Writer's Block: Economizing

[ebonypearl]

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I've been tight and frugal and thrifty for so long that now,with everyone else tightening their belts, I find myself in the bizarre position of actually being able to splurge and loosen up.

I bought a new camera - nothing fancy, but it's digital and I can upload via USB, important as I can no longer find floppies for my much battered old camera.

I can afford to sponsor someone to attend a con,and I can afford to host the Green Room.

I can afford the vet bills for the puppies I all too often rescue.

I bought shoes.

For me,this is a true luxury as I have a very hard time finding shoes that fit - a size 3AA is one though shoe to find. When I find them, it's usually only 1 pair. For most of my adult life, I've rarely had more than 2 pairs of shoes at a time. Most of the time, I have to have my shoes custom sewn for me and that's not cheap. For the first time ever, I own more than 2 pairs of shoes.And for the first time since the 70's, I found heels that fit.

A lifelong frugal lifestyle has allowed me to continue living not just in comfort but with touches of luxury. There's nothing to cut, no reason to cut anything.

Comments

[wishwords.livejournal.com]

Wow, those are tiny feet. I don't know if you have any connections to any of the medieval history societies, but I do happen to know a couple of cobblers. Their designs are "mostly" Medieval and Renaissance but they offer a variety of soles and heels, which frequently make the shoes very fashionable.

Also, one of them works in the theater costuming industry and is very open to making new styles. I think she even works in fabric as well as leather. She is very good about frequent communication.

The other on has the most awesome quality, but is harder to get answers from via email and during the times before the big SCA wars is impossible to get a hold of. However, he's very prompt at completing and shipping, so if you order a pair and check off the various things you want (soles, color, heel, etc.) he gets it to you exactly when he says he will.

Let me know if you would like links to their web pages.

[ebonypearl.livejournal.com]

We probably know the same cobblers because it's Rennies who make my shoes. They are expensive, which is why I usually have so few. While everyone else is feeling poorer, I'm experiencing an increase in buying power, so I ordered more shoes.

It's odd to have enough shoes to not wear the same pair every day for everything.

[wishwords.livejournal.com]

Boots by Bohemon and Lady Oren?

[ebonypearl.livejournal.com]

Lady Oren isn't doing shoes anymore - at least not on a regular basis. I used to get the Mary Rose from Bohemond, but he's not making that style anymore. I get them from NativEarth and Soles Thru Time, now.

[wishwords.livejournal.com]

Ooo, I haven't heard of them. Thank you.

[ebonypearl.livejournal.com]

Soles Thru Time (http://www.solesthrutime.com/) has gorgeous,expensive shoes, but they are well made, comfortable,and with care even wearing them every single day,they can last for years. They make heeled shoes.

NativEarth (http://www.nativearth.net/) has durable shoes that last and last - my ghillies have lasted almost a decade now and are starting to show a bit of wear. I got the Celtic Slipper 2 years ago and it seems as durable.

[laughterdance.livejournal.com]

I frequently think that for people with money, now is a great time for buying stuff. Too bad I have used all mine. Everything seems to be on sale or super-sale now that most people can no longer afford the original prices.

Sadly, most of said people can also no longer afford the new, lower prices. But still, almost everything I buy these days utilizes some big sale or coupon that would have been rare to come across during this time last year or the year before. Thus I now have a $60 hat for $26, and a $200 corset for $89, and 5-cent copies from Staples, and at least 10% off our new dishwasher from Home Depot...

Were I making any money, I'd be stocking up for Christmases and Birthdays for years to come.

[ebonypearl.livejournal.com]

Yes, now is a good time to have extra money. Some things are still pricey, but I'm not in the market for those anyway.