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the delights of the old

August 27th, 2008 at 05:38 am

Saving log - $3 tip box
Spending log - $9 lunch + $1 apple + $6 for me and a co worker

I was walking to my bus when I stopped to look at a purse, and thought how great that purse was, how I would look with it slung over my shoulder, how I wanted it.

And I had my Paris handbag already slung over my shoulder! Nothing wrong with my handbag, its still clean, I got a lot of compliments on it, at black and white it goes with anything, it cost me just 30 euros (when the euro dollar exchange was only outlandish and not frighteningly outlandish). Best of all, I still have my memories of buying it, and happy memories of using it.

What is it about the mind that it wants and wants even though you already have and that having is more than adequate?

I'm still thinking about the fact that our cushmobile, MILs 17 yr old white buick, still gets 29 mpg, has working power windows, power seat adjustment, crush velour comfortable seats, carpeting looks great... only the cassette tape player is busted. MIL bought a new burgundy-red Caddy, same size, heads up display (which confuses her so she doesn't use), leather seats, does the math on how long you can last on a tank of gas. Sure, new, equally large, some features not so useful ... but only 15 mpg. And the car is at least 50K.

Tyranny of the new, maybe? Did the math and figured that folks would whisper if she drove around in a (then) 15 yr old car?

I don't see the progress here. Progress if you have nothing and get something; progress if you buy 30K of improvements and technology. Not progress buying into the brand - Buick vs. Caddy; not progress if the new costs more to operate than the old.

3 Responses to “the delights of the old”

  1. mom-sense Says:
    1219842781


    Love the post - my absolutely favorite vacuum is a 35 year old cannister Electro-Lux that cost $300 or something ridiculous back then. And my DH laughs at his mother's Tri-Star from the late 70s. Those babies will take a Dyson any day!

  2. monkeymama Says:
    1219845665

    Agreed. We have had so much VERY used stuff over the years and the new stuff does not compare in quality.

    I do not like our front loading washer/dryer at all. My MIL got the same brand and marvels how dry the stuff comes out of the washer. I think our old washer came out with even dryer clothes, plus it was better and bigger. IT was 30-years-old when we retired it. I now wish we just fixed it. This is what all the rage is for? Lesser quality? (Same brand - we still have Kenmore).

    The cars? I miss my 20-year-old Toyota. Our 2-year-old Dodge is a piece of junk. The windows and door locks never seem to work. I guess it's too much to ask for that stuff to WORK? My last car had electric doors, windows, seatbelts, that chugged along fine for 15 years. & then we were so excited to upgrade new only to find it was pretty much a piece of junk.

  3. seven of seven Says:
    1220123923

    I have an 18 year old Nissan 300ZX. I love that car so much. It is solid, it runs very well, and it is gorgeous. I know some day I will have to retire it, but I am hoping to keep it going for many, many more years. The newer cars are not nearly as "solid" as my oldie. And, the interiors these days seem to be made of light weight, breakable materials.

    "In with the old, out with the new!"

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