Gone are the days of seeing something on T.V. and running out to buy it with no question of need. Even though I was not raised to consume in that way, I did it anyway. It always seemed like there was ease in tossing a Bennie on the counter and walking off with that brand new something-or-other.
When the economy took a dive, I realize I was a silly woman to think this would not change things. I knew that I had to remember what I was taught buy my mother, who raised six children successfully, and my grandmother, queen of the yardsale and a survivor of the Great Depression. "If you know one stitch, you will never be cold", said my grandmother when she taught me to crochet.
The real lesson has been my day to day and trying to figure out how to keep the champagne lifestyle on a beer budget. The thing is, it's not very hard when there is no money to spend but also, it's seriously exciting when a week's worth of dinner can cost less than $15 ! Last month I had to shop for a desk (it seems my husband took over the one we had and with a new career on the rise, I needed my own). So I looked online, thinking I would be willing to spend between 50-100 dollars. Over a week I shopped discount online stores and local retailers online, nothing under 200 that was worth the $. So then, I started to shop around at local re-sale shops. I found this great old heavy-duty desk with built in file drawers in perfect condition for $39! Holy cow! There was only one problem, no chair. Since I had such luck at Goodwill, I went to a different one in a neighboring town and found the perfect chair, adjustable with lots of support for only $12! No friggin way! I talked about it for days!
The other day I ran out of shaving cream in the shower, so I used conditioner and it worked even better. It's funny cause I hardly need conditioner and now it has a duel purpose. Plus I realized how much clothing I had that I didn't wear, UGH! I could hardly get into the closet. I took 15 handbags, 10 pairs of pants, 4 skirts, and 25 blouses to the consignment store down the street. I went in to drop off more last week and found out I had $50 in credit! OMG! FREE CLOTHES!
Now, there obvious reasons we shouldn't gift thrift shop items, but then there are really great ones. One can find antiques, like trays, jewels, or even cool things like framed art. I found a neat old lamp that I took home, restored, made a handmade paper shade for and gifted. There are old cotton sheets and dresses that can be made into blankets or curtains. This is truely too much fun. The only thing to keep in mind is the addictive part of it, being warry of hording.
So, saving money for our future has been hard, but really fun. I am reverting to a life I grew up in and I find I really like the lighter footprint. I think a simpler lifestyle with less crap is refreshing and with that comes less T.V., thus, less buying crap I don't need.
Happy thrifting!
