The ways we purchase goods are always changing.
I’ll be honest: I buy way too many clothes.
I’ve always loved to shop for clothes, and, sadly for my bank account, I go clothes shopping way too often. One habit I have picked up in the last couple years, though, is buying vintage pieces for my closet. Whether it’s buying items through websites like thredUP or looking at Hot House Market—my favorite vintage store in my hometown of Lafayette—shopping for vintage clothing is like a fun treasure hunt. I can find unique shirts, sweaters, jeans, and more to add to my wardrobe. Others, too, are beginning to turn back to vintage finds, including clothes and records.
I’ll be honest again: I buy way too much fast food.
This semester, I’m taking 19 credit hours worth of classes. I’m working two internships. And, as you probably have figured out by reading this letter from the editor, I’m the editor-in-chief of Ball Bearings. I don’t have a lot of free time, so I find myself visiting Chick-fil-A for dinner more often than I’d like to admit. But I’m just one of many Americans who frequent fast food joints because of their convenience.
I don’t spend my entire paycheck on clothes and food. (Well, I usually don’t, anyways.) Almost two years ago, I made the vow to put away $10 every week that I would use to travel once I graduated college. It doesn’t seem like a lot of money, but I now have more than $1,000 saved. Many like me love to travel and sometimes even see it as more important than material possessions.
Many of us are also beginning to see how our spending can impact the environment. While I have nowhere near a completely zero-waste lifestyle, I’m taking some small steps. Every time I go to the grocery, I make sure to bring my reusable tote bags with me. I also have begun to utilize reusable sandwich bags whenever I pack a lunch. I try to practice ecotourism whenever I travel. For example, this past summer when I visited Grand Canyon National Park, I took advantage of the park’s recycling centers and rode their environmentally friendly shuttle bus.
Of course, not everyone spends money the same way I do. But there are many common trends. For example, many people (including me) are no longer buying items like bar soap, lottery tickets, and high heels. (I will, however, always buy fabric softener, even though many are choosing not to.)
Spending money, somewhat unfortunately, is a necessary part of life. But the ways we spend our money is always changing.
