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There's an old adage from my parent's generation that too often seems to be forgotten in our disposable society.
Use it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or do without.
Believe me, my parents lived this verse! When I cleaned out my dad's house to sell last fall (he moved in with us after a severe auto accident), I was reminded just how well!
For better or worse, finances dictate so many things should just be thrown out rather than repaired. My dad always used to get his dress shoes repaired and reheeled. Unless you go to a very nice (by my standards) men's shoe store, your wallet will be fatter if you just check the old and get a shiny new pair.
Small appliances are similar. We used to have a local shop called The Mending Shed. When I was a kid, I often road there with my dad to drop off a toaster, a blender, a shaver, some small item that needed a new widget or gadget added.
Today, it's difficult to find such shops…because the repair will cost more than the new item did.
Large appliances are an exception to this rule. However, I still see the disposal mindset creeping in. In my organizing workshops people often complain about dishwashers, washers, and driers that don't work. Frequently, however, the machine just needs a minor adjustment, a tuneup, or even a new detergent that better fits the water conditions.
Rather than trash your pricey appliances, look for a reputable company that provides washing machine repair. Rather than paying thousands of dollars, you might end up with a washer that works like new for a fraction of the cost.
Remember, money isn't the only thing you save when you really do “use it up, wear it out.” When you reduce the number of bulky items that end up in a landfill, you help keep trash and pollution lower.
Double benefit!
Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.
That’s being smart and frugal 🙂 Thanks to an old electrical repair shop near our place, we don’t need to replace our old appliances anytime soon. Thanks for the wonderful tips!
We do have a throwaway mentality, but much of thatb is by necessity. Although not necessarilly the case with appliances, with consumer electronics the new goods are so muhc better and more affordable repairing them often makes no sense. Consider a BluRay player. You may have purchased one 3 years ago for roughly $400, but now you can get a much better one for less than half that. Getting it repaired, if it is even possible, will exceed the replacement cost, on many occasions. That’s why recycling the old ones, rather than simply throwing them away, is so important.
I usually buy pieces of appliance such as a washing machine from reputable brands, and I always make sure that they have longer warranties. They may be expensive than those not so famous brands but it’s really worth your money.
Well Thank god I have really faced much a of a problem with electrical appliances….
In the Uk there are companies that sell re-furbished goods.These are goods that may have been returned to a shop faulty,or been on hire,repaired then re sold at a much cheaper price-often virtually brand new.