Moreover, a really nice couch will probably run you north of $2000. We have dogs, three kids six and under, things get messy. A cheap pleather couch from Big Lots is $350 (and is plenty comfortable). I'd rather buy a handful of those over the next 15 years and just throw them out when they're destroyed than a nice $2000-$3000 couch.

(Note: I haven't read the article yet, I'm planning on doing so, and I generally agree with buying nicer well made things, BIFL, but sometimes it's easier/cheaper to buy something you know will be ruined and you won't care as much).

Financially responsible people are far more likely to keep and maintain their stuff in good condition over long periods of time. That is a huge (and often overlooked) aspect of saving.

It takes money to save money.

People seem to think that poor people can't manage money; but the fact is that they're maximizing quality of life for the income level they have.

I bought a "leather" (no idea if real or not) couch from Ikea about 11 years ago for around $600. It's still holding up great, even though I've moved several times, and have 2 dogs and a toddler. The rest of the furniture is not... but you can't expect an 18-year-old to buy real furniture. To me, the choice was to have a place to sleep and put my clothes, or save. I'm all for delayed gratification, but I also like not having clothes all over my bedroom.

$5 deck chair. Either buy something nice that will last, or buy something so cheap you expect to throw it away. Used is also a great option.

> buy something so cheap you expect to throw it away

So, IKEA furniture? /joke

Another factor people are ignoring is that furniture durability is not the only criterion of how long you get to keep your furniture. If you're in an unstable living situation (which renting often is, especially if you have to share), then you may end up having to move at short notice. I know a couple of people who've had to ditch everything they couldn't fit in a large car as part of a move; bed/table/wardrobe/chest of drawers stuff. Fortunately it was all just cheap melamide.

Couches are an even worse place to invest in quality because of the risk of damage from spills, pets, and kids.

:), when I was living cheaply even IKEA was too expensive. I literally had 2 plastic deck chairs, a TV table, and a bed. I could afford better, but what's the point living alone in an apartment (like you said).

BTW, good leather couches hold up quite well from spills, pets and kids.

I've never had a problem finding cheap used furniture at thrift stores/garage sales/Craigslist, but maybe it depends on your location.

Generally speaking much better to buy used while saving for quality new products. But everyone has their own priorities.

Oh I don't know, there are many ways of buying fully functional long life furniture let alone extending the life of any furniture set you have. The problem with that is most people want something new and then want something new again.

What the rich understand that other people do not understand is that marketing is the means by which businesses separate you from your money and until you understand this you are likely to over spend as well as buy what you truly don't need.

Look at Apple, forums are replete with people trying to scrounge up money for the latest phone, tablet, or laptop. The idea of where you shop has become this generations version of the previous generation of what you drive and where you live.

tl;dr The rich understand the power of marketing and not to be susceptible to it