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The_Dead_See t1_j9bxq61 wrote

Took me years to learn that for certain items (especially footware), the bifl option is the frugal option. I spent years going through crappy $30-50 trainers and boots at the rate of about a pair every year. Then one year, I decided to treat myself and got a $200 pair and they lasted over 8 years... doing the math that's significantly cheaper per year than I was paying before.

My general rule is buy as high end as you can afford for anything that goes between you and the ground (so footwear, car tires, furniture, socks, etc.) and you'll be a happy camper.

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glassteelhammer t1_j9bzlwf wrote

Largely this.

You've touched on a few of my favorite little aphorisms.

Buy nice, or buy twice.

Always spend good money for anything that comes between you and the earth. Buy good tires, good sheets, and good shoes.

Another one for me is:

If you want something, buy the cheapest version of it you can find, and if you use it enough to break that, then go buy the expensive version.

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In short, I try to just say no to buying things. But when I do buy something, I buy the best quality I can find.

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I have a pair of boots that I had custom made for my feet. They cost me $800. They are the best shoes I have ever owned, They are going on 4 years, and will likely go for another decade. Well, well worth the money spent. If I get 15 years out of them, that's $53 per year. I spend more than that on impulse buys at registers.

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omw_to_valhalla t1_j9cqu9p wrote

>If you want something, buy the cheapest version of it you can find, and if you use it enough to break that, then go buy the expensive version.

I really like this strategy.

The very expensive, highly durable product is the most frugal option only if it gets used regularly.

If you end up buying the primo option and don't use it, it was a waste of money.

Get a cheap one first. If you use it often enough to break it or get fed up with how poorly it works, then go for the good one.

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Complete-Adagio-5375 t1_j9d0q1v wrote

This is my strategy for hand tools needed in the middle of a project. I inherited my grandfathers old toolbox but not many of the tools.

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waehrik t1_j9d0yr5 wrote

You've just discovered Samuel Vine's Theory of Economic Unfairness (from the late great Terry Pratchett)

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[deleted] OP t1_j9bzg6p wrote

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ltlblkrncld t1_j9dh0xr wrote

The quality on Converse has gone down significantly the longer they've been owned by Nike. The amount of fakes out there online borders on breath taking.

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Radioactive_Fire t1_j9c1pfw wrote

honestly even if I break even with $200 shoes that last 4 years, its going to be a comfortable 4 years. $50 shoes last half the year well and half the year like trash.

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Tinnisher t1_j9chmce wrote

I think about this EVERY time I put on my Red Wing boots. I was walking through $300/year in Nikes, Adidas, Skechers, Vans, Converse etc. etc. etc... Spent $300.00 on a pair of Red Wings; I'm good for the next decade.

Sometimes BIFL = Frugal

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