As my college move-in date approaches, my mother keeps adding to the seemingly endless list of things I need. The Old Man has instilled a frugal quality in me, so I’m trying to save every penny I can. I should say, though, that he bought me the latest, greatest laptop for college. Just don’t tell him I wanted the hi-def screen for Netflix, Hulu, and Super Cooper Sunday; my service dog just adores Cooper!
While I’ve got the clothes thing covered- let’s be honest, how many pairs of jeans and tops do any of us REALLY wear?- there are a few things that I just can’t live without: laundry detergent, toothpaste, soap…DEODORANT!! A clothes basket. Sheets- like I use THEM at home-, pillows, blankets, an umbrella- Toby does need to go out and…Ritz crackers!
A couple of days ago, my mother insisted I needed a new backpack. While The Old Man was sifting through books in a thrift store the next day, I spotted a slightly soiled Adidas backpack which my mother sniffed at because it didn’t look new. To my great joy, and my Snooty Goot mother’s shock, after a quick wash, the backpack looks barely used!
What More Do I NEED?
Who needs new things? When it comes to back-to-school shopping, advertisers try to convince parents that their kids do. Economists say that the stakes are high for retailers: Americans spent a record $37 billion in 2021, according to the National Retail Federation, which expects comparable numbers this year. I’ve decided to practice a more sustainable plan: reduce, reuse, and repurpose. I have no interest in being a statistic!
A Plague On Both Their Houses
It’s taken some time, but I’ve found a way to repurpose some things and buy others from thrift stores. Obviously, I’ve relieved my parents of a few things. But how many Penn State shirts does The Old Man need? And that Honda Racing jacket he loves? It’s still 95 degrees out. Do you think, at his advanced age, he’ll even notice? And there’s still the issue of a car. I’ll settle for a used one, of course. And I know just where to find one! Isn’t Facebook Marketplace just a thrift store for cars?
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