Jacksonville Journal-Courier on MSN

The fix-first mindset takes hold in 2026

For generations, when something broke, Americans' default was to replace, not repair. In 2026, that reflex shifts to a fix-first mindset.
Michelle Elise is known in repair cafe circles as the "Zipper Queen." She finds that most broken zippers just need some TLC, not replacing.
Experts share repair tips to save money and extend the life of everyday essentials from clothes to furniture in minutes ...
Michelle Elise is known in repair cafe circles as the "Zipper Queen." She finds that most broken zippers just need some TLC, not replacing. DETROW: ...So frustrating. For an item that we do not spend ...
From golden joinery to reinforced stitching, these traditional techniques will make you rethink your relationship with the things you own ...