When people think collapse, they imagine running out and buying new gear every time something breaks. But in a slow collapse—what I call Depression 2.0—that’s not realistic. Money gets tight, imports dry up, and new products get scarce. That’s when one of the most valuable skills kicks in: repair and reuse.

In a Great Depression-style scenario, you won’t have the budget (or maybe even the access) to just replace broken items. For decades, we’ve relied on cheap imports to keep replacing junk. That gravy train won’t last forever. Think about Cuba keeping old cars alive for decades—they didn’t buy new, they made the old stuff run.

The same principle applies to everything in your home. Appliances, tools, gear—you don’t toss it if you can fix it.

Some things just aren’t worth it. A scorched motherboard in a $100 TV? Not worth the parts and labor. Cell phones today are basically glued-shut glass sandwiches. Unless you’re highly skilled, swapping a battery or port is a nightmare.

But a ton of items can be salvaged. Coffee makers, George Foreman grills (yep, I’ve fixed one with a $2 part), lamps, extension cords, power tools—you name it. If the choice is throwing it away or trying to fix it, what’s the risk? Worst case, you still trash it. Best case, you saved yourself real money.

Sometimes it’s about math. Replacing a small part and 30 minutes of your time can save you $40 or $100. That’s a massive win in a slow collapse. Having some backup parts—like hose clamps, wire connectors, and sewing patches—turns little problems into easy fixes.

One of my go-to tricks: hose clamps. They’re not always “to code,” but they can save you from leaks or busted fittings without tearing apart your whole setup. Little things like that can keep your home running when pros aren’t available (or affordable).

Repair and reuse goes past tools and gadgets:

Clothing – Learn to sew, patch, and even darn socks (I’ll admit, I need to get better at this).

Shoes & Boots – Clean, repair, or pick up used pairs at yard sales.

Furniture & Gear – Don’t fear yard sales or secondhand. Prices are low, no taxes, and you’re giving things a second life.

In a slow collapse, every extra month or year you squeeze out of your stuff means less money spent and less dependence on a shaky system.

Repair and reuse isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the most powerful survival skills you can learn. When budgets tighten and supply chains falter, the people who can fix and adapt will thrive.

This is Part 2 of the Slow Collapse Skills series. Next time, we’ll move on to another key area for surviving Depression 2.0.

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