When was the last time you fixed something that was broken? If your cell phone breaks, do you even consider repairing it? If a sock has a hole in it, you patch it up, throw it away, or in my case, turn it into a rag! If a part of your food processor breaks, do you order that part or throw away the entire unit? Next time something breaks, stop before you throw it away (and add it to our landfills)…consider your options:

• repair shop – yes, repair shops still exist, and it is worth asking how much a repair would cost. My three teenage sons are always trying to justify replacing broken electronics in the name of new technology, but their wallets won’t always let them! My son’s iPod screen cracked and he was able to fix it for $50 instead of replacing it with the newer model for $200. Sure, he would have liked the newer model, but he couldn’t afford it. He lives within your means!
• Super glue – I love super glue! In the past few months, I’ve used super glue to: repair the soles of my son’s sneakers, repair a Christmas ornament, and fix a knob on my bathroom drawer. Superglue is my go to 30 second fixer! I always suggest keeping some on hand, and I’m partial to small, single-use super glues, so you never have to worry about it drying out.
• replace a part – Often you can go online and request a cheap replacement part for something like your food processor.
• donate it – Years ago, I used to volunteer at a community thrift sale and was always surprised to find that there is a market for broken electronics. Technicians love to fix broken things or just use them as parts! Give your waste a second life!
• Recycle, recycle, recycle – Many things can be recycled, so check before you throw it away. Did you know that many stores offer exchange programs?

Let’s “throw away” our throwaway society, and opt for budget and earth friendly alternatives!