Saving Money

[stanlaurel]

When my wife comes home and tells me that she has "saved money" by buying something we did not need because it was "on sale" I am justifiably skeptical.
Can I apply this to myself?
When I heard that there was an Estate sale at SPC, I rushed over there with $$ signs on my eyes. It of course took me no time at all to find an English Estate that I "had to have". I mean, it was reduced from $155 to $132! I was going to save $23. But how am I saving $23 by buying a pipe for $132 that I was not going to buy only minutes before?
I talked myself out of it. I saved $132.

 

[mountiepicker]

I thought the same thing about C&D sale at smoking pipes.com. When I told my wife I was buying a pound she thought I was crazy. Of course, she always thinks I'm crazy!

 

[agnosticpipe]

stanlaurel: +1
The only way to save money is to not spend it. It's pretty much a constant issue with me, and my wife, as we're too much alike! :lol:

 

[brudnod]

My son likes to save coupons. He goes to the grocery store and buys stuff that he not only does not need but probably will never consume JUST because it has [admittedly] a significant reduction in price. Since he lives with us (college grad - what can I say) the stuff just sits around until we throw it out. Not dissimilar from the pipes sale thing. Not that I have not been guilty of the same thing...

 

[edwinbaz]

I remember going to stores when I was a kid and I'd say to my dad "LOOK! If you buy me this you save 25%!" and every single time he'd reply "...and if I don't I save 100%." Sure, once in a while he budged, but that response he always gave has stayed engraved in my mind. It has saved me from bankrupting the household finances a couple of times. Sound thinking, stanlaurel.

 

[mso489]

Academic economists have gotten into the irrational side of financial decisions and I think there have been several Nobel Prizes for authors of papers and books on the subject. I try to confine my sprees somewhat. One time I used a big glass change jar as my pipe savings, and eventually took it to the grocery store and dumped it in the change machine and used the proceeds to buy a La Rocca poker from my local independent B&M. Other times I've waited for particular annual sales. Luckily, my go-to carver only sells twice a year at the fairgrounds (once at the fair and once at the pipe show, and never online) so that's helpful. Yup, you can always "save" money by buying on sale, now! I am amused watching the local car dealers with their ... get ready for spring sale, their going back to school sale, their year end clearance, and so on. They are rarely not having some kind of sale, and I doubt the prices change a dime.

 

[gloucesterman]

Although I applaud thrift and buying something you will never use just because you got it for less isn't much of a bargin, there are times when you should buy that estate pipe you have always wanted. Treating yourself to something special makes the daily grind just a little less so. It provides a reason you work so hard. An occasional reward is good for the soul and your mental health. And it certainly isn't something you will never use! Prudence dictates reasonable limits should be self imposed but having goals (to acquire that long sought after pipe)is a good thing. It brings a bit of joy to Muddville!!!

 

[griffonwing]

I had a great aunt who, one day, went to the store and saw that they were having a sale on canned dog food. Apparently they over-purchased and needed to clear room. She bought a few cases at a remarkable deal.
She didn't own a dog.

 

[captainprophesy]

She didn't own a dog.

Griffon wing: "Aunt Mary... this is the best corned beef and hash Ive ever had."
Aunt Mary: "I know dear, I know"
I gave your aunt the name Mary since you didn't name her... not sure why it just popped into my head.

 

[deathmetal]

The only way to save money is to not spend it.

Errr... or to invest it in something with higher return than inflation?
Modern society blues, man.

 

[jkrug]

If I added up all the money I've saved buying pipes on sale I'd be a rich man....or not!! :lol:

 

[griffonwing]

I gave your aunt the name Mary since you didn't name her... not sure why it just popped into my head.

I can't recall her name. She was a distant aunt, not immediate. She died when i was young. I think she ended up giving the cans away, but I heard she was very pleased with her savings.

 

[seacaptain]

In theory, I should be a millionaire because of all the money my wife has saved.

 

[mso489]

I guess the other end of the spectrum is the person who earns and inherits and never spends anything but lives in a kind of miserable penury with ever ballooning resources. I guess the trick is to have enough in reserve for security and spend what you do spend well, keeping your church, schools, and carefully considered charities in mind too. The tension makes the occasional splurge more satisfying. It seems to me.