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I really doubt that some of the equipment we are buying today will still be serving its purpose 60 years from now.

No doubt. It is all made to break so people will have to rebuy it. There's no pride of workmanship any more. I guess that's what happens when you have mass production. But even those can be of good quality if designed that way.

I can think of 3 quick examples of things getting cheaper.

1) Socks! Just like granny's walmart cookies, the socks I buy (same brand, same model each time) have gotten progressively thinner over the years. Price is the same, but the socks last about half as long as they did 5 years ago. And it's a name brand.

2) Our washer. Got a Kenmore to replace the 20+ year old Kenmore that finally gave out. The new one just feels cheaper and is mainly plastic. It certainly won't last the 20 years the old one did.

3) sleeper-sofas. We have one built in the 60's that we found - someone was going to take it to the dump and we were looking for a small sleeper anyway. That thing is amazing - a good cleaning, and new mattress, and it's as good a new. All the mechanisms still work perfectly and the thick, dense fabric is still in good shape (even if it is avocado green!). Conversely, we got a brand new set of sofas that have the recliners in each end. Took less than a year for the first one to break. The fabric is starting to fray on the corners of the chair and one of the couches.

I bet those things won't last more than 5 years. Same with my washer. All of us with new items are going to be in trouble when TSHTF. The old stuff will be the only thing that will last...

Never gave it that much thought but what you are saying is probably the reason that I never coveted NEW things. 55 years ago, my Aunt moved into a smaller house and I purchased her 15 year old solid maple Bassett bedroom set for $50.00 That set is 70 years old today and I wouldn’t sell it for any price if I couldn’t replace it for one like it. It is all mortice and tenon, dovetail workmanship, not a nail or screw in it, never had a drawer stick. That is more than I can say for any of the new bedroom sets I have purchased for my children over the years. My dining room table is over 100 years old, in perfect condition, was salvaged from my Grandmother’s shed many years ago. The top is polished to a high shine and you can see the original dowels used in the building of it.

For most things, new is not necessarily better.

I bet those things won’t last more than 5 years. Same with my washer. All of us with new items are going to be in trouble when TSHTF. The old stuff will be the only thing that will last...<<<

LOL, agree.

I noticed a long time ago, that ‘things’ wore out about the same time the last payment was made on it.

“Got a Kenmore to replace the 20+ year old Kenmore that finally gave out. The new one just feels cheaper and is mainly plastic.”

We have a 28 year old Kenmore we bought our first year of marriage. Hubby has been able to keep it running for the most part. Currently, it’s not, and I mentioned to him maybe we should just get rid of it. He says NO, he will take a look at it when he has time. We also have a newer machine (we were given a free, used set when we were building, so I have had 2 sets at times)but I don’t like it as well, and have replaced the “new” dryer. My old washer and dryer are my favorites. I think I killed the motor this time, but he is so good with fixing things, I’m sure he’ll be able to do something with it.