I am sure you have seen the tv commercials by a certain insurance company. The ones where the instructor is trying to teach the students to not act as old as their parents do once the students have bought a house. I must admit I laugh really hard at those 30 sec clips. The way the young man tries to ”chat up” the sales clerk or the 50 toss pillows on the other student’s sofa, makes me bust a gut.
Then it dawns on me, this is truer than it is funny. Once I started to venture towards my 50s There seemed to be an air of being even more responsible. I became more concerned about things going on around me. Coupon clipping, re-using the tin foil if it isn’t compromised, using every last drop out of the toothpaste tube. I even will hang on to things in case I need them “someday”. If I have not used it for the past 20yrs it sat in the drawer what makes me think it will be needed now?! I am now old enough to have worn clothes in my teenage years that have now come back in style for today’s teenager. Amazing.
Don’t get me wrong, I always was a saver as a kid. Got paid for household chores, babysitting and my after school job as a cashier at a major department store. Through my jobs and saving I was able to pay my own college tuition, course books, gas money, my life insurance , my portion of the car insurance and any long distance calls when (and after) I turned 18yrs and still lived at home. I was a responsible young woman.
I even did thrifting before it was a vogue thing. Bought gently worn designer brands for me and practically brand new children’s clothes for my girls. Nothing wrong with looking great on a budget. I love thrifting. In 2012, I bought designer purses at the various second hand stores for a few dollars and sold online for hundreds of dollars. Got my thrift shopping fix AND made some coin. Those days are done. So many people are trying to find the perfect thrifting score that the items are picked over and sometimes damaged as they rifle through looking for labels. I also soon realized my need to shop was also an indication of other things going on. I was/am a shopaholic.
Today, I research prices, penny pinch, count the squares, take advantage of seniors discounts and plan for the apocalypse! lol I figured out I now have the time to ask for a better rate, to drive or (send my husband) to various grocery stores to get the cheapest price on butter….oh wait…now we have to watch gas prices…on second thought, hold the butter!
MCM
Mid-Century Mama 