Learned an interesting and handy new term the other day, kind of the opposite of unobtainium..

[freshwest]

6. Many Amazon reviews of products made in China include the repairs needed.

I'm in awe of those who can make something useful out of the junk being shipped here. They don't complain, just explain what they had to do to cudgel a repair to make the thing work. That's harder than making it from scratch.

I grew up in an era when public high schools taught students how to make everything from lamps to engines. That's been sorely lacking, and should be given more respect. The shade tree mechanic used to be one of your best friends, but the vehicles are now made with components that end up being disposal. You can't repair it without destroying the design.

It's interesting that because of the embargo against Cuba they learned how to cudgel the most basic parts to keep vehicles running. I feel that is where we're going in this country, as well.

I enjoy youtube videos of people re-using various things that would have gone to the landfill to make, for example, passive solar devices for heating water, heating the air in their homes, cooking or preserving.

I have reduced all my purchases and reuse everything before recycling. I encourage things that require more human interaction and reusing, like glass bottles in the grocery. Kudos to you and all our frugal fixers!