Bad Karma?

[fixer]

I would like some opinions on something I have been struggling with. If I buy a coat at a thrift store for five dollars that I can afford new, am I depriving someone of that coat who can't afford to buy it new. It may sound silly, but this really bothers me.

[rowdy35]

if you are really going to wear it and use it, no.

if it's going to sit in your closet and collect dust, yes.

that is my take on this

[LastDragonfly]

Well, now that's A THOUGHT. It's one of those "moral issues" that plague our souls. (or it does mine sometimes). I liken this to survivors guilt.

If I could buy a new coat, I would, but I would buy the thrift store coat too. I would donate the new coat to a shelter for someone in need. I'd wear the thrift store coat.

[SixxOfDiamonds]

Here is what it comes down to in my opinion.

If you buy new things (or even newer used) and you are done using/wearing them, do you donate the item? If you do, then I think buying the coat from a thrift store is no big deal at all.

If, however, you were purchasing things from the thrift store and just keeping what you no longer wear, then that may be a bit on the not-so-good side.

[nvmommyx6]

if you are really going to wear it and use it, no.

if it's going to sit in your closet and collect dust, yes.

that is my take on this

I second this one!

[fixer]

Here is what it comes down to in my opinion.

If you buy new things (or even newer used) and you are done using/wearing them, do you donate the item? If you do, then I think buying the coat from a thrift store is no big deal at all.

If, however, you were purchasing things from the thrift store and just keeping what you no longer wear, then that may be a bit on the not-so-good side.

I donate all of the time. I sometime refer to it as trading up.

if you are really going to wear it and use it, no.

if it's going to sit in your closet and collect dust, yes.

that is my take on this

I am a fanatic about wearing what I buy. Actually I returned a shirt that I wasn't wearing with some other clothes we were donating.

[SixxOfDiamonds]

Then, Fixer, while your heart seems to be in a fantastic place, you can tell your mind to be at ease!

You're donating and using what you purchase. Fret not!

[djbout]

If it was the only coat at the thrift store, then yes, you may have a moral dilemna, but I am sure there were more coats available to others who may not be able to afford new. I see it as you are being a good steward of your money by buying used and in turn by buying used and being a good steward of your money you have put yourself into a postion of being able to "afford" new. Just because you can afford to buy new does not mean you should.

No bad karma in my books!

[freebs]

Would the person in front of you buying the last used coat to take home to let their dogs lay on feel bad for you??????

[mickee311]

I don't think it's bad karma. It's just good money management on your part. Which is more than a lot of people can say...See the purse thread for a good example of bad juju in frugality. Seriously.

[Patty A]

I agree with just can you can afford new, shouldn't make you feel like you can't enjoy buying thrift! The main reason you could afford to buy a new one is because you have watched what you do with your money......feeling guilty about that is not right! There are MANY coats were you shopped I am sure.
You needed a coat along with everyone else, and just because you could have went and bought a new one doesn't make it wrong that you CHOSE to buy used. You need to see it in a different light, think of what you are saving in land fill costs, its possible that the coat could have hung at that thrift store for 5 years and no one would have even looked at it. Don't feel guilty for saving the money on a new one, you have ever right to shop that store like everyone else.

[NotYet]

I think buying new when you could buy used would be worse. But that's just me!

[Greebo]

Why would you feel guilty about saving your family money?

Feel compelled to balance karma? Save the money, buy the old coat, use the money saved to invest in your and your family's future. Become filthy rich, and donate 100 coats to thrift stores a year.

Sacrificing your own well being and prosperity to help others is not sustainable. Prospering, and giving if you choose from your prosperity, is.

[PrairieRose]

Absolutely not. I donate things all of the time. I give to freecycle to organizations, to individuals. It's my goal for things to have a 2nd life or use not to go to the landfill.......I'm not denying anyone anything when I buy from the thrift stores. Have you ever looked in the back room of a thrift store? There are literally piles of clothes almost to the ceiling from donations they haven't had time to go through yet. Seriously.

[Michelle]

I don't think it's bad karma. It's just good money management on your part.

:yes:

If I can afford to buy a coat from Neiman Marcus, should I feel bad for buying one at Target instead? Not exactly the same scenario, but close enough IMO. Everything is relative, kwim? Where is it written how much each individual can afford and where they're allowed to shop to avoid bad karma?

You shouldn't feel guilty at all, and I think it's great that you donate regularly. We do too, and it makes me feel good that someone else can benefit from what I don't need any more.