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4.12.2006

Four things I'll never buy....

Following Cap, at Stop Buying Crap, here are four things I'll never buy...
  • A ranch house in a subdivision. I just don't like ranch houses, and I really don't like ranch houses that look like all the other ranch houses on the block. Judging by the number of ranch houses that exist in subdivisions, I'm guessing I'm in the minority on this one.
  • A mini-van. I'm with Cap on this one, only give me a station wagon instead. I think most of our generation is with us when it comes to our dislike of mini-vans.
  • Fine china, or any other "special occasion only" type item. What's the point of owning something that you don't use and enjoy every day?
  • Any type of plasma/LCD/HDTV/big screen/insert luxury television here TV... just because I think watching TV is a drain on free time and the wallet enough the way it is.
I should note that I have a pink iPod mini and I love it. I know, not frugal, but it is over two years old and I use it all the time, so my cost per use is pretty low at this point. It is a luxury, but at least it is one that gets a lot of use.

What are the four things you'll never buy?

posted by savvy at 4/12/2006 03:13:00 PM

Comments on "Four things I'll never buy...."

 

Blogger collegesaver said ... (4:07 PM) : 

An iPod - For a different reason than StopBuyingCrap: the Creative brand is much better. Then again, maybe not since I hold about 50 songs max on my comp at all times...

Bling H20 - $373 for six less-than-a-liter bottle of water... Um... Pass!

Hummer - Ugly boxy thing worth way too much and much too disproportionate for 5'2" 100 lb me... Then again if some disastrous war... *knock on wood* Then if that happened I wouldn't be able to feed it with gas... Hmmm...

Real fur - Self explanatory... I hope...

 

Blogger Mom2fur said ... (4:31 PM) : 

Hummers really are ugly, aren't they? But in a disastrous war--I suppose you could live inside the thing.
I'd love to have one of the newer TVs, though. I love TV, mostly because I love movies. It's way, way, waaaaayyyy out of my reach, though. Dreaming is free, LOL!
I had a mini van. I hated it. I have a Durango now. I like it, except the gas mileage s*cks. We're in the market for a new car--the Durango is 8 years old. (We have 4 kids but 3 are driving now so we don't need the 7-passenger vehicle any longer.) I don't drive that much so gas isn't that big of an issue. The main reason we're getting rid of this puppy is that we're just waiting for the next big thing to happen that costs $1000--but so far, it's held up pretty nicely.
We're actually looking at used cars this time around. I have no problem in buying new because I tend to drive my cars for 10 or 12 years. And I don't want to buy someone else's problems. But we just don't have that kind of money right now. And some of those used cars are pretty nice!

 

Blogger Cap said ... (4:52 PM) : 

bling H20 is definitely the silliest crap ever.

I duno about a high tech TV, I might have one, one day.. but for now I'm still cool with my 13" kitchen TV.

 

Blogger Jennifer C. said ... (9:11 PM) : 

A purebred dog, the mutts at the shelter are adorable and so sweet!

 

Blogger Jonezez said ... (12:47 AM) : 

a motorcycle - too dangerous
polyester socks - makes your feet smell
exercise equipment - i've bought before and never used

 

Blogger savvy saver said ... (6:44 AM) : 

Jennifer C - I'm with you on the pound pups. I have one and she's the best dog ever... ;)

judah l. - I have an elliptical machine for sale if you are interested?? ;) I won't ever buy big exercise equipment again, I'll stick to exercise balls and mats, they take up less room.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:10 AM) : 

Cable television!

That was the biggest culture shock upon moving to the US, that people actually pay for television. Sometimes $300-$600/yr. For television.

 

Blogger savvy saver said ... (10:17 AM) : 

Anonymous- we spend almost $500 per year on satellite TV. We didn't have it for a long time, but is amazing how quickly it becomes a "need" once you do have it. I wouldn't mind going back to no cable, but I think Mr. Savvy would be very unhappy.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:59 AM) : 

I wonder if "ranch" means something different to you than it does to me.

I think of a ranch house as any house that is only one floor (with or without a basement).

Are you saying you will only live in a house that has stairs?

 

Blogger savvy saver said ... (12:22 PM) : 

We have the same definition of ranch. I like houses with multiple stories because they are a better use of space and tend to have a style that appeals to me more than a ranch. I'm sure there are lovely ranch houses out there, but I'm guessing they can't be found in a subdivision.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:31 PM) : 

4 things i'll never purchase:

1. IPOD. I hate those fucking things.
2. Lazik Surgery.
3. A Rolex. $4500 is just too fucking much to spend on a watch, period.
4. that dopey fucking robot vacuum cleaner.

 

Blogger Mom2fur said ... (8:28 AM) : 

Anonymous, I've heard those robot cleaners don't work all that well, anyway!
IPODs have too many bells and whistles. Who needs it? My little MP3 player holds plenty of music and does only that--holds music. And it cost me about $40.

 

Blogger Mandy said ... (8:11 PM) : 

I'm with you on the 'fine china' thing - I don't get the point of having something that gets used once a year if that and costs the earth. I'd rather get something decent and use it everyday.
I was having the same conversation with my dad about the TV thing - we were at an electronics store yesterday and so many people were putting huge LCD TVs on finance. It's not a necessity people! It's nice to have a good tv, but I'm happy with a conventional one that doesn't send me broke.
The Hummer is definitely an ugly *ss car - not for me.
The other item I'm not draining my savings for is a $500 pair of jeans. Even if they were amazing jeans, they can't be worth it. I'd rather find a $60 pair and wear them everyday and be able to replace them easily.
I do have an ipod - my luxury too. I use it everyday, so my cost per use is pretty low and I love it :)

 

Blogger Jonezez said ... (10:30 PM) : 

Whoa anon is pretty passionate about those robot vacuum cleaners. But I agree with the lasik... how many opthalmologists do you see getting that surgery on themselves (most wear glasses).

As for the elliptical.. I already own one!!!! And the only time i even touch it is when i use Pledge to dust it down. Time to post it on craigslist :)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:39 PM) : 

I totally disagree on the Lasik. I work as an optician, and I had Lasik 2 years ago. Not because my work wanted me to (in fact, they didn't. Because I sell glasses and they like us to "model" the product) but because it was a $$ smart idea. I paid $1500 after insurance for my surgery. I was spending $600/yr on glasses and contacts because my vision was THAT BAD. So, in 3 years, I am saving money. And, 20 years without glasses (at least) will be a great benefit.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:33 PM) : 

I completely disagree on the LCD/Plasma thing. I think its way less expensive to eat at home and watch a movie on a cool LCD/Plasma than it is to go out to a movie, and watching movies on a conventional TV really isn't the same.

I have both an LCD and a plasma, and I spend on the HD service. If you call having your friends over for a potluck and to watch the Superbowl, the Olympics, the NCAA tournament, or the Star Wars trilogy a luxury, so be it. And trust me, no one is going to come over to your house to watch these events on your 13" 10 year old tube from your college days.

Plus real estate in southern CA is way more expensive than most places out there, so having a TV that takes up a smaller profile costs less per sq. ft. Both of mine are wall mounted to free up floor space.

 

Blogger Deda said ... (4:11 PM) : 

May I say that I really enjoy your blog? I find my self coming here at least a few times each week.

My 4 things are -
1. Soda - no nutritional value
2. Brand new cars - I love my 68 Corvair and it costs me less than 200 a year to keep it running smoothly and insured. Plus it's been paid for year and years.
3. Any of the zillions of cleaning products out there, like window cleaner,laundry detergent and furniture polish - homemade is cheaper, more environmentally friendly and, I think, works better.
4. Fiction Books - that's what the public library is for.

I admit to the elliptical trainer and the 60" TV. Both paid for with cash. The TV is my husband's toy, but then we really aren't 'spend $8 at the movies' people, so this was a big luxury, after 2 years I have gotten used to it and occasionally I enjoy it. The elliptical trainer cost almost exactly the same as a 1 year gym membership, and I use it every day. While watching the TV.

 

Blogger Kassy said ... (4:20 PM) : 

Pink iPod = priceless!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:57 PM) : 

If no Big Screen HDTV for you and Mr. Savvy at least buy one for your Dad.

 

Blogger savvy saver said ... (2:53 PM) : 

hmm... even my Dad is leaving anonymous comments on my blog now?!? ;)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:00 PM) : 

4 more things i'll never buy:

1. An Armani Suit. Fuck Armani and his suits.
2. An American car. Not even a Cadillac.
3. A new car, of any country of origin. Totally fucking overpriced.
4. A mail order bride. My last one gave me herpes.

 

Anonymous Mandy said ... (9:38 PM) : 

I've got nothing against the LCD/plasma tv thing - if I could pay cash for one and not notice the expense, I'd do it. I guess we don't watch enough tv to warrant it anyhow - although the sport would be awesome ...

I have issues with people who take out finance for one when there's nothing wrong with their current model - it's almost like upgrading for the sake of it and getting yourself into debt at the same time.

 

Anonymous Lisa said ... (8:24 AM) : 

I can totally relate to the "ranch in a subdivision". Our last house was one of these. It looked just like all the others. I will never go back!

 

Anonymous Meme Momo said ... (10:23 PM) : 

Love this blog! Came across it totally by accident. Here are my 4 things:

1. Thong underwear. I see enough of them riding up above the tops of jeans of people who really shouldn't be wearing them. Yikes.
2. Food processor. More time in the kitchen? Hell no.
3. Pedicure. Don't ask
4. First class tickets. $1200 for a seat on the SAME plane as the guy who paid $250? What a waste.

 

Anonymous Claudia said ... (2:43 AM) : 

Greetings from Germany, I love this blog! Here are my four things:

1. Fake nails. They cost 7 to 8 Euros apiece and I still have all my ten fingers. Plus, I'd have to hire a housekeeper with these things glued to me - at least for the six weeks they last.

2. Any television set, whether plasma or other. There's nothing to watch but commercials, anyway...

3. One of these - how do you call them? - "dead-leaves-from-lawn-vacuum-cleaner" with a harness and an electric input like any middle-sized aluminum production plant. My garden has only 250 square meters with three miserable bushes. Plus, I hate it when moles and hedgehogs are being pulled into the nozzle.

4. Garden gnomes, as long as I can not find one in the shape of Paris Hilton.

 

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