In an age where possessions fail faster than they’re paid off and prices keep climbing, Everything Is Broken and Still Too Expensive exposes the paradox of modern consumer life—a relentless assault of products designed to disappoint, services that fragment rather than simplify, and costs that spiral beyond control. This incisive analysis dissects the demise of durability, the tyranny of subscriptions, and the erosion of trust that defines today’s dysfunctional affluence.

From the kitchen appliances that quit early, to cars held hostage by software locks, to furniture that survives only on Instagram, the book reveals how planned obsolescence and market stratification force consumers into impossible budgeting dilemmas. It uncovers hidden taxes of disposability, psychological warfare in return policies, and emotional burnout as an unacknowledged expense. Each chapter blends erudite critique with raw emotional honesty, unraveling the absurdity and profundity of contemporary consumption.

Offering more than diagnosis, this work presents strategies for survival—how to budget for inevitable failures, navigate the illusion of “smart” products, and ultimately escape the mirage that higher cost means better quality. It is a manifesto for discernment in a landscape where the “pretty good” option has vanished and value brands offer little but myth.

Essential reading for anyone caught in the cycle of buying, breaking, and replacing, this book reveals the true cost of a broken market and offers a path toward reclaiming control—financially, psychologically, and ethically. If you feel trapped by consumer chaos, this is your guide to budgeting with brutal clarity and navigating the modern world’s relentless cycle of broken promises.