Two things I avoid: haircuts and new shoes.
Today I got a new pair of shoes.
I’ve had this pair for about a year and a half. Wore them every day for a year, until they were completely worn out.
Then, in January — I got a new pair. I wore those everyday, walking a minimum of 10,000 steps a day.
About a month ago, this old worn out pair started looking newer than the January pair on my feet (these are better quality; I only paid $14 for the January pair) — so I went back to this pair again.
Today, with sore feet that were crying for more support and padding, I sprung for the new ones — vowing not to go this long again.
There are certainly many more things I avoid. Shoes and haircuts happen to the be ones that come to mind.
I’m pretty sure I’ve been this way my whole life, even though my father was in the shoe business and I didn’t have to pay for them when I was growing up. There’s probably a psychological connection there somewhere.
Both pair pictured here are New Balance. I like New Balance because they come in wide widths, they’re reasonably priced, and they’re good shoes.
I used to like the fact that they were manufactured in America. The company website still gives the impression that they are made in this country.
They’re not. The label inside clearly says Made in China.
Nothing lasts forever. Not shoes. And not the domestic manufacturing of a shoe that seemed, for years, to defy the market’s pressure for cheap, Asian labor.
I don’t know where the $14 shoes were made, but they weren’t bad at all, really — especially for that price.
In this economy, it’s nice to buy local when possible.
There’s nothing more local than a haircut. Don’t know why I avoid those.