The author of The Complete Tightwad Gazette, Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced “decision”), has been our guru for several years. Her book is actually three books in one, each previously published as a compilation of newsletters from the 1990s. Although most of the material predates the Internet, generally it has stood the test of time. Many thrifty devotees regard this book as the Bible of Frugal Living. (And even if she’s long since retired, Amy Dacyczyn is still the reigning Pope.) If you don’t already own a dogeared, Post-It-flagged copy, visit your local library or nearest used bookstore — or failing that, buy it new. It’s one of the very few books we’d suggest buying at retail price. Worth every penny.
One of Amy’s brilliant and timeless ideas for saving money is something she calls the Three-Year Sneaker Plan. By rotating three pairs of footwear (in her case, sneakers) every year, the goal is to preserve their lifespan and simplify the task of replacing them. It works like this: new sneakers (those purchased this year) are only for important meetings or outings. Last year’s sneakers are for casual living and everyday use. The year before’s sneakers, probably in the worst shape, are reserved for dirty chores like painting and gardening.
Of course, not everyone can get away with wearing sneakers of any condition to an important meeting. The same principle could be adapted, however, to the purchase and maintenance of any shoes worn frequently. In fact, it could be applied to just about anything one uses on a daily basis. (Amy uses the same system with three pairs of denim jeans.)
Recently, I wanted to start applying the Three-Year Sneaker Plan to my own collection of footwear. But I hit a stumbling block. It seems that two decades of living in New York City and wearing cheap flat-soled sneakers have taken their toll on my feet. I now have chronic Achilles tendinopathy, a condition requiring cushy shoes with good arch support. If I want to avoid snapping those tendons, getting expensive surgery, and recuperating for three painful months (not to mention physical therapy), I’ll have to take a pitiless look at my sneakers.
Here’s the reality: people who live in cities and do an unusual amount of walking should not wear canvas shoes with flat soles. Sure, it’s tempting to grab those Old Navy slip-ons, or a pair of Converse Classic Chucks on sale, or that sweet markdown on Vans — or even no-name deck shoes from your local 99-cent store. But don’t wear these every day. Buy the highest quality shoes at the lowest possible price. And never buy shoes online! Try them on in the store … or, as real Cheapos do, the nearest flea market or stoop sale. Walk around for a few minutes, check the toe and arch support, and make sure they feel absolutely comfortable. Your feet will thank you.
The good news? Amy’s Three-Year Sneaker Plan is still a wonderful idea for city dwellers. The trick is adapting it to your lifestyle. If you’re buying the best quality shoes only once per year — that’s a tremendous savings. You might even be able to extend Amy’s principle to a Six-Year Sneaker Plan, with each pair serving two years. But don’t forget: quality is priority number one. As for other footwear, if you must wear wing-tips or pumps to the office, you can still benefit from the basic rotating principle.
Please remember that city streets are brutal on the feet. If you skimp on shoes, you may pay a much higher price down the road. Buy top-notch footwear and let the principle of rotating that footwear save you money in the long run. You can protect your feet and your wallet, too. Just do it!
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