We all want to get the most bang for our buck when we purchase something new. Whether you’re in the market for a new car, a new air fryer or a new pair of jeans, you want to make sure that you don’t have to purchase another one for a very long time. But in the day and age of planned obsolescence, how can we know that what we’re buying will truly stand the test of time?
A great place to start is the Buy It For Life subreddit. This community is dedicated to sharing “practical, durable and quality made products that are made to last.” And the group has amassed an impressive 2.5 million members over the last 13 years, so you can be confident that, no matter what product you want to learn more about, you can probably find it there!
#4 I Thought You Guys Might Like My 1920s-1930s Magic Chef Stove With 6 Burners, 2 Ovens, And A Bread Warmer
#6 Me In My Snoopy Sweater In 1981, My Son In The Same Sweater In 2017, And My Daughter In The Same Sweater In 2020
We’re big fans of the Buy It For Life community here at Bored Panda, so it’s far from the first time we’ve covered the group. We hope that if any of you pandas out there are looking to make a big purchase soon, these photos might help inform you of the brands that will be worth your money. After all, there’s nothing worse than shelling out for a product you were promised would be great and then finding out that it was a huge disappointment.
And unfortunately, that seems to happen often nowadays. When I was a kid, my mom bragged endlessly about the refrigerator we had been using for 20 years, her 15-year-old vacuum cleaner and the washing machine that had been around since before she had any children. She was so proud of these purchases that worked just as well as they did on day one, and she dreaded the day that she would ever need to buy new ones. And I have to admit that, as an adult, I finally understand her excitement about these items.
#7 Bought It In '88 With Money My Grandmother Left Me. My Mother Was Upset That I Spent My Inheritance On Something As Ephemeral As A Bicycle. I've Ridden Thousands Of Miles On It, Including A Double Century In 2000. Now It's My Townie Bike, For Shopping, Commuting, And Errands
#8 Oxford Bookbag From 1880 Or So. My Grandpa Got It Used When He Started High School In 1951. It Has Since Been Used And Enjoyed By My Mom, Uncle, Aunt And Myself And Is Still Durable
#9 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
When you make a major purchase for your home, such as a large appliance, you will likely do plenty of research to ensure that you get the best one for your purposes. But once you’ve bought it, how do you know how long it’s supposed to last? Well, according to The Spruce, the lifespan of a refrigerator should be about 13 years, while an oven and stove should last you 13 to 15 years. Washing machines are expected to work for a decade, and microwaves usually last about 9 years. Your dishwasher also shouldn't give you any problems for 9 to 10 years.
#11 Old Wooden Furniture Lasts Many Lifetimes
#12 Bifg (Buy It For Generations): My Viking Husqvarna 21a, From Early 1960's. Belonged To My Grandma. My Son Is The 4th Generation To Use This Machine... Spending Quality Father-Son Time Teaching Him How To Sew Useful And Beautiful Things That Will Also Last A Long Time
But if you feel like your household appliances aren’t lasting as long as they used to, you’re not going crazy. They probably aren’t! Everything Breaks explained on their site that modern appliances tend to have shorter lifespans for several reasons. First, they’re more complex. They have more functions and more parts. They might include cameras, connect to Wi-Fi, have touch screens, etc., and the more complex they are, the easier it is for something to go wrong.
#14 Rolleicord 6x6 Film Camera From The 60's Still Going Strong And Some Examples Of The Pictures It Makes
#15 1934 Chicago Mansion Still Has Its Original Jewett Custom Built-In Refrigerator
Everything Breaks also notes that most appliances aren’t properly tested before hitting the market to ensure that they work as well as they’re supposed to. Without rigorous testing, many issues arise after consumers have already installed these items in their homes. There’s also not a ton of competition in the appliance market, which means major brands don’t have to try as hard to continue making sales. And of course, companies are quick to take any cost-cutting measures they can, which may end up costing their customers much more in the long run.
#18 Oregano - Mom Got A Piece Of An Oregano Plant From Her Aunt When I Was A Kid. She Transplanted Some To One House, Then Another And Another, Then To My Place, And Again When I Moved. We Have Never Purchased Oregano In My Entire Life. It Even Pops Up In The Lawn, Makes Grass Cutting Smell Nice :)
CNBC has also addressed the issue of appliance lifespans shrinking over the years. Apparently, between 1995 and 2005, homeowners were replacing their appliances every 12 to 13 years. Today, however, most consumers say things need to be replaced every 8 or 9 years. And aside from just having to purchase the new item, inflation makes a new appliance cost about 34% more than it did 15 years prior, Todd Tomalak told CNBC.
#19 Bought Those Haglöfs Boots On My 18th Birthday. This Week I Celebrated My 50th Birthday
#20 My Great Uncle's Watch That Lived Through Combat In WW2. Wound It Up And It Still Works Perfectly
