Comments on: The Battle Between the Stuff I Want and the Guilt I’m Left With http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:03:21 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: PJ http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-280331 PJ Mon, 19 May 2008 16:45:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-280331 Sounds like you need to set yourself a 'fun' budget too; if it's in the budget you shouldn't feel guilty about it! Sounds like you need to set yourself a ‘fun’ budget too; if it’s in the budget you shouldn’t feel guilty about it!

]]> By: abhijeet http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-277398 abhijeet Fri, 16 May 2008 13:39:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-277398 Hi I found an interesting way to check urself before u spend. i saw it on lifehacker.com It goes like this: say if you want to buy a camera for $100, what you have to do in order to get it is spend atleast 10% of the day value( 10 days to be precise) in searching for the best price and comparison with other similar products. If after 10 days and all this comparison you still feel you need it buy it then but if you feel that you dont then you have saved those dollars wisely. Another thing me and my wife practice is when we go to a store like walmart or the mall, initially pick up all the things that you think you need but before you reach the cash registers, look at the stuff and then be your own judge whether you REALLY REALLY need it? Turns out, we return about 30% of the stuff we initially thought we needed but really dont need. Now if we go every week to a store that means that over a month we actually avoided 120% spending. Also we try to geoshop. our workplace is halfway between our house and the mall side of town. if we need to go to the mall side of town, we always start from the workplace and rarely from home. that saves us gas. And obviously the GUILT that follows. I hope these tricks may be useful to someone. Hi I found an interesting way to check urself before u spend. i saw it on lifehacker.com
It goes like this:
say if you want to buy a camera for $100, what you have to do in order to get it is spend atleast 10% of the day value( 10 days to be precise) in searching for the best price and comparison with other similar products. If after 10 days and all this comparison you still feel you need it buy it then but if you feel that you dont then you have saved those dollars wisely.
Another thing me and my wife practice is when we go to a store like walmart or the mall, initially pick up all the things that you think you need but before you reach the cash registers, look at the stuff and then be your own judge whether you REALLY REALLY need it? Turns out, we return about 30% of the stuff we initially thought we needed but really dont need. Now if we go every week to a store that means that over a month we actually avoided 120% spending.
Also we try to geoshop. our workplace is halfway between our house and the mall side of town. if we need to go to the mall side of town, we always start from the workplace and rarely from home. that saves us gas.
And obviously the GUILT that follows.
I hope these tricks may be useful to someone.

]]> By: Andre http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-277105 Andre Fri, 16 May 2008 00:39:26 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-277105 I had the exact same problem when I bought Mario Kart Wii (I had just before bought another Wii game and only bought MK after a long back and forth session.) After I played it for the first time I had fun but still couldn't shake the guilt. The guilt itself finally left when my girlfriend (who normally doesn't like playing video games with me) and I spent an entire weekend at home playing it together, and have done so many times since then. Thus, the $50 spent on the game brought back a return of: A) An activity my girlfriend and I both enjoy and can spend our time together doing and B) An activity we can do at home for free (after the initial purchase) instead of going out and spending money. On weekends we like going out for lunch, going shopping at the mall, eating out for dinner and getting drinks at a bar. (What un-married couple doesn't, yeah?) Well, with Mario Kart I made lunch and dinner at home and we didn't go to the mall or a bar. Theres a lot more returns, tangible and intangible, in a "guilty" purchase like Mario Kart than you may initially think. I had the exact same problem when I bought Mario Kart Wii (I had just before bought another Wii game and only bought MK after a long back and forth session.) After I played it for the first time I had fun but still couldn’t shake the guilt.

The guilt itself finally left when my girlfriend (who normally doesn’t like playing video games with me) and I spent an entire weekend at home playing it together, and have done so many times since then. Thus, the $50 spent on the game brought back a return of:

A) An activity my girlfriend and I both enjoy and can spend our time together doing and

B) An activity we can do at home for free (after the initial purchase) instead of going out and spending money.

On weekends we like going out for lunch, going shopping at the mall, eating out for dinner and getting drinks at a bar. (What un-married couple doesn’t, yeah?) Well, with Mario Kart I made lunch and dinner at home and we didn’t go to the mall or a bar.

Theres a lot more returns, tangible and intangible, in a “guilty” purchase like Mario Kart than you may initially think.

]]> By: slackbob http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-277032 slackbob Thu, 15 May 2008 21:39:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-277032 Man do I sympathize with you there. I am still trying to find a balance, though a financial mud hole I have myself in is messing up those efforts. Man do I sympathize with you there. I am still trying to find a balance, though a financial mud hole I have myself in is messing up those efforts.

]]> By: Matt http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-276830 Matt Thu, 15 May 2008 15:43:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-276830 Personally I don't feel guilty about buying video games for a very simple reason: they have great value. Think about it. If you invite some friends over and play a game for just 1 hour instead of going to a movie, each person saved 10$. Do this a couple times and games become very affordable. The same principle would work with buying movies, but you are more likely to replay a game than rewatch a movie. Even if its a single player game I think its worth it. Many games last 10 hours (or more), for a $50 game that's just $5 an hour, $2.50 if you replay it and even less if there is multiplayer. Just make sure that the money on games is coming from your entertainment budget. That's my strategy anyway. Personally I don’t feel guilty about buying video games for a very simple reason: they have great value.

Think about it. If you invite some friends over and play a game for just 1 hour instead of going to a movie, each person saved 10$. Do this a couple times and games become very affordable. The same principle would work with buying movies, but you are more likely to replay a game than rewatch a movie.

Even if its a single player game I think its worth it. Many games last 10 hours (or more), for a $50 game that’s just $5 an hour, $2.50 if you replay it and even less if there is multiplayer. Just make sure that the money on games is coming from your entertainment budget.

That’s my strategy anyway.

]]> By: David http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-276551 David Thu, 15 May 2008 05:17:48 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-276551 You set goals and a reward for meeting those goals. You met the goals, and now you feel guilty for taking the reward? Nonsense. Stop rewarding yourself if you must, but playing by your rules is a lot more important than wringing your hands over a $50 game that you enjoy playing. Don't get weird on yourself and your family. This is what it's all about--you set aside that money for this purpose. You set goals and a reward for meeting those goals. You met the goals, and now you feel guilty for taking the reward? Nonsense. Stop rewarding yourself if you must, but playing by your rules is a lot more important than wringing your hands over a $50 game that you enjoy playing. Don’t get weird on yourself and your family. This is what it’s all about–you set aside that money for this purpose.

]]> By: Dave http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-276134 Dave Wed, 14 May 2008 18:02:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-276134 I know what you're saying. In this situation I would feel the same way. Now, I don't know deep down inside why you feel this way, but I know why I would. My little voice would be asking me, "what are you getting out of this?" If you are just sitting on your couch at night playing the Wii, then you're not really getting anything out of your purchase. You could just as easily be sitting on your couch reading a book (free from the local library). On the other hand, I would argue that you deserve the game. Since you and your readers have all listed the reasons that you deserve it, I'll spare you from reading them again. So in your situation, here's how I would reconcile this purchase: I would make it work for me. I would get something out of it. In my case, I would invite my friends over to play a few times. This could replace a night at the bar or the movie theater. This way you're saving a little money by not going out and you're also building "social capital". And it's way more fun than playing by yourself anyway. If you get something back from the game you'll find that the little voice is quickly placated. I know what you’re saying. In this situation I would feel the same way. Now, I don’t know deep down inside why you feel this way, but I know why I would. My little voice would be asking me, “what are you getting out of this?” If you are just sitting on your couch at night playing the Wii, then you’re not really getting anything out of your purchase. You could just as easily be sitting on your couch reading a book (free from the local library).

On the other hand, I would argue that you deserve the game. Since you and your readers have all listed the reasons that you deserve it, I’ll spare you from reading them again.

So in your situation, here’s how I would reconcile this purchase: I would make it work for me. I would get something out of it. In my case, I would invite my friends over to play a few times. This could replace a night at the bar or the movie theater. This way you’re saving a little money by not going out and you’re also building “social capital”. And it’s way more fun than playing by yourself anyway.

If you get something back from the game you’ll find that the little voice is quickly placated.

]]> By: Paul http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-276114 Paul Wed, 14 May 2008 17:22:45 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-276114 I can totally relate to this. I have been wanting a new xbox 360 for awhile now. I look at it every time I go into the store. Now, my PS2 works fine, but I really want the xbox 360. But I just keep listening to my wife who says that by the time the PS2 is dead, the 360 will cost half of what it does now. And, I can still get used games for the PS2 for a fraction of the cost of a 360 game. It's a win/win situation for us for me to wait, but that doesn't take away from me wanting that new system. I can totally relate to this. I have been wanting a new xbox 360 for awhile now. I look at it every time I go into the store. Now, my PS2 works fine, but I really want the xbox 360. But I just keep listening to my wife who says that by the time the PS2 is dead, the 360 will cost half of what it does now. And, I can still get used games for the PS2 for a fraction of the cost of a 360 game. It’s a win/win situation for us for me to wait, but that doesn’t take away from me wanting that new system.

]]> By: Chris http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-276090 Chris Wed, 14 May 2008 16:46:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-276090 I love that I'm being smart with my money now and that I see the opportunity cost when I buy something I don't need. I cut down my discretionary spending to a shadow of its former self and dug myself out of debt. I don't waste my money anymore and it feels good. However, if I ever feel guilty about buying one $50 videogame that I had been planning on buying for months (that I agreed I would only buy if I met specific goals) - please shoot me. I love that I’m being smart with my money now and that I see the opportunity cost when I buy something I don’t need. I cut down my discretionary spending to a shadow of its former self and dug myself out of debt. I don’t waste my money anymore and it feels good.

However, if I ever feel guilty about buying one $50 videogame that I had been planning on buying for months (that I agreed I would only buy if I met specific goals) – please shoot me.

]]> By: Matt http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275976 Matt Wed, 14 May 2008 13:07:59 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275976 I can totally relate to this. I am currently stuck with the decision to buy a new LCD widescreen tv. My current TV works fine, but i've been itching for a High Def TV for awhile. I figure I should really wait till I can pay for it with cash, rather than putting it on credit, as I'll only regret it when i need to scrounge around for the extra cash. And I really need to put it towards that house deposit. Thanks for the post. Very helpful. I can totally relate to this. I am currently stuck with the decision to buy a new LCD widescreen tv. My current TV works fine, but i’ve been itching for a High Def TV for awhile.

I figure I should really wait till I can pay for it with cash, rather than putting it on credit, as I’ll only regret it when i need to scrounge around for the extra cash. And I really need to put it towards that house deposit.

Thanks for the post. Very helpful.

]]> By: Kim http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275778 Kim Wed, 14 May 2008 06:09:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275778 I understand the guilt. I recently, after about 8 months of looking to replace my chipped stoneware dishes finally took the plunge and purchased the ones I had been looking at when they were about 75% off. Still...I have been plagued by the nagging thought of what I could have done with that money...the number of children in third world countries that could have eaten for a month on what I spent on dishes. I go through this same guilt every time I spend something that feels frivolous. I recently purchased new doggie pillows when I finally got sick of looking at messed up blankets in every corner of the house (it seemed). In the back of my head I calculate nearly every purchase by how long a child could eat under one of the programs like WorldVision or Compassion and it tears me up! What I am struggling to come up with is the healthy balance between caring for the poor and taking care of things here, wisely preparing for the future, as well as living moderately well today. I understand the guilt. I recently, after about 8 months of looking to replace my chipped stoneware dishes finally took the plunge and purchased the ones I had been looking at when they were about 75% off. Still…I have been plagued by the nagging thought of what I could have done with that money…the number of children in third world countries that could have eaten for a month on what I spent on dishes. I go through this same guilt every time I spend something that feels frivolous. I recently purchased new doggie pillows when I finally got sick of looking at messed up blankets in every corner of the house (it seemed). In the back of my head I calculate nearly every purchase by how long a child could eat under one of the programs like WorldVision or Compassion and it tears me up!

What I am struggling to come up with is the healthy balance between caring for the poor and taking care of things here, wisely preparing for the future, as well as living moderately well today.

]]> By: Ricardo Bueno http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275635 Ricardo Bueno Tue, 13 May 2008 23:32:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275635 Just put everything in the cart that you want to buy...then just when you're about the check out. Put the basket down and walk out. You'll get the joy of having picked out all the things you wanted without the sorrow of having emptied your wallet. (But you might feel like a jerk for dumping a basket full of items for someone to re-stock). Just put everything in the cart that you want to buy…then just when you’re about the check out. Put the basket down and walk out.

You’ll get the joy of having picked out all the things you wanted without the sorrow of having emptied your wallet. (But you might feel like a jerk for dumping a basket full of items for someone to re-stock).

]]> By: Anna http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275590 Anna Tue, 13 May 2008 22:23:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275590 This is a big, big struggle for our family. We've had repressed wants for so long, we've started to indulge, and we've lost a sense of what's healthy. We haven't gone wild and spent our (tiny) fortune, but I just don't know what's justified and what's not. This is a big, big struggle for our family. We’ve had repressed wants for so long, we’ve started to indulge, and we’ve lost a sense of what’s healthy. We haven’t gone wild and spent our (tiny) fortune, but I just don’t know what’s justified and what’s not.

]]> By: gr8whyte http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275549 gr8whyte Tue, 13 May 2008 20:46:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275549 In my younger days, I used to feel guilty when I bought wants but weaned myself off it by using each event as a learning experience to better prepare me for the next. No guilt, no regrets, can't afford it. In my younger days, I used to feel guilty when I bought wants but weaned myself off it by using each event as a learning experience to better prepare me for the next. No guilt, no regrets, can’t afford it.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275511 Lisa Tue, 13 May 2008 19:57:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275511 I'd have to agree- you are being too hard on yourself. I've found myself in similar situations often. When frugal is the normal mentality it's sometimes hard to remember that the present is important too. In the extreme case- you don't want to end up hoarding your money and not enjoying the little things in life. Reaching your goals should be celebrated, and you shouldn't feel guilty. I’d have to agree- you are being too hard on yourself. I’ve found myself in similar situations often. When frugal is the normal mentality it’s sometimes hard to remember that the present is important too. In the extreme case- you don’t want to end up hoarding your money and not enjoying the little things in life. Reaching your goals should be celebrated, and you shouldn’t feel guilty.

]]> By: Charles Anderson http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275502 Charles Anderson Tue, 13 May 2008 19:35:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275502 Frugality is prudence in avoiding waste. Money spent on games as entertainment is only wasted if you do not derive pleasure from playing it. Feel guilty, play the game and enjoy the game. You spent $50 on it, but if you truly enjoy it for 50 hours, how much is that worth to you? I use 2 rules to get over my guilt. 1) The 5 dollar rule. 2) The 1 in, 2 out rule. I use the $5 rule. If I buy a game for $50, I am committing to playing it for at least 10 hours. Each hour of entertainment cost $5 for. 10 hours is my break even, everything after that should lessen your guilt even more. 10 hours That is 4 movies you didn't pay $7.00 to see. Still feeling guilty, The 1 in, 2 out rule Take two other video games, movies, or combination there of, and sell them to recoup some of the cost. Apply this to the cost to achieve break even faster. Do this enough and you soon get to the point where the only games in your collection are the ones you play all the time. Bonus you are reducing you clutter level and working toward minimalism. There is no guilt in owning a game system and x number of games. Especially if you play them all the time. Frugality is prudence in avoiding waste.

Money spent on games as entertainment is only wasted if you do not derive pleasure from playing it.

Feel guilty, play the game and enjoy the game. You spent $50 on it, but if you truly enjoy it for 50 hours, how much is that worth to you?

I use 2 rules to get over my guilt.

1) The 5 dollar rule.
2) The 1 in, 2 out rule.

I use the $5 rule. If I buy a game for $50, I am committing to playing it for at least 10 hours. Each hour of entertainment cost $5 for. 10 hours is my break even, everything after that should lessen your guilt even more.

10 hours
That is 4 movies you didn’t pay $7.00 to see.

Still feeling guilty,

The 1 in, 2 out rule

Take two other video games, movies, or combination there of, and sell them to recoup some of the cost. Apply this to the cost to achieve break even faster. Do this enough and you soon get to the point where the only games in your collection are the ones you play all the time.

Bonus you are reducing you clutter level and working toward minimalism.

There is no guilt in owning a game system and x number of games. Especially if you play them all the time.

]]> By: Phil A http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275477 Phil A Tue, 13 May 2008 18:28:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275477 I don't know about Mario Kart Wii but Mario Kart 64 is a great game and one of the most addictive video games I have ever played. I love that Wario Stadium and using the lightning to shrink the other racers as they are going up the ramp and then they would miss the jump leaving them far behind. I don’t know about Mario Kart Wii but Mario Kart 64 is a great game and one of the most addictive video games I have ever played. I love that Wario Stadium and using the lightning to shrink the other racers as they are going up the ramp and then they would miss the jump leaving them far behind.

]]> By: Robert Dyson http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275475 Robert Dyson Tue, 13 May 2008 18:22:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275475 I bought Mario Kart Wii last week when a friend was coming into town, and I felt guilty at first. But then, after we didn't go out at all two nights in a row (he's a junior at Vandy, used to going out every night) I realized we'd already saved at least the cost of the game. I bought Mario Kart Wii last week when a friend was coming into town, and I felt guilty at first. But then, after we didn’t go out at all two nights in a row (he’s a junior at Vandy, used to going out every night) I realized we’d already saved at least the cost of the game.

]]> By: Francis Rose http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275459 Francis Rose Tue, 13 May 2008 17:53:54 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275459 Trent: do you and your wife have a "blow money" line in your budget? I stole the idea from Dave Ramsey. We each get $40 every two weeks that is strictly for fun. Several times I have saved it up from week to week to do something (baseball tix, clothes, etc) that I wouldn't have bought otherwise. If you don't have "blow money" you should consider adding it to your budget. Trent: do you and your wife have a “blow money” line in your budget? I stole the idea from Dave Ramsey. We each get $40 every two weeks that is strictly for fun. Several times I have saved it up from week to week to do something (baseball tix, clothes, etc) that I wouldn’t have bought otherwise. If you don’t have “blow money” you should consider adding it to your budget.

]]> By: M3 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/comment-page-2/#comment-275438 M3 Tue, 13 May 2008 16:42:39 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/12/the-battle-between-the-stuff-i-want-and-the-guilt-im-left-with/#comment-275438 I don't have advice on this one, but thanks so much for letting us know we're not the only one's who second guess ourselves. I agree that the voice was telling you something, maybe even something as basic as "this isn't you anymore". I'm sure you'll figure it out. Congratulations for meeting the goals you laid out to get you to this place, anyway. I don’t have advice on this one, but thanks so much for letting us know we’re not the only one’s who second guess ourselves. I agree that the voice was telling you something, maybe even something as basic as “this isn’t you anymore”. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Congratulations for meeting the goals you laid out to get you to this place, anyway.

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