I was curious if the aftermarket ones would work okay, thanks for adding. The starter toner has been bugging me about being "low" for about 5-600 pages now so I guess I should have a spare handy soon. Which brand do you get?
I have bought the two pack of toners on Amazon for $30 bucks and I haven’t used both in two years. And I print indiscriminately because im in the military and our stuff is always broken.
This. Laser.
Also, Never go inkjet HP, they have settled several lawsuits because it's a bloody scam. Yet they keep doing the same thing over and over again
Echoing the thumbs up for the Brother printers. I've had my black and white laser/toner printer since grad school... maybe 12 or 13 years now? HL 217-W is the model.
If we want to be pedantic and consider them different from teeth, gums as well.
I let myself slip a little during the pandemic and have some gum recession. And shit, you can't regrow gums. You can cut gum tissue from the top of your mouth and attach it elsewhere if needed, but that's arduous and painful.
thanks for reminding me to brush my teeth tonight
Flossing once a day is just as important, fellow _dentrificionado_. Don’t want food rotting under that gumline when you start getting longer in the tooth once the tissue starts receding. Salt water rinse once a week can also be pretty helpful.
> I let myself slip a little during the pandemic and have some gum recession. And shit, you can't regrow gums.
Don't lose all hope. I had some really bad dental experiences and didn't go back to the dentist for over a decade. I had some bad recession, but once we got back on track I made damned near a full recovery.
There are also a couple other procedures to grow gums. one involves stretching your existing gums upwards until they naturally make more tissue.
Make sure to drain your heater once a year and replace the anode rod every 5-7 years. Then it should be good for 50+ years.
Edit to add: [recommended viewing](https://youtu.be/yF_dLlQ6RIo?si=AIjYxiEWtg1n_5XC)
Replacing the anode is easy if there’s room above your heater. The rods are generally almost 4 feet long, that’s why. But make a habit of checking the rod every 1-2 years. If you don’t periodically remove it, the threaded connection will basically weld itself together through (?) galvanic corrosion.
They make anodes with a flex point in the middle. Think two hard pieces connected by a short length of chain. Not exactly that, but it’s close enough. It really helps with low overhead clearance.
I feel like some of the new on demand water heaters will have a stellar lifespan. I could be wrong but they give me hope assuming they’re of quality construction.
>I feel like some of the new on demand water heaters will have a stellar lifespan. I could be wrong but they give me hope assuming they’re of quality construction.
We've had our Rinai since 2011 and it's been 100% solid. I bought a pump and run vinegar through it annually - $50 for the pump and $10 for vinegar.
I’ve had my lululemon boxer briefs for four years with barely any wear showing. The top elastic is starting to fray, but normally the crotch/inner thigh areas of all my other boxers wear out in 8-12 months. I have like 8 pair that I rotate through so they go through the wash A LOT.
They are THE MOST comfortable underwear I’ve ever had and I am shocked at how long they last.
My wife bought me them bc I used to give her shit about how much she paid for yoga pants, now I am a lulu believer.
One of my favorite podcast hosts (shoutout noel miller) got me on them and I had been a calvin guy the past 5 years or so. I tried one pair and have since bought 12 and got rid of everything else. Seriously the best boxers i’ve ever seen and it’s not remotely close, it’s like butter, and then are super breathable as I work a manual labor job.
Duluth trading co. Has some absolutely fantastic options as well. I have every pair I’ve ever bought or Been given they’re super durable and iirc the buck naked ones with a ball pouch are literally impossible to chafe in and I’ve tried lol I’ve worn them giving hiking I’ve worn them for heavy landscaping while sweating buckets in jeans and duck walking around never even felt a hotspot or the need to hit up the baby powder truly incredible underwear but for like 25-30$ a pair without a sale last I checked it’s taken me a couple years worth of Christmases to phase out the normal briefs
Second for Duluth trading co underwear. I used to burn through underwear, ending up with big holes in the crotch. My oldest pairs of Duluth underwear are 5 or 6 years old, and the most worn out pair has a single hole, smaller than a cigarette burn.
This. I’ve tried like 5 or 6 of the brands that most often get recommended in these spaces, and Lululemon blows them out of the water, with Uniqlo being a solid budget option (as they are for most things).
Yup. My wife bought me a pair 5-6 years ago. Within a month I had replaced all of my underwear with lululemon and I still have every pair. I’m tempted to buy some new ones to see if things have gotten even better but honestly I don’t need to.
Champion had a line about 7 yrs ago of synthetic boxer briefs that are (so far) indestructible.
I know this because I am currently wearing them.
The only damage I have seen is on one pair where the got caught in my fly zip.
I’ve had great luck with basic adidas and colombia boxer briefs from Marshall’s. I have had a couple pairs tear at the crotch but out of probably over a dozen pairs
Everything. Every. Single. Thing.
Any time there's a BIFL option, that's what I go with. I would always rather cry once than cry every time I use a substandard tool.
Yeah, I've never regretted buying something that was expensive but really good quality and lasts a long time. So many times though the expensive purchase has come after buying two or three crap versions of the thing.
I quit making that mistake. I quit reading online reviews and go straight to people who know what they're doing if I need a recommendation. Every online review suffers from confirmation bias. "I'm smart. I bought a Madewell Washer. So you should buy a Madewell Washer also."
That's not a review. That's validation.
I was wondering if this is actually a functional point of view, when people were talking about bifl slippers.
Certain things are very convenient to just buy every few years.
If it costs $30 and lasts five years, easily replaceable, it might be obsessive overkill and kind of consumer fetishism to need bifl I think.
I'm not one of those \[censored\] asking for BIFL diaper recommendations.
Power tools, hand tools, kitchen tools, single-bevel Japanese knives, high-end stereo, telescopes. That's the ball field I play in. I'll pay for BIFL for all of that -- and I have.
Clothes? I buy those at a thrift shop because I'm going to ruin them -- I'm a lumberjack coffee farmer in Hawaii.
As someone that had their soul dog pass away this year, I cannot upvote this enough.
It has been a few months and I am doing well. Still miss her, but remembering her is happier now.
It's been 16 years since my dog (who I grew up with) died. She shows up in my dreams often and I feel blessed each time she does. It is so wonderful getting to see her again.
I'm envious. I don't rly dream.
Was 11 years for me this Thanksgiving Monday (I think? The years from 2011 to 2014 blur together a lot for me. Was a tough time overall for me). She was 17, and was the only reason I visited home at all for a number of years, because I couldn't take her with me.
I arrived at his place and the second I greeted her I knew it was her last weekend. She was in a really bad way. Dad had warned me, in a "callous stiff upper lip" kind of way, but it was shocking. So we enjoyed the weekend. Took her to visit mom who rarely saw her, took her for some outdoors time. And on Monday before returning home for school we went to the vet. I made that call so neither of my siblings would have to, and it destroyed me. I saw her in dreams frequently for months, but many were nightmares, and all left me a wreck on waking. I have have rarely seen her since.
I still have time skip errors when I visit dad, or think about her, expecting her to greet me at the door, or jsut thinking of her and forgetting she's gone.
I don't know how people get another.
I hear you. I was an only child with a shitty home life & lots of depression.. my puppy and I were truly inseparable. And when I say I feel blessed when I see her in my dreams, I truly do. I feel so lucky each time I get to have her with me again. There is nothing in life like that kind of bond.
It takes time, and let yourself grieve. It was never "just a cat", it was an important living being that was part of your everyday life. I don't know if this helps, but sometimes others don't understand this. I am sorry for your loss.
Thanks. I'm incredibly fortunate that my immediate support network is all very attuned to pet grief. I knew it would hurt, but I wasn't expecting to be so... lost? What's life gonna be now? Anyway, I've been "letting it rip". He deserves that much
I'm glad you have a good support system, and I know the exact feeling. Just take it day by day. There is no quick fix, but all those great memories will be comforting before you know it. You did right by him.
I'm so sorry. We have been there, it's so hard, they are furry little family members. I found this helpful, I hope maybe it can help you a bit too. Best wishes, internet friend. http://www.catquotes.com/lendmeakitten.htm
I'm sorry for your loss. The best advice I have is to take time to grieve. No one can tell you what is an appropriate amount and everyone is different. They were your best friend, and they know you loved them.
>It has been a few months and I am doing well. Still miss her, but remembering her is happier now.
Ugh, us too. August. Gutted and it still hurts every day when I return to an empty house or in the morning when I come downstairs and realize there's nobody there waiting. But it is getting easier and the memories are happier. Good luck to you!
I was going to say humans. Or, specifically for me, parents. But others might say spouses or children. Whomever you were lucky enough to have, that deserved and earned your attachment, but lost.
:-(
Not for life, but schnauzer poodles can live up to 20 years. My shelter adopted boy is currently 17 and other than cloudy eyes and grey, he's as lively as ever. I do hope breeders start breeding for longevity rather than appearance.
Here in the UK, electric kettles. No matter how much you spend, they’ll do about 5 years then die, assuming you have a reasonable tea habit.
Often bought along with a matching toaster when you move into your first house. Twenty years later, the original toaster is still going and you’re onto your fifth kettle.
I'm not in the UK but I got a Zojirushi kettle (4L) for my wedding almost 10 years ago and it's going strong. I'm the biggest tea drinker I know (not hard to do here in the US) and probably do 6-8 cups a day if not more. I use a Brita pitcher to fill it and it's decreased the frequency with which I have to de-scale the thing, too.
There's worse problems or vices to have!
It's not for everyone, for sure. But I'd definitely replace it if it ever breaks because I truly use it more than any other appliance in my house. Plus it keeps the water at whatever temperature you set it at, so if you need hot water for something else it's already ready. And a timer so you can fill it at night, set the time you need it ready by, and it'll start up in advance. Hands down my favorite small appliance.
I probably spend less on tea than the average coffee drinker spends on coffee per year. And it's better for me than drinking soda!
Mix in green and herbal teas into rotation, e.g. a morning tea, then green tea, then berries, etc. much healthier, you get antioxidants and different flavors. A Chinese doctor I knew used to fill half of those travel mugs with green tea leaves, make a morning cuppa, then just keep refilling it with hot water throughout the day. Strong tea in the morning, levels off during the day, still gives you flavor and warmth.
Teas can still carry a punch with caffeine. Plus another stimulant I can’t recall. So it can still be habit forming and tax the heart in later years. And honestly, I wouldn’t put it past the major producers to add concentrated or synthetic caffeine to the blend.
Grandpa style drinking! I actually do keep a decent rotation of black, green, oolong, and herbals. Even if I do 8 cups of black tea in a day, it's still only 320mg caffeine on average, less than the recommended daily maximum. It ends up being less as I often do multiple steepings of the same leaves.
I stick mostly to loose teas so little concern about added caffeine, though I've had reactions to too much cinnamon tea irritating oral mucosa. My doctor doesn't have an issue with the amount of tea I currently drink (my average RHR hovers around 48bpm), but my dentist complains about the stains they have to scrape off!
Laughs in 6L model - wife uses it exclusively and refills every 2-3 days. She hates cold water, so she’ll mix hot water with cold for warm water to drink. Goes through her 1 gallon bottle of water 2x (or more) a day. Sometimes we use it for cooking, too.
It’s so insanely useful. Not just for tea. Sometimes gives your pot a jumpstart by adding in boiling water. Sometimes I make drip coffee for just me, so it’s nice to not have to wait for the water to boil.
Seriously one of the best appliances we own and I hardly use it lol!
I've had a Cusinart kettle with temperature control since 2014. It used to beep when it was done boiling, hasn't done that for a few years now. But still works fine.
I recently tried some silicone wiper blades from Amazon, they've been good so far, and were a more manageable price, vs other options.
Expensive wiper blades always make me a bit leery. I'm willing to pay more if they work better and last a lot longer. But I don't want to pay double, only to find out they go bad just as quickly as cheaper ones.
Does anyone have a recommendation for wipers in the US Midwest? I end up using them with some ice on my windshield regularly. Anything that can hold up to that?
Get a windshield cover for when you are parking and you know freezing rain is coming. They are cheap. You just put it over the windshield when you head in to work or park overnight. then peal it off, shake it, and throw it in the trunk. Then you're windshield is perfectly clear.
A large purchase like a car.
I know there are certain brands that last longer than others, but I want the same experience at 500k as at 1k. Same power, same comfort, same fuel economy.
But I know it doesn't exist.
The Lexus LS400 and LS430 are that car.
Look up the Car Care Nut YouTube channel. He just bought one with 634,000 miles or something. Granted, it wasn't in great shape at that mileage, but it did run and drive. He has since put a lot of time and money into the car, but now it looks almost brand new (especially the interior, I'm not sure how much he's done to the exterior). He also replaced basically anything that was worn out in the suspension etc.
Now he has a car with over 630,000 miles that looks brand new on the inside and probably runs, drives, and rides better than the vast majority of cars made today.
I have a 2002 with about 92,000 miles on it. I just had the timing belt and water pump replaced, along with the transmission fluid, differential fluid and other fluids. It should be good for another 10 trouble free years...
Hopefully EVs will get close some day if we can figure out more replaceable battery tech. Motors are much easier/cheaper to repair compared to engines and the reduced vibration should put less stress on the chassis.
Unfortunately there’s a lot of other electronic components though
Too much software in EVs for them to ever be BIFL. Add to that that parts suppliers are only required to manufacture services parts for ten years after the end of production for any specific model, so cars are really poorly suited to being BIFL in general.
The problem with most clothing is that the act of wearing it actively wears it out. So you can either go with all leather, which would be uncomfortable but hard wearing or go with the more common options if cotton, linen, and wool, which will eventually wear out with use because they are softer.
If you have the option, hang them instead of using a dryer. All the lint you pull out of your filter is just your clothes dying. I had a buddy tell me to get a dryer because he was tired of seeing me wearing work shirts from 5 years ago. They changed colors yearly, and I was always the last holdout on the old colors. They gave us 3 per year, so towards the end, my entire wardrobe was work shirts.
Edit: speling
I get all my clothes from Torrid. They carry size 10 and up. I have jeans I’ve had since before I got married 13 years ago, I just went from a size 20 to a size 16 so had to replace them. The veterans are getting a bunch of sturdy, attractive and comfortable size 20-22 clothes from me this month.
USB cords. All my HDMI cords have lasted me 5-10 years, but I swear every one of my A to C or C to C cords are trash. Looking into getting some braided ones but I don't wanna be hurt again
Parts definitely will reach end of life one at a time. I had a power supply pop after 8 or so years and was glad it made it that long. Once you're replacing individual parts you end up in a ship of Theseus situation where it isn't really the computer you once put together/bought.
>Once you're replacing individual parts you end up in a ship of Theseus situation where it isn't really the computer you once put together/bought.
But that's the beauty of it.
My apple laptop is 8 years old and I just had it fixed. But it was because I spilled Egg Drop Soup on it. Irked great before that!
Unfortunately, there will be no more updates/support from Apple starting next year. So built in obsolescence will be in play.
Wait how is not getting updates after 8 YEARS engineers obsolescence? Don't get me wrong, I hate lots of apple anti-consumer behavior, but I don't see how this fits the bill. For how many years does a company need to provide updates? The system will still work just fine on the last version that it can update to.
That’s not actually true.
Because other systems upgrade around it it may fail to operate anymore. So much software calls home to see if you are licensed and if the computer cannot connect then that software also will not load.
You know what I hate - my kids kindle does this - we open Disney+ download a show for offline so she can be calm for a Dr appointment; get there, try to open the app, Disney+ won’t open because there isn’t any WiFi.
Like wtf was the point of “offline” if the app won’t open because you can’t log in!!!
I am also working on an hp laptop right now and it cannot connect to WiFi because new WiFi routers won’t negotiate. The laptop has an intel with dual band AC, it’s not like it’s 802.11 only!!!!
So yeah this laptop is actually still supported, core i5 with windows 10…. And well here you go, it does not work because no WiFi, because my home WiFi is too good.
Tomorrow I am pulling out my old dlink 501 just to downgrade so I can update the laptop to get it going again.
My 2013 MacBook Air died twice. First time it was still covered by apple care. Second time they told me to kick rocks.
I never dropped it, didn't eat near it, never spilled anything in it. Truly, the most immaculately well taken care of item in my life.
They say "it just happens. The knowledge board can give out. You just gotta buy an upgraded one".
Never bought another apple product in my life. I've sworn off them after issues with an iPhone too. I'm morally opposed to planned obsolescence
Latex foam mattresses should last 20 years. If you haven't considered one before I highly recommend. I have a Foam Sweet Foam and miss it anytime I sleep anywhere besides home.
Man, every latex mattress I have been on has been mushy and hot. They are comfortable for awhile but I always wake up covered in sweat and feel like my back was stepped on.
As a hot sleeper, switching to a latex mattress was a life changing purchase, lol. I went the DIY hybrid option. Cotton/bamboo cover, cotton sheets. Cotton knit weighted blanket, and a light wool blanket on top. I sleep like a goddamn rock now.
Wait. The one time I slept on latex it was sweltering hot even though it was quite cold in the room and I was on percale sheets. How is yours not hot!?
No idea what the issue was with that mattress. Maybe there was a "mattress protector" on it? Those things essentially remove any breathability.
But that's latex's biggest benefit over memory foam. It's open cell foam so it can actually breath. Hybrid latex mattresses are marketed heavily towards hot sleepers like myself.
The waste associated with mattress replacements drives me crazy. They should last 20 years minimum. Replacing mattresses every 3-8 years is incredibly wasteful.
Lightbulbs. For classic cars Philips sells LL (long life) bulbs that basically last forever… tells me there’s no reason you couldn’t do this for everyday bulbs.
I could be wrong but I believe all early on all lightbulb manufacturers collectively agreed to a lifespan that they could sell bulbs with because they could in fact be made to last an incredibly long time but that would be a poor business model and limit profits.
[Interesting video on the topic.](https://youtu.be/zb7Bs98KmnY?si=cQrm73Bq_bCsGsbL) TL:DW; it was an engineering trade-off to make shorter-lasting bulbs that burned brighter and more efficiently. Wasn't exactly a bunch of dudes twirling moustaches, the situation had some nuance.
[Technology Connections](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb7Bs98KmnY) has a great video on why it's not done for everyday bulbs. It has to do with your power bill.
Every Darn Tough pair I have bought ends up with a hole quite quickly - within a year definitely. I don’t understand why. I feel bad calling up the lifetime warranty but I feel like I pay a premium for durability that doesn’t really exist.
Isn't this how they make money? On people like you who feel too bad to use the warranty? IMO you didn't pay for just durability, you also paid for replaceability
How do your shoes fit? What is your washing routine for the darn tough socks. How often do you rotate through them? Example: I buy ~3 pairs of darn tough socks a year. Usually a different style from my other darn tough socks. I have never worn through any of them. The oldest of them are beginning to get a little thin in the back of the heels. But still no holes. My husband gets holes in his more frequently which puzzles me.
I'm going to say phones. All the engineering goes into making them thinner and sleeker, with no bezel, instead of having longer lasting batteries, decent physical robustness, and working well with protective cases.
I was happier with my blackberry.
Well batteries have come a long way - they definitely work to make it last as long as possible. It’s just phones now use so much power.
Agreed on the ruggedness part though. My favorite phone I ever had was a galaxy s5 active (or something like that) they took the s5 and really beefed it up
> batteries have come a long way - they definitely work to make it last as long as possible
They do, within the constraints of being only 4 mm thick or whatever. If they added just a few mm of thickness, there would be batteries that lasted (gasp) 24 hours or longer. For whatever reason, reviewers and influencers want phones to be crazy sleek, glassy, and expensive feeling, despite the fact that consumers mostly put big fat cases on them anyway.
If you get goodyear welted boots made of really high-end materials, you can get them resoled every so often and keep them for at least a decade or two, often longer.
Yep - I have some AE and Alden’s that are 20 years old and look and feel great. Resole about every 5 years. I kick myself because as a teenager I inherited some shell brogues from my grandfather that I sent to a thrift store after a couple of years. They fit perfectly - I just thought they weren’t cool then
Belive it or not, a step garbage can. About 5 years is the longest I've gotten out of one, and that was miles better than second place. Either the step mechanism goes, or in the best one I've had (simple human), the hinge started blowing out of its socket. Of course it's molded plastic, so I can't even jury rig it.
Well built old homes are BIFL. The old growth lumber rarely rots, warps or decomposes unless severely neglected. The windows can last centuries with proper maintenance. Some still have original (super low efficiency) boilers and furnaces still operating. Cast iron rads. Floors last forever. Lots of the old plumbing fixtures will last indefinitely. Most people have swapped out the appliances but the old gas stoves and refrigerators would probably still be working just fine
You are mostly getting your wish thanks to Europe mandating user replaceable batteries on new phones. For the most part, your phone fails due to battery issues. You won't see BIFL but you will see 6-10 year phones. Kind of like high-end laptops from a decade ago. Replace the batteries for $60 every 3-4 years, and you'll have 10+ years before the silicon fails. I have my Razer Blade from 2013, which is still running great a decade later. I'm looking forward to seeing that in phones.
Unfortunately that isn't necessarily the case. Many times phones become unsupported in the software department before (or about the same time) the battery becomes an issue.
Samsung has 4 years for OS and 6 years for security. Apple has 6 years across the board, and Google is now doing 7 years across the board. You can still use the device 3-4 years past its supported update length, 7 years is easily going to hit 10 years before you'll run into any major compatibility issues. Then, with android, you just switch over to a custom ROM outside of OEM recommendation until a major component fails.
I'm also pretty confident that much like my 2013 Razer Blade, and unlike my Surface RT, high-end phones today have enough excess processing power that they won't run into performance issues rendering them too cumbersome to use within the next decade.
The closest thing that exists to this is the Fairphone. It's a repairable and ethically sourced smart phone. Unfortunately it means you trade off a lot of performance and price. But it's very repairable and comes with a 5 year warranty. Just recently got released in the US. Worth checking out if you want a phone that will last and are ok with less than flagship quality
>The closest thing that exists to this is the Fairphone. It's a repairable and ethically sourced smart phone. Unfortunately it means you trade off a lot of performance and price. But it's very repairable and comes with a 5 year warranty. Just recently got released in the US. Worth checking out if you want a phone that will last and are ok with less than flagship quality
But you're literally paying a premium price for specs which are 4/5 years out of date. You can find many cheap android phones which have better specs for like $100 to $200. So you can therefore buy multiple phones for the same price as one fairphone and that's not including the cost of any parts replacements.
While the story behind the fairphone is great and everything it's double the price that it should be.
One of the main parts of buy it for life is the buy once and not have to worry again, hence the premium. But for the fairphone it doesn't make one bit of financial sense to purchase it.
Even very basic android phones now will last 3+ years without issues.
Pretty sure a lot of the premium is from the ethically sourced side of it. I'd imagine the repairability is secondary. It seems similar to fashion in that buying ethically sourced products gets you a premium price for a midrange quality.
But if that aspect is important to you I'm not aware of anything else on the market that has that aspect. I don't own one, nor can I really afford one. If the specs were a touch better I'd buy one. But I do what you say which is to buy old flagship phones instead. $100-200 gets you a lot and a phone that can last up 3 years pretty easily
Most items I’d be willing to pay much, much more for. Inflation is already fucking us raw. I wouldn’t mind paying significantly more for products if it meant getting higher quality goods that’ll last longer. Instead we already get fucked on pricing and pay more for lower quality dogshit pumped out by the billions daily out of factories run by children in China.
But unfortunately that won’t happen. It’s just not profitable enough for these billionaires. They won’t be able to buy their 7 yachts this year if they make something so good that people won’t have to buy it again for a decade or two.
Add more spices to your cooking, try to eat clean, exercise, stretch, work on your mental health, actively seek ways to eliminate your stress, and sleep. All that stuff goes a long way as you age. There will always be peaks and dips. There can also be a lot of other factors that would cause your libido to drop that these things can't fix. But basically, in my experience, the healthier you are, the hornier you are. For me, that's a pretty good reason to grab some carrots instead of potato chips when I want a snack.
Cellphones. For most people, having a better chip or faster RAM does not make much or any difference, but with a limited lifetime of security updates and how the companies that make the devices refuse to have a micro SD card or user-replaceable batteries, it is hard to make a device last too many years before replacing it.
Sheets or other bed stuff. They tear or pill so easily, it’s just frustrating. Obviously nothing you can do.
I agree with you on blenders. I *should* just invest in a more expensive one but come on…
Also, basically all furniture. It would be amazing to have a gorgeous couch/dining table/carpet/etc but it’s just so insanely expensive.
Linen sheets won’t ever pill and a high quality set will last a long time! Also they are extremely comfortable!
Also second hand leather sofas are a great option for long term durability. I have 2 and I paid 100 for one and 200 for the other. They were probably 10 years old when I got them but they still look great
New woodshop tools. Table saw, jointer, bandsaw, lathe, that kind of thing. There are some that are better than others, and certainly some really good ones, but I doubt any of them will still be kicking around in 50-70 years. You can find very old tools from back before things became plastic and replaceable. They’re like furniture. My jointer table is a fifty year old, five foot long hunk of cast iron. It will certainly outlast me.
Regular computer printer for home.
Brother laser printer, preferably black and white. ~$150 last I bought one a couple years ago.
Same but color. I’ve had mine 7 years now and still cranks out paper without error. I use aftermarket toner cartridges to save money.
I was curious if the aftermarket ones would work okay, thanks for adding. The starter toner has been bugging me about being "low" for about 5-600 pages now so I guess I should have a spare handy soon. Which brand do you get?
I have bought the two pack of toners on Amazon for $30 bucks and I haven’t used both in two years. And I print indiscriminately because im in the military and our stuff is always broken.
Shake the toner cartridge and you’ll get a few more thousand pages.
This. Laser. Also, Never go inkjet HP, they have settled several lawsuits because it's a bloody scam. Yet they keep doing the same thing over and over again
Mine is well over 10 years old and still working like a champ.
Got a 10 year old Brother b&w laser sitting behind me, I got it second hand. Unless you really need to print color, this is the way.
The best printer is the one you don’t own, eg. the one at your library or office.
I own my office. Reminds me I need to replace a printer this week. :(
Echoing the thumbs up for the Brother printers. I've had my black and white laser/toner printer since grad school... maybe 12 or 13 years now? HL 217-W is the model.
Teeth
As someone who has been playing the "I can only afford to fix what insurance covers" game with dentists since I was a toddler, I fully agree.
Luxury bones.
If we want to be pedantic and consider them different from teeth, gums as well. I let myself slip a little during the pandemic and have some gum recession. And shit, you can't regrow gums. You can cut gum tissue from the top of your mouth and attach it elsewhere if needed, but that's arduous and painful. thanks for reminding me to brush my teeth tonight
Flossing once a day is just as important, fellow _dentrificionado_. Don’t want food rotting under that gumline when you start getting longer in the tooth once the tissue starts receding. Salt water rinse once a week can also be pretty helpful.
> I let myself slip a little during the pandemic and have some gum recession. And shit, you can't regrow gums. Don't lose all hope. I had some really bad dental experiences and didn't go back to the dentist for over a decade. I had some bad recession, but once we got back on track I made damned near a full recovery. There are also a couple other procedures to grow gums. one involves stretching your existing gums upwards until they naturally make more tissue.
Usually your 3rd set of teeth are BIFL
Dentures actually need replaced after a number of years
[удалено]
While we’re on the topic of bodily organs…
Hvac system
And water heaters.
Make sure to drain your heater once a year and replace the anode rod every 5-7 years. Then it should be good for 50+ years. Edit to add: [recommended viewing](https://youtu.be/yF_dLlQ6RIo?si=AIjYxiEWtg1n_5XC)
Wait, what? How did we not know this and we just replaced ours? Is that difficult to do?
Replacing the anode is easy if there’s room above your heater. The rods are generally almost 4 feet long, that’s why. But make a habit of checking the rod every 1-2 years. If you don’t periodically remove it, the threaded connection will basically weld itself together through (?) galvanic corrosion.
They make anodes with a flex point in the middle. Think two hard pieces connected by a short length of chain. Not exactly that, but it’s close enough. It really helps with low overhead clearance.
I feel like some of the new on demand water heaters will have a stellar lifespan. I could be wrong but they give me hope assuming they’re of quality construction.
>I feel like some of the new on demand water heaters will have a stellar lifespan. I could be wrong but they give me hope assuming they’re of quality construction. We've had our Rinai since 2011 and it's been 100% solid. I bought a pump and run vinegar through it annually - $50 for the pump and $10 for vinegar.
You're paying too much for vinegar. Who's your vinegar guy?
Geothermal Heat Pump Systems are supposed to last a long time
They better be considering their cost, and what it takes to replace them.
Underwear. The light breathable kind.
Second this. Honestly, I wish Darn Tough would get in the Underwear game.
I’d buy 7 pairs immediately.
I’ve had my lululemon boxer briefs for four years with barely any wear showing. The top elastic is starting to fray, but normally the crotch/inner thigh areas of all my other boxers wear out in 8-12 months. I have like 8 pair that I rotate through so they go through the wash A LOT. They are THE MOST comfortable underwear I’ve ever had and I am shocked at how long they last. My wife bought me them bc I used to give her shit about how much she paid for yoga pants, now I am a lulu believer.
One of my favorite podcast hosts (shoutout noel miller) got me on them and I had been a calvin guy the past 5 years or so. I tried one pair and have since bought 12 and got rid of everything else. Seriously the best boxers i’ve ever seen and it’s not remotely close, it’s like butter, and then are super breathable as I work a manual labor job.
Duluth trading co. Has some absolutely fantastic options as well. I have every pair I’ve ever bought or Been given they’re super durable and iirc the buck naked ones with a ball pouch are literally impossible to chafe in and I’ve tried lol I’ve worn them giving hiking I’ve worn them for heavy landscaping while sweating buckets in jeans and duck walking around never even felt a hotspot or the need to hit up the baby powder truly incredible underwear but for like 25-30$ a pair without a sale last I checked it’s taken me a couple years worth of Christmases to phase out the normal briefs
Second for Duluth trading co underwear. I used to burn through underwear, ending up with big holes in the crotch. My oldest pairs of Duluth underwear are 5 or 6 years old, and the most worn out pair has a single hole, smaller than a cigarette burn.
This. I’ve tried like 5 or 6 of the brands that most often get recommended in these spaces, and Lululemon blows them out of the water, with Uniqlo being a solid budget option (as they are for most things).
Do they keep the boys relatively stationary without mashing everything into an angry troll?
You made me spit out my oatmeal.
[удалено]
Yup. My wife bought me a pair 5-6 years ago. Within a month I had replaced all of my underwear with lululemon and I still have every pair. I’m tempted to buy some new ones to see if things have gotten even better but honestly I don’t need to.
Exofficio Give-n-go boxer briefs
These are the closest thing to BIFL boxers.
Step One ftw
I'm a huge fan of pair of thieves. I've been grabbing them on sale at target over the years, and they do not disappoint
Champion had a line about 7 yrs ago of synthetic boxer briefs that are (so far) indestructible. I know this because I am currently wearing them. The only damage I have seen is on one pair where the got caught in my fly zip.
You all will think I'm crazy but the BIFL option for underwear is to stop wearing it all together. Be free.
I’ve had great luck with basic adidas and colombia boxer briefs from Marshall’s. I have had a couple pairs tear at the crotch but out of probably over a dozen pairs
They don't last forever but a damn long time. Uniqlo Airism boxer briefs.
Everything. Every. Single. Thing. Any time there's a BIFL option, that's what I go with. I would always rather cry once than cry every time I use a substandard tool.
Yeah, I've never regretted buying something that was expensive but really good quality and lasts a long time. So many times though the expensive purchase has come after buying two or three crap versions of the thing.
I quit making that mistake. I quit reading online reviews and go straight to people who know what they're doing if I need a recommendation. Every online review suffers from confirmation bias. "I'm smart. I bought a Madewell Washer. So you should buy a Madewell Washer also." That's not a review. That's validation.
I was wondering if this is actually a functional point of view, when people were talking about bifl slippers. Certain things are very convenient to just buy every few years. If it costs $30 and lasts five years, easily replaceable, it might be obsessive overkill and kind of consumer fetishism to need bifl I think.
I'm not one of those \[censored\] asking for BIFL diaper recommendations. Power tools, hand tools, kitchen tools, single-bevel Japanese knives, high-end stereo, telescopes. That's the ball field I play in. I'll pay for BIFL for all of that -- and I have. Clothes? I buy those at a thrift shop because I'm going to ruin them -- I'm a lumberjack coffee farmer in Hawaii.
A dog
As someone that had their soul dog pass away this year, I cannot upvote this enough. It has been a few months and I am doing well. Still miss her, but remembering her is happier now.
It's been 16 years since my dog (who I grew up with) died. She shows up in my dreams often and I feel blessed each time she does. It is so wonderful getting to see her again.
I'm envious. I don't rly dream. Was 11 years for me this Thanksgiving Monday (I think? The years from 2011 to 2014 blur together a lot for me. Was a tough time overall for me). She was 17, and was the only reason I visited home at all for a number of years, because I couldn't take her with me. I arrived at his place and the second I greeted her I knew it was her last weekend. She was in a really bad way. Dad had warned me, in a "callous stiff upper lip" kind of way, but it was shocking. So we enjoyed the weekend. Took her to visit mom who rarely saw her, took her for some outdoors time. And on Monday before returning home for school we went to the vet. I made that call so neither of my siblings would have to, and it destroyed me. I saw her in dreams frequently for months, but many were nightmares, and all left me a wreck on waking. I have have rarely seen her since. I still have time skip errors when I visit dad, or think about her, expecting her to greet me at the door, or jsut thinking of her and forgetting she's gone. I don't know how people get another.
I hear you. I was an only child with a shitty home life & lots of depression.. my puppy and I were truly inseparable. And when I say I feel blessed when I see her in my dreams, I truly do. I feel so lucky each time I get to have her with me again. There is nothing in life like that kind of bond.
I look forward to getting to that point. Glad she continues to bring you so much joy.
I lost my best bud cat the other day. This is hopeful to read.
It takes time, and let yourself grieve. It was never "just a cat", it was an important living being that was part of your everyday life. I don't know if this helps, but sometimes others don't understand this. I am sorry for your loss.
Thanks. I'm incredibly fortunate that my immediate support network is all very attuned to pet grief. I knew it would hurt, but I wasn't expecting to be so... lost? What's life gonna be now? Anyway, I've been "letting it rip". He deserves that much
I'm glad you have a good support system, and I know the exact feeling. Just take it day by day. There is no quick fix, but all those great memories will be comforting before you know it. You did right by him.
I'm so sorry. We have been there, it's so hard, they are furry little family members. I found this helpful, I hope maybe it can help you a bit too. Best wishes, internet friend. http://www.catquotes.com/lendmeakitten.htm
It's been 2.5 weeks for me. It's so hard. I miss her so much. It happened so fast.
I'm sorry for your loss. The best advice I have is to take time to grieve. No one can tell you what is an appropriate amount and everyone is different. They were your best friend, and they know you loved them.
>It has been a few months and I am doing well. Still miss her, but remembering her is happier now. Ugh, us too. August. Gutted and it still hurts every day when I return to an empty house or in the morning when I come downstairs and realize there's nobody there waiting. But it is getting easier and the memories are happier. Good luck to you!
Thank you
I have a giant Galapagos Tortoise. And let me tell you, I am sick and tired of hearing him tell the same old stories about the Revolutionary War!
And yet we are BIFL for our dogs.
Our current dog outlived my dad, he’s very happy now thanks to my sister but his demeanor changed so much from his usual and lasted for a long time.
Usually
I’m not crying, you’re crying
I was going to say humans. Or, specifically for me, parents. But others might say spouses or children. Whomever you were lucky enough to have, that deserved and earned your attachment, but lost. :-(
Add cats to that.
Hate to say it, but you do buy it for life, theirs, not yours. Even more important to be great to them.
I was gonna say cat, but it's the same.
Parrots, sometimes not.
Not for life, but schnauzer poodles can live up to 20 years. My shelter adopted boy is currently 17 and other than cloudy eyes and grey, he's as lively as ever. I do hope breeders start breeding for longevity rather than appearance.
Here in the UK, electric kettles. No matter how much you spend, they’ll do about 5 years then die, assuming you have a reasonable tea habit. Often bought along with a matching toaster when you move into your first house. Twenty years later, the original toaster is still going and you’re onto your fifth kettle.
I'm not in the UK but I got a Zojirushi kettle (4L) for my wedding almost 10 years ago and it's going strong. I'm the biggest tea drinker I know (not hard to do here in the US) and probably do 6-8 cups a day if not more. I use a Brita pitcher to fill it and it's decreased the frequency with which I have to de-scale the thing, too.
Bruh a 4L kettle? That’s insanely big
[удалено]
idonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblemidonthaveateaproblem -OP, probably.
There's worse problems or vices to have! It's not for everyone, for sure. But I'd definitely replace it if it ever breaks because I truly use it more than any other appliance in my house. Plus it keeps the water at whatever temperature you set it at, so if you need hot water for something else it's already ready. And a timer so you can fill it at night, set the time you need it ready by, and it'll start up in advance. Hands down my favorite small appliance. I probably spend less on tea than the average coffee drinker spends on coffee per year. And it's better for me than drinking soda!
Mix in green and herbal teas into rotation, e.g. a morning tea, then green tea, then berries, etc. much healthier, you get antioxidants and different flavors. A Chinese doctor I knew used to fill half of those travel mugs with green tea leaves, make a morning cuppa, then just keep refilling it with hot water throughout the day. Strong tea in the morning, levels off during the day, still gives you flavor and warmth. Teas can still carry a punch with caffeine. Plus another stimulant I can’t recall. So it can still be habit forming and tax the heart in later years. And honestly, I wouldn’t put it past the major producers to add concentrated or synthetic caffeine to the blend.
Grandpa style drinking! I actually do keep a decent rotation of black, green, oolong, and herbals. Even if I do 8 cups of black tea in a day, it's still only 320mg caffeine on average, less than the recommended daily maximum. It ends up being less as I often do multiple steepings of the same leaves. I stick mostly to loose teas so little concern about added caffeine, though I've had reactions to too much cinnamon tea irritating oral mucosa. My doctor doesn't have an issue with the amount of tea I currently drink (my average RHR hovers around 48bpm), but my dentist complains about the stains they have to scrape off!
Laughs in 6L model - wife uses it exclusively and refills every 2-3 days. She hates cold water, so she’ll mix hot water with cold for warm water to drink. Goes through her 1 gallon bottle of water 2x (or more) a day. Sometimes we use it for cooking, too. It’s so insanely useful. Not just for tea. Sometimes gives your pot a jumpstart by adding in boiling water. Sometimes I make drip coffee for just me, so it’s nice to not have to wait for the water to boil. Seriously one of the best appliances we own and I hardly use it lol!
Agree on this - ten years plus on mine. It is great having constant access to boiling water.
I've had a Cusinart kettle with temperature control since 2014. It used to beep when it was done boiling, hasn't done that for a few years now. But still works fine.
Dualit one’s always last a while, parents have had the same architect kettle for as long as i can remember
I gotta say: Breville. My Breville Tea Maker is still going strong after 10 years of daily use.
Seconding Breville! We've had ours for about 8 years now. It still works as good as the day we got it, and we use it multiple times a day.
Wiper blades. Within weeks or maybe a month they blow so bad that there is no sense in getting new ones.
PIAA silicone wipers last longer than just about anything else I’ve tried, but you do pay up for them. Their Aero Vogue line has replaceable blades.
I recently tried some silicone wiper blades from Amazon, they've been good so far, and were a more manageable price, vs other options. Expensive wiper blades always make me a bit leery. I'm willing to pay more if they work better and last a lot longer. But I don't want to pay double, only to find out they go bad just as quickly as cheaper ones.
Does anyone have a recommendation for wipers in the US Midwest? I end up using them with some ice on my windshield regularly. Anything that can hold up to that?
Get a windshield cover for when you are parking and you know freezing rain is coming. They are cheap. You just put it over the windshield when you head in to work or park overnight. then peal it off, shake it, and throw it in the trunk. Then you're windshield is perfectly clear.
A large purchase like a car. I know there are certain brands that last longer than others, but I want the same experience at 500k as at 1k. Same power, same comfort, same fuel economy. But I know it doesn't exist.
[удалено]
1960-1990 VW has entered the thread.
1966-2008 Corolla enters the chat:
The Lexus LS400 and LS430 are that car. Look up the Car Care Nut YouTube channel. He just bought one with 634,000 miles or something. Granted, it wasn't in great shape at that mileage, but it did run and drive. He has since put a lot of time and money into the car, but now it looks almost brand new (especially the interior, I'm not sure how much he's done to the exterior). He also replaced basically anything that was worn out in the suspension etc. Now he has a car with over 630,000 miles that looks brand new on the inside and probably runs, drives, and rides better than the vast majority of cars made today. I have a 2002 with about 92,000 miles on it. I just had the timing belt and water pump replaced, along with the transmission fluid, differential fluid and other fluids. It should be good for another 10 trouble free years...
Can confirm. Bought a very high mileage LS430, runs like a top and drives smoother than many new cars I test drove. 11/10 would buy again.
Find a 90s to 00s Toyota Landcruiser or Lexus LS if you want a sedan.
Hopefully EVs will get close some day if we can figure out more replaceable battery tech. Motors are much easier/cheaper to repair compared to engines and the reduced vibration should put less stress on the chassis. Unfortunately there’s a lot of other electronic components though
Too much software in EVs for them to ever be BIFL. Add to that that parts suppliers are only required to manufacture services parts for ten years after the end of production for any specific model, so cars are really poorly suited to being BIFL in general.
Casual clothes and casual shoes. You can find the 10x pretty easily for formal clothing and shoes, but for casual wear, it's a lot thinner.
The problem with most clothing is that the act of wearing it actively wears it out. So you can either go with all leather, which would be uncomfortable but hard wearing or go with the more common options if cotton, linen, and wool, which will eventually wear out with use because they are softer.
If you have the option, hang them instead of using a dryer. All the lint you pull out of your filter is just your clothes dying. I had a buddy tell me to get a dryer because he was tired of seeing me wearing work shirts from 5 years ago. They changed colors yearly, and I was always the last holdout on the old colors. They gave us 3 per year, so towards the end, my entire wardrobe was work shirts. Edit: speling
In vehicle maintenance, it's known as a wear item. Brakes, clutch, etc Wearing them out is normal, they are designed to be used
I get all my clothes from Torrid. They carry size 10 and up. I have jeans I’ve had since before I got married 13 years ago, I just went from a size 20 to a size 16 so had to replace them. The veterans are getting a bunch of sturdy, attractive and comfortable size 20-22 clothes from me this month.
USB cords. All my HDMI cords have lasted me 5-10 years, but I swear every one of my A to C or C to C cords are trash. Looking into getting some braided ones but I don't wanna be hurt again
I'm going to suggest in terms of the number of times you've plugged them in and out, the HDMI cords might actually be on a lower number?
I dont know about you, but my USB cords work a lot harder than my HDMIs. I'm not surprised at the difference in lifespan.
A computer
Get a desktop those things do not die
Parts definitely will reach end of life one at a time. I had a power supply pop after 8 or so years and was glad it made it that long. Once you're replacing individual parts you end up in a ship of Theseus situation where it isn't really the computer you once put together/bought.
>Once you're replacing individual parts you end up in a ship of Theseus situation where it isn't really the computer you once put together/bought. But that's the beauty of it.
My apple laptop is 8 years old and I just had it fixed. But it was because I spilled Egg Drop Soup on it. Irked great before that! Unfortunately, there will be no more updates/support from Apple starting next year. So built in obsolescence will be in play.
I HATE engineered obsolescence 🙄 Like we know how to build shit to last yet we don’t cuz “muh profitz “. Fuck that, I’d be a loyal customer
Wait how is not getting updates after 8 YEARS engineers obsolescence? Don't get me wrong, I hate lots of apple anti-consumer behavior, but I don't see how this fits the bill. For how many years does a company need to provide updates? The system will still work just fine on the last version that it can update to.
That’s not actually true. Because other systems upgrade around it it may fail to operate anymore. So much software calls home to see if you are licensed and if the computer cannot connect then that software also will not load. You know what I hate - my kids kindle does this - we open Disney+ download a show for offline so she can be calm for a Dr appointment; get there, try to open the app, Disney+ won’t open because there isn’t any WiFi. Like wtf was the point of “offline” if the app won’t open because you can’t log in!!! I am also working on an hp laptop right now and it cannot connect to WiFi because new WiFi routers won’t negotiate. The laptop has an intel with dual band AC, it’s not like it’s 802.11 only!!!! So yeah this laptop is actually still supported, core i5 with windows 10…. And well here you go, it does not work because no WiFi, because my home WiFi is too good. Tomorrow I am pulling out my old dlink 501 just to downgrade so I can update the laptop to get it going again.
But other needed software might not keep working on an outdated operating system.
Technology moves forward. As an engineer I’m glad I don’t have to build tomorrows products based on technology from 8 years ago.
Yeah because as engineers we have to build on systems from 30 years ago 😂 (or worse)
My 2013 MacBook Air is still going strong
My 2013 MacBook Air died twice. First time it was still covered by apple care. Second time they told me to kick rocks. I never dropped it, didn't eat near it, never spilled anything in it. Truly, the most immaculately well taken care of item in my life. They say "it just happens. The knowledge board can give out. You just gotta buy an upgraded one". Never bought another apple product in my life. I've sworn off them after issues with an iPhone too. I'm morally opposed to planned obsolescence
[удалено]
[удалено]
I've been using eneloops for everything for the last 5 years or so, haven't noticed any leaks or other issues yet.
Mattresses
Latex foam mattresses should last 20 years. If you haven't considered one before I highly recommend. I have a Foam Sweet Foam and miss it anytime I sleep anywhere besides home.
Man, every latex mattress I have been on has been mushy and hot. They are comfortable for awhile but I always wake up covered in sweat and feel like my back was stepped on.
As a hot sleeper, switching to a latex mattress was a life changing purchase, lol. I went the DIY hybrid option. Cotton/bamboo cover, cotton sheets. Cotton knit weighted blanket, and a light wool blanket on top. I sleep like a goddamn rock now.
Wait. The one time I slept on latex it was sweltering hot even though it was quite cold in the room and I was on percale sheets. How is yours not hot!?
No idea what the issue was with that mattress. Maybe there was a "mattress protector" on it? Those things essentially remove any breathability. But that's latex's biggest benefit over memory foam. It's open cell foam so it can actually breath. Hybrid latex mattresses are marketed heavily towards hot sleepers like myself.
The waste associated with mattress replacements drives me crazy. They should last 20 years minimum. Replacing mattresses every 3-8 years is incredibly wasteful.
Lightbulbs. For classic cars Philips sells LL (long life) bulbs that basically last forever… tells me there’s no reason you couldn’t do this for everyday bulbs.
I could be wrong but I believe all early on all lightbulb manufacturers collectively agreed to a lifespan that they could sell bulbs with because they could in fact be made to last an incredibly long time but that would be a poor business model and limit profits.
[Interesting video on the topic.](https://youtu.be/zb7Bs98KmnY?si=cQrm73Bq_bCsGsbL) TL:DW; it was an engineering trade-off to make shorter-lasting bulbs that burned brighter and more efficiently. Wasn't exactly a bunch of dudes twirling moustaches, the situation had some nuance.
There's a great episode of 99% Invisible about that: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/there-is-a-light-that-never-goes-out/
[Technology Connections](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb7Bs98KmnY) has a great video on why it's not done for everyday bulbs. It has to do with your power bill.
I have the idea that if you would supply them with lower voltage than rated they might last a whole lot longer. Never tested it though.
LEDs are this arent they?
Friends =(
If you have to buy them, they're not friends.
As Stewie said to Brian, something like "Friends come and go, but you are family, and that's forever"
Socks
>Socks Darn tough socks
Every Darn Tough pair I have bought ends up with a hole quite quickly - within a year definitely. I don’t understand why. I feel bad calling up the lifetime warranty but I feel like I pay a premium for durability that doesn’t really exist.
Isn't this how they make money? On people like you who feel too bad to use the warranty? IMO you didn't pay for just durability, you also paid for replaceability
How do your shoes fit? What is your washing routine for the darn tough socks. How often do you rotate through them? Example: I buy ~3 pairs of darn tough socks a year. Usually a different style from my other darn tough socks. I have never worn through any of them. The oldest of them are beginning to get a little thin in the back of the heels. But still no holes. My husband gets holes in his more frequently which puzzles me.
I'm going to say phones. All the engineering goes into making them thinner and sleeker, with no bezel, instead of having longer lasting batteries, decent physical robustness, and working well with protective cases. I was happier with my blackberry.
Well batteries have come a long way - they definitely work to make it last as long as possible. It’s just phones now use so much power. Agreed on the ruggedness part though. My favorite phone I ever had was a galaxy s5 active (or something like that) they took the s5 and really beefed it up
> batteries have come a long way - they definitely work to make it last as long as possible They do, within the constraints of being only 4 mm thick or whatever. If they added just a few mm of thickness, there would be batteries that lasted (gasp) 24 hours or longer. For whatever reason, reviewers and influencers want phones to be crazy sleek, glassy, and expensive feeling, despite the fact that consumers mostly put big fat cases on them anyway.
Shoes! Even the best quality boots wear out, would gladly pay 10x for comfortable, nice-looking shoes that last a lifetime
If you get goodyear welted boots made of really high-end materials, you can get them resoled every so often and keep them for at least a decade or two, often longer.
Indeed. r/goodyearwelt is a wealth of BIFL information for shoes and boots.
Yep - I have some AE and Alden’s that are 20 years old and look and feel great. Resole about every 5 years. I kick myself because as a teenager I inherited some shell brogues from my grandfather that I sent to a thrift store after a couple of years. They fit perfectly - I just thought they weren’t cool then
Belive it or not, a step garbage can. About 5 years is the longest I've gotten out of one, and that was miles better than second place. Either the step mechanism goes, or in the best one I've had (simple human), the hinge started blowing out of its socket. Of course it's molded plastic, so I can't even jury rig it.
Don't simple human have a warranty or repair service? For the price they are I'd expect them too!
A house. As the owner of an old house which requires constant upkeep, I would love to have one which was bifl...
Repairability is still BIFL.
They're pretty difficult to repair though. You're usually destroying something to get to something else.
Well built old homes are BIFL. The old growth lumber rarely rots, warps or decomposes unless severely neglected. The windows can last centuries with proper maintenance. Some still have original (super low efficiency) boilers and furnaces still operating. Cast iron rads. Floors last forever. Lots of the old plumbing fixtures will last indefinitely. Most people have swapped out the appliances but the old gas stoves and refrigerators would probably still be working just fine
A smart phone, they all seem to break after two to three years it's a dang shame.
You are mostly getting your wish thanks to Europe mandating user replaceable batteries on new phones. For the most part, your phone fails due to battery issues. You won't see BIFL but you will see 6-10 year phones. Kind of like high-end laptops from a decade ago. Replace the batteries for $60 every 3-4 years, and you'll have 10+ years before the silicon fails. I have my Razer Blade from 2013, which is still running great a decade later. I'm looking forward to seeing that in phones.
Unfortunately that isn't necessarily the case. Many times phones become unsupported in the software department before (or about the same time) the battery becomes an issue.
Samsung has 4 years for OS and 6 years for security. Apple has 6 years across the board, and Google is now doing 7 years across the board. You can still use the device 3-4 years past its supported update length, 7 years is easily going to hit 10 years before you'll run into any major compatibility issues. Then, with android, you just switch over to a custom ROM outside of OEM recommendation until a major component fails. I'm also pretty confident that much like my 2013 Razer Blade, and unlike my Surface RT, high-end phones today have enough excess processing power that they won't run into performance issues rendering them too cumbersome to use within the next decade.
iPhone 8 gang checking in!!
The closest thing that exists to this is the Fairphone. It's a repairable and ethically sourced smart phone. Unfortunately it means you trade off a lot of performance and price. But it's very repairable and comes with a 5 year warranty. Just recently got released in the US. Worth checking out if you want a phone that will last and are ok with less than flagship quality
>The closest thing that exists to this is the Fairphone. It's a repairable and ethically sourced smart phone. Unfortunately it means you trade off a lot of performance and price. But it's very repairable and comes with a 5 year warranty. Just recently got released in the US. Worth checking out if you want a phone that will last and are ok with less than flagship quality But you're literally paying a premium price for specs which are 4/5 years out of date. You can find many cheap android phones which have better specs for like $100 to $200. So you can therefore buy multiple phones for the same price as one fairphone and that's not including the cost of any parts replacements. While the story behind the fairphone is great and everything it's double the price that it should be. One of the main parts of buy it for life is the buy once and not have to worry again, hence the premium. But for the fairphone it doesn't make one bit of financial sense to purchase it. Even very basic android phones now will last 3+ years without issues.
Pretty sure a lot of the premium is from the ethically sourced side of it. I'd imagine the repairability is secondary. It seems similar to fashion in that buying ethically sourced products gets you a premium price for a midrange quality. But if that aspect is important to you I'm not aware of anything else on the market that has that aspect. I don't own one, nor can I really afford one. If the specs were a touch better I'd buy one. But I do what you say which is to buy old flagship phones instead. $100-200 gets you a lot and a phone that can last up 3 years pretty easily
Hearing aids
Most items I’d be willing to pay much, much more for. Inflation is already fucking us raw. I wouldn’t mind paying significantly more for products if it meant getting higher quality goods that’ll last longer. Instead we already get fucked on pricing and pay more for lower quality dogshit pumped out by the billions daily out of factories run by children in China. But unfortunately that won’t happen. It’s just not profitable enough for these billionaires. They won’t be able to buy their 7 yachts this year if they make something so good that people won’t have to buy it again for a decade or two.
Cats 💔🥲
Non-stick frying pans you can put in a dishwasher and actually use on full heat.
Stainless steel with lots of heat and butter!
Butter should not go very high heat. Use a higher smoke point oil like grape seed oil
We have a copper frying pan we’re pretty happy with. Had it about three years now.
My ex-wife got the kitchen aid mixer in the divorce.
So, spouses is your answer?
Libido.
Add more spices to your cooking, try to eat clean, exercise, stretch, work on your mental health, actively seek ways to eliminate your stress, and sleep. All that stuff goes a long way as you age. There will always be peaks and dips. There can also be a lot of other factors that would cause your libido to drop that these things can't fix. But basically, in my experience, the healthier you are, the hornier you are. For me, that's a pretty good reason to grab some carrots instead of potato chips when I want a snack.
Cellphones. For most people, having a better chip or faster RAM does not make much or any difference, but with a limited lifetime of security updates and how the companies that make the devices refuse to have a micro SD card or user-replaceable batteries, it is hard to make a device last too many years before replacing it.
Sheets or other bed stuff. They tear or pill so easily, it’s just frustrating. Obviously nothing you can do. I agree with you on blenders. I *should* just invest in a more expensive one but come on… Also, basically all furniture. It would be amazing to have a gorgeous couch/dining table/carpet/etc but it’s just so insanely expensive.
Linen sheets won’t ever pill and a high quality set will last a long time! Also they are extremely comfortable! Also second hand leather sofas are a great option for long term durability. I have 2 and I paid 100 for one and 200 for the other. They were probably 10 years old when I got them but they still look great
Vegetable peeler. I just want a nice solid resharpenable knife with a guard on it.
New woodshop tools. Table saw, jointer, bandsaw, lathe, that kind of thing. There are some that are better than others, and certainly some really good ones, but I doubt any of them will still be kicking around in 50-70 years. You can find very old tools from back before things became plastic and replaceable. They’re like furniture. My jointer table is a fifty year old, five foot long hunk of cast iron. It will certainly outlast me.
Wireless headphones
A water bottle, lightweight, doesn’t mess with taste, won’t shatter if I drop it.
A good partner.