I love getting expensive stuff secondhand! You can get some killer deals.

I wanted to get a really good pair of dirt bike boots. They sell new for $600.

I stalked Craigslist and Offerup for a few weeks. Ended up finding a lightly used pair for $180!

Check out secondhand shopping, online if nowhere local to you has good charity/thrift shops. Something like a vintage copper kettle would do the trick.

>If you want something, buy the cheapest version of it you can find, and if you use it enough to break that, then go buy the expensive version.

I really like this strategy.

The very expensive, highly durable product is the most frugal option only if it gets used regularly.

If you end up buying the primo option and don't use it, it was a waste of money.

Get a cheap one first. If you use it often enough to break it or get fed up with how poorly it works, then go for the good one.

Gci!

Buy used

None of these reviews and tests are for longevity. Bottom line, old machines were built better and easier to fix. They weren’t super efficient on water use. New Speed-queens are easy to fix and built for longevity.

I stay frugal with eBay. Usually I can find what I want at a good price.

As an American I did not grow up with an electric kettle being a thing in our home. As an adult I don’t think I could live without one. It’s great for tea but also for just heating water quickly. If i need a moderate amount of boiling water I will start it in the kettle and then add it to the pan on the stove because it’s so much quicker. Adding a bit of hot water for cleaning is awesome too. Just overall super useful.

Oh my goodness that is lovely! I will add it to my list of things to purchase if my ridiculously wealthy husband dies in unexpected and mysteriously tragic circumstances.

Red Wings are the way to go. Wearing my 3345s right now.

I think about this EVERY time I put on my Red Wing boots. I was walking through $300/year in Nikes, Adidas, Skechers, Vans, Converse etc. etc. etc... Spent $300.00 on a pair of Red Wings; I'm good for the next decade.

Sometimes BIFL = Frugal

I respectfully have to disagree with reselling shoes that aren’t your size.

Save up for Frankenmuth Woolen Mill. Totally worth it and will last generations and keep you the perfect temperature.

Lawn Chair USA is the answer. No mold or mildew

I mean, I haven’t tried shaving my face, so idk if that’s any different, but I have not had a single issue with shaving legs or pits with my Leaf. The head pivots just like a normal razor. Only thing that felt different was the heaviness cuz I was used to using disposables and the Leaf is solid metal.

Former co-worker of mine used to say, of purchasing quality, long-lasting products— Buy Once, Cry Once.

Other replies already cover the frugality aspect perfectly.

Yes, but this gets real expensive real fast. What the strategy described above does is it only has you buy quality for the items you use frequently, maximizing your roi

Depending on how you feel about it (some people really don’t like the idea, and I understand that), second hand shoes can be a bargain. My every day shoes are a pair of Grenson double monks (£15) I’ve had for around 7 years and have resoled. My walking boots are a pair of Alt-berg (pretty sure they were unworn -£85), and I have pairs of Loake, Cheaney and Church’s, all of which were in very good condition and none of which cost more than £50.

People buy expensive things, and sometimes sell them because they don’t like the fit, or they were for one special occasion, and I pick up a bargain - set up alerts on eBay and you’ll know when they appear, or search more broadly in the hope that people haven’t listed them properly.

I know you’re specifically looking for boots in the US, but it might be a way of saving a considerable amount.

I hadn't heard this, but I like it. As someone getting really into crafting, this is kinda how my mindset has been shifting. Try if i like painting with crafter (cheap) paints, if I want to stick it out (or if I want to actually produce a high quality picture), artist quality paints and brushes.

Is it really that easy? I honestly cringe every time I need to buy razors and I shave daily.

Ok. I wouldn’t drive 100 miles for shoes if they were BIFL, free, and came with a crisp $100 bill, but to each their own.

I have never seen a bifl camping chair. Doesn't seem to matter if they are $20 or $70 they all break eventually.

I've seen stats that say 85-90% of the Canadian population lives within 100 miles of the US boarder. Yes Canada is very large, also much of that space is sparsely populated.

CBC article that refers to this.

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I disagree about Le Creuset. I have one and it’s not been holding up well, also the whistle is so quiet I can barely hear it if I’m not in the kitchen.