Comments on: The Cost of Maintenance and Defense

By: JuliB

JuliB — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:09:07 +0000

I have an alarm for personal protection. No, I don’t think that it will stop people from trying to rob me, or from them taking stuff if I’m not home. However, when I am home, I sleep well. All I need is a moment’s notification that someone has broken in, and the real defense plans kick in.

In addition, my alarm (ADT) monitors my fire alarms too. My home insurance gives me a discount, bringing the average monthly costs down to less than $20 a month.

I look at the alarm and my additional defense … tools… as the same as my fire extinguisher. I’ll be happiest to never need them, but if I do need them, I’ll have them.

By: Linda

Linda — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:45:53 +0000

I had a particularly difficult experience when someone stole money, got into a checkbook, stole sentimental things belonging to my husband and me–all while we were supporting this person with food, a roof over his head, the husband driving him to/from work, AA and drug rehab meetings, etc. We didn’t have the room or time to help him, as we were caring for a gravely ill family member, yet we made the room and time. Needless to say, drug and alcohol rehab didn’t work out so well. This person is a familiy member–step son to me. He has many seedy friends. His sister, while not having the exact same problems, also has a seedy history. I took all my jewelry, mostly sentimental, but valuable, to the safe deposit box, sold most other things of value, shipped other things to a sister across country and gave many things to charity. I’m still downsizing with the goal of having only enough, non-valuable possessions to live. Even doing all this, I was terrified to leave home, even to go to work, let alone go out for the evening or a weekend or vacation. This happened nearly two years ago, and we still don’t tell anyone when we’re leaving the house. I know it’s unreasonable, but the stealing, by both individuals, has been going on for 30+ years, and we’ve no reason to believe it won’t happen again, given the opportunity. We had an alarm system installed. It hasn’t completely relieved my worries, but the comfort I’ve received from having it in our home, shop, etc. is worth so much more than the admittedly spendy amount we paid for it. We have gone on trips. We just leave a couple of trusted friends with keys and codes and cell nummbers, and I can leave without constant, painful worry. It’s still always in the back of my mind, but I can deal with it. Dogs, I think, are the best security system–while you’re home. I want to protect my animals, too, and the security system helps to do that. Security systems aren’t for everyone, but for me, ours has allowed me to continue to function. It’s that important to me. Best money I’ve ever spent.

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:32:31 +0000

I can’t understand the alarm mentality either. I lived in a house that was broken into when I was young and it was scary. I was also held up at gunpoint. I don’t feel the need to have an alarm system or to have a gun but maybe my barking dogs make me feel safer.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:01:45 +0000

If you want it, take it, all I can say. Nothing I own physically is of much value really. And it’s all insured for a very reasonable amount. That philosphy has probably kept me from getting robbed ever! Sometimes, I think, it’s a mindset. You think you’re going to get robbed, you get robbed.

But for me, my two dogs give me nothing but piece of mind. Probably cost as much as a monthly security system but I don’t care. They give back a lot more. The only thing I don’t know, and I hope not too, is will they protect me from physical violence?

By: Julia in UK

Julia in UK — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:38:50 +0000

Great post Scott.

Scott’s point is, everyone, what are you buying all this stuff for? And is it worth all the work and worry to own your purchases?

I would add: don’t love anything that can’t love you back.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:20:53 +0000

Google tells me It’s “Freakonomics.”

A good read.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:16:24 +0000

I’m also surprised at the number of pro-alarm people.

I cannot remember the name of the the book I read with a whole segment on how well the marketing for alarm systems work and how they don’t actually catch any criminals. They are long gone with whatever they want by the time any cops arrive.

By: elyn

elyn — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:57:14 +0000

Jonathan-
I honestly have never actually seen an alarm system ad, and I am gathering that most commenters here are not being scared into buying alarm systems because of fear mongering alarm companies. Many people have mentioned having had personal experiences with break-ins that left them feeling violated, or know someone personally who has experienced a violation, like the rape/torture that I mentioned. Also, most people are addressing Trent’s assumption that people get alarm systems to protect their stuff rather than the humans who occupy the houses. I think most people who have commented here are smarter than you are giving them credit for by making this a blanket statement about the alarm systems marketing being responsible for comments on this thread.

By: SLCCOM

SLCCOM — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:38:53 +0000

Don’t overlook the advantage of fire alarm monitoring, too, and carbon monoxide. These save lives. If I am away and a fire breaks out, I want to know that the fire department will come to rescue my kids. (OK, they are four-legged and furry, but they are still my kids!)

We got our first alarm system when we moved into our first house when we realized that my husband would come home from work, greet the dogs, flush the toilet, get some lunch and then proceed to scare the daylights out of me when he appeared at my side in the basement. I am hard of hearing, but I know it and we did something about it. Lots of people are also hard of hearing and either don’t know it or are in denial about it. They need an alarm system, too.

And I’m pretty sure the lady who was tortured and raped all day would have loved to have someone come to her rescue. They don’t all steal and run.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:44:54 +0000

Jonathan,
I agree that some of the risk of crime is exaggerated by home security companies and people may have irrational fear of some crimes.

But… There are over 2 million burglaries a year and average loss is around $2000. Those are real numbers from the FBI. So theres a real risk of considerable loss from home burglary.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:30:08 +0000

Based on the comments to this article it seems that the marketing departments for home alarm systems have done their jobs well. Personally, I do not like supporting an industry that increases sales by preying on people’s fears. Attempting to win my business by trying to scare me, especially under the guise of protecting my loved ones, is one way to guarantee I never become a customer.

By: socalgal

socalgal — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:11:25 +0000

Most home break ins happen within 10 minutes by pretty desperate people. I have been robbed & it is an awful feeling, but the alarm was screaming the entire time & by the time the alarm company called the house to verify that it was not a false alarm, then called the police, my house was trashed & the bad guys were long gone. I think the best defense is a bunch of alarm signs around your place, lots of security lights, clear all brush from blocking the windows, good locks & a dog. Oh, a really nosy neighbors looking after each other really helps. Just my two cents…

By: elyn

elyn — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:21:18 +0000

Ryan says:

“If you don’t buy expensive/nice stuff because of the chance you might get robbed, then haven’t the robbers already, in effect, robbed you?”

Big like.

By: Jade

Jade — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:13:30 +0000

Another cost of maintenance and defense: Moving! That’s the big thing that stops me from buying stuff. I helped a family member move 3 times, it took a month and about $1,000 each time for U-haul, PODS, etc. When I move, it takes 1 day, 2 if I’m lazy, and about $100 or less for the gas. Okay, I’ve gotta borrow someone’s pickup truck for my mattress, but in a pinch I can spare another $100 and get a U-haul van and get everything into it in one trip and save on gas. ;-) I never want to own more stuff than will fit into a U-Haul van, but I suspect if I ever get into home ownership it might take a larger U-haul truck for the appliances.

And I love living in a house with a home security system. It’s not about the stuff, its about going to sleep at night knowing the alarm will most likely go off if any downstairs doors or windows open or if anything is caught by the motion detector downstairs. And the .38 is nice to have too ;-)

By: Sabine

Sabine — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:32:14 +0000

A home security system is not only good for keeping your stuff safe.
My parents didn’t have any expensive stuff in our house, but someone broke in anyway and stole items for a few hundred dollars. The insurance paid for all of that. However, until now (30 years later) I’m afraid of going upstairs as the last person after switching out the light downstairs as I’m always thinking there is someone there.
We are living in a very safe neighborhood now, but should we ever move somewhere else I will definitely install a security system.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:50:47 +0000

Do people still think that security systems are massive investments? You’re going to pay a hefty price if you go with ADT or Brinks, but you can install one yourself (or pay someone to) with off the shelf equipment and program it to use any monitoring service you want. Nextalarm.com, for example, costs $18 per month.

If you don’t buy expensive/nice stuff because of the chance you might get robbed, then haven’t the robbers already, in effect, robbed you?

By: deRuiter

deRuiter — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:11:50 +0000

Trent, the fact that intruders might abduct a child or rape your wife is reason enough for a home alarm system. A TV can be replaced. Peace of mind, when stolen by intruders, can’t be replaced.

By: Jacque

Jacque — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:03:42 +0000

To those saying that a gun is the form of defense that you should choose, think about the statistic that gun owners are more likely to get shot and killed than non gun owners. There is a lot of data within that statistic, but I believe that if you pull a gun on a burgler you need to be able to kill that person, and a lot of people just cannot do that. Either they don’t have the training for it, or they don’t have the stomach for it. Either way, not everyone can protect themselves with a gun. Also, with the advent of bump-keys, you might not know there is even someone in your house. My emergency plan consists of: hear the alarm go off, grab husband (no kids) and head to closet, grab shotgun and with the door open cock it, close closet door and wait to kill the intruder. There is also a plan if we are in the living area of the house. Both plans fail apart if we don’t hear the perp come in.

As for the rest article, the example with the guy earning too much money is obviously ludicrous, no need to even discuss it. The choosing to buy a smaller house was a good decision for them probably, but not because they saved $60,000 (which they never decided to spend in the first place) but because they properly evaluated the impact of buying a large house – property taxes, time and cost to clean and maintain (left out heating and cooling costs, insurance, etc).

Overall this article had a lot of narrow minded observations and short-sightedness, with a few fallacies thrown in. Not a great way to spend my time, but then again I decided to spend more time and comment on it.

By: AnnJo

AnnJo — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:15:12 +0000

For the price of an alarm system, you can have a German Shepherd, who will also get you out for walks and love you with absolute devotion. (Actually, quite a number of different breeds work well as guard and protection dogs, including some small ones; I just happen to love German Shepherds.) That plus a reliable handgun or shotgun and some practice on it is pretty effective for defense.

By: elyn

elyn — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:25:14 +0000

Trent says:

“A big challenge of money and time management are the ideas of defense and maintenance.”

Funnily enough, my husband and I have plenty of money, and some pretty nice things, but really, having children is where my defense and maintenance all goes. I would assume that Trent may also have some serious money and time management that go into protecting his family, too. Just today I was at a friend’s house who has an alarm system, and I thought about how I would actually consider one for the protection of our children and ourselves. I’ve never thought about such a thing before having kids.

And to answer #16, who says:

“I certainly understand the loss of a feeling of security, but it is merely a feeling. Even with an alarm, if someone decided to harm you, wouldn’t they be able to do so before anyone arrived to help?”

I knew someone who was raped and tortured, all day long, by a man who broke in and showed up in her bedroom while she slept. I am pretty sure she would have appreciated him being interrupted in the time an alarm would have gotten someone to arrive to help.