Let me preface this post by saying I am not trying to make you feel guilty or point any fingers, so please don't get your feelings hurt. It's just that I have been reading MckMama and We Are That Family as they journey through Kenya. The stories are touching. I encourage you to go read them, if you haven't.
To the best of my knowledge, everything in this post is true and legitimate. I noticed the facts seem to vary a bit, from source to source...I did my best to keep it short and sweet. I do not support or am not affiliated with any of the agencies mentioned. Please do your own research.
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For the past couple of weeks I have been shopping for a new purse.
To the best of my knowledge, everything in this post is true and legitimate. I noticed the facts seem to vary a bit, from source to source...I did my best to keep it short and sweet. I do not support or am not affiliated with any of the agencies mentioned. Please do your own research.
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For the past couple of weeks I have been shopping for a new purse.
kate spade 'wellie magee' rubber tote
Retail: $195
But I get myself in "too deep". Literally.
I lose stuff in there!
My once-cute tote becomes a home for wayward receipts, a garbage can for used gum wrappers and tissues, a graveyard for the chapstick I haphazardly tossed in and now cannot find.
So I needed a new one.
Cole Haan 'Raleigh' Whipstitched Leather Hobo
Retail: $348
Maybe something smaller...
after all...
Juicy Couture 'Lock - Free Style Medium' Satchel
Juicy Couture 'Lock - Free Style Medium' Satchel
Retail:$348
I'm a practical person...
I'm a practical person...
I'll admit. Being cheap practical, the prices were a little hard for me to swallow.
The Sak Top Zip Bucket Hobo
Retail: $169
So I went to TJ Maxx
I saw something like this:
Michael Kors 'Skorpios' Metallic Leather Tote
Retail: $695
TJMaxx Price: $300(ish)
Do you ever have these "aha" moments?
No one I know pays retail.
But somebody must.
Somebody would pay $700 for this purse!
My mind began to spin.
Did you know:
A child dies every 15 seconds because of the lack of clean water.
It costs less than $1.00 to provide clean, safe water to one person for one year.
This is not a commercial, by the way. It's just that I could not stop thinking that 700 people could have clean water in exchange for this purse. Or 100 people for 7 years.
The World Heath Organization has this to say:
Nearly nine million children under five years of
age die each year...due, in large part, to the lack of safe drinking water,
sanitation and hygiene, as well as poorer overall
health and nutritional status.
link
Nine million children.
dead.
dead.
Nine million grieving mothers and fathers...
Almost 200 could be saved for the cost of the Kate Spade
...about 350 each for the Cole Haan and the Juicy Couture
...and almost 170 with the The Sak bag.
Which one would you choose?
Which one would you choose?
Here are some places you can go to online to learn more:
Google it. There are many more!
**prices and photos courtesy of Nordstrom.com
21 comments:
Amen. We donate to several relief organizations and often have to say no to the extras (like an iPhone or expensive bag/shoes) -- but it's so worth it. I'm talking down in your soul worth it.
Definitely and eye-opening post!! Thanks for this. It made me glad the most I've paid for a purse is %50.
I get what you are saying. We all need an eye opener some times.
Yeah, that is CRAZY. I buy my purses at Ross or Target, and I would never spend more than 20-30 on one... Usually I hover around 12. IT's crazy, but I don't really own a whole lot of name brand stuff anyway.
I totally get it! We have a Coach store in our town and I just walk by there and shake my head. I really don't understand.... Your post gives us all a lot to think about!
Amen, sister. I think about this so often, like the two dollars/day spent on coffee-- I could and should make my own pot of coffee and send the difference somewhere where people don't even have their basic needs met. Thank you for the reminder.
BTW, I would never, never, ever spend that much on a purse. OMGosh-- its just a purse. Its bound to get bug juice spilled on it or get puked on in the car.
Reality.Check.
Thanks :)
Thank you for posting this. I can't stand it when people blow off materialism like it's no big deal!
Powerful post.
I almost never pay retail for anything, but I do know people who do and I do know people that pay $700 for purse and yes I think it's absolutely ridiculous.
What a great reminder! Thanks!
Amen. I totally agree. I never got this big, big bag thing. Too much space to lose stuff in. I go back to the 70s and long strap too. These new bag under the pits are the pits.
Kate - The Garden Bell
Excellent post! And you know I just do not look at things like that anymore.....years ago I was into the coach bags and Kate Spade, etc.....and don't get me wrong I love cute nice things....but I am not frivilous (sP) anymore! They mean nothing, and who really cares what you carry! I really enjoyed this post and glad you put things into perspective for us all!
What an excellent post and what a great way to inspire many to make a difference by exchanging something so unnecessary for something so necessary for life!
I agree! Too much waste!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Friday Follow.
Love. love. love. this post. I am unfortunately a person that has paid outrageous prices for purses mentioned above. If I had known this information; I most definitely would help them. Glad I know now.
My friend just went to Kenya and I have read her stories and it is so very sad. We live a life here that is so different, it is hard to imagine such things happening and what is taken for granted like clean water. My friends story was about a newborn baby dumped in an outhouse...chilling.
Thanks for the reality check. It's amazing what people will spend on "things". We are supporting a little girl through Compassion International. Wish we could do more.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I loved your post Crazymom. Guess you are far from crazy hon.
Here is a simple way to help feed hungry children. You just have to go to thehungersite and click to donate food They have sponsors so you don't have to pay anything, just click.
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1
Hope that link works.
Have a great Sunday!
Wow, I just found your blog through Krystals Kitsch and I'm glad I did. Thank you for making your readers more aware of the world outside of buying rediculously expensive purses. THANK YOU!
All though I agree with you Jami, I buy Dooney & Bourke purses as a splurge... I feel like your post was very level-headed but some of these comments are just ridiculous....Just because I carry a $225 bag doesn't mean I do not donate to charities. I feel as though balance is key and I feel as though I have that... I work hard for my money at a minimum wage job and I save for my car, two mission trips, donations to my church, and one two-day vaca. I feel as though between all those i have the right to splurge on something that is not a necessity.
BTW, I NEVER pay retail on my purses or any clothes...I do not wear designer clothes.....Like I said my purses are splurges the majority of my wardrobe are t-shirts and jeans
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