Choice Phrase

Sometimes I watch old black and white episodes of Perry Mason to pick up phrases I can use in everyday conversation. I like the vernacular of the 1950's. Today's phrase, "He was no good to me alive. I thought he might be worth something dead." I'm not sure how I'm going to work this into a conversation but there must be a way. I can't be referring to a person when I say it but maybe a vegetable or turkey.