Taking responsibility for your personal finances means smart budgeting and careful saving. But gaining the secure financial future that you deserve isn’t just about how you save your money — it’s also about how you spend it.

It’s virtually impossible to get through life without spending any money. You’ll always need to buy essentials like food and clothing, and you won’t enjoy life much unless you also spend on some luxuries now and then. The key is how you spend your money. Smart spending means getting some things for less and, in some cases, spending a bit more to avoid future costs. Here’s how you should spend your money.

Buy it for life

Most of the things that we buy won’t last forever. That’s just a fact. Still, it’s frustrating to head back to the store to buy something that you already paid for once. That’s why some frugal people actually pay more for certain items than they have to, with the goal of “buying it for life.”

Not every item is worthy of a major commitment like this, but some are. If you buy the right boots, the right piece of furniture, or even the right article of clothing, it could end up lasting you a lifetime. Over time, the price of that impressive dresser might start looking a lot more sensible compared to the many cheap particle-board alternatives that you’ll go through over the same period of time.

The key to buying things for life is to target items that you really know you’re going to use forever and to do your research to make sure that you’re really getting an item that will last that long. Don’t forget about other expenses, either. For instance, you may not want to buy a pricey dresser for life if you’re planning to move in a few months, because moving heavy furniture isn’t easy or cheap.

Fix it, don’t replace it

Picture this: Your iPhone stops working. Maybe the battery finally gives out for good, or maybe you drop it and shatter the screen. Whatever the case, that’s the end of your phone. Unless you’re covered by Apple’s warranty, you figure it’s time to head back to the store to get the latest model.

But this is all wrong. Instead, you should Google “iPhone repair near me,” find a certified but affordable local repair team, and take your phone in to be assessed. Tossing valuable items just because they’re broken isn’t sensible. In many of these situations, the device is perfectly salvageable. Repair costs can be low, and a repaired phone can last you another few years and allow you to avoid spending big on a brand-new phone, at least for now.

The same goes for other pricey items, such as appliances and computers. And don’t forget about the cheaper stuff, too. While not everything is worth saving, a few stitches could repair your clothes and a bit of glue could rescue a child’s toy. Our “throw-away society” has it all wrong.

Buy things that store value

When we spend money, we trade its value for something else of value — and, generally, lose some value in the process. Buy a new car and drive it off the lot, and you’ll see its value plummet. Buy a shirt and put it on your back, and you’ll have a hard time selling it secondhand for the price that you paid for it.

But some things store value — and even things that can grow in value. Chief among those, explain experts who offer mortgage services, are homes. Real estate is a valuable thing, and buying your home can often be a more sound financial choice than renting it would be. When you spend your money on assets that contribute to your net worth, you’re spending in the most responsible way possible.