
@Matt K: CL steel frames are a regional thing, my area always has some on there.
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I swear by chacos, which are attractive sandals made for outdoor life. They are re-soleable and re-strappable. I usually go through two pairs of sandals (reebok or easyspirit) per season. Now, my chacos are well into 2 years of use and still going strong. I use them for everything, daily walking around, hiking, kayaking, even as a water shoe in my water areobics class. It takes forever to even break these in, but they sort of begin to mold to your foot and become exceptionally comfortable with wear. Love my chacos!
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I just bought a couple of bicycle inner tubes from Walmart made by Bell called "no-mor flats". It is a solid inner tube that is a little bit difficult to get on the bike in the first place, but once it's on it should be the last tube you will ever buy. I got the 26" one. I first tried it with a 26X1.75 tire but was unsuccesful in putting it all together. I got a 26X1.95 and it went together very easily. Now my bike is all back together and after I give it a try I will report back with my results. :)
Inner tubes are wear items. Repeated heat cycles, impacts, and general wear against the inside of your tire means they will wear out sooner or later. I'm sure an experienced long distance touring rider could chime in and give you an approximate life span. In my commuting duties, I get a year or two (1500 - 3000kms for me) out of my 700cc tubes. I don't think we can call any inner tube a buy-for-life any more than we could call a brake pad buy for life (actually, I think "Buy For Life" is wondeful way to describe brake pads and inner tubes, just with a different meaning than the original post ;) )
I'm fairly certain Bell doesn't make thier own tubes. Most bell products (except their helmets) are simply rebranded something else. Kenda, Michelin, Continential, and a number of other major tire manufacturers all make fantastic tubes at very reasonable prices. Kenda sells their tubes under a lot of other names. There's a good chance that those tubes are Kendas.
Butyl tubes last longer than cheap tubes. I'm not sure how much of that is due to stronger rubber or just that they leak less air (all tubes & tires leak some). Keeping the correct inflation will do more to prolong the life of your tube than anything else.
Avoid tubes advertised as either light weight or racing and you should have a long lasting tube. I'm not sure if the "touring" specific tubes are actually any better than regular butyl tubes. I'm also not sure how much there is to the 'puncture resistant' tubes, but most the tubes I buy have that slogan written on them anyways...
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An old, all-metal sewing machine. I have an old Kenmore that someone gave us. I've seen them at thrift stores.
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Cast-iron cookware. Some of my pans are older than me (found at flea markets, thrift stores, etc.), and all of them will outlast me with proper care. For stuff I find used, I scrub the hell out of the exterior with Bar Keeper's Friend and the interior with Bon Ami and then re-season in the oven with oil.
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An old, all-metal sewing machine. I have an old Kenmore that someone gave us. I've seen them at thrift stores.
Is it stupid to buy an old Singer like this one (http://raleigh.craigslist.org/atq/3164959971.html)? At a better price, obviously, but these are on the market pretty regularly, and I've heard that they're quite good.
Do I need extra features?
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I can't speak to the quality of that specific model. But the need for extra features is going to depend on what you want to do with it. It looks like a pretty basic model with 1 stitch type and probably has forward and reverse (looks similar to a 1970's sewing machine my mother gave me). If you are doing just some basic sewing it would be fine.
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I just bought a couple of bicycle inner tubes from Walmart made by Bell called "no-mor flats". It is a solid inner tube that is a little bit difficult to get on the bike in the first place, but once it's on it should be the last tube you will ever buy. I got the 26" one. I first tried it with a 26X1.75 tire but was unsuccesful in putting it all together. I got a 26X1.95 and it went together very easily. Now my bike is all back together and after I give it a try I will report back with my results. :)
Inner tubes are wear items. Repeated heat cycles, impacts, and general wear against the inside of your tire means they will wear out sooner or later. I'm sure an experienced long distance touring rider could chime in and give you an approximate life span. In my commuting duties, I get a year or two (1500 - 3000kms for me) out of my 700cc tubes. I don't think we can call any inner tube a buy-for-life any more than we could call a brake pad buy for life (actually, I think "Buy For Life" is wondeful way to describe brake pads and inner tubes, just with a different meaning than the original post ;) )
I'm fairly certain Bell doesn't make thier own tubes. Most bell products (except their helmets) are simply rebranded something else. Kenda, Michelin, Continential, and a number of other major tire manufacturers all make fantastic tubes at very reasonable prices. Kenda sells their tubes under a lot of other names. There's a good chance that those tubes are Kendas.
Butyl tubes last longer than cheap tubes. I'm not sure how much of that is due to stronger rubber or just that they leak less air (all tubes & tires leak some). Keeping the correct inflation will do more to prolong the life of your tube than anything else.
Avoid tubes advertised as either light weight or racing and you should have a long lasting tube. I'm not sure if the "touring" specific tubes are actually any better than regular butyl tubes. I'm also not sure how much there is to the 'puncture resistant' tubes, but most the tubes I buy have that slogan written on them anyways...
Actually I think you misunderstood what kind of a bike inner tube I was talking about. Sorry I didn't give more specific details. It's not a regular bike inner tube with a valve stem that you pump up. It is a solid tube that comes in the same size it will always be. II stumbled across these. I didn't need to buy pump or patch kit because this inner tube deems them irrelevant. Here is a link to an instructable with better details on why these truly are a buy one for life product: http://www.instructables.com/id/Quick-tip-4-Installing-No-Mor-Flats-on-your-Bic/
As far as the follow up review that I promised, they work great! The one problem that I had was that I didn't take the time to figure out how to separate the brake pads that the wheel could go in properly. Instead I forced it in between the brakes and messed them up so that until I fixed it yesterday I had been riding with a ton of resistance from the brake pad constantly against the tire. So don't do that. :) Other than my own negligence to think it through properly, I think it was a wise purchase that I don't regret making.
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You're right, I definitely misunderstood. I've never seen those. I'm very curious how comfortable it is over rough roads.
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I Second the LLBean backpack rec. My husband and I bought monogrammed LL Bean backpacks more than 15 years ago when we were in grad school. Back then, we had very few color choices. Mine is black, his navy blue. I abused mine terribly through 3 years of law school with gigantic, heavy books (this was in the dark ages when on-line legal research was in its' infancy & textbooks were our only option for classes) and it served me well.
I have used that backpack for many others things since then, too. It still looks good & shows very little wear & tear. Finding something so durable is rare & very gratifying in our throw-away culture. I anticipate several more decades of use from this backpack!
One of my daughters (grade school age) has a Bean school backpack & lunchbox. This is her second year carrying it. It is sturdy and high quality, although I'm not sure it is quite up to the standard of quality found in my vintage pack.
I also bought a set of Bean luggage (after traveling extensively for years with a combo of a large Jansport travel packback & a garage sale floral set of luggage without wheels). The cost of the new luggage gave me cold sweats, but I bought it before my family took an extended trip to New Zealand. I finally took the purchasing plunge at the urging of my fairly thrifty, but not even close to Mustachian, husband. I have been very impressed with the quality of the luggage, although it is less than 2 years old at this point. I like the monogramming and take some comfort in Bean's reputation for replacing items that don't stand up to wear & tear.
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KitchenAid bowl mixers- I just inherited one from grandma. I hope to pass it to my grand kids. ;o) Built in the 80's
CuisineArt food processor- Find an old one from the 80's made in Japan. I bought mine used for $150 with a full array of accessories. I use it several times a week and it shows no signs of slowing. Built in 1983.
The legend on these items came from the model they produced in the 80's. It was a sweet spot in technology where high quality mattered more then planned obsolescence. These were designed to (...and fully live up to the expectation) live FOREVER. :)
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The legend on these items came from the model they produced in the 80's. It was a sweet spot in technology where high quality mattered more then planned obsolescence. These were designed to (...and fully live up to the expectation) live FOREVER. :)
I have found this to be true of appliances we've owned as well. Bonus: since they "look" outdated and don't come in fancy-pants new colors, you can get them wicked cheap - despite the fact that they will probably outlast many new ones on the shelves today!
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Maybe this sounds weird, but t-shirts from Europe. I imagine all clothes from Europe, though i can't afford more than t-shirts. :) They're just so superiour!!! Thick fabric and different stitching that lays flat and holds it shape over time.
I bought a couple when i was over there in 2002 and still where today. Not like some raggity 10 year old raggity mall t that only gets slept in at this point. Neck still tight. hem still straight. little faded.
My step mother says the same is true for pantyhoes from England. She was baffled when she came to the states to learn that the crap we have it lucky to last a night. The ones bought in Europes lasted years!
Before you get all "that's over the pond" at me, they sell these things on amazon.uk.co.
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I treasure my 10 year old Kitchenaide stand mixer. It's awesome and makes so much of my cooking and baking easier and more pleasurable. I think I will have it for another 20 years.
My Cuisinart blender, (about 6 yrs old), on the other hand, stinks. It's cracked at the base. I have researched blenders, trying to find a good value, high quality replacement. Consumer Reports recommends a Kitcheaide at about $100. I've got an itch for a Vita-Mix, but those suckers are $500. Just can't justify that expense.
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I've got an itch for a Vita-Mix, but those suckers are $500. Just can't justify that expense.
Vitamix is worth it and easy can usually be found used for around $300.
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I've looked on CL & in my area have not seen a Vitamix. I will keep looking and if I find a fairly new one for $300 or less will probably buy it. Thanks
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I wouldn't say "Buy it for life", but Vivobarefoot shoes (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/)) are minimalistic shoes that are made with a "puncture-proof" sole, which still looks BRAND NEW after 3 years of use. There is literally no wear on the bottom of these shoes.
I own a pair of "dressier" ones for the office, and 2 pair of "casual" shoes... they're all holding up great after 2+ years of use, when previously I would have a pair of newbalance shoes for less than a year before the sole was a wreck.
Vivobarefoot is fairly expensive at first glance, but they very often have 30-50% off coupon codes go out in their email newsletter.
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I wouldn't say "Buy it for life", but Vivobarefoot shoes (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/)) are minimalistic shoes that are made with a "puncture-proof" sole, which still looks BRAND NEW after 3 years of use. There is literally no wear on the bottom of these shoes.
I own a pair of "dressier" ones for the office, and 2 pair of "casual" shoes... they're all holding up great after 2+ years of use, when previously I would have a pair of newbalance shoes for less than a year before the sole was a wreck.
Vivobarefoot is fairly expensive at first glance, but they very often have 30-50% off coupon codes go out in their email newsletter.
I have to second this review, although I've only owned the running shoes that they make. I have burned through a pair of similarly priced Newton shoes during track and cross country, but I've had these shoes since last december and they still have no sign of wear. I wear them practically every single day.
BONUSES:
They give you the barefoot feel, which is great for rebuilding those long-lost muscles on the soles of your feet.
Easily to wash and dry.
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I wouldn't say "Buy it for life", but Vivobarefoot shoes (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/)) are minimalistic shoes that are made with a "puncture-proof" sole, which still looks BRAND NEW after 3 years of use. There is literally no wear on the bottom of these shoes.
I own a pair of "dressier" ones for the office, and 2 pair of "casual" shoes... they're all holding up great after 2+ years of use, when previously I would have a pair of newbalance shoes for less than a year before the sole was a wreck.
Vivobarefoot is fairly expensive at first glance, but they very often have 30-50% off coupon codes go out in their email newsletter.
I have to second this review, although I've only owned the running shoes that they make. I have burned through a pair of similarly priced Newton shoes during track and cross country, but I've had these shoes since last december and they still have no sign of wear. I wear them practically every single day.
BONUSES:
They give you the barefoot feel, which is great for rebuilding those long-lost muscles on the soles of your feet.
Easily to wash and dry.
I'll add another vote to vivo barefoots. I have had 2 pairs. The first pair was suede Oaks. After 3 years of not always cleaning them how I should they don't look great. But are still solid structurally. They just have some salt stains. Now I have a pair of Dharma's that are easy to clean with just a paper towel and I have had them for over a year. Still look as good as the day I got them. I freaked at the cost at first. I had never dreamed of spending so much money for a pair of shoes. But so worth it. Just a little TLC and you should be able to get a ton of use out of these. Also keep an eye out for sales. They don't have them often (maybe once a year?) but when they do you can save up to 25% over retail. That is what I did for my replacement pair. Paid ~$90.
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This is actually a question. I got a kirby vacuum for free today from an elderly lady who is getting rid of things. It looks like it's much more solid than any modern vacuum I've ever seen, as it is made with metal. Does anybody have enough experience with these to know if they are bifl?
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Peugeot pepper grinders- They're quite pricy but I've found them at flea markets and second hand stores in Europe- bought one for my sister for 7 euros and it has a lifetime guarantee. Mine is about ten years old and still grinds as good as the day I bought it!
I also ditto the duralex glasses, my mum still has ones from my childhood and I bought a bunch for my own family and they're only 1.5 euros for an average size glass.
Our Mountain Buggy pram is also very sturdy and goes through everything. We literally use it everyday, cobblestones, off road, train, escalators (I know you're not supposed to but sometimes the lift is broken) Apparently the pre 2011 made in NZ ones are the best and unbreakable. Buy it on CL and you'll probably get similar to what you paid for once you're done. The emmaljunga prams are the same, my friend has one that has been through four kids and is now on number five with everyday usage. A lot of our friends have them and they are passed around the family-so some of them are from the eighties and still going strong. Not sure if you'd find them on CL in the US but if you live in Europe...
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I hadn't bought a backpack since high school, surviving on a stream of hand me downs, despite the fact that I've carried my stuff to work in one every day for the past 8 years.
When the last inherited backpack bit the dust, I couldn't find a good replacement through friends, family, Goodwill, or Craigslist. Stuck with the idea of buying new, I figured I'd get the cheapest bag I could find, until my fiancee convinced me to buy a decent backpack from LL Beans.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62115?feat=816-CL1
Bean's lifetime guarantee pretty much equals BIFL for me. I've excercised it on other purchases, and it's actually that good.
It's good, though you need to keep the receipt. The Bean by me would only give the "final clearance price" for credit on the Bean backpack I brought back, since I did not have the receipt.
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I would also mention anything from REI or Altrec. The prices on Altrec are a bit better. Both of these places offer lifetime replacement or returns, which is pretty incredible. I've seen some ridiculous things returned after years of hard use.
As someone with a job that "requires" me to be in the field often and as an avid outdoor enthusiast who is a bit of a gear head, I highly recommend backcountry.com for these types of items. Unconditional lifetime returns and prices will beat REI, etc. ~90% of the time. Don't get me wrong, I am a member at REI but only shop their sales or purchase when I have a coupon for 20% off.
A couple brand suggestions:
Patagonia is painful to the pocketbook upfront, but for performance outdoor apparel with a killer warranty you can't beat them. Also, I dig their corporate ideals. Shop sales/second hand for the best savings.
I have been really pleased with La Sportiva hiking boots. Hiking boots are a necessity of my job and I put major miles in. La Spotivas have had little to no break in period and have never failed me in the field. For most weekend warriors their quality boots will last a long long time. I buy them through online retailers like backcountry or campmor.
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You're right, I definitely misunderstood. I've never seen those. I'm very curious how comfortable it is over rough roads.
When these no-mor-flats bike tires first came out you could buy them with different densities, that equated to different tire pressures - for road bike tires you could buy them in 90PSI, 100 &110 PSI equivelants so you would buy and install the one that fit your riding styleéweight. They had them for mountain bikes as well. Some reviews indicate they ride a little spongy so not as efficient as a firmer tire but I assume you could opt for the higher PSI equivelant-if they are still available. The only drawback I could see, is they are quite a bit heavy than regular tubes so they add weight and rolling resistance if you are concerned about speed and efficiency.
Ideal I think for commuting especially in poorer weather where you don't want to have to fix a flat.
When your tire wears through, I understand these can be quite a challenge to remove and reinstall with a new tire.
I looked for these in Walmart in Canada but never saw any - so maybe only in the US.
Cheers
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I was able to find them on amazon.com as well. That would be really nice to have a choice of psi but I have not seen that available. I haven't personally noticed much of a difference at all as far as rolling resistance goes. I do imagine it would be very difficult to get them off and on to another wheel, but I haven't had to deal with that yet. The best test of these tires was a few months ago when my wife and I rode our bikes (me towing a trailer behind mine) to an auto junkyard for a part for our car. The first place we parked them had goat heads but we didn't realize until it was too late. We probably had at least 20 goat heads in each of the six tires. My bike was just fine, but as soon as we took them out of the other tires they immediately started hissing. After that I got airless tubes for her bike and for the trailer. They're a bit pricey at first, but it eliminates the future cost of inner tubes and gives me great peace of mind. I just re-read your post, twa2w and realized you were referring to replacing the tire, not putting the tube on another wheel. I'll let you know how easy/difficult that is when the time comes to replace the tires. :)
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Does anybody have enough experience with these to know if they are bifl?
Based on my experience with my parents' Kirby I say yes, built for life. I am a bit of a cleaning freak and put lots of miles on theirs.
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I treasure my 10 year old Kitchenaide stand mixer. It's awesome and makes so much of my cooking and baking easier and more pleasurable. I think I will have it for another 20 years.
My wife still regularly uses her grandmother's 40 year old kitchenaide stand mixer. It's heavier than the newer ones, but seems to work just as well.
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Another vote for a Kitchenaide mixer.
And a Bialetti espresso maker. I have had mine for 15 years and it is still going strong. I have replaced the gasket a number of times, but those are quite cheap.
Now if someone could make a vacuum that lasts, I would buy one. I seem to burn up a vacuum every 3 years.
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KitchenAid bowl mixers...
CuisineArt food processor...
These are on my list, as are Le Creuset cookware. BIF-multiple-lifetimes. I have several inherited pieces that I can't imagine will ever bite the dust. High quality cookware and utensils are always a better buy than cheaply made. High quality cookware on sale is even better. I did recently replace the heatproof plastic knob on one of my 40-year-old Le Creuset pots because it started to crack. $13 on Amazon.
Maybe that's another way to know if test if something is BIFL: Is it durable? Are replacement parts available if necessary? Can it be fixed cheaply and by yourself?
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great thread! thanks for all the ideas. i hope to be setting up home properly in the near future and definitely want to bifl. no recommendations to add at the moment except lakeland in the uk has what amounts to a lifetime guarantee and a friend of mine says they really will replace anything even after say 20 years.
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Not sure if this is BIFL but pretty close. My Dyson vacuum is like new and over 7 years old. It comes apart and you wash parts in the sink every so often. There are youtube videos that show you how to maintain it as well.
I wanted to agree with the above items as well:
Chacos (got mine used, like new, at Platos Closet)
LLBean Backpack (got cheap on clearance)
Kitchen Aid Mixer (like new 17 years later, though my black attachment knob did crack and split last year. I never used the knob anyway since the grinder attachment has horrible reviews anyway)
Le Creuset cookware (got free through an old points program that phased out) Though I did NOT like the grill pan, everything stuck to it.
I wish all my purchases were BIFL LOL.
I used to think my old volvo from years back was BIFL. The seats and flooring were almost hard surfaces and I miss how easy it was to clean.
But the wires were biodegradable and it started having endless problems. A utilitarian Honda would be my dream. Velour seats and carpet matts are not easy to keep nice after years and years of gentle use even.
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Velour seats and carpet matts are not easy to keep nice after years and years of gentle use even.
All-season cut floor mats. Basically big rubber inserts that are pre-cut to the shape of your car's floor. you cna buy a set at the dealership for $100, or get them for less at places like walmart (they may or may not be as good a fit). With all the snow & salt on our roads, not using one is asking for a rusted through floor in a matter of years. With one, your carpets will last for a very very long time. Because it is heavy rubber, you just pull it out a few times a year clean it off and put it back when dry, good as new.
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In the cookware department: Cast Iron. Cheap, non-stick, even heat, and will last forever. We have a frying pan inherited from my wife's grandmother that is at least 40+ yrs old, if not double that, and we use it nearly every day.
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I'll second (third?) the cast iron and add that the old stuff is better than the new, which is still pretty good. My daily use fry pan was my grandmother's and is at least 80 years old. The newer Lodge is made differently and doesn't have quite as smooth a surface, but it seems to season okay and smooths out with a few years of use, anyway.
Doc Martens are not quite BFL, but I have a 20-year-old pair of Air Wears in great condition.
Danskos seem to be holding up well, too.
Old hand tools if you don't mind working by hand. My grandfather's planer is in use now, and it's no newer than 50 years, maybe much more.
Vehicles don't last for a lifetime, but there's a 30-year-old Toyota in my driveway that seems determined to try.
Furniture made of real wood, though I lean toward "make it for life" in that case.
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I hadn't bought a backpack since high school, surviving on a stream of hand me downs, despite the fact that I've carried my stuff to work in one every day for the past 8 years.
When the last inherited backpack bit the dust, I couldn't find a good replacement through friends, family, Goodwill, or Craigslist. Stuck with the idea of buying new, I figured I'd get the cheapest bag I could find, until my fiancee convinced me to buy a decent backpack from LL Beans.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62115?feat=816-CL1
Bean's lifetime guarantee pretty much equals BIFL for me. I've excercised it on other purchases, and it's actually that good.
I'd offer the same for Jansports. They can often be found in thrift stores, and they will honor the lifetime warranty almost without question. So, you can buy at a thrift store and get a new one. You probably have to pay shipping though?
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I recently purchased some Red Wing work boots with the hope that I will get at least 10 good years out of them. I tend to wear down the heel on most shoes within 1.5 years of use, and these boots are much easier to repair, so I am planning on replacing the outsole as needed. I have had them about 2 months now and they still get more and more comfortable each time I wear them. I have always had problems walking longer distances in my flat bottomed shoes, but I can walk miles in these without getting fatigued.
I wouldn't say "Buy it for life", but Vivobarefoot shoes (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/)) are minimalistic shoes that are made with a "puncture-proof" sole, which still looks BRAND NEW after 3 years of use. There is literally no wear on the bottom of these shoes.
I own a pair of "dressier" ones for the office, and 2 pair of "casual" shoes... they're all holding up great after 2+ years of use, when previously I would have a pair of newbalance shoes for less than a year before the sole was a wreck.
Vivobarefoot is fairly expensive at first glance, but they very often have 30-50% off coupon codes go out in their email newsletter.
I have to second this review, although I've only owned the running shoes that they make. I have burned through a pair of similarly priced Newton shoes during track and cross country, but I've had these shoes since last december and they still have no sign of wear. I wear them practically every single day.
BONUSES:
They give you the barefoot feel, which is great for rebuilding those long-lost muscles on the soles of your feet.
Easily to wash and dry.
I want to buy some more minimalist shoes for warmer weather. Do you guys have any idea what it would be like switching between boots with a ton of arch support, and shoes with none depending on the weather? I would like to try something like those barefoot shoes out, but it seems to me that constantly switching back and forth wouldn't allow you to adjust properly to either type of foot support.
I was also looking at Vibram shoes because I have heard that their out-soles are incredibly durable. Does anyone have experience switching back and forth between these kinds of shoes?
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I recently purchased some Red Wing work boots with the hope that I will get at least 10 good years out of them. I tend to wear down the heel on most shoes within 1.5 years of use, and these boots are much easier to repair, so I am planning on replacing the outsole as needed. I have had them about 2 months now and they still get more and more comfortable each time I wear them. I have always had problems walking longer distances in my flat bottomed shoes, but I can walk miles in these without getting fatigued.
My father spent four decades in the construction industry, and never had anything but Redwings on his feet during work hours. He had two matching pairs of basic, medium height work boots. He would take them off as he was walking in the door, at the end of the day. They would go on the shelf, and he would wear the other pair the next day. This gave them time to dry and air out. They were oiled religiously, and once they started to wear out, the worst pair was sent back to Redwing for a rebuild. When the sales guy at the local Redwing store pronounced that a pair were beyond salvation, he would buy another matching pair. This isn't a cheap way to go in the least, they are probably 5-8X as expensive as similar looking Wal-mart boots. However, when it comes to "cost per mile" I doubt there is a better way to spend your money.
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I'm with you on the Red Wing work boots. My Dad has been a mechanic for 30+ years, and with the Red Wings, he's worn the soles off a few times, before the boots have needed replacing.
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Now if someone could make a vacuum that lasts, I would buy one. I seem to burn up a vacuum every 3 years.
Our Oreck is 8 years old and going strong. Unlike throw away vacs, you take it in for a new belt and tune-up every few years.
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I want to buy some more minimalist shoes for warmer weather. Do you guys have any idea what it would be like switching between boots with a ton of arch support, and shoes with none depending on the weather? I would like to try something like those barefoot shoes out, but it seems to me that constantly switching back and forth wouldn't allow you to adjust properly to either type of foot support.
Not exactly minimalist, but I wear boat shoes without socks in the summer. Can be turned into yard/mechanic work shoes once past their prime.
Other BIFL item: Victorinox swiss army knives. Other brands might work just fine, I just realized mine was a gift from over 15 years ago. Still pristine, with zero maintenance aside from cleaning it after use.
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Other BIFL item: Victorinox swiss army knives. Other brands might work just fine, I just realized mine was a gift from over 15 years ago. Still pristine, with zero maintenance aside from cleaning it after use.
I was given a Victorinox Swiss Army knife as a teenager... never really used it. Now when I got myself a Leatherman Fuse (http://www.leatherman.com/product/fuse) nearly a decade ago, that was a different story. Well designed multi-tools are lovely little things, and I never leave home without it, a Gerber box cutter (http://www.gerbergear.com/Industrial/Knives/EAB-Pocket-Knife_22-41830) and a Mini Maglite (http://www.maglite.com/AA_Cell_LED.asp) strapped to my belt. Definitely BIFL tool investments for field techs.
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Ooooh, MagLites are definitely worthy of this list too. Really practical when operating in tight corners, you can just, ermm, stick it in your mouth and have both hands free. I leave the king-size model in my glove box, it doubles as a "leave-me-alone" stick should I become stranded in a questionable neighborhood.
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Steel weights.
My set of steel weights, bar, and bench were purchased used back when I was a 16 year old, and (although I've added some more weights over time) are still serving me well now that I'm 32 years old. They survived my teen years, lived in my mom's garage during university, got dusted off when I started getting fat immediately after graduation, and have been regularly used ever since.
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My dad has a 6D maglite. That thing is a veritable Doom zombie masher if ever I saw one, and I'd take it over all the buckshot in the house (none) come the zombie apocalypse.
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My dad has a 6D maglite. That thing is a veritable Doom zombie masher if ever I saw one, and I'd take it over all the buckshot in the house (none) come the zombie apocalypse.
Agreed... combine a 6D Maglite with a 1000 lumen TerraLUX MiniStar (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006NA4MIW/), and a 2oz. can of Fox Labs 5.3 OC spray (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002S5110I/) (sadly, not BIFL in this thread's sense), one doesn't need a shotgun come the zombie apocalypse. ;)
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Love this thread.. blend of style and substance is what I'm always looking for.
I second Le Creuset cookware. Find it used, save a ton of money, and have the world's best cookware for life.
A Stanley Thermos. My dad had one that he still brings to the lumber mill.
Vintage Bakelite cookware is also very reliable.
Haven't had it long enough to say definitely but my steel Bodum coffee mug keeps coffee hot forever and has held up quite nicely since I bought it 2 years ago.
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Other BIFL item: Victorinox swiss army knives. Other brands might work just fine, I just realized mine was a gift from over 15 years ago. Still pristine, with zero maintenance aside from cleaning it after use.
I was given a Victorinox Swiss Army knife as a teenager... never really used it. Now when I got myself a Leatherman Fuse (http://www.leatherman.com/product/fuse) nearly a decade ago, that was a different story. Well designed multi-tools are lovely little things, and I never leave home without it, a Gerber box cutter (http://www.gerbergear.com/Industrial/Knives/EAB-Pocket-Knife_22-41830) and a Mini Maglite (http://www.maglite.com/AA_Cell_LED.asp) strapped to my belt. Definitely BIFL tool investments for field techs.
Only time i've had to replace mine is when i lose them...
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I recently purchased some Red Wing work boots with the hope that I will get at least 10 good years out of them. I tend to wear down the heel on most shoes within 1.5 years of use, and these boots are much easier to repair, so I am planning on replacing the outsole as needed. I have had them about 2 months now and they still get more and more comfortable each time I wear them. I have always had problems walking longer distances in my flat bottomed shoes, but I can walk miles in these without getting fatigued.
Red Wing makes some great boots. I've been rocking a pair of their Irish Setter hunting boots as my daily boot for about 7 years. The experience has been great except now they're reaching their end of life days. The heel of the boot wore pretty good and now they hiss fairly loud when I walk on hard surfaces. The little hooks that you cross your laces through broke off years ago. I'd definitely buy them again but I'm not sure I have to. I bought them through L.L. Bean and they have a lifetime satisfaction guarantee. I kinda feel like a jerk for taking them up on the offer after 7 years, but I also feel that I'd be dumb to spend ~$150 if I didn't have to.
I want to buy some more minimalist shoes for warmer weather. Do you guys have any idea what it would be like switching between boots with a ton of arch support, and shoes with none depending on the weather? I would like to try something like those barefoot shoes out, but it seems to me that constantly switching back and forth wouldn't allow you to adjust properly to either type of foot support.
I was also looking at Vibram shoes because I have heard that their out-soles are incredibly durable. Does anyone have experience switching back and forth between these kinds of shoes?
I am a boots/sandals/Vibram guy. Very rarely do I wear anything but those three options. Boots for about 7 months (NY winters) and the other two for the warmer seasons. The transition for me is effortless and I absolutely love the way my Vibrams feel. I have the KSO model that I got when they first came out. The soles are still in fantastic condition but the place where the fabric connects to the toes is starting to tear. I wear them hiking a lot so I tend to collect various flora between my toes unintentionally, which may contribute to the tears. Either way, the tears aren't from improper care.
The only other word of caution I'd offer is in regards to the Vibram funk. If you wear these shoes for 2-3 hours be prepared for a smell you likely haven't had the misfortune to experience. I have never had a foot odor issue but something about the Vibrams brings out the best of me. I have a few friends with the Bikila models and they swear they don't get the funk. While it's not as bad as the funk I get, it's still noticeable to my nose when they remove their shoes.
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I second Jansport school bags. I've had the same for more than 10 years now.
Good speakers ($200-$300 range) can also easily last you 10-15 years.
I also have a Sony radio (with CD player, etc) that's still going strong. I've had it for 13 years.
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The only other word of caution I'd offer is in regards to the Vibram funk. If you wear these shoes for 2-3 hours be prepared for a smell you likely haven't had the misfortune to experience. I have never had a foot odor issue but something about the Vibrams brings out the best of me. I have a few friends with the Bikila models and they swear they don't get the funk. While it's not as bad as the funk I get, it's still noticeable to my nose when they remove their shoes.
True that. It's the worst thing about my Flows. Also, the sole texture starts to change and feels really awkward after a couple years, and I'm having the same tearing issue around the edges that you are even despite the pitifully small amount of use my shoes get. Oh well, now I just know to not buy them again expecting durability.
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Great idea for a thread. I have 3 suggestions:
1. My husband invested in a pair of Wahl Clippers that are of "professional" quality that he ordered through a hair salon. So far they have lasted 6 years of consistent use. They have the heavy solid feel of something that should last forever.
2. Blundstone boots (full grain leather). My husband has owned the same pair for 8 years and wears them daily for both work in his laid back office and for his "winter" boots. He's fastidious about maintaining by oiling and keeping them clean. This year he had them resoled at a local cobbler for $80, or half the price of a new pair of boots.
3. Chaco flip flops. I wear flip flops daily as soon as it's warm enough and with other (similarly priced) flips I used to go through a pair in one season. My Chacos have lasted 4 years with only minor wearing on the soles. I loooove these.
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Just received an emailing Le Creuset pot for my birthday from my Mom. (fortunately I know a place in the city where you can get them for 50% off), pot for life!
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I second the Le Creuset recommendation, and add All-Clad pans to the list. I've had my All-Clad for five years, and they are terrific. They transfer heat very quickly through the copper core, but the stainless steel exterior is extremely easy to clean. A friend had one pot for about ten years, then boiled it dry and destroyed it; All-Clad replaced it no questions asked.
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I second the Le Creuset recommendation, and add All-Clad pans to the list. I've had my All-Clad for five years, and they are terrific. They transfer heat very quickly through the copper core, but the stainless steel exterior is extremely easy to clean. A friend had one pot for about ten years, then boiled it dry and destroyed it; All-Clad replaced it no questions asked.
This. And keep in mind that, if you're near Pittsburgh (Washington, PA), you should avail yourself of the splendiforous "seconds" deals at the expo twice/year. The deals are significantly better than those at outlets, and generally the irregularities are far from glaring.
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I recently purchased some Red Wing work boots with the hope that I will get at least 10 good years out of them. I tend to wear down the heel on most shoes within 1.5 years of use, and these boots are much easier to repair, so I am planning on replacing the outsole as needed. I have had them about 2 months now and they still get more and more comfortable each time I wear them. I have always had problems walking longer distances in my flat bottomed shoes, but I can walk miles in these without getting fatigued.
Red Wing makes some great boots. I've been rocking a pair of their Irish Setter hunting boots as my daily boot for about 7 years. The experience has been great except now they're reaching their end of life days. The heel of the boot wore pretty good and now they hiss fairly loud when I walk on hard surfaces. The little hooks that you cross your laces through broke off years ago. I'd definitely buy them again but I'm not sure I have to. I bought them through L.L. Bean and they have a lifetime satisfaction guarantee. I kinda feel like a jerk for taking them up on the offer after 7 years, but I also feel that I'd be dumb to spend ~$150 if I didn't have to.
Wasn't aware of the guarantee. I have a pair of Chukkas, they're not fully broken in, might have a cobbler stretch them a little bit for me.
I love my Vibrams.. they can get a bit smelly true. Considering a Vivo or a Merrell barefoot running shoe for this summer.
Boat shoes such as Sperry Top Sider can be a really good stylish, affordable, and comfy barefoot shoe. I wore mine daily for about 2 years before they wore out (I walk a lot), but I also got caught with them in 3 separate MAJOR rainstorms which hastened their demise.
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Just go barefoot! I always enjoy the oxymoron (and irony) of buying "barefoot shoes" :-) Sounds like paying for "invisible clothes."
Bare feet never have a problem of getting stinky, moldy, or otherwise gross.
I run in bare feet, period*. Saves me from knee problems, joint problems, and hundreds (thousands in a lifetime?) of dollars in replacing running shoes. At work I wear professional shoes. If I'm out and about going into stores, etc., I wear a $1.00 - $2.00 pair of flip flops in warm weather, or whatever shoes are appropriate for the weather or event.
* Full disclosure: In very cold weather, I run in "aqua socks" along with a pair of regular socks, purchased for $8-10 at Target. They are equivalent to the $100 Vibrams without the funny looking gorilla toes. Keeps my feet warm, offers zero artificial support.
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I can second the Sperry's and Clarks. I have Sperry Top Siders (wearing them now actually... it's about 80 degrees here in Texas) and Clarks desert boots. I think I've mentioned them before, but they've both lasted about 5 years so far, and still going strong.
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I think the next 'for life' purchase will be a Blendtech blender.
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I did wear out an LL Bean backpack. I bought it with graduation gift money just before I started college. It saw me through two college degrees and summers as a camp counselor. Then it took on a part time life as a weekend bag, then resumed full time work as a diape bag to two children (slings over the handle of a stroller so nicely). I finally replaced it after about 25 years. Yes, I know it had a lifetime guarantee, but I had the usefulness out of the item, and using the guarantee wouldn't have felt honest.
Other things in this category:
Good quality furniture
In addition to the aforementioned Kitchenaide mixer and cast iron cookware, good quality Pfaltzgraff and Fiestaware dishes and quality silverware.
As a teacher, I stand up all day long, so good shoes.
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For men's dress shoes Allen Edmonds...I am getting a pair, lots of reports of these getting more than ten years. http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2143_1_40000000001_-1 (http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2143_1_40000000001_-1)
Anyone else know men's clothing brands for dress or casual wear?
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Just go barefoot! I always enjoy the oxymoron (and irony) of buying "barefoot shoes" :-) Sounds like paying for "invisible clothes."
Shoes are still good for offering protection. I've gotten a microscopic bit of glass embedded in my foot before, resulting in mysterious intermittent acute pain before I found it (barely visible, about the size of a grain of sand) and because it had healed over slightly, I had to use a nail clipper to cut through my own skin to pry it out. I still go barefoot sometimes - but, just sayin'... I'm not going to judge someone for wearing shoes. ;)
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I'm living alone for the first time, and I spent a lot of time researching kitchen stuff. I can't claim that I've owned anything for 20+ years, but I did try to find a good balance of quality, durability and price. What I ended up with:
Stainless steel cookware: Calphalon tri-ply and contemporary series. Nice heavy base and they distribute heat well. Pro tip: scour your local TJMax, individual pieces often turn up at 50% off. Maybe they're seconds, but they look the same at the ones in Bed Bath and Beyond to me!
Knives: Wusthof Classic 6in chef knife and paring knife.
Immersion blender: I agonized a lot over this one: the Cuisinart and Kitchenaid ones seem very hit or miss, and they all have plastic gearing. Eventually I went with Bamix. They're actually made in Switzerland and if you buy new, it comes with a 10 year warranty. Plus you can mail it off for repairs (you pay) even out of warranty. They go for around $150 new, but you can find them on ebay for around $60. There are a million different attachments and they can replace a blender for most uses.
Misc kitchen tools: Oxo Goodgrips and a couple of things from Dreamfarm. Yes, they cost a lot more than what you can get from the dollar store, but they're first-rate.
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Anyone else know men's clothing brands for dress or casual wear?
Brook's Brothers clothes haven't failed me yet. Neither have Clark's desert boots or Sperry Topsiders.
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Here is two things no one has mentioned yet:
Wetterlings Axes - they are top-quality hand-made axes
I've had my Large Hunting Axe ( http://www.wetterlings.se/the/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75%3Alarge-hunting-axe&catid=35&Itemid=57 (http://www.wetterlings.se/the/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75%3Alarge-hunting-axe&catid=35&Itemid=57) ) for quite a while. It stays crazy sharp if you buy a cheap Lansky Puck stone. We have a fireplace that we mostly used for just the luxury, but we will start heating the house with it this upcoming winter. Wood heating = sustainable heating & = growing the 'stash. They are expensive (I paid $100 for mine I think), but well worth it if you regularly split wood. You might want to get the large splitting axe if your doing anything larger than 5 inch diameter.
Milwaukee Corded Drills - might as well be a steel hand-tool when it comes to durability
My brother bought one in 1999 when he started his business. He used it almost every single workday for 13 years and then gifted it to me. Still works great! They are not really any more expensive than other brands Home Depot carries.
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I'm sorry to be a detractor, but I've had a bad experience with Sperry shoes. Mine were gone after 1.5 years. I could have had a defective pair though, as the experience of others seems to suggest.
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I agree with IP. I have several Leatherman products and they are certainly BIFL. As others have said, almost anything from LL Bean is pretty close.
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BIFL request:
Bike lights - I'm looking for new ones as I'm starting to commute at dusk.
Update: So I jumped the gun a bit. As I was reading the articles in order, I just made it to the bike lights article in my MMM reading list. Problem solved, unless folks have other suggestions.
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Wetterlings Axes - they are top-quality hand-made axes
That being said, Gränsfors Bruks is another great axe brand. I've had their Small Forest Axe for a number of years now. I use it around the house and while camping/hiking and it keeps a nice edge. The company even offers a 20 year warranty on the axes. It's the kind of tool you buy knowing your kids will get some use out of it when you're long gone.
Like the Wetterlings, I paid ~$100 as well. Money well spent IMO.
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Does anybody have enough experience with these to know if they are bifl?
Based on my experience with my parents' Kirby I say yes, built for life. I am a bit of a cleaning freak and put lots of miles on theirs.
Late response, but yes. When they do break, they can be serviced far beyond a cheap plastic vacuum. My parents paid a lot for theirs ($1000-2000 IIRC)... in ~1987 or so. I'm not sure exactly when because I was very little at the time. They still use it today, and it still works great. I don't expect my Hoover to last >25 years, that's for sure.
Not sure the ROI is there on a new one... but used, definitely.
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Just wanted to say I like this thread a lot and thought it might be of help to summarize/consolidate all the information provided into a single post at the top?
I've definitely fallen prey more times than I want to admit to buying the cheaper item to save a buck and then having to rebuy the higher quality item a couple months later and costing myself more in the end.
I've had great experiences with my CRKT pocket knives. I've owned many, experienced an issue with just one and their warranty was top notch and took care of it.
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A diesel Mercedes-Benz W123 will probably outlive all of us. You can run it on vegetable oil. Get a wagon and you can carry as much stuff in it as a pickup truck.
I loved mine! It was my first smart finance/get on the right track decision after college. I saved up to pay off my upside down, 0% down, $400 car payment VW rabbit. Then bought a late 70s Mercedes-Benz W123. Unfortunately after having it six months I ran into a storm drain, jamming 2nd gear and then reverse together in the manual transmission. I was unable to find a reasonable replacement transmission, and moved on. Other than my bad driving that car was a tank!
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Doc Martens are not quite BFL, but I have a 20-year-old pair of Air Wears in great condition.
Danskos seem to be holding up well, too.
I have owned a few pairs of Doc Martens and will agree not quite for life but I have had them last me for four to five years of wearing the every day. Also completely unrelated to Doc Martens but I'll third or forth the idea of Kirby vacuums are pretty legit.
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We've gone through a couple of Wamsutta cotton sheets. The fitted sheets eventually rip. They are $25-30 apiece.
I was searching for a better brand, and it turns out that back in the day, at least in France, couples would get a set of heirloom 100% linen sheets as a wedding gift, and they would last two or three generations.
The best online source I found for linen sheets, aside from hit-or-miss ebay, is Rough Linen. These are made-in-California luxury sheets, in European style, meaning there is one large flat sheet for the bottom instead of a fitted, no top sheet, and a duvet. One queen sheet costs $154. I can buy 9 of Ikea's most expensive fitted sheets for that price, and altogether they'd probably last a decade or two, compared to a potential lifetime for a linen sheet.
I might do better by buying bed sheet linen by the yard (http://www.mcssl.com/store/gray-lines-linen-inc/120-inch) and making my own. With this fabric, it would be about $60 for the same size sheet. I ordered swatches to compare.
Does anyone have 100% linen sheets? Are they worth the expense? Any alternate recommendations?
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I don't know if I'd count on the linen lasting that much longer. I spent the better part of an hour today mending a tear in a linen jacket -- it wears and weakens, especially if you launder it regularly.
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Thanks. I'm having a tough time separating the facts from the marketing. Wikipedia has this to say about linen.
It is a very durable, strong fabric, and one of the few that are stronger wet than dry. The fibers do not stretch and are resistant to damage from abrasion. However, because linen fibers have a very low elasticity, the fabric will eventually break if it is folded and ironed at the same place repeatedly.
From a discussion of paint canvas material (http://www.amien.org/forums/showthread.php?2283-Linen-vs-Cotton/page2):
In this case (painting support) cotton has one superior characteristic over linen--its lower cost--and the two cloths are equal in most other relevant characteristics. But if you're buying an heirloom tablecloth, go for the linen--it'll be cheaper in the long run.
It sounds like linen might be better for linens than cotton, but it's not a clear enough difference to justify the cost.
I think I'll try these Garnet Hill percale cotton sheets (http://www.garnethill.com/fiesta-solid-percale-bedding/bedding-bath/sheets/117600), unless someone has a better recommendation. If they don't last, then maybe I'll try linen.
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My husband also loves Redwing boots and should be their spokesperson, he's been buying them now for over 25 years. He also loves Craftsman tools, the Leatherman Multitool and Maglight flashlights also. We have a Kirby vacuum, at the time I was so mad at my husband for purchasing the vacuum but other than bags, belts and one new brush roller it's been going strong for over 20 yrs. and best purchase we made.
For bedding we tend to buy three sheets sets to match each comforter we have, we don't wash our comforter as often and we can have the same bedding this way for years.
Pyrex bowls, baking sets and Oneida silverware also lasts for life.
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Cast-iron cookware. Some of my pans are older than me (found at flea markets, thrift stores, etc.), and all of them will outlast me with proper care. For stuff I find used, I scrub the hell out of the exterior with Bar Keeper's Friend and the interior with Bon Ami and then re-season in the oven with oil.
Yes! Cast iron is the way to go, they cook evenly and aren't as hard to clean as you might think--mustachecat got it exactly right. They also work with induction cooktops, which are amazing.
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Ok, here's one...I made a commitment to cook 95% of my food, and I didn't have a food processor. I basically stole a Kitchenaid Pro Line from Craigslist, and this thing is off the hook! I practically need a dolly to carry it around (ok not really but it's heavy and solid). It's built like a friggin' tank! Plus, the box of attachments I got is as big as a lot of other food processors, LOL. It can do anything, and it's really quiet. I'm confident that some day my daughter will be handing it down to my future theoretical granddaughter.
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I've got an itch for a Vita-Mix, but those suckers are $500. Just can't justify that expense.
Vitamix is worth it and easy can usually be found used for around $300.
I prefer my Blendtec, we use the crap out of that thing and it just keeps on blending. Plus, I like that it fits under my cabinets. The Vitamix is too tall.
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Anyone have a suggestion for a sturdy glass measuring cup (with a handle) that can go through the dishwasher and microwave repeatedly without the markings washing off? We have 2 - one from Pyrex and one Anchor Hocking, and the markings washed off both! Anchor Hocking apparently used to make an embossed markings measuring cup with a handle but when I checked Amazon it was discontinued and had poor reviews. I think their manufacturing has gone downhill.
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Anyone have a suggestion for a sturdy glass measuring cup (with a handle) that can go through the dishwasher and microwave repeatedly without the markings washing off? We have 2 - one from Pyrex and one Anchor Hocking, and the markings washed off both! Anchor Hocking apparently used to make an embossed markings measuring cup with a handle but when I checked Amazon it was discontinued and had poor reviews. I think their manufacturing has gone downhill.
My mom has one from Pampered Chef that has the markings molded into the glass. She's had it as long as I remember so it seems to be holding up well.
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I think Tupperware should be on the list!
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I would say my Bosch mixer/food processor is 10 years old and going strong. My moms is 30 years old and still fantastic.
We got an Airscape 1.7 WHF (whole house fan) and it is amazing. Trouble free operation after several years and uses the power of two light bulbs. No AC at night, just cool evening breezes!
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Anyone have a suggestion for a sturdy glass measuring cup (with a handle) that can go through the dishwasher and microwave repeatedly without the markings washing off? We have 2 - one from Pyrex and one Anchor Hocking, and the markings washed off both! Anchor Hocking apparently used to make an embossed markings measuring cup with a handle but when I checked Amazon it was discontinued and had poor reviews. I think their manufacturing has gone downhill.
Silly question, but why dishwasher safe? My parents learned in the early 80s that the markings washed off, so I've been hand washing my measuring cups for my entire life. My current pyrex measuring cups look brand new but are almost 10 years old. Just rinse the cup when you are done using it and then make sure you wash it first (while the water is cleanest). I'm always amazed at how easily pyrex cups and cookware washes.
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Anyone have a suggestion for a sturdy glass measuring cup (with a handle) that can go through the dishwasher and microwave repeatedly without the markings washing off? We have 2 - one from Pyrex and one Anchor Hocking, and the markings washed off both! Anchor Hocking apparently used to make an embossed markings measuring cup with a handle but when I checked Amazon it was discontinued and had poor reviews. I think their manufacturing has gone downhill.
My mom has one from Pampered Chef that has the markings molded into the glass. She's had it as long as I remember so it seems to be holding up well.
+1
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Anyone have a suggestion for a sturdy glass measuring cup (with a handle) that can go through the dishwasher and microwave repeatedly without the markings washing off? We have 2 - one from Pyrex and one Anchor Hocking, and the markings washed off both! Anchor Hocking apparently used to make an embossed markings measuring cup with a handle but when I checked Amazon it was discontinued and had poor reviews. I think their manufacturing has gone downhill.
Other option: etch your own (http://www.ehow.com/how_8589_etch-glass.html#page=0)
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We've gone through a couple of Wamsutta cotton sheets. The fitted sheets eventually rip. They are $25-30 apiece.
As luck would have it, my fitted sheet (purchased from a discount store, I have no idea what brand) ripped last week, and I looked at the ratings on Consumer Reports. I purchased fitted and flat pima percale sheets from L.L. Bean to replace the old ones. They weren't the absolutely highest rated sheets, but L.L. Bean has a very generous return policy. I think my old sheets lasted 5+ years and I'll be disappointed if the Bean sheets don't last longer.
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Another vote for a Kitchenaide mixer.
And a Bialetti espresso maker. I have had mine for 15 years and it is still going strong. I have replaced the gasket a number of times, but those are quite cheap.
Now if someone could make a vacuum that lasts, I would buy one. I seem to burn up a vacuum every 3 years.
For whatever it's worth, I have my grandmother's old Hoover Concept II upright, and it still works great, including the little detachable "dust-buster" type hand vacuum. I think she bought it some time in the early 1980's. She died in 1990. (And it's a Hoover, so you can buy new bags anywhere.)
I'm not exactly a clean freak, though, so it doesn't really get that much use.
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Ooooh, MagLites are definitely worthy of this list too. Really practical when operating in tight corners, you can just, ermm, stick it in your mouth and have both hands free. I leave the king-size model in my glove box, it doubles as a "leave-me-alone" stick should I become stranded in a questionable neighborhood.
I always thought some sort of a mouthpiece, complete with drool catching tray, should be included with the smaller MagLites.
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I've become a fan of glass jars. You can drink, can and macerate various things in them.
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Pyrex & Fiestaware. I have a full set of fiestaware dishes, and I love them because they can go directly from freezer to oven to fridge, etc. It's especially handy since we don't have a microwave. And pyrex. PYREX.
Oh, and Nikon F 35mm cameras. I bought mine used for $50, they were literally built to withstand war conditions.
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Solid wood furniture. Lasts even longer than one lifetime. Good thing is, even if it get's a couple of scratches, it still looks great.
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Here is two things no one has mentioned yet:
Milwaukee Corded Drills - might as well be a steel hand-tool when it comes to durability
My brother bought one in 1999 when he started his business. He used it almost every single workday for 13 years and then gifted it to me. Still works great! They are not really any more expensive than other brands Home Depot carries.
I have an old (probably 20 year old) black and decker corded drill that is still kicking. I have a fancier Hitachi one now, but I've given up on cordless drills. The batteries die too quickly and they're expensive. (I've owned all kinds of brands) I'm sticking with the corded drills and a good extension cord!
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Solid wood furniture. Lasts even longer than one lifetime. Good thing is, even if it get's a couple of scratches, it still looks great.
Yes. I've found that a lot of antiques are less expensive, better looking, and better built than similar new furniture.
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Anyone have a suggestion for a sturdy glass measuring cup (with a handle) that can go through the dishwasher and microwave repeatedly without the markings washing off? We have 2 - one from Pyrex and one Anchor Hocking, and the markings washed off both! Anchor Hocking apparently used to make an embossed markings measuring cup with a handle but when I checked Amazon it was discontinued and had poor reviews. I think their manufacturing has gone downhill.
My mom has one from Pampered Chef that has the markings molded into the glass. She's had it as long as I remember so it seems to be holding up well.
I second someone above who loves OXO kitchen products. They have some ingenious designs and generally hold up well. I do want to caution against their measuring cups. Like you, I was looking for a BIFL pour-type 1 cup measuring cup. My 20 year old pyrex one finally got a chip in the rim. I looked at the current pyrex cup and it had a weird open ended handle unlike the closed ended one of my previous one. I then saw an OXO 1 cup measuring cup. It looked great, but it was plastic. I went back and forth over which to choose, generally eschewing plastic but disliking the way the pyrex model felt in my hand. I came down on the OXO side and regret it. The OXO cup sprang a leak within 8 months of buying it. Unfortunately, I got it as a Christmas present from my Mom who bought it at a kitchen strore that won't accept returns, even on defective items.
Moral of the story for me, avoid plastic when possible. For now, I'm just using my giant other measuring cups or my metal baking ones. Minimalists wiould argue for me to use the cups I have, but I cook and bake so much I use them all and often have to wash and dry a cup in the midst of my cooking.
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I can affirm on the cast iron cookware.
All-Clad for cookware (pots and pans) as well.
We have both a Vitamix and Blendtech (long story) and both are great. Vitamix has a bigger jar so we can make green smoothies for the whole family, but Blendtech doesn't need to be "babysat" with the plunger when blending. My guess is they'll both last a lifetime. Someone mentioned finding a Vitamix used for $300. I recall getting it brand new at Costco in the low $300s five years ago.
Filson for work coats. They look better with every use and just don't ever wear out.
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I swear by chacos, which are attractive sandals made for outdoor life. They are re-soleable and re-strappable. I usually go through two pairs of sandals (reebok or easyspirit) per season. Now, my chacos are well into 2 years of use and still going strong. I use them for everything, daily walking around, hiking, kayaking, even as a water shoe in my water areobics class. It takes forever to even break these in, but they sort of begin to mold to your foot and become exceptionally comfortable with wear. Love my chacos!
Same here - first pair just hit 4yrs. Soles are falling off, they are about toast, but like you I used to go through 2-3pr a year.
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Late response, but yes. When they do break, they can be serviced far beyond a cheap plastic vacuum. My parents paid a lot for theirs ($1000-2000 IIRC)... in ~1987 or so. I'm not sure exactly when because I was very little at the time. They still use it today, and it still works great. I don't expect my Hoover to last >25 years, that's for sure.
No? I have a Hoover Concept II upright still going strong that must be at least 25 years old; my grandmother bought it new and she died in 1990 after an extended illness. It's the only vacuum (except a shop vac) that we own. All I've ever done is replace the belt and the bag.
As with so many things, it's possible - even likely - that their newer products are nowhere near as well made. The old ones are unstoppable, though.
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Danner Boots- I have had mine 18 years and worked 5 fire seasons
Patagonia coats - 12 years. Great warranty Got one replaced when the lining started to flake from sun damage.
Jansport backpacks. - My wife had hers for 20 years and then the zipper broke. We sent it in and they sent it back with a new zipper.
Chaco sandals - Expensive but I have had mine for 13 years.
De Buyer pans - Carbon steel. One step away from cast iron.
Dr Marten shoes - I had a pair for 10 years before the sole cracked. Just bought a for life pair http://www.drmartensforlife.com/
Stihl chainsaws and lawn equipment
Saeco espresso machine - find one used. We have had ours 10 years and I just replaced the pump for 30 dollars.
Things that are not BIFL: Any Apple product.
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De Buyer pans - Carbon steel. One step away from cast iron.
I just looked these up and holy shit are they expensive. I bought my carbon steel pan from a restaurant supply place for like $8. No difference in quality as far as I can tell, it hasn't warped and it holds seasoning just fine.
Carbon steel FTW in general though. It's cast iron - cost + light enough to toss around - heat retention. Not really better or worse, just different, but I like the steel a lot better for everyday cooking.
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Filson for work coats. They look better with every use and just don't ever wear out.
Wow, Filson jackets (http://www.filson.com/mens/coats-jackets/-1011) are expensive. But they look fantastic, and I can see why they would last. I would happily receive any one of the jackets on that page.
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Other BIFL item: Victorinox swiss army knives. Other brands might work just fine, I just realized mine was a gift from over 15 years ago. Still pristine, with zero maintenance aside from cleaning it after use.
I was given a Victorinox Swiss Army knife as a teenager... never really used it. Now when I got myself a Leatherman Fuse (http://www.leatherman.com/product/fuse) nearly a decade ago, that was a different story. Well designed multi-tools are lovely little things, and I never leave home without it, a Gerber box cutter (http://www.gerbergear.com/Industrial/Knives/EAB-Pocket-Knife_22-41830) and a Mini Maglite (http://www.maglite.com/AA_Cell_LED.asp) strapped to my belt. Definitely BIFL tool investments for field techs.
The standard "swiss army knife" isn't really optimized for use, IMHO; it's kind of the multitool for people who never use multitools. But I love my one-handed Trekker; locking blade and locking screwdriver, and a contoured grip that actually makes it decent to use as a folding knife. Plus for some reason the lock-release is designed such that it's easier to operate with the left hand, which is great for this leftie :)
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You all are helping me with my (budgeted) Christmas shopping!
According to my cobbler, most Frye footwear is BIFL. So far so good, with my boots!
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For men's dress shoes Allen Edmonds...I am getting a pair, lots of reports of these getting more than ten years. http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2143_1_40000000001_-1 (http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2143_1_40000000001_-1)
Anyone else know men's clothing brands for dress or casual wear?
AE's are great. Alden is another high quality, made in America brand. I have some pairs that are a decade old. Every couple of years get them resoled and re-heeled, which will cost less than a crappy pair of Rockports from Macy's.
Brooks Brothers is a good bet for nice dress/casual wear. The quality is not what it used to be, but it's still better than most other widely available stuff. Some of Lands End's offerings are good workhorses. I like their slim fit Supima cotton shirts...you can get them for $30 a pop during a sale, which LE has seemingly every week.
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Things that are not BIFL: Any Apple product.
I'm not sure why you're down specifically on Apple. I have a couple iPods of different ages, neither young any more. Both work like they did when new.
There's really no such thing as BIFL high tech unless you're willing to stay at that level of technology.
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Things that are not BIFL: Any Apple product.
I'm not sure why you're down specifically on Apple. I have a couple iPods of different ages, neither young any more. Both work like they did when new.
There's really no such thing as BIFL high tech unless you're willing to stay at that level of technology.
I think the main issue with Apple is that their "fixability" is low (sealed cases, non-removable batteries, etc.).
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And that they have an unearned reputation for durability that misleads the uninformed.
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I have to second the Patagonia recommendation, we love our clothing from them, they have great web specials and actually promote buying used whenever possible as a company.
My problem with a lot of BIFL type of things is that once I figure out that it was a really great product, it has been years and they no longer make that specific one, or the company has been bought and sold and the quality has gone down.
I have enjoyed reading this thread though, I found a lot of items that I will look for when things need replacing.
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My Braun coffee maker has been going strong for 21 years so far..Makes the best coffee too!
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Not sure if it's for life yet, but I've owned my Carolina work boots for three harsh winters so far, and they still look and feel brand new.
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Just got a 12" Lodge pan as a gift. It's my first ever new cast iron, actually, and man, is it rough compared to my grandmother's (great grandmother's?) 9" model! I guess I'd better season it and get started on the years of scraping with a metal spatula. I'd heard the new ones were rougher, but I think (hope) it can be overcome.
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Just got a 12" Lodge pan as a gift. It's my first ever new cast iron, actually, and man, is it rough compared to my grandmother's (great grandmother's?) 9" model! I guess I'd better season it and get started on the years of scraping with a metal spatula. I'd heard the new ones were rougher, but I think (hope) it can be overcome.
Don't worry. It'll get there. I was just noticing tonight how smooth my skillet is--it definitely wasn't when I bought it (I'm not going to tell you how long ago that was, though--just get to cooking :) )
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Santa brought me a LED maglite this year, the king-size version that doubles as a "get out of my face" baton. Holy cow is that thing way brighter than the non-LED version!
I shall be keeping one at home and one in the car from now on.
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Any suggestions for buy it for life clothes for women? shoes, slacks, blouses, dresses, coats, hosiery...
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Any suggestions for buy it for life clothes for women? shoes, slacks, blouses, dresses, coats, hosiery...
Shoes: Italian loafers, leather with a matte finish. Get re-soled/heeled/inserts/buffed as necessary. Mine are 6 or 7 years old and still feel like buttah.
Coats: Wool peacoat. I see no reason it won't last forever, as long as you keep it away from the moths. Mine is over a decade old.
Hosiery: <blows raspberry/>
Slacks/Blouses/Dresses: Turn the garment inside out and look at the seams. Don't ever buy anything that's "aged" or with a "wash". Elastic will give out eventually, so keep that in mind. After that, it's more about the care. Hand wash, gently. Air dry. Hit it with a cool iron if it needs it/will take it. Wear undershirts to keep your pits off the clothing. Spot clean and basically wash as little as possible. Change out of it into lounging clothes as soon as you get home. I had a blouse last for 15 years until I donated, mostly because I just outgrew the style. It was from a very cheap store, but most of the seams were enclosed. I think this is the key.
Remember: Washing is the enemy of clothing.
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Reddit thread on items that have a lifetime warranty:
http://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/comments/1tgx37/new_lifetime_warranty_thread_post_any_items_you/
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Glass Measuring cup: there's no handle, but I use wide mouth Ball canning jars for everything. 4, 8 and 16 oz sizes have markings on the side.
Sheets: I think brand is less important than how you treat them. Sheets lasted a whole lot longer way back when because they didn't go into a clothes dryer. Line dry everything and don't use fabric softeners or excessive amounts of soap or bleach.
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I have found that a lot of people just go out an buy a new item if it fails to perform. I have always investigated whether an item is under warranty. Recently I returned a tumbler to Tervis, it was only a $13 tumbler but it was something I used every day, at home and gym\work instead of buying water or tea.
I also use the skullcandy earphones ( get them at Tj maxx for $6) Ive sent them in for warranty a couple times for the past five years, so I am on the same pair for $6 plus some small shipping costs.
American Eagle stands by their clothing. My daughters backpack needs to go back to the store, most likely they will refund my $50. Ive taken back a shirt once that unraveled right away.
I have a citizen watch I bought 5 years ago, doesn't need batteries ( solar powered) and I have saved a lot of $ on that over the years. I was constantly buying batteries. It is dressy yet I can still wear it to the gym. I don't know if it has a lifetime warranty though, I will have to check that out. it was $130 and I will never have to buy a watch or batteries again.
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Does anyone have suggestions for a rice cooker?
The cook button on my last one broke and couldn't be replaced so I'm hoping I can find one that I won't have to replace for a while(preferably never)!
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Does anyone have suggestions for a rice cooker?
The cook button on my last one broke and couldn't be replaced so I'm hoping I can find one that I won't have to replace for a while(preferably never)!
a pot + stove
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Does anyone have suggestions for a rice cooker?
Goodwill usually has them for about $5, or go on Craigslist. Is a rice cooker something you need to buy for life?
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I have enjoyed rereading this thread in a new light, thinking about my soon to be college grad son.
Technologies change--for better or for worse. The first time my son spent the summer in Britain at an archaeological field school, he took the tent that he had been using for years. In fact, my husband had been given this Eureka A-frame as a high school graduation gift and had used it as a camp counselor in Maine where he led groups of kids out on the AT. After decades of use, the tent finally died. Let's face it: modern tent poles and materials are superior to the old but boy was that Eureka amazing! (Knowing that the floor was dying on the Eureka, we sent him off to Britain with a sheet of Tyvek. Talk about a great material!)
His backpack is an Osprey--that is supposed to last a lifetime but we'll see.
His most recent birthday request was for a pair of Danner boots.
Interestingly, he prefers handknitted superwash wool socks to store socks because they last longer. Guess that will keep me busy for the rest of my life.
He is going to field test Carhartt pants with double front reinforcement.
Those of you who work or play in the outdoors may have some suggestions for me for future gifts. Thanks in advance!
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Oh my god, I didn't know Eureka tents could die at all. If they do I'm not surprised it's after decades of use.
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Oh my god, I didn't know Eureka tents could die at all. If they do I'm not surprised it's after decades of use.
I don't know what my husband's parents paid for his Eureka A-frame. but it was worth every penny. It was a 2-man. Once the alliance was made with my eventual husband, we added a vestibule. When The Boy came along, we went to a 3-man (Walrus) but the Eureka eventually was inherited by The Boy as his tent.
After 30+ years, the floor wore out and a zipper broke.
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I was disappointed to discover just now that Frye was bought out in 2003, and is now owned by a Chinese company. Almost all of their shoes, sandals, and boots are made in China or Mexico. Online reviews are saying that the quality has gone down.
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I'm trying to find items that are made in the U.S.A and are also "buy it for life." (No offense to anyone--I know this is an international website.) Chacos are now made in China, but if you go on their website Chaco.com you can have your Chacos custom-made in Michigan for $130. I was looking at Filson workwear and some of their stuff is made in China, if you look closely at the website. And the Oneida brand (stainless cutlery, etc.) is completely outsourced now--it has not been American-made for years. Some of the former Oneida employees got together and bought the Sherill, NY factory. They are making several stainless patterns under the company name "Liberty Tabletop." They claim it is better quality than the overseas stuff. I thought it looked nice, although I don't need stainless right now. (Full disclosure--I used to live in Oneida county, NY when we were in the military--I used the Oneida factory store all the time for "seconds" and feel a certain loyalty to the area. I hope their business does well.)
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Oakley Polarized Half Jacket XLJ Sunglasses - Been wearing them every day for almost 8 years now, frame is still in perfect condition (except for the words rubbing off). This pair has been through EVERYTHING and I've never had a single problem. Bought replacement lens about every 3 years and replacement rubber at the 6 year mark, but I do heavily abuse them.
Citizen Eco-drive Stiletto Watch - One watch for everything from hitting the gym to weddings (Mustachian and non-Mustachian alike!). Plus solar-powered means no batteries to worry about.
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Citizen Eco-drive Stiletto Watch - One watch for everything from hitting the gym to weddings (Mustachian and non-Mustachian alike!). Plus solar-powered means no batteries to worry about.
I have this watch and LOVE it. Everyone comments on it. That said, I bought it in my pre-Mustachian days (on sale, though), and bought both the black and the silver. I guess, if I wanted to, I could sell the black one for what I paid for it...
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Boots from L.L. Bean.
their return policy is epic. basically get full dollar amount replacement for any boot that wears out.
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Citizen Eco-drive Stiletto Watch - One watch for everything from hitting the gym to weddings (Mustachian and non-Mustachian alike!). Plus solar-powered means no batteries to worry about.
I have this watch and LOVE it. Everyone comments on it. That said, I bought it in my pre-Mustachian days (on sale, though), and bought both the black and the silver. I guess, if I wanted to, I could sell the black one for what I paid for it...
i got my fiance a citizen eco-drive on our engagement (not wildly mustachian but seemed more equal given he was giving me a ring or similar cost). he loves it.
unfortunately i don't wear watches and already have a nice one but that stiletto is lovely.
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I bought a pair of the custom-made Chacos made in Michigan--you are given a bunch of options and you design them yourself--price is $130, but supposedly these things last a long time, and I try hard to buy American-made. I liked the idea of picking my own pattern for the straps and whatnot. Anyway, they arrived today, well-packaged and quicker than expected. I really like them--the good quality is obvious. (Full disclosure--I'm not connected with Chacos as a business in any way--just expressing my own preferences and opinions.)
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I'm on my third pair of Chaco's. They're only buy it for life if you don't lose them canoeing and you don't own a shoe-eating dog. The first two pairs were all black but for this one I just went with the first one in my size on ebay that was cheap, so they're tan and muted camo. They're inoffensive enough.
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Just splurged on a Pelican cooler. Lifetime warranty on the body. It does look like it will be the last cooler I ever buy. Half the price of a Yeti at CostCo.
On cookware, +1 on the Lodge products. I have promised myself a Staub French oven when my current Lodge enameled pot dies, but all indications say that will be decades from now.
Also, on the Cuisinart stainless cookware. We've had ours for going on a decade and they are like new. Don't expect to need to replace them ever, and WAY cheaper than All-Clad.
No way of knowing of the Blendtec will be BIFL, but worth every penny if it dies one day after the 8-year warranty expires.
Also, Wusthof and other quality knives. I've got a Henkels and a couple Globals in the mix as well. Aside from maybe one day buying a fillet knife, don't see any more kitchen knife purchases in my future.
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- I own a Moulinex grinder -coffee, peppers, you name it- dated 1951
- Women's shoes, I have 2 pair of shoes from a local workshop - tend to last a decade.
- I hope and think that the art I purchase will last a life time :)
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I'm trying to find items that are made in the U.S.A and are also "buy it for life." (No offense to anyone--I know this is an international website.)
http://www.saddlebackleather.com for leather items such as bags and wallets. Lifetime guarantee and I've heard great things, at least about the wallets. Still contemplating buying one myself as my current one (not a Saddleback) is falling apart after 10 years of service.
Customs charges are the reason I haven't bought one yet (I'm not in the US).
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basd, you might want to take a look at Oberon Designs, a California company. oberondesign.com I have a Kindle cover and two checkbook covers from there…I really like their stuff. Saddleback looks great, although I would think their products are too heavy for travel. But it sure looks like BIFL!
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I just spent a good twenty minutes polishing my ebayed Allen Edmonds. I think they're in better shape now than when I bought them. I don't normally love shoes, but both of these have been terrific. I almost wish I needed a third pair.
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basd, you might want to take a look at Oberon Designs, a California company. oberondesign.com I have a Kindle cover and two checkbook covers from there…I really like their stuff. Saddleback looks great, although I would think their products are too heavy for travel. But it sure looks like BIFL!
Thanks for the tip lizzzi, but those designs aren't really to my taste.. As I'm only looking for a wallet, which I'll probably be carrying around in a shoulder bag or bagpack anyway, I'll probably go for Saddleback.
Again, thanks though, comparing alternatives is always a good thing.
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I'm trying to find items that are made in the U.S.A and are also "buy it for life." (No offense to anyone--I know this is an international website.)
http://www.saddlebackleather.com for leather items such as bags and wallets. Lifetime guarantee and I've heard great things, at least about the wallets. Still contemplating buying one myself as my current one (not a Saddleback) is falling apart after 10 years of service.
Customs charges are the reason I haven't bought one yet (I'm not in the US).
I can confirm Saddleback as BIFL. I have the medium satchel and it's only getting better with age. When my current wallet dies I'll get the replacement from there.
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I love Corelle dishes! My parents bought a set in the 1980s. When they got tired of them and wanted a new pattern, I inherited them - free dishes! After many years, I finally admitted to myself that I hated the pattern, so I gave them to my younger cousin who was still in college - free dishes for him! He ended up with a roommate who had dishes already (the same pattern!) so he gave them to his brother - free dishes for another family member! They're still being used today.
Of course, I replaced that ugly old set with a new set of Corelle in a pattern I like better. They're really thin, so they don't take up much room in a cabinet, and they're lightweight. And Corelle replaces any chipped or broken items! (If they don't have the exact item, you can choose something similar). I haven't had to do it, but my mother did once.
I love my L.L. Bean boots. I wear them almost every day in the winter because they're super warm and also completely waterproof (win!) I've had them for about 10 years and they've gotten me through a lot of snow, slush, ice, and cold. There's a warranty on them, of course, but I haven't had to use it.
Someone else mentioned old wood furniture, and I have to second that. I am currently sitting at the wood desk that my mother used as a child in the 1950s. It's gorgeous and looks great. I also have several dressers and a nightstand from the same set of furniture and they're all in fantastic condition, despite many moves to different homes.
I have my grandmother's old Kitchen Aid mixer. I have no idea what year it was from (definitely no later than the 1980s, but probably a decade or two earlier than that), but it's lasted well.
This is a great idea for a thread! After years of decluttering, I finally feel good about what I own and no longer want to buy anything new, so it really bothers me when I need to replace something that breaks (though I try to do without it when I can.) If I have to replace something, I'd love it to be with a BIFL item!
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Does anyone have suggestions for a rice cooker?
The cook button on my last one broke and couldn't be replaced so I'm hoping I can find one that I won't have to replace for a while(preferably never)!
First post. I know the above us now about two months old, but I thought I'd chime in. The BIFL rice cooker over here in Taiwan is the Tatung electric cooker. The things last forever, and make great rice. They're also great for steaming and reheating. It takes a minimal amount of study to learn how to make perfect rice. You have to add water to both the rice bowl and the cooker itself. If you are willing to learn, this is one of the most versatile cooking appliances you can own. And, I've seen them in the US new. Not sure if they will have hit CL yet, though. They're not terribly expensive new anyway.
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I'm on my third pair of Chaco's. They're only buy it for life if you don't lose them canoeing and you don't own a shoe-eating dog. The first two pairs were all black but for this one I just went with the first one in my size on ebay that was cheap, so they're tan and muted camo. They're inoffensive enough.
I wore through my Chaco sandals in about two years . . . I ride shoes really hard.
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Most garden hose reels are fragile, leaking plastic bits of soon-to-be garbage.
Eley (Rapid Reel) makes a solid one that is mostly aluminum and brass. I have two - the ten year old one still works like new, leak-free despite having to cope with my neighborhoods unusually high water pressure (105 psi).
They are pricey, but you only need to buy once.
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One more garden-related item
The Swiss-made Felco hand pruner. I have the #2, but there is a variety to choose from. High quality, and you can get replacement parts to keep it working forever.
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Does anybody have any suggestions for a Buy It For Life umbrella? (Do they even exist?)
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Does anybody have any suggestions for a Buy It For Life umbrella? (Do they even exist?)
No specific brand to recommend, but golf-style umbrellas are large are generally pretty sturdy to resist the gusts of wind. They also double as a cane, but won't fit in your purse.
Large, sturdy, practical, pick two.
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Does anybody have any suggestions for a Buy It For Life umbrella? (Do they even exist?)
Don't know if it's BIFL, but here's the best umbrella (http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-umbrella/).
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I love Corelle dishes! My parents bought a set in the 1980s. When they got tired of them and wanted a new pattern, I inherited them - free dishes! After many years, I finally admitted to myself that I hated the pattern, so I gave them to my younger cousin who was still in college - free dishes for him! He ended up with a roommate who had dishes already (the same pattern!) so he gave them to his brother - free dishes for another family member! They're still being used today.
Of course, I replaced that ugly old set with a new set of Corelle in a pattern I like better. They're really thin, so they don't take up much room in a cabinet, and they're lightweight. And Corelle replaces any chipped or broken items! (If they don't have the exact item, you can choose something similar). I haven't had to do it, but my mother did once.
Corelle for the win. We have a great set of white Corelle plates and bowls--phenomenal, un-breakable, un-stainable.
Also, don't laugh, I think we have MOSTLY-for-life underwear: Ex-Officio (http://www.exofficio.com/search/underwear?all=28&gclid=CjgKEAjwzcWcBRCat43fy9e5i3ASJADXOBwu1KPcUjAgyvT_3gOhk6PPPwEkILgrqhAwNqix0j09I_D_BwE)'s Give-N-Go active underwear for menfolk and ladyfolk. We invested in these undies a few years ago for hiking and have since converted to them entirely. Incredible durability and comfort. Perfect for the boardroom or the mountain top. We've been wearing them for years and not a single rip.
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Re: umbrellas. Believe it or not, I had already researched and ordered the EuroSchirm Light Trek. I'll plan to post updates about it over the months--it should arrive next week. It had better be worth the $52…I hope the price doesn't merit a face punch, but I am sooooooo tired of buying and then having to discard inexpensive umbrellas that fall apart. I think a golf umbrella might be too big for what I need, but that isn't a bad idea either. Thanks.
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Perfect for the boardroom or the mountain top.
(http://image1.frequency.com/uri/w354_h200_ctrim_ll/_/item/2/4/6/0/Futurama_Lightspeed_Briefs_246091_thumbnail.jpg)
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Rebel Spy, you are so bad!
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I'm trying to find items that are made in the U.S.A and are also "buy it for life." (No offense to anyone--I know this is an international website.)
http://www.saddlebackleather.com for leather items such as bags and wallets. Lifetime guarantee and I've heard great things, at least about the wallets. Still contemplating buying one myself as my current one (not a Saddleback) is falling apart after 10 years of service.
Customs charges are the reason I haven't bought one yet (I'm not in the US).
I bought and sold their messenger for sale. Very well made, but HEAVY. Ended up with a waxed canvas bag from jack spade.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Oh, I forgot to mention socks. We get the "All Day Socks" from supermarkets and el cheapo department stores in Australia. They're not buy it for life, but buy it for 10+years is certainly feasible. They are SO comfortable and last forever, and the bonus is it is really easy to tell whose socks are whose (any all-black socks tend to migrate to my husband's sock drawer, regardless of size). I'm on to my second lot of socks. The previous ones lasted for about 10 years with each pair being worn approx once per fortnight for nearly 10 years. They didn't actually fall apart but the material became super uncomfortable and started rubbing on my feet.
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Does anybody have any suggestions for a Buy It For Life umbrella? (Do they even exist?)
@Lizzzi: the best umbrellas we owned were the ones that Ikea used to sell: blue and yellow. They cost $2, and we've had one for over ten years. I left one at a conference, but the other has seen massive use. It has never inverted despite our characteristic Boston storms...
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Ivyhedge, IKEA is advertising their Upptacka umbrellas for $2.99, on sale from 3.99, but they are not available online…you have to go to the bricks and mortar store. The Euroschirm seems sturdy and well-made, with a nice cover. It has a carabiner on it for clipping onto something, but no wrist strap. I was just thinking that I'll have to be careful of my two umbrella Waterloos (no pun intended): No matter how sturdy it is, I won't have it for life if I let the grandkids use it (ages 6,5,3), or if I am careless and leave it somewhere.
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Does anyone have suggestions for a rice cooker?
Rice cooker recommendation: Tiger JNP-1000. It's Japanese (as is my dad's side of the family) and easily available in the US. Near-effortless, perfect Japanese rice every time. Not to mention it's non-stick (more important than you'd realize, esp for sticky rice).
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Vitamix - still going strong after 10 years of regular use! Love this appliance!
Doc Martens - still wearing shoes I bought with my birthday money when my 18 year old was a newborn
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Sangean waterproof radio. $100, 10 years strong so far. Good way to catch up on traffic and news during my morning shower.
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Klean Kanteen water bottles.
I have 3 sizes (the normal, the larger, and the "holy crap do you drink that much water at once?" size). Hey, I've been a nursing momma for 3 years and don't trust the water at my work.
I am a water bottle afficionado. I've tried dozens of different bottles. Glass, plastic, plastic with straws, Nalgene, Sigg, etc. The Klean Kanteens are my staple. I've even dropped them while full-which is usually the drop of death for any water bottle. If they bulge out after getting dropped a few gentle taps with a hammer will dent them back in enough to stabilize the kanteen for proper sitting.
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Klean Kanteen water bottles.
I have 3 sizes (the normal, the larger, and the "holy crap do you drink that much water at once?" size). Hey, I've been a nursing momma for 3 years and don't trust the water at my work.
I am a water bottle afficionado. I've tried dozens of different bottles. Glass, plastic, plastic with straws, Nalgene, Sigg, etc. The Klean Kanteens are my staple. I've even dropped them while full-which is usually the drop of death for any water bottle. If they bulge out after getting dropped a few gentle taps with a hammer will dent them back in enough to stabilize the kanteen for proper sitting.
+1! I tragically lost my Klean Kanteen a few years ago and haven't replaced it, but it was a great waterbottle.
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P38 can Opener. My Neighbor was given 2 when he was drafted into the korean war. Carried one in his boot and one in his pack. Over 10 years ago he me the one that was in his pack, still clean and shiny. It had gone through a war oversees and passed along, and still opening cans. I keep it in my toolbox at work and use it often during winter for opening cans of soup. I have since bought 2 more(for a mere $2) To keep one in the camping supplies, and one in kitchen. I try to find items like this for every stage of life. It takes up NO room( keeps kitchen less cluttered), its manual and works all the time. -Jon
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I've got an itch for a Vita-Mix, but those suckers are $500. Just can't justify that expense.
Vitamix is worth it and easy can usually be found used for around $300.
Totally agree. I love my Vitamix. I did pay $500 (Canadian dollars) but I got the dry jar for free (so to me it was a great value). What the Vitamix costs is what you save in all the things you can make at home. E.g., I just made some deliciously smooth hummus. I don't need to use tahini paste because the Vitamix can ground up the sesame seeds easily. (A good food processor can do this too, but as I don't have one...)
Also, the resale value of a Vitamix is pretty high. Even though I paid $500, in the current market I could probably resell it for $300-400 (without the dry jar). But I plan on owning mine for life :). If anyone really wants a Vitamix but doesn't want to shell out the money, you can get one used from Vitamix directly.
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Shoes, sandals and hiking boots from Keen. Yes, they do wear out, but it seems to take a very long time indeed...
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Bass Pro Shop sells their own brand off heavy socks with a life time guarantee. I have several pairs that I have had for many years and they don't wear out. Plus I kept the receipts and packaging just in case!
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Most garden hose reels are fragile, leaking plastic bits of soon-to-be garbage.
Eley (Rapid Reel) makes a solid one that is mostly aluminum and brass. I have two - the ten year old one still works like new, leak-free despite having to cope with my neighborhoods unusually high water pressure (105 psi).
They are pricey, but you only need to buy once.
Craftsman rubber garden hoses from Sears (so long as the quality is still good). I bought three from Sears 12 years ago and they sat out in hot TX sun all that time and for 2 years in the Middle East and although maybe somewhat heavy to move around for some they are still in great shape.
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Cast-iron cookware. Some of my pans are older than me (found at flea markets, thrift stores, etc.), and all of them will outlast me with proper care. For stuff I find used, I scrub the hell out of the exterior with Bar Keeper's Friend and the interior with Bon Ami and then re-season in the oven with oil.
Ditto! My sister still uses our Grandmother's cast-iron pan which must be well over 60+ years old! Indestructible! :-P
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Love this thread. I always think about the Estimated Time to Landfill when I make a non-consumable purchase.
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Cast iron great deals at yard sales. Al-clad http://stores.cookwarenmore.com/all-clad-d5-stainless/ (http://stores.cookwarenmore.com/all-clad-d5-stainless/) discounts on irregulars. I purchased a 3qt sauce pan that I can't see the irregularity. My sauté pan with lid has a hammer dent on the inside. They cook amazingly.
My OXO SteeL Can Opener $19 on amazon is also amazing. I thought I was going crazy spending so much but it's one of my top ten purchases of all time.
Ralph Lauren polo button down collared shirts. I brought two 15-20 yrs ago. Still as good as new. I only wear them in the winter for about 3 months a year.
Leatherman supertool II. I have used it daily for the last 10 years and it's just like new.
My Henkel 8" chef knife though if I had to do it again I would get a 10" I broke the blade once. I sent it back and they sent my a new one.
My weber genesis gold propane grill is still going strong for 10 yrs and the weber kettle I had prior to that is still around that's 15yrs old. My weber Q is only about 6 yrs old but I have high hopes.
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Does anybody have enough experience with these to know if they are bifl?
Based on my experience with my parents' Kirby I say yes, built for life. I am a bit of a cleaning freak and put lots of miles on theirs.
+1. MIL vacuums daily and swears by her Kirby. My grandmother's upright from the 50's is still going strong at my parent's house. Getting it for free is the super, ultra bonus.
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Is it necessary to buy it for life? Lets say you get a nice set of socket wretch to work on your car or house. But then you move to another city where you don't drive and live in a rental apartment. Now, you have no use for the toolset, but still taking up storage. I rather get something cheap, and if my circumstance changes, I can get rid of it easily.
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Muck boots. I have worn through many rubber boots during the winter. These just don't wear out and are insanely comfortable. If only they were fashionable enough for work :(
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We buy duralex glassware too and it's amazing! I love that it is lead free and cadmium free too, which is hard to find!
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Something I would recommend would be the PlanetBox lunch boxes, they are very high quality and you can just replace the magnets now and then for added fun to the kids (the bags aren't bifl though, my kids' lunch bags are so dirty that the lunch boxes go in!).
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Keep it coming. I've purchased a couple of things off this list, most notably the duralex glasses. They are surviving my baby through her grab and drop phase.
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Dr. Martens Steel Toe Boots - My pair gets worn 6 months out of the year almost daily for the past 14 years
Birkenstock Arizona Sandals - My First pair last 7 years, I have 2 years on a second and purchased a 3rd (as a back up $44 clearance at DSW)
Lodge Cast Iron Cook wear - Indestructible
Leatherman Multi Tool - I have the Surge and its come in handy countless times and even saved my ass a few times in an emergency
MagLight Flashlights - Pretty damn hard to destroy
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I second Maglights as a BIFL item. Our big one is still going strong after 15 years. My boys recently bought me a little pink one for my bedside table.
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My criteria for elective purchases: if it can survive 3 months in the amazon cart and I still want it, I'm getting it. I just put a mag light in the cart.
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Cast-iron cookware. Some of my pans are older than me (found at flea markets, thrift stores, etc.), and all of them will outlast me with proper care. For stuff I find used, I scrub the hell out of the exterior with Bar Keeper's Friend and the interior with Bon Ami and then re-season in the oven with oil.
The older stuff is great, but some of the newer cast iron cookware is not so good. The surface is rough and doesn't season as well as the older stuff.
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I'm glad this older thread got resurrected so it would come to my attention.
I'm surprised it took to page three to mention Corelle. That stuff is indestructible and never chips. We are using plates and bowls that my sister bought when she went to college in the early 90s. Looks great! I also love how lightweight and small they are. I can pull four out at a time from my dishwasher with one hand. Plus they take up so little space in my cupboard.
I was dubious about All-Clad pans, largely because of the cost. But my husband wanted them for our wedding. Almost nine years later they are still going strong! We probably will be able to give them to our children some day. Our Henckels knives are also doing well, although I don't think they will outlive me like the All Clad.
We have a used Kenmore washer that seems indestructible. We bought it used 10 years ago, and it gets a lot of use in our household with three young boys.
They are not for life, but I've had good luck with Teva Olowahu flip flops. They last multiple years under hard use.
My husband's classic vacuum insulated coffee Thermos appears to be indestructible and 10 years on still keeps his coffee in the morning piping hot. He also drops it all the time, so it is dented but still works just fine.
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Cast-iron cookware. Some of my pans are older than me (found at flea markets, thrift stores, etc.), and all of them will outlast me with proper care. For stuff I find used, I scrub the hell out of the exterior with Bar Keeper's Friend and the interior with Bon Ami and then re-season in the oven with oil.
The older stuff is great, but some of the newer cast iron cookware is not so good. The surface is rough and doesn't season as well as the older stuff.
+1 on the older cast iron. I've tried grinding the newer stuff, but it still doesn't measure up.
The Starbucks insulated coffee mug seems to be good. I bought two last year at a garage sale for $1 each. Coffee stays very hot for several hours.
Also like the classic Thermos. Still excellent and dented, too. They were made to be used at work sites, so they are rugged.
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The Starbucks insulated coffee mug seems to be good. I bought two last year at a garage sale for $1 each. Coffee stays very hot for several hours.
Also like the classic Thermos. Still excellent and dented, too. They were made to be used at work sites, so they are rugged.
We got the Starbucks stainless coffee cup for a gift (that sucker is expensive new!), and it's almost too good. My husband complains that the coffee stays so piping hot on his drive to work that he can't even drink it. Once he left about half of it and brought it home 12 hours later. When I went to wash it, it was STILL hot. Do you wash yours in the dishwasher? I do, but maybe I should stop if it might undermine its insulating ability. We just rinse out the Thermos.
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I really really like my Estwing hammer.
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Cast-iron cookware. Some of my pans are older than me (found at flea markets, thrift stores, etc.), and all of them will outlast me with proper care. For stuff I find used, I scrub the hell out of the exterior with Bar Keeper's Friend and the interior with Bon Ami and then re-season in the oven with oil.
The older stuff is great, but some of the newer cast iron cookware is not so good. The surface is rough and doesn't season as well as the older stuff.
+1 on the older cast iron. I've tried grinding the newer stuff, but it still doesn't measure up.
I worried about this when I got a new 12" Lodge skillet last year, and the surface was remarkably rough and pitted. Next to my grandmother's 10" it looked and behaved like an entirely different kind of cookware. But, the size is great, enough so that the new skillet has become my primary, and I noticed just a couple of weeks ago that now, after a year of daily use with a metal spatula, it's as smooth and well-seasoned as the oldie, which is at least 50 years. So use seems to do what grinders will not. It's a shame I had to put up with it being of lesser quality for six months or so, but considering I'll use it for 50 years, assuming I last that long, it's not so bad.
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The Starbucks insulated coffee mug seems to be good. I bought two last year at a garage sale for $1 each. Coffee stays very hot for several hours.
Also like the classic Thermos. Still excellent and dented, too. They were made to be used at work sites, so they are rugged.
We got the Starbucks stainless coffee cup for a gift (that sucker is expensive new!), and it's almost too good. My husband complains that the coffee stays so piping hot on his drive to work that he can't even drink it. Once he left about half of it and brought it home 12 hours later. When I went to wash it, it was STILL hot. Do you wash yours in the dishwasher? I do, but maybe I should stop if it might undermine its insulating ability. We just rinse out the Thermos.
That's the one. I add three small ice cubes so I can drink it within the hour. Yes, wash it in the dishwasher when we have dishes to wash, but normally just rinse it out for the next day.
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The single AAA mini Maglite is awful. I still have my very old 3x D-cell Maglite, which works pretty well. May swap the bulb out for an LED array, though.
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I thought of another one. I have a couple of hones that I use for sharpening up my knives / axes / tools / razor at home. I'm not sure if that explicitly counts for this discussion but it's keeping a LOT of my stuff in working order for much longer than it would otherwise.
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Steal it for life: I recently inventoried my home office supplies and discovered I had about 15 gel pens from my old job. I always kept two in each suit coat or sport coat, two in the car, and 2-4 in my briefcase at all times. Probably a several year supply. I also found a few mechanical pencils and a bunch of lead refills. No telling how long it will take me to use those. At least they won't dry up!
Although not quite "buy it for life," increasingly, I think desktop and, to a lesser extent, laptop computers are becoming "buy it for a very long time" items. Most of our desktop machines at work are about 10 years old and all run Windows XP. They were midrange models when they were new, and I think someone upgraded the memory. They're not incredibly fast, but aren't excruciatingly slow, either. Office 2003 still works fine. Internet Explorer 8 is outdated/insecure and we use Firefox instead, which is still updated on XP, as is Chrome. These are all midsize towers--one advantage of the tower form factor is that they usually use a standard power supply and other parts instead of the proprietary ones in the small form factor machines, hence, they are easier to repair.
With laptops, you have the whole battery issue to contend with, but those are much improved in the past few years. The one in my 3.5 year old notebook will still hold 87% of its rated capacity after over 500 charge cycles. I think it's reasonable to expect at least a couple more years out of it.
Tablets and cell phones, on the other hand, tend to be anti-"buy it for life" purchases. I resisted upgrading my iPad mini from iOS 6 to iOS8, but newer versions of Chrome and some other apps required a newer operating system. Apple seems to offer iOS upgrades for about three years from the release date of a device, and it's a given that a device will get slower as the OS becomes more complex. Eventually, new apps will not be released for the older operating systems, websites will cease to function properly on older browsers, and the device will become obsolete. The situation is likely worse for the Kindle, as you are generally stuck with whatever version of Fire OS the device shipped with. Google used to follow the Amazon model with Android but is getting better. I think the lifecycle is much shorter for mobile devices than it is for traditional desktops/laptops.
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I know this is an old thread but for those interested I created a website a while back to feature what this thread discusses, BIFL products. I focused on featuring products with lifetime warranties and I list a bunch of product information for each product that I feature. If anyone wants to check it out the site is http://LastMeALifetime.com/
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I have a couple things that have lasted a really long time so far. I have a Nike all-synthetic gear bag for my martial arts equipment which has lasted for 15 years so far. Even the zip is plastic and yet it's held up incredibly well and I use it all the time. I think I bought it at Walmart too, which is incredible when you think about it.
When it comes to sneakers (or tennis shoes or trainers, depending on where you live), I bought two pairs of Puma Liga all-natural leather indoor soccer shoes and they have held up for over two years now. Those sneakers are very, very well made.
When it comes to electronics, Apple products have held up the best for me. I've gone through 3 PC laptops over the past eight years, but I'm still using the same 30 gb iPod and it's going strong. I haven't always treated that iPod well either -- doing things like leaving it in a freezing or boiling hot car and sometimes sitting on it -- and it still works perfectly.
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My offering: GoRuck GR2 backpack. Very pricey, but guaranteed for life and seemingly indestructible. The quality of the build is incredible, and I find that the 40L size very effectively replaces my 70L pack without all the bulk and dangly bits. You can find them on sale for around $300 if you're patient. The only thing they don't guarantee for life is the zippers ($75 to fix) but they're YKK zippers, which should last a decade or two.
Request: technical pants that look good for everyday use and hold up to backpacking/biking. My brother swears his pranas are great, and he builds fences for a living and backpacks for fun. But i've seen some people say theirs fell apart. It seems they are inconsistent batch to batch. Anyone have an experience? I'm also looking at bluff works pants. Other suggestions welcome. I'd like to buy 1 or 2 pair of something and have it last 10 years.
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I've yet to own it long enough to tell, but for a BIFL umbrella the Unbreakable Unbrella is a contender. It's made not so much for staying dry as a for self defense but it does the first well enough. Just don't expect the large version to work well if you whup somebody's ass with it.
http://real-self-defense.com/unbreakable-umbrella/
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I've yet to own it long enough to tell, but for a BIFL umbrella the Unbreakable Unbrella is a contender. It's made not so much for staying dry as a for self defense but it does the first well enough. Just don't expect the large version to work well if you whup somebody's ass with it.
http://real-self-defense.com/unbreakable-umbrella/
This looks insane; are you in Beirut or Gotham City? $140 is nuts for a bartitsu trinket.
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I've yet to own it long enough to tell, but for a BIFL umbrella the Unbreakable Unbrella is a contender. It's made not so much for staying dry as a for self defense but it does the first well enough. Just don't expect the large version to work well if you whup somebody's ass with it.
http://real-self-defense.com/unbreakable-umbrella/
This looks insane; are you in Beirut or Gotham City? $140 is nuts for a bartitsu trinket.
Careful now, Oswald Cobblepot there might not care for your tone.
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I've yet to own it long enough to tell, but for a BIFL umbrella the Unbreakable Unbrella is a contender. It's made not so much for staying dry as a for self defense but it does the first well enough. Just don't expect the large version to work well if you whup somebody's ass with it.
http://real-self-defense.com/unbreakable-umbrella/
This looks insane; are you in Beirut or Gotham City? $140 is nuts for a bartitsu trinket.
Unfortunately not all BIFL items can be cheap. But if it's the last umbrella I own that works for me. Plus it was a gift.
Cobblepot isn't as scary as John Steed.
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Problem with BIFL, is that sometimes it doesn't work. I bought Levelor cellular blinds for several windows and 1 sliding glass door. I don't really expect them to last a lifetime but I did expect them to last 10 years. The windows are fine but the one on the door is broken approx. 3 years later. The Company no longer supports this particular design so I can't get the parts to fix them. I suspect that the Co. knew that this part was not strong enough to lift the weight of a door size blind but sold it anyway. After much haggling they offered $100. off but the blind costs 3 times that amount. I have ordered drapes from Penny on sale and Levelor has lost a customer.
I also put in some dual paned windows and doors. The first Company is out of business so the guarantee is kaput too.
QuickBooks drives me crazy. They keep updating their product but it now does much more than I need for my Company. They quit supporting their software after 3 or 4 years and the only help they will give is to sell you a new version at full price. So far I have managed to keep my 2009 version running. I have the suspicion that they are not the only software Company to play that game.
I have heard that Dewalt tools is particularly good in that they support their tools for life. So does REI..
What Companies have you bought items from that were to last long term but the product didn't last and the Company didn't back their product?
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My first mustachian post!
All-American Pressure Canner. No gaskets to hassle with. Quite expensive up front, but it will last many lifetimes!! What could be more mustachian than canning your own meats, and preserving your home grown veggies and fruits??
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http://ilequipment.com/
Backbacks that will outlive you. They are in style NOW. Looks epic with tons of styles.
My friends actually hand makes them in Berkeley, California.
Take a peek!
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Problem with BIFL, is that sometimes it doesn't work. I bought Levelor cellular blinds for several windows and 1 sliding glass door. I don't really expect them to last a lifetime but I did expect them to last 10 years. The windows are fine but the one on the door is broken approx. 3 years later. The Company no longer supports this particular design so I can't get the parts to fix them. I suspect that the Co. knew that this part was not strong enough to lift the weight of a door size blind but sold it anyway. After much haggling they offered $100. off but the blind costs 3 times that amount. I have ordered drapes from Penny on sale and Levelor has lost a customer.
I also put in some dual paned windows and doors. The first Company is out of business so the guarantee is kaput too.
QuickBooks drives me crazy. They keep updating their product but it now does much more than I need for my Company. They quit supporting their software after 3 or 4 years and the only help they will give is to sell you a new version at full price. So far I have managed to keep my 2009 version running. I have the suspicion that they are not the only software Company to play that game.
I have heard that Dewalt tools is particularly good in that they support their tools for life. So does REI..
What Companies have you bought items from that were to last long term but the product didn't last and the Company didn't back their product?
It always comes back to caveat emptor, which is why I try to crowd source through here and reddit. Reddit seems mostly infatuated with boots and knives, not much else though. Except the well worn battle cry of lodge skillets.
I've found that actually collecting on a warranty or guarantee is usually a hassle, and I prefer things that won't break in the first place.
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If I had to live my life over again, I would spend money on buying a decent set of Pots and Pans from the get go.
Here is a set that will last literally forever!
ALL CLAD Cookware (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RT8IEY)
ALL Clad- Made in the USA.
I am military and every pcs I would buy a new TFAL set for 200 dollars. By the end of the 3 year time period they were ruined.
The ALL CLad pots and pans I have now have been with me for 5 years and look brand new. Anytime they need to be cleaned I just rub some barkeepers friend on them and they shine like new.
Buy it once and you are done.
[Mod Edit: Referral link removed.]
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another buy it once item is Shun Knives (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQ83GPG/)
They have a lifetime sharpening guarantee. Anytime they get dull, send them in for free sharpening. They are super sharp!
I have 3 and will no longer buy knives again.l That is better than buying the 99 dollar knife sets at BedBath and Beyond!
[Mod Edit: Referral link removed.]
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I have a Carhartt jacket that was purchased over sized when i was 14. I'm 28 and still wear it. It is very worn now, but i put it threw a lot. I was working with a chimney sweep at 14, and have done tons of side work and abuse in that jacket.
Work gave me a new one, but i still prefer the broken in old one.
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If I had to live my life over again, I would spend money on buying a decent set of Pots and Pans from the get go.
Here is a set that will last literally forever!
ALL CLAD Cookware (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RT8IEY)
ALL Clad- Made in the USA.
I am military and every pcs I would buy a new TFAL set for 200 dollars. By the end of the 3 year time period they were ruined.
The ALL CLad pots and pans I have now have been with me for 5 years and look brand new. Anytime they need to be cleaned I just rub some barkeepers friend on them and they shine like new.
Buy it once and you are done.
[Mod Edit: Referral link removed.]
I put these in my wish list. Maybe next Christmas, I like the idea of the lifetime guarantee.
The cast iron I have is fine but very unwieldy. More for bar pizzas than anything else!
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Ortlieb back roller panniers (for a bicycle). They are expensive, but I've had mine for years and aside from a scuff or two they show no signs of wear. They are very water proof; as long as you don't submerge them the stuff inside will stay dry. They are also really easy to take on and off the rack.
Another nice thing about them is that if you some how *do* break it, almost all the parts are available for sale on Ortlieb's website for reasonable prices, so you can fix it rather than buying a new one.
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Because DH knows how to fix appliances, we always choose Miele. They last a long time, and have a warranty that you can get hold of parts for 20 years. One of our first appartments had an ancient washing machine, I guess at least 25 or 30 years old. Something broke, and DH contacted Miele to get parts. The parts arrived a couple of days later, and cost us less than $20.
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Ortlieb back roller panniers (for a bicycle).
+1 for Ortlieb stuff. I especially like their bike messenger style backpacks Ortlieb Velocity (20L) or larger Ortlieb Messenger Bag (30L)
They're pretty expensive but very durable. + when you ride your bike a lot, you'll want to carry your stuff safe and dry.
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Another +1 for Ortlieb stuff. I have an Ortlieb backpack that I use every work day. Like the other posters say, they're sturdy and waterproof. Although expensive, I will gladly pay for a replacement when I need it.
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I use my grandmother's copper-bottom Revereware on a daily basis. Widely available in thrift shops at affordable prices.
https://fisherblacksmithing.com/ Iron & Wood hand-forged garden tools.
Things I don't actually own, but I hear are BIFL:
http://www.duluthpack.com/ Duluth Pack bags and backpacks
Max Mara camelhair trenchcoats
Birkin bags
(Hey, you said BIFL, not affordable. :D)
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Another +1 for Ortlieb stuff. I have an Ortlieb backpack that I use every work day. Like the other posters say, they're sturdy and waterproof. Although expensive, I will gladly pay for a replacement when I need it.
If it needs replacing someday, is it really BIFL??
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Not literally ;-)
But a backpack that lasts way longer than any alternatives, can be used daily for like 5 - 10 years, doesn't get out of fashion and will be replaced by the exact same model because it's a timeless design gets pretty close.
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Point taken, DagoberDuck!
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A couple of things that I had for years
J Henckles Knives - 15 years
Pyrex Glass Measuring cups - 20 years. I do hand wash most of the time so the writing doesnt come off
All-Clad pots and pans. I had a set for almost 15 years and I cook 5 days a week and they still look and work wonderfully. Sometimes use Barkeepers to keep looking nice.
Clark Shoes - last pair lasted 8 years
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Wow really glad I came across this, and thanks for sharing that subreddit! I'm a big believer in buying things of high quality that will retain their value/utility for many years. Even if that means paying more upfront for it. I've found this isn't readily embraced by the FI community which has always confounded me. I made a post on my blog about buying "quality items" if anyone is interested in reading it: http://www.valueiswhatyouget.com/blog/2015/2/8/only-buy-assets
- A Good Chef's Knife: I'm currently using a Shun Chef's Knife that I absolutely love. If you take care of it, it will last a lifetime.
- A Good Backpack:I've been using the same one since 7th grade from Marmot that is still wonderful. Best zipper ever!
Mod Note: Referral links removed.
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Vasque hiking boots - I've had them for 17 years! Disclaimer: I really wanted these boots because they were "trendy" at my middle school/junior high at the time. I've gotten a lot of use out of them, especially in the last few years, and ttey are still in great condition. Also, older The North Face jackets. I have a Denali fleece jacket that I had for a good 10 years before I unfortunately misplaced it. It seemed a lot thicker and more durable then the newer TNF jackets, but I am sure that is true for a lot of clothing brands. If I need another TNF jacket, I will look on eBay for a vintage one.
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I'm not a big fan of cast-iron pots and pans. I use Magnalite cast aluminum. They have a 50-year warranty. My set is about 18 years old and going strong. think my grandmother used hers for about 30-40 years (before she stopped cooking).
I bought a Craftsman garden trowel 15 years ago. Lifetime warranty. The rubber handle cover split after about 9 years - I took it in and they handed me a brand-new one. I still use that one.
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Heritage Artisan Pots / pans
Heavy Cast Aluminum, with non-stick finish.
https://www.starfrit.com/en/heritage-artisan-10-piece-cookware-set (https://www.starfrit.com/en/heritage-artisan-10-piece-cookware-set)
I bought this when I returned another brand and could only get in-store credit. For $20 for the large 13" pan, I was not expecting a lot. But-- Wow. NO warping, which even pricey brands can do. Performs better than my friend's All-clad which is beautiful but heavy and pricey. I did not realize it was non-stick at first because the finish is so hard / integrated, like my old smaller cast-iron pan, but totally non-stick. Used for at least 1 year now (heavy use / abuse) and looks / acts like new.
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This is the logic I apply to pretty much everything I buy. Depending on the price, I can spend weeks researching the 'best' item in that category.
I shop solely using slickdeals.net or camelcamelcamel.com and wait for a huge sale.
Usually a deal for 60-70%+ comes around every few years. I just set up alerts on slickdeals and wait!
Some of my 'lifer' consumer goods:
AllClad Pots + Pans
Thermoworks Thermapen Thermometer
Global Knives (G-2, G-12, GSF-46, GS-3, GS-14,G-46, GKS-210,G-9, G-56)
Boos Cutting Blocks (End Grain Maple!)
Staub Enameled Cast Iron Cookware - Cocottte
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer
Omega 8006 Juicer
iRobot Roomba 560 (brings multitasking to a new level!)
Tempurpedic Pillows (pillow still good after 8 years!)
ExOfficio Men's Give-N-Go Boxer Brief
Trek (7.3FX) Bicycle
Maxpedition Backpacks (Stika Gearslinger)
LL Bean Down Sleeping Bags
Eneloop rechargeable batteries
Craftsman Tools (older models, Made in USA)
Hotel Collection Down Comforter (from Macys)
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Briggs and Riley luggage. Pricey, but worth it- the luggage has a lifetime guarantee.
I've had mine for almost 10 years and it still looks almost brand new. Even if a strap gets cut, etc- I just take it in to an affiliate store, and they order a replacement strap or whatever and fix it, free of charge.
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We've gone through a couple of Wamsutta cotton sheets. The fitted sheets eventually rip. They are $25-30 apiece.
I was searching for a better brand, and it turns out that back in the day, at least in France, couples would get a set of heirloom 100% linen sheets as a wedding gift, and they would last two or three generations.
The best online source I found for linen sheets, aside from hit-or-miss ebay, is Rough Linen. These are made-in-California luxury sheets, in European style, meaning there is one large flat sheet for the bottom instead of a fitted, no top sheet, and a duvet. One queen sheet costs $154. I can buy 9 of Ikea's most expensive fitted sheets for that price, and altogether they'd probably last a decade or two, compared to a potential lifetime for a linen sheet.
I might do better by buying bed sheet linen by the yard (http://www.mcssl.com/store/gray-lines-linen-inc/120-inch) and making my own. With this fabric, it would be about $60 for the same size sheet. I ordered swatches to compare.
Does anyone have 100% linen sheets? Are they worth the expense? Any alternate recommendations?
Hey velocistar237, it's been a while since you posted the above. What was the outcome, if any, of your ongoing research? We just wore through a really expensive set of high thread count cotton, and though they lasted a good four years, I'm wondering if we can do better with replacement. Any help from you quarter? I'm prepared to make my own if need be. Thanks -
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I know this is an old thread but for those interested I created a website a while back to feature what this thread discusses, BIFL products. I focused on featuring products with lifetime warranties and I list a bunch of product information for each product that I feature. If anyone wants to check it out the site is http://LastMeALifetime.com/
Thanks for sharing!
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Eastpack bags.
I have a few shoulder bags and a luggage, they never disappointed me.
One of them lived through all of my university years, all of my brother's, and it's still as good as new.
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A good, pre-1940s cast iron pan and a red oxx piece of luggage. My wife and I each have an air boss, and they are amazing! Most of the time, we only pack one. Super durable, light, and spacious.
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Also--Case jack knives, Marshalltown trowels and a Nalgene silo. I used to work archaeology, and these (along with that red oxx) comprised my core gear. They have taken many, many beatings and I still use them (with slightly less regularity) today.
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thank you for this tip. I "fixed" a dent this morning in my son's kanteen. back to sitting flat :-)
The one thing I hate about his kanteen is the colorful paint which is chipping off in droves.
I wish I had purchased an unpainted one!
Sadly, I tend to purchase disposable... my tastes appear to change every ~5 years or so.
nonetheless, I really enjoyed reading through this thread.
If they bulge out after getting dropped a few gentle taps with a hammer will dent them back in enough to stabilize the kanteen for proper sitting.
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I recently bought a set of stainless steel drinking straws:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0100SQY7O?psc=1
They are great for smoothies and clean up easily. No more $$ spent in straws for smoothies for the kids and no more plastic straws going into the landfill from my household.
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SurgeX surge eliminator. Very superior in both performance and service life to any surge suppressors with sacrificial MOVs.
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I now have my dads wool Swanndri http://www.swanndri.co.nz (http://www.swanndri.co.nz) coat, he bought it 30+ years ago and wore it all winter when farming. It needs a little bit of sewing but is very warm and in great condition considering the use.
My father in law is a rep for a local industrial work gear company, got some Caharrt pants off him a while ago and a bit disapointed with the quality. However the Bisley overalls he gave me are great.
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I love Corelle dishes!
I realize this is a really old thread, but I admit after years of refusing to use them because I didn't think they are at all stylish, I caved. My parents and grandparents had them forever. Corning was the major employer on my 5 hour rural drive to college, I have been to the museum! ugh
as years went by and my pretty ceramic dishes chipped and showed knife scratches, were not kid friendly, broke and took up 4x the space of Corelle in my cupboard. I went to the Corelle website, found a modern design I actually liked, not seen in stores, sale and coupons, etc from wherever I found them cheapest. And I am an unlikely convert.
And one other thing- tervis large (24 oz) tumblers I love, they keep drinks cold for hours, no sweating, have not faded or got cloudy in the dishwasher, have lids that can be completely closed. I got them at BBB with coupon but if you keep a close eye, they clearance old patterns at close to 75% off when you use the coupon, at that price, a no brainer. Someone else said they returned theirs. I was a hospice home nurse, my drink with ice stayed cold even in summer heat and being left in a car for a good 6 hrs.
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Tom Bihn bags. Made in U.S. I've had mine for several years and it still looks like it did the day I got it. I bought it as my knitting bag, but use it as a carry-on for travel, for camping, car travel, indoors, outdoors, you name it. I often stuff it full/overflowing. Initially I hesitated on the price, but it turns out to be money well spent.
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I went to the Corelle website, found a modern design I actually liked, not seen in stores, sale and coupons, etc from wherever I found them cheapest. And I am an unlikely convert.
Which pattern did you go with? We didn't like very many patterns and ended up going with a discontinued one via thrifting and ebay.
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I went to the Corelle website, found a modern design I actually liked, not seen in stores, sale and coupons, etc from wherever I found them cheapest. And I am an unlikely convert.
Which pattern did you go with? We didn't like very many patterns and ended up going with a discontinued one via thrifting and ebay.
http://www.corelle.com/impressions-soleil-roses-16-pc-dinnerware-set/1109167.html#sz=36&start=75
I just noticed the Corelle website has way more pages of patterns to pick from than when I got these a few years ago. I wish I could remember for sure where I found them cheapest, I think it might have been target.com.
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+1 for Corelle. I have the solid white, nicely minimalist.
Bought them when my daughter was a toddler as she liked to help in the kitchen. Figured I'd go back to my hand painted stoneware when she was old enough to handle those. 17 years later, she's going to college and she's selling the stoneware for me online before she goes; we're splitting the proceeds.
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I have a Tensor desk lamp (in bright yellow) that I have been using for 30+ years. Before that it belonged to my parents, and I think it was made in the 1960's or 1970's. The Tensor company no longer exists, but the lamp is going strong. I have no problem finding replacement bulbs to fit the lamp.
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Oh, I forgot to mention socks. We get the "All Day Socks" from supermarkets and el cheapo department stores in Australia. They're not buy it for life, but buy it for 10+years is certainly feasible. They are SO comfortable and last forever, and the bonus is it is really easy to tell whose socks are whose (any all-black socks tend to migrate to my husband's sock drawer, regardless of size). I'm on to my second lot of socks. The previous ones lasted for about 10 years with each pair being worn approx once per fortnight for nearly 10 years. They didn't actually fall apart but the material became super uncomfortable and started rubbing on my feet.
My vote on socks is the Darn Tough brand. They're made in Vermont, and I've been literally unable to wear a pair out.
I've even started an experiment this year - I've been wearing the same pair literally every workday since January, and I'm going to see how long I can go. They are showing almost no wear so far. I wash 'em once a week (yes they're a bit smelly by Friday but I work in a factory so no big deal).
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I purchased my first pair of Darn Tough socks 6 months ago .. So far, so good.
Edit: darn auto correct!
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Also bought Darn Tough for the first time this winter and so far, so good. I basically don't wear socks in the summer, so it's been a limited test so far.
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Dr Martens Buy It For Life
http://drmartensforlife.com/the-guarantee/ (http://drmartensforlife.com/the-guarantee/)
For life.
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Dr Martens Buy It For Life
http://drmartensforlife.com/the-guarantee/ (http://drmartensforlife.com/the-guarantee/)
For life.
+1 Mine are 20 years old this year! (Shoe style)
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I have a North Face backpack that I bought in 94'. After more than 20 years of traveling the world's funnest places (military) it's still as solid as the day I bought it. The color has faded though.
I have a few fishing poles that are pretty old and most golf clubs will pretty much last forever.
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I'll put in a good word for Kent Wang Polos: http://www.kentwang.com/polos (http://www.kentwang.com/polos). I've had one since 2011, wear them every week to work (and because I walk a few miles a day in a DC summer, they get pretty sweaty). No wear or tear. 100% cotton, excellent collar construction. Look fly with a classic look and durable construction. Original was in Navy blue and I just bought a grey one. Love these!
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For men's dress shoes Allen Edmonds...I am getting a pair, lots of reports of these getting more than ten years. http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2143_1_40000000001_-1 (http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2143_1_40000000001_-1)
Anyone else know men's clothing brands for dress or casual wear?
Highly recommend Russel moccasins: http://www.russellmoccasin.com/ (http://www.russellmoccasin.com/). They are not cheap, come custom made to your feet. Well worth it though! The big kicker for me was they make a barefoot last (shoe mold), so I could get high quality mocs, great for casual and hiking, and they are pretty bifl (you can basically get them completely rebuilt)
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A few things that are built for life that I have used:
- Tupperware; my kids are using the same cups and plates that I used over 30 years ago
- Fiestaware; the only set of dishware my wife and I have owned. We use it daily and it still looks new.
- Rainbow flip-flops; bought my first and only pair 5 years ago. They are holding up great and I'll never buy another brand.
- Honda small engines; for example lawn mowers, pressure washers, motorcycles. They will not last a lifetime, but nothing compares to the reliability in my experience.
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A few things that are built for life that I have used:
- Tupperware; my kids are using the same cups and plates that I used over 30 years ago
- Fiestaware; the only set of dishware my wife and I have owned. We use it daily and it still looks new.
- Rainbow flip-flops; bought my first and only pair 5 years ago. They are holding up great and I'll never buy another brand.
- Honda small engines; for example lawn mowers, pressure washers, motorcycles. They will not last a lifetime, but nothing compares to the reliability in my experience.
I can attest to the Fiestaware. My mom has collected it for years and it's the most solid set of dishes I've ever seen.
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I've found that actually collecting on a warranty or guarantee is usually a hassle, and I prefer things that won't break in the first place.
You are so right. I spent two frustrating months trying to get a warranty RMA from Logitech for a set of speakers. It was a comedy of errors and broken promises. They finally wore me down to the extent that I tossed the broken speaker set into the trash. I'll never buy another Logitech product.
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Dr Martens Buy It For Life
http://drmartensforlife.com/the-guarantee/ (http://drmartensforlife.com/the-guarantee/)
For life.
+1 Mine are 20 years old this year! (Shoe style)
I may have already said this, think of me as Dory on Finding Nemo, I apologize in advance if did. Anyway, I have Doc boots and Mary Janes that I got 30 years ago. They could pass as gently used, certainly not 3 decades used. I was a hospice home care nurse, hospice patients cannot shovel their driveways. I wore the boots or the Mary Janes depending on amount of snow. Better than Bean boots. I have always loved my Mary Janes and I wore them as regular shoes, not snow shoes, until I was around 35 and I gained weight, felt dowdy, my clothes for work really did not go with the shoes. So relegated to weekend use and snow.
then I had teens and they found Docs and now I am not allowed to wear mine no matter how bad it snows because I am embarrassing myself. Same thing with Converse. DD wants my mary Janes and I will not do it, solely because of how they handled the situation, if she had said, "cool mom, can I borrow?" no prob. "OMG, take those off, you are too old for those, OMG," gets her brother, tag teamed making fun of me. I am purposely putting the Mary Janes in a special place and DD can have them when I am below ground.
I also have a pair of less heavy, Doc-y style shoes that don't have the tread, just comfy work shoes, 15 yrs old, still wear them. Oops, I mean I am still allowed to wear them
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I walked through the soles if my rainbows in a couple of years, so it must depend on foot patterns.
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Does anyone have experience with Duluth Trading garments? The longevity seems to be a selling point of theirs.
I have a couple IRL friends who like them but IIRC past threads here have been decidedly mixed in feedback.
Just found this thread myself. On the Lodge cookware I didn't find it particularly hard to season even with the rough surface, but I don't have decades-old cast iron to compare it with.
I've bought a number of things via BIFL thread recommendations, but all within the past couple years, so I can't honestly +1 anything yet.
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For durable goods, one of my rules actually is 'buy it for life'. For good quality tools, I'm willing to pass up the "Made in China" sticker even if it means paying double for something that lasts. My Dewalt planer, cordless hammerdrill and circ saw are still going strong 2 houses, a garage and 2 pole buildings later (with new batteries over the course of the last 10 years). And the Bosch 12" miter saw shows no signs of slowing down. In that time I've also added some vintage hand tools that have proven their worth.
Speaking of vintage, it's worth surfing craigslist and hitting the estate sales for quality linens, blankets and dishware. You'd be surprised the number of times sheets and blankets were tucked away as spares or wedding gifts, never to be used because the originals never wore out. The kitchen appliances are all vintage as well- they're extremely efficient with lots of insulation, and repairable should something need attention after 50 years. Plus, who doesn't love a turquoise kitchen? : )
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Redwing boots. Mine are steel-toed. Years of military use, and 35,000 miles of shifting on motorcycles, they're still fantastic. After 10 years, I had to get the soles replaced. That was $106. That brings the 10 year cost to less than $5/month. I was replacing my Bates every few months at $50-100 a pop.
Gerber multitools. I have two. One I keep on the bike, one I keep around the house. A decade of regular use and still going strong. The knives are finally getting a little dull, but I have a wet stone to fix that.
Lodge cast iron. I keep hearing horror stories about newer ones not being nearly as good as vintage, and that cooking eggs is the worst thing ever. At first, eggs would stick, even using extra fat to cook them in. Within a month, that wasn't the case anymore. Now I use the same amount of oil or butter even when I was using what was supposed to be non-stick (and that I've had to use with quality SS-sandwiched copper pans). I cook in my 12" skillet every day. It's the easiest pan to clean I've ever used. Just sucks it takes a good 10 minutes to pre-heat.
Powerblock adjustable dumbbells. These things have been taking a daily beating for 10 years and the soft grips haven't even begun to wear out yet. They cost an arm and a leg, but damn have they been worth every penny. It's having just two dumbbells that I can adjust to fit what I need, instead of needing a whole rack worth.
Ader kettlebell. Another piece of workout equipment that's been taking a beating for a decade. I imagine any cast iron kettlebell will last as long as any other piece of coated cast iron; that is to say just about forever. I mention this because I've seen some very questionable rubber and plastic ones for cheap at Walmart and Ross and the like. Seems more worthwhile to get what you'll know will last, and a pair of gloves if you're worried about grip.
Vacuum insulated stainless steel thermos. Has anyone ever not had one last forever? Because mine seems to be, even if I do keep managing to drop them on rocks and concrete.
I think the general population would be surprised how many things could last a great deal longer than they expect, if they kept up with maintenance. Knives need sharpened and proper care. Fridges, washing machines, coffee makers, etc. all have maintenance cycles, whether they're meant to be BIFL or just making them last as long as possible. Cars aren't the only things we buy that need maintained, but I've rarely met anyone who keeps the coils on the fridge cleaned, or runs vinegar through their coffee pots, or oils their leather furniture/boots/jackets/etc.
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Not exactly 'for life', but...
Over a year ago I was in a hardware store that had a display of Bambooee washable 'paper' towels that are made from bamboo. The display included a video of their properties and use suggestions. I had seen the product on the show "Shark Tank" (and it was part of the in-store video).
I was impressed at how soft and tuff they are - you can not rip them by hand (at least when new).
I bought a roll of the 'sweeps' model that have 'scrubbing dots' on one side for use in 'swiffer' (type) floor cleaners. I put one on my floor cleaner.
I put another one at my kitchen sink for washing dishes. The dots come in handy for that!
After a few months, I was impressed with their durability and gave half of the rest of them to a friend.
I'm STILL amazed at how durable they are - and how easy they are to clean. I've only bought one roll of paper towels since then (there are some things that just need to be wiped up and thrown away). I'm still only using the first two Bambooees.
Now that I'm writing this, I realize I should sanitize them in the microwave. Correction, I just looked it up and GoodHouseKeeping says a 5 min. soak in bleach water is the best way to sanitize (but I dunno why they say to make a gallon...).
No affiliation with Bambooee or Shark Tank in any way.
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Weber grills. Can't say as much for their covers, but they do last quite a while too.
We've all seen grills left by the trash with a free sign on them. I leave them all unless they're a Weber. Several I've cleaned up and sold for $100 that were at least 10 years old and just needed a new igniter and a good scraping. I've had the e300 propane for 5 years and use it regularly. It looks like brand new still. I can't imagine it lasting any less than 25 years. For a grill, that is basically BIFL especially considering most die/break/rust/fall apart within just a few years.
Oh and there is just no question on the ease of use, even heat, no flare ups, searing and temperature ability, etc. I use it frequently and for quick and minor grilling too (yes I know about charcoal) so propane is the way to go for me.
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The kitchen appliances are all vintage as well- they're extremely efficient with lots of insulation, and repairable should something need attention after 50 years. Plus, who doesn't love a turquoise kitchen? : )
had my grandpa's turquoise 50's milk shake maker, it stopped working but fit the 50s kitchen vibe. He had had his own homemade ice scream shop, so it was sentimental. Hoarding mother of many types of things, insisted this must go when I wasn't looking. Those sneaky hoarders.
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Anyone tried Tom Cridland T-shirts, sweatshirts or trousers? The first two are guaranteed for 30 years (should you be the same size in 30 years time.) I bought one for a present and it went down well plus they deliver worldwide as they're based in the UK. www.tomcridland.co.uk
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Weber grills. Can't say as much for their covers, but they do last quite a while too.
We've all seen grills left by the trash with a free sign on them. I leave them all unless they're a Weber. Several I've cleaned up and sold for $100 that were at least 10 years old and just needed a new igniter and a good scraping. I've had the e300 propane for 5 years and use it regularly. It looks like brand new still. I can't imagine it lasting any less than 25 years. For a grill, that is basically BIFL especially considering most die/break/rust/fall apart within just a few years.
Oh and there is just no question on the ease of use, even heat, no flare ups, searing and temperature ability, etc. I use it frequently and for quick and minor grilling too (yes I know about charcoal) so propane is the way to go for me.
I'm a Weber (charcoal) guy myself. And my parents have a Weber propane grill that's pushing 20 years now. I think the only repair it's ever needed has been replacing the "flavor bars" that go between the burners and the grates.
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1. My Omafiets Workcycle bike. It was an intentional lifetime purchase. Weighs a ton, but solid as a rock. Great as my daily driver, and the only step-through bike I could find that comfortably fit my 6' frame (other than custom-made ones). Here's a link: http://www.workcycles.com/home-products/handmade-city-bicycles/workcycles-omafiets-dutch-granny-bike
2. Solid, heavy aluminum rimmed baking sheets. I buy half-sheet-pan sized ones from our local restaurant supply store for about $10 each.
3. +47 on the cast iron cookware.
4. Our 100% wool Oriental rugs. Amazingly durable. The fringe has fallen victim to the cats and kids, but the rugs themselves still look great.
5. Our Global chef's knife. We kept wrecking the handles on the ones we had, and finally went with the model where the handle is metal and a seamless part of the knife. Love it. It's this one: http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-17694/?affsrcid=AFF0005&adpos=1o1&creative=45092948981&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CMXxiNfaw8gCFQQKaQodRXII3g
(I'm not affiliated with Sur la Table, but it is where we purchased the knife. They do go on sale on a regular basis -- perhaps every year or so?)
6. Our Thomasville bed. It was not cheap. I love the way it looks, and it's rock-solid. No squeaks, no wiggle, no creaking or groaning. Completely worth it.
7. The Pendleton Woolen Mills wool blanket on aforementioned bed. Had it 14 years, looks brand new.
8. Our Denby dishware set (we chose the Regency Green colorway). We received it as a wedding gift and have used it daily since then (14 years, again) -- and it looks beautiful and is in great condition. It is both our everyday china and our special occasion china (OK, technically, stoneware), and never fails to give me pleasure.
Sadly, our LeCreuset has not been a lifetime purchase for us. Our dutch oven is still going strong, but we have a smaller, 3-quart saucepan that has lost the enameling on the bottom (food-contact surface). When we asked LeCreuset to fix it, they claimed we were using too high of a heat on the pan. We disagree with this assessment, as the Dutch oven is still in excellent condition despite being several years older. Will not be spending the massive bucks on this brand again.
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2. Solid, heavy aluminum rimmed baking sheets. I buy half-sheet-pan sized ones from our local restaurant supply store for about $10 each.
Sadly, our LeCreuset has not been a lifetime purchase for us. Our dutch oven is still going strong, but we have a smaller, 3-quart saucepan that has lost the enameling on the bottom (food-contact surface). When we asked LeCreuset to fix it, they claimed we were using too high of a heat on the pan. We disagree with this assessment, as the Dutch oven is still in excellent condition despite being several years older. Will not be spending the massive bucks on this brand again.
I keep forgetting to try the restaurant supply store. Do they charge more for regular people and less for restaurant people, kwim? The way professional beauty and hair supplies stores do?
My Le Crueset is doing fine, I buy it at the outlets, older colors are great deals. I would go up the chain of command and complain. That is a brand that should definitely Buy it For Life
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2. Solid, heavy aluminum rimmed baking sheets. I buy half-sheet-pan sized ones from our local restaurant supply store for about $10 each.
I keep forgetting to try the restaurant supply store. Do they charge more for regular people and less for restaurant people, kwim? The way professional beauty and hair supplies stores do?
My Le Crueset is doing fine, I buy it at the outlets, older colors are great deals. I would go up the chain of command and complain. That is a brand that should definitely Buy it For Life
Ours does not, and neither does the one by my MIL. They are both open to the public with good prices on all sorts of stuff.
If you have a Smart & Final locally, they also carry basic restaurant cookware, including sheet pans.
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thanks!
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I just spent a good twenty minutes polishing my ebayed Allen Edmonds. I think they're in better shape now than when I bought them. I don't normally love shoes, but both of these have been terrific. I almost wish I needed a third pair.
I'm looking at two boots from them and I keep reading reviews saying the soles delaminate/come off early. Any thoughts on their boots?
http://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/mens-shoes/casual-shoes/eagle-county-boots/SF9442.html?dwvar_SF9442_color=9442#start=10
or
http://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/mens-shoes/new-styles/sturgis-2.0-plain-toe-boots/SF1713.html?dwvar_SF1713_color=1713
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Turvis tumblers up to 75% at Bed Bath Beyond, plus use the 20% off one item coupon.. Some as low as $6.99. Some with lids, these are a steal.
Most do not come with lids, and IMHO, without the lid to help keep cold in, then why bother with these? I've seen deals on lids online.
I love these! Patterns on this clearance, IMO, were too masculine. But there are pink initial ones
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/s/turvis-clearance?ta=typeahead
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I just spent a good twenty minutes polishing my ebayed Allen Edmonds. I think they're in better shape now than when I bought them. I don't normally love shoes, but both of these have been terrific. I almost wish I needed a third pair.
I'm looking at two boots from them and I keep reading reviews saying the soles delaminate/come off early. Any thoughts on their boots?
http://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/mens-shoes/casual-shoes/eagle-county-boots/SF9442.html?dwvar_SF9442_color=9442#start=10
or
http://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/mens-shoes/new-styles/sturgis-2.0-plain-toe-boots/SF1713.html?dwvar_SF1713_color=1713
I'd go to reddit.com/r/GoodyearWelt (http://reddit.com/r/GoodyearWelt) and ask about them. Two of my three pairs have sewn leather soles. The other has a rubber sole but I haven't had any problem with it loosening or delaminating in three years of ownership.
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Eddie Bauer Umbrella.
Broke. Threw it in trash. Thought....hmmm. maybe a warranty? Looked at store website. Yep guarantee. No receipt and umbrella is old - not worn the wind won. Go to store. Pick out new $30 Umbrella.
So, if I don't lose it... I got me an umbrella for life.
Pretty Sweet Deal.
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Does anyone have experience with Duluth Trading garments? The longevity seems to be a selling point of theirs.
Big fan of Duluth. They have a satisfaction guarantee: if it doesn't live up to your expectations, just return it in one of their pre-paid bags (they'll bill your card ~6.00 once they recive your package.) they will replace the item and ship it back.
I've returned pants and shirts that have ripped, and received replacements. No questions asked!
Their firehose pants are great. Very durable, and incredibly comfortable. So much so that I wear my "work" Duluth clothing on the weekends much to the chagrin of my SO.
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1) Channellock Pliers of almost any sort
2) Rigid Adjustable Pipe-wrenches
3) Milwaukee Sawzall (rare electric tool still made in USA)
4) +1 to the All-Clad cookware
5) +1 to the Red Wing boots
6) If you can find them, made in USA Craftsman socket sets
7) Made in USA Dickies - seem to fit more "true to size"
8) Fein oscillating tool - makes a Dremel seem like a toy
9) Rainbow sandals
10) Patagonia products, especially their wetsuits. I can surf in 50 degree water with a wetsuit thats 1-2 mm thinner than a normal wetsuit because it's lined with merino wool
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9) Rainbow sandals
my first thought this post probably came from a man, judging by the tools (I know this is not a feminist statement, tough) and all, then I got to rainbow sandals and thought, "WTH, does he wear those multi-colored Birks? this does not match the rest of his post." So I googled and now I want some, lol
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They're an institution here in Southern California. I got my first pair my second day of school at UCSB in 2002, and besides the pair that my Aussie just consumed, I've only had 3 pairs total. These ones were going strong (even had a small hole worn through the left heel) before I left them on the floor while I was out at dinner and returned to find the soles intact but no more straps.
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These are on my list, as are Le Creuset cookware. BIF-multiple-lifetimes. I have several inherited pieces that I can't imagine will ever bite the dust. High quality cookware and utensils are always a better buy than cheaply made. High quality cookware on sale is even better. I did recently replace the heatproof plastic knob on one of my 40-year-old Le Creuset pots because it started to crack. $13 on Amazon.
My mother wore out the enamel lining on two La Creuset casserole pots. That represents a lot of cooking for her large family. Luckily I was able to find her a replacement at the thrift store. And, because it's smaller, it better suits her now anyway. I use a straightup cast iron dutch oven, so I don't have to worry about the enamel.
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Dr Martens Buy It For Life
http://drmartensforlife.com/the-guarantee/ (http://drmartensforlife.com/the-guarantee/)
For life.
+1 Mine are 20 years old this year! (Shoe style)
If you read the details, IF your replacement is approved, you have to pay to ship the old boots to them AND pay an administrative fee of $25
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Sadly, our LeCreuset has not been a lifetime purchase for us. Our dutch oven is still going strong, but we have a smaller, 3-quart saucepan that has lost the enameling on the bottom (food-contact surface). When we asked LeCreuset to fix it, they claimed we were using too high of a heat on the pan. We disagree with this assessment, as the Dutch oven is still in excellent condition despite being several years older. Will not be spending the massive bucks on this brand again.
Do you have an outlet near you? You may be able to just walk in with the old one and walk out with the new one after a brief conversation. I was able to do that with my ~15 year old Calphalon nonstick pan.
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My wife hates our Kirby, because of "bad memories" of having to use a heavy Kirby vacuum in her childhood. So we have a Dyson for her and the kids to use, and it does a good job and serves that purpose well. But I use the Kirby myself because it kicks ass. I told her I'll get rid of the Kirby when it breaks. Ha ha, joke's on her, that thing is indestructible.
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I need to supplement my list with:
Allen Edmonds shoes - made in the USA!
http://youtu.be/TVihz2DbPd8
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Calida nightgowns and Le Mystere bras, both bought at huge discounts on Sierra Trading Post
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And one other thing- tervis large (24 oz) tumblers I love, they keep drinks cold for hours, no sweating, have not faded or got cloudy in the dishwasher, have lids that can be completely closed. I got them at BBB with coupon but if you keep a close eye, they clearance old patterns at close to 75% off when you use the coupon, at that price, a no brainer. Someone else said they returned theirs. I was a hospice home nurse, my drink with ice stayed cold even in summer heat and being left in a car for a good 6 hrs.
Tervis Tumblers also have a lifetime guarantee with a few provisos. http://www.tervis.com/guarantee
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Tervis Tumblers also have a lifetime guarantee with a few provisos. http://www.tervis.com/guarantee
[/quote]
yeah, you have to mail them back to the company and that eats up any savings you got on clearance ones. Why bother?
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Reuseit Workhorse Bag (these are reusable shopping bags).
http://www.reuseit.com/reusable-shopping-bags/reuseit-exclusive-reuseit-workhorse-original-reusable-bag.htm
At ~$5 each these will eventually start paying for themselves if used at stores that give a 5cent bag credit.
I've waited 8 years to make this review, so I can guarantee that they hold up well. They are stuffable (currently have 4 in my purse). They are the same footprint as the plastic grocery sacks - so they fit on the cashiers hooks making it easy to load. They are washable- so I don't worry about using these for meat. They are STRONG - I regularly fit multiple gallons of milk + canned foot with no difficulty other than remembering that even though the bag is strong I still have to physically carry the stuff into my house.
About 90% of the time I use them the cashier remarks upon how wonderful my bags are and asks me where I got them. These are my go-to gift for gift exchanges at work or between friends where a low dollar threshold is set.
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Reuseit Workhorse Bag (these are reusable shopping bags).
http://www.reuseit.com/reusable-shopping-bags/reuseit-exclusive-reuseit-workhorse-original-reusable-bag.htm
At ~$5 each these will eventually start paying for themselves if used at stores that give a 5cent bag credit.
I went to the site, 15% off over $50 and buy 3 bags and save a dollar on each
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Best long-lasting Gear I know of (disclaimer: a lot of this is anecdotal but I've researched as well) Prices in CDN unless otherwise stated
Household
Kirby Vacuum Cleaner - My mother bought one back in 1996, they've only replaced the belt since then, I think an $8 part.
Vitamix - Bought for $399 USD (a deal) after my cheap blender died. The only people I know who buy these twice are when they give the first one to their kid when they move out. At least 25 years of use.
Cast-Iron pans - Certainly beats everything else healthwise. If you don't like the maintenance, Canadian Tire has really good sales on Heritage The Rock series (12"pan with lid red $139.99 I bought for ~$30) and Cuisinart enameled cast iron (7 qt casserole reg $349 bought for under $100)
Can Opener - President's Choice Brand - This $9 silver/grey fella is in mint condition after many years of use. Seems silly to put it down but I hate how cheaply made most can openers are.
Corelle Dishes - Self-explanatory
Footwear/socks
Inov-8 F-Lite Sneakers - Could be because of the way you learn to run/train in them, but I've never had sneakers last over 4 years until I got these. I'm pretty hard on footwear.
Darn Tough Socks - My husband normally wears out good socks quickly and won't let me throw them out even when they're just a cuff. Darn Tough ones haven't worn out yet and I'm not out of my mind when he takes his boots off.
Chaco sandals - The company replaces them if they wear out, mine haven't.
Other
Lee-Enfield .303 rifle - Lots of firearms last lifetimes, but my 1917 (99 years old overqualifies for BIFL) LE has been shooting well in all conditions for a very long time, and only cost me $160.
Makita 18V Cordless Drill - My dad built a heavy float plane single-handedly and had to pre-drill, de-burr, re-drill a LOT. He cycled 3 different drills for 40 hours a week for several years. The Makita batteries and drill outperformed the rest by a landslide and still works great.
Generally speaking, the best quality kitchen equipment is old used stuff made out of wood, metal, or glass. If I didn't get for free from a relative, I'd find them at garage sales or antique shops as a last resort. Everything was made to last.
Surplus army gear is pretty tough for camping and hunting. The ribbed wool sweaters are the warmest I've ever used even if wet. I think I'm just going to resole my combat boots for hiking/backpacking, they're 13 years old and very comfortable.
I also limit bells and whistles. I don't use a scope on my rifle, and my recurve bow just has a basic quiver attached, no sight or anything like that. Extra features are usually extra potential for something to break or bugger up.
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Speed Queen toploading wash machine. Not HE, but my industrial mechanic of a husband swears by them. Built incredibly solid, without all the electronic bells and whistles that tend to break and are expensive to repair. Few wear parts that are easily replaced. We bought ours 4 years ago, the same time the in-laws bought a fancy one (can't remember brand, LG maybe?) We've not had a single issue, while theirs is definitely showing wear and has had to be repaired twice.
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Just added to this list: a new Miele canister vacuum cleaner.
So not cheap. So worth it already. Vacuuming the house with my upright used to take 2 hours and made me feel ill (dust blowing around) -- now I can get it done in 30 minutes and feel fine afterwards.
Love this vacuum.
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Calida nightgowns and Le Mystere bras, both bought at huge discounts on Sierra Trading Post
I know this is an older post, but Le Mystere bras? How can a bra be BIFL? I've never had one stay decent past a year or so. The elastic stretches, and then it doesn't fit. (I only ever handwash them in tepid water, so that is not the issue.)
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Calida nightgowns and Le Mystere bras, both bought at huge discounts on Sierra Trading Post
I know this is an older post, but Le Mystere bras? How can a bra be BIFL? I've never had one stay decent past a year or so. The elastic stretches, and then it doesn't fit. (I only ever handwash them in tepid water, so that is not the issue.)
they are well made and supportive, by rotating them and putting them in a lingerie bag to wash (not even hand washed), I've have several that are 4-5 yrs old and going strong. Perhaps not life, but a long time for a bra. The Dream Tischa style is the one that wears like iron.
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Calida nightgowns and Le Mystere bras, both bought at huge discounts on Sierra Trading Post
I know this is an older post, but Le Mystere bras? How can a bra be BIFL? I've never had one stay decent past a year or so. The elastic stretches, and then it doesn't fit. (I only ever handwash them in tepid water, so that is not the issue.)
they are well made and supportive, by rotating them and putting them in a lingerie bag to wash (not even hand washed), I've have several that are 4-5 yrs old and going strong. Perhaps not life, but a long time for a bra. The Dream Tischa style is the one that wears like iron.
Interesting. Thank you!
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Doc Martens are not quite BFL, but I have a 20-year-old pair of Air Wears in great condition.
Danskos seem to be holding up well, too.
I have owned a few pairs of Doc Martens and will agree not quite for life but I have had them last me for four to five years of wearing the every day. Also completely unrelated to Doc Martens but I'll third or forth the idea of Kirby vacuums are pretty legit.
I got my Docs when I was 16 years old. I'm 40 now and they still fit like a glove and look great, 24 years later. :)
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I bought a pair of work pants and a long sleeve sun shirt for landscaping. I was fairly happy with the shirt, but the pants wore holes much quicker than I would have liked (one season I think, I've had thrift store random pants last longer). My employer highly recommended, but it also may be the difference between women's/men's clothes. My unfortunate experience is mens clothes are thicker fabric, last longer, etc
Does anyone have experience with Duluth Trading garments? The longevity seems to be a selling point of theirs.
Big fan of Duluth. They have a satisfaction guarantee: if it doesn't live up to your expectations, just return it in one of their pre-paid bags (they'll bill your card ~6.00 once they recive your package.) they will replace the item and ship it back.
I've returned pants and shirts that have ripped, and received replacements. No questions asked!
Their firehose pants are great. Very durable, and incredibly comfortable. So much so that I wear my "work" Duluth clothing on the weekends much to the chagrin of my SO.
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Best long-lasting Gear I know of (disclaimer: a lot of this is anecdotal but I've researched as well) Prices in CDN unless otherwise stated
Household
Kirby Vacuum Cleaner - My mother bought one back in 1996, they've only replaced the belt since then, I think an $8 part.
Vitamix - Bought for $399 USD (a deal) after my cheap blender died. The only people I know who buy these twice are when they give the first one to their kid when they move out. At least 25 years of use.
Cast-Iron pans - Certainly beats everything else healthwise. If you don't like the maintenance, Canadian Tire has really good sales on Heritage The Rock series (12"pan with lid red $139.99 I bought for ~$30) and Cuisinart enameled cast iron (7 qt casserole reg $349 bought for under $100)
Can Opener - President's Choice Brand - This $9 silver/grey fella is in mint condition after many years of use. Seems silly to put it down but I hate how cheaply made most can openers are.
Corelle Dishes - Self-explanatory
Footwear/socks
Inov-8 F-Lite Sneakers - Could be because of the way you learn to run/train in them, but I've never had sneakers last over 4 years until I got these. I'm pretty hard on footwear.
Darn Tough Socks - My husband normally wears out good socks quickly and won't let me throw them out even when they're just a cuff. Darn Tough ones haven't worn out yet and I'm not out of my mind when he takes his boots off.
Chaco sandals - The company replaces them if they wear out, mine haven't.
Other
Lee-Enfield .303 rifle - Lots of firearms last lifetimes, but my 1917 (99 years old overqualifies for BIFL) LE has been shooting well in all conditions for a very long time, and only cost me $160.
Makita 18V Cordless Drill - My dad built a heavy float plane single-handedly and had to pre-drill, de-burr, re-drill a LOT. He cycled 3 different drills for 40 hours a week for several years. The Makita batteries and drill outperformed the rest by a landslide and still works great.
Generally speaking, the best quality kitchen equipment is old used stuff made out of wood, metal, or glass. If I didn't get for free from a relative, I'd find them at garage sales or antique shops as a last resort. Everything was made to last.
Surplus army gear is pretty tough for camping and hunting. The ribbed wool sweaters are the warmest I've ever used even if wet. I think I'm just going to resole my combat boots for hiking/backpacking, they're 13 years old and very comfortable.
I also limit bells and whistles. I don't use a scope on my rifle, and my recurve bow just has a basic quiver attached, no sight or anything like that. Extra features are usually extra potential for something to break or bugger up.
Couldn't agree more on the INOV-8 F-Lites. Like wearing a glove for your feet.
Their regular prices are high, however if you set an alarm on Slickdeals you can get them for half price or better at times. Especially if you are not picky on the colors.
Last two pairs I got for under $50 and won't even need the last one for another couple years.
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Luggage:
Tumi Ballistic - I have a Tumi ballistic expandable duffel bag that is over 20 years old. It will last the rest of my life (as long as the airlines do not lose it).
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We bought leather couches (from Bob's discount furniture) that we expect to last a long time as they don't absorb stains, spills, etc.
Love a carbon steel pan we bought a couple years ago. Carbon steel is a bit lighter than cast iron, and will last for life as well. We were so tired of the non-stick pans getting scraped up. Our carbon steel pan makes great scrambled eggs and takes any abuse thrown at it.
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Found this great article on a capsule wardrobe. http://www.wisebread.com/can-a-capsule-wardrobe-actually-save-you-money
(http://www.wisebread.com/can-a-capsule-wardrobe-actually-save-you-money)
The only thing I don't agree with is the monthly budget set for quality clothes. Right now I'm on a spending fast, so not buying anything and "shopping" my own closet. But I'm sure that many of you awesome mustachians could think of ways to purchase high quality clothes for under $125 per month. In the past I've done quite well shopping close-out sale racks at my favorite quality clothing store. Even my more spendy self (prior to the spending fast) didn't spend over $80 a month on clothes. And that was an indulgent level of spending that I don't intend to return to.
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We bought leather couches (from Bob's discount furniture) that we expect to last a long time as they don't absorb stains, spills, etc.
Remember to periodically treat the leather with a good leather conditioner. Of course this will darken the leather, but if it is dark to begin with you won't notice. The best is a 50-50 mixture of lanolin (from pharmacy) and neatsfoot oil (shoe store or maybe Walmart). Heat the two together in a microwave to get them fully liquid, and wipe it on. This is the mixture used by the Library of Congress for their leather-bound books.
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Just received an emailing Le Creuset pot for my birthday from my Mom. (fortunately I know a place in the city where you can get them for 50% off), pot for life!
Care to share?
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These are the things I own that have never given up even though I have a history of moving frequently.
Travelpro roller bag (from Goodwill)
wool sweaters knit by my mom
legos
patagonia fleece jacket
MSR snowshoes
army fatigues from an army surplus store (these are my yard work pants)
bread pans (William Sonoma gold pan)
Chacos
Campers sneakers
Big agnes tent
a good atlas (ok, so this one you'll need to update every 10 years or so, but I categorize it as a buy for life because I mark where I've been and it's become a sort of journal which stays with me in my car)
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This is the logic I apply to pretty much everything I buy. Depending on the price, I can spend weeks researching the 'best' item in that category.
I shop solely using slickdeals.net or camelcamelcamel.com and wait for a huge sale.
Usually a deal for 60-70%+ comes around every few years. I just set up alerts on slickdeals and wait!
Some of my 'lifer' consumer goods:
AllClad Pots + Pans
Thermoworks Thermapen Thermometer
Global Knives (G-2, G-12, GSF-46, GS-3, GS-14,G-46, GKS-210,G-9, G-56)
Boos Cutting Blocks (End Grain Maple!)
Staub Enameled Cast Iron Cookware - Cocottte
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer
Omega 8006 Juicer
iRobot Roomba 560 (brings multitasking to a new level!)
Tempurpedic Pillows (pillow still good after 8 years!)
ExOfficio Men's Give-N-Go Boxer Brief
Trek (7.3FX) Bicycle
Maxpedition Backpacks (Stika Gearslinger)
LL Bean Down Sleeping Bags
Eneloop rechargeable batteries
Craftsman Tools (older models, Made in USA)
Hotel Collection Down Comforter (from Macys)
Thanks for the post Bryan. Since you've posted, I've purchased many of the things that you've recommended and signed up for camelcamelcamel. I recently signed up for slickdeals but I find their constant emailing to be annoying.
What I have found to be extremely high quality and BIFL so far include:
-Bialetti Moka (I may amend this later, I can see it lasting forever but I don't see my tolerance for the type of coffee produced lasting forever)
-Darn tough socks
-Vitamix (in the mail, so cannot yet comment on how durable and high quality it is)
-Kitchenaid mixer
-Lodge cast iron, I find to be overrated. Yes, it'll last forever, but it is iron formed into the shape of a pan. It's incredibly heavy and hard to maneuver. It may be good for car camping but not getting out there. I suppose I can still use it on the grill but i've transitioned to
-All-clad pans: light and should last forever
-Global knives
-Pendleton couch throw blankets: cashmere/linen/wool blend
-Filson: i purchased one online through amazon. Surprisingly a little too unstylish for my taste, I purchased the Mackinaw and it looks like a big garbage bag draped over the frame.
-Sangean waterproof radios
-Duralex glasses
-edit: Adding Briggs & Riley, got a hard-case roller
Someone commented 'Not BIFL-> any apple product.' I get what they were trying to say, buuuut I enjoy my apple products and I don't find the windows or non-apple equivalent to last any longer.
Simplify, right? Getting rid of as much junk as I can and replacing the 'necessities' with quality stuff that hopefully I won't have to think about. But the amount of kids' toys... I don't see a way around it as of yet.
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Just received an emailing Le Creuset pot for my birthday from my Mom. (fortunately I know a place in the city where you can get them for 50% off), pot for life!
Care to share?
TJMaxx possibly.
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I completely agree with the cast iron, Vitamix, Patagonia, Wusthof knives, and 1980s KitchenAid mixers (thanks, Mom, for that last one!).
Thank you, everyone who mentioned Darn Tough socks! My fiance and I have been complaining that our beloved SmartWools are getting holes, so we'll be trying Darn Tough soon. Also makes a good stocking stuffer for my impossible-to-shop-for dad.
My additions:
Dansko or Sanita clogs for those who stand a lot at work. If I remember correctly, Sanita used to make Dansko's clogs for them, to be sold under the Dansko name, and then they split and now Dansko makes their own. Both are very high quality. I've had mine for years and years, and they just don't die. They're easy to find online at less than their $120 full price.
Mason jars are useful for just about everything, and as long as you don't drop them, they'll last forever. I realize I'm stating the obvious, but I use them for so many things!
Land's End products are unconditionally guaranteed, and although I don't love all of their clothing styles, I did outfit my bed years ago with one of their down comforters and a feather pillow top for the mattress, and they have held up quite well, even with my dog digging her "nest" sometimes. “If you’re not satisfied with any item‚ simply return it to us at any time for an exchange or refund of its purchase price.”
And finally, my parents sent me off to college (1997) with a handful of these knives https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/6313543106 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/6313543106), which were apparently given away at gas stations in the early '70s when you bought a full tank. I still have 2-3 of these, and they are still awesome! (Does anyone else still have these? Surely someone must. I've never seen any but my own and the ones in the photo linked above.)
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For me the BIL products that have really stood up to time are the Allen Edmonds made in America shoes, partly because they can be completely re-crafted by AE. I used to chew through shoes from other companies at a very fast clip, but the AE's I've had have held up for years.
(http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a448/reemt-ebbe_fresendelff/R-L-X/Schuhe/AllenEdmonds-030.jpg)
Next would be the Saddleback leather goods - all leather and build to use as few a seams and/or weak points as possible. Great stuff, but pricey.
(https://phillylawblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/3059715972_16da1c46f3.jpg)
For an alternative, less expensive and a few more seams, but still very tough and made in America I would recommend Copper River bags. I love their modular approach to bags. I have a laptop bag. But it's a laptop bag only because the insert I bought for it is oriented from side to side so that a laptop will fit. But you can convert it to a camera bag by getting a different insert. The laptop insert just pulls right out, and the camera insert slides in to replace it. Or, if you want to use it as an overnight bag, just remove the inserts completely and bam.
(http://static.iphonelife.com/sites/iphonelife.com/files/u28861/Voyager.JPG)
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I recommend against Saddleback Leather and Copper River bags. I went through a leather bag phase and purchased both, before mustachianism. I sold both because they are extremely heavy and not practical for transporting things for the urban environment. I suppose they could make sense for someone walking 5 feet to their car, driving it however many miles, and then walking 5 feet to their office, but for biking, walking, they are incredibly heavy!
I would say an empty saddleback leather bag is pushing to close to a bulky 10 pounds. This weighs more than any laptop and combination of papers you can think of.
Same goes for cast iron: very heavy to manipulate! This doesn't mean that they're bad products, just that they place a premium on being very durable and BIFL by sheer mass and not design, and function is secondary.
Also, having owned many many Wusthof Chef's knives, the Global chef's knife is a revelation. Incredibly sharp, maintenance free, and light.
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Agreed on the Saddleback - it's pretty darn heavy. I only have the duffle bag that I keep in my car with emergency cold/snow clothes in it. We live in CO, so that's a thing :) I find the Copper River bags much, much lighter, probably because they are unlined and just less bulky over all. I'm just curious, what did you replace your bags with?
I had Global knives for a while and they are quite awesome. I use Shun knives now, but honestly they are overkill.
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*snip*
Same goes for cast iron: very heavy to manipulate! This doesn't mean that they're bad products, just that they place a premium on being very durable and BIFL by sheer mass and not design, and function is secondary.
*snip*
I have to ask: Which cast iron did you use?
I have an old pan by Wagner. It is both smoother and LIGHTER than new pans by modern makers such as Lodge.
My Wagner #8 pan (8 7/8 inches (http://www.castironcollector.com/numbers.php)) is around 3 1/4 pounds per my little kitchen scale. Per Lodge, a Lodge pan of 9 inches weighs 4.67 pounds (http://shop.lodgemfg.com/skillets-and-covers/9-inch-cast-iron-skillet.asp). So, the Lodge pan is more than 40% heavier.
But the pan doesn't travel much. :) And thanks for the recommendations of Global knives!
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I know this probably won't get a lot of support in a forum about saving money but my only Buy it for life item would be my Rolex GMT Master II BLNR. I'll probably wear it for the rest of my life and pass it on to my kids
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I know this probably won't get a lot of support in a forum about saving money but my only Buy it for life item would be my Rolex GMT Master II BLNR. I'll probably wear it for the rest of my life and pass it on to my kids
Plus, you know, everyone gets to see you wear a Rolex. But hey I am not one to cast stones - I wear a Panerai and $400 shoes. :P
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Vitamix - Bought for $399 USD (a deal) after my cheap blender died.
This is one of those items I don't understand. Why does this exist?
I buy blenders at goodwill for about $8 each. They usually last me two or three years, though my current one is more like five years old. Sometimes the motors burn out making smoothies. Sometimes I break the glass pitcher.
But when the time comes, there is always another one at goodwill for $8. I doubt I will buy 50 of them in my lifetime, to offset the cost of buying a Vitamix. Plus, I would be terrified of breaking such an expensive appliance. My current blender is a cheap and effective tool, but I have no emotional attachment to it. It doesn't own me, and I prefer it that way.
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I know this probably won't get a lot of support in a forum about saving money but my only Buy it for life item would be my Rolex GMT Master II BLNR. I'll probably wear it for the rest of my life and pass it on to my kids
Plus, you know, everyone gets to see you wear a Rolex. But hey I am not one to cast stones - I wear a Panerai and $400 shoes. :P
lol. I really like Panerai probably going to be my next watch.
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I love Skeppshult (http://www.skeppshult.com/en/) frying pan made from cast iron. After first three months of usage it become non-stick like any modern teflon frying pan.
I chosen cast iron over teflon (or ceramic) because it has unlimited lifetime and is heavily used in professional kitchens.
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Vitamix - Bought for $399 USD (a deal) after my cheap blender died.
This is one of those items I don't understand. Why does this exist?
I buy blenders at goodwill for about $8 each. They usually last me two or three years, though my current one is more like five years old. Sometimes the motors burn out making smoothies. Sometimes I break the glass pitcher.
But when the time comes, there is always another one at goodwill for $8. I doubt I will buy 50 of them in my lifetime, to offset the cost of buying a Vitamix. Plus, I would be terrified of breaking such an expensive appliance. My current blender is a cheap and effective tool, but I have no emotional attachment to it. It doesn't own me, and I prefer it that way.
So there are probably 4-5 other threads here on vitamix specifically.
I don't want to derail this thread, so I'll only respond once. Vitamix is essentially a commercial brand. The thing runs at 11.5 amps! It's a blender used at coffee shops, smoothie places, restaurants, etc. If you want to buy high durability and performance in a blender, this is what you get. This is why it exists.
I can't speak for BIFL, since I have only had one for 4 years. But I won't go back to cheap blenders again. It's a high use item in the kitchen. I want consistent blending of difficult items, I don't want it to fail or bind mid cooking, and I don't want to get a blender every year.
I would not recommend these for everyone and your 8$ blender may very well do what you need it to do.
As for actual BIFL products, most have been said. From what I actually use that have been handed down from past generations and would truly be BIFL:
Wagner cast iron
Hand made goose down pillows
Hilti corded hammer drill
Stanley hand planers
Solid maple rolling pin
Solid wood furniture
Hand saw (not sure of brand, it has rubbed off the blade over the last 90 years)
Singer sewing machine from the 30's
I'm sure there are more items that I can't think of off the top of my head.
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I know this probably won't get a lot of support in a forum about saving money but my only Buy it for life item would be my Rolex GMT Master II BLNR. I'll probably wear it for the rest of my life and pass it on to my kids
Plus, you know, everyone gets to see you wear a Rolex. But hey I am not one to cast stones - I wear a Panerai and $400 shoes. :P
lol. I really like Panerai probably going to be my next watch.
But I thought you were wearing the Rolex for the rest of your life?
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Agreed on the Saddleback - it's pretty darn heavy. I only have the duffle bag that I keep in my car with emergency cold/snow clothes in it. We live in CO, so that's a thing :) I find the Copper River bags much, much lighter, probably because they are unlined and just less bulky over all. I'm just curious, what did you replace your bags with?
I had Global knives for a while and they are quite awesome. I use Shun knives now, but honestly they are overkill.
I replaced my saddlebag with a Filson briefcase, some wool and canvas number. I'm looking on the website now but I don't see it for sale any longer. There is some sort of warranty but I purchased based on durability. I have some sort of weird bag fetish.
I used/still use a Lodge cast iron pan. They are incredibly heavy, mine may be the 10 inch one. Even though it may only be 5 pounds, the manipulation at that height is unwieldy and cumbersome. I do use it still though, but it's a sub-optimal purchase. It reminds me every time.
Leave it to sol to editorialize a blender purchase. It works well and better than $8 blenders, it's modular for easy repair, I can afford it, and I won't feel 'terrified' if it breaks. I have no emotional attachment to it, but I grin sometimes when I see it in the kitchen, knowing I will make a tasty ketchup, hot sauce, butter, or milk, where I know every single ingredient inside. Feel free to have an holier-than-thou, earthy head-scratch. MMM might say he doesn't see the benefit of an $8 blender when has a mortar and pestle, which would not only let him better appreciate the flour that he made from wheat, but strengthen his forearm and flexor tendons.
I like the looks of a Panerai watch and I think it might be a good trinket to hand to the next generation, but they're just not durable enough, based on their architecture: huge dome and crown. I would bang that and the crystal would shatter within a month guaranteed. I wear a rolex submariner, every day (that I'm not riding a motorcycle: the vibrations screw up the movement) and hope to hand it down one day. It's sentimental in the worst way, but I'm not a vanderbilt or a Waldorf and have never received any objects or possessions from a previous generation. I thought it might be nice to start.
I own a professional kitchen and am familiar with the restaurant industry. I guarantee you cast iron is NOT used in a professional kitchen. Professional kitchens: everything is light and replaceable. Maneuverability, even heating, and washing with soap and water is key.
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Thread seems to have turned into one that may be more appropriately titled: "In which I justify my consumerism."
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I think some people do a lot more blending than others. I probably pull out the blender once/month.
I did break the glass container a few years ago, and happily, I replaced it at the thrift store. It's just not a high use item for me.
I noticed that at the very beginning of this thread, someone was looking for a glass measuring cup with permanent markings. Pyrex did make those, in the past, and if you really want one, check eBay. I have found a couple in the thrift store, and they are nice. I do a lot of baking and I like stuff to last.
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I am a vegan and a whole foods kind of guy. So I go through periods where i exist almost entirely on smoothies. If you eat like that, and have the need to blend a near whole fruit/veggie, an 8 dollar blender will never work. A vitamix has a 3hp motor on it otoh - that thing could blend a dead cat if you needed it too.
But yeah, if you blend soups once a month, then its overkill. For me it has been BIFL.
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Thread seems to have turned into one that may be more appropriately titled: "In which I justify my consumerism."
Yes, I think everyone needs to justify their consumerism. We all have to be consumers, why not make the best choice?
I'd make the argument that purchasing higher quality products rather than consumer or disposable products actually saves money in the long run, especially with tools. I'd even go so far to say small kitchen appliances are nothing more than tools.
In a mustachian world where every purchase is scrutinized, why wouldn't you purchase the long lasting higher quality item? If you are concerned about the environment, wouldn't a product that lasts for life be better than purchasing and throwing out low quality items on a yearly or consistent basis? Just think of the production costs and energy used for these items, not to mention the trash created with plastic bags, crappy pans, cheap blenders, or broken tools.
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an 8 dollar blender will never work. A vitamix has a 3hp motor on it otoh
Since when does a 3hp motor cost $400?
I mean think about this in context. I understand people like fancy things. I understand that people like to feel good about the items they use every day. I even understand that warm feeling of superiority you get knowing that you can pay $400 for a blender, while somewhere in your town a child goes hungry.
But under no circumstances should a single-use mass-produced tabletop appliance cost as much as a month's rent. Think about the materials it contains. Think about the engineering required to produce it. Compare them to other items of similar size and complexity. Why should a blender cost more than a dustbuster or an alternator or a washing machine?
If having a 3hp motor is really important to you because you eat a 100% smoothie diet, then google "3hp blender" and you'll find some for sale for $99. There, I just saved you $300 for that starving child. You're both welcome.
Fucking ridiculous.
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Wow
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In a mustachian world where every purchase is scrutinized, why wouldn't you purchase the long lasting higher quality item?
That's what I thought this thread was about. I'm totally on board with minimizing lifetime expense and waste by buying quality items that last.
But there has to be a limit, right? I wouldn't pay $10,000 today to never have to buy another $20 pair of shoes that will only last a year, but I might spend $200. I happily pay an extra 50% for name brand outdoor gear that comes with a lifetime warranty, because I always wear out my outdoor gear and then have to replace it and it's more cost effective to pay more up front to have free replacements. And there's no way in hell I would pay thousands of dollars for a wristwatch. That's purely jewelry. My phone tells time, as will any $30 casio. If you're spending more than that, you're a consumer sucka who has been tricked into buying name brand luxury instead of functionality.
A Vitamix is name brand luxury that costs WAY more than it's functionality should dictate. Ditto for Dyson vacuums and Rolex watches. These things are not BIFL in the sense of being long-lasting quality items that are more cost effective than their cheaper counterparts, they are purely overpriced luxury goods that use manipulative marketing tactics to trick you into thinking they are worth more than they really are. Mustachians should know better.
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Do mustachians have to be
pompous a$$holes too?
[MOD EDIT: a) No, not as a rule. b) It's spelt "assholes". c) we don't call each other names here.]
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Do mustachians have to be pompous a$$holes too?
Oooh, we're going to play the personal insult game? That sounds like fun, I'll play too! [MOD EDIT: Please don't. Sarcasm is usually rude.]
According to this thread, being a pompous asshole is optional but being a consumer sucka is now mandatory?
Look, it's great that you like fancy blenders. Spend your money on whatever overpriced bullshit you want, it's your money and you can waste it as you see fit. But maybe don't come to a forum about frugality and efficiency and claim that a $400 blender is anything other than the singular embodiment of everything that is wrong with America.
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Do mustachians have to be pompous a$$holes too?
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Heya Progman, I know it hurts, but you're learning a necessary lesson on context and audience. As Sol has pointed out, this is supposed to be a community dedicated to (at least somewhat ethical) frugality. Could he be friendlier in his delivery? Perhaps, but that's what makes Sol, Sol. I personally care about him anyway (as do many others), because behind the rough edges is a fair bit of wisdom. Listen to the wisdom and forgive the rest.
I appreciate your enthusiasm, but consider getting to know the community a little more before waving your accomplishments around, as you might learn some valuable things that could genuinely improve your life. Remember, there's always someone smarter than you. Always. Wise men listen to those smarter than themselves.
Honestly, as much of a baptism by fire as you (and others) have so indirectly received in this thread today for getting called out for some rather conspicuous consumption, you've still been fortunate. At least nobody's personally taken you to task yet for your $600+ Samsung Galaxy Note 5 on the Verizon network, one of the most expensive mobile carriers available.
Welcome to the MMM forums. Open your eyes, ears and mind, and learn something new.
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I am a vegan and a whole foods kind of guy. So I go through periods where i exist almost entirely on smoothies. If you eat like that, and have the need to blend a near whole fruit/veggie, an 8 dollar blender will never work. A vitamix has a 3hp motor on it otoh - that thing could blend a dead cat if you needed it too.
I am laughing at the thought of a vegan choosing this specific example. :) I'm not a big blender-user, but I'm glad it works for you.
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And finally, my parents sent me off to college (1997) with a handful of these knives https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/6313543106 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/6313543106), which were apparently given away at gas stations in the early '70s when you bought a full tank. I still have 2-3 of these, and they are still awesome! (Does anyone else still have these? Surely someone must. I've never seen any but my own and the ones in the photo linked above.)
I just got rid of a bunch of these by donating them when I moved into my RV this past summer. We got them when I was a kid in grade school, at least I remember them from that long ago. Not sure where they came from, but a gas station makes sense. I'm still using some drinking glasses we got that way about the same time. I'm 62.
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I received this style of Starbucks tumbler as a gift THREE years ago and it still looks almost new.
Unlike many other travel mugs, the cup and lid are both very easy to clean and don't get anything stuck in it. There is no annoying gasket to fall out or get crud stuck under.
http://store.starbucks.ca/copper-sweater-tumbler-16-fl-oz/011063639,en_CA,pd.html?&srule=Featured&start=0&sz=12&cgid=tumblers-and-travel-mugs
And the cup has accidentally gone through the dishwasher twice, but hasn't sucked in water into the vacuum through the seams. Unintentional submersion has been the death of many travel mugs so far for me.
The one I received had a hexagon pattern in the metal and some of the gold in it has worn away to reveal the silver underneath. That's the only wear showing so far.
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I've actually only had two blenders in the last 40 years - the first one I bought with green stamps, and it didn't wear out, I dropped it on the tile floor.
So possibly blenders are just not built like they used to be, but I'm not positive that cheap blenders need to be replaced every year, even if you live a blender intensive lifestyle.
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re lodge iron skillet's they do seem well made, I had an oil fire in mine the first day I had it and it cleaned right up with no visible damage. FYI fire extinguishers make a big mess. After that night we made a rule that a pan lid must be out when the Lodges are used.
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In a mustachian world where every purchase is scrutinized, why wouldn't you purchase the long lasting higher quality item?
That's what I thought this thread was about. I'm totally on board with minimizing lifetime expense and waste by buying quality items that last.
But there has to be a limit, right? I wouldn't pay $10,000 today to never have to buy another $20 pair of shoes that will only last a year, but I might spend $200. I happily pay an extra 50% for name brand outdoor gear that comes with a lifetime warranty, because I always wear out my outdoor gear and then have to replace it and it's more cost effective to pay more up front to have free replacements. And there's no way in hell I would pay thousands of dollars for a wristwatch. That's purely jewelry. My phone tells time, as will any $30 casio. If you're spending more than that, you're a consumer sucka who has been tricked into buying name brand luxury instead of functionality.
A Vitamix is name brand luxury that costs WAY more than it's functionality should dictate. Ditto for Dyson vacuums and Rolex watches. These things are not BIFL in the sense of being long-lasting quality items that are more cost effective than their cheaper counterparts, they are purely overpriced luxury goods that use manipulative marketing tactics to trick you into thinking they are worth more than they really are. Mustachians should know better.
This looks like it turned into a flame war, but I'd like to get back on the topic of Vitamixes, because Sol's opinion about the sainted Vitamix is one I haven't seen EXCEPT as it is articulated by my husband every darn time I bring it up.
me: "But if we buy one, we'll never ever have to buy another blender! And it makes EVERYTHING!"
husband: "$400 is too much of a sunk cost for one blender unless it turns lead into gold or something. For that much we can buy a cheap one and replace it ten times while investing the difference over 40 years."
me: * thinks for a minute. Dang it. He's got a point. "But what if we buy a refurbished one?"
husband: "Budget is <$100 and keep in mind we got our Ninja for less than that four years ago and it's still going strong."
me: "Challenge accepted!" *proceeds to look for a refurbished Vitamix or one on Craigslist for <$100, fails miserably time and time again
I think Vitamix might kind of be a scam. Husband and I also go through this conversation every time I want a KitchenAid stand mixer or a nicer bread machine than our $15 Craigslist one.
But all of our friends have Vitamixes, and all the cool bloggers I read have them, and everybody says they're actually the most frugal kitchen appliance ever because they are so well-made and get so much use. So husband and I repeat this conversation every six months or so.
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Yes, I think everyone needs to justify their consumerism. We all have to be consumers, why not make the best choice?
I'd make the argument that purchasing higher quality products rather than consumer or disposable products actually saves money in the long run, especially with tools. I'd even go so far to say small kitchen appliances are nothing more than tools.
In a mustachian world where every purchase is scrutinized, why wouldn't you purchase the long lasting higher quality item? If you are concerned about the environment, wouldn't a product that lasts for life be better than purchasing and throwing out low quality items on a yearly or consistent basis? Just think of the production costs and energy used for these items, not to mention the trash created with plastic bags, crappy pans, cheap blenders, or broken tools.
I'm much more inclined to buy cheap stuff initially.
If I use it regularly then I'll consider BIFL quality. But if I don't... then I just saved a lot ($392 apparently for a vitaminix).
Also keep in mind CL and facebook swap groups have TONS of items that you can buy and repurpose.
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"Challenge accepted!" *proceeds to look for a refurbished Vitamix or one on Craigslist for <$100, fails miserably time and time again
What are you talking about, Craigslist is full of deals! Here's a CL Vitamix for only $850!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/5874774066.html
Fuck this company and everything it stands for.
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Thread seems to have turned into one that may be more appropriately titled: "In which I justify my consumerism."
Ha yeah! Zealotry be damned on both ends of the spectrum. I don't feel the need to justify, just explaining. I will not likely forage for dandelions for each meal or make a home out of mud and straw, or harvest silicon and copper to fashion a computer. I also won't be purchasing $1000 meals, more house than I can manage, or $5000 gaming computers.
I've placed myself on the spectrum of consumerism where I'm comfortable, which is a sight better than it used to be. And when I spend, I spend mindfully, not mindlessly. Because this is a forum of like-minded individuals that are voluntarily 'gathering', encouraging words from your favorite math teacher in 8th grade that actually knew how to teach are much more helpful than the craggly-faced nun who steps out of the dark to remind you that you're doing it all wrong, do it better. IF the intention is to teach or lead by example or share ideas. Perhaps not so much if the intention is to be just a little bit more smug. And I get that too, it's good to be an OG on these forums, and to remind others that you're doing just a little bit better than they are in the shared passion.
A clue that it might be the latter is that it's not reasoned replies on both ends to try and elucidate; it's just shouting the other side down.
Pardon my beer, but one more tangent: the ultimate dollar price is not the only metric I use in mindful spending. I may buy a t-shirt (fill in example) I know is made locally, by willing adults, and it's a damn sight more expensive than the 3 for $5 t-shirts at walmart. That's because, without variation, they are made by unwilling children in a far-away land that you will never meet.
And I say this genuinely, believe it or not. I am very dispassionate about most things, and try to tackle most things with logic. But foreign child-labor is the ultimate logic (and that's why it exists), and I just can't buy the Made in Pakistan shirts (insert location and example here).
Sorry for the tangent. We are trading our life's energy for green pieces of paper and you are free to invest in your life or items. Just be mindful of that.
Hmm something BIFL to make sure it's not OT...
Propper fishing hats. It's a hat! It blocks the sun. They're Berry compliant tactical gear and they fade. But they last forever. Or they would if I didn't keep losing them.
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In a mustachian world where every purchase is scrutinized, why wouldn't you purchase the long lasting higher quality item?
That's what I thought this thread was about. I'm totally on board with minimizing lifetime expense and waste by buying quality items that last.
But there has to be a limit, right? I wouldn't pay $10,000 today to never have to buy another $20 pair of shoes that will only last a year, but I might spend $200. I happily pay an extra 50% for name brand outdoor gear that comes with a lifetime warranty, because I always wear out my outdoor gear and then have to replace it and it's more cost effective to pay more up front to have free replacements. And there's no way in hell I would pay thousands of dollars for a wristwatch. That's purely jewelry. My phone tells time, as will any $30 casio. If you're spending more than that, you're a consumer sucka who has been tricked into buying name brand luxury instead of functionality.
A Vitamix is name brand luxury that costs WAY more than it's functionality should dictate. Ditto for Dyson vacuums and Rolex watches. These things are not BIFL in the sense of being long-lasting quality items that are more cost effective than their cheaper counterparts, they are purely overpriced luxury goods that use manipulative marketing tactics to trick you into thinking they are worth more than they really are. Mustachians should know better.
Well said, and on my 3rd beer now. I agree with what you typed. Personally that's how I look at it as well. But, what works for you may not work for others. As an example, a plastic surgeon that I'm friendly with has no desire to spend money on watches, but unfortunately purchased a rolex and expensive suits. Totally not his temperament. Before his makeover, he wasn't exactly slovenly, but what he tells me is that patients would see his Honda, his off the rack suits and his Casio, and just make the snap judgment that he was not good at his job. Lots of consultations and no follow-through. After he started dressing 'better', he scooped up a lot more patients and was also invited to a hospital as the burn ward consultant. Not luxury, social signalling as functionality.
Anyway, that's a slippery slope though. Putting myself in a possible patient's parent's position, i.e. if my daughter got a dog bite to the face, I may seek the plastic surgeon with the nice suit, watch, office, and car, as opposed to not those things. That wouldn't be the only metric, of course, but it might sway me. Ok just rambling now.
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"Challenge accepted!" *proceeds to look for a refurbished Vitamix or one on Craigslist for <$100, fails miserably time and time again
What are you talking about, Craigslist is full of deals! Here's a CL Vitamix for only $850!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/5874774066.html
Fuck this company and everything it stands for.
OMG I looked at the ad. $850 for a blender. Seems like an episode of Portlandia.
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"Challenge accepted!" *proceeds to look for a refurbished Vitamix or one on Craigslist for <$100, fails miserably time and time again
What are you talking about, Craigslist is full of deals! Here's a CL Vitamix for only $850!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/5874774066.html
Fuck this company and everything it stands for.
OMG I looked at the ad. $850 for a blender. Seems like an episode of Portlandia.
What would I have to pay for television (cable, satellite, Netflix, etc) to appreciate the Portlandia reference? I'm out of the loop on Game of Thrones, OITNB, Walking Dead, and so much else, owing to my cheapness and refusal to pay. Around watercooler conversations about such things, I quite often feel as though I'm appearing in Adam Smith's world without a linen shirt, and I'm downright smug about it.
But I do have one of them fancy shmancy blenders.
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Heh. You don't have a linen shirt? Pretty lame.
Portlandia is on Netflix. My husband has a slight weakness for tv, or we probably wouldn't have it either.
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What would I have to pay for television (cable, satellite, Netflix, etc) to appreciate the Portlandia reference? I'm out of the loop on Game of Thrones, OITNB, Walking Dead, and so much else, owing to my cheapness and refusal to pay. Around watercooler conversations about such things, I quite often feel as though I'm appearing in Adam Smith's world without a linen shirt, and I'm downright smug about it.
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Don't worry, you're not the only one! I very much enjoy showing my ignorance regarding tv shows and celebrity drama. (I don't preach about it. I just get that "deer in the headlights" look when these topics come up.) I hope that just maybe, someone at work will see that there's more to life than keeping up with someone else's fake life, or the life of someone you don't know and will never meet.
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What would I have to pay for television (cable, satellite, Netflix, etc) to appreciate the Portlandia reference?
Portlandia is on YouTube. Since you are currently on the internet, you would have to pay zero extra dollars. Unfortunately, you would have to give up some of that smugness.
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What would I have to pay for television (cable, satellite, Netflix, etc) to appreciate the Portlandia reference?
Portlandia is on YouTube. Since you are currently on the internet, you would have to pay zero extra dollars. Unfortunately, you would have to give up some of that smugness.
Portlandia is also not that funny to actually watch; it is far more entertaining to hear about the episodes from friends/coworkers than to view them :-) Or maybe I am just some sort of post-retro-neo-hipster who cant appreciate the brilliance of the show (FWIW I am wearing plaid today).
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Thread seems to have turned into one that may be more appropriately titled: "In which I justify my consumerism."
I was just thinking the same thing.
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I've been trying to think of other BIFL items, things that not only last a lifetime but also are more cost effective over the long term than buying repeated replacements. It's a difficult list.
Children are a huge investment that should last a lifetime, and so are worth doing right, but you don't really have an alternative so I don't think they count. They're certainly my single biggest purchase, though.
Basically all clothing items wear out, so the only ones that qualify are the ones with lifetime free replacement guarantees. REI gear, Land's End, Osprey, a few others. Those are BIFL companies, though, not BIFL items.
On the topic of companies, Joshua Kennon would argue that some individual stocks are best held as multigenerational assets, because they produce steady dividends from strongly positioned companies in industries with great long term prospects. Like Exxon Mobil and Disney. He thinks you should buy them now and plan at least three generations before your family considers selling. Does that count?
All of the other BIFL items I can think of are items that don't see much use, so can last a lifetime because they don't get a chance to wear out. Even the nicest hammer will need replacement eventually, unless it spends the rest of your life in a drawer. And in that case, the $10 hammer will last just as long as the $100 one.
I'm open to other suggestions. Buildings and land, maybe? I know some farmers who think of themselves as long term land stewards and plan to pass the farm to their kids someday.
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I think hammers really do last a very long time, though. I have a small ball peen hammer that was my grandfather's and for all I know, his grandfather's. The handle was obviously originally handcarved, though it has worn smooth over time. I used it when I was a kid, and 50 years later I still use it to whack nails into walls.
I own a second hammer, which I bought in the bookstore in Boulder in 1972. It's a little bigger and has the claw thingies that you use to pull out nails.
I'm certainly no carpenter, but those two hammers have served my hammering needs over my lifetime.
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I'm open to other suggestions.
Funny.
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Vitamix - Bought for $399 USD (a deal) after my cheap blender died.
This is one of those items I don't understand. Why does this exist?
I buy blenders at goodwill for about $8 each. They usually last me two or three years, though my current one is more like five years old. Sometimes the motors burn out making smoothies. Sometimes I break the glass pitcher.
But when the time comes, there is always another one at goodwill for $8. I doubt I will buy 50 of them in my lifetime, to offset the cost of buying a Vitamix. Plus, I would be terrified of breaking such an expensive appliance. My current blender is a cheap and effective tool, but I have no emotional attachment to it. It doesn't own me, and I prefer it that way.
I have a Blendtec, not a Vitamix, but similar pricepoint and idea. The blade is integrated into the jar, so cleaning is just putting some water and a drop of soap in and hitting the pulse button. Nothing to take apart, and no chance of leaking out of the bottom. The blades are also more of a blunt object that smashes into and pulverizes the food instead of slicing, so no handling a sharp blade. Mine also has a small jar designed for thicker purees. It's not really worth the price just for smoothies unless you do green smoothies, which it can really make smooth. Here is a list of things I make with my Blendtec:
Hot soups(doesn't explode out/leak)
Hummus
Guacamole
Bean dip
Cornmeal
Nut butters
Hot sauces
Ketchup
BBQ Sauce
Sriracha
Chile paste
Mayonnaise
Whipped cream
Frozen desserts
Pancake batter
Pesto
Fruit butters
Soaps, lotions and ointments
Bulletproof coffee
Ground flax
Compound butter
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My BIFL items:
Tumi briefcases
Tumi luggage (I have had my Tumi duffel bag for over 20years, no signs of wearing out)
Allen Edmonds shoes (comfortable from the first wearing, great for 10+ years, then you have them recrafted)
Patagonia coats
Stearns and Foster mattresses
Philips Sonicare Tooth Brushes (they don't last forever, but they are damn worth it)
Coach belts
Michelin tires
Vitamix blenders
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I am a vegan and a whole foods kind of guy. So I go through periods where i exist almost entirely on smoothies. If you eat like that, and have the need to blend a near whole fruit/veggie, an 8 dollar blender will never work. A vitamix has a 3hp motor on it otoh - that thing could blend a dead cat if you needed it too.
I am laughing at the thought of a vegan choosing this specific example. :) I'm not a big blender-user, but I'm glad it works for you.
Roadkill counts as vegan, right? No suffering was caused for you to eat. Just someone's transportation needs....
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https://youtu.be/0BQFv83QJ2Y
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I built a computer several years ago, and spontaneously one of my sticks of RAM died. Went to look up the product details and I learned that the DDR3-1600 RAM had a lifetime warranty! Team Group is having to special order the thing from an office in Taiwan because it's out of production, but darn it, I'll never have to buy another stick of DDR3-1600 RAM again!
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After pining for a barbell and Olympic plates for years (but too frugal to buy), I read MMMs new post with him pictured doing a barbell squat. That was enough to push me over the edge and buy a barbell with plates, both of which should last me my entire lifetime.
Short of leaving them outside in the elements (which I don't plan to do) or droping them from height, what could possibly happen to shorten, their virtually endless, longevity? I don't want to ever buy these again.
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After pining for a barbell and Olympic plates for years (but too frugal to buy), I read MMMs new post with him pictured doing a barbell squat. That was enough to push me over the edge and buy a barbell with plates, both of which should last me my entire lifetime.
Short of leaving them outside in the elements (which I don't plan to do) or droping them from height, what could possibly happen to shorten, their virtually endless, longevity? I don't want to ever buy these again.
I would suggest a wipedown after use. Salt and moisture (sweat) initiates corrosion (rust)
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Yes, they last forever, or forever enough for our lifetimes. And craigslist is littered with them! Since there's really no way to damage heavy metal, craigslist is the most economical way to go.
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After pining for a barbell and Olympic plates for years (but too frugal to buy), I read MMMs new post with him pictured doing a barbell squat. That was enough to push me over the edge and buy a barbell with plates, both of which should last me my entire lifetime.
Short of leaving them outside in the elements (which I don't plan to do) or droping them from height, what could possibly happen to shorten, their virtually endless, longevity? I don't want to ever buy these again.
Your wife gets tired of seeing them (unused) in the family room, taking up space....
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I think hammers really do last a very long time, though. I have a small ball peen hammer that was my grandfather's and for all I know, his grandfather's.
I found a 3# sledge that a family member lost in the woods 20 years prior. The handle was gone, but his name was still clear. He put a new handle on it and it worked fine.
My corded Hilti hammer drill (mentioned earlier) is showing its age with what I would consider light use. . .
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Basically all clothing items wear out, so the only ones that qualify are the ones with lifetime free replacement guarantees. REI gear, Land's End, Osprey, a few others. Those are BIFL companies, though, not BIFL items.
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I got a MEC rainjacket from the thrift store. MEC has a lifetime warranty. The inside PU membrane is cracked and peeling off at the neck and armpit areas. I wonder If I can fix it by myself and what are the steps to do that.
Or if I should try to see if the MEC can replace/repair it? Does anyone have some advice.
Thanks
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Basically all clothing items wear out, so the only ones that qualify are the ones with lifetime free replacement guarantees. REI gear, Land's End, Osprey, a few others. Those are BIFL companies, though, not BIFL items.
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I got a MEC rainjacket from the thrift store. MEC has a lifetime warranty. The inside PU membrane is cracked and peeling off at the neck and armpit areas. I wonder If I can fix it by myself and what are the steps to do that.
Or if I should try to see if the MEC can replace/repair it? Does anyone have some advice.
Thanks
ooh, I just noticed this on my son's MEC jacket. following, because I never considered the warranty option. hm. what about a pull on my merino sweater?
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Ooooh, MagLites are definitely worthy of this list too. Really practical when operating in tight corners, you can just, ermm, stick it in your mouth and have both hands free. I leave the king-size model in my glove box, it doubles as a "leave-me-alone" stick should I become stranded in a questionable neighborhood.
I always thought some sort of a mouthpiece, complete with drool catching tray, should be included with the smaller MagLites.
These exist, you replace the end cap with a little rubber wedge
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*snip*
hm. what about a pull on my merino sweater?
Tug gently on the fabric on the sides and then above and below the pull, in an effort to get as much of the pulled yarn back in place as you can. Then, using a small crochet hook, poke the hook through the fabric at the base of the pull from wrong side to right side, grab the pull with the hook, and pull that dangly yarn through to the wrong side of the sweater. If you don't have a crochet hook, you can use a needle. Here is a little video on using needles, with and without thread, to pull through the snagged yarn. (https://youtu.be/--tHHF_MP_A)
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Does anyone have any recommendations for button down shirts - that are durable?
Tired of buying shirts that don't last.
I know clothing isn't usually BIFL, but I would like something as durable as I can get.
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What is wearing out on your shirts?
LLBean and Land's End seem very well made, and my dh has a couple of Abercrombie shirts from the thrift store that seem nice and heavy.
Eventually, the collars look shabby, and if your really want to extend the life of a shirt you can pick out the stitching, turn the collar over, and resew it.
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The points of the collars wear out on mine, as well as the ends of the sleeves where the shirt rubs against my desk. The Gold Label shirts from Dillard's seem to last as long as any of them, but are definitely not BIFL.
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Australian Drizabone Oilskin coats. Last forever. They've been making them for almost 120 years. Stories abound in Australia of people owning the coats for 50+ years.
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I have read through most of this thread and haven't seen it mentioned yet so...
Cutco Knives!
We received a small set for our wedding and they have been amazing. 6 years in and just as sharp as the day we got them. If you ever need them repaired or sharpened, they will do it for free (I think you just pay shipping).
I regularly tease my parents, because they have owned many sets of kitchen knives of the years. Rather than dropping a bit more to get a good set that will last 30 years, they have to buy a new set every few years. And none of their knives have ever cut as well as the Cutco ones we have.
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Also in theater kitchen category: frying pans. I go against the general consensus and recommend iron, but not cast iron for frying pans. Still heavy, but less so than cast iron. Also less brittle, which is a nice perk if it ever drops. Virtually indistructable material.
I have a DeBuyer pan, which I absolutely love. http://www.debuyer.com/en/products/mineral-b-element-round-fry-pan
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Does anyone have any recommendations for button down shirts - that are durable?
Tired of buying shirts that don't last.
I know clothing isn't usually BIFL, but I would like something as durable as I can get.
Land's End (particularly when they are on sale).
Costco has really low prices on Kirkland Signature dress shirts (button down and spread collars). No idea about their longevity but I trust Costco and full price is $17.95.
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Does anyone have any recommendations for button down shirts - that are durable?
Tired of buying shirts that don't last.
I know clothing isn't usually BIFL, but I would like something as durable as I can get.
Land's End (particularly when they are on sale).
Costco has really low prices on Kirkland Signature dress shirts (button down and spread collars). No idea about their longevity but I trust Costco and full price is $17.95.
How do they make it so cheaply? Second you on the Lands end.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Does anyone have any recommendations for button down shirts - that are durable?
Tired of buying shirts that don't last.
I know clothing isn't usually BIFL, but I would like something as durable as I can get.
Land's End (particularly when they are on sale).
Costco has really low prices on Kirkland Signature dress shirts (button down and spread collars). No idea about their longevity but I trust Costco and full price is $17.95.
How do they make it so cheaply? Second you on the Lands end.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I think it is a reflection on the giant mark ups that other retailers take that Costco does not. I just bought a white Kirkland Signature button down oxford on sale at Costco for $12.97. I can't tell any difference between it and my expensive dress shirts. It will not last forever but I suspect it will last as long as my other more expensive dress shirts.
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Does anyone have any recommendations for button down shirts - that are durable?
Tired of buying shirts that don't last.
I know clothing isn't usually BIFL, but I would like something as durable as I can get.
I have Lands End shirts, wore them daily for over 20 years. Now they sit in the closet because I FIRED.
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I just used the Vitamix for the first time at a friend's house. Threw in a couple of large and square ice cubes in my smoothie and they are now gone! Any normal blender that I have used simply bounces them around (tumbles them) and makes a ton of noise. Not this one.
To each his own.
BTW - being mustachian means a lot of things, not just what you purchase and what you don't or how much you pay for a mixer. It seems as though some people wield the label like a sword, for whatever reason they have, picking out what serves their cause or makes their point and discarding the rest (until use later for another "cause").
I ride bikes and have for my entire life - and I mean commute to work pre-FIRE for 30+ years, shopping, play, etc. every day, but I have a powerboat, motorcycle, and a van. I have a 4 bedroom house with a pool, but have made the house so efficient that my power bill dropped to less than half of the previous owner and should be able sell it for a significant profit in the next few years when we downsize. I spend 2.5 times as much as the 4% Rule on a million bucks, but I FIRED at 54 (had plans for 47, but got remarried to my DW with 3 children which added a few years onto that). I also own some expensive things because I like them, they often work flawlessly, and they usually last a long time. I'd rather not go out and buy a new one every year, regardless of how much I save in the process. As an example, I could go out and buy a Harbor Freight table grinder for less than half the price of a Dewalt, but it wobbles and has a loose grinding plate and therefore is dangerous and my end product (sharpened teeth on my Vermeer stump grinder) are not sharpened properly. How much does buying the cheep table grinder save me? Answer - it doesn't.
BTW- I did use dandelion greens in my smoothie, but got them at Whole Foods ; )
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8. Cuisinart Food Processor- as long as you don't break the plastic lid it's good. had mine 12 years
I broke the plastic lid on mine. But before that, it lasted my grandpa about 30 years and me about 5 years. Now I have a shitty Walmart food processor. I'm sure I'll get another Cuisinart eventually.
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8. Cuisinart Food Processor- as long as you don't break the plastic lid it's good. had mine 12 years
I broke the plastic lid on mine. But before that, it lasted my grandpa about 30 years and me about 5 years. Now I have a shitty Walmart food processor. I'm sure I'll get another Cuisinart eventually.
Wait, why not just buy another lid?
Try the Cuisinart parts page (https://www.cuisinart.com/parts/food_processors.html) (select the model first)
Try EBay searches (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=cuisinart+food+processor+lid&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=cuisinart+food+processor+lid&_sacat=0)
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8. Cuisinart Food Processor- as long as you don't break the plastic lid it's good. had mine 12 years
I broke the plastic lid on mine. But before that, it lasted my grandpa about 30 years and me about 5 years. Now I have a shitty Walmart food processor. I'm sure I'll get another Cuisinart eventually.
FYI, if your Cuisinart food processor has rivets in the blades, the blade has been recalled. Contact Cuisinart for a free replacement - but be prepared for a LONG wait.
https://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/cuisinart-food-processor-blade-replacement-delayed/
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8. Cuisinart Food Processor- as long as you don't break the plastic lid it's good. had mine 12 years
I broke the plastic lid on mine. But before that, it lasted my grandpa about 30 years and me about 5 years. Now I have a shitty Walmart food processor. I'm sure I'll get another Cuisinart eventually.
FYI, if your Cuisinart food processor has rivets in the blades, the blade has been recalled. Contact Cuisinart for a free replacement - but be prepared for a LONG wait.
https://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/cuisinart-food-processor-blade-replacement-delayed/
Mine was definitely from way before '96, but thanks for the heads-up. I can't believe the affected blades span almost 20 years, that's nuts.The food processors were sold from July 1996 through December 2015
And it took a pretty bad tumble in a move, so there was more broken on it before the lid situation. The poor thing deserved better than I dealt out.
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I am really looking forward to getting a solid Kenwood (all glass and stainless steel bowls/jugs, 1700W motor) kitchen machine in a month or two. I have gotten so accustomed to using it at friends and family that our kitchen feels like it is missing something essential without it. I love making things from scratch, and baking bread/sauerkraut/making hummus or other dips gets so much easier with one.
But one of the things I like the most is that the model I'm looking at (the Titanium) has a 10 year motor guarantee (I have friends who have had theirs for over 20 years with no hiccups) and the whole customisable thing. Instead of filling my kitchen with several motors that all could break down individually and cost a lot to produce/recycle, it makes much more sense to me to get one, sturdy motor (hence paying the premium for a 1700W motor) with repair options. You can get attachments to the Kenwood (blender jugs, spice grinder, food processor, ice cream maker, whatever) that can do almost anything short of making waffles. They are amazing. Oh, and they make great bread/pizza too.
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Loving this thread!
I bought a Brooklyn Industries backpack fifteen years ago that is ridiculously sturdy and doesn't seem to be wearing out at all. I kind of wish it would, because I'm a little tired of it, but oh well. I use it every day for work (I'm a teacher).
http://www.brooklynindustries.com/bags_backpacks/
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Someone commented 'Not BIFL-> any apple product.' I get what they were trying to say, buuuut I enjoy my apple products and I don't find the windows or non-apple equivalent to last any longer.
it all depends on how you use it.. i'm still using my ipod nano generation 2 circa 2007 which makes it 10 years old. and my mac air gen 1 circa 2010 daily. the mac air has gone through many os upgrades and one ssd upgrade. still going strong and i'll see if they hit the 15 year mark.
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Just ordered a second hand dress for $1000, and am looking to spend another ~300 on accessories. Since we already have two dresses in the same category, we can reuse some of the jewelry, but need to get a different type of shoes and ribbons. I expect this dress to last for at least two generations. The two dresses we already have are approaching 50 and 25 years old, and will last for a long time.
Sounds crazy to spend so much on a piece of clothing, but these are national costumes that never go out of fashion (since the design already is several 100 years old), and can replace the need for all types of "nice" clothes, including a wedding dress. I got married in the dress that now is approaching 25 y.o., and my kids have used the same dress for dancing and singing performances the last few years. The oldest dress was an inheritance from my grandmother via an aunt.
This newest purchase is to celebrate the kids' Sami roots through their father's side. We are all waiting for the mail to arrive: (http://IMG_1695.PNG)
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Nonstick cookware is one thing you should not BIFL. Even the highest price nonstick all-clad pan will eventually lose its non-stick ability unlike the All-Clad d5!
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Loving this thread!
I bought a Brooklyn Industries backpack fifteen years ago that is ridiculously sturdy and doesn't seem to be wearing out at all. I kind of wish it would, because I'm a little tired of it, but oh well. I use it every day for work (I'm a teacher).
http://www.brooklynindustries.com/bags_backpacks/
I have the same problem with my Eastpack backpack - I got it when I was in Uni, and I want to buy a new one now but I can't justify it 'cause my Eastpack is still in great condition...
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An old, all-metal sewing machine. I have an old Kenmore that someone gave us. I've seen them at thrift stores.
I know this is an old comment, but I have a Viking that was built in the 80's. It was the model that schools had, when schools taught sewing. All metal. a workhorse.
I like it so much I've bought several off ebay, for parts. but they all work!
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KitchenAid bowl mixers- I just inherited one from grandma. I hope to pass it to my grand kids. ;o) Built in the 80's
The legend on these items came from the model they produced in the 80's. It was a sweet spot in technology where high quality mattered more then planned obsolescence. These were designed to (...and fully live up to the expectation) live FOREVER. :)
I received a KA mixer as a wedding gift, 1981. It's still going strong. Now they are made by xxxxxx and it sounds like the quality has plummeted.
I've seen them go for more used, than a new one
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Jansport backpacks are the best, simple backpacks I have owned. The one I am currently using was my wife’s in high school. It has made it through her high school, college, and master’s degrees, and I am now using it for my second degree. I think she got it in 2003, and it is still in great shape. I often carry 30 lbs of computers and books, have used it hiking through many day trps, and tossed it around harshly while it keeps on working. Probably the only item I have seen last us 10+ years.
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I have read through most of this thread and haven't seen it mentioned yet so...
Cutco Knives!
We received a small set for our wedding and they have been amazing. 6 years in and just as sharp as the day we got them. If you ever need them repaired or sharpened, they will do it for free (I think you just pay shipping).
I regularly tease my parents, because they have owned many sets of kitchen knives of the years. Rather than dropping a bit more to get a good set that will last 30 years, they have to buy a new set every few years. And none of their knives have ever cut as well as the Cutco ones we have.
I sold Cutco for a summer after graduating high school in 2000. We had to buy a sample set for $140 at the time. (I ended up making $2000 in sales over 12 weeks of work and figured out that I hated sales). Cutco knives are still fantastic after 17 years. I haven't needed to sharpen or replace any of them. They get daily use.
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Cutco knives are still fantastic after 17 years. I haven't needed to sharpen or replace any of them. They get daily use.
Are they made of steel? Any kind of steel at all?
Because if you've been using kitchen knives daily for 17 years, then I can pretty much guarantee you that they need to be sharpened. It doesn't matter if they're the finest knives ever made. Knives need to be sharpened.
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Cutco knives are still fantastic after 17 years. I haven't needed to sharpen or replace any of them. They get daily use.
Are they made of steel? Any kind of steel at all?
Because if you've been using kitchen knives daily for 17 years, then I can pretty much guarantee you that they need to be sharpened. It doesn't matter if they're the finest knives ever made. Knives need to be sharpened.
Yep, they are made of 440a steel. If they're not noticeably dulled, I continue using them.
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8. Cuisinart Food Processor- as long as you don't break the plastic lid it's good. had mine 12 years
I broke the plastic lid on mine. But before that, it lasted my grandpa about 30 years and me about 5 years. Now I have a shitty Walmart food processor. I'm sure I'll get another Cuisinart eventually.
FYI, if your Cuisinart food processor has rivets in the blades, the blade has been recalled. Contact Cuisinart for a free replacement - but be prepared for a LONG wait.
https://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/cuisinart-food-processor-blade-replacement-delayed/
Mine was definitely from way before '96, but thanks for the heads-up. I can't believe the affected blades span almost 20 years, that's nuts.The food processors were sold from July 1996 through December 2015
And it took a pretty bad tumble in a move, so there was more broken on it before the lid situation. The poor thing deserved better than I dealt out.
Definitely try to get a new lid! I had an old one from the 80s (garage sale w/box and all in the late 90s) and it was awesome. The lid broke and I thought "Well, it served me well, time to get a new one." The new ones are horrible, Cuisinart or not, they are junk. Try to keep the old one going.
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I made a google doc spreadsheet of the items in this thread. Only includes the first few pages, but hopefully, others can add to it. Way more efficient than scrolling through this post.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vm_zQGcHaRGuFoPvQmhOsR7mxv9WM2DytdNPT2Xc95o/edit?usp=sharing
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Cutco knives are still fantastic after 17 years. I haven't needed to sharpen or replace any of them. They get daily use.
Are they made of steel? Any kind of steel at all?
Because if you've been using kitchen knives daily for 17 years, then I can pretty much guarantee you that they need to be sharpened. It doesn't matter if they're the finest knives ever made. Knives need to be sharpened.
Yep, they are made of 440a steel. If they're not noticeably dulled, I continue using them.
I'm not a steel or knife expert or anything . . . but:
https://knifeup.com/how-good-is-44a-steel/ (https://knifeup.com/how-good-is-44a-steel/)
"While good in terms of cost and stain resistance, 440A steel is not so stellar in wear resistance."
"In short, 440A steel makes a good choice for applications where cost and stain resistance are foremost. If the ability to hold an edge or toughness are bigger concerns, choose another metal. If used for a display item or a light duty tool, then it will serve well. Most likely, if you purchased a cheap kitchen knife from Walmart or the internet, it will be made of some type of 440 steel."
I suspect that you would be blown away with the difference a good sharpening will make to your knives.
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I've got an itch for a Vita-Mix, but those suckers are $500. Just can't justify that expense.
Got one of these at Costco when it was on sale for 335 and never looked back! I've used it everyday for 5 five years, and it's been AMAZING. I've broken two of the plastic containers and they have been replaced with no questions asked under warranty. Completely recommend the investment!
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Cutco knives are still fantastic after 17 years. I haven't needed to sharpen or replace any of them. They get daily use.
Are they made of steel? Any kind of steel at all?
Because if you've been using kitchen knives daily for 17 years, then I can pretty much guarantee you that they need to be sharpened. It doesn't matter if they're the finest knives ever made. Knives need to be sharpened.
Yep, they are made of 440a steel. If they're not noticeably dulled, I continue using them.
I'm not a steel or knife expert or anything . . . but:
https://knifeup.com/how-good-is-44a-steel/ (https://knifeup.com/how-good-is-44a-steel/)
"While good in terms of cost and stain resistance, 440A steel is not so stellar in wear resistance."
"In short, 440A steel makes a good choice for applications where cost and stain resistance are foremost. If the ability to hold an edge or toughness are bigger concerns, choose another metal. If used for a display item or a light duty tool, then it will serve well. Most likely, if you purchased a cheap kitchen knife from Walmart or the internet, it will be made of some type of 440 steel."
I suspect that you would be blown away with the difference a good sharpening will make to your knives.
Yeah, my mom has never honed or sharpened a knife, ever. Most of her kitchen knives are as dull as butter knives, but she would never know the difference if one of us didn't complain about it every time we try to prep food in her kitchen. She keeps a serrated "ginsu" knife for cutting tomatoes, and everything else is just brute forced.
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Cutco knives are still fantastic after 17 years. I haven't needed to sharpen or replace any of them. They get daily use.
Are they made of steel? Any kind of steel at all?
Because if you've been using kitchen knives daily for 17 years, then I can pretty much guarantee you that they need to be sharpened. It doesn't matter if they're the finest knives ever made. Knives need to be sharpened.
Yep, they are made of 440a steel. If they're not noticeably dulled, I continue using them.
Maybe they are made of Valyrian Steel. No concerns at all then...
One thing that is truly BIFL is plastic bags. Several years ago before I switched over to getting all my purchases/groceries into re-usable carrying bags, I accumulated some plastic bags and decided to find a good use for them in the true spirit of re-using the material. Turns out plastic bags make for incredible waterproof liners around socks for hiking or sports in the snow/rain. Not to mention the obvious utility of carrying around items.
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I have bought my kids schoolbags with lifetime warranty from Eastpak. Only downside was that I had to get my youngest a smaller backpack cause the normal size was looking very sad on a 4 year old. So that one will not do for the rest of her school career.
I choose bags without a print. They might not like the prints later. My 8 year old has a dark blue messenger bag that will fit a small laptop later.
We often call her bag 'the cheesefactory', somehow her school milk is always leaking while her sister doesn't have that issue with the same bottle We use Mepal Rosti bottles, bekers and breadboxes.One breadbox used to be mine when I went to school, it's about 22 years old. We don't buy milk or juiceboxes, we fill their bottles every morning.
The cheesefactory can be cleaned easily without damaging it (forgot to empty the side pockets last time I washed it in a bucket, oops).
I'm replacing my underwear with Sloggy underwear with lifetime warranty (Everlast, European). They are great.
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Polycarbonate safety glasses: $2 from a construction shop, use them for cycling (large wraparound lenses, protect from insects, dust, etc). 99% UV block from clear lenses (can see at night with the glasses on). Others buy $100 cycling glasses from a bike shop...
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I thought of another one. I have a couple of hones that I use for sharpening up my knives / axes / tools / razor at home. I'm not sure if that explicitly counts for this discussion but it's keeping a LOT of my stuff in working order for much longer than it would otherwise.
I realize this was posted 4 years ago, but I'd love to learn about a BILF hone and/or kitchen knife sharpener.
This thread rules btw.
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I have some favorites, many which have been hand me downs from my mom, who got them years ago:
1. Kitchen Aid stand mixer. I think my mom got this in the early 1980s...it is still pretty much perfect. All of the attachments work, you can grind dried fruit/nuts/meat or whatever in the grinder, I whip perfect whipped cream up, countless batches of cookies, etc. Every now and then it has a moment where it seems like it might be struggling (usually when I overload it with a triple batch of cookies), but then it just pulls through! I hope I have it forever! Meanwhile, my mom has a newer version and totally regrets gifting her old one to me, because it works so much better!
2. Champion Juicer. Man, I don't even know how old this is (late 1970s??), but I grew up with my mom using it basically daily, and then when I moved away as an adult she gifted it to me. I don't use it nearly as much as I should, but it works perfectly and makes the best juice ever. It also makes amazing dairy free ice cream out of frozen fruits!
3. Whatever old cast iron pan I've had since college that I found at the thrift store for $1.00. It seems way nicer than the Lodge one that I found a few years later, and has a beautiful sheen to the surface that seems to indicate many years of use. I never use any butter/oil in it and nothing sticks. I use it every day and hope I never have to buy another one!
4. Used Patagonia clothing. I occasionally buy new things from them, but notice there is a distinct difference in quality from about 10 years ago and back, vs. now. So any time I find an item of clothing at the consignment shop that is older (you can honestly tell just from thickness of fabric/stitching) I pick it up. I have a few beautiful dresses that I can't imagine ever wearing out, the fabric is amazingly thick and soft. A couple of jackets I have found here and there are just amazing. I do have one newer hardshell jacket I purchased that seems to be high quality, so I hope it will last a lifetime as well.
5. LL Bean wool blanket. I don't know how old this is, my dad has had it since college. It's scratchy, and wool-ey, but amazingly warm if you really need it. I keep it in my car as an emergency during winter (live in the mountains), and use it as an extra layer on especially cold nights. It's great for picnic-ing, camping, moving furniture, everything...it has seen a ton, and doesn't even have a loose thread.
ok so most of mine are amazing things my parents handed down to me. But, maybe that's the point, they are so high quality that they can actually be passed down...I don't know if I own anything that I've actually purchased new now that I can imagine holding up to be passed down. Everything I buy new seems to wear out within a few years of use (although I am admittedly hard on gear/clothing)
I do own a Vitamix (also handed down from my mom) and I think it's about 8-10 years old. I don't consider it a BIFL item though, because I can tell it is getting worn over time. It is still just as powerful, but complains loudly at things that it used to blend with ease. I fear an implosion in the next 2-3 years, and probably won't replace it
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1. Kitchen Aid stand mixer. I think my mom got this in the early 1980s...it is still pretty much perfect. Meanwhile, my mom has a newer version and totally regrets gifting her old one to me, because it works so much better!
4. Used Patagonia clothing. I occasionally buy new things from them, but notice there is a distinct difference in quality from about 10 years ago and back, vs. now. So any time I find an item of clothing at the consignment shop that is older (you can honestly tell just from thickness of fabric/stitching) I pick it up. I have a few beautiful dresses that I can't imagine ever wearing out, the fabric is amazingly thick and soft. A couple of jackets I have found here and there are just amazing. I do have one newer hardshell jacket I purchased that seems to be high quality, so I hope it will last a lifetime as well.
My mom has said exactly the same thing about her new Kitchen Aid versus the early 1980s one she gave me. That old one is a beast. Anyone looking to buy one should be looking in thrift shops and garage sales.
And you just cannot kill older Patagonia clothing. I've started to take advantage of their Worn Wear program to send back some stuff for repairs (free except the cost of shipping it to them), and it's all stuff I've bought in the last few years. The older things are still going strong. So I agree with trying to find used Patagonia things. And make sure it's a color you love, because you'll be looking at it for decades!
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Bikes:
Steel framed touring bike (Trek 520, Surly Long Haul Trucker, Kona Sutra, Rocky Mountain Sherpa, 100s others). Parts will wear out over time, but all are easily replaceable. Short of being hit by a truck or bear, the frame will out last you (if you are still on it when either of those potential events occur, it will probably survive better than you).
I have '94' Trek 820 that is still going strong, although I'm not the first owner.
I paid $30 at a yard sale a few years ago.
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So over on Reddit there's a subforum called "Buy It For Life" that includes items found (or requests for items) that for the rest of your days you'll only need to buy one of, or at least for some vast amount of time. Different rules apply for immortals, obviously. Unfortunately this little subforum doesn't get much traffic, but I think it'd be far more popular here.
So, say you need X power tool. You've done a ton of research as a mustachian, asking friends, checking reviews, looking at prices. You've decided on the "DeWalt Warhammer BFH1000" to suit your needs based on the results of all of your research, despite the fact that it may cost twice as much as the other options, it can be reasonably expected to perform well for 25-30 years. May or may not have been used on CL :) It is then labelled as "BIFL" and shared with your fellow mustaches. Right here!
And if you have a request, throw it out there too! Work boots, camping gear, tools, appliances, whatever. I, unfortunately, can't think of anything to start off with :\
ETA: This is an old thread that could definitely do with some cleanup and arrangement. User "godin1" created this website: http://LastMeALifetime.com/ If anyone had a desire to spreadsheet all this stuff in a shareable google doc, I'd be happy to post up here at the top as well.
Beware, threads like this can be full of product endorsements from marketing departments. Read skeptically.
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Some might find this to be over the top, but I got a Big Green Egg 9 years ago for my birthday from my entire family. Best thing ever. Lifetime warranty/guaranty. The customer service has been exceptional. I live in WI. and cook on it 4x per week all year long and it stays exposed to the elements and I've not had any issues.
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For me BIFL = I am pretty sure it will last longer than me:
- Set of Adler kettlebells
- 1972 Thomas Knatt classical guitar
- Brass bookends that were my grandmothers. As she would have said, "from the old country".
- some gold and silver coins
Looking at my stuff through this BIFL lens is interesting. I have slowly become something of a minimalist but still have very few possessions that will out last me. I do have a few things that have held up well but but might not pass my BIFL test:
- Nashbar cycling socks that are almost 30 years old and somehow are still in good shape with regular use.
- Specialized bike helmet that is ~25 years old and still fine
- I had an Arcteryx backpack that I beat up(rock climbing /backpacking) for ~20 years that I sold but I suspect it will last a long time. It was very well built and the company repaired one failed strap maybe 10 years ago.
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I second the Le Creuset recommendation, and add All-Clad pans to the list. I've had my All-Clad for five years, and they are terrific. They transfer heat very quickly through the copper core, but the stainless steel exterior is extremely easy to clean. A friend had one pot for about ten years, then boiled it dry and destroyed it; All-Clad replaced it no questions asked.
This. And keep in mind that, if you're near Pittsburgh (Washington, PA), you should avail yourself of the splendiforous "seconds" deals at the expo twice/year. The deals are significantly better than those at outlets, and generally the irregularities are far from glaring.
Agreed on the All Clad - that stuff is tough and also does it's job exceptionally well. A few of my All Clad pots are approaching 23 years old and still look and function great. I've no doubt I'll be handing them down to my grandkids one day.
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Agreed on the All Clad - that stuff is tough and also does it's job exceptionally well.
I agree that AllClad makes great stuff, but it's overpriced.
Part of what makes them great is that they are tri-ply sandwiched construction, instead of aluminum. That gives them excellent heat distribution, and then the lids fit nice and tight and the handles are attached properly. They're quality pots and pans.
America's test kitchen, however, has reviewed a handful of other brands that share all of those features and cost half as much. They measure the temperatures in various parts of the pans. They wack them on countertops until they break. They say that when you buy All Clad what you're mostly paying for is name recognition. If you just want quality cooking utensils at reasonable prices, other people are making pots and pans that are just as good, and selling them at Walmart of all places.
Some folks still want the brand name stuff, and that's fine too if you have money to burn and want to support a particular company. Just don't pretend you're getting your money's worth in terms of the actual product.
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Agreed on the All Clad - that stuff is tough and also does it's job exceptionally well.
I agree that AllClad makes great stuff, but it's overpriced.
Part of what makes them great is that they are tri-ply sandwiched construction, instead of aluminum. That gives them excellent heat distribution, and then the lids fit nice and tight and the handles are attached properly. They're quality pots and pans.
America's test kitchen, however, has reviewed a handful of other brands that share all of those features and cost half as much. They measure the temperatures in various parts of the pans. They wack them on countertops until they break. They say that when you buy All Clad what you're mostly paying for is name recognition. If you just want quality cooking utensils at reasonable prices, other people are making pots and pans that are just as good, and selling them at Walmart of all places.
Some folks still want the brand name stuff, and that's fine too if you have money to burn and want to support a particular company. Just don't pretend you're getting your money's worth in terms of the actual product.
Agreed! That is totally true nowadays. But 23 years ago, back when I started buying pots/pans (well, really asking for them as birthday/Christmas presents, mostly), that was NOT true. Back then, All Clad really was better than the competition. I think recently other companies have upped their game and that's great. If I was starting today I'd totally go with a cheaper alternative.
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I got a set of these WMF Profi cooking utensils as a wedding gift, and 12 years later they are still in perfect condition and just about my favorite things to use in my kitchen.
Our original set was 10 pieces, I gave away all the "grater" type pieces in favor of Microplanes or just cheaper sharper plastic ones, but the ladle, the flipper, the bottle opener, the whisks are all beloved and oft-used.
Now that we are a little more established I am slowly adding pieces to our collection. I am a regular thrifter but have never seen them used here in the States, probably because they are manufactured in Germany and aren't retailed through outlets like Macy's or what have you.
https://www.wmf.com/en/collection-profi-plus.html
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- Specialized bike helmet that is ~25 years old and still fine
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It is my understanding that bike helmets have a working life of ~5 years; sweat, sun and getting banged around take there toll. You may want to look into a replacement - new ones would be a lot lighter too.
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- Specialized bike helmet that is ~25 years old and still fine
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It is my understanding that bike helmets have a working life of ~5 years; sweat, sun and getting banged around take there toll. You may want to look into a replacement - new ones would be a lot lighter too.
yeah, its about 3 years when the foam starts to degrade, and is no longer protective if there is a collision with the ground. We only get 1 brain! Definitely worth buying a new helmet every 3 years (or any time you hit your head on the ground while wearing it). So many companies are making good, affordable helmets these days. $50-$60 every couple of years is nothing to pay to keep your head safe.
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- Specialized bike helmet that is ~25 years old and still fine
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It is my understanding that bike helmets have a working life of ~5 years; sweat, sun and getting banged around take there toll. You may want to look into a replacement - new ones would be a lot lighter too.
Thanks
I just purchased a new helmet last week shortly after making my post, as guy at bike shop told me same thing you guys are saying :)
So I now have even fewer BIFL items.
yeah, its about 3 years when the foam starts to degrade, and is no longer protective if there is a collision with the ground. We only get 1 brain! Definitely worth buying a new helmet every 3 years (or any time you hit your head on the ground while wearing it). So many companies are making good, affordable helmets these days. $50-$60 every couple of years is nothing to pay to keep your head safe.
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Some might find this to be over the top, but I got a Big Green Egg 9 years ago for my birthday from my entire family. Best thing ever. Lifetime warranty/guaranty. The customer service has been exceptional. I live in WI. and cook on it 4x per week all year long and it stays exposed to the elements and I've not had any issues.
I live in WI as well and my friend bought one of the imitation brands. His is orange. Not sure of brand name but he uses it religiously and has had for a few years now and has had no issues as well but saved quite a bit. My guess in helping him assemble it years ago its one of those things if its not built right is not going to work right.
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This is my kind of thread! PTF
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me too! I just joined reddit and found that board.. or whatever you call it. Very cool and super organized.
I also enjoy the sub forum thingy that talks about brands that used to be good, but are no longer- due to cheap labor or corner cutting.
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Not sure if any of these will make it to the BIFL level, but notable in today's "fast fashion" world:
I have several dresses from the Ann Taylor outlet that are 20 years old, and still look brand new. I remember purchasing them once I got engaged, thinking they would be good for my honeymoon. Never expected them to still be around, and they are rather forgiving cuts, so they still look good and fit, even though I've added some pounds over the past two decades.
Also from the outlet, I purchased a leather wallet from Etienne Aigner, roughly 15 years ago. I recently threw it away, but only b/c the leather had begun to flake off, and the second of the two snaps had become loose. Functionality overall was not an issue, and I highly doubt it's replacement will last nearly as long! I do keep an eye out on eBay for those wallets and purses, hoping to find a quality one that would stand the test of time.
My Kirkland non-stick cookware has also lasted the test of time, 19 years or so and still going strong. To be fair, I'm meticulous in keeping metal utensils away from them, and cleaning them only by hand, with a non-stick scrubber, if needed. Pretty sure that this was private labeled through Calphalon.
Corelle dishes - our daily go to, and they are awesome. A few years ago I found a similar version at Ikea, and I picked up a 6 pack of dinner plates, plain white. About 10 years and not a scratch or chip on them!
I did own a Kirby for about a decade - those things are tanks, and they vacuum really well too! I purchased a refurbished 15 year old unit for $175, and sold it once I built my current house, with zero carpet. Sold through Craig's list to a very wise couple, and they happily paid $150 for it.
Too soon to tell, but I recently found this website, https://lastbrand.com/ I would love to own a quality tote than can handle my day to day requirements and not have the handles show signs of wear after 6 months, but wasn't quite ready to spend nearly $300 on Saddleback leather bag, so I'm hoping the $75 tote I have coming from Last Brand will last a few years at least! Saddleback is on my list of places to go - their company store is about 3 hours away, so I may stop in the next time I'm in the area.
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I bought a pair of Chaco sandals (Z/1 model, I think) just after my son was born. He's now 14. This year the soles started coming off the sandals.
I saw that Chaco had a resole service for $40 or so, and sent them in for that, but then they told me that the repair was covered by the warranty! Unbelievable.
They were close to BIFL already, but now I'm figuring I may get pretty close to my whole adult life out of these things! Highly recommended.
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Dang, 14 year on a pair of Chacos is impressive, @moonpalace . I tend to wear the soles of my Chacos smooth in about 3-4 years, but I wear them pretty much steadily every day for work and hiking 3 months out of the year.
Next time, though, I think I'll be buying a less chunky sandal, something from xero.
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Love this thread, AFAIK all Red Wings boots are made in USA. I have a pair that were worn 3+ times per week for 5 years, one resole ($125), and certainly have at least 10 more years of life now. If you want resole-able, get a welted model (most of their famous models).
And I recommend this list too: http://www.bifl.org/buy-it-for-life-101-products-you-can-buy-once-and-keep-forever/
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Love this thread, AFAIK all Red Wings boots are made in USA. I have a pair that were worn 3+ times per week for 5 years, one resole ($125), and certainly have at least 10 more years of life now. If you want resole-able, get a welted model (most of their famous models).
And I recommend this list too: http://www.bifl.org/buy-it-for-life-101-products-you-can-buy-once-and-keep-forever/
I think currently, it's the Heritage line that's made in USA, other models may not be. Of course it's still possible to produce quality boots in other places, though I do prefer buying products made in countries with first-world labor standards.
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Love this thread, AFAIK all Red Wings boots are made in USA. I have a pair that were worn 3+ times per week for 5 years, one resole ($125), and certainly have at least 10 more years of life now. If you want resole-able, get a welted model (most of their famous models).
And I recommend this list too: http://www.bifl.org/buy-it-for-life-101-products-you-can-buy-once-and-keep-forever/
I bought a pair of $300 redwings a few years ago.
This was after wearing a pair of them for ~10 years and nearly ever day in the winter. The only reason they were needing replacement was because I consistently kicked snow/ice with them in the winter (first pair was steel toed) and the leather on the toe was really beat up. Which is basically my fault.
But I figured, if a single pair of boots I wore probably a third or more of 10 years lasted that well I could buy another pair that I'd wear similarly as much...
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I wouldn't say "Buy it for life", but Vivobarefoot shoes (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/)) are minimalistic shoes that are made with a "puncture-proof" sole, which still looks BRAND NEW after 3 years of use. There is literally no wear on the bottom of these shoes.
I own a pair of "dressier" ones for the office, and 2 pair of "casual" shoes... they're all holding up great after 2+ years of use, when previously I would have a pair of newbalance shoes for less than a year before the sole was a wreck.
Vivobarefoot is fairly expensive at first glance, but they very often have 30-50% off coupon codes go out in their email newsletter.
Do you wear socks with these shoes? If not, is there any reason why you can't? The pictures I see are people wearing them without socks, which puts me off.
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I wouldn't say "Buy it for life", but Vivobarefoot shoes (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ (http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/)) are minimalistic shoes that are made with a "puncture-proof" sole, which still looks BRAND NEW after 3 years of use. There is literally no wear on the bottom of these shoes.
I own a pair of "dressier" ones for the office, and 2 pair of "casual" shoes... they're all holding up great after 2+ years of use, when previously I would have a pair of newbalance shoes for less than a year before the sole was a wreck.
Vivobarefoot is fairly expensive at first glance, but they very often have 30-50% off coupon codes go out in their email newsletter.
Do you wear socks with these shoes? If not, is there any reason why you can't? The pictures I see are people wearing them without socks, which puts me off.
Their FAQ recommends socks:
"Should I wear socks or insoles with my vivo?
It’s all a matter of personal preference. On a cold day, for instance, you might appreciate a pair of our Thermal Insoles. We recommend lightweight, non-restrictive socks, but they aren’t required if you’re sock averse. We believe that the ideal barefoot experience is insole free, but no one’s watching, so the decision is yours!"
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I have my Vivo Gobi high tops on with Injinji socks right now. Cosy :)
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This is a small one, but the best spatula I have used are these Calder ones. They are thin (great for scraping and getting under anything) and quite springy. I've bought Chinese ones that look identical but the steel is junk. The American made ones are amazing, and at $7 are unmatched by tools that are 3x their price! No plastic to melt or assemblies to come apart over time. They look like something you'd find at a catering company, but I maintain that I have yet to see their equal (my wife doesn't know what all the fuss is about, so YMMV).
https://www.richcraftstainless.com/spatulas
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A good Merkur safety razor with 10 pack of blades will last a long long time if you take it apart after shaving and dry the blade in between. I've had a single blade last close to a year. I've been using the same shaving bar of soap for about 3 years with no end in sight. While it is a little more pricey upfront it more then pays for itself on the backend and is much easier on the environment.
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I don't know if they'll be for "life" but I have to say I've been very impressed by my battery chargers and rechargeable batteries. About 12 years ago, I bought a smart charger and rechargeable batteries. Initially aa and aaa, but since then some C and D batteries. I've added more batteries over time as I get more battery powered devices, but I'm still using all but a few of the original batteries from 12 years ago, and the technology has improved since then. Newer batteries are rated for 1,000 or 1,500 recharges, and even if they don't reach that level, lifespan will likely be decades.
The batteries and chargers paid for themselves long ago, so every time I recharge a battery it effectively saves me the cost of the disposable. More importantly, old batteries don't end up in the landfill or going to recycling.
Better for my wallet (the payback period for the initial investment is quick) and better for the environment.
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Bumping an old thread but I just finished reading through it all. My wife was hoping I could find some women's clothing brands but I guess there's not much out there for jeans, t-shirts, etc. We're actively trying to buy more American made products, or at least things not made in China. As others have pointed out, you can't really avoid that when it comes to things like cell phones and it's hard for a lot of very cheap consumer goods - but not impossible.
I copied a lot of posts into a word document to go through and organize later. Definitely a lot of good recommendations for certain household and clothing/baggage items.
I don't have much to contribute other than the importance of good quality tools. That was something my dad passed on to me. You can buy a good tool once or break some cheap ones a few times before finally buying the good one.
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I feel like for clothes, nothing beats going to the thrift store. You can see what wears well and what doesn’t! My two favorite brands are Columbia and Edie Bauer and I would never have tried either of them if I’d bought them new.
But it’s worth combing through and checking out what’s made well and what isn’t. There’s great sturdy stuff from WalMart and real junk from high end brands - it’s just not all that consistent.
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Can anyone recommend a BIFL garden hose? We have some old reddish rubbery ones that held up a lot longer than some of their green hardware store counterparts, but I rescued at least one from a neighbor's curb and I have no idea what they were. I'm willing to pay more up front and/or go through a commercial or industrial supplier.
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The black rubber Craftsman hoses I have are really durable - more than 15 years old. They also don't kink like most modern hoses.
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Can anyone recommend a BIFL garden hose? We have some old reddish rubbery ones that held up a lot longer than some of their green hardware store counterparts, but I rescued at least one from a neighbor's curb and I have no idea what they were. I'm willing to pay more up front and/or go through a commercial or industrial supplier.
Take a look at a feed store. They have really heavy duty commercial/ranch hoses. They use one of those red ones to fill water troughs every day where my horse lives, and they last a long time with heavy use. They are very particular about draining and coiling the hoses every day though, so they aren't getting stepped on or damaged by ice forming inside.
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Just bought another Dell Latitude laptop to keep our others company. Our oldest is ten years old and still super sturdy although the battery only works intermittently now. We added a refurbished Latitude E7270 last February and today we got its younger brother Latitude 7280. I will never buy a consumer laptop again, and I've been burned by Apple, Lenovo, HP, and Asus now, so I'm not really interested in messing around with anything other than the Dell business line...
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Can anyone recommend a BIFL garden hose? We have some old reddish rubbery ones that held up a lot longer than some of their green hardware store counterparts, but I rescued at least one from a neighbor's curb and I have no idea what they were. I'm willing to pay more up front and/or go through a commercial or industrial supplier.
Take a look at a feed store. They have really heavy duty commercial/ranch hoses. They use one of those red ones to fill water troughs every day where my horse lives, and they last a long time with heavy use. They are very particular about draining and coiling the hoses every day though, so they aren't getting stepped on or damaged by ice forming inside.
Thank you! I must say, that would never have occurred to me in my suburban, pet-free existence. I have rural extended family with livestock, who must know a feed store they like, so I'll have a look when I visit. The last time I heard about it, they bought drinking water rated hoses (sold for RVs) to leach less into the animals' drinking water. Cleanup hoses might still be whatever else, but I usually admire the animals, not the plumbing.
The usual garden hose failure in my part of California isn't freezing but baking in kinks and eventually cracking in the sun. Professional grade hoses are better about not doing those things, too.
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I couldn't recall if these were mentioned, but L.L.Bean's waterhog mats are great. They work exceptionally well at keeping muck, dirt, and water out of the house, are easy to hose off and clean, and look as good as the first day I them years ago. Also, they are USA made, out of recycled material.
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In 2017 I got a Grip6 belt for my husband.
He usually wears through a belt every year (he's hard on his clothes due to manual labor. He can destroy Duluth Firehose pants in a season).
4 years later the Grip6 belt looks brand new. I think this thing will last forever.
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Not sure if its been mentioned but I have a couple of lenovo x220 laptops with ssd's that are 8+ years old and still run great, they can be bought on ebay etc really cheap