Comments on: Visiting Williams-Sonoma: How To Avoid Overspending On Something That Stirs Your Passions http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:44:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jaden http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-755845 Jaden Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:31:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-755845 Great ideas to keep the spending down... Love them! And I SO want a Kitchen Aid mixer... Someday... Someday. :) Great ideas to keep the spending down… Love them! And I SO want a Kitchen Aid mixer… Someday… Someday. :)

]]> By: Amber P http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-755809 Amber P Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:49:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-755809 These are great tips. One more tip that helps me in stores like WS is that I have to pass the "lifestyle test". A mistake lots of us make is to buy things because we like the idea of the lifestyle that these things will enable for us. So I don't allow myself to make purchases to support a lifestyle that I don't already have. I rarely bake, so until I am making pies or cakes on a regular basis, I won't allow myself to spend money on any fancy pie or cake baking tools. In your case though, I have to agree with past posters that since you already bake bread on a regular basis, a stand mixer might be a good investment. P.S. I stumbled on your blog recently and was so inspired by your bread making post that I tried it and now bake my own bread weekly. I never thought it was something I could do! These are great tips. One more tip that helps me in stores like WS is that I have to pass the “lifestyle test”. A mistake lots of us make is to buy things because we like the idea of the lifestyle that these things will enable for us. So I don’t allow myself to make purchases to support a lifestyle that I don’t already have. I rarely bake, so until I am making pies or cakes on a regular basis, I won’t allow myself to spend money on any fancy pie or cake baking tools. In your case though, I have to agree with past posters that since you already bake bread on a regular basis, a stand mixer might be a good investment.

P.S. I stumbled on your blog recently and was so inspired by your bread making post that I tried it and now bake my own bread weekly. I never thought it was something I could do!

]]> By: Bea Helf http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-755125 Bea Helf Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:43:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-755125 When My husband I split up, My much coveted kitchen Aid was given to him. I had bought it after attending a candy making class. In essence it was MINE, but it was a amicable divorce. No big settlement or alimony, and I am recently retired. The 2 splurge purchases were a Larger (5 qt.) KA mixer and a Cuisinart food processor. After that I didn't need anything else.For my kitchen, everything else I bought at the dollar store with an occasional splurge with Pampered Chef and the outlet mall. When My husband I split up, My much coveted kitchen Aid was given to him. I had bought it after attending a candy making class. In essence it was MINE, but it was a amicable divorce. No big settlement or alimony, and I am recently retired. The 2 splurge purchases were a Larger (5 qt.) KA mixer and a Cuisinart food processor. After that I didn’t need anything else.For my kitchen, everything else I bought at the dollar store with an occasional splurge with Pampered Chef and the outlet mall.

]]> By: Lisa Braithwaite http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-57437 Lisa Braithwaite Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:18:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-57437 Here's how my husband got his much-coveted KitchenAid mixer. About 15 years ago, I divided the cost of the KitchenAid by how many people in his family and mine who would be buying him Christmas gifts. I solicited both families and asked them, instead of buying individual gifts, to contribute to the KitchenAid fund. I think I might have had to put in a little extra to make up the difference between the cost and the donations. It was one of his favorite Christmas gifts ever! Here’s how my husband got his much-coveted KitchenAid mixer.

About 15 years ago, I divided the cost of the KitchenAid by how many people in his family and mine who would be buying him Christmas gifts. I solicited both families and asked them, instead of buying individual gifts, to contribute to the KitchenAid fund. I think I might have had to put in a little extra to make up the difference between the cost and the donations. It was one of his favorite Christmas gifts ever!

]]> By: Susan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-56949 Susan Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:17:02 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-56949 One more vote for the KitchenAid - well worth the money. It is a work horse of a machine. I recommend watching Amazon for deals or QVC around the holidays - you will be able to get one for a great price. FYI - get the big one with the crank-up the bowl lever. It does double batches of everything much easier than the smaller tilt head model. Costs a bit more, but the larger capacity works better for a family. Absolutely addicted to your blog - many thanks! One more vote for the KitchenAid – well worth the money. It is a work horse of a machine. I recommend watching Amazon for deals or QVC around the holidays – you will be able to get one for a great price. FYI – get the big one with the crank-up the bowl lever. It does double batches of everything much easier than the smaller tilt head model. Costs a bit more, but the larger capacity works better for a family.

Absolutely addicted to your blog – many thanks!

]]> By: PerpetualCarouse http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-56941 PerpetualCarouse Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:55:58 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-56941 I [heart] WS as well... even though I know everything there is insanely overpriced. Try a restaurant supply place for kitchen stuff. 20-80% cheaper, and usually way more durable, since stuff there is designed for heavy duty use. It's not displayed all pretty-like, though, and they usually smell more like warehouses than whatever seasonal bread WS is hawking at the moment. I [heart] WS as well… even though I know everything there is insanely overpriced. Try a restaurant supply place for kitchen stuff. 20-80% cheaper, and usually way more durable, since stuff there is designed for heavy duty use. It’s not displayed all pretty-like, though, and they usually smell more like warehouses than whatever seasonal bread WS is hawking at the moment.

]]> By: Tim http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-56915 Tim Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:21:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-56915 we like the WS celebrating the foods of the world series of cookbooks, because they are more than just cookbooks. if you like baking, definitely look at King Arthur's Flour WS isn't the cheapest, but they do have deals here and there. the WS labeled stuff tends to be cheaper and of good value, too. we like the WS celebrating the foods of the world series of cookbooks, because they are more than just cookbooks.

if you like baking, definitely look at King Arthur’s Flour

WS isn’t the cheapest, but they do have deals here and there. the WS labeled stuff tends to be cheaper and of good value, too.

]]> By: Trent http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-56861 Trent Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:34:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-56861 James, the camera phone is a good idea. My many-year-old cell phone is about to die. James, the camera phone is a good idea. My many-year-old cell phone is about to die.

]]> By: James http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-56849 James Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:46:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-56849 Good idea about shopping with a notepad... I usually don't carry one around with me, but I use the camera on my phone for the same purpose. If I see something interesting, I take a picture and forget about it for a while. Then, when browsing my photos, if I still feel like I want to have it, I look for it online. Good idea about shopping with a notepad… I usually don’t carry one around with me, but I use the camera on my phone for the same purpose. If I see something interesting, I take a picture and forget about it for a while. Then, when browsing my photos, if I still feel like I want to have it, I look for it online.

]]> By: Modern Worker http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-56845 Modern Worker Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:32:15 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-56845 Kreblog, Alton's a wise man in the kitchen. I take his advice too! Kreblog, Alton’s a wise man in the kitchen. I take his advice too!

]]> By: Kreblog http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-56812 Kreblog Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:30:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-56812 In this specific case you should also channel Alton Brown... don't buy uni-taskers! In this specific case you should also channel Alton Brown… don’t buy uni-taskers!

]]> By: Pam http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-56802 Pam Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:51:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-56802 One of my best friends recently married for the first time at 45 and I was matron of honor in her wedding. Even though it was a somewhat informal affair, this still meant buying a dress and all the related accessories, a shower gift, a wedding gift, plus travel to the wedding and weekend accomodations. All those things were planned for, I found some great deals/shared a room and travel expenses with a friend, packed healthy munchies for the road to avoid meals out and paid cash for everything. What I didn't plan on, and what relates to your article, was the amount of extra money I spent simply because I was in a mall far more often that usual and actively shopping in preparation for the wedding. When I added up the little impulse purchases that were made over the past few weeks, it became glaringly obvious that I would need to count pennies for the remainder of the month to avoid completely blowing my budget (and reminded me why I avoid malls like the plague!). One of my best friends recently married for the first time at 45 and I was matron of honor in her wedding. Even though it was a somewhat informal affair, this still meant buying a dress and all the related accessories, a shower gift, a wedding gift, plus travel to the wedding and weekend accomodations. All those things were planned for, I found some great deals/shared a room and travel expenses with a friend, packed healthy munchies for the road to avoid meals out and paid cash for everything. What I didn’t plan on, and what relates to your article, was the amount of extra money I spent simply because I was in a mall far more often that usual and actively shopping in preparation for the wedding. When I added up the little impulse purchases that were made over the past few weeks, it became glaringly obvious that I would need to count pennies for the remainder of the month to avoid completely blowing my budget (and reminded me why I avoid malls like the plague!).

]]> By: Bellen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-56799 Bellen Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:37:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-56799 That's why I'm glad we don't have a Williams-Sonoma store near us - just would not be able to stop the impluse buying. I do use their catalog. I also splurged on a KitchenAid stand mixer, about 20-25 years ago. I used it all the time when my 3 boys lived at home. I do not consider it a real splurge because I too cook from scratch including bread (don't like bread machines) and the mixer plays a large part in being able to turn out great food. Oh yes, the set of 6 Williams Sonoma dish towels I splurged on (about $6 each while friends spent $1/3) about 10 years ago are still going strong, altho slightly faded and spotted. Friends replace theirs every year!! That’s why I’m glad we don’t have a Williams-Sonoma store near us – just would not be able to stop the impluse buying. I do use their catalog.

I also splurged on a KitchenAid stand mixer, about 20-25 years ago. I used it all the time when my 3 boys lived at home. I do not consider it a real splurge because I too cook from scratch including bread (don’t like bread machines) and the mixer plays a large part in being able to turn out great food.

Oh yes, the set of 6 Williams Sonoma dish towels I splurged on (about $6 each while friends spent $1/3) about 10 years ago are still going strong, altho slightly faded and spotted. Friends replace theirs every year!!

]]> By: Joanne Reed http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/comment-page-1/#comment-56774 Joanne Reed Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:33:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/12/visiting-williams-sonoma-how-to-avoid-overspending-on-something-that-stirs-your-passions/#comment-56774 I love your writing and ideas but denying yourself the Kitchenaid stand mixer is really too much self denial. I have had mine for more than 20 years and used it at least 3 times a week on a regular basis. I probably use it daily around holidays. It is not a luxury; it is a well worth it necessity. Believe me, I was in a much tighter money situation than you are when I bought it but have never regretted that purchase for even an instant. I thoroughly enjoy, learn from, and use your writings. I love your writing and ideas but denying yourself the Kitchenaid stand mixer is really too much self denial. I have had mine for more than 20 years and used it at least 3 times a week on a regular basis. I probably use it daily around holidays. It is not a luxury; it is a well worth it necessity. Believe me, I was in a much tighter money situation than you are when I bought it but have never regretted that purchase for even an instant. I thoroughly enjoy, learn from, and use your writings.

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