The thing about being frugal is that when you do indulge in something, it’s all the more rewarding. And, while my frugality may be far from perfect, I am always excited when I finally “take the plunge” and get something I’ve been wanting.
For about five or six months now, I’ve longed for a calculator. Not one that you pick up and put down, but a 10-key type that has the little paper spitting out. Not that I’ll use the paper — it’s a waste and I have enough clutter on my desk — but otherwise it sounds great.
Yes, I have a calculator on my computer. But, being on a laptop, I can’t easily key in the numbers, so I have to use a mouse. And, yes, this only slows me down by a little bit, but I use the calculator at least 20 times a day. So it does get annoying.
That said, I’ve held off this long because, well, the one on my computer is perfectly adequate. Finally, though, I think I’m ready to “take the plunge” of about $20. And I predict that I will be just loving the device for ages. Because I waited to see if I really wanted it.
Similarly, I had been considering a file cabinet for three or four months. Finally, I realized that my S-corp has too many important documents for me to use my usual “throw it in a pile” organizational technique.
Still, I waited a month or so, watching for any good sales. Last week, Staples had the two-drawer ones for $40. Having priced them out, this was a pretty good deal — short of finding one at a yard sale, and I have been sleeping in on Saturdays lately. What’s more, I got a “donated” (Thanks, Mom!) Staples reward certificate, bringing the cost down by $20.
I still had to get manila folders and hanging files for the cabinet. Oh, and the store had 30 rolls of toilet paper for $15.99, so I added that in. The point is, after months of hemming and hawing, I was excited to get a file cabinet.
Actually, given that I never think about toilet paper until we run out, I was pretty psyched about that deal, too. So I was excited to get a file cabinet and some toilet paper. Which may just tell you something about my life.
Seriously, though, it’s exciting to put something off a bit until you’re sure you want/need it. It makes actually getting it so rewarding that, well, you may just proudly show your husband a big ole’ package of toilet paper. And if he’s as nice as Tim, he’ll humor you by pretending that it is, in fact, exciting.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I hear you. I got totally excited a couple of years ago when I bought a trash can that fits in the space between my fridge and the wall, with a lid that flips up when you step on the pedal. I'm still lovin' that trash can, especially as the dog and cat haven't figured it out yet.
I've managed to accumulate 3 of those 2-drawer filing cabinets: one I bought, one I trash picked when my neighbor put it out, and one I'd bought for my parents and inherited. I like that they can fit in a closet, if you've got the closet space to spare.
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Yeah, I'm the same way. Wish I'd learned that trick of waiting to make sure I really want/need something years earlier!
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I get excited about stuff like that too
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Count me among the easily amused. I get excited when the landlords visit the building on a weekend when I've already written the rent check — it saves me a stamp and an envelope.
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I also like waiting to make purchases, to make sure I really want the item. Recently, I wanted to buy Wii Fit, but I didn't want to spend the money. So I put it off and put it off…until winter got to be too much for me (I like to walk, but I couldn't get outside). So, I broke down and bought it from Gamestop — much cheaper! — and I am absolutely loving it!
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