I still have to buy a car and fast. I should have got one I saw back in January but a lot of stuff happened. They would have driven it to me too. I hate doing this under so much stress. I hope we don't need any big ticket items/appliances etc. fingers crossed. One of the couches I reupholstered a few years ago broke- the frame, and I'm going to have to pay someone to fix it. I can't do this type of thing myself anymore.

repair and maintenance things I used to. Yes major appliances could see a jump along with everything. I wish I had the old Sunbeam toaster we grew up with in the '40's and '50's. Used car prices will go up again also.

A Ford dealer that has ignored me for 3 years since I bought a used pickup from him called me out of the clear blue and left a message saying they'd be interested in buying it back. Tight supply and everybody knows big price increases are coming on new ones.

I'm thinking of shutting down my business and moving about 3 hours away where the rent is half what I pay now. I'm tired of fighting the hassles in business and pay high rent to live in a metro area. Smaller town living with a grocer or two, hardware store, auto parts/service places, a few restaurants and a few doctors and dentists and a hospital. Most everything a person really needs and half the rent of living in a metro area. Lower crime and easier pace of life.

So few shoes are resole-able anymore, they're all thermo-molded injections, and the tops don't last anyway.

But do plan to see what can be found. Already in shock over the price of ball-point pens, and Japanese gel pens can go for $1 each and these are the ordinary variety - no frills.

and soles thing. I was shopping boots recently at a place that also does repairs and a lady came in with a fairly expensive shoe that had come apart where the strap attached and the body of the shoe had a rip. The cobbler was very honest with her and told her that trying to work a repair on the the extremely thin leather of the body on the shoe was not very doable and pretty much the same on the strap. He indicated to her she would likely be spending money and the repair would give out the first time she wore them.

He explained to the lady that what she had purchased was a "fashion shoe" as opposed to an every day shoe. He was very patient and took the time to explain to her that he understood about wanting a certain style of shoe but that also means accepting the limitations that come with it. He told her a heel repair is one thing on a fashion shoe but much else is a fool's errand.

I'm to the point now where I'm not going to be around for too many more pairs of shoes and boots. But if I were giving advice to younger people about buying boots, dress shoes and everyday non-athletic shoes I would be telling them to check with a cobbler about what brands they find are most repairable before they go shopping around.

Many things will be obtainable in Canada that won’t be in the US.

I had an unanticipated computer disaster and decided to move quickly on getting a new desktop and printer. If not for the tariffs, I would have spent a few weeks doing research, but based on some reporting I heard I more-less panicked, did three hours of superficial research and talked to some relatives, and then made a hasty Friday-night decision.

Having that May 1 deadline is helpful. It focuses the mind.

a couple of months ago and I'm thankful it was before the tariff nonsense was announced.

especially toys for kids

this year and not just for kids but for adults also since so many of the products in gift shops are made in foreign lands.

I didn’t want to have to grab the one in the kitchen every time I want to sterilize some soil in my new greenhouse.

It felt like such a random purchase. I don’t need it yet- still working on greenhouse construction- but I didn’t want to hunt one down when I do need it and have to pay 2x+ the cost.

Who knows what Christmas will be like this year. I’m fine with handmade or thrifted gifts.

I thought, that doesn't sound very PC...

That's going to be bad enough. I do want to get a small leaf blower to help me keep the porches clean. And the gutters. I can't handle the big one, and sweeping is too hard on me.

But, hey, I'm sure we'll get the blame when sales stop and the companies that supported Trump lose money. We shouldn't take out our troubles on the rich! They do so much for us, you know. LOL

Rather than sell it in a yard sale.

I am starting get a tiny flavor of what early 1942 must have been like as rationing was implemented.