America is a country of excess. The middle class controls the retail marketplace. The uber wealthy dabble in a strata that mere mortals like us only learn about because slick periodicals publish pictures of their digs. I don’t resent them, with the exception of those who inherent vast sums of money, these folks have earned their station in life as have the shrinking middle class where Sharon and I operate. An interesting concept is that a work ethic will earn rewards over a lifetime, a consideration that idiots like Mamdani, Sanders and AOC have not grasped yet. We work hard for a good life for ourselves and those we choose to help out, but I could give a tinkers damn about folks who have the ability to work but have made an occupation out of treks to the mail box for a government handout while raising hell in the streets. In short, I am opposed to the distribution of my earnings to the jackasses screaming in the streets about the unfairness of our society.
Buried in this rant, is the unbelievable retail world that wraps us in an incredible array of options when considering new stuff we need or want and can afford. We have begun the arduous process of furnishing our latest compound with a careful selection of stuff to replace stuff that Sharon has sold off when we pedaled our last, smaller home. Sharon is an informed consumer whereas I am an uninformed buyer. She can navigate the cyber market as well as brick and mortar retail with ease. I am learning to shop, but have a long way to go. We are in the market for a new dining room table and chairs to replace our last table and chairs that she sold because they were tall, condo style pieces. She is as good at selling as she is at buying stuff. Caveat Emptor is the order of the day as the once thriving American made furniture market is heavily diluted with foreign (and surprisingly high quality in many cases) foreign made products.
I can see the attraction in shopping. There is a dizzying array of stuff to look at in the marketplace and we have the internet to confirm value and variety. Amazon, Mayfair and many other internet outlets proliferate and she can quickly discern value from hype. I ain’t there yet, but am learning. Grab the appropriate issue of Consumer Reports, combine that with practical experience and you elevate the possibility of buying responsibly at a fair price considerably. I am learning that my experience buying fishing equipment, lawn mowers and kayaks can be the foundation to furnishing a home and kitchen. In all honesty, I am Sharon’s cross to carry, a responsibility she handles well. Being an informed consumer is not easy, but is fun!
SR
srj641 