Fix it or forget it

BLOG.LEARNYOURTRUTH.COM published a new post entitled "Waste Not, Want Not" on 10/30/2012 12:03:14 PM, written by KnowYourTruth.com.

Waste Not, Want Not

I know someone who is very good at fixing things… all kinds of things… and am finding out that it takes very little money to fix things rather than replace the items new. I also know people who throw out anything that doesn’t work and go buy a replacement for it from a retail store. Or, go buy a second or a third one, if the first one was in some other location, rather than planning ahead and bringing the first one to the other location. Which approach costs a lot of man hours to support? Which approach allows you to enjoy the simple pleasures of taking care, planning ahead, and being prepared?

I grew up in a household where my parents didn’t waste anything–they were Depression Era parents and learned the value of everything at a very young age. I didn’t grow up with indulgences; I grew up frugally. I’ve held those values close to my heart throughout my life.

For example, when a kitchen appliance stops working, it may be as simple as replacing a fuse to get it to fully function again. Cost: $1.95. Replacement cost: $49.99. How many hours do you want to work to be able to do the task that that appliance does for you in your life? It may be important to place a value on your time and your life? Do you want to enjoy your life? Do you want to sell your life to buy stuff? Take it one step further… how do you want to be entertained? Do you want to go to a movie with others, buy the overpriced refreshments that don’t contribute to health, and zone out for a couple of hours so you don’t actually have to interact with those you are with? Or do you want to select an activity that may include exercise, fresh air, conversation, and no charges to spend time together and interact, which further strengthens your friendship? One option may cost around $50; the other option may cost $0. Which is more enriching to your life and your friendships?

In summary, if you value your life, your time, your friendships, your materials things, you can make choices that don’t cost a bunch of money and still live a rich life. If you only value what money can do for you, you may fritter away your life, your friendships, your material indulgences in the pursuit of the big AGI (Adjusted Gross Income). Which way do you want to grow?