I took a peek at some of the retirement statements that have been rolling in. This is the first time I've peeked in about a year. Things are still very depressing. Those who started saving a year or so before the meltdown have pretty much recovered. People like me--and it seems unfair that diligent savers should be more penalized--are still far out of whack. That coupled with the news that various Wall Street companies will be paying out record bonuses . . . well, it does tend to promote anger and depression.
So does clutter! So in order to feel that I am in control of at least a tiny portion of my life, I resolutely bagged up some clothing and took it off to the Food Bank Thrift. When I dragged it inside, I was told "No Clothing." GRRRRRR. Of course, I had to take just a peek anyway. And then I found a quintessential rich lady suit: a St John! Pink with black trim. I couldn't find the tag and when I asked the price, the manager said $8.00. Then I found the tag: $4.00. (Because of my middle class aura, I am charged more than others at thrifts. I'm not sure if this is fair....The manager was embarrassed when I discovered the tag, probably because she had just marked the suit). Reader, I backslid.
So then I had to go to Goodwill so I wouldn't return home with even more than I set out with. Donation completed, I took a peek inside. I found another rich lady item: a Carlisle jacket. Plus some nice Talbots pants. Reader, I put them back! Give me a cyber pat on the back!
Then I stopped at the recently-opened used bookstore, where I exchanged 5 paperbacks that I didn't want for one hardback that I do want: The Commander's Palace Cookbook.
MINUS about twenty items of clothing and five books
PLUS one suit and 1 book
Hmmmm. Maybe I will do this every week.
And now I have the recipe for the famous bread pudding souffle with whiskey sauce!
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10 comments:
Well done, you! (as they say over here.) The first sight of my loft after Bill finally put up more lights and the thought that perhaps it's no mistake I live with a psychiatric nurse has put a halt to my acquisitions. Yet to do the contributions thing yet though. So, good job!
Declare victory! Are you a St John suit-type woman? My mother wore the same one for so many years we pleaded with her to stop. "But it's in perfect condition" she would say. Maybe that's why they end up in thrifts, you can't wear them out.
I went to Commander's Palace once. I bet that is one great cookbook.
Holy mackerel, that's amazing! Is it possible to hire you as a shopping coach? I'll pay your plane fare to Arizona...
@Shelley--Maybe I need to have a psychiatric nurse come for occasional visits. I do know one....
@Duchesse--I could wear the jacket w/ black pants, but no way I could wear a pink skirted suit. When I put the jacket on, I become a St J woman. Truly it feels like a suit of armor. It even holds in your tummy.
@Cubicle--I've probably gone about 10 times, though not recently. It's classic New Orleans food--very rich and not that complicated.
@Funny--You should come here! That way, you could visit New Orleans and you wouldn't be disappointed if the thrifts yielded nothing (as is usual when you put pressure on the karma).
hi...i'm a friend (and former camp counselor) of your frugal son - he went to school with my little brother michael. i've been following this blog for a while.
where is the used bookstore?
@Michael's sister--Hi! The store is in Covington, but I am sad to say that it's really bad. There is a somewhat more decent store in Mandeville. These are a far cry from the wonderful used bookstores you often find in college towns.
oh, bummer. i feel guilty about getting my books used from amazon (if not borrowing from the library) but it's hard to beat the 1-cent book with 3.99 shipping....i'd love to find a decent used bookstore. but most local bookstores (chain and independent, new and used) i've been to only stock the most obvious/popular selection from each author...
@ann--Try the many wonderful thrifts in your city--Bloomingdeals on Freret, for instance. Also try library book sales. These are all overrun by dealers, but they are not looking for good fiction, which is almost worthless on Amazon.
Also, for when you want to get rid of books, try paperbackswap.com.
ooh i've never tried the library book sales because i thought it would all be pulpy stuff. that's heartening! i see them regularly in gambit...
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