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A review by jnmph76
Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture by Ellen Ruppel Shell
4.0
Upon reading the title, I had suspicions about the theme of the book. I was right. This was a very informative read, even if you've never taken a basic course in economics. After reading the later chapters about craftsmanship and food, I will definitely reassess my spending habits. As the old adages go, "nothing in life is free, and if it seems to good to be true, it probably is."
It makes me ill to think of the piles of disposable goods that inhabit our landfills, and it saddens me to think just how much our society has moved into a "throw away" culture. The example of the IKEA bookcase was eyeopening, as there have been times that to save effort in the moment, I left goods behind, only to repurchase nearly the exact same thing several times over.
I think from now on I will search antique stores and Goodwill for furniture and look to recover upholstered pieces when the time comes. More sustainability and a greater impact on the local artisan economy.
It makes me ill to think of the piles of disposable goods that inhabit our landfills, and it saddens me to think just how much our society has moved into a "throw away" culture. The example of the IKEA bookcase was eyeopening, as there have been times that to save effort in the moment, I left goods behind, only to repurchase nearly the exact same thing several times over.
I think from now on I will search antique stores and Goodwill for furniture and look to recover upholstered pieces when the time comes. More sustainability and a greater impact on the local artisan economy.