Planned obsolescence is real, and it’s draining your wallet and wrecking the planet. Learn what it is, how to spot it, and how to fight it with smarter purchases that actually last.

Because let’s be real. You know that moment when your grandma looks at your new aesthetically pleasing blender and says, “Mine’s been going strong since ’72”? She’s not just being cute — she’s right.

Because somewhere along the way, companies stopped making things to last. Now? They make them to fail. On purpose.

It’s not a glitch. It’s a business model—and it’s called planned obsolescence.

What the Hell is Planned Obsolescence, Anyway?

Planned obsolescence is when products are intentionally designed with a short shelf life. The goal? To make you buy more, more often.

Whether it’s your phone mysteriously slowing down after a software update, your washing machine dying two weeks out of warranty, or fast fashion that unravels faster than your bestie’s soft launch of the new guy she met at Nick and Sam’s — it’s all by design. Companies make more money when you buy the same thing over and over again.

Why You Should Care

• It’s bleeding your bank account. That “affordable” item you keep replacing? Yeah, it adds up.
• It’s wrecking the planet. Landfills are filled with broken tech and trashed clothes that weren’t made to last.
• It’s built on convenience that comes back to bite. Quick, cheap, trendy—it’s a short-term buzz with a long-term cost.

So when someone says, “They made things better back then,” just say “Yup,” and pour them a drink.

How to Fight Back Without Burning Your Budget

We don’t have to play the game. Here’s how to shop smarter, longer-lasting, and on your own terms.

1. Buy for Life, Not for Hype

You don’t need to spend a fortune, but if you buy it right, you can avoid buying it twice. Good places to begin your search:

• Appliances:
  • Blend Like a Boss: Vitamix – practically indestructible and backed by 7–10 year warranties.
  • Kitchen Classics: KitchenAid Stand Mixer – these things are heirloom-level tough.
• Clothing & Shoes:
  • Patagonia: Eco, ethical, and offers repair programs.
  • Arc’teryx – ReBird Program
    Premium outdoor brand offering repairs, resale, and upcycled pieces. You can also get credit when you trade in eligible gear.
  • Eileen Fisher – Renew
    Minimalist, timeless pieces with a killer reuse program. They’ll buy back your old clothes, clean them up, and resell or repurpose them. It’s fashion without the guilt.
• Tools & Tech:
  • iFixit: Buy repairable tech or grab a toolkit and fix what you’ve got.
  • Apple – Apple Trade In
    Yes, they’ve been shady about repairability (hello, battery throttling), but their trade-in program is decent. You can get store credit for iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watches—even if they’re cracked or old.
  • Microsoft – Device Trade-In
    You can trade in Surfaces, Xbox consoles, and other brands’ devices for credit. They’re slowly opening up to DIY repair, with some Surface parts available through iFixit, though repairability is still hit-or-miss.

2. Check for Repairability Scores

Some sites (like iFixit) rate how easy it is to repair products.

3. Look for Warranty Length (and Read the Fine Print)

A one-year warranty is the bare minimum. Five to ten years? That’s a good sign they stand by their product.

4. Buy Secondhand, Not Second-Rate

Scour Facebook Marketplace, local thrift stores, or refurbished sections on manufacturer websites. The savings? Real. The sustainability? Even better.

5. Ask Before You Buy

• Can I repair this myself?
• Is replacement cheaper than repair? (If yes, red flag.)
• How long should this actually last?

Asking these questions out loud—especially on social—makes brands sweat a little. Good.

Don’t Mistake Cheap for Value

We all want convenience. But replacing things over and over again? That’s not convenient—it’s exhausting (and expensive).

So yeah, maybe your grandma’s toaster doesn’t have Bluetooth. But it’s still toasting, isn’t it?