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I’ve learned the hard way, more times than I’d like to admit, that buying cheap almost always means buying twice. The suspiciously affordable blow dryer breaks after a few uses, and the polyester sweater for $5 becomes unwearable after one washing.
Now I try to fight the frugal urge and not buy the cheapest variant of what I need. However, paying more doesn’t automatically guarantee that you’re buying a quality product. So how can you know you’re purchasing an item that’s going to last you and save you money in the long run?
Well, the people in the Buy It For Life community might have the answer to that question. They share high-quality, durable, and practical products that are worth every penny because they can be bought once and used for a lifetime. If you’re interested in saving some coin and helping the earth in the process, scroll down to find the top products that have served others well.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
My Sister’s Original (To The Home) Stove And Cast Iron Sink
Sky Render 10 months ago
That looks like an O'Keefe and Merritt stove. Those things are amazing, I have a double oven O'Keefe and Merritt myself.
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#2
Thought This Would Be Appreciated Here
#3
Antique Westinghouse Oscillating Fan
Here is my Antique Westinghouse fan. Its had the cord replaced sometime in its life and I have polished the brass, other than that it’s unrestored. Still runs strong and is over 100 years old.
M O'Connell 10 months ago
All something like this needs is regular oiling and every decade or two replacing the oil wicks.
Almost half of Gen Z adults believe that companies are less interested in making high-quality products than in the past.
Well, they’re absolutely right to think this, as businesses now prioritize making goods in the fastest and least expensive ways to meet the growing needs of consumers, i.e., us. To be able to do that, they cheap out on materials and labor, which downgrades quality.
#4
My Cousin Got Our Tios Old Land Cruiser Restored In El Salvador 40 + Years
#5
My Dad's Worn The Same Wrangler Jeans Jacket For 48 Years
PeepPeep the duck 10 months ago
From what I’ve seen down here in Dubbo nsw, even hard farm work doesn’t seem to wreck the old jackets
#6
My 1952 Westinghouse Fridge Still Works Perfectly. This Was The First Fridge My Grandfather Bought, And It Has Outlived All The Others Since. Now It's On Garage/Beer Fridge Duty
Forrest Hobbs 10 months ago
On the whole, old fridges are less efficient than good quality modern fridges. In many cases, you'll save money if you throw out the old and replace with new. Except... I'd be willing to bet no-one's making fridges these days that'll last 70+ years.
This leaves buyers with a lot of crappy things that they’re forced to throw out after a short amount of time. Sadly, these items don’t leave our planet. They accumulate, polluting our environment. Not to mention the resources needed to create them in the first place and the by-products and chemicals that are released into the atmosphere in their manufacturing process.
#7
My Backpack Purchased In My First Year In Grad School In 2007. Next Week, I Start My 10th Year As A Professor. Still Going Strong!
#8
Over 30 Years Young Still Tickin
I’ve Seen Things 10 months ago
This model took over from the one that had “flip cards” for time.
#9
Ode To My Beautiful Red Pot
Thrifted this 10 years ago for $12 and use it every day! 1970s Dansk Kobenstyle 3qt Dutch oven. It’s so pretty it just stays on my stovetop. I love the design and because it’s carbon steel, it’s much lighter than cast iron and easier to use on the stove. I use it for truly everything and the lid doubles as a trivet. 100/10 design! When I got it someone had burnt rice onto it and since then ive revived it several more times without chipping the enamel inside :) Highly recommend the vintage ones since they’re about the same price on eBay as the new ones. Just check that there’s no enamel chips on the inside past the rim.
Concerned with the future of our planet, 44% of Gen Z adults are trying to do better and report searching for information on brands before purchasing their products to make sure they’re buying the right thing.
#10
A Lady At The Dump Was Just About To Toss These. I Asked About Them And She Gave Them To Me
Score! I love old Coleman stuff. My brother claimed one lantern and my friend claimed a lantern and the Thermos. Just need to clean the glass and replace the mantles and they should be good to go.
#11
30 Years And Still Going - My Parents' Washing Machine
#12
My Digital Clock I Got From A Box Of Cereal In 1994
The Buy It For Life (BIFL) movement that gained in the early to mid-2000s also supports shopping for well-designed and manufactured items that last a lifetime so they don’t have to be purchased ever again, this way saving money as well as the planet. Ironically, it seems that we’re trying to rewind back to a time before the Industrial Revolution when buying something for life was nothing out of the ordinary.
#13
The House I Bought Has 1973 Subzero Fridge
#14
Our Treasured Family Heirloom - Arby’s 1985 Christmas Collection Glassware. All 30 Pieces Still Intact And Used Every Holiday
#15
Indestructible 50 Yo Pots And Pans
It’s called RevereWare, was made in the US. looks very basic b***h, no high tech coatings, but nothing sticks to it. And it’s Indestructible. Just high grade stainless steel with copper clad bottoms.
Im currently using my grandmas set. Its been used everyday since Christmas 1968.
You can only get it used on ebay because they literally don’t make things like this anymore.
Joshua David 10 months ago
These are amazing. I bought All Clad in the 90s and theyre like straight out of the box.
“Now you’ve got Buy It For Life products, or as our grandparents called it, ‘products.’ Buy It For Life only makes sense because of where manufacturing has gone and a newer throw-it-away mentality,” said Dee Warmath, a professor at the College of Family and Consumer Sciences to Forbes.
#16
Using The Central Vacuum That's Original To My Grandparent's 1957 House
#17
Maybe Not Impressive: 28 Years Old Refillable Highlighter
Got it 1996 for primary school while living in the French West Indies. Decades later still in use after moving a few times, now being in Germany.
#18
This Star That Has Been Lighting My Mom’s Tree For 35 Years
As previously mentioned, BIFL products are great for our pockets and environment. Even though you’ll have to spend a larger amount of money while purchasing them, you're paying for a good reason. These items usually go through an intensive design process and are made out of high-quality materials to ensure that they serve a long time.
#19
Archer Intercom - Over 40 Years And Still Going Strong. Grandkids Love It. "Time For Dinner"
highwaycrossingfrog 10 months ago
Oh wow I just suddenly remembered that my childhood home (where I lived ages 7-21) had an intercom system! It had 3 floors and my parents would most often be found on the top floor while us kids were on ground level. Can't believe I forgot that!
#20
50 Year Old Ih Cub Cadet Still Plowing Snow
Nicola Thrope 10 months ago
That is SO adorable! Teeny tiny wheels with teeny tiny snowchains.
#21
This Sub Partially Inspired Me To Seek Out Excellence. Here’s My Kitchen Wall, Ama
Take a socks company, Darn Tough, for example. Its CEO, Ric Cabot, confirmed that buying their business products means that customers are purchasing them for life. “In the long run, you could buy one pair of our socks, spend 20 bucks or so, and never have to buy another pair of socks. If you look at it that way, it’s the best investment,” he said. They also recycle everything that people return and make them into emergency blankets, dog toys, and stuffing for airline seats.
#22
This Ice Tray Has Survived Every Summer Since My Childhood And More To Come. I’m In My 40s For Reference
The Other Guest 10 months ago
I can hear the creak of the ice & feel the cold metal burning my hand...
#23
38 Thanksgiving Turkeys And Going Strong. In-Laws Passed Her Down To Us This Year
Nesco roaster. We use it only for this reason and it makes a perfect turkey every time. Bonus, we keep the oven available for all the other sides.
#24
6 Year Update On My Full Grain Leather Briefcase
This is how every company should look at product manufacturing if we want to stop the devastating effects of capitalism and overconsumption. In case you want to learn more about it and start doing better for our planet, check out our previous article about little things you can do to help the environment.
#25
Good For You, Your Lawn And The Environment
#26
Can’t Beat Old School
10 years ago I bought this set up and it has held up incredibly well. As you can see, it’s an old spice cup, an Edwin Jagger razor, the brush is silvertip badger (I can’t for the life of me remember from where. Fire something I think, geofatboy recommended them at that time) and decent soaps/blades. Always gives me a great shave and no bumps. Hate cream in a can as it always made my face feel “clogged”. All of this is still readily available besides the brush and fairly easy to obtain! Not pictured, but I also highly recommend the Merker slant bar!
#27
Lemon Squeezer Finally Gave Out. Was My Grandfather’s
#28
1995 Seadoos Aren't Typically Something You Buy For Life. These Two Have Been In My Family Since New And Are Ready For Another Trip To The Lake. Nearly 30 Years Old And They Are Still Running Strong
#29
Don't Sleep On Jansport's Lifetime Warranty
On the left, my 10 year old bag, whose zippers were unfortunately ripped out from daily school use. On the right, new kid that just came in! 55$ CAD one time purchase, I just love the simplicity of the superbreak, and I feel like its style is timeless.
#30
To The People Who Think Im Lying About 1954 TV Working Here Ya Go
#31
Let Me Present To You A 70 Year Old Washing Machine From 1954
I saw someone's post of an old Washing machine from the 1980s/1990s so let me present to you the 70 year old Miele 65 washing machine from 1954!
What doesn't it do?
- Heat water
- Pump water in or out
- Add detergent
- End automatically
- Spin clothes
- Move clothes around
- Work after 70 years!
#32
Blendtec > Vitamix. I Posted This Several Years Ago And Still Blending Strong. I Got Her In 2008!
The only issue I’ve had was the original bottle starting leaking 7 years ago. I simply called them up and they sent me a new one no questions asked.
Snorkeldorf 10 months ago
I have my parents' old Osterizer blender. It's 50+ years old and still works great.
#33
Hair Dryer That's Been In The Family Since The 80's. It Still Works
#34
One Bar May Not Last A Lifetime But I Will Always Have At Least One Bar For As Long As I Live. Amazing Stuff
This soap may very well be the one single thing I've used in my lifetime that I could attribute the word "miraculous" to. Nothing I can say here could even begin to do it justice, also it's super cheap usually under $2 where I live. Do yourself a favor if you haven't, give it a try.
#35
You Don’t Have To Change Your Devices Every 2 Years. 12 Years With This Bad Boy
I have this Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 since early 2013, it’s close to hit 12 YEARS! Went through 2 college careers and a lot of musical endeavors. I stopped using it a few years ago and replaced with a Lenovo tab (which still works) and this year I wanted to read books again on that 7 sized screen and rescue some old photos. I had to bring the battery back to life with the 5V + and - method.
#36
Just Replaced The Hydraulic Cylinder Of This 1997 Aeron. Ready For 27 More Years
I hit the garbage-picking jackpot a few years back and found this thing at a corporate campus. This thing is better than otc d***s for my back; helping me keep my posture. I don't know about retail price unless you're fairly well-off, but I would 100% spend the ~$600 on a refurbished one... in case anyone needed to hear yet another person raving about it.
#37
This Bose Speaker Has Lasted Me More Than 12 Years
This both speaker has lasted me more than 12 years. The only problem is that Bose does not make replacement batteries for these and hence I know it will die down because of the lithium ion batteries. Also, I think this is one of the best designed products of Bose with still a fantastic sound quality.
#38
I Bought These Used At A Thrift Store Over 15 Years Ago. Even With Daily Use They Are Still Sharp!
#39
These Cooking Spoons Are 60 Years Old And Still In Use By My Mother
#41
Marmot Just Replaced My 10 Year Old Raincoat With A Brand New One When The Inner Liner Started Delaminating And Flaking Off. As Long As They Retain This Policy, Here's A Customer For Life
#43
This Printer Was Made In 2006. My Wife Bought It Second-Hand In 2013. It Is Still Used Weekly And Never Has Been Charged With Printer Powder. At Least By Us
Robert T 10 months ago
I only recently binned my HP inkjet. It was bought sometime around 2005. HP sstopped making cartridges for it and it violently rejected having a compatible installed, spewing magenta ink everywhere. HP turned into a horrible company demanding HP only cartridges, so I will never buy another. I have Brother laser now.
#44
5 More Years Before I Can Get Antique Tags!
Bought this 2004 honda odyssey in 2021. I was "fiscally challenged" at that point. It's been an amazing car, just crossed 220k miles. Been recently offered $350 by carmax for it lol.
I won't lie though, it needs a bit of work all the time. Replaced: 2021: exhaust leaks 2022: engine mounts 2023: catalytic converter (stolen), o2 sensor 2024: needs a new rear link control arm
It used to have an oil leak from the bolt at the bottom of the oil pan. That somehow fixed itself. Overall it's been a really good purchase and now functions as a solid second car. I often take the back seats out and use this to haul furniture or for van camping. 10/10 would recommend. As the title says, 5 more years and I can get antique plates <3
#45
My Camping Set Up, Using A Lot Of Gear I'd Call "Buy If For Life"
#46
Ceramic Soup Bowls Inherited From Grandparents. I Would Eat Ice Cream Out Of These As A Kid 🍨
Unfortunately I have no clue where my grandparents got these but they were made in Japan and are at least 30 years old. I found similar ones on the internet, but none with 2 handles like the ones pictured here.
#47
Radio On 24/7 For 16 Years
#48
Wood Hangers - Once You Try You’ll Never Go Back
Used to buy cheap hangers from Target and when lazy I’d pull clothes (especially sweatshirts) which would cause any hangers other than wood to break. Usually would break one or two every few months. Last time I moved I decided to buy a full set of wood hangers. These are BUY IT FOR LIFE and I’ll never go back!!
Joshua David 10 months ago
These are AMAZING. People may react negatively but the ones i absolutely loathe are the felted hangers. Loathe is pretty nice word for it actually.
#49
Speed Queen Tr7 Dr7. Buy Once, Cry Once
Beyond happy with our new purchase. We were tired of our washer and dryer having problems despite only being a few years old. They are definitely built like a tank. I am impressed at the speed of these cycles compared to our old lg front loads. I can’t get over how quiet the washer is on a full spin cycle. Only downside I found was the lack of black options. The Mrs was dead set on having black which limited us to the 7 models.
#50
This May Be BIFL Worthy For People
Got this great one since 2016 and still no problems up to this day. 👍
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 10 months ago
We got ours when the college kids moved out of the dorms down the street and left all their stuff in a free pile. It was dirty on the outside but worked perfectly!
#51
I Splurged On A Fancy Broom And I Don’t Care Who Knows It
#52
I Sweep Outside Every Morning. I Consider Amish Brooms A BIFL, Considering The Red One Lasted About 10 Years
#53
This Electric Kettle Has Been Going Strong For 13 Years Now. Just Descale It Every Now And Then And It Works Great
#55
I’ve Had This Tempurpedic Pillow For Nearly 20 Years And I Haven’t Been Able To Find One Since. I Can’t Sleep Well With Any Other Pillow. Would Anyone Know Where I Can Find One?
#56
I’ve Had This Same Logitech G500 Mouse For Over 14 Years, Probably The Best $60 I’ve Ever Spent
Sky Render 10 months ago
Not as amazing as the old Intellipoint trackballs from the early 2000s. I have one of those. Other than needing to clean the contacts for the ball occasionally, it still works flawlessly 25 years later.
#57
Was Recommended To Share… Kleen Kanteen Used To Boil Water Countless Times For 10+ Years
#58
This T-Shirt I Bought In 2010 And Still Wear 14 Years Later
#59
Pair On The Left Were Purchased Circa 2005. Only Bought The Pair On The Right Because The Left Were Commandeered By A House Guest (I Don’t Want To Talk About It)
#60
I’m Tired Of Having Salads At Work, Bought Brand New
#61
Tatami Room Bed Frame
After a five month wait, our tatami room bed frame has arrived! This is the King honey oak platform bed (regular height) with Mado headboard. I was really impressed with the quality and sturdiness of the frame, as well as the ease in putting it together. It did truly take longer to unpackage it from all the layers it was packed in (not a bad thing)! I do see this as a buy it for life purchase, so the wait of a few months in the grand scheme of things wasn’t that bad.
Pictured with Leesa natural hybrid mattress, Quince bedding (mostly).
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Robert T 10 months ago
My salt shaker and pepper grinder were hand-me-downs from a friend of my parents when I went to university. My knives and forks were bought at that time - oddly 3 of each. My crockery was bought when I moved into my apartment - 28 years ago, All still in daily use! I also still have my first two computers tucked away - an Acorn Electron from 1983 and an Acorn Achirmedes from about 1989.
Forrest Hobbs 10 months ago
I plugged in my old BBC Micro about a year back. It ran for a few minutes, then the PSU went bang, letting out all the magic smoke. ☹️ (Although, on examination, it seems to be just a mains suppresor capacitor that's blown - one of these days, I might try to find a replacement, change the fuse, and try again)
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Janissary35680 10 months ago (edited)
Basic Rolex Perpetual Oyster purchased 4 decades ago as a reward to myself the day before leaving Saudi Arabia after a 5-year ESL stint. It's still on my wrist as I write this and it's still ticking. (In your face Timex!)😊
Robert T 10 months ago
My salt shaker and pepper grinder were hand-me-downs from a friend of my parents when I went to university. My knives and forks were bought at that time - oddly 3 of each. My crockery was bought when I moved into my apartment - 28 years ago, All still in daily use! I also still have my first two computers tucked away - an Acorn Electron from 1983 and an Acorn Achirmedes from about 1989.
Forrest Hobbs 10 months ago
I plugged in my old BBC Micro about a year back. It ran for a few minutes, then the PSU went bang, letting out all the magic smoke. ☹️ (Although, on examination, it seems to be just a mains suppresor capacitor that's blown - one of these days, I might try to find a replacement, change the fuse, and try again)
Load More Replies... Janissary35680 10 months ago (edited)
Basic Rolex Perpetual Oyster purchased 4 decades ago as a reward to myself the day before leaving Saudi Arabia after a 5-year ESL stint. It's still on my wrist as I write this and it's still ticking. (In your face Timex!)😊
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