December 18, 2008
Frugalista, recessionista, passeista?
Monica Corcoran of the LA Times has written a witty article on the latest fashion related word added to the lexicon of style. For the past few months, blogs and blog posts have been springing up all with one theme in common - style during hard times. I have never felt more compelled to blog about something than I do now.
Ladies! Shouldn't you be frugal with your money at all times? Shouldn't you forgo paying exorbitant amounts of money on the latest "it" bag while panicking about how to pay your rent? The truth is that we have become such a must have, credit dependent society that we make irresponsible choices when it comes to money. Now, if you have the dough to buy the latest stam-2.55-spy bag, cash, and still pay your rent, more power to you! I admire and envy you. You probably work your ass off for that dough - you deserve it.
But for me, and women like me, who have style, but do it by mixing vintage and discount finds, mix high and low fashion, and would prefer to spend a couple Ks on a trip to some far off land, we've been living frugal forever. There's a recession on? We hadn't noticed. We were blinded by our past season Vivienne Westwood sunglasses we got at Off Saks 5th Avenue.
It's great that, just like living green, there is a nationwide trend towards living frugally. But how long will this last? Until prices of homes come back up and we are back to buying things we can't afford and then complaining that the economy sucks. We need the Al Gore of fashion to champion frugal living - Kathryn?
It bugs me that being financially savvy requires economic upheaval. I'm not saying don't buy beautiful, expensive items. But choose wisely. Spend money on items that bring you joy and don't interrupt important things in life. Invest in pieces that will last forever and transcend trends. More importantly, live a stylish life within your means.
Now, I'm off to snipe some unassuming, unaware recessionista on Ebay!
Posted by Sandra at December 18, 2008 12:00 AM
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Comments (3)
Brava! I can't help thinking throughout all of this-- my spending habits haven't really changed. Not much at all. I make concessions. I make plans. If I buy something a bit spendier on my credit card than I can typically afford, I have a plan for paying it off within 1-2 months.
That being said, I think there's more danger in people panicking too much about the economy, being too frugal, not wanting to open up their wallets at all. We'll only spiral in to a deeper recession if we DON'T shop. If we continue to stay at home, eat at home, do nothing, more and more people are going to get laid off. It seems to me that consumers are missing that point just as much as any.
Posted on December 18, 2008 06:56
I'm the same way with my credit card Asche. I am currently using my Nordie's card for all of my shopping so I can earn the points and treat myself after the holidays. I have the cash to pay it off next month, or at least the next two months.
But you are correct, we can't just dry up. We have to continue to shop, but as we should always - wisely!
Posted on December 18, 2008 07:01
yeah, i have to say my spending habits have certainly changed, mostly beacuse i'm in the process of changing careers... and i don't earn as much as i used to. also, i know quite a few people who have been unemployed longer than they thought they would be, and being at home, and having to think about whether or not to meet a friend for a coffee has been really hard for some people.
it's all good things to think about, i never had to think about money before, i just spent. food was something i could just have, and shoes, that too. it's good to think about what i'm buying and i've become a lot more selective becuause of it.
Posted on December 19, 2008 03:08