Splurging on Safety: Disregard Cost Per Use
Recently Paula wrote about a topic that actually has been referenced quite a lot here, and that’s calculating the true cost of an item in terms of cost per use. (J.D. has a handy formula for hours required to purchase an item for a different approach.) I’m definitely in favor of using things until the end of their life-span, fixing them and then using them more.
Right now I’m wearing a $12 pair of pants I’ve had for about 6 years and patched repeatedly, a $16 jacket I’ve had for about as long which has been my main jacket and a sweater I won in a snowboard competition, meaning my outfit at this point costs next to nothing each time I wear it. This makes me feel pretty good in terms of cost-effective purchases, but, since I love to play devil’s advocate, I’ve been wondering if there are times to break with this idea and spend money even if you’re not going to use something all that often.
In my mind, yes.
Yesterday I ordered a super bright headlight and taillight set. Of course, I compared prices, read reviews, looked for coupons and finally ordered the $42.64 combination. Though I rarely bike after dark, it occasionally happens and the sporadic street lights aren’t good enough to see the massive potholes and cracks in the road, let alone make me visible to drivers with only my reflectors to supplement. I’m not anticipating biking at night frequently, but having too many friends who have been hit by cars while biking made spending the money no question, even if I use the lights less than a dozen times. (Admittedly, there were cheaper lights, but these are the brightest.)
While some things, like tools or instruments can be borrowed, loaned, and rented, I’ll admit that I’ll readily spend money to ensure my safety. Are there any other areas you’d spend money regardless of the cost per use formula? I’m thinking of adding sewing machine to my list, because even if I only use it a handful of times a year, the money I’d save in replacing clothes will most likely make up for it quickly.
I will splurge on safety, if I feel it’s warrented. I notice that “Isn’t your safety worth more?” is a common marketing technique so I try to be mindful of that, but on the whole I’m happy to spend to be safe.
I’ll also spend on kitchen items, because I love cooking, and they enable me to make things instead of buying. And sure, having a cheaper mixer then a Kitchenaide would still let me bake and mix, but I really like the look of them. It’s likely to last me forever. And I think the appearance, quality and the respect others have for them makes them worth the couple of hundred extra dollars they cost.
Elizabeth: Dylan makes a great point about safety and marketing. I’ve really noticed this as we’ve stocked up on the baby gear; and with babies, we’ve quickly learned there are so many more “fears and hopes that are exploited by marketing.” All those manufacturers pushing product at Babies R Us know that new parents will readily spend money to ensure their child’s safety.
I think that marketing safety can go two ways, so I’ll extend the bike story: when it comes to thinks like bike lights, I would go for brighter without hesitating, even if it costs more. On the other hand, nearly all bike helmets follow the same basic principle of being a molded form that is more or less comfortable and fashionable. Often the extra money goes towards style and aerodynamics. Spending extra money on the latter isn’t really necessary.
You’re right though Nina, that these companies are marketing to people concerned about their health and safety, which sometimes means you have to be careful that it will actually make you more safe or it’s just clever marketing (like the bike helmets).
By the way Nina, Wisebread posted an interesting article on children and cleanliness. Fear of children getting sick is another area that advertisements pander to. http://www.wisebread.com/germs-dirt-bacteria-infection-immune-system-antibiotics-disease