The Chronic Consumer

As I’ve stated over and over again on this blog, I just love to shop! Most of the time, I buy fun or frivolous items that my family can enjoy, such as video games, DVDs, and electronic gadgets. I think that’s fine — as long as we have the money to spend and aren’t going into debt over these things.

But when the holidays roll around, I can’t help but think of others and always try to put a little extra effort into doing something that will benefit those in need. That’s why I love shopping at stores that support a specific cause, like the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America eStore.

The AFA eStore sells products such as jewelry, logo items from their Quilt to Remember line, and even a caregivers training program on DVD, with all proceeds going to support various AFA programs. The products are of the highest quality, and any one of them would make a fantastic holiday gift for that special someone in your life. Plus, you can feel good about yourself knowing that your purchase is helping to make a difference in the fight against this terrible disease.

And while finding a cure for Alzheimer’s is the ultimate goal here, it’s important not to overlook the fact that those currently suffering from this debilitating illness need the best care possible. That’s where your financial support, either through direct contributions or purchases at the eStore, can really make a difference.

I have spent some time looking around the AFA eStore and currently have my eye on one of their special “heart of care” pendants. I think it’s a beautiful design, and love the fact that it’s made from non-tarnishing rhodium sterling silver because that means it will be very easy to care for. I’m planning to order one of these for myself in the near future. After I get it, I’ll be sure to post a full product review here for you to read!

Anyway, I hope that you’ll consider shopping at the AFA eStore this holiday season so that your dollars can be put to good use. Check out the site today — and if you see something you like, buy it!

I still haven’t bought a winter jacket this year, even though I really need to get one. I’ve been using my old jacket for 10 years, and it’s looking pretty ratty by now. I usually buy my outerwear outerwear from J.Crew or Eddie Bauer, but I didn’t see anything on their websites that I would want to wear. So I’m going back to a brand I haven’t worn since high school: LL Bean.

I’m glad to see that the LL Bean catalog features all the classic styles that I like. I’m not very trendy when it comes to clothing, so I prefer timeless stuff that I can wear for years and years.

After browsing through the site for a bit, I found a couple of jackets that I definitely could see myself wearing. The frontrunner for now is this waterproof Rugged Ridge Parka, pictured below. I like the style and color, plus think it would be plenty warm enough for blustery Chicago weather. It’s listed at $149 with free shipping, which isn’t too bad. I think I’ll look around for a discount code or something before ordering, though. Does LL Bean ever have sales? I don’t shop there enough to know….

Anyway, this jacket is now on my Wish List. Check it out: