I went to my usual thrift store the other day to drop off two large bags of clothes and home goods, and the experience really stayed with me. The outside of the building was littered with “stuff,” and there were two truck-sized trash bins full to capacity. Inside, the racks were packed so tight it was difficult to even look through them.
It made me wonder if people even want our things anymore. We all seem to have so much, and with clothes being so cheap and easy to find online, I started questioning if donating is always the right move.
Growing up, my mother had a saying on the wall: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. This was a depression-era motto and is today a powerful principle for eco-conscious living and upcycling. Repurposing things is such a great way to save money and stay creative, just like people had to do when resources were scarce.
It challenges us to extract the maximum value from what we already own rather than constantly buying replacements. Perhaps we need to be more mindful of what we purchase. Do I really need this or do I have something else that would work? I’m curious—do you have anything at home that you no longer use but could be upcycled into something new? I’ve found that joining neighbor groups, curbside recycling, or looking up upcycling ideas online is a great way to get started.
There is a short and good read online titled: “The Depression-Era Motto Making Millennials Rich: ‘Use It Up, Wear It Out'” byDara-Abasi Ita, Published July 26, 2025. www.investopedia.com/use-it-up-wear-it-out-11775708