The things we can live with less of, if need be

by Guy Heston for LeftWingCapitalist

OK, I admit it. When the pandemic first burst upon the scene, I developed a slight case of hoarding.

A trip to the Smith’s supermarket and instead of buying two cans of soup it was six. I don’t really like canned green beans but soon enough we had six of those as well. Not to mention lots of rice, dehydrated mashed potato mix, applesauce and whatever else might be in stock. Our pantry was a bit overstocked.

There was also the trip to Target. Paper towels on the shelves—well let’s get some of those. Soap, hand sanitizer, shampoo, laundry detergent, toothpaste, etc., and soon enough the cupboards were full of it. I tried not to be greedy, but the truth is I overbought and I feel a bit guilty about it. I certainly did my part to contribute to supply chain disruptions.

As the current omicron variant makes its way around the world, I have once again noticed our local market shelves a bit understocked. Maybe it’s because so many workers are calling in sick, maybe it’s continued supply chain disruptions or a combination thereof. I don’t know but offer a four star salute to every supermarket and Target worker in our great nation, as well as all the good people involved in producing and delivering the goods.

But here is something I do know the pandemic has taught me. I can do without certain things, or at least not so much of them.There is a perfectly good cloth towel next to our  kitchen sink and I can therefore get by without so many paper towels. Do I really need to swish my hands with sanitizer every time I touch something? Can I wait until I have a full load to run the washing machine or dishwasher? How many cans of green beans do I need or want?

Don’t get me wrong. I am one of corporate America’s dream consumers, as evidenced by my Target and Macy’s bills (let’s not even get started about Amazon). I am very thankful for it all and feel blessed to have it within a short drive to the supermarket or a click away on the laptop. There are many others in our country and the world who don’t have such easy options.

My grandparents who survived the Great Depression in small town Iowa knew how to get by with just the essentials, including a backyard garden where my grandmother taught me how to pick rhubarb and greens she had grown. I’m not going to be planting rhubarb anytime soon inasmuch as I live in a desert city. But maybe I could take a lesson from my beloved grandma and get by with a little less. Now don’t ask me to give up my Pledge© furniture polish, but perhaps I could cut down a bit and do my part to loosen up the supply chain and control inflation. I am going to give it a try for the time being.

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Guy Heston writes his observations of U.S. lifestyles from the perspective of his own life experiences that have been lived at the intersection of rural and urban America. He is retired from an executive position at a metropolitan public transit company.