What things have you bought that have truly lasted and have been worth paying more for?
What have you bought for life?
Ljimmy5225 on 13/11/2014 - 13:02
Comments
- 1
- 2
Ozbargainness
Oh! Do tell. I'm a sucker for a good love story :)
Lol isnt everyone. But seriously I must have saved thousands since discovering ozbargain; it changed my way of thinking. Before i use to pay full price for most things, had my savings sitting in transactions accounts, had no idea of office works price match policy or what an amazing thing eneloop are. I am a changed man after discovering ozbargain
I misread that as meaning you've met a hot female ozbargainer , as in
waiter(m) -> waitress(f)
actor(m)-> actress (f)
ogre(m)-> ogress (f)So what do we call a female ozbargainer?
$10 20 piece toolbox from COTD around five years ago, all tools are in great condition with occasional use
I know a mate who bought Herpes for life.
Thanks OP, I have found this a thought provoking thread. I decided to walk around my house and look for material items that I have owned for a long time. My major conclusion from this exercise is how "disposable" most items are and thank God for Ozbargain that I didn't pay up for most of them. However, I did come up with the below list of long held items:
Furniture. We have some beautiful wooden furniture eg dining table, coffee table, hutch, sideboard that we paid top dollar for which still looks as good today as when we bought it when we were DINK's and could afford nice furniture.
Cutlery. Received a very expensive cutlery set as a wedding present from our one rich relative. The new bride said we are not saving this for our visit from the Queen and have used every day since for the last 12 years.
My house. We paid the absolute maximum we could afford and then some for our house 14 years ago. Then lived like poor church mice for the next 5 years hoping that our careers and incomes would take off which thankfully they eventually did.
My custom Malibu surfboard. I've turned over a lot of short boards but I believe if you have anything custom made or specially crafted for you then you will love it more and treat it better.
That's awesome man. This is the kind of response I wanted to see. So that people myself included, know what to spend that extra money on. Being 19 I never really think about buying cutlery or even furniture but it's good to keep in the back of my mind.
My things that I like to spend more money on for durability have mainly been shoes. Sure some shoes are $150 but if they last 2 years+ I think they are worth it (and yes I know it's not technically bought for life).
As a 23 year old that's been living out of home for several years, definitely spend a few extra $$$ on furniture. I wanted to save money on everything, and for many things you can go the cheapest option and be fine. But for furniture, you'll end up spending far more money than you'll save in the long run. An example of my stupidity was buying super cheap flat packed bed side tables and desk. All up only cost me about $80, but after a year they fell apart and the 'paint' peeled off on contact with water. Sure, it was only $80, but that's $80 I could've spent elsewhere. I had to re-buy everything anyway (costing further time and money), and the old ones sit in pieces in my garage (still costing me space!).
On the topic of cutlery, buy some decent knives. Again, cheap kives are practically worthless for more than a year or so and don't serve their purpose, so you'll lose money in the end.
Tools. Got given a bunch of 1/2 inch and 1/4 sockets and ring spanners as a 18 year old buying my first car. Saved thousands of dollars doing my own servicing and mechanical work. Good tools will last you a life time.
Likewise for car tools.
I bought my first drill (a twist drill) from Coles no less, back in the early 1970's.
Still got it and still use it for simple jobs.
Reddit gold.
Best investment i have made was a proper Leatherman Charge TTi, had it for 5 years now, abused daily in my trade as a Fitter/Machinist, bought from US over internet, i broke it last year trying to undo a 16mm bolt, lifetime warranty, sent it off to the distributor here in OZ no reciept, they sent me back a brand new one, no questions asked.
KitchenAid stand mixer. Love it. Hasn't skipped a beat (get it? Beat?) and I do a lot of baking.
1/ National (Panasonic) rice cooker 23 years old. Use it almost everyday.
2/ Simpson top loader 5Kg washing machine 23 years old just died 4 months ago.
Lenovo Y580 laptop. Should last for ages.
Our vitamix, currently 3 years still going strong with 4 years manufacturers warranty left. Makes the best smoothies, shakes and sorbets. Soups not so much!
Our Panasonic plasma TV, purchased 2008 still going strong. Amazing TV compared to what's available today. Blacks, oooo the blacks are good… So is its power usage haha
sidchrome sockets, dyson vacuum, webber bbq and seiko watch.
A search and rescue flashlight
Fenix tk35 torch with Panasonic 3400maH batteries.
Yes, that's 1.5x the capacity of an eneloop battery.
Landcruiser HZJ75 ute!
I wouldn't even spend money on washing a 1997 Mazda 323 ASTINA ice Camo
oh, i see you're planning on a sun roof, take out a loan for that to get it done now, easily make the money back.
My bed. When I bought it for 2.7k, thought, fkkk that's a lot. But it was so comfortable and was replacing the 300 one I owned and poked me in the side and jiggled like crazy then you moved (both are queen). It's now about 6 years old and still seems as comfortable as the day I bought it. Wasn't one of the name brands but purchased from Snooze. About 2 years into the bed I met my wife, who also loves it! Whenever we come home from a stay away (unless it's at somewhere like the Sofitel or another hotel with a great bed) we remeber how much we love our bed. It will probably need replacing at some point but it's still going strong! Edit: I'll add to this that it took me ages to decide on the mattress and tried about 15 or so before finding the right one. If you are going to invest in a good bed, try heaps! I also have an average back and found the bed helped heaps. What I also found surprising is the softer pillow tops were very supportive even though they felt too soft at first.
Yeah I agree. I think out of all pieces of furniture you need to spend more time finding the right bed. You'll spend atleast a third of your time lying in bed and it's important to get one that's durable and comfy.
Never thought about it, but yes, a good bed. Paid $2400 or so for a latex bed about 5 years ago. I used to use good quality spring mattresses that would last years, and thought they were super comfortable, but the latex is awesome. Minimises movement and partner disturbance, and is still as comfortable today as the day I got it. It's a pain in the arse when you move house, because it's so heavy and floppy, but all worth it. Some people complain about heat retention, but it hasn't been an issue. Used in Sydney, so maybe more of a problem if you're in Qld.
Cree Torchlights.
They light up my life.
Manfrotto tripod.
Till those alcohol level measure thingie dries out.
A simple, gold ring. It was the deal of a lifetime: buy one, get a man for life :)
My Uni education (finance) - not just for job, but personal investing
Hopefully my Tissot PRC200 (1 year in so far and going well - hope it lasts a lifetime)
That's about it.A good pool table. If you like playing pool and not just whacking some balls about, it is worth investing some research time and matching cash in a proper table.
While any pool table you buy will likely last forever, very few will last well, even less will play well or serve you well into the future … and just because you go into a store and spend thousands on a table, it is unlikely you got the best one for the job. Eg., don't ever buy anything with round pockets.
I've had a few but am feeling confident that the last one is, the last one!
a boutique leather bag that cost me 600 eye watering bucks .It's supposed to get better as it ages
MS Windows v1.02, anyone want a copy. Fits on a 360.
Car Mechanics tools.
Home handyman tools+1 to the crumpler bags. ive had a suitcase & backpack for 2 years now but i know quite a few people who've had their bags for many many years. they're not cheap but they (hopefully) last forever and have a great warranty - if you're good at looking after your stuff then the lifetime warranty will take care of the rest.
sennheiser hd555 headphones - had them for 10 years, they're going great. the foam padding is starting to get a little sketchy but they've copped a fair bit of abuse - used them for gaming for years, and they've spent the last 6 years or so in the office with me, every day getting smacked & tangled up on my office chair and still kicking on strong.
logitech z680 speakers - had them about 10 years now too, they've been put through the wringer (i "DJed" a few parties back at the end of high school with them, they've done duties outdoors, in barns, in a sharehouse as the home theatre and in my study as my everyday computer speakers, the sub has been my footrest the entire time, control pod is showing signs of age but the whole thing's kicking on beautifully.
the thing that i'll definitely spend big money on next time i need to? bed. you spend a third of your life in it, i have a bad back nowadays and a good bed (i travel a bit for work so spend a bit of time in various hotel rooms) makes a massive difference. i'm honestly scared about having to buy another bed in the future cause i'm worried i'll pick the wrong one and be stuck with it.
Nokia N8, still love the camera and the built in FM transmitter!
New Balance 363 sneakers (~$35 bought overseas on half-price sale) and Samsonite Airlite medium luggage bag (~$175 bought at Myers on ~40% sale) - both are ~6 years old and still going despite heavy use and having been all over Australia, SE Asia and Europe. The shoes even survived the deluge of tomatoes in La Tomatina 2014! ;)
Remington corded hair clipper (~$23 bought at Harris Scarfe with ~$5 off sale) - 7 years old and being used once every four weeks on average. Still sharp and fully functional without needing any oiling ever.
Oh, I forgot the Kambrook rice cooker ($20 from Harris Scarfe) - 7 years' old and used at least 1-2x/week.
Nokia 3310.
They can take the 2G coverage from me, but they can't take the toughness!And snake. Don't forget about our friend the snake.
Laser eye surgery about 10 years ago. ~$2500 per eye. Best money I ever spent.
And the red stitching on the seats of your surgeon's Ferrari was well worth the $5000 you gave him. But not for life, there is a new model out next year.
Oh yeah good one
Me too, only my parents paid for mine so a bargain for me!
Jeffrey Smart hand detailed limited edition lithograph for $600 when I was a teenager.
A prospective marriage visa.
Belief in true and pure monotheism, associating no partners with Him the Lord Almighty. True servitude and submission to Him. Bargain for this life and the Hereafter. :)
All Hail Xenu. The church tithings were all worth paying :)
Yamaha RX-V1070 receiver amplifier, bought it back in 2002, my dad still has his from 1994. Still going strong today and could fetch $300+ on ebay.
For me, Sennheiser HD600.
iPhone 6
Not really me, but my Dad- Honda Lawnmower 25 years ago.
It mows 3 different houses (I'm too proud to use a cheap mower, but too cheap to buy a new Honda).
I also just bought a Rolex for my son's University Graduation present. He will start kinder next year and I'll look after it until such time! lol
Ditto for the Honda lawnmower. I bought one in about 1991 and it still goes well.
ING Direct rebates
1995 Honda Accord. I bought it second hand over ten years ago, now up to 370,000km and never missed a beat and still drives great, no rattles or squeaks. Aside from regular servicing, the only thing I had to spend on it was a couple hundred for new CV joints at around 250,000km
story: dodgy people stealing from coles and woolies
many ps3 games that not yet open……PC games that not yet install from steam, GOG, origin etc etc
I have a Thorn Clock Radio That I have had since I was 9 years old and still use it, im 41.(But it was a present though…)
What have I bought and kept…. I had a VL Calais for over 15 years, um a wife I have kept for 20 years lol
A Sonic 42" Plasma that I have had for over 10 years and bought some Metrinch sockets and spanners when I was 16, expensive but they last forever.Good quality sheets and bed linen- it stays so soft! And an excellent quality backpack, which survived my uni days being stuffed with many books and then dragged around on public transport. And good quality handbags and wallets- they don't need to be Chanel, but you need to pay at least $50+ (Ozbargain price- $100+ not on sale) if you're using it everyday and want it to last a couple of years.
Instruments of any sort.
High quality instruments do not decrease in value as much as other things - and in some cases - they go up.
I personally own a Muramatsu AD Flute (8k-ish new) - and it's lasted me for many many years - and I have no intention of selling it anytime soon.
Just look at vintage Gibson guitars from '59. Man those things are expensive now.
Great topic to get you thinking about real quality.
Anyone here nominating electronic items is kidding themselves.20+ year old stuff I have going still strong which are all likely to outlast me (unlike the '89 Camry):
- large square cast iron frypan
- set of esteele copper-based saucepans
- makita corded drill
- leatherman multi tool
- Stanley plane
- Sidchrome socket set
- Bailey 6" ladder
Anyone here nominating electronic items is kidding themselves.
Ridiculous statement.
Panasonic DVD recorder - 10 years old and still works fine (not that it get used much these days)
Toshiba rear projection TV - Still gets used, have had it >10 years but it's older than that (15-20), haven't even had to replace lamps
Kenwood kettle - 15 years old (made in the good ol' U(s of)K)
Parents Hitachi HD Plasma - 10
Parents Yamaha Hifi - 30how many of these things will you be using in 10 years ? Life is (hopefully) longer than 10 or 20 years.
Electronics inherently goes out of date/usefulness even if it doesn't die.
The hifi I'll accept, as in amp & speakers, but do you use the turntable or CD player ?
The kettle isn't electronic.It's more related to the OP second question.
Cast iron pan that I season and oil after use. It looks brand new, is 10 years old and will last another 40 at least.
A Russian/Asiatic fox fur style big arse hat that I bought in Afghanistan. It has lasted 12 years and is great.
Yamaha sound system bought 17 years ago, floor speakers still sound beautiful.
Oh and the above post just reminded me of my 15 year old leatherman that gets used weekly around the house.
Well,
I've invested in mainly musical stuff. Well invested isn't really the right word, I'm not expecting it to appreciate in value.
Not really relevant, because they were given to me:
- I've had a good Maton guitar since year 6
- A decent bass since year 10
Things I have bought
- I got a good electric guitar in year 11 (bought myself)
- A big bass amp @ the same time
- And a top-spec Yamaha upright piano when I left school (paid halves with my parents).
- Since I've left school, I've bought a PA system and a drum kit, together with mics etc. My garage now officially rocks!I've also bought a car, but I don't view that as a lifelong thing. I've bought lots of things for the car, including a car fridge which I will have for a lifetime.
Other things I've bought are models & parts etc. for my R/C hobby. Sure, they may not last a lifetime, but the fond memories I've had from using them will.I've bought some RM Williams boots which I intend to wear for the next 20 years.
Last week I bought a Tissot mechanical watch which I also intend to have for a long time.I've also bought lots of other frivolous things which were (horror of horrors) a waste of money. But, I'm young (19) and I guess living and learning and having fun is what life is all about.
I'd rather be penniless and happy than a depressed rich scrooge.My parents were given a set of Raco saucepans for their wedding 31 years ago… used daily until they got the kitchen re-done and induction cooktop installed, at which point I inherited them. They still look like new.
Got a watch from my parents as a birthday present, nearly 18 years ago. Seiko Kinetic. A bit battered but has survived and wearing it daily. No batteries required, of course.
Weber Kettle BBQ. Had it for 17 years, left it out in the rain etc and this thing is unbreakable. Only just now bought a new cooking grill for it. I do not see a reason it should not last another 17 years.
tattoo
Husband, House, dogs & cars + Oz Bargain of course! & before you all start - NO I did not buy my husband !! ( Although he did come second hand - previous marriage ) & please no rude comments re that statement. ( Have to be so careful on this site at times with sending any answers because of so many caustic replies )
Speakers!
Scored some Vintage Cabasse floor speakers ( Made in France ) Lifetime warranty $37 the pair at the tender center.
Have been using them to listen and Produce music for the past 15 years.
- 1
- 2
I was hoping to get awesome bargain ideas from this thread. Disappointed