What is this word....Thrift?

thrift what a word that has survived so many ages, from the renaissance to the golden age to this day in age. While reading the chapter titled "Thrift" in Generation WTF the book we are revolving this part of our course around, i found some very useful information from an unexpected source: Benjamin Franklin. Yes the man who did that one thing about the lightning, and the glasses and the cute sayings like "visitors start to smell after three days" or my personal favorite "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". Some of these phases are from his book Poor Richard's Almanac, needless to say it is on my need to read book list. Anyway to the point, while reading i found that thrift isnt just being smart with money, but a lifestyle.  Thrift means working productively, consuming wisely, saving proportionally and giving generously. This is a lifestyle i want to live by.

Just because i am given the opportunity to buy something for an inexpensive price doesn't mean i should buy it. I can confess, i am an impulsive buyer. No doubt. But! i am willing to try my best to fix it. The chapter also mentioned that thrift can sometimes been seen as uncool. My thought is when you tell someone you like their shoes, they don't tell you:

yeaaaaah they were like 120 dollars,
 no they say:
yeaaaah i got them at target for a steal!

People like feeling their purchase was worth their money. People enjoying saving a couple dollars here and there. But  use caution and don't be fooled by it every time. buying bulk can be thrifty, but buying bulk and you are the only person in your home, then you have a Sam's Club problem. Its ok, i like big boxes of fruit roll-ups too. There are companies out there that do think of the consumer. They guarantee their products to last, that their products were made in the most eco-friendly way possible and actually encourage re-selling their old used gear through them. This company is Patagonia, and i stand by their motives so much, that one day i would love to work for them. And no, this hasn't been an overnight dream, but one i  have thought about for some time. Patagonia embodies a lot of important things, and they stand by all of them. Their motto "Live Simply" is ultimately that is my goal in life. To buy what i need, share my wealth if a can, and save money to do things i want....and for rainy days, especially when i crack my iPad and my cellphone screen in the span of two days.