Today, we’re celebrating all of those purchases that ended up becoming life-long commitments thanks to quality and durability, pandas. We’ve taken a trip to the Buy It For Life subreddit and gathered some of our favorite pics from the community down below. From indestructible household appliances to pens that have written countless notes, enjoy viewing these purchases that were certainly worth the investments!
#1 Aurora Solar Calculator. Couldn't Confirm Its Actual Age, But My Mom Said, "It's Definitely Older Than You." I'm 39
Image credits: neocamel
#2 Most Of My Hifi Components Are Getting On For 50 Years Old In The Next Few Years. All Still Working Perfectly
Image credits: macnerd93
#3 This Bosch Drill Is From 1987, Gifted To Me From My Dad. Its Been In The Family 1 Year Longer Than Me
Image credits: R4MZON
We all want to make smart purchases and keep our belongings around for as long as possible, but nowadays, there’s a lot of pressure from corporations and society to keep up with the latest trends. "If you don’t have the newest phone or the fanciest earbuds, you’re missing out! Technology is advancing incredibly rapidly, so there’s no need to use things until they give up on you. Just purchase something new as soon as you have the chance! Right?" This “newer is better” mindset can be detrimental to our mental health and our wallets, so sometimes, it’s refreshing to have a reminder that taking care of things and making sure they last forever is actually very cool.
That’s where the Buy It For Life subreddit comes in. This group is dedicated to sharing “practical, durable and quality made products that are made to last,” and thankfully, many people have gotten on board with the group’s mission. The community has amassed an impressive 1.5 million members over the past 12 years, and users are incredibly active in sharing the purchases they’re most proud of. Keeping items around for life is economic, sustainable and honestly, pretty impressive, so we’re happy to showcase some of the group’s best finds.
#4 Bifl Home Audio-The Mcintosh Mc275
Image credits: podaypodayson
#5 My Buddy Has Had This Alarm Clock Since The 80s
Image credits: tflynn09
#6 Merkur Safety Razor. About 10 Years Old Now, Still Like New
Image credits: Professional_Gap_371
12 years ago, the creator of Buy It For Life shared their mission statement in the subreddit to make it clear what the group’s goals are. They explained that the community was inspired by the subreddit r/ShutUpandTakeMyMoney, which shares great purchases members have found. However, not every item shared in that group will last a lifetime, so BIFL was created “to fill a niche for only high quality and durable products.”
Today, BIFL is a thriving community which shares suggestions for a wide range of products. The group even has a “Request Series” featuring clothing (headwear, gloves, shirts, jackets, belts, underwear, pants, socks and footwear), bags (luggage and backpacks), kitchen appliances, tools (knives and flashlights), beverage containers, music players, items specifically for women, gifts, a wallet compilation and even brands that are not BIFL approved. If you’re looking to make a big purchase, it might be wise to consult this community first!
#7 Spotted At An Airbnb
Image credits: Lavon_andy
#8 This Ice Cream Scooper We Inherited From My Grandma When We Moved Into Her House
Image credits: d7it23js
#9 Here's A 1925 General Electric 6" Desk Fan In Near Mint Condition. It's Been Cleaned, And Had The Blades Polished. It Still Has Its Original Paint. It Had The Power Cord Replaced With A Modern Reproduction. It Doesn't Get Used Much As It Might Be A Little Dangerous
Image credits: lotr5693
We’re big fans of the Buy It For Life community here at Bored Panda, so it’s actually not the first time we’ve featured the group. And lucky for us, we were previously able to get in touch with one of the subreddit’s moderators, Robot_ninja_pirate, who shared how keeping the group’s goals a priority becomes tricky with so many members.
“On one hand, we want to promote sustainability and buying higher-quality products, which means buying things less often. But since we have [over a] million subscribers, it means new people are sharing new products every day,” they explained. “There are products that many people never knew existed and might then want to go out and buy. It can almost conflict with the point.”
#10 My 1993 Montgomery Wards Lawn Mower Still Runs And Cuts The Grass As Good As When It Was New!
Image credits: lotr5693
#11 I Got This Jack Wolfskin Backpack When I Was 6 In 2007. Still Use It Daily After Almost 16 Years
Image credits: R1ght_b3hind_U
#12 This Salad Shooter At My Parent’s House Is Still Kicking After 32 Years
Image credits: Sad-bisexual-cryptid
The moderator noted that their team has to be “quite vigilant to promote grassroots efforts from the real users sharing items with real-world use,” as advertisers often want to take advantage of the community by disguising themselves as real members.
But the group can be incredibly useful for those of us who have been impacted by inflation. “[The rise of living costs] has certainly made people become aware of their purchasing habits and what is and isn't frivolous spending as budgets get tighter,” Robot_ninja_pirate told Bored Panda.
#13 Opinel No.6 In My Pocket For 5 Years. $20 And Sharper Than Any Knife I’ve Ever Known
Image credits: Jdspoel
#14 1979 West Bend Popcorn Maker
Image credits: Sunshinehaiku
#15 My Boy Scout Pocket Knife
Image credits: BaldyCarrotTop
“However, [increased living costs] might also cause people to have to skimp on things and really evaluate what truly is BIFL and what they are just overspending on,” the moderator continued. “Channels like Project Farm, for example, do an excellent job showing where spending more money does not always mean a better product.”
Project Farm is a channel where “all sorts of things” are tested “to help viewers make informed purchasing decisions and avoid getting ripped off.”
#16 After Replacing Our Fridge Twice In The Past 12 Years With Brand New Models, I Finally Gave Up And Just Put Our Garage Fridge In The Kitchen. It Fits Perfectly, And Has Been Running For Decades, And Could Probably Be Repaired vs. Thrown Away If We Ever Need To Fix It
Image credits: SenorKerry
#17 Bifl Request: This Style Spatula. Thin Stainless Springy Bottom Part, Strong Handle
Image credits: nivrams_brain
#18 I Bought This Breville Sandwich Iron When I Left Home At 18. I'm Now 50 And She's Ready To Go
Image credits: befarked247
While BIFL is incredibly popular at the moment, Robot_ninja_pirate did admit to Bored Panda that he worries it might not last forever. He fears it might simply “[become] trendy and that people will hop on the bandwagon and then jump off when it's not as current anymore, rather than committing to the ideology. (An extreme example, but think like the miniature pig trend for a few years).”
#19 Staedler Mars That Is 25+ Years Old
Image credits: Jxnkuul
#20 Vintage Original Zojirushi Thermal Pot In Mint Condition
Image credits: masafed
#21 My 1977 Kosmos 1 Pocket-Sized Biorhythm Calculator. 46 Years Of Crunching Numbers
Image credits: bighag
Apparently, the group had a huge influx of new members during the beginning of 2023, but it has started to slow down to its usual numbers in recent months. “We let our community sort of dictate the flow of the subreddit rather than us,” the moderator explained. “However, we are always looking for feedback and how we can improve the subreddit.” So if you all have any suggestions, pandas, the moderators are happy to hear them!
#22 ‘70s Pioneer Sx 780 Receiver. All Capacitors And Resistors Replaced A Couple Years Ago
Image credits: Material-Ad6302
#23 1975 Presto Harvest Gold Yellow Pressure Cooker
Image credits: Galraith
#24 My First Potato Peeler (Sparschäler) I Got This Sparschäler 10 Years Ago Already Used By My Grand Mother. It Is Still A Mass Product And You Can Buy It For Round About 5 USD. But This One Is Made In West Germany So At Least 33 Years Old And Almost Daily In Use
Image credits: Secundus_Scipio
In today’s world of planned obsolescence and fast fashion, it may not be trendy to hold onto your possessions forever, but it certainly is wise. Your wallet and the planet will thank you, plus vintage furniture and clothing is totally in. So if you’ve been thinking about replacing that 30-year-old dresser or you have your eye on a new car, despite the fact that yours is working just fine, you might want to reconsider. And the BIFL community will certainly welcome you with open arms!
#25 Mother In Law Melted Kettle I’ve Had For 15 Years. How Do I Clean It Off!
Image credits: Optimal-Chair1146
#26 90s Polly Pockets Are Almost Indestructible, Better Well Made Than The Newer Versions. Now Our Children Get To Play With Them!
Image credits: couts88
#27 My Grandpas Chainsaw He Bought In 1966 To Clear Land To Build The House He Still Lives In. And To Note I Still Use The Chainsaw When I’m Doing Yard Work For Him
Image credits: azaku29
We hope you’re enjoying these photos of great purchases that have lasted a lifetime, pandas. If you are still using appliances or tools you bought decades ago, be sure to pat those items on the back and let us know in the comments below what they are! Remember to think in the long term when making new purchases, and if you’re looking for even more pics that will inspire you to make commitments when you buy something new, you can find Bored Panda’s last article featuring the Buy It For Life subreddit right here!
#28 My 25 Year Old Rivendell Atlantis With Home Made Bags. A Perfect Bicycle
Image credits: Dirtdancefire
#29 •before/After 1987 Vermont Iron Elm In Midnight Green• (Story In Comments)
Image credits: DeepWoodsDanger
#30 My Most Used Appliance For The Last 12 Years. Presto Griddle. I’ve Been Through Multiple Nonstick Pots And Pans, But This Thing Still Works Like New
Image credits: whyisitdough
#31 Best Spatula I Have Ever Used
Image credits: AngryMuppet_420
#32 My Rubbermaid Laundry Basket Has Been In Continuous Use Since The Early 80s. You Can Still Buy These New
Image credits: Bakelite51
#33 Red Wing Work Boots, After 20+ Years Of Home Renovations And A Few Mosh Pits
Image credits: Idigressthereforeiam
#34 A True Bifl Jacket, The Stevenson Jacket Made By Boathouse. I’ve Had Mine For Over 15 Years, Rowed Multiple Seasons In It, Wore It Shoveling Snow, Commuting In NYC, And Hiking. A Waterproof 3 Season Jacket You Can Still Purchase
Image credits: ripgoodhomer
#35 My 6 Year Old Pair Ofblundstones vs. My Brand New Pair
Image credits: mhenson62
#36 Had This Patagonia Supercell For Like 10+ Yrs Now
Image credits: The_Sensitive_Psycho
#37 1987 Play-Doh Multi Tool
Image credits: joepa81
#38 Steelcase Chair I Got For $6 At A Thrift Store. Not Sure If The Mfg Date, But It's At Least As Old As I Am. Best Workbench Stool Ever
Image credits: Ttokk
#39 My Dad Bought Me This Hp 48sx In 1992. Still Works Perfectly And I Still Use It
Image credits: BossHogGA
#40 My Speed Queens Have Arrived
Image credits: w3stvirginia
#41 This Is My Fourth Hm Aeron Chair I Bought From Fb Market Place , This One I Got Yesterday For $40
Image credits: damn_jexy
#42 Shock Cousteau Spent 2 Days Submerged In A Hot Tub
Image credits: LifeofSMILEY
#43 Got A Herman Miller Office Chair For Free On Facebook Marketplace, It’s Super Comfy And Feels So Well Made! Minnie Approves!
Image credits: Maleficent_Health784
#44 Unlikely Bifl - Grandma's Clock
Image credits: friskyspatula
#45 Still Using Grandma's 1940's Egg Poacher For My Morning Breakfast
Image credits: jomamma2
#46 Buy It For Multiple Lives. I Inherited The Family Pennsylvania Tuxedo
Image credits: Tamias-striatus
#47 Wedding Gift Circa 1977. This Old School Crockpot May Outlive Me!
Image credits: brewpubjim
#48 We Got These For Our DIY Kitchen Renovation For $2000. Barely Used And Working Great! Hopefully The Fridge Is Truly Bifl Because I Never Want To Move That Behemoth Ever Again
Image credits: sludgefudge
#49 My 1959 Frigidaire Custom Imperial
Image credits: schmisschmina
#50 Stainless Steel Gator French Press
Image credits: flames_32
#51 Just Bought A House With This In The Kitchen. I Love It
Image credits: rottingcheese
#52 Psa: Oil Your Electric Fans/Electric Motors With The Correct Oil!
Image credits: JamieBensteedo
#53 Peugeot Is A Brand That’s Been Recommended For Bifl Pepper Grinders. Even Though I Bought This One Secondhand, Peugeot Replaced This Piece That Looked Ugly And Worn For Free. In Its First Life, It Was A Wedding Gift
Image credits: PM_ME_UR_CC_INFO
#54 Gramp's Razor I Got From Him 26 Years Ago. I Can See Why They Stopped Making Stuff This Good. It Lasts Too Long
Image credits: ckduke1
#55 Vacuum After 3 Years And 1200+ Car Details
Image credits: undercookedhotpocket
#56 The Heirloom Flour Measure And Sift. I’m 4th Gen User. This Tool Is Outlived 3 Lives, I’m Next
Image credits: mts2snd
#57 This Backpack Has Done 10 Years Of School And 8 Years As A Tool Bag Packing Around ~30lbs Of Tools With No Signs Of Stopping
Image credits: whereiswaldo7
#58 Schlage Sent Me A Full Replacement Set
Image credits: Mr-RandyLahey
#59 Ford 4100 At Least 50 Years Old
Image credits: CouldNotRememberName
#60 I See We're Posting Bifl Rice Cookers. Here's My 1964 Tatung!
Image credits: Trainzguy2472
#61 1980 Cub Cadet. 43 Years Old And Ready For Another Mowing Season
Image credits: Nates94
#62 Old Philco Refrigerator Still In Use At My Local Fish And Game Club!
Image credits: wrinkleydinkley
#63 Hailo Bins: 40 Years Old (Left) And 1 Month Old (Right)
Image credits: xKobito
#64 From My Great Grandparents House
Image credits: botanysteve
#65 She Turns 30 This Year
Image credits: MeelsEsq
#66 Corning Ware Percolators. The Guy I Bought Them From Said He Used Them All The Time, They Look Brand New
Image credits: Cbennett3395
#67 It Won’t Win Any Beauty Contests, But This Rice Cooker Has Been Making Rice For My Wife And Now The Both Of Us Since The Mid 1980’s
Image credits: glowend
#68 Kenworth K100 Working For 30 Years
Image credits: Sloth_rockets
#69 Circa 70s/80s Ernie And Bert
Image credits: Limp_Ad_3268
#70 My Grandpa’s 85-Y.o. Frigidaire From 1938 Still Works!
Image credits: Tatterings
#71 Teva Hurricane Xlts. Blue Pair Is Brand New And Orange Is Closing In On 15yrs Old Of Heavy Outdoor Use Kayaking, Hiking, Fishing And Camping. A Solid 80$
Image credits: MandolinSynthMachine
#72 Ahhhh… Tonka, The Prime Example Of Buy It For Life Toys. Found For $12 Total At The Goodwill, Bound To Bring Me Years More Enjoyment
Image credits: marktherobot-youtube
#73 Vagarant Traveler C.e.o. 17" Backpack Briefcase In Coffee Brown
Image credits: Cypherius
#74 This Sears Kenmore “Coldspot” Refrigerator Has Been Chugging Along Since 2004
Image credits: Blastproof
#75 I Got This Pot From My ( Now Passed) Aunt, She Got It When She Married In Early 50's !
Image credits: duck-and-quack
#76 2007 Toyota Prius - 330k Miles, 5 Wrecks, And 1 Divorce Later It’s Still Going Strong!
Image credits: sworzeh
#77 My Mother-In-Law Bought This In 1978 And It’s Still Going Strong
Image credits: SeaworthinessOk602
#78 Was Given This Ms Natural Keyboard Pro On Day 1 At My Job. 23 Years Later, I Was Told That New Equipment Will Be At The New Offices. Still Going Strong
Image credits: SaltyDogBill
#79 Was Given A Patio Set Because It Needed To Be Refinished. It Just Needed A Little Clr And Teak Oil
Image credits: Caver95
#80 My Stapler Is This Old
Image credits: Kamahis
#81 This Old Sony Phone Before The Merger With Ericsson, Still Connects To Networks Here In Poland
Image credits: polandlv111
#82 Camelbak 100l Hydration Pack. Issued To Me In The Army In 2006. I Broke The Mouthpiece, They Sent Me A Whole New Reservoir, Tube, The Works
Image credits: bstyledevi
#83 My Dad's 1970s Crown Gas Range Stove!
Image credits: sonicenvy
#84 13 vs. 4 Years Of Daily Walkers
Image credits: weindl
#85 Grandfather Purchased This Cub Cadet In 1974. Almost 50 Years Later, It's Still Running Strong. It's Mostly Original Down To The Tires
Image credits: Nates94
#86 Plow Truck My Grandpa Bought Brand New Back In ‘79, Been Working Every Winter
Image credits: Haha1867hoser420
#87 When Mom Busted This Out, You Knew The Meal Was Going To Be Good
Image credits: Tihsdrib
#88 Parker Jotter Purchased When I Started Working 35 Years Ago
Image credits: GoodGuyGlocker
#89 The Battery In This Little Alarm Clock Has Been Going For Almost 30 Years
Image credits: Zhydrac
#90 Small And Extremely Effective
Image credits: Runt83
#91 1992 Acura Legend. 203,000 Miles. Daily Driver. Everything Works
Image credits: 1e59
#92 Our Fully Restored Ge Brass/Cast Iron Fan…
Image credits: Omnipresent715
#93 30 Year Old Dishwasher I Got For Free 5 Years Ago, Still In Daily Use And Refuses To Die
Image credits: aasikki
#94 Bose Wave Clock Radio. Used Everyday For Over 30 Years. Works Perfectly And Sounds Better Than Most New Bluetooth Speakers. Made In USA
Image credits: KeepTheBills
#95 My Aunt’s Ge Spacemaker Coffeemaker From 1988, Used Nearly Everyday Since
Image credits: ME5SENGER_24
#96 My Grandmother’s Oven, Circa 1966. Many Holiday Meals Were Cooked With Love Here, Right Up Until The Day She Passed. Aside From One Shattered Glass Door That Was Replaced, Everything Still Works!
Image credits: _Mr_Roboto_
#97 $29 At The Antique Store, 29 Minutes In The Sandblast Cabinet, Ready For Another 50+ Years Of Service. Before/After Pics Of A Made In The USA Columbian Bench Vise
Image credits: DucatiMunster
#98 Yet Another Stanley Insulated Jug. But This One Is About 100 Years Old
Image credits: otterland
#99 Still Going, 60’s Microwave Oven
Image credits: Squintl
#100 92 Toyota Pickup, 500,000k, Daily Driven... And Worked
Image credits: reddit.com
#101 My Apple II From 1982 And My Imac. Only The Apple II Still Works And It Was In An Abandoned Factory
Image credits: hambuiscuit