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“Buy It For Life”: 30 People Share Purchases That Didn’t Disappoint (New Pics)
I’ve learned the hard way, more times than I’d like to admit, that buying cheap almost always means buying twice. The suspiciously affordable blow dryer breaks after a few uses, and the polyester sweater for $5 becomes unwearable after one washing.
Now I try to fight the frugal urge and not buy the cheapest variant of what I need. However, paying more doesn’t automatically guarantee that you’re buying a quality product. So how can you know you’re purchasing an item that’s going to last you and save you money in the long run?
Well, the people in the Buy It For Life community might have the answer to that question. They share high-quality, durable, and practical products that are worth every penny because they can be bought once and used for a lifetime. If you’re interested in saving some coin and helping the earth in the process, scroll down to find the top products that have served others well.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Thought This Would Be Appreciated Here
RELATED:
#2
My Sister’s Original (To The Home) Stove And Cast Iron Sink
Sky Render 3 days ago
That looks like an O'Keefe and Merritt stove. Those things are amazing, I have a double oven O'Keefe and Merritt myself.
#3
Antique Westinghouse Oscillating Fan
Here is my Antique Westinghouse fan. Its had the cord replaced sometime in its life and I have polished the brass, other than that it’s unrestored. Still runs strong and is over 100 years old.
M O'Connell 3 days ago
All something like this needs is regular oiling and every decade or two replacing the oil wicks.
Almost half of Gen Z adults believe that companies are less interested in making high-quality products than in the past.
Well, they’re absolutely right to think this, as businesses now prioritize making goods in the fastest and least expensive ways to meet the growing needs of consumers, i.e., us. To be able to do that, they cheap out on materials and labor, which downgrades quality.
#4
My Cousin Got Our Tios Old Land Cruiser Restored In El Salvador 40 + Years
#5
My Dad's Worn The Same Wrangler Jeans Jacket For 48 Years
PeepPeep the duck 4 days ago
From what I’ve seen down here in Dubbo nsw, even hard farm work doesn’t seem to wreck the old jackets
#6
My 1952 Westinghouse Fridge Still Works Perfectly. This Was The First Fridge My Grandfather Bought, And It Has Outlived All The Others Since. Now It's On Garage/Beer Fridge Duty
Forrest Hobbs 3 days ago
On the whole, old fridges are less efficient than good quality modern fridges. In many cases, you'll save money if you throw out the old and replace with new. Except... I'd be willing to bet no-one's making fridges these days that'll last 70+ years.
This leaves buyers with a lot of crappy things that they’re forced to throw out after a short amount of time. Sadly, these items don’t leave our planet. They accumulate, polluting our environment. Not to mention the resources needed to create them in the first place and the by-products and chemicals that are released into the atmosphere in their manufacturing process.
#7
My Backpack Purchased In My First Year In Grad School In 2007. Next Week, I Start My 10th Year As A Professor. Still Going Strong!
#8
Over 30 Years Young Still Tickin
#9
Ode To My Beautiful Red Pot
Thrifted this 10 years ago for $12 and use it every day! 1970s Dansk Kobenstyle 3qt Dutch oven. It’s so pretty it just stays on my stovetop. I love the design and because it’s carbon steel, it’s much lighter than cast iron and easier to use on the stove. I use it for truly everything and the lid doubles as a trivet. 100/10 design! When I got it someone had burnt rice onto it and since then ive revived it several more times without chipping the enamel inside :) Highly recommend the vintage ones since they’re about the same price on eBay as the new ones. Just check that there’s no enamel chips on the inside past the rim.
Concerned with the future of our planet, 44% of Gen Z adults are trying to do better and report searching for information on brands before purchasing their products to make sure they’re buying the right thing.
#10
A Lady At The Dump Was Just About To Toss These. I Asked About Them And She Gave Them To Me
Score! I love old Coleman stuff. My brother claimed one lantern and my friend claimed a lantern and the Thermos. Just need to clean the glass and replace the mantles and they should be good to go.
#11
My Digital Clock I Got From A Box Of Cereal In 1994
#12
The House I Bought Has 1973 Subzero Fridge
The Buy It For Life (BIFL) movement that gained in the early to mid-2000s also supports shopping for well-designed and manufactured items that last a lifetime so they don’t have to be purchased ever again, this way saving money as well as the planet. Ironically, it seems that we’re trying to rewind back to a time before the Industrial Revolution when buying something for life was nothing out of the ordinary.
#13
30 Years And Still Going - My Parents' Washing Machine
#14
Our Treasured Family Heirloom - Arby’s 1985 Christmas Collection Glassware. All 30 Pieces Still Intact And Used Every Holiday
#15
Maybe Not Impressive: 28 Years Old Refillable Highlighter
Got it 1996 for primary school while living in the French West Indies. Decades later still in use after moving a few times, now being in Germany.
“Now you’ve got Buy It For Life products, or as our grandparents called it, ‘products.’ Buy It For Life only makes sense because of where manufacturing has gone and a newer throw-it-away mentality,” said Dee Warmath, a professor at the College of Family and Consumer Sciences to Forbes.
#16
This Star That Has Been Lighting My Mom’s Tree For 35 Years
Jessica SpeLangm 3 days ago
Well, seeing as it's usually only out once a year and if it's stored properly, I can see it lasting for 30+ years easily.
#17
Indestructible 50 Yo Pots And Pans
It’s called RevereWare, was made in the US. looks very basic b***h, no high tech coatings, but nothing sticks to it. And it’s Indestructible. Just high grade stainless steel with copper clad bottoms.
Im currently using my grandmas set. Its been used everyday since Christmas 1968.
You can only get it used on ebay because they literally don’t make things like this anymore.
#18
Using The Central Vacuum That's Original To My Grandparent's 1957 House
As previously mentioned, BIFL products are great for our pockets and environment. Even though you’ll have to spend a larger amount of money while purchasing them, you're paying for a good reason. These items usually go through an intensive design process and are made out of high-quality materials to ensure that they serve a long time.
#19
This Sub Partially Inspired Me To Seek Out Excellence. Here’s My Kitchen Wall, Ama
#20
Archer Intercom - Over 40 Years And Still Going Strong. Grandkids Love It. "Time For Dinner"
highwaycrossingfrog 3 days ago
Oh wow I just suddenly remembered that my childhood home (where I lived ages 7-21) had an intercom system! It had 3 floors and my parents would most often be found on the top floor while us kids were on ground level. Can't believe I forgot that!
#21
38 Thanksgiving Turkeys And Going Strong. In-Laws Passed Her Down To Us This Year
Nesco roaster. We use it only for this reason and it makes a perfect turkey every time. Bonus, we keep the oven available for all the other sides.
Take a socks company, Darn Tough, for example. Its CEO, Ric Cabot, confirmed that buying their business products means that customers are purchasing them for life. “In the long run, you could buy one pair of our socks, spend 20 bucks or so, and never have to buy another pair of socks. If you look at it that way, it’s the best investment,” he said. They also recycle everything that people return and make them into emergency blankets, dog toys, and stuffing for airline seats.
#22
This Ice Tray Has Survived Every Summer Since My Childhood And More To Come. I’m In My 40s For Reference
The Other Guest 3 days ago
I can hear the creak of the ice & feel the cold metal burning my hand...
#23
50 Year Old Ih Cub Cadet Still Plowing Snow
#24
6 Year Update On My Full Grain Leather Briefcase
This is how every company should look at product manufacturing if we want to stop the devastating effects of capitalism and overconsumption. In case you want to learn more about it and start doing better for our planet, check out our previous article about little things you can do to help the environment.
#25
Good For You, Your Lawn And The Environment
#26
Lemon Squeezer Finally Gave Out. Was My Grandfather’s
#27
Don't Sleep On Jansport's Lifetime Warranty
On the left, my 10 year old bag, whose zippers were unfortunately ripped out from daily school use. On the right, new kid that just came in! 55$ CAD one time purchase, I just love the simplicity of the superbreak, and I feel like its style is timeless.
#28
1995 Seadoos Aren't Typically Something You Buy For Life. These Two Have Been In My Family Since New And Are Ready For Another Trip To The Lake. Nearly 30 Years Old And They Are Still Running Strong
#29
Can’t Beat Old School
10 years ago I bought this set up and it has held up incredibly well. As you can see, it’s an old spice cup, an Edwin Jagger razor, the brush is silvertip badger (I can’t for the life of me remember from where. Fire something I think, geofatboy recommended them at that time) and decent soaps/blades. Always gives me a great shave and no bumps. Hate cream in a can as it always made my face feel “clogged”. All of this is still readily available besides the brush and fairly easy to obtain! Not pictured, but I also highly recommend the Merker slant bar!
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What do you think ?
Robert T 3 days ago
My salt shaker and pepper grinder were hand-me-downs from a friend of my parents when I went to university. My knives and forks were bought at that time - oddly 3 of each. My crockery was bought when I moved into my apartment - 28 years ago, All still in daily use! I also still have my first two computers tucked away - an Acorn Electron from 1983 and an Acorn Achirmedes from about 1989.
Janissary35680 3 days ago (edited)
Basic Rolex Perpetual Oyster purchased 4 decades ago as a reward to myself the day before leaving Saudi Arabia after a 5-year ESL stint. It's still on my wrist as I write this and it's still ticking. (In your face Timex!)😊
Chucky Cheezburger 3 days ago
Many machines made in the mid 1900's will last and last if properly maintained. I recently bought a small lathe to tinker around with that was made in 1940 or 41. Only thing I've done is change out the (still running) original motor to a more efficient one. Still runs, feeds and cuts like a champ.
DramaDoc 3 days ago
I have a GAP skirt that I bought in 1997 that I still wear. I also still wear the leather jacket I bought in Italy in 2000 and the LL Bean coat from 2003. I'd buy a new coat from LL Bean, but I'm worried the quality has declined in the last 22 years...
BookFanatic 3 days ago
I have my grandmother's cast iron cookware. It's survived three generations of young girls learning to cook. :)
Apatheist Account2 3 days ago
I have a Kitchen Devils knife that my mother advised me to get in 1990, when I left home. She told me I'd never need another one. 34 years later, it's still sharp. Mothers knew best!
Jessica SpeLangm 3 days ago
Some of these were bought brand new, so they don't actually belong in this post. Those people need to come back in 10+ years and tell us if the product still performs like new.
Gracie Mae 8 hours ago
I bought a used GE washer/dryer set from a friend in 1997. Other than a couple of DIY fixes/maintenance, it was still working great when I sold it on Craigslist about 2-3 yrs ago. 25 yrs I had it...DUMBEST DAMNED DECISION I EVER MADE. The newer (used) model is a huge PITA to work, parts are $$$ even when DIY. Finally hunted down a basic, older model washer & am happy as a clam again!
Eliyahu Rooff 11 hours ago
I have carpenter's and mechanic's tools that are over a century old and still work perfectly. Take care of your toys and they'll take care of you.
C B Jones 1 day ago
I've still got a leather handbag bought in 1998 and is in perfect shape. Our Sony hi-fi system was bought in 1994 and works perfectly to this day. I bought a cheap dress in Brighton in 1996 and it still fits, never had to be mended either (though I was quite a bit shorter at the time, it was a long dress for me back then :D). My grandma's sewing machine must be the winner though: 60years after being bought, still worked a treat. If the person who inherited it treated it well, it might still be the case.
Anna Drever 2 days ago
I’m early sixties and my mother had a Bernina sewing machine that came out about the time I was born. I knew I wanted the same one as it was what I was used to. So I managed to get a second hand one, sometime in the early 80’s, that came as a trade in. Still works.
Robert T 3 days ago
My salt shaker and pepper grinder were hand-me-downs from a friend of my parents when I went to university. My knives and forks were bought at that time - oddly 3 of each. My crockery was bought when I moved into my apartment - 28 years ago, All still in daily use! I also still have my first two computers tucked away - an Acorn Electron from 1983 and an Acorn Achirmedes from about 1989.
Janissary35680 3 days ago (edited)
Basic Rolex Perpetual Oyster purchased 4 decades ago as a reward to myself the day before leaving Saudi Arabia after a 5-year ESL stint. It's still on my wrist as I write this and it's still ticking. (In your face Timex!)😊
Chucky Cheezburger 3 days ago
Many machines made in the mid 1900's will last and last if properly maintained. I recently bought a small lathe to tinker around with that was made in 1940 or 41. Only thing I've done is change out the (still running) original motor to a more efficient one. Still runs, feeds and cuts like a champ.
DramaDoc 3 days ago
I have a GAP skirt that I bought in 1997 that I still wear. I also still wear the leather jacket I bought in Italy in 2000 and the LL Bean coat from 2003. I'd buy a new coat from LL Bean, but I'm worried the quality has declined in the last 22 years...
BookFanatic 3 days ago
I have my grandmother's cast iron cookware. It's survived three generations of young girls learning to cook. :)
Apatheist Account2 3 days ago
I have a Kitchen Devils knife that my mother advised me to get in 1990, when I left home. She told me I'd never need another one. 34 years later, it's still sharp. Mothers knew best!
Jessica SpeLangm 3 days ago
Some of these were bought brand new, so they don't actually belong in this post. Those people need to come back in 10+ years and tell us if the product still performs like new.
Gracie Mae 8 hours ago
I bought a used GE washer/dryer set from a friend in 1997. Other than a couple of DIY fixes/maintenance, it was still working great when I sold it on Craigslist about 2-3 yrs ago. 25 yrs I had it...DUMBEST DAMNED DECISION I EVER MADE. The newer (used) model is a huge PITA to work, parts are $$$ even when DIY. Finally hunted down a basic, older model washer & am happy as a clam again!
Eliyahu Rooff 11 hours ago
I have carpenter's and mechanic's tools that are over a century old and still work perfectly. Take care of your toys and they'll take care of you.
C B Jones 1 day ago
I've still got a leather handbag bought in 1998 and is in perfect shape. Our Sony hi-fi system was bought in 1994 and works perfectly to this day. I bought a cheap dress in Brighton in 1996 and it still fits, never had to be mended either (though I was quite a bit shorter at the time, it was a long dress for me back then :D). My grandma's sewing machine must be the winner though: 60years after being bought, still worked a treat. If the person who inherited it treated it well, it might still be the case.
Anna Drever 2 days ago
I’m early sixties and my mother had a Bernina sewing machine that came out about the time I was born. I knew I wanted the same one as it was what I was used to. So I managed to get a second hand one, sometime in the early 80’s, that came as a trade in. Still works.
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