Hubby forwarded this to me today. I have to say, I do agree 100% with the author. I'm not saying that we should over spend. I always believe in getting the best deal possible on any purchase. But I also don't buy crap that isn't going to last. I'm believe in frugality - not being a cheapskate.
I have a few real life examples too. Take my Mom's kitchenaid mixer. She used it for about 20 years and then gave it to me only because she wanted a new color. My parents queen size mattresses. They bought new only because my Mom wanted new. I used them in my spare bedroom for a few years and then when my sister in law moved out, I sent them with her to use in her spare bedroom. And they are still mighty fine mattresses, kicking around 20+ years later. My hubby only buys Doc Marten shoes for the most part. He has one pair of boots that he's had for 15 years now. Still kicking around. I bought a blow dryer about 14 years ago. 13 years ago I decided I just wanted a new color. My sister in law just recently had to throw it away because it finally died. If I had to figure out the cost of the items over the years that they were used, it'd come out to just pennies a day!
Why I Can't Afford Cheap | February 9, 2009
I remember reading a story once about an octogenarian discussing her most prized possessions with a researcher. She shows the researcher an iron that's been going for over 40 years and explains how she had to scrimp and save to buy the product and how it ended up out living even her husband. Quizzed on why she spent so much money on the iron she said "I'm too poor to buy cheap!"
Too poor to buy cheap. That simple phase really resonated with me and has stuck with me ever since.
Cheap is quick. Cheap is dirty. Cheap is disposable.
Cheap breaks.
Cheap costs money. It costs money to fix, it costs money to replace.
Cheap seems like a good idea at the time but cheap fails when you most need it.
Cheap is flimsy and unsatisfying.
Cheap is inefficient.
Cheap gets in your way.
Cheap costs you time and it costs you customers.
Cheap always cost you more in the end. That's why I can't afford to buy cheap. Can you?
Today was our monthly BBQ with the homeless at Second & Selden in Detroit. These outings have really begun to become a part of our life. I still have a hard time interacting with the people that live in that area, but little by little, I'm starting to have a place in my heart for them. Not so much so for the drunk lady that wanted to start a fight with everyone. I also look forward to seeing the people that come from the suburbs to help out, since for the most part, I only see them at the BBQs as well. Each month, more and more people are attending. It's nice to see so many others are gettin involved and see it growing. A few guys from Pete's men's group came today for 
the first time. I'm thankful that the Kellys went for the very first time last January 2008 and paved the way for us to start going as well. I started to call it 'ours' today. In the past, it's always been 'Mike's'. I am beginning to feel that this is the ministry that God has called us to be a part of. I'm grateful to be able to be apart of it while the Kellys are still here. Normally the girls come with us but the Kelly girls are in Florida and E was spending the day with his Dad so the Pfeiffers girls stayed with my parents. It started to snow hard when we first arrived but it tappered off by the end. Now that we've helped Mike gather supplies and set - up, I can see why it was taking him ALL DAY to do it. Starting in April, we will be going twice per month, the first and third Saturdays. I'm glad Mike's ordered our own grill so next time, that's one less trip we'll have to make to Rochester and back to borrow one. Little by little, God is revealing His plan for us. I sure wish we'd have looked for his guidance many years earlier but I'm also thankful for His patience with us. Now if only I could remember that with my own children.
