For the past few weeks I noticed that the zipper on my favorite jacket wasn't working.
My default thought was, "I'll have to buy a new jacket, but I really like this one! Too bad I have to get rid of this jacket just because the zipper isn't working."
Then I realized, I could FIX the zipper! That is what thrifty Americans of the past would have done.
I Google'd instructions on how to fix broken zippers. (Not sure what thrifty Americans did before Google? I guess they used BOOKS like "The Tightwad's Gazette"). Found instructions. Zipper fixed in 10 minutes! My favorite jacket - saved!
I was alarmed when I realized how close I was to buying in to consumerism with the automatic thought that I should buy a new jacket just because the zipper was broken in my current jacket.