Recycled Clothing

I save change. Pocket change. And once a year, I spread it out and count it and buy stuff with it that I normally wouldn't get. The haul is usually pretty significant. Somwhere between $70 and $100 on average.

So week before last, I counted my change. $114 or so. I am a fan of eBay. I've gotten some kick-ass deals on eBay. Like a bathroom faucet. It was, oh, about $70 less than they had it at Lowes. Anyhoo, I took my $114 and went shopping on eBay.

So today my purchase arrived. A slightly used, North Face Nuptse 700 down-fill jacket. From the looks of the tags inside, this jacket was a bit more than just slightly used. Nonetheless, I got it for $112.50. Yes that is the going rate for used NF down jackets these days.

But, it was supposed to be without damage. And damaged it was. It was missing a piece of velcro at the wrist (to adjust the cuff width) and one half of a snap that I assume is used to attach gloves to the coat while skiing or something. So I informed my trusty vendor, who rather than take a return on the coat offered to knock $50 off. There is a whole lot of imperfect I can tolerate for a $50 savings.

So check out my $62.50 North Face jacket. Again, we are at a slight disadvantage photo-wise with the problematic self portrait. But ain't it fab? I'm all puffy and stuff. Puff N' Stuff. Hmmmm.

I have the needle and thread and velcro out tonight. I love recycled clothing. If I'm this jazzed about my used coat, just think of the shopping orgasms I'm going to have when Ethel arrives.

Recycling for Research

OK, they laughed when I sent around an email saying that I would come by and collect pop cans for research money. However, I earned $27 toward my last research trip just by saving my pop cans since last fall. I figure I can quadruple that amount by collecting cans from others. Now, I'm not going so far as to scrounge out of my neighbors recycling bins (hmmmmmmm, now there's an idea!), but I will pick it up from my co-workers! I have NO shame! And say what you will, but I have already received 2 offers of work doing odd jobs for faculty!

I have to say, though. There was a moment there when I was in my driveway crushing those cans that I suddenly felt like a big ol' homeless person. Anyone who says I haven't paid my dues is owed a great big PFffffffffffffffffffffffftttttttttttttttttttttttttt.