The Green Lady Thing

I have found that many times spending more money can save you money. This may sound like a contradiction in terms, but it is not, I assure you. If you buy it once it cost less then buying it again and again and again. It is also Greener, because less goes in the landfill.

For example buying a more expensive faucet with a “buy it for life” warrantee is cheaper and greener than the cheaper faucet with the 1 years or 90 day warrantee. Originally you save $30 to $50, but, by the time the cheaper one breaks and you buy another cheap one you could have saved money by buying the more expensive faucet in the first place.

Example:

In February of 2003 I bought a Moen faucet with the “buy it for life” Warrantee. After many years of replacing cheaper faucets I decided to try out this warrantee. Over the years different parts have warn out, with a phone call they replaced them. Then in January of 2007 the faucet was beyond repair, so they sent me a whole new faucet. Again as internal parts ware out they would send then to me with detailed instructions, good as new once again. I decided this worked so well for me that I would buy them for a rental unit I have, anytime there is a problem with the faucet, it is just a phone call. When they say “buy it for life” they mean it.

 

Another great example is when I bought my Corona clipper; I am an avid gardener, so my clippers really get a work out. When they break I mail them in and I get a new pair. Last time they broke I called and asked since they are only about 10 miles from me, could I bring them in, they said yes and I have a new pair again. I have replaced them twice now. I saved them the postage when I drove, but I had to go that direction for another errand anyways.

I have also bought cheap sheets and regretted it, one day on a whim at a high end discount store (Tuesday Morning) I bought what they called “$700.00” sheets for $80.00 I still sleep on those sheets today, and that was over 8 years ago. I know I will use them for years to come. Do the math at this point I am at $10.00 a year. If they last 6 more years it will be $5.71 per year. As apposed to $30.00 sheets that last about 2 years, at a cost of $210.00 over the same time period. You just have to find quality sheet at a discount price.

 

My biggest pet peeve: I have spent an uncountable amount of money on cheap hoses, and then one day (many years ago) I was done with the cheap hoses that kink, so I paid over $40.00 for a hose. When I got home my husband had a friend over and they both made fun of me, for spending so much on a “hose” well I still have that hose. Since then I have found even better hoses. I always keep the receipt and the label, and I have used the warrantee to get a new hose. My current favorite hose is called “the last hose you’ll ever buy” it is not available at your normal “big box stores” but worth finding. Since buying it I see it at many nursery or construction sites.

 

When my son bought his house I told him to by the best hose he could afford, he did not take my advice, so he bought a cheap hose and then another and another … I do not know how many hoses he has bought since then.

 

Cheap garden tool are the same, the cheap ones are welded and they break at the weld, one piece tool cost more, but last longer, less in the land fill. (how GREEN is that) But if you have old broken garden tools there are uses for them too. I do not through mine out I use them as yard art. I also use old broken metal racks as racks for hand tools.

 

 

Cheap patio furniture breaks of falls apart, the expensive stuff last longer, and can usually be recovered when it wares out. I like to buy things that are easy to be recover, because as styles and my taste changes it is easier and cheaper to recover. My bar stools can be recovered with a staple gun and my cushions take a slip cover similar to a pillow case. Buy some remnants on sale and you have a hole new look.

These are just a few of the basics, think before you buy and think before you through away.

 

Being green should cost you less… not more.

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