A stitch in time saves nine

We live in a disposable era it seems.  If something breaks/rips/tears it goes in the garbage and we go to the store.  Not only does this get expensive it is also terrible for the planet and decreases our self-reliance. 

Take a look at the following picture; that is the cushion of the new (to me) couch in my sitting room.  It had developed a tear a couple of inches long the length of one of the seams.  It took about a minute and a couple of cents worth of thread to fix (I can’t give you a more exact estimate as I’ve had that thread for over a decade and have no idea what it originally cost.)  The other option would have been to ignore the rip until such a time that it offended my sensibilities and then replacing the whole thing for several hundred dollars.  Give that any one can learn the sewing that I did in less than 5 minutes the obvious economic choice is to grab a needle and some thread. 

Of course the indiscriminant tossing of stuff results in completely unnecessary strain on the natural environment.  Resulting in tons of stuff in a giant hole in the ground requiring a couple of centuries to break down.  Also resulting in the over production of consumer goods (using up precious natural resources) meant to replace the stuff rotting in the ground. 

Finally relying on stores, or professional trades persons to fix and/or maintain our stuff makes us dependant on the stores and professionals and ultimately, on money.  Sure most people can go out and earn more if they have to, but what if that is no longer a possibility?  What if the economy is in the midst of a recession or you are too sick to do your job?  Cultivating and refining the skills required to take care of your stuff (be it sewing, cleaning, carpentry or basic plumbing) gives you options other than running to someone else with a fistful of dollars or watching your possessions crumble.