We often look for the best deals when selling scrap, looking for tools, shopping for anything online, or filling the gas tank. But when is a good time to spend much money on things? Our answer is simple: Boots & Beds.
Give Yourself The Best Rest
Think about it: you are sleeping on a bed 5-8 hours a night…forever. Yes, some of the beds are too overpriced, but that does not mean you should buy a super cheap one, either. Find something that is of quality so you can get quality rest to kick scrapping ass the next morning.
Spending time finding the right bed is very important. You want to be able to have the right bed to sleep on so that when you go to work in the morning (or night), you feel as refreshed as possible and that you helped treat your body right. While eating healthy can be tough when you are on the road and working all day, you always want to give yourself the best opportunity to rest at home.
Get Boots That Love Your Feet
The other thing that we always preach that you should never cheap out on is boots. Here’s a little story:
“”An employee at a scrap yard bought dollar “work boots,” because they were cheap, looked nice, and were featured at a popular national “department store”. Three weeks later the soles were falling off and there were already holes in the sides.”
Buying name-brand boots is generally one of the smarter things you can do when working on your feet all day. For a reason, brands like Timberland and Red Wing have made a name in the blue-collar working industry, as they have some of the best boots for scrap metal workers, union workers, and any other type of industry that you walk around and are around heavy machinery.
It’s More Than Just Feet
Think about it—beds and boots are two of the most important tools that you don’t even realize you can use every single day that you are working. Having great support on your feet (don’t rule out getting extra orthopedic insoles, either) will make the difference and could alleviate your back or lower body pain from moving around all day.
Keeps You Safe & Still Working
Also, we haven’t even mentioned the safety part. Many times, cheaper steel-toed boots may seem safe, but be honest with yourself. Do you want to use boots that just have a piece of metal in them or a brand boot that has spent time and money researching the best safety features for your foot?
Ok, But These Are Expensive Items…
While these two items are expensive, a good bed can last 5-10 years if you care for it and rotate it. Think about it as an investment like a sawzall, a drill, or a truck, you want the best and most reliable one.
Suggested Reading: Tom’s Top Picks: Best Tools for Scrapping
A good pair of work boots could last 4-8 months, which is not too bad considering the amount of time you are on your feet loading scrap metal or working on the job site.
Remember, you can always use part of your scrap metal earnings to save up for these items, and they will pay off in no time. With quality work boots on the job, you will be more well-rested, safer, and healthier.
