I think your comment about using resources as fast as possible is a new way, short-sighted but hey it's all about ME FIRST now right.
Being one of seven kids, one parent working and not many savings going on we kids learned early on that if we want it, go work for it. I think that work ethic is nearly gone in the younger generation of today. It's more like what are you going to give me?
I applaud all those 20-30 year-olds that don't have that about them. At least there is hope. But when I look about town and see all the homeless, street corner beggars and those with signs that say need work but when you ask them what work they can do for you they demand money. What?
When it comes to rebuilding old appliances or anything really, I use the one third principle. If the repair is more than one third of a new one I do it. Otherwise I start shopping for a good used one or new.
I found that my gas heater in the addition has a weak micro volt generator, or thermopile. It causes the control valve to open when the thermostat asks for heat. I was prepping for winter a few weeks ago and noticed it wouldn't always respond to a call for heat.
I tried to buy a new generator but the "universal" ones in town just didn't fit well so I couldn't improve the voltage I was getting even if I put it smack dab in the middle of the flame front. I looked on line and the new ones made for the stove were between 125 and 86 bucks. I happened to click on the used and clearance tab on one site and what the heck? A complete set of pilot light, thermocouple, thermopile and the plate they are mounted on for 82 bucks. Gotta have that! Boom it was here from Canada in like 10 days. I labelled it and put it on the shelf for when the current one goes south on me in the middle of a cold snap.
I guess the reason I own two Rabbits now is that I enjoy driving in something that was well designed and built and was a conservative mode of transportation. I don't need to drive 90 mph even for short bursts so I only needed the 50 some hp that the Rabbit came with. I did put a turbo on the pick-up but only so I could haul a good size load and not be a hazard to all the others around me.
I do get a lot of looks driving the OLD beaters but mostly from those that drove them when they were also in college and needed to save money getting to school or work and owned one of their own.