January, apparently, seems to be the month we de-clutter. Since I live almost clutter-free, I use the time in January to re-evaluate and re-think my possessions. Do I have everything I need? Is there anything I can re-use before I re-buy?
DH needed new snow shoes this winter. I needed or wanted a 100% wool sweater since our home is much colder now that we have lowered our thermostat. In the ‘before time‘ (pre 2008) I would have just run out to the store and purchased whatever we wanted. Now, with the costs of almost everything rising AND the quality of practically everything declining (have you noticed the subtle changes?) it is no longer prudent for me to run out and just buy what I want anymore.
Which brings me to the conclusion and this pertinent advice: before you toss anything, sell it or give it away, look at the item first and if it is of good quality, hold on to it. Tightly! For you may not have the means nor the wherewithall in the future to replace it, should the need arise.
I don’t know if I, in the ‘before time‘ bought things of good quality because I had the money or the items were just made more expertly. Either way, if you want items of reasonable, good quality these days, you have to pay. And pay and pay. So, for me, in order to afford any new purchase today, I have to settle for inferior quality. Unless I buy vintage or used. Or, I just rummage through my own, un-cluttered and neatly stored possessions. (Nope! I don’t, or I at least try not to, throw away, give away or sell my quality possessions).
When we first moved to rural, upstate New York (2002), I bought all of us complete wardrobes from Lands End for several years. That included down jackets, snow shoes and cross-country sporting equipment. Ahhhhh! The good old days. Eventually, Sears bought out Lands End and no, the quality is NOT the same. But my original purchases, I am proud to say, are still being used by all of us each and every winter.
Enter my husband needing new snow shoes. Currently, it is cost prohibitive to purchase good quality snow shoes. What costs $99 back in 2006 would be triple today. Amazingly, hubby remembered he did indeed have a pair of snow shoes, tossed carelessly aside in the garage, that he had used while working on the property during a winter rain storm. They were covered in mud. Yes, when he located them, they were still covered in mud dating back to 2010 (it didn’t snow in 2011). Again, this is the ‘before time‘ when I used to toss dress shirts away when they popped a button rather than mend and sew a replacement.
Hubby washed off the caked-on mud with boiling hot water, re-washed the shoe laces and voila! A perfectly functional, good-quality snow shoe emerged. The black leather was slightly stained a brownish tinge from the mud, but the shoes were warm and waterproof. If DH were to purchase these shoes today, the price would be $144, rather than the $79 we paid back in the ‘before time‘. Plus, I don’t think the same quality would be there.
As for my needs, for some reason, I am finding out that only 100% wool is keeping me warm these days. I purchased a wool cap and hand-made woolen socks from our local consignment shop here in town. Lots of ladies up here knit so I was able to buy the socks for only five dollars and the cap for only $15. A sweater, however was going to be more of a challenge, since it’s a much larger item. A classic, lambs-wool sweater can cost anywhere from $50 to $75. Before I purchased anything, I looked through my old wardrobe (stored up on the 2nd floor) and found a 100% lambs wool sweater that I had purchased back in the ‘before time‘ for my daughter, but she never wore. Lucky break for me!
The sweater is classic and stylish, never been worn and fits me just fine. I love the hood! And it keeps me warm and toasty.
I’m glad I saved it!
Think twice before you toss anything away (or donate or sell it). No one knows what the future may hold. The things you save just may come in handy one day. If you own something classic, timeless and of good quality, hold onto it tight!
And take care of your possessions. That includes YOU, DH! (he’s very, very grateful for his ‘new’ snow shoes).
That sweater looks like a good ‘find’ And you’re so right about having to pay for good quality these days!
I know. It’s scary.
This post came just in time for me! I am finally coming to peace with the fact that I will probably never be a size ten again and I really need to hang onto those clothes in size fourteen because I will probably need them when I give up on that new year’s resolution to lose weight. Like you I try to buy quality and hang onto it for years until it wears out. My how my thinking has changed since 2008! Thank you for these wise words.
Betty,
I lost weight (30 pounds) when I turned 60. I went from a size 14 to a size 10. And guess what I did? I gave away, donated, threw out my size 14′s thinking that if I did so, I wouldn’t gain back the weight.
W R O N G.
I gained half of it back and now, need my size 12 and 14′s back again. I had to buy back my clothes in consignment stores. Gulp! AND the new jeans are thinner and cheaply made from what I so foolishly tossed.
Now, I have an array of size 14, 12 and 10 in my closet. I’m ready for anything. We DO lose weight as we age, so yes, I may need them again. They don’t take up much space and I am going to hold onto them. Currently I bounce between size 12 on a good day and a 14 when I indulge in holiday treats.
I have to laugh because I am wearing the same exact sweater in a light tan color with a hood that my daughter had in her give a way bag. I snagged it because I always liked it but it was never her style(Hmmm maybe thats whay I purchased it). But since I have gone down from a size 18 year last year to a size 12 this year I am not keeping the size 18′s. But thats ok.
Judy,
That’s a fantastic weight loss. Congrats!
I used to wear an XL but this sweater is L and a tad too big, but I like a roomy sweater to snuggle in.
I’m glad we think (and wear) alike!
What a wonderful post! So very insightful!! I’m in the process of decluttering & am going to be VERY picky as to what we bring in the house from here on in! I do love the sweater you found!! It’s beautiful & I bet amazingly warm!! Lucky you!
Carla, the sweater is super warm and I adore it! Lucky save. Irreplaceable.
I love that your DH is on board. Mine has finally come around as well. Actually asked me to darn his wool socks last week instead of running to EMS to buy a new pair. He needs really good socks for one of his current 3 jobs that requires him to work outside.(Dock work) I keep the heat very low in the house as well-I have a big, fluffy bathrobe from LL Bean that I have nicknamed the beast that I use to help keep warm. Every little bit helps.
Lucky you, love LL Bean. There clothes are so well made. Last for years.
It took a while for DH to get it. Nothing like a little episode of near-poverty to get the frugal juices flowing. Live and learn, he did……