The Chronic Consumer

Back when I was in high school and college, I was a slave to name brands. I had to have the same jeans that everyone else had, the same Abercrombie sweatshirts and t-shirts, the same backpacks, etc. But after I grew up and realized how much money I was simply wasting by paying for a certain label or logo, I started shopping with a different attitude. Now I’m as likely to wear outfits from Wal-Mart or Target as J. Crew, and I don’t really care what anyone says.

Today, I was checking out a discount luxury goods site just for kicks when I saw some prices that I couldn’t believe. For instance, that Prada cell phone strap pictured above costs a whopping $136! There’s only one tiny little strip of leather on the thing, and the gold is just plate, so the only thing you’d really be paying for here is the name. Is it worth spending $136 just so you can attach a Prada logo to your cell phone?

I’m still shaking my head over this one. No doubt there are plenty of people out there who have no qualms about doing such things, but I’m not among that crowd anymore. Thank goodness!