This week I will cross the mid-point of being a septuagenarian. So anything I buy that might come in a quantity that's not likely to be fully consumed before I pass on will likely be part of my estate. Can you bequeath staples when you pass?
Retiring from office work over a decade ago means not having access to the supply cabinet and helping myself to a five-finger employee benefit. I have to go out and buy the stuff myself. Who knew what those filing folders cost until you had to use your own money?
Swingline Staples was a factory in Long Island City that was always passed by when riding the LIRR or taking the No.7 Flushing subway train. The building is still there, but it's not a Swingline factory any more
When the factory was viewed at night there was an animated neon sign that was great to look at as the train passed by. The stapler top was cocked back and the neon flashing sign depicted staples being loaded. I loved that sign.
When riding the No. 7 train it swings at a sharp angle when passing the factory. The train tilts, slows down, and you almost feel you can touch the factory windows as you pass through the 33rd/Rawson Street station.
A box of staples has 5000 staples; 210 per metal strip. That's a lot of staples for a pair of people in their 70s to go through. We're going to leave a lot behind.
I have no problem with needing to buy a box of staples. I can still buy a single box. This is not always true when you need something.
We've heard of "deflation" in the sense that quantities have been downsized with prices reaming the same, or even being increased. Paying the same but getting less for your money. Two liters is 1½ liters, 16 oz, a pound, is not a pound. When shopping my wife always says: "Thanks Joe." She's not been a fan of the outgoing president.
I needed a new toothbrush. It is very hard to buy a single toothbrush. They come in two packs, or even more. I settled on the two pack because it didn't really make me spend a lot of money, plus I had one of those great money off CVS coupons.
I've also needed toothpaste to go with the toothbrushes. Here I've conceded the 3-pack is worth it because of the unit pricing and the fact that I'm likely to work my way through all three tubes with a decent regimen of brushing, especially since I'm not now suffering from any life-threatening ailments.
Shipping tape refills for the constantly needed shipping tape for my wife to attach return, postage paid labels to all the things she buys online, but then returns, come in pairs, or even 5 packs. You can get the single rolls already in a dispenser, but the refill rolls for the desktop dispenser are preferably for us. We are an industrial return center. When I had to buy Teflon tape for the propane tank hookup (no longer needed) I had to buy 5 rolls.
And so it goes. I call this "quantification."
http://www.onofframp.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment