Tod Marks, senior editor at Consumer Reports and editor of the blog "Tightwad Tod" and Wall Street Journal columnist Christina Binkley talk about Americans' new-found frugality.
The consumer mindset has resulted in a decline in service jobs. No more tailors to repair your stuff (what's to repair on an H&M coat that has fallen apart after six months of wear?), no more cobblers, because you just throw out your shoes unless they're super expensive (cheap shoes just fall to pieces). There used to be people making a living repairing umbrellas!
Maybe we need to rethink how we spend our money! And what kinds of services we need. I'm tired of buying crap that falls apart, and replacing it with more crap that falls apart.
Nov. 07 2008 01:05 PM
Score: 0/0
a woman
from manhattan
I remember the days when it was cool to wear a jacket for years, and it was so un-cool to be wearing new, shiney stuff. I always missed those days! I get so annoyed when I can't wear my favorite clothes (I work in the fashion business) just because I got a little tear and sewed it up, or the item got a little worn out. It's crazy! Why should I have to buy a totally new winter coat just because I got a little rip in the pocket that everyone will notice and think I'm a slob for?
I'm looking forward to the day we'll look down upon people who look like they're spending too much on their clothing (especially very luxurious items like Louis Vuitton bags and Prada shoes on people who just obviously shouldn't be buying them).
Nov. 07 2008 11:56 AM
Score: 0/0
david
from NYC
Amy, it seems that even through this economic crisis supermarket prices are still on the rise consumers dont seem to get the same amount of groceries for their buck, retailers are willing to close the entire business than give people a break through these hard economic time.
Nov. 07 2008 11:55 AM
Score: 0/0
Jeffrey Slott
from East Elmhurst
I thought I once heard that it is wise to save your money and not just mindlessly spend every last cent. But I guess that advice was naive. My purpose in this world is to buy, buy, and then buy some more. Otherwise the whole world ends. What was the purpose of a responsible citizen at the founding of this country? When did everything become totally dependant on the constant buying of goods and junk?
Nov. 07 2008 11:54 AM
Score: 0/0
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Comments [4]
The consumer mindset has resulted in a decline in service jobs. No more tailors to repair your stuff (what's to repair on an H&M coat that has fallen apart after six months of wear?), no more cobblers, because you just throw out your shoes unless they're super expensive (cheap shoes just fall to pieces). There used to be people making a living repairing umbrellas!
Maybe we need to rethink how we spend our money! And what kinds of services we need. I'm tired of buying crap that falls apart, and replacing it with more crap that falls apart.
I remember the days when it was cool to wear a jacket for years, and it was so un-cool to be wearing new, shiney stuff. I always missed those days! I get so annoyed when I can't wear my favorite clothes (I work in the fashion business) just because I got a little tear and sewed it up, or the item got a little worn out. It's crazy! Why should I have to buy a totally new winter coat just because I got a little rip in the pocket that everyone will notice and think I'm a slob for?
I'm looking forward to the day we'll look down upon people who look like they're spending too much on their clothing (especially very luxurious items like Louis Vuitton bags and Prada shoes on people who just obviously shouldn't be buying them).
Amy, it seems that even through this economic crisis supermarket prices are still on the rise
consumers dont seem to get the same amount of groceries for their buck, retailers are willing to close the entire business than give people a break through these hard economic time.
I thought I once heard that it is wise to save your money and not just mindlessly spend every last cent. But I guess that advice was naive. My purpose in this world is to buy, buy, and then buy some more. Otherwise the whole world ends.
What was the purpose of a responsible citizen at the founding of this country? When did everything become totally dependant on the constant buying of goods and junk?
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.