The “Buy it For Life” movement has been rising in popularity over the last few years. In a world of cheap knockoffs and fast fashion, the Buy it For Life movement aims to empower consumers to expect more out of the products they buy and to “buy them for life.”
What is the Buy it For Life Movement?
Buy For Life is a movement that promotes buying items that are durable, long-lasting, and made up of quality materials. The whole premise behind this movement is that, in theory, these items should be so durable that they will last you for your entire life…and possibly even the life of your dependents! Though the upfront cost of these “BIFL” items tends to be higher, you will ultimately end up saving more money in the long run.
How? Well, let’s say you’re looking for a pair of hiking boots. You could either buy the $50 pair that will last you three years before breaking down and giving you painful blisters. Or, you can buy the $300 pair of hiking boots that has a lifetime warranty and doesn’t break down…ever.
Having a tough time deciding? The Buy it For Life movement says that you should probably choose the $300 pair of quality hiking boots over the $50 pair of cheap hiking boots.
Why? Well, let’s say you hike for the next 50 years. If you have to replace your shoes every three years, you will end up spending over $800 on hiking boots over the next 50 years! Suddenly, that $300 pair of hiking boots doesn’t sound so expensive, does it?
Of course, not all expensive items fit the parameters of the Buy it For Life movement. The key is that the items need to be made up of durable materials and have some sort of a lifetime warranty on their products.
There are certain brands or companies known for having lifetime warranties. While the products they make may or may not last an entire lifetime depending on how they are used, these companies will replace their products if they do break or show too many signs of wear and tear.
Here are some of the categories where we feel the Buy it For Life movement is especially relevant.
“Ground” Equipment
We like to stick by the “ground rule” when it comes to this category of Buy it For Life products. Namely, anything that separates you from the ground should be something that you buy for life. This includes shoes, tires, or mattresses. The reason for this being that high-quality products in this category will promote healthy posture, balance, and safety. Skimping on any of these three items in the ground equipment category could result in easy breakages, frequent replacements, and serious injury!
We recommend sticking with brands that use high-quality materials, are reputable, and offer lifetime guarantees. In the footwear category, this includes Eddie Bauer, Rainbow Sandals, and Duluth Trading Company. In the mattress category, this includes Puffy Lux, Awara, and Idle Sleep.
Cooking Equipment
We know, we know, we see the Black Friday ads for the cheap appliances, too. But despite the flashy $4 waffle maker deals, we highly recommend buying cooking equipment for life. Cheap cooking equipment is just not made to last!
While the cheaper and trendier appliances and cooking equipment are appealing, please know that certain materials stand the test of time. For example…cast iron pans, if cleaned and seasoned properly, can last forever. Same thing goes for stainless steel water bottles and powder metal chef knives.
Some cooking equipment brands we highly recommend as part of the Buy it For Life movement include Stanley, Igloo, Lodge, and Le Creuset. These brands are known for their incredible craftsmanship, commitment to using high-quality materials, and lifetime guarantees.
Plus, it feels absolutely amazing to cook with something that you know will last you for life (even if you burn it or let it rust a few too many times).
Time to chop it like it’s hot!
Travel Equipment
Instagram ads for cute, technologically-savvy duffel bags and suitcases are everywhere these days! While it’s super fun that suitcases can now charge cell phones and can follow you around of their own volition, it’s also somewhat alarming.
More technology means more components that can break. When components break, the item is less likely to be able to be used long-term. If the very features that made you seek out the product no longer work, what’s the point in using it?
For travel equipment, basic and durable is better. We have a strong preference for durable materials such as quality leather, cotton, or bamboo. We prefer our travel equipment sans technology, so it can stick to doing what it does best: protecting and transporting our stuff.
Therefore, we recommend sticking with reputable travel equipment brands such as Jansport, Patagonia, and L.L. Bean.
Instead of spending money buying new travel equipment every few years, it’s better to put that saved cash towards your future travel experiences. Because who wants to say no to an unlimited buffet in Thailand? Not us!
Family Heirlooms
It goes without saying: Anything that you want to pass down to following family members should be bought for life.
Whether you want to pass on a carbon steel fountain pen or your favorite vacuum cleaner, these family heirlooms will need to stand the test of time. This means that these items need to be made up of high-quality materials, have a lifetime guarantee, and be handled gently when passed between family members or generations.
Family heirlooms are intensely personal, so what one family may consider as being an heirloom may not be the case for another family. But at the end of the day, if you buy your products for life, they’ll be kept in the family for a long time.
Just make us promise you won’t pass down a century-old handkerchief, because, ew.
Ultimately, Buy it For Life products will save you lots of money in the long run. Instead of looking for products that last anywhere from 5 years to 15 years to 20 years, try looking for BIFL products with a lifetime guarantee.
