Maximize More of Your Stuff
I might be biased, but I was pleased with Frank’s article “Wear Things Out.” Had I known he was going to write that, I would have pitched in but I’ll just put in my two cents here, and try not to readdress what he has said already…
Cell Phones
I am currently with Verizon at the moment and have recently drooled over the latest iPhone 3G. ( If you remember I did a little “review/pros & cons” on this a while back in July.) The thing that really got me was the monthly plan. What would I be gaining by switching to AT&T and having a Ferrari for a phone when I had a very reliable pickup truck? Not a whole heck of a lot. Granted I would be able to watch movies, listen to music and never get lost again but is it worth the money? I then took that a step further and thought, why would I get a new phone even if the iPhone never even existed? Any other phone I get is going to do the same thing, but just have a newer feel. I might like to have email on there but my position comes with a Blackberry that I don’t have to pay for so for me that’s kind of covered. I can see that if I dropped it into my nightly water glass on accident one night that I would need to shell out for a new one if I didn’t have insurance, but other then that, I think I might just stick with what I have. I am going to use this phone until it is physically unable to function any more and then try and get it fixed a few times. Its just an expense that seems unnecessary. This is slightly under the “Gizmos” part of Franks, but I have the microphone right now and you don’t… 
Shoes
Again, Frank talked about this in his post but I wanted to share…I am also really “committed” to my shoes. I have a pair of flip-flops, sneakers, brown dress, black dress and a pair of golf shoes. The last pair that I bought were the black dress shoes in May of 2006 and I wear them. All. The. Time. I don’t have to tell you but I am risking my life every time I wear them. The soles are so worn out on the right side that if I don’t walk with a slight limp I will fly across the marble at work and be in traction for 6 months. Why don’t I just get another pair? Well the pair I like are expensive, BUT HOLD ON, before I hear from a dozen people how I am wasting my money…there is a method to this madness. I am saving up slowly for them because these are the types of dress shoes that can be recobbled and have the soles replaced. That means that I can have a pair of nice shoes for many many years and I will save money in the long run. Unfortunately the Black Dress Shoe Fund is growing “slowly.” If I slip one more time stepping off a train, that fund might be expedited however.
Dishes
Maybe this is lame, but I have had the same set of dishes since college. Few match but they work and clean easily. Why splurge on something like that? That’s pretty low on my to do list.
Furniture
This one might also be somewhat boring…do what you can to get some decent furniture, but by all means take care of it and it will last quite a while. Dust regularly keep your couches clean and you will end up being pleased for much longer. Televisions might be able to go in this column as well. Or maybe in Franks Technology section but Just because you upgrade a TV set, doesn’t necessarily mean you should toss the old one, unless its broken beyond rational repair. Put that extra set in a guest bedroom or in the basement or the kitchen or even the garage.
Garage Stuff
Speaking of which, let me just say that Frank is exactly right about vehicles. I made that mistake when I first moved back to DC. I had an increase in salary and went off and got the exact car that I wanted without thinking. Granted, I absolutely love my car, but if I had to go back and do it again I would have gotten something MUCH more affordable and just had it paid off right then and there. I can’t stand having a car payment. Every month I think about what it would be like to have that extra money working for me either by being in the stock market chewing into ETF or index shares or simply gaining interest in a money market.
Tools are also something I keep everything of. I have a socket that has fused with an extension for my drill that I know can only be used for one size bolt and nothing else. If I toss it I will end up need it again someday and I will need to go buy one.
Twistie-Ties
Might be strange, but I keep these. Probably not be pertinent here, and a little strange, but I have thousands. Unbelievably useful.
All these things might be small but they add up, especially over time. Keep in mind the fact that your are saving money in the long run and by using things to their full potential, you are maximizing the investment that was put into it. Milk it! What are you milking lately?
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Comments
I am with you on furniture, probably 3/4 of my furniture is in the style of “Uneeda.” As is… “You need a couch? I got a couch you could have.” Most of what I have came through the generous assistance of friends and family, and it is doing me just fine. (In fact, most of it is fabulous.)
Another for me is plants. I have lots of friends who are gardeners and we share perennials all the time. I have 1.5″ strip of UGLY ground that runs the length of the driveway that was filled with glass and other detritus from the convenience store next door. A friend was getting rid of day lilies, and I took them - filling that space. And now I am splitting them and sharing them with others and planting them in other places in my yard.
Great pointers in this article and “Wear things out.” I’m not much of a shopper, but my girlfriends are and they always have the newest style shoes, jewelry, and clothes. Since you mentioned shoes and clothes, I’d like to point out that I use the same few pieces of jewelry and rarely buy new unless its from Target and on sale. I’ve gotten most of my compliments on my jewelry that I bought at Target. Just a pointer from a lady! :o) Oh, and jewelry as gifts are always good to use too instead of buying new.
@ Dawn: Plants! I forgot about plants. Thats a really great idea, especially since plants are over priced at least in my opinion. “Uneeda” is a great brand I hear…Swedish?
@ sarameshell: Jewelry is also a good idea! Its nice to have the ladies weigh in!
I agree with your thoughts on the iphone. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and AT&T still doesn’t have a good signal at my house or on several major roads near my house = dropped calls. In fact, I don’t even have access the 3G in my house and have to rely on the Edge network. I currently have the Samsung Blackjack and it’s a great phone, when I have access to the network. I won’t buy the iphone until signal quality is consistent where I live.
@ Scott: Not sure if you read the other article on the iPhone 3G (Pros & Cons) but my biggest gripe is kind of with Verizon and for an odd, irrational reason. Their service is almost too good! They don’t need super cool phones because they just don’t need ‘em. Its all AT&T has in its corner in this market to stay afloat it seems. Once I get over my gadget drool, I can see the ongoing costs are probably not worth it given the amount I am already in front of the interwebz tubez.
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