Are you cheap? There’s a difference between being broke and being cheap.
Are you cheap? There’s a difference between being thrifty and being cheap.
Are you cheap? My answer is yes, we all are.
And it’s killing our society.
You may have great taste, understand the value of a dollar, even know the worth of an hour’s work – but you’ve been programmed to be cheap. American culture dictates that spending less is better – that getting a “thing” is better than getting what you pay for. And American business knows it – they source inferior supplies, they outsource their labor, and they decrease the bottomline.
And we’re left with junk.
Luckily, the handmade movement, the slow food movement, and a general backlash against consumerism is starting to turn the tide. But it’s pretty ingrained in our collective psyche. And so those movements – perhaps without even realizing it – adopt the same philosophies. Bigger is better, less $ is more $.
I don’t have any answers but what I do have is a strong desire to change this cultural instinct. I’m trying to start with me but I need others to come along for the ride so that I can lean on you for support (heck, I never said I wasn’t a bit selfish!).
If you want to start to change this as well, think about this one thing when you go to the store. How long would it take you to produce something similar to what you’re about to buy? An hour – 2? 5? Sure – it doesn’t work across the board but think about it. Now take that amount of time and multiply it by what you get paid hourly. Look again at the price tag – anywhere close? No? You’re being had, my friend. There’s something wrong in that supply chain.
This post isn’t meant to be a downer – and it’s certainly not going to dramatically change the way you shop. It can’t. But, it was inspired by a fabulous discussion going on at Crafting an MBA, a blog written by my friend Megan Auman who is not only a phenomenal craftswoman and designer but a pretty savvy businesswoman, too. Please check out the conversation and add your two cents – or whatever you’re worth.
{image credit: sharon montrose via etsy}
I’m Tara Gentile. I think big. I set lofty goals, execute ambitious projects, and get sizable returns. I'm not satisfied to stop at good-enough or moderately successful. I’m in the process of building a web empire. True tale. I can help you build yours too.
I see what you are saying but I’m not sure I agree completely. I think most of my cheapness is out of either necessity or priority, meaning that I cannot afford not to shop at purveyors of cheap stuff (like Walmart) or see that spending less on some things can allow for savings to be put into other things like home improvements, etc.
I appreciate the thinking behind what you are saying though.
Justin,
I totally agree. And I’m certainly not expecting anyone to stop shopping at places like Target – heck, they get a chunk of my income every week.
But I do – sincerely – want people to consider the why & how of the cheap things they purchase. And I also want people to consider why they need to shop at discount stores. For me? I need to shop at discount stores because I buy too many things I don’t need, meaning that I don’t have the money to purchase the higher quality goods that I’d like to. I also don’t charge what I’m worth for the services that I offer. I’m self-employed, I can change that… but many, many people are not paid what they’re worth so that others can continue to offer goods are ridiculous prices.
What sense does that make?
Like I said, I’m not trying to be a downer – I just hope that I can contribute a bit to making people think about the money they spend
Sounds like far off from each other here. I don’t embrace consumerism (or the way big business kills small business) in any way… but I accept it as a necessary evil, I guess.
Americans spend less money on food than almost all other developed nations. This is just one portion of the spending market, but it is pretty much the most important one. It’s the same story as what has happened to cheapening everything else. It is very costly (in “real” money and in other ways) to produce things so cheaply. The Green Revolution, which brought us cheaper food and more of it (at the cost of nutrition, among other things), but we are reaping what we sowed, literally, in the form of obesity, cancer, diabetes and other diseases. As well as in the form of climate change, which is already costing us tons of money. I agree with you, Tara, in that one of the reasons we “have” to buy artificially cheap things is because we buy so much more than we need. Much of this stuff doesn’t even stay in our homes for 5 years.
I’m glad you brought this up, everyone needs to be at least thinking about their purchases and the way they are used. And, no, it doesn’t have to be a “downer” thing. On the contrary, I think people can bring about huge amounts of positivity by purchasing fewer things that mean more to them. Things that they will really cherish. There’s a big difference between buying a ceramic mug from an artisan/artist that makes you happy every time you use it (or when someone asks about it), and buying a $3 plastic tumbler that when someone asks you about it, you say something about how wonderfully cheap it was. You’ll probably throw that plastic tumbler away in a couple of years.
Again, thanks Tara for bringing this up
Brittany
It’s impossible to completely avoid the big bargain chains but it’s very possible for everyone to reduce their reliance on them. Look at this from the local angle. 3/50 project says when you buy $100 of something from a local small independent business $68 worth stays in the community through taxes and salaries. Only $43 of that $100 stays in your community when you spend it at Target or Walmart.
This may be off subject, but I buy my gas at the gas station down the street that I know is always nearly 20 cents per gallon MORE than the station in town. The truth is, its more important to me to support that business than it is to have that extra 10 – 20 cents in my pocket.
We all can really make waves with how we spend our money and even the smallest shift is important. Plus cheap is not always sensible. If you have to buy something cheap twice because its a piece of junk, have you saved anything? The saying goes: when you buy quality it only hurts once.
I have to say that I’m on the same page with you here Tara. I avoid Wal-Mart if I can, but I admit I shop at Target. I’ve been making efforts to shop at local stores, but you can’t get everything locally. For instance mascara, until recently I had no choice but to buy it from a store. That was until I discovered there’s a new bath & body business that’s local. I’m going to start buying my cosmetics from them, and it’s all natural. BONUS!
If I need flowers, I buy them from a local florist … not Wal-Mart. If I need produce, I buy it from the Fairgrounds Farmer’s Market not the grocery store. YUM! I’m also lucky enough to have a family member with a farm in Ohio, so I get all of my eggs directly from them. My husband does work for a local farmer, whom we’ve come to know and he is where we buy our corn, cantaloupes and turkeys. We weren’t doing this on purpose in the beginning but we are now, and hope to continue to buy as much as we can from local sources.
In Montreal, it is quite apparent that the recession is having a big impact. I’ve never seen so many “solde”/”sale” signs everywhere. And being Canadian, I was sceptical to really find great bargains because we rarely do. But, ya why not, I went into one store that I knew I will never find anything “cheap” enough for me. And lo and behold, a cool sexy top for $11.99?!? Heck, I bought it! T-shirts at the Gap is more expensive. But then again, even at $11.99, that store made some profit. So, what’s going to the maker? Not much. I know. Made in China, or Pakistan, or Taiwan, or etc… Would I ever bought that top at full price (was $74.99)? NOT! I would just pass by it and life goes on. But now that I have it, I will wear it. For sure! Did I need it? Well, it’s more like “want”. Guilty pleasures, I know. But at what costs? You’ll ask. It has been awhile since I bought something nice for myself. Am I cheap? I guess so. These days, I have 2nd thoughts, 3rd thoughts, before purchasing. I’d rather spend more money on food, health, home and friends/families. I shop second hand furniture stores and stalk craigslist. I love vintage shops. I shop at the local market, hoping I am buying local produce. So, my way of contributing is striking a balance. It’s the best I can do.
I think that a lot of people who feel they “have” to shop at places like Walmart may (please note I say MAY) have skewed priorities. I’ve recently gone vegetarian which has made me really rethink my food purchases. I’ve started shopping more at Wholefoods and the farmers markets & buying local milk & eggs.
So now I spend a lot more on my food than I used to. Which means I have less for new clothes, or entertainment, or whatever else isn’t really necessary for every day living. And that’s ok with me because being able to buy fresh, quality food and support local farmers is what I’ve decided is important to me.
I have a 4 yr old and still find myself at Target more often than I would like. I did buy her a $3 t-shirt just yesterday. To make myself feel a little better about buying her new clothes I always donate them when she’s out grown them.