Some things are just built differently and can last you a lifetime. However, today, we get less and less products that we could say the same about. Due to our consumerism culture, we can afford more stuff that breaks rather quickly compared to some vintage items and even electronics that people bought back in the day.
Knowing that collectively we create 2.12 billion tons of waste per year, which directly contributes to climate change, among other issues, it’s safe to say that celebrating products that last you longer is truly important. Therefore, today, we would like to share some of the exemplary items shared on the subreddit r/BuyItForLife that these people continue to use even a decade or more later. Yes, it might look like you are being transported back in time, but trends do circulate, and some of the things are looking pretty trendy to me!
#1 1935 Wedgewood With Everything Included
Image credits: mrl1957
#2 My Dad Owns A Piano Business (I Work There Occasionally Helping Him Rebuild Pianos) I Just Bought My First House And The Same Week He Calls Me And Says He Got Me A Present. A Mover My Dad Knows Was About To Take This To The Dump For Someone But Called My Dad First And He Nabbed It. 1892 Knabe
Image credits: Moshie11337
#3 This Truck Out Lived Its Owner And Became A Family Legacy
Image credits: tadpole256
Nowadays, we are used to items or electronics serving us for a couple of years before they break, and if you haven’t extended your warranty, it is probably cheaper to get a new one. Over that time, there would be new models that emerged and trends that have changed, so it is probably for the best that yours broke or didn’t stand the test of time, right?
Well, if our priority of convenience and instant gratification comes above durability and longevity, this might seem like a win-win; however, this outlook has some serious issues in the long term.
#4 My 100+ Year Old Weekly User
Image credits: schmisschmina
#5 My 1950 O'keefe & Merritt Stove Still Works Like A Charm. I Call Her Christine
Image credits: mugsimo
#6 My Son's Teddy Bear. And Mine. And My Dad's. And His Dad's. Circa 1930s
Image credits: OddsAre1in1461
Since the future doesn’t seem so bright due to the climate crisis, more people have begun reflecting on their shopping habits and, in the best-case scenario, chosen not to support companies that create cheap products at the expense of longer lifespans. We might forget, but our money has more power than we think.
Manufacturers are encouraged by our poor choices to prioritize cost-cutting measures and the use of cheaper materials. Therefore, as a start, we have to show that we, as consumers, are no longer interested in low-value items anymore.
#7 My Mom Bought This Clothes Hamper For Me In 3rd Grade. I'm 28 And Still Using It. Oh, And My Son Likes To Play In It
Image credits: Acebai54
#8 Old Family Heirloom At Least 100 Years Old
Image credits: Forslyk
#9 (Bsa Motorcycle) Same Couple On The Same Motorbike In 1955 And 2015
Image credits: Steve_Hufnagel
There are more than a few brands that are committed to sustainability and longevity. Regardless, some companies say that they are sustainable, though if you put your detective’s cap on, you might notice that it’s not entirely the case. However, no advertisement is as good for a product as a review from a long-term customer who wholeheartedly swears by it.
#10 My Grandfather's 1964 Cub Cadet He Purchased New. He Used It Regularly Up Until The Early 2000s. The Family Decided To Get A Full Restoration Done On It. After A Year, It's Ready To Go Another Lifetime
Image credits: Nates94
#11 Who Needs A Spotify Subscription, Or Even Internet, With These Babies, And My Cd Collection!
Image credits: Environmental-Low792
#12 53 Years Old And Runs Like A Top. They Don't Make 'Em Like This Anymore
Image credits: poppinwheelies
In the end, we hope that the concept of “buy it for life” will encourage you to invest in high-quality products, and be that as it may, a more expensive product. But if we all applied girl math, you would actually be saving money!
Besides, how many more times do you have to get disappointed by low-quality items to realize that this is not the answer and that what truly heals your heart are some conscious buys vs impulsive ones?
#13 The Riddler Has Given Me Nearly 30 Years Of Quality Drinkware. I Still Use It To Sip On Some Bourbon Every Night. McDonald's Just Doesn't Make Things Like They Used To
Image credits: CommunicationNo8440
#14 Rubber Boots From 1962, Still Waterproof After 61 Years
Image credits: Nates94
#15 These Have Lived In My Grandparents Trunk My Whole Life Now I Get To Pull Them Out At Family Gatherings
Image credits: bionicpirate42
#16 This Was In My Grandparents Home Until I Moved It To My House 13 Years Ago. It Is Still Working And In Use. I'm Sure They Paid An Exorbitant Amount In Rental Fees To Ma Bell Over The Years For It
Image credits: lovetraverse
#17 In 1927 This Desk Was Moved Into This Office And Has Been Here Ever Since. Now That's What I Call Buy It For Life. Leopold Desk Company
Image credits: I_Can_Haz
#18 50+ Year Old Coleman Stove Still Works
Image credits: RandomConnections
#19 Corelle Dishes- My Mom Bought These At 18 When She Moved Out. She'll Be 63 This Year
Image credits: WanduhNotWandull
#20 Kenmore Stove 61 Years Old
Image credits: [deleted]
#21 It Is With Grave Sorrow That I Announce Our 52 Year Old General Electric Refrigerator Has Chilled Its Last Grocery (Defrost Heater No Longer Available)
Image credits: garyp714
#22 A Palette Knife I Bought Brand New More Than 30 Years Ago — I Created Countless Paintings With It
Image credits: KustomScattergunz
#23 My Grandpa's 1965(Ish) Hp 21 Calculator
Image credits: Audaxls
#24 Clark Stopwatch. It Caught My Eye At A Flea Market. Paid $2 Bucks. The Timing Is Still Dead On Balls Accurate
Image credits: [deleted]
#25 Til That In Japan, They Buy Their Child One Backpack. That's It, Not One Every Year
Image credits: but-what-about5
#26 45 Year Old Radioclock My Mother Got In 1978 When She Was 12 Years Old, Still Used Everyday
Image credits: BestPlanetsideGamer
#27 Forklift I Saw Being Used. Owner Said Its From The Sixties
Image credits: Rodaz32
#28 Needed A New Coffee Machine, Got This For £25 Used
Image credits: jmb151
#29 Braun Hl 1 - Stood On My Grandfathers Desk Running Daily Since The 70s. Now It’s Standing On My Desk ?
Image credits: Joni_Hawlk
#30 11 Year Sandals Finally Replaced
Image credits: imdjay
