When I went from over-consumer to minimalist (article in French) in 2015, I changed my habits to focus on quality instead of quantity. Instead of buying lower-quality items in large quantities, I decided to make better choices with my purchases. After four years, I realized that, by spending more on higher quality products, I can save money in the long run. I don't have to replace items as often and actually end up with more money to set aside.
Better Quality Wardrobe Choices
Generally speaking, if I spend a bit more on my clothes, shoes and bags, I get better quality products. However, buying expensive brands does not automatically go hand in hand with quality, so it's important to find a store that offers the best bang for your buck according to your budget.
Higher quality clothes don't usually need to be thrown out after only a dozen washes—something that I sadly went through one too many times. Now, although my clothes may cost twice the price of my old clothes, I don't have to buy new items as frequently.
In the past, my $20 tops lasted eight washes, so about two months. Now, a top may cost me $50, but I can wear it for three to four years despite multiple trips to the washing machine. In the first scenario, the cost per use was $2.50 and, in the second, it comes closer to $0.70[1]—a notable difference. That leads to substantial savings in the long run.
Furniture that Will Last for Years
Affordable furniture stores are now a dime a dozen. For a few hundred dollars, we can decorate our houses nicely and furnish entire rooms. However, this type of furniture can get damaged easily and, in less than five years, you may find yourself having to replace some of the pieces. Better quality pieces have a much longer lifespan.
The same applies to bed linens. Better quality fabrics hold up much better after multiple washes and don't usually need replacing every year after becoming thinned out or discoloured.
Many Possibilities for the Kitchen
I will start off by telling you that I paid $45 for my reusable water bottle. Some people may find that excessive, but I've been using it for three years and it's still as good as new. Given that I expect to use it for another two years, its annual cost will only have amounted to $9.
I have friends who paid $15 for a replica of this water bottle, but were disappointed in the quality of the product and ended up buying a different one for the same amount, only to get the same result.
Lunch containers are another great example. My glass containers are still in excellent shape, five years after purchasing them. Comparatively, my plastic ones only lasted two years. Glass containers may be more expensive to buy, but, in the long run, I won't have to replace them as often.
The kitchen is probably where we find household gadgets and accessories that are used the most on a daily basis. Choosing higher quality products will make a huge difference financially in the long run. Better to pay more now and benefit from the items for years to come.
Choosing Quality over Quantity
Over time, I've gradually replaced broken objects with more durable and better quality alternatives. This allowed me to spread costlier expenses over many months instead of buying everything at once, which made the expenses more manageable in the long run.
[1] Calculated on the basis of a clothing item worn for 3 years, every week, 6 months out of the year.
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