IWhat if something breaks, stops working or runs empty? Do you have a spare in your closet you can immediately hook up, plug in or eat?
Let’s say your printer goes out. Can you reach in the cabinet and pull out another printer that, within 5 minutes, can be hooked up to work?
Let’s say your glue gun stops working. Can you pull out another from your closet, plug it in, and continue with your project?
Lets say your stapler jams or your favorite cereal runs out. Do you have a spare handy?
You get the idea. But is it feasible – financially – to have a spare for everything you enjoy using around the house? If your spare items were purchased on sale, wouldn’t it be worth it if, some months, or years later when your original product broke, you could replace it with an item that would, if you bought it today, cost a lot more money?
Yes, I am giving myself permission to go out and buy an on-sale spare for almost every item I enjoy using in the house. That way, when something breaks or otherwise stops working, I have an instant replacement. No running out to the store. No having to put up with present high prices for replacements. No more being disappointed that the original item no longer can be located.
No, I don’t have a spare big screen TV, or a spare Mac computer, of a spare iPhone. But I do have a spare for many smaller items [less than, say, $150] that I enjoy using. When I find an item I enjoy on sale, I often buy 2 or 3 or more of them. I know that more modern items will come along with fancier features, but I believe I can still enjoy my simpler devices for years to come. If a more modern device that intrigues me does come along, my freshly wrapped “old” stapler or glue gun can make a nice little gift.
I am happy there are a limited number of not-too-costly items I enjoy using often around the house. As for more costly items, like the TV, refrigerator and computer, I am happy that they seem to last for many years. One day there will be spare body parts available. I wonder what I’ll stock up on then.
Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at Robertebsen@hotmail.com
