Last year, I participated in a “Bring Back Thrift Week” campaign and wrote for an entire week on issues related to thrift and frugality. It was an interesting personal challenge, as I like to write about a wide variety of subjects, and to focus on a single one for seven days was discombobulating. But as much as I like to write about issues related to sustainability and simple living, it’s frugality that really revs my engine.
Thrift Week is nothing new according to the Bring Back Thrift Week website:
“Up until 1966, it was a coast-to-coast celebration of American ideals like diligence, hard work, responsible consumerism, and smart saving.”
Except for the “hard work” bit, this is a week I can stand behind. Seriously, I work hard enough. Maybe not enough to impress a Puritan, but I make dinner from scratch every day and hang my laundry to dry in wintertime Oregon.
The Bring Back Thrift Week website has lots of fun links and pages, such as a Thrift Museum, apps for your iPhone and even a Facebook page. (What, no Twitter?!)
This new push toward all things thrifty is put together by the publisher of Thrift: A Cyclopedia, which is a huge collection of information about the history of thrift in the United States. And despite having been sent a copy to use as a giveaway last year, I didn’t actually get a chance to read it before I had to send it off to the lucky winner.
So enjoy your “Thrift Week,” and stay tuned to The Non-Consumer Advocate, as I will be writing within the single subject of thrift for the entire week.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
As always, I received no compensation in exchange for this column. Images from Bring Back Thrift Week.
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Thanks for the tip. I wasn’t aware of Thrift Week! Finding new ways to save money, time, and energy is at the top of my interest list. I’m looking forward to your writings on the subject.
Your comment about whether a Puritan would think you hardworking, and that you make dinner from scratch and hang your laundry, got me thinking.
A Puritan would not think those examples of hard work because back then, there were no alternatives. Unless you consider hiring someone else to do it an alternative. IIRC Puritans were fine with the idea of hiring servants.
In which case, what would count as hardworking to a Puritan in his own time? What would a Puritan do now, with all the mod cons available?
Did you actually make money on the trip you bought cheap apples and found $1.01?
I suppose I could have kept the apples to the $1.01, but I spent $2.75. I also bought my son a small 35 cent Toblerone as a treat, (and to emphasize the fabulosity of found money.)
Katy Wolk-Stanley
The Non-Consumer Advocate
I’m 8 pages into In Cheap We Trust and I love it! Thanks for the recomendation and good luck this week with the blog. I have faith that you can do it!
Except for the “hard work†bit
I love your honesty!