Buy It For Life
Nothing lasts forever and when it comes to consumer goods it seems most are intentionally manufactured with a short lifespan. It’s called planned obsolescence and it has led to burgeoning landfills and fast fashion. A European Union study found that between 2000 and 2015, the average lifespan for clothing decreased 36 percent; a clothing item was used between seven and eight times before it was tossed.
In the July 18, 2025 CR90 (Consumer Reports) ARTICLE, writer Angela Lashbrook explains that the term “buy it for life” means you buy an item once and ideally it lasts for life, or at least many, many years. “From inherited jackets to coffee grinders, there’s a BIFL for almost any product category you’re in the market for,” says Lashbrook.
Lashbrook polled fellow CR employees for their favorite BILF purchases. The list ranges from an inherited Barbour Beadwell Waxed Jacket and Darn Tough hiking socks to a Cuisinart Burr Coffee Bean Grinder and Miele canister vacuum. BILF items aren’t cheap, but your investment pays off in the long run – for your wallet and for our environment.
Climate Action group, March 4, 7:00 pm via ZOOM. Join us.
Posted by Donna Gerhauser