What things actually PAY for themselves?

**acezz4e_tish** · 02-20-2006, 09:55 AM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

my front loading washer is paying for itself. id love to invest in a sewing machine. one with the programs to sew items on my kids clothes, like embroidered look of thier initial on the collars of thier turtlenecks and socks. spice up kids clothing. thats just out of my reach right now, but on my wish list.

**sweeps** · 02-20-2006, 09:56 AM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

Great topic.

1. My bachelor's degree. (Too soon to see whether my master's will pay off.)
2. My house.
3. My furnace.
4. My investments in my 401(k).
5. My Tivo.

Something that would've paid for itself, but I never bought them: new windows.

**nanamom** · 02-20-2006, 10:02 AM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

I was a bit taken aback by the realization that very little if anythign we have pays for itself. If you figure the cost of a laundrymat then my washer and dryer (yard sale 75.00) have paid for themselves and my sewing machine does easily. I have a personal DVD player and a VHS TV that were gifts which save us lots of money in movie and cable fees, especially since we get movies at the library not the video store. I think that's it though. I have a freezer (yard sale 50.00) but it's unplugged.

**Ima saver** · 02-20-2006, 10:15 AM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

The switch and wiring that my husband put in, so we can shut the hot water off constantly has paid for itself a million times over. My priceless puppy Holly has paid me back in love and happiness. My water distiller has been used 4-5 times a week for the past 11 years and has paid for itself.

**Lemony** · 02-20-2006, 11:14 AM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

My house
My internet connection
Water saving shower heads

**miclason** · 02-20-2006, 12:08 PM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

our VHS (bought it on sale for $59, and then bought a ton of movies at half.com for $2 or $3 a piece....I then canceled our cable service, which was $23/month!....that was almost 4 years ago!)
my new cellphone - canceled the plan that was $35/month and am now using $15/month pre-paid service
a navy blue dress - bought on sale at Express, 40% off in 1998 - I still get compliments on it 8 years later!!
long black skirt - bought at Marshall's for about $20 - is already 10 years old and looks brand new!

**acezz4e_tish** · 02-20-2006, 12:48 PM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

i got my dvd/vcr combo for 100 dollars at aldis

**Ima saver** · 02-20-2006, 01:29 PM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

Not much really pays for itself. The deck we built over the creek has paid us back in enjoyment!

**Lostsoul33** · 02-20-2006, 01:40 PM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

Woodstove (it's our sole source of heat)
Internet (I've found a lot of freebies this way)
Library (saves me on buying books and movies)
Clothes hanger in laundry room (not using dryer as much)

**nixuzer** · 02-21-2006, 03:03 AM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

Originally posted by contrary1

After reading the article Jeffrey posted this AM, I have been trying catalog any purchases I have here that really have paid for themselves. (I confess, I've bought a few things that haven't)

I will prime the pump here with some I can see around here:

1) my sewing machines
2) All of my food preservation eguipment (canners, dehydrators, juicers, etc)
3) Big freezer
4) wood stove

Anyone else have items they have purchased where you can actually see on paper, that they have paid for themselves in savings??
(another thread might be purchases that you've been able to MAKE money with)

My kids: I realize that it doesn't matter how much I've spent...every time I look at them it is all worth it.
Money we set aside to help others: when you give and see the benefits it just can't be compared to anything else you would benefit from. It is like the old Winston Churchill quote, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

**PrincessPerky** · 02-21-2006, 05:03 AM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

My washer and dryer, cept I didn't pay for the dryer, (handme down)

umm...internet? maybe? cause I found this site and am back on track to financial maturity?

Thats it really.

**Fern** · 02-21-2006, 05:43 AM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

I chose to interpret this question as asking, what things have you really gotten your money's worth out of?

I can remember a number of things over the years that really paid back big in terms of use and enjoyment.

The $160 i paid for a Schwinn bike when i was in my teens. I rode it everywhere.

Certain articles of clothing or shoes that are, of course, counterbalanced by certain OTHER articles of clothing that were a waste.

The $18/month i spend on basic cable. Certain shows i really do enjoy.

My $80 annual dump sticker. Not only do i drop off trash, but demolition debris from home maintenance, stumps and unwanted, unburnable wood, etc.

My car. It's a honda, was cheap and will run forever.

My kayak: the kayak and related equipment (roof rack, PFDs, etc) cost $1300, but took it out 16 times in first season already and so much fun. That comes out to a cost of $81 per trip, but with future use i hope that come out to pennies per trip.

My house: it has appreciated about 100% in the past 10 years.

My cat

A Yardman lawnmower that cost $130 new which i have used for 10 years to mow an 1.5 acre lawn. I think it's dead now though.

**sweeps** · 02-21-2006, 05:53 AM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

I took the question as financial reward only. Unless your kids are the Olsen Twins, I think you'll find they're a serious drain on your pocketbook.

I agree about their intrinsic value though... they're priceless.

**him&her** · 02-21-2006, 09:39 AM

Re: What things actually PAY for themselves?

Health club membership. We actually go 3+ times a week. The healthier we are now, we won't have to pay hundreds and thousands of dollars of medical bills in the future.

DSL/Internet. There is so much we do on the internet to save time, money, and frustration.

What things actually PAY for themselves?