Your parents told you this when you were growing up, and many
of you probably blew it off because you may not have been paying for your
“stuff.”
Well, now that you’re on your own, you’re paying for
everything you buy. And, you want it to last.
I guarantee that if you take care
of your “stuff,” you will save tens of thousands of dollars over your
lifetime.
Let’s take something that you don’t even own and look at the
advantage of taking care of it: your first apartment. You will most likely have
to put down a significant security deposit (usually one month’s rent) in case
any damage is done to it. Thus, you need to clean it regularly, be careful not
to scratch/dent the walls when you’re moving in, and call the landlord if
something breaks down (so you’re not charged for it when your lease is up).
When you buy a house, it’s even more important to take care
of your “stuff.” Paint your house (inside and out) every ten years. Follow
manufacturers’ instructions for using, maintaining, and cleaning all household
utilities (washer, dryer, refrigerator, oven, stove, dishwasher, air
conditioner, toilets, etc.). It makes sense to get a service contract that
protects all the household utilities.
How about something as simple
as clothing? If you take care of clothing properly, it will last twice as long
as the clothing of somebody who doesn’t take care of it.
The same can be said
for furniture.
If you clean it regularly and use it properly (no food or drink
on it), some furniture can last for decades.
It’s important to realize that the costs of maintenance and
repairs can be significant in the short term. However, the cost of not
maintaining and repairing “stuff” is much more significant in the long run.
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