Over the years I've developed expensive habits: skiing, biking, kayaking, etc. Before I was married financing my hobbies was not as hard, but now I have $40 spending cash per month and my wife thinks I'm excessive and wasteful when buying "gear." I've been paying off a bike for the last two years and my "needs" for other activities only grow as the seasons progress: I cracked my $340 bike shock in Moab this April, I shattered my K2 skis at Monarch, and my sleeping bag is too heavy to backpack with. When does this become waste?

What I've discovered is the DAV, the thrift store supporting Disabled American Vetrans, which is where I found my dream pair of skis, the yellow Volkl's with wood cores, for $2. Picaboo Street among others raced on these a mere 10 years ago. They were fast; they are fast! Only when they first came out they retailed for $600.

Each year marketing campaigns cover work to damage the image of millions of perfect products, covering over quality like dust on a top shelf, but that doesn't make the top shelf the bottom now does it?

I take a pride in what I call: spreading generational glory! My wife and I routinely visit the DAV and other thrift stores to see what gems we can select from the past. Our list of treasures is too long to list, but I know what we are doing is making a difference because the last time we were hiking I had a man ask me what I thought of my La Sportiva hiking boots. I said, not bad for $3.00.

Learn more about this author, Esay Oaks.
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