Today we slept in late again, but eventually got down to business. But just as I was starting the vacuuming, I noticed the vacuum wasn't picking up very well. The dirt canister was empty so I cleaned out the filter and checked for clogs. I couldn't find anything, but the vacuum just wasn't sucking. And really, if it doesn't suck, what's the point?
So Spouse & I headed out to K-Mart to buy a new vacuum. We figured the previous one was about 7-8 years old, and had only cost $79. so we felt we'd certainly gotten our money's worth out of it. We bought the same vacuum (Bissell Clearview) again, only its the 2008 model (Clearview II) and came with an extra upholstery brush attachment that will be very handy getting dog and cat hair off the furniture. It was $89. but was on sale for $79. We were rather happy we replaced our vacuum with the same one 8 years later for the same price.
On the way home we decided to stop at Safeway to check their price on fresh turkeys. It was $.10 per lb. cheaper than Food Lion, and lots of other Thanksgiving ingredients were also on sale, so we decided to go ahead and do our full Thanksgiving shopping while we were there. (Our plan was to do it later in the afternoon, after finishing the housecleaning.)
I am a big believer in shopping ahead of time. In past years we've done our Thanksgiving shopping on Tues or Wed evening and the stores have been 'picked over', leaving us frustrated from not being able to get everything we needed in one trip. So for the last few years I have strongly encouraged Spouse to shop several days ahead of time while the shelves are still full and we have a better selection of turkeys. I think he's seen the wisdom in this by now.
After putting all the groceries away I put the new vacuum together (15 seconds) and got started. I must say I am extremely impressed! The new vacuum has a self-propelling action so you don't even have to push it. I must sound odd, getting excited about a vacuum cleaner, but I just love it when you get something that really works as well or better than you expect, and you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for it.
Those Dyson and Rainbow vacuums are probably great too, but I don't want to pay $600. or more for one. Having pets, our vacuum always starts to smell after a few years, despite cleaning it with bleach. You wouldn't throw away a $600. vacuum after 5 years. But think of how many years I can buy a new Bissell over and over, and always be get a fresh, new, better technology vacuum, before I'd spend $600.
I don't want an expensive vacuum that lasts 30 years. I want an inexpensive vacuum that lasts 7 years, so I can throw it away and get a fresh smelling, new one. Fortunately Spouse & I agree on this.
I'm the same with shoes. I've never paid more than $50. for a pair of shoes because I don't want shoes that will last for 12 years. Styles change, and sometimes my feet make my shoes smell. I'd rather have a $30. pair of shoes that are comfortable and in style now that I can throw away in a few years when they smell bad or have gone out of style.
I've also been called cheap, but that's not an insult to me.
Crush du Jour: Ivan Sergei
