Bored Panda
Buy It For Life: 40 Times People Bought Things That Stood The Test Of Time And Served Them For Years (New Pics)

Buy It For Life: 40 Times People Bought Things That Stood The Test Of Time And Served Them For Years (New Pics)

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They definitely don’t make stuff like they used to. We’ve heard that before, but it’s ridiculous how true it actually is. Generally speaking, the quality of the products that we buy is worse (often on purpose) than in the past. Whether we’re talking about planned obsolescence, shoddy craftsmanship, or plain old cutting corners because of greed, it’s frustrating having to watch your furniture, tech, and tools break down in just a few seasons. The environment and our wallets end up paying for it.
However, it’s inspiring to finally find some products that stand the test of time and keep working well. Decade after decade. After decade. That’s where the r/BuyItForLife (aka BIFL) subreddit comes in. A community of nearly 1.1 million redditors, it’s a space where people have been sharing photos and recommendations of “practical, durable, and quality made products that are made to last” since the founding of the subreddit in August 2011.
Scroll down for the best of r/BuyItForLife and for some awesome inspiration in case you need a new fridge, thermos, or pretty much anything else for life. Meanwhile, you’ll find Bored Panda’s previous articles about the subreddit here: Part 1 and Part 2.

#1 A Lady Who Always Grabs Vintage Casserole Dishes At Thrift Stores Or Yard Sales And Uses Them When She Brings A Meal To Someone!

A Lady Who Always Grabs Vintage Casserole Dishes At Thrift Stores Or Yard Sales And Uses Them When She Brings A Meal To Someone!
I saw a post the other day by a lady who said she always grabs vintage casserole dishes when she sees them at thrift stores or yard sales and uses them when she brings a meal to someone! She said often they are cheaper than disposable ones and the family can either keep for themselves or pass on to someone else who needs a meal in the future! So in the spirit of reduce, reuse, renew & recycle... I thought this was a neat idea worth sharing!
461points

#2 Family Heirloom Thanksgiving Cactus, 100 Years Old, Three Generations In The Family

Family Heirloom Thanksgiving Cactus, 100 Years Old, Three Generations In The Family
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435points

#3 Family Heirloom Restoration In Progress!

Family Heirloom Restoration In Progress!
435points

The r/BuyItForLife subreddit initially started off as a spin-off of r/ShutUpandTakeMyMoney. ‘Buy It For Life’ moderator and founder u/Petrarch1603 was inspired by some of the products they saw there.

“I noticed that sometimes [it featured] useful products that I was interested in buying. Unfortunately, I also noticed a lot of gimmicks and cheaply made products too," they said.

#4 Our Aga Stove That Came With The House Will Survive Us All! This Thing Is Built Like A Tank And An Absolute Delight To Work With

Our Aga Stove That Came With The House Will Survive Us All! This Thing Is Built Like A Tank And An Absolute Delight To Work With
419points

#5 In 2000, I Was Studying Overseas & Cringed As I Forked Over $10 For The Plainest Pencil I Could Find In The University Bookstore. I Had No Idea It Would Become My Forever Favorite & I'd Carry It Everywhere For The Next 22 Years

In 2000, I Was Studying Overseas & Cringed As I Forked Over $10 For The Plainest Pencil I Could Find In The University Bookstore. I Had No Idea It Would Become My Forever Favorite & I'd Carry It Everywhere For The Next 22 Years
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407points

#6 Found This On The Curb. All Accessories In The Bowl. Works Beautifully

Found This On The Curb. All Accessories In The Bowl. Works Beautifully
391points

Previously, one of the mods told Bored Panda that some of the most popular items that get posted on the subreddit include: “Stanley Thermos, Darn Tough Socks, Kitchen Aid mixers, Red Wing boots, and pots and pans, particularly cast iron.”

"Most products are built to be as cheap as possible .... and poorly assembled (maybe partly due to planned obsolescence but mostly just due to the fact that people in general like spending less). The products that you see lasting longer are often made of higher quality material and care when built. But they're also priced accordingly,” they shared with us.

#7 Found This On Facebook Today… Thought Some Of You Might Enjoy It

Found This On Facebook Today… Thought Some Of You Might Enjoy It
390points

#8 Le Creuset Enamel/ Iron Saucepan Set (80’s/90’s)

Le Creuset Enamel/ Iron Saucepan Set (80’s/90’s)
366points

#9 This Multimillion Dollar Hospital Lab I Work In With Huge Analyzers And New Equipment Manufactured Months Ago Has A Tape Dispenser From 1960-1970 Held Up By A Toothpick Stick

This Multimillion Dollar Hospital Lab I Work In With Huge Analyzers And New Equipment Manufactured Months Ago Has A Tape Dispenser From 1960-1970 Held Up By A Toothpick Stick
364points

One of the main ways that individuals can help protect the environment and fight climate change is by buying new products less frequently, according to The Jump campaign.

As such, buying longer-lasting, more durable products is better not only for your wallet, but it helps put a dent in how much you, as an individual, contribute to the climate crisis. The fewer newer products bought, the less pollution, the fewer carbon emissions.

#10 Fixed Up An Old Tanker Desk! These Things Last Forever

Fixed Up An Old Tanker Desk! These Things Last Forever
Lots Of Orbital Sanding, Bondo, Sanding, Blocking, Priming, Taping, Painting! Looks Perfect In My Home Office
354points

#11 My Mom's Hair Dryer Has Been Used For 42 Years And Stopped Working For The First Time. Turns Out It Was Just A Faulty Cable, So I Replaced And It's Up Again

My Mom's Hair Dryer Has Been Used For 42 Years And Stopped Working For The First Time. Turns Out It Was Just A Faulty Cable, So I Replaced And It's Up Again
353points

#12 I Know, Another Thermos. But Seriously, This Was My Grandfather's From The 50's And Still Kept Coffee Hot For Hours In -20 Today!

I Know, Another Thermos. But Seriously, This Was My Grandfather's From The 50's And Still Kept Coffee Hot For Hours In -20 Today!
338points

Recently, Bored Panda spoke about the climate crisis and why some people still don’t believe in climate change with Joseph Pierre, a professor of psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He said that more people understand that climate change is real, however, many feel powerless to stop it.

"We’ve actually seen a significant decrease in climate change denial across the world over the past decade. One reason is that we’ve all been witnessing global warming and its effects firsthand with the hottest temperatures ever recorded in recent years,” he said.

#13 1911 Ingersoll Yankee That Belonged To My Great (Times A Few) Uncle. The Original "Dollar Watch" Still Keeping Time 110 Years Later

1911 Ingersoll Yankee That Belonged To My Great (Times A Few) Uncle. The Original "Dollar Watch" Still Keeping Time 110 Years Later
306points

#14 Never See One Of These Before And Unfortunately It Didn’t Come With The Chairs, But For $5 I Couldn’t Pass. Old Coleman Products Are Just So Cool

Never See One Of These Before And Unfortunately It Didn’t Come With The Chairs, But For $5 I Couldn’t Pass. Old Coleman Products Are Just So Cool
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299points

#15 The Best Pencil Sharpener. Berol Chicago - Apsco

The Best Pencil Sharpener. Berol Chicago - Apsco
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285points

“Another reason is that climate change scientists, governments, and various advocacy groups have also been a lot more vocal about the consensus on this issue, pushing back against the disinformation campaigns of conservative groups and Big Oil," Dr. Pierre told Bored Panda.

#16 Over 50 Years Old And Still Making Superbowl Queso

Over 50 Years Old And Still Making Superbowl Queso
256points

#17 My Pioneer Receiver From 1974, Freshly Serviced And Ready For Another 50 Years

My Pioneer Receiver From 1974, Freshly Serviced And Ready For Another 50 Years
255points

#18 Wedding Gift My Parents Got In The Late 60s. Stelton Aj Coffee Pot

Wedding Gift My Parents Got In The Late 60s. Stelton Aj Coffee Pot
244points

"To me, the biggest challenge isn’t converting those who continue to deny anthropogenic [i.e. caused by humans] climate change—it’s how to best translate growing acceptance of anthropogenic climate change into political and legislative action. I think that there are a lot of people who now believe that anthropogenic climate change is real, but feel powerless to do anything about it," he said.

"While we can all do some small part as consumers, the reality is that real change has to come from the fossil fuel industry acting against its immediate self-interests in order to steer us away from future disaster," the professor warned that even though everyone can contribute to the solution, it’s the large multinational corporations that hold the power to make a bigger impact against global warming.

#19 My Boxed Sony Walkman Dc2 Complete With Original Invoice From 1987. Still Working, Use It In My Car On Occasion

My Boxed Sony Walkman Dc2 Complete With Original Invoice From 1987. Still Working, Use It In My Car On Occasion
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243points

#20 Beyerdynamic Dt 880 Headphones From 1981 Still Sound Better Than Almost All Modern Headphones I've Tried

Beyerdynamic Dt 880 Headphones From 1981 Still Sound Better Than Almost All Modern Headphones I've Tried
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241points
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