"I'm too poor to buy cheap things."I'd tried to articulate this idea a thousand different ways when my friend Jeff offered the above quote (from his father) which fits the bill perfectly. In today's culture, disposability is highly prized and is perceived to be less expensive. I don't agree.Durability—things that last, and work, and work, and last—is a far cheaper in the long run. The ability to repair something, to adapt it, to have it work for its intended purpose and several others, is valuable beyond measure. And in terms of measurement, I can cite many examples where the more expensive thing was cheaper in the long run.*There is also a soft cost to being surrounded by poor workmanship, poor materials, and things that don't have lasting value. We all regress toward the mean, so don't surround yourself with mean things.Put another way, and here I am quoting another friend: "Use it up, wear it out, make it work, or do without." More expensive things withstand more use, more wear, and more varied uses than cheaper, disposable things.
* Unless you tend to lose things. If you do, disposable is probably the way to go!