Economics 101 - Supply or Demand

When I took economics in college our professor asked the class what drove the economy.  Was it supply or demand?  A very interesting discussion ensued and I said it was supply.  Apparently I was wrong, but I still stand by my decision.

Just yesterday while I was browsing in a thrift store I overheard a mother telling her son who was looking at toys to hurry up and pick something out.  He said  "I know I want something, I just don't know what".  So there you have it.  The boy wanted to buy something but he wasn't seeing anything that interested him.

Which brings me to today's topic.  Consumerism.  My husband and I love to visit antique stores, thrift stores and flea markets.  I guess you can consider it a hobby.  However, because of this we have a lot of stuff.  I am positive that we wouldn't have all this stuff if it wasn't out there.

In the process of this looking around we starting collecting things.  Many, many things.  And I know we are not the only people who do this.  Just look at the many books and magazines that offer prices on collectibles and look at the numerous websites and television programs about pickers, auctions and appraising items.



I collect milk glass, gravy boats, small creamers, egg coddlers, egg holders, mid-century glass pitchers, vintage tablecloths, napkins and fabric, spice holders and the list goes on and on.  Now don't misunderstand me, I am not a hoarder.  I have a nice, clean home with my collections displayed artfully.  In fact I had to stop collecting some things because I have run out of room.






 I love most any mid-century kitchen and dining items.  I am constantly amazed at the clever inventions that were made to make life easier in the kitchen.  It is like a walk through history.




My husband collects old glass insulators, Lionel trains, vintage gumball machines, and other manly kinds of stuff.  He would have more but the things he likes are old cash registers, gas pumps, juke boxes, pinball machines, cars,  you get the picture, things we really cannot afford!



So there you have it folks.  What you see here is just a fraction of our collections.  I am convinced that it is supply that drives us to be crazy collectors.  As you can see, if these things were not made we would not have bought them.  Don't you agree?  After all, why was I in that thrift store yesterday?  I didn't need anything, I was "just looking".  By the way, I bought an excellent crock pot carrier that I really needed!

Go in peace dear friends.

SCL

Let us not love with words or tongue

 but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18