It’s definitely summer here in Portland, Oregon.  Last weekend was the hottest on record. The temperature hit 116. It was so hot in fact, that the multivitamins in my apartment melted.  As a result of the heat, a ton of people are buying summer stuff – clothes, furniture, etc.

Last week I was at a Fred Meyer (which is a local Kroger chain) and outdoor furniture and camping gear were selling like hotcakes.  Fred Meyer had these 10 dollar cheaply made lawn chairs on sale.

false utility of cheap stuff

These chairs are a classic example of what economists call a “false economy”.  If you’re not familiar with the term, per Websters, a false economy is basically something that costs less at first but results in more money being spent in the long run.

These lawn chairs look great for $10, but they’ll fall apart in a few months.  I know because I’ve seen some junked on the side of the road and I’ve owned a couple myself.  The joints break down pretty quickly and the cloth rips easily.

So, people, if you’re going to be buying summer camping gear, get stuff that won’t fall apart. Buying cheap junk means you’ll have wasted the money you spent in the first place and you’ll just have to buy it again later on.  Instead, go with something that’s more durable and a better value.  It may cost you more upfront, but in the long run, it’s better for your wallet.

For more great articles from the dinks, read these:

Tip of the Day: Grocery store Customer Service Desks May Redeem Your Coupons

Money-Saving Tip Of The Day: Go Generic

Tip Of The Day: Use Cash

Money-Saving Tip Of The Day: Turn Off The Lights


This entry was posted in Economics, Personal Finance and tagged , , by James Hendrickson. Bookmark the permalink.

Avatar photo About James Hendrickson

James Hendrickson is an internet entrepreneur, blogging junky, hunter and personal finance geek. When he’s not lurking in coffee shops in Portland, Oregon, you’ll find him in the Pacific Northwest’s great outdoors. James has a masters degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Bachelors degree on Sociology from Earlham College. He loves individual stocks, bonds and precious metals.

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