Today I realized that I left a load of laundry at the laundromat. Had I put the clothes away when I got home that day (Tuesday) I would have realized immediately and could have gone back and saved them. But who does that? We live out of the laundry basket for days until I feel motivated to unpack it.
This comes at a particularly difficult time. I don’t have a job. Josh is doing well, but not so well that I can keep up being the stay at home wife much longer. Also, I’ve felt lately that I needed new clothes because so many of mine are getting holes in them or don’t fit properly anymore. So talk about insult to injury! Not to mention that we spent our Christmas money on some personal gifts to ourselves and paying off debt. Before we learned of the lost clothes.
Now I’m online pricing some new basics. I think what we lost was mainly dark t-shirts and tanks. Maybe some of Josh’s sweaters. And of course I’m trying to buy everything in accordance with my new shopping policy of only patronizing responsible companies. I have some great resources, and there are some great sales going on. But even so, I can’t help thinking I could go to Old Navy and pay so much less. Or I could go to Marshall’s and really stretch my dollar. I used to love shopping at those stores. Now it pricks my sensitive little conscience. I try and tell myself that what I by may cost more, but the quality will be better and the clothes will last longer. But the truth is I don’t really know that for sure. I haven’t been shopping this way very long. This is uncharted territory for me.
Maybe I’ll hit Goodwill and take a look around there. I think the problem there is, thrift stores are not the best places to buy basics. T-shirts and camisoles endure a lot of wear and tear and don’t usually look so good second-hand. But I’ll take a look around anyway.
This situation is sorely testing my consumer mettle. I have to keep telling myself, *less is more,* *quality over quantity,* *don’t be a hypocrite.*
Wish me luck.
What did the laundromat have to say when you called them?
You keep up your good shopping habits! Look at it this way, you wanted to shop more responsible, now you get one big turn at doing so. Anyone can buy ONE shirt responsibly, right? But who gets the chance to buy a BUNCH that way?
Trying to find something positive, which is hard for me anyway.
I am so sorry to read you lost some clothes! I know you must have been so aggrivated, especially since it sounds like you are watching what you spend and now have to spend some more. Do you ever check out craigslist.com? Maybe you could find a washer/dryer on there for free or cheap. My sister has found baby stuff for my niece on there & my brother & sister-in-law found their condo that is 10 minutes away from the beach in Wilmington on there. It´s worth a look.
I hardly ever shop here in Argentina and I miss it so much. I always like getting new clothes because after a while I get bored with them. The thing is that clothes are really expensive here and same with shoes. The quality is nothing like it is in the United States. The US has so much from China but I think the US gets the best quality from China on stuff because it´s worse here. I often remind myself that I have lots of clothes I left at my parents house. Sometimes I wish I could make clothes like Erin always did but I don´t have any experience. Anyways.
Sorry to hear about your lost clothes but I hope something bright comes your way and makes your day great or maybe finding a great deal on some clothes you feel consciouslly cool buying! Love from Argentina!
Thanks for the encouragement, guys! Shannon, that is very interesting about the quality of clothes in Argentina. I would love to learn more about that. Where do you shop there? Does your town have a mall like in the U.S.? Maybe you could find some independent boutiques that sell clothes made locally? And there’s always shopping online.
Sorry to hear about your loss, I would have been beside myself. Do Check out the thrift stores, there are some amazing finds in your area. So many people have a more wasteful mind set in that neck of the woods that those of us that take the time to look, really do find that “one person’s trash really is another person’s treasure”. I love the second hand stores down there! What ever came of your American Apparel experiment? Did your purchases withstand the stomach holes better than imported Old Navy products? I’m curious because if so, that could be a lovely place to replace. And the main store is there and must be a dream…. Good luck to you
I struggle with the same financial issues re food. I would rather buy organic and free range, but the budget doesn’t always allow for it. I read this post a couple years ago that addresses the issue, thought you might be interested - http://one-change.com/blog/2006/09/personal-finances-and-buying-organic-food/