<< Back to all Blogs
Login or Create your own free blog
Layout:
Home > Please talk me out of buying this...

Please talk me out of buying this...

April 10th, 2011 at 05:16 pm

Uh oh.

It's happening again. Anytime I start making regular income, I find myself wanting to...buy something nice, even if I don't really need it.

I think it happens because I've gone for long periods of time on an extreme frugal diet after my September 2009 layoff.

So I was leafing through a magazine and found myself admiring these dishes.



They may not do much for you, but I like the scalloped design; reviewers on the site say they're more of an antique ivory, not bright white. Servings for four for $39. Free shipping.

Do I need new dishes? No. I have 2 sets of 4 already. The older set is a very pretty green and white leaf motif from Macy's, discontinued pattern. The second set i got i guess 3 or 4 years ago, it's a solid blue.

I'm wanting these dishes. I guess it's not much money, but it bothers me that I get these strong spending urges. Since starting my f/t job in March, I already dropped $300 on a chaise for my sun room.

So....tell me to buy it or talk me out of it!

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments »

11 Responses to “Please talk me out of buying this...”

  1. ThriftoRama Says:
    April 10th, 2011 at 05:40 pm 1302457234
    1302457234

    You're not alone. It happens to me all the time. Mostly, I'm seduced by good design. I like new colors and patterns. That said, I am in the process of moving, and although I don't spend a lot on any one item, the gravity of owning too much is really sinking in. Looking around at all the clutter and all the boxes of stuff-- and how much there still is to move, is depressing.

    Is there another way you can alleviate your frugal fatigue without acquiring? Like on an experience instead of an object?

  2. MonkeyMama Says:
    April 10th, 2011 at 05:58 pm 1302458287
    1302458287

    In these cases I think it is helpful to just make a deal to revisit in a set period. Like, in 6 months time, if you still really want the dishes, and are still employed, maybe they are worth buying.

    Since you have talked about moving, that is a great point that thrift made - do you really want more stuff to move?

    Another way to think about it is if you could sell some of your other plates to make room for the new ones. If you want a change, I think that is a good compromise. But if you aren't willing to give up another set, then sit tight and wait is probably the way to go. It's not that you are telling yourself no. Just telling yourself to wait and see.

    Maybe it also helps to think about what is more important - more *stuff* or paying down that mortgage? Thinking in those terms might put things in perspective.

  3. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    April 10th, 2011 at 06:13 pm 1302459223
    1302459223

    To satisfy your urge to "buy" I would check out Pixel of Ink. They list ebooks you can "purchase" to download to your Nook, computer, iPhone, etc. I so far have "purchased" over 25 ebooks thanks to Pixel and have spent $0.00. Smile
    But seriously, I'd agree with MM's suggestion to put it on a "hold" list for a period of time. If you still are thinking about it 3 months, or maybe even 6 months from now, then maybe go ahead with it. Otherwise, since you already have two sets of good plates ... you can get by til then.

  4. rob62521 Says:
    April 10th, 2011 at 06:56 pm 1302461764
    1302461764

    They are lovely dishes and I can see where they are tempting.

    Have you figured out how much the dishes will really cost you? Do you use the ones you have on a regular basis or do you use one set more than the other? Would you be satisfied with just these dishes or would you feel the need to buy things to go with them? How many tiimes would you have to use each plate to make it worth your while?

    If you really want them -- why not save up for them? Do without something you really like to put that money in a savings bank and until you have the money saved -- I call my little savings cache "My mad money" so if it really want it, I have to save up for it.

  5. creditcardfree Says:
    April 10th, 2011 at 07:35 pm 1302464124
    1302464124

    Okay...patientsaver, you don't need these dishes. You already have some that are very useful. You have other priorities and goals. Don't buy those dishes!!

    That above is my attempt to talk you out of it. The others have great advice, too!

  6. My English Castle Says:
    April 11th, 2011 at 02:31 am 1302489105
    1302489105

    Give yourself a week or so, and reconsider it. Some things i feel I NEED to have just seem to not feel so essential after a little time goes by. The comments seem like we've all been there.
    I was cleaning our garage over the weekend and found a car wash kit from two years ago my DH was adamant that we had to buy. i put it off a while, waiting for a deal, he kept nagging, so we bought it. Has he touched it? Nope.

  7. crazyliblady Says:
    April 11th, 2011 at 02:33 am 1302489184
    1302489184

    I am with you. I understand. Remind yourself what that $39 can buy for you, whether that is greater financial security in a larger emergency fund, a principle payment on a mortgage, an extra credit card payment, or a payment to a medical bill. Remind yourself of how many hours you would have to work to buy a set of dishes. I would say to have visual reminders of whatever your goal is in your space, like on the bathroom mirror, near your computer, on the refrigerator, and in your wallet. Whenever you get the urge to spend money unnecessarily, look at the image and remind yourself of what your real goal is.

  8. marvholly Says:
    April 11th, 2011 at 11:56 am 1302522983
    1302522983

    Let me go one more step to talk you out of these:

    yes they are lovely to look at BUT a big PITA to wash w/ all the narrow indentations toward the center of the plate for grease, bits and pieces to catch within.

  9. patientsaver Says:
    April 11th, 2011 at 12:15 pm 1302524107
    1302524107

    You all had some really good ideas for helping me resist the temptation, so for the time being, I haven't bought them. Trying to not think about it.

    But what really surprised me is that NO ONE said, aww, go ahead and buy it, it's just $40, you can afford to indulge.

    But paying down, heck paying OFF the mortgage is a huge thing for me and i feel i'm in the home stretch. And I certainly don't have any extra room in the kitchen, so if i did get the dishes, i'd have to get rid of one of my other sets. the original set is the one where i've broken a number of plates and/or chipped them, but that's the one i like the most.

    to buy those dishes would cost me less than 2 hours of work. Not too much of a deterrent!

    But for now, just putting it out of my mind.

    Very interesting comments!

  10. patientsaver Says:
    April 11th, 2011 at 12:21 pm 1302524470
    1302524470

    As soon as I wrote the last comment, I came across this story about the trouble people have unloading unwanted possessions!

    Perfect timing!

    http://www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/retirement/downsizing-boomers-looking-to-sell-their-stuff-1301517395843/?cid=1122

  11. MonkeyMama Says:
    April 11th, 2011 at 11:43 pm 1302565397
    1302565397

    "But what really surprised me is that NO ONE said, aww, go ahead and buy it, it's just $40, you can afford to indulge."

    I might have if you didn't have 2 sets of dishes that you already liked.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]