So yesterday, Skippy, Tiffany, and I drove to Soldotna and Kenai to do our pre-winter shopping spree. They are 80 and 91 miles away, respectively, and contain the peninsula’s only discount stores. “Discount” being an Alaskan relative term for “only 40% more expensive than anything in the lower 48.” Okay, I exaggerate, as I found a couple good deals that were less than I would have paid back in Indiana. But overall, goods, especially fresh goods, are very expensive here.

I had just gotten paid on Friday. Yesterday we burned through about 3/4 of that money, but the food should last us for at least another month, and the clothing well beyond that.

I’ve noticed, at least in Homer and the surrounding area, that the secondary market for items is very small. The local Salvation Army has one sparse rack of men’s clothing, and there seems to be about one yard/garage sale every few weeks, if you’re paying attention. I think it has a lot to do with what appears to be an overarching Alaskan mentality that everything might someday be useful, therefore getting rid of anything is a terrible idea. In this area, it’s even more exaggerated by being at “the end of the road,” where Alaskan Highway 1 literally peters out about 5 miles beyond our driveway.

People here hold onto things, whether they use them or not, until the tattered remains crumble at the slightest touch. Then they put them up for sale, or just add it all to the growing pile of junk that surrounds so many of the houses here.

I know many people travel to Anchorage, 230 miles away, just to shop at the second-hand shops there. Anchorage’s population density allows for some secondary markets, but the discount is not as steep as might be expected. Skippy’s first attempt to buy a vehicle after arriving almost landed her a 1985 Toyota, but it blew up when she started it to drive out of the owner’s driveway. That 23 year old truck with obvious issues was selling for $2500.