Make do with what we have?

My uncle upgrades to the largest/newest, and usually most expensive electronics every few years. I have never seen a difference in the one he had before and the shiny new one. It just seems silly to me...

I also notice all these "storage solutions" in stores. Do I really need a "solution" for my nuts and bolts in the garage? Why can't I just put them in an old jar? Someone must be buying this stuff, because I see more and more of it every time I go to the store.

How many of us still mend clothes with a busted seam or loose hem? I do, but I know people who just throw it away and get a new one! It takes me less than 10 minutes to re-sew a seam...

I guess part of the problem is since credit is so easy to get that people don't have to "make do" anymore.

I really think it is a lost art. I try to practice it...do you ladies?

I think I'm similar to you, I wonder this myself. Dh has a friend that just always has to have the newest and greatest of everything. Motorcycle, new TV, new pool, new computer, surround sound, ect. While I'd love to have these things, I have to be realisitic. I'm to the point that I don't even want to visit these people because I feel myself getting jealous/angry because they make less money than we do. They HAVE to be in debt past their eyeballs, and I don't want to see it or deal with it. My house looks like a 50's museum compared to their house. I just want to pay my bills, not make more.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

i'm with you all my side of the family is living the so called high life and one of them is the only one that can truly afford it. we live in a decent house(needs some updating like kitchen) but everything works we have handme down furniture(thanks to the one sister who can afford to buy new alot) we don't have fancy cars they are used and paid for. i have a friend who spends so much money every weekend they have the huge hd tv new furniture and cars every year merry maids but they live in a trailer and she complains they can't get out... i keep saying go back to basics quit buying the latest greatest get rid of those 700 dollar a month car payment ane you will be in a house. but they won't(mind you there is nothig wrong with her trailer she just complains about it)

so yes i think you are right when you say people just can't be happy with what they have. i would venture to guess those people are not happier in the long run because buying the biggest and best also brings financial burdens if deep down you really can't afford it.

Yeah there are people like that but there are also those who use the same things year after year. I really like coming up with unique was to reuse stuff. Yes New things are cool and I do druel a bit. But I don't want more CC debt and if that mean getting in and actually Working, DIY and NOT spending.

I get so upset when people say they can't afford things when you know all the stuff that they bought this year.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

i think its alot of keeping up with the jones'.

we only uprade if something stops working or its pretty beat up, eg i need a new used arm chair, this one is slowly dying, but its lasted 2yrs and it was used to start with.:happy dance: we also need a better fouton, this one is broken, and my parents will be sleeping on it this christmas.

but now that our car is fully paid off, we will keep it till it dies or we have more kids and cant fit everyone in.

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stay at home mom to my crazy toddler with sensory issues

I find it's very easy to fall into the trap of buying things, instead of trying to be creative with what you have. I've had to stop myself many times from buying things like storage boxes because I've realized I can just use and label cardboard ones, or look for a plastic bin not being used in the house and reuse that.

As for upgrading... my philosophy on most of my items are if its not broken, and I still like it, why spend the money? That said, I know already in 2011 I'd like a new minivan, because mine will be 8 years old, and while I do like the one I have, it's got several little problems, like a nasty leak whenever it rains that just gets VERY tiring to clean up, time after time.

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"And the state of his bathroom -- I'm not one to gossip, but there are things crusted on his sink that have not simply developed intelligent life but have in all probability by now evolved their own political systems." Cain describes Abel in in SANDMAN #70

I think it is easier to just get new and now a days people seem to think they deserve it. Just because.I know couples up to their ears in debt due to the fact they have to have everything their parents have. It may have taken their parents years to get where they are now but these couples feel they deserve it now.

I think most people have, but I just sewed my purse today to avoid having to buy a new one!

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:love:

I think it depends on the item. My brother & nephew both make a lot of $ & they are always "first on the block" to buy any electronic gadget (iPhone, etc). They pay the premium price by not waiting. I just sewed a button & fixed a seam on 2 pair of DH's pants the other day. I take my birkenstocks to the shoe store for new soles instead of buying a new pair at full price. On the other hand, when I find something I like - I buy it. I don't go into debt for stuff, but I save and budget well enough that if there is a gold necklace on clearance the day after Xmas, I can get it. Right now my DH wants to get a new stereo receiver because the one we have now was my brother's - he bought it in 1972! It works perfectly. I see no reason to replace it. We have plenty of other CD players in the house with extra features, but that receiver works great. We'll see what happens on that one!

I think there is a big problem with the "entitlement" issue. I want/deserve it NOW.

We try to stick to the basics here. I like to know that if there was some major catastrophe, DH and I would be able to make do, AND be comfortable at it - comfort meaning fed, clothed, watered and sheltered.

My family has a cabin surrounded by property and a lake. My grandparents bought it in the 60's because of all the scares and stuff. We keep the same mentality - if there is a disaster, if we can get there, we can live happily. We know all the native edible plants there, the animals, the fish and we have hand pumps for the water available. We can heat the whole place with wood, which we keep stocked. We can, and have, lived with no electricity up there.

What more do we need? I know how to hand wash clothing, and hang it dry. Hubby is a heck of a lot better "sewing person" than I am - he's the one that fixes the seams and socks here. I know how to safely process and store food.

As for gadgets - we have the same ancient stereo system DH bought 10 years ago. The TV I got as a wedding gift from my first marriage. The "goodies" we have - extras - are either bought used or on sale, and VERY rarely new - we never have the latest and greatest.

The only screw up we both have is our trucks. I bought new and "rolled over" debt, he got a bad deal. Both of us are kinda stuck, and we learned our lesson. My truck is going for sale - for what I owe on it. We can't fit two adults and a carseat in either truck. I'm looking for used vehicles now - we are getting a large grant check for some forestry work done, and part will be to a new vehicle that can put us plus baby (plus more?) in it, and still be able to navigate through 3' snow on hills.

Our debt is limited to the mortgage, and the vehicle loans. I haven't used a credit card in almost 8 years, and I've yet to go wanting.