Archive for January, 2012
S4L Book Club – Cheap
What would you say is the one thing that bugs you most about our Cheap culture? For me, it’s the disposable nature of stuff and thus the waste of resources and accumulation of garbage. Sure, that’s all one thing. Do you recall the story of the Ikea lamp commercial? I don’t have access to TV, [...]
S4L Book Club – Cheap
The farming section of the book was another eye-opening and fascinating section for me. The idea that food is going to waste in some places while people are starving in others is hard for me to reconcile. It seems inappropriate to ask if you had a “favorite” part in the farm discussion, but were there [...]
S4L Book Club – Cheap
I’ve failed to extract quotes for the book bits I’m going to talk about today. I may get some things wrong. So be it. You’ve been warned. Henry Ford wanted to retain employees. They were trained in their jobs, committed to the company, and he wanted to keep them that way. He also wanted his [...]
S4L Book Club – Cheap and ???
Here it is mid-January, and we haven’t named a book for February. I’m going out on a limb and naming Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout, as our February book. I haven’t read this myself, but it’s on my TBR list, and comes highly recommended. This is billed as a “novel in stories.” Thirteen connected stories, [...]
S4L Book Club – Cheap
I mentioned in the last post that WalMart was selling DMC floss at retail prices below the wholesale price Indie shops and designers had to pay. As a chain store, WalMart has the power to bargain for (or insist on) low prices from manufacturers because they buy in tremendous bulk. This is common practice. I’ve [...]
S4L Book Club – Cheap
I am struck by the following claims: Generally speaking, consumers don’t know what things cost, and we all tend to believe we’re paying too much. We associate price with profit, not realizing all the costs that go into production. In fact, consumers grossly overestimate profit margins. How often do you think you’re paying too much [...]
S4L Book Club – Cheap
I was surprised—and skeptical—when Ellen claimed that outlet malls were not only the fastest growing segment of retail but also the fastest growing tourist destinations. Really? Really? Upon further consideration, though, I guess it could be true: Many people shop for entertainment and fun. If that’s what someone does for recreation, why shouldn’t it influence [...]
S4L Book Club – Cheap
Here’s a link to a ten-minute YouTube video where Ellen Ruppel Shell explains what led her to research and write Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture. Ellen acknowledges that she is what psychologists call a “deal-prone person.” The prospect of getting a good deal can motivate her to buy, and thinking she’s gotten a [...]
S4L Book Club – Cheap
Woo-hoo! Finally! I am so eager to discuss this book. First of all, I had to twist some arms to make this discussion come about. Did you wind up liking the book, and are you glad you let me twist your arm? Also, is it what you expected? I think there’s more to the book [...]
