Columbia put out a line of sturdy messenger bags years ago and still has a smaller one called the zigzag. The bigger ones are still giving me years and maybe you can find some on ebay.

Since your prescription changes as you age, glasses are not quite buy it for life.

If your prescription is low, buy online. I get my new glasses at $40 a go and I can afford extra as I am fatally clumsy. You have to custom mold them on your own, so there are videos on how to do so with a blow dryer.

Zenni optical is where I go and I have not had a miss yet.

Yep. Sale at Macy's is Target normal price but the clothes last longer. I hate the need to be a savvy shopper to get affordable and lasting stuff but it's the system we can't unsubscribe to.

What you noticed between your Target vs Walmart shirts is not surprising. You are probably not getting anything BIFL from Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart gets other companies to make crap versions off the products. The food is typically a slightly smaller size per packaging. You can get a cookie pack for 15 cent less of the next grocery store over but it will be 10% less product per volume. It is the illusion of paying "less."

We had a black friday Ninja Blender from Wal-Mart which only lasted months. The one from Costco is years old and no noticable wear. Unless the sku is the same at both stores, I'd be suspicious at the quality from Wal-Mart.

And it isn't just Wal-Mart. I have bought children's clothes from Macy's vs Target and both Carters brand. The Macy's ones hold up longer: less pilling, stronger zipper, reinforced seams.