So, it’s official. In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past year and a
half, our economy has taken a serious dive. Like the Titanic, it’s just about hit
rock bottom and I’m beginning to wonder if our government can resurrect it. So
far, one major bank has reached financial fuck-ville and the feds have rushed in
to save it. Google, which was at $644.71 a share on October 19th is now at
$458.19 a share. It appears Apple is digging itself out of its grave and
Microsoft is currently at a whopping $28.56 per share. The only stocks that are doing well
are high end luxury stocks like Gucci and True Religion (yes, girls, it’s a publicly
traded company now!) However, even Ralph Lauren and Tiffany are
sliding downhill. My advice? BuyNetflix. It’s steadily increasing and not too
expensive at $37.86 per share. Not to mention its awesome internet and tv ad
campaign.
Piece of advice 2: Prepare yourself for the worst. Seriously.
Start by fixing things when they break.
I’m so sick of how society just throws things away. In the 1920s, when your
car broke down, you got it fixed. When your blender broke, you called GE and
when your favorite shoes needed new soles, you took them to a cobbler. In
2008, when your car breaks down, you lease a new one, and you throw out
your blender, your shoes and that table lamp that still works and looks fine
because you decided to redecorate with Pier1. I think this is CRAP. Start
fixing things! If you don’t want your lamp anymore, give it to a friend, put it up
on craigslist, donate it to a homeless shelter! And don’t get me started on fixing
shoes. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a cobbler within a 5 mile
radius? There used to be one in every town in America! Every. Town. I’m
convinced the only reason they still even exist are Manolo Blahnik and Christian
Louboutin. What’s a girl to do these days when her favorite pair of heels need
some tlc?
Frankly, I’m quite appalled at how “temporary” our society is becoming.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Forever 21, but I have a problem with the fact that
most of their clothing is only good for one use and self-shreds in the washing
machine. In the 1930s, when you bought a shirt, or a pair of pants, you took
them to the tailor, got them fitted exactly right and wore them for a number of
years. They were made to last. They took the beating from your washer and
dryer and were made of sturdy material. The buttons were sewed on
adequately and hems didn’t fall apart right and left. It was the era of hard work
and planning. You went to work all week and passed that one store that had
whatever you deperately wanted in the window. You pictured how you’d look
it in, how all eyes would be on you and how fabulously amazing you’d look.
Funny how a simple shirt or pair of jeans can make you a rockstar for a day,
isn’t it? You saved up for 3 weeks, went in, bought that item and cherished it.
And it didn’t fall apart. Partly because it took time to save up for;
therefore you felt compelled to take care of it. Today, you see something in the
mall, think ’eh, it’s kinda cute! I’ll put it on my card and worry about it later.’
And then, when “later” rolls around, you’re left with a sweater you wore once
that has 2 missing buttons and is unravelling at the armpit and $16.95 worth of
damage on your Visa.
I’ve decided that its time to stop. Instead of spending my pocket
change on temporary crap from chain stores, I am going to save. I’m going to
be pickier. I’m going to stop settling for stuff that looks “okay,” and hold out for
“bombshell.” I’m going to walk by that cute Jackie O jacket in Forever 21 and
that adorable dress at H & M because 2 or 3 months later, I will be walking by
in a fabulous new pair of to-die-for Manolos. And, when my new Manolo
Blahniks or Christian Louboutins break, I’m going to a cobbler.
<3 GC
