Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

because to me, you don't know if they have something you need, you go in there to find something and convince yourself you want it. My husband has what he calls "the junk gene" and he loves thrift stores - I'll get books, and I've found a nice sweater or two at Goodwill or Salvation Army. But he'll go in to a thrift store and he used to come out with tons of things we didn't need, but that he thought were neat or possibly useful. He doesn't do it nearly as much these days but all of that stuff would drive me CRAZY. But it made him happy to have half-busted pieces of electronics to tinker with.

I do like to shop, when I have money and need something or things. Key word is "need". I like interiors (design, dishes, etc.) and fashion and have a weakness for beauty products (only if they're paraben and phlalate-free, and not tested on animals, though), but I just can't emphasize enough how much I despise clutter and extra stuff that doesn't get used. I don't really like knick-knacks, can't understand collecting dishes or dolls or anything like that. But I do I wish I could shop a little more these days. I don't buy just anything, and I don't get swayed by commercials. I don't ever feel the need to try something new simply b/c I saw an add for a Swiffer, or an exercise machine, or whatever.

So, I guess I'm not in any way an impulse buyer, and don't respond to TV advertising (but if you show me a beautiful textile in a home magazine and I'll lust after it.