When I was a kid, it was a real treat to get hand-me-down garments. I had no siblings so it didn’t happen much, but our neighbors had two girls. I was between them in age so I occasionally got something from the older one and gave it back in time for it to fit the younger.
I still like hand-me downs, and most of the shopping I do is at second hand stores or Goodwill.
When my first husband and I were starting out all of our furniture and appliances were bought second hand. My kids were half raised before we had a new car. Our machinery came from someone else’s trade in, and we fixed it up until even junk yards didn’t have parts that fit.
One summer we gave up on patching and bought a new baler. The darn thing kept plugging up, and we spent more time in and under it than pulling it across the hayfield. Various repair guys looked at it but nobody could fix the problem. Finally, my husband got someone from the factory to come. He took one look at the hayfield and said, “this machine was never meant to bale anything but a flat alfalfa field.” We didn’t have any of that. My spouse knew how to make an adjustment that would solve the problem, but was told his fix would void the warranty. Well, the hay needed put up and this was what we had to work with, so we said farewell to the expert and did what was needed. Apparently, a warranty is only worth the paper it’s written on.
That was a long way around to address recycling. We try to do our share but the culture does its best to interrupt conservation. Where are all the places that used to sell second hand furniture and appliances? What was wrong with cardboard cartons for groceries, and giving a return on glass bottles? Using the paper from trees that are killed for duplicate catalogs and junk mail to make milk cartons would save tons of plastic. People grumble when given a paper straw, but I remember when paper ones were all we had and we got along fine.
Americans are greedy. How many pairs of shoes do you really need? You can only wear one pair at a time, one coat at a time, drive one car at a time. My shelves are bursting with books. I believe that one can never have too many books but the rule is that if I buy one—generally from a used book store—I have to give one away. If I get a new garment, I have to take one to Goodwill or the Mission store.
With all the promotion to try what’s new, supersize the drink, be in style, and ramp up holiday giving, it’s hard to live simply, even for those of us who make a real commitment. Make the commitment anyway. Maybe find a buddy and keep one another accountable. Take that person shopping with you. If tempted to buy, wait a week and decide if this is a want or a need.
For larger items, remember my baler lesson. New is not always better or trouble free. Most new appliances are built to last less than twenty years. The old freezer in the basement at my home ranch was new in 1960. Has some rust but still runs fine. If you’re worried about energy saving, turn off a light, open a window and turn off the AC.
Meet me here next week and meanwhile do your best. Somebody might like it.