When to Buy New

I don't know the answer to this question. I'm so far gone down the thrift road that I now have anxiety about buying new things. Shouldn't I be an example to those who do not know, to those who have not heard? Do I not have a responsibility to the world to live a life of principle?

Except I need a mattress, and a bed, and probably a whole bunch of other stuff, and I detest searching thrift stores for specific items. I maintain a lengthy list of items which can be purchased when found, but there is rarely an URGENT thrift item.

Last Christmas, I received a coat from my parents. It was very important for the coat to be just right, because I was allowing someone to buy it for me new, and I wanted it to be worth it. But as soon as I saw it on my body, I knew it wasn't going to work, so I went to every single thrift store in town looking for the perfect coat. By the time I actually found one, I didn't even love it. I just knew that it was good enough. It was fitted at the waist and not too tight at the chest, but not too loose either. I'm a big girl and cannot wear anything that remotely looks like a mu'u-mu'u. It did, however, become the perfect coat, and I love it. Having it dry cleaned worked wonders.

The lesson? I can't be neurotic about thrift. But that was like six months ago, and I'm back in a similar place. I am going to need the supportive coaching of my Mennonite friends to get me through this inevitable bed/mattress purchase.