Learn to take care of your stuff

Saving money does not always mean hunting for big bargains and discount offers. You should also learn to take care of your stuff so that they last longer. Then you won't have to purchase a similar item again for years.

Usually, the better the quality, the more expensive the products are. But don't be deterred by the expensive price tag. Sometimes it's better to spend a bit more on expensive products that last longer than something that breaks down after being used for a few times. Read my article on buying pricey products to maintain frugality.

I will briefly cover the following important points:

• Carefully handling of your stuff
• Keeping the receipt of purchase
• Being tech-savvy
• Knowing your consumer rights

Carefully handling of your stuff
Everything is prone to breakage. Careful handling of your stuff will prolong the longevity of the product. Read the operation manual that comes with your product before using your newly bought item. Most products, no matter how small, come with manuals or some sort of operation instructions. Follow the instructions well. Don't assume you know everything. The manual may also have clear instructions on maintenance and proper caring. Reading the manual thoroughly also gives you insight on how the certain types of products work and it may also help you make your future purchase decisions.


Keeping the receipt of purchase
Keeping your receipts are important for 2 reasons:

1. For your own reference. This will keep you reminded about the age of the product and the price you paid. This will help you compare the price for your future purchase of a similar item.
2. For warranty and return purposes. Without a receipt, I don't think you will be able to get your item fixed under warranty.

Being tech-savvy
Learning a few technical skills and keeping your skills updated can be a real benefit. Knowing a few things about plumbing, computing and electronics will certainly put you in a good position to get the basic things fixed when they stop working and you are out of warranty. For instance, if your computer is slow and running low on Random Access Memory (RAM), you can simply open up the case and replace the RAM yourself. If you have water dripping from your kitchen tap, you can easily replace the rubber washer without calling in a plumber. You don't need to do an extensive technical course to learn these basic things. There are plenty of online tutorials, blogs and videos that teach you the basics.

Knowing your consumer rights
Before purchasing something, find out about the warranty coverage. When something breaks, first check if your product is still covered under warranty. When you go to buy a new product, if you feel the seller is not going to honour the warranty or seems a bit dodgy, simply avoid buying from them. This will save you a lot of hassles later on.

Can you think of other points to consider? Feel free to comment.