I’ve begun to think that the concept of the large general store is part of the problem. In the before times, we would shop around for individual items and discover new small businesses.

Now when I need something, I make my first search off of Amazon. I usually find a specialty shop that is more than happy to help. Sometimes a large retail store is the only place to find something. Sometimes I don’t find what I’m looking for and decide it was an impulse buy anyway. Sometimes I find a better option than what I was looking for.

I’ve found that individual items typically cost slightly more but overall I’m spending less; I’m skipping more frivolous purchases and averaging better quality choices that require fewer replacements.