Comments on: If It Still Works, Why Do I Need a New One? http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/ About finding balance in your life, connecting with who you are, and creating a lifestyle where you wake up each morning eagerly anticipating the day ahead. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:29:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Linda http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-87383 Linda http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-87383 A little over a year ago my husband gave me an iPhone, though I was quite happy with my old cellphone. After about six months, it locked up on me and I brought it back to the Apple store. They checked it out thoroughly and determined there was nothing wrong with it, but handed me a new phone anyway. I declined the new one since the old one checked out ok. The clerk was surprised, and when I told my story to several other people, they all thought I was crazy for not taking the new phone. It's now over a year old and still working just fine. If it "ain't" broke , why fix it?!! My old Maytag washer finally gave up a couple years ago after more than 30 years of faithful service to a family of four. In all that time, it needed repair only twice! A little over a year ago my husband gave me an iPhone, though I was quite happy with my old cellphone. After about six months, it locked up on me and I brought it back to the Apple store. They checked it out thoroughly and determined there was nothing wrong with it, but handed me a new phone anyway. I declined the new one since the old one checked out ok. The clerk was surprised, and when I told my story to several other people, they all thought I was crazy for not taking the new phone. It’s now over a year old and still working just fine. If it “ain’t” broke , why fix it?!!

My old Maytag washer finally gave up a couple years ago after more than 30 years of faithful service to a family of four. In all that time, it needed repair only twice!

]]> By: Norma http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-78990 Norma http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-78990 I discovered this website just a day or two ago. I love it and I just have to add my comment to this post. My appliance of choice is my 1970's IBM Selectric II typewriter which I would not trade for anything. That typewriter saw me through school over thirty years ago, and is still going strong in my office today. I've tried other typewriters but always came back to the Selectric. I've also gone through several desktop computers, laptops, and printers in the past twenty years, but the Selectric has outlasted almost all of them. There are websites and groups where I have found information on how to fix the Selectric when I have had problems with it. It is an engineering marvel. I discovered this website just a day or two ago. I love it and I just have to add my comment to this post. My appliance of choice is my 1970′s IBM Selectric II typewriter which I would not trade for anything. That typewriter saw me through school over thirty years ago, and is still going strong in my office today. I’ve tried other typewriters but always came back to the Selectric. I’ve also gone through several desktop computers, laptops, and printers in the past twenty years, but the Selectric has outlasted almost all of them. There are websites and groups where I have found information on how to fix the Selectric when I have had problems with it. It is an engineering marvel.

]]> By: Ann http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-58400 Ann http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-58400 I just purchased an Oster Power Kitchen Center online. It is from the early 70s and is white. Looks like fun, can't wait to try the blender, mixer, and chopper. I hope I never have to buy a new appliance for my kitchen. All my oldies are like friends. I just purchased an Oster Power Kitchen Center online. It is from the early 70s and is white. Looks like fun, can’t wait to try the blender, mixer, and chopper. I hope I never have to buy a new appliance for my kitchen. All my oldies are like friends.

]]> By: Angela http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-56771 Angela http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-56771 Totally agree with other commenters- they just don't make them like they used to!! Sad but true, almost everything is made to break or wear out in a few years to keep the economy going. I was born in the wrong era, a child of the 80's but I could've fit right in in the 50's-70's... avocado green?? Pink oven?? Swooooon! Hook me up! Totally agree with other commenters- they just don’t make them like they used to!! Sad but true, almost everything is made to break or wear out in a few years to keep the economy going. I was born in the wrong era, a child of the 80′s but I could’ve fit right in in the 50′s-70′s… avocado green?? Pink oven?? Swooooon! Hook me up!

]]> By: Jen http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-41766 Jen http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-41766 I too love that others enjoy using their old appliances. I collect vintage appliances from the 30s through the 60s. One of my favorites is my Sunbeam T-20 Automatic toaster. It dates from 1954. The bread goes down, and comes back up all by itself. My family uses it every day and it makes wonderful toast. The toaster weighs a ton! Most toasters today pale in comparison. And for fun, on occasion, I use the other appliances in my collection. Blenders, mixers, toaster ovens, you name it! They all have such a beautiful design, work well, and are fun to collect and display. My pink Rival 757 can opener is shaped like Gumby's head and sounds like an airplane when opening a can. It is from the late 50s. Makes me smile every time I look at it. I too love that others enjoy using their old appliances. I collect vintage appliances from the 30s through the 60s. One of my favorites is my Sunbeam T-20 Automatic toaster. It dates from 1954. The bread goes down, and comes back up all by itself. My family uses it every day and it makes wonderful toast. The toaster weighs a ton! Most toasters today pale in comparison. And for fun, on occasion, I use the other appliances in my collection. Blenders, mixers, toaster ovens, you name it! They all have such a beautiful design, work well, and are fun to collect and display. My pink Rival 757 can opener is shaped like Gumby’s head and sounds like an airplane when opening a can. It is from the late 50s. Makes me smile every time I look at it.

]]> By: Beth http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-38976 Beth http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-38976 You could always paint it! They have Krylon paint for plastic now - brand new appliance! Zing! :) You could always paint it! They have Krylon paint for plastic now – brand new appliance! Zing! :)

]]> By: cmm http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-36585 cmm http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-36585 Your column on using old things because they still work is priceless..!! I'm all for keeping things going as long as I can, too (Diana). I'm all for 'renovating/restoring' and not 'replacing' with new, if possible! If they can do it on "This Old House" why can't I do it on mine? Maybe you can help me find windows for my house.. LOL It's not an OLD house as houses go.. Certainly not a 'This Old House'. It was built in 1971, it's not an 'antique', however, it has true divided lite windows, and triple track storms. Replacements for which I cannot find anywhere!! Why put new 'blank' face windows instead of the true divided panes? I LOVE these windows and storms! Everyone is telling me that they aren't efficient and the new ones are better..! I don't happen to think so, since these have been serving us so well all these years! I really can't find the Brosco windows like this anywhere. You are living the simple life. Maybe you or one of your readers can tell me where to find these windows!! PS - I haven't made baskets in years, but loved doing it when I was really into it..! Keep up the good work..! Great page! I also came looking for how to freeze apples..! I did it the way you suggested. The apples are now in the freezer. Can't wait to see how they bake up..! Three pies ready to go. Just need the crusts..! LOL I've been all over the place tonight, from windows to apple pie and basket weaving..!! LOL Your column on using old things because they still work is priceless..!! I’m all for keeping things going as long as I can, too (Diana). I’m all for ‘renovating/restoring’ and not ‘replacing’ with new, if possible! If they can do it on “This Old House” why can’t I do it on mine? Maybe you can help me find windows for my house.. LOL It’s not an OLD house as houses go.. Certainly not a ‘This Old House’. It was built in 1971, it’s not an ‘antique’, however, it has true divided lite windows, and triple track storms. Replacements for which I cannot find anywhere!! Why put new ‘blank’ face windows instead of the true divided panes? I LOVE these windows and storms! Everyone is telling me that they aren’t efficient and the new ones are better..! I don’t happen to think so, since these have been serving us so well all these years! I really can’t find the Brosco windows like this anywhere. You are living the simple life. Maybe you or one of your readers can tell me where to find these windows!! PS – I haven’t made baskets in years, but loved doing it when I was really into it..! Keep up the good work..! Great page! I also came looking for how to freeze apples..! I did it the way you suggested. The apples are now in the freezer. Can’t wait to see how they bake up..! Three pies ready to go. Just need the crusts..! LOL I’ve been all over the place tonight, from windows to apple pie and basket weaving..!! LOL

]]> By: Diana in BGKY http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-28384 Diana in BGKY http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-28384 I'm a big believer in keeping appliances going as long as you can if they were made well in the first place. I've owned a washer and dryer set since January 1996--and I bought it used then (probably 2-3 years old). I've had the washer worked on a couple of times over the years (same problem, so hopefully it's fixed now). Both are still going strong. I dread the day I have to replace them. My fridge was in the current house when I bought it in 1999, as was the stove and dishwasher. All were fairly new. I've had my microwave since 1998, my stereo since about 1993 or 1994. My car was 15 in April and has about 125,000 miles on it. I also have a Singer treadle, but more for nostalgia since I don't sew at all. It belonged to my great-great grandmother. I’m a big believer in keeping appliances going as long as you can if they were made well in the first place. I’ve owned a washer and dryer set since January 1996–and I bought it used then (probably 2-3 years old). I’ve had the washer worked on a couple of times over the years (same problem, so hopefully it’s fixed now). Both are still going strong. I dread the day I have to replace them. My fridge was in the current house when I bought it in 1999, as was the stove and dishwasher. All were fairly new. I’ve had my microwave since 1998, my stereo since about 1993 or 1994. My car was 15 in April and has about 125,000 miles on it. I also have a Singer treadle, but more for nostalgia since I don’t sew at all. It belonged to my great-great grandmother.

]]> By: Anne http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-5262 Anne http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-5262 The ice storm in KY left me without power for a week. I was in the middle of a project that had to get done. Luckily I have my grandmother's Singer treadle machine. A little WD40 on the treadle, some oil on the machine and I was set. No one believes I can sew just fine on it. It was th eone thing I asked for when my grandmother died. She sewed everything on it. My grandfather bought it used for her in the 20s. It is dated 1886. I love it! The ice storm in KY left me without power for a week. I was in the middle of a project that had to get done. Luckily I have my grandmother’s Singer treadle machine. A little WD40 on the treadle, some oil on the machine and I was set. No one believes I can sew just fine on it. It was th eone thing I asked for when my grandmother died. She sewed everything on it. My grandfather bought it used for her in the 20s. It is dated 1886. I love it!

]]> By: Grace http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-5228 Grace http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/if-it-still-works-why-do-i-need-a-new-one/#comment-5228 Along with the appliances still being in great working order did you also know that some folks keep their items because of sentimental value? Mom used this or that and I can remember watching her as a small child making those yummy cookies. Then as I became a teenager i marvled as she made those wonderful creme horns. As a adult and now a Mom as well I watched as she turned out the most delectible fruit cakes. Some of those items have a revered place in my home and the memories attached are priceless. The appliances still work and even if they are a wierd color it is ok by me. I was thinking that prehaps a can of spray paint may be in order for those who do not like the color of their items. Thanks for the post, as always it was great! Along with the appliances still being in great working order did you also know that some folks keep their items because of sentimental value? Mom used this or that and I can remember watching her as a small child making those yummy cookies. Then as I became a teenager i marvled as she made those wonderful creme horns. As a adult and now a Mom as well I watched as she turned out the most delectible fruit cakes. Some of those items have a revered place in my home and the memories attached are priceless. The appliances still work and even if they are a wierd color it is ok by me. I was thinking that prehaps a can of spray paint may be in order for those who do not like the color of their items. Thanks for the post, as always it was great!

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