I took the kids to the mall food court for dinner night last night.  It made me think-- as Americans, we rely too much on these Cathedrals of Consumerism . . .

Personally, I hadn't been in a mall since February I think, I hadn't missed much.  For a country in a "recession", there was no stopping these people-- bags in hand, purchasing over-priced crap, and very concerned with designer labels.  Just a bunch of consumer zombies walking aimlessly from one over priced store to the next.
 
I thought how much of this stuff would end up in closets already over stuffed with prior purchases that have never been worn . . . How much of this stuff will end up in a garage or tag sale in 2-5 years?

Needless to say, I got my fill of the mall . . . should be good until next year.

So, where do I get things I need (not want) you may ask?  Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Autozone,  the local Ace Hardware store, discount clothing stores like Burlington Coat Factory and Syms, and the internet.

Also, see my post, Spendthrift Manor and Frugal Homestead