Being Cheap Pays

... because, if you'd only hold out long enough, something really fantastic will come your way, rewarding your patience (and cheapness), such as:




I found this at yesterday's flea market for SGD 5. The lady I bought it from told me it's for eggs ... which is why I find it amusingly ironic that I'm putting it to use as a container for my sanitary pads.

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This I got for SGD 3, even though if I'd asked, he'd have given it to me for SGD 2 because I was there when he lowered his asking price to SGD 2 for another lady.

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When my mom saw this, she said I was paying someone and clearing their rubbish for them. The truth is, if this bag hadn't looked as old and worn-out as it had, I wouldn't have paid (SGD 2) for it.

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A bag I've always wanted but was too cheap to pay a sum more than SGD 10 for. (The reward for my cheapness - and some would say patience: SGD 2 for the bag, which was in perfect condition.)

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The lady who sold me this (for SGD 10) said she'd only worn it once, and I'd believe her because the dress is in better condition than clothing I've seen in some boutiques. I bought the sundress because I love the prints (and I also like it that she called me 'sweetie' without sounding like she was patronizing or condescending to me).

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The print was what first caught my attention. After I pulled it out of the pile, I loved the way it felt - soft, thin cotton - and the frog button details. The flowered border, I thought, was a nice contrast. Would've paid SGD 5 for it, but then it only cost SGD 2. (Whatever makes you happy, Little Ms. Seller!)

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When I'd first worn this, I told everybody in class that I'd raided my grandma's wardrobe that morning. I paired with with flare jeans, which prolly was a bad combination (but I was happily dreaming about the Summer of Love '69 ... during which my parents had not even met, much less married were still on their last legs of teenhood), because Jason saw me in it and asked, with a look of incredulous derision, "Why are you wearing this?"

"Because it was my grandma's," replied I.

The truth: it cost below SGD 5 from a local Salvation Army store. I was practically wetting myself in my rapture when I found it.




Another local Salvation Army find; also below SGD 5. Also made me wet myself.

I've yet to wear this, because I've yet to purchase the perfect bag and boots to go with it. The bag (beautifully tooled leather, circa the Seventies) I'd seen at Hunters and Collectors' along Cuba Street, but it cost something to the excess if NZD 80. I'd gone home to think over it ... and missed it.




Yet another local Salvation Army find, below SGD 5.

I wasn't too thrilled by it because it doesn't fit well and makes me look preggers. Still, I cherish the hope that I might one day wear it out. It's great for winter (with wool leggings and boots), which, alas, this island will never see.

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Past & Present, Cuba Street, for NZD 15.

Such a pretty little thing, no?