I plan to “retire” most of my belongings.
In other words, I’ll completely wear them out along with their usefulness before I replace them.
If you are looking for how to become financially independent, maintaining what you have and completely using up what you’ve already paid for is one way to get there.
Years ago, before I even met my husband, I met an older lady who was moving into a retirement home. She wanted to sell most of her large furniture, including a washer and dryer set that was just a few years old. I needed a good washer and dryer, so I purchased them from her for $75. During the next 12 years, this pair of appliances worked…and worked hard.
We repaired them over and over again, spending less than $200. As the new front loading washer came out on the market, I’ll admit I wanted one. Yet, I was determined to see this washer and dryer through to the grave.
One day, our repairman told us that the wash tub was so rusted out that this would be the washer’s final repair, and to start looking for another one. Front loader, here I come!!! With a large family, I could definitely justify that purchase.
Considering I spent $75 and kept them for about 12 years, the use of that washer and dryer cost us $6.25 annually. Dude.
Maintaining those appliances definitely helped to extend their life, as is true for much of what we own. Keeping dryer vents and filters clean help to make sure that heating elements don’t burn up. Wiping mildew from seals and running vinegar washes once in a while help to maintain the washer. How much appliance life maintenance bought me cannot be quantified, but I believe it made a difference.
Being aware of the condition of our belongings also makes good budgeting sense.
I know that a certain appliance/computer/set of tires is going to need replaced in a few months to a year, largely because I am on top of their current condition. THEN, instead of being caught off guard and consequently purchase something that we really don’t have the money for, we can begin to set aside money for that purchase.
The Morristribe likes to use the “envelope system” which is a highly-sophisticated sounding way of just putting cash in an envelope and saving. Delayed gratification…love it.
Taking the time to maintain what we already own isn’t difficult, it’s only a new habit waiting to be formed.
Here’s a list of things that you might add to your maintenance list, or use to form your first one:
Cars and Farm Equipment – Changing oil and filters, rotating tires, etc. can not only keep your car running longer, but increase re-sale value when the time comes. We drove a Toyota Camry (that Mark bought new before we met) to 248,000 miles. If the body weren’t rusting and ready to fall off, we would have kept it, the engine ran great! I truly believe that meticulously maintaining that car contributed to it’s llloooonnnnngggg life!
We only buy good used cars and equipment now, looking for owners, like us, who maintained them well.
Computers/keyboards – Interior and exterior computer maintenance can save you hundreds. Simply buying a can of air and keeping your keyboard and fans clean of dust and hair can minimize repairs due to overheating.
Coffee pots - I like to run some vinegar water through mine once in a while to dissolve build-up.
Drains – My husband maintains our drains by pouring some drain cleaner down them every month or so. Ask your plumber, this might provide some good questions to ask about your particular system.
Vacuum cleaners – Changing bags and belts in a timely way (not just when they are broke and full) will help extend the life of this essential appliance.
Refrigerator – Keeping this clean, inside and out, will extend it’s life. Just vacuuming the coils on the back can make a big difference.
Dishwasher – Such a neglected part of the kitchen, don’t you think? I so abuse mine, so dishwasher maintenance is even more important.
More personal items might include:
Shoes – We have made shoes last for years and years by maintaining them. Replacing souls of expensive business shoes save hundreds of dollars each year.
Clothing – Making timely repairs on buttons and tears can stretch your clothing budget even further. Catching stains before they set in can save a favorite piece of clothing.
Hair and make-up brushes – I have owned some of my brushes for over 10 years and they look just as good as new as I clean them with mild soap periodically.
Jewelry – Regular cleaning/inspection will extend the life of your wedding ring. It’s really worth dropping it by the jewelry once in a while and learning to clean it at home. For what it’s worth, I use an old toothbrush and a little toothpaste.
Sewing machines – I have an old Viking that I purchased new (like a dummy) back in the day. Maintenance has kept that baby running for over 25 years now. The shop I take it to for oil and cleaning always salivates over it and offers to buy it…..no way.
Maintenance of what we own is an excellent habit to get into!
What’s your longest lasting possession? What do you attribute that to?
PDF 
About kmorris
I have a checklist I use during my daily and weekly cleaning. Items on it include checking the furnace filters and the level of salt in the water softener. If those aren’t checked, cleaned or refilled periodically, they can put a huge dent in your savings.
Hey Paula,
That’s great that you have a checklist! Those big ticket items can put a serious dent in the savings!
Oh, I would like to add TEETH to this great list of yours. Maintaining them by brushing, flossing, going to the dentist, and taking care of problems before they become big problems will save a LOT of money in the long term.
Hey Molly,
YES! As a family who has paid for our Denist’s vacations for many years now (JK!) we are totally insistent upon brushing and flossing! Toothpaste is much too cheap a solution NOT to take care of your teeth. Excellent point!
Great reminders to make what you have last longer! BTW, my understanding is that toothpaste can weaken jewelry settings. You may want to switch to using the old toothbrush with a mild vinegar solution.
Amy,
Thanks for that tip! I’ll check that out.
I always wipe out the inside rim of our front-loading washing machine. It helps prevent mold. I also wipe down the window of the door. Whenever I use the dryer, I always make sure to empty the lint trap. That sounds more like cleaning tips…but it works, and will keep the washer/dryer working for a long time
Heather,
Yes it does! Thanks for commenting!
DUDE is right! way to go !!!
Thanks Tami! Love hearing from you!
“Drain cleaners” are nothing but poisons being poured into the potential water supply.
Enzymes are much better. The environment should not be abused at the expense of
thriftiness.
Elizabeth,
I agree and we use enzymes. Thanks for commenting.
We just replaced our 1993 Ford mini-van which we had bought new that year. It had 265,500 miles on the original engine and original transmission. My husband’s pick-up truck will be turning 300,000 miles in the next few months and we’re debating whether we should replace it entirely or just the engine and transmission (both original). Our previous pick-up had almost that many miles on it when we sold it to a neighbor, who drove it another 100,000 miles. Taking care of things does pay off: we were able to buy our new car, actually a one-year-old previously owned Subaru, for cash and expect to drive that nearly forever. Because we are able and have the skills to do so, we do virtually all of the maintenance on our belongings ourselves, but these are skills that anyone can learn if they really want to.
Hilda,
Absolutely! We just need to take the time to create some new habits!
Oops! Forgot to give credit to my oldest and trustiest possession: “Emma”, my state-of-the-art sewing machine. At least she was state-of-the-art in 1871 when she was made. I bought her at an antiques store in 1982 for about $100 along with a boxful of attachments. There’s no zig-zag stitch, so finishing inside seam allowances requires other techniques, but I do have an early buttonhole attachment and a zipper foot, so I’m fine. When my children were small, I made all of their clothes from pants to winter jackets as well as several sets of slipcovers for the sofa so Emma has paid for herself many times over. I expect she’ll still be in working condition after I’m gone. The beauty of older sewing machines, as with many other older things, is that they usually have many fewer moving parts and no computer brain, making repairs a much easier undertaking.
Hilda,
I have been looking for an “Emma” for years now and I’m envious. Don’t ever let her get away from you!
we tend to use stuff until it falls apart also, unfortunately most stuff is made to last very long anymore. Everything is way too disposable, especially on electronics
My 1998 Ford F150 has 222,xxx miles on it and still going. we do regular upkeep on it and hopefully it;ll last…hubbys 1990 Dodge ram has over 200,000 miles also(fil bought both of them practically brand new)
April,
That’s great! Doesn’t it feel good to spend what could be your car payment on other things????