Not going to buy this

[robtown]

Inspired by a photo blog of things the author resisted buying   I challange you to pull back from buying items and list them here.  Please only items you truly have to resist buying (aka, no yachts or mansions).

Here are two of mine this week.  I could do much worse than these, but I don't really need them.

• Amazon selling "Princess Bride" in blue-ray for $5 shipped.   I love the movie and would certainly watch it at least once.
• Kohls cotton shirts with collar,  $8 - $9 but with free shipping and a 30% Father's day discount.   I just picked up three Fila polos earlier, and my wife bought a couple other XL shirts.  Plenty even if I don't slim down to Large sizes soon.

[Rural]

Inspired by a photo blog of things the author resisted buying   I challange you to pull back from buying items and list them here.  Please only items you truly have to resist buying (aka, no yachts or mansions).

Here are two of mine this week.  I could do much worse than these, but I don't really need them.

• Amazon selling "Princess Bride" in blue-ray for $5 shipped.   I love the movie and would certainly watch it at least once.
• Kohls cotton shirts with collar,  $8 - $9 but with free shipping and a 30% Father's day discount.   I just picked up three Fila polos earlier, and my wife bought a couple other XL shirts.  Plenty even if I don't slim down to Large sizes soon.

This is a great idea. Did you know the blog author is a regular poster here (not me)?


Today I went to Walmart about 2:00pm without having eaten lunch beforehand (the opportunity to carpool with my husband arose suddenly). Despite the fact I was starving, I bought only what was on my list and avoided the Subway in the store. Bananas were on my list, though, and I did eat one while I waited for hm to pick me up. :-)

[trailrated]

I had about $30 in groceries in my cart and saw the line to the register. When I had a second to think it went something like this "Why am I even here right now... I have plenty of food for a few days of meals at home" So I left and cooked with what I had already.

[San]

Yesterday I resisted buying a gardening book. I can't even remember the title of it now, so it was a complete impulse purchase (or would have been).

[TheHouseStache]

Was going to buy an album on itunes yesterday for $7.99.  Realized I had an old card # on my account that wouldn't work.  Decided that I apparently hadn't purchased anything through itunes or the app store in a long time and decided to keep it that way.  I acquired the album via free download today anyway.

[RyanHesson]

This is usually a hard one for me, I usually just buy what I want.

Okay, let's give it a try. This will probably be that next beer or expensive bar of chocolate I like.

[Tempe]

So far lately, chocolate. trying to cut down on the sweets a bit.

[cdttmm]

My Tae Kwon Do instructor mentioned two books at our special training class yesterday morning. As soon as I got to work, I went to Amazon and found them. But I resisted buying them. Can't say the same for my friend from class whom I was texting with about the books...he bought both of them plus two others he thought would be good reading. I'll just borrow them from him!

Ice cream from the stand in town. It would have tasted so good after work...but I resisted. I definitely do not need ice cream.

[TheHouseStache]

My Tae Kwon Do instructor mentioned two books at our special training class yesterday morning. As soon as I got to work, I went to Amazon and found them. But I resisted buying them. Can't say the same for my friend from class whom I was texting with about the books...he bought both of them plus two others he thought would be good reading. I'll just borrow them from him!

Ice cream from the stand in town. It would have tasted so good after work...but I resisted. I definitely do not need ice cream.

Are they books available at your local library?  Also, if you have a particular book in mind, you can try Googling it to see if it's been uploaded online as a PDF.  I have been seriously surprised by the number of books you can find for free like that.  Good job on the ice cream lol.  I won't go out of my way for it, but if someone asks, I'll probably go. :(

[cdttmm]

My Tae Kwon Do instructor mentioned two books at our special training class yesterday morning. As soon as I got to work, I went to Amazon and found them. But I resisted buying them. Can't say the same for my friend from class whom I was texting with about the books...he bought both of them plus two others he thought would be good reading. I'll just borrow them from him!

Ice cream from the stand in town. It would have tasted so good after work...but I resisted. I definitely do not need ice cream.

Are they books available at your local library?  Also, if you have a particular book in mind, you can try Googling it to see if it's been uploaded online as a PDF.  I have been seriously surprised by the number of books you can find for free like that.  Good job on the ice cream lol.  I won't go out of my way for it, but if someone asks, I'll probably go. :(

Sadly, the books are not available through the library or as a PDF online. They are slightly obscure books, but there are used copies (ranging in price) available on Amazon. I put them on my paperbackswap.com wish list. I have pretty good luck acquiring random books that way. Takes some patience -- I just got a book that had been on my wish list for four years -- but it's a super low cost way to get books sometimes.

[Zaga]

I was out yesterday helping a friend buy things for her wedding, and we were at a store and I saw a pretty awesome glass teapot that is safe for gas or electric stoves.  And though I wanted it (no chance of this thing rusting!) I didn't.  Made tea today in my old, perfectly good (and not rusty), enameled teapot.

[eostache]

I haven't done so well lately. I just ordered a Chromebook for myself ($260). I don't *need* it, just wanted it. I have a perfectly good Win7 laptop and a Nexus 7 tablet. So, facepunch.

Most things I think about getting, I give myself some time and usually I forget about them and never bother buying. But I've been thinking about getting a Chromebook for a year now.

[lifejoy]

This is a great idea. Did you know the blog author is a regular poster here (not me)?

Is it me? :D

Loving this thread!!

$300 aritzia leather jacket.... Sigh. Not buying this!


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[nessness]

Great thread idea!

Today at Costco I really wanted to spend $12.99 on a bowl of yummy-looking pre-cut fruit. Then I decided to quit being lazy and cut up some fruit myself.

[Rural]

This is a great idea. Did you know the blog author is a regular poster here (not me)?

Is it me? :D

Loving this thread!!

$300 aritzia leather jacket.... Sigh. Not buying this!


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Yep, I meant you!

[TreeTired]

I don't think this thread is a good idea, because it focuses too much attention on "things desired."   Over time,  I think this will actually encourage people to buy more stuff.  After all,  if you list 1000 things that you have resisted buying, don't you now deserve to buy one little thing?

With that disclaimer in mind,  I resisted buying a 1998 - 2003  Porsche 911,  but I may succumb eventually after doing sufficient research.

[lifejoy]

I don't think this thread is a good idea, because it focuses too much attention on "things desired."   Over time,  I think this will actually encourage people to buy more stuff.  After all,  if you list 1000 things that you have resisted buying, don't you now deserve to buy one little thing?

With that disclaimer in mind,  I resisted buying a 1998 - 2003  Porsche 911,  but I may succumb eventually after doing sufficient research.

Interesting way of looking at it. For me, keeping track of things I'm not buying shows me some patterns (I.e. ahh, I am addicted to shoes and no matter how many I buy I still want more). Sometimes it also helps me stop thinking about things because I've written it down and told people I'm not buying it.


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[lifejoy]

This is a great idea. Did you know the blog author is a regular poster here (not me)?

Is it me? :D

Loving this thread!!

$300 aritzia leather jacket.... Sigh. Not buying this!


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Yep, I meant you!

:) Cool!


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[Cressida]

I don't think this thread is a good idea, because it focuses too much attention on "things desired."   Over time,  I think this will actually encourage people to buy more stuff.

Isn't there an MMM post about this? Something about the "cha-ching" feeling that you get when you pass something over instead of buying it?

[4alpacas]

I don't think this thread is a good idea, because it focuses too much attention on "things desired."   Over time,  I think this will actually encourage people to buy more stuff.

Isn't there an MMM post about this? Something about the "cha-ching" feeling that you get when you pass something over instead of buying it?

This thread reminds me that other people want things and resist.  For example, I've been eyeing a few new books on Amazon.  But I saw that cdttmm was able to resist his book buying urges, and I deleted the items in my cart (yes, Amazon was open in another tab). 

I don't think my desire to buy unnecessary things will go away, but the desire is shorter and less frequent.  I also find comfort in not being alone in this journey.

And I didn't buy a few novels that I wanted to read on my upcoming trip.  Instead I'm going to read the magazines I've been stockpiling (used miles for subscriptions) and the books I purchased at the library book sale a few months ago. 

[lifejoy]

I don't think this thread is a good idea, because it focuses too much attention on "things desired."   Over time,  I think this will actually encourage people to buy more stuff.

Isn't there an MMM post about this? Something about the "cha-ching" feeling that you get when you pass something over instead of buying it?

This thread reminds me that other people want things and resist.  For example, I've been eyeing a few new books on Amazon.  But I saw that cdttmm was able to resist his book buying urges, and I deleted the items in my cart (yes, Amazon was open in another tab). 

I don't think my desire to buy unnecessary things will go away, but the desire is shorter and less frequent.  I also find comfort in not being alone in this journey.

And I didn't buy a few novels that I wanted to read on my upcoming trip.  Instead I'm going to read the magazines I've been stockpiling (used miles for subscriptions) and the books I purchased at the library book sale a few months ago.

It's probably bad, but I take library books on trips. Ooo, risky! Living on the edge! ;)

+1 to finding comfort in not being alone in this journey. Sometimes I feel like such an outlier. Working so that I can... Not buy things? What the heck is that? Radical.


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[innkeeper77]

I think this thread could be good- think of it like inspiring success stories!

For me, it is orange juice. I used to be completely addicted to the stuff, having it every single morning. Even after deciding to attempt to become mustachian, I kept buying it, not thinking about it. However, it is, as MMM says, unnecessary, and in ways unhealthy. I started reducing my consumption about six months ago, and for the last two months, water and occasional homebrewed teas have been the only liquids we have bought! (Cost savings: 4 bottles- $14- per month)

[lifejoy]

I think this thread could be good- think of it like inspiring success stories!

For me, it is orange juice. I used to be completely addicted to the stuff, having it every single morning. Even after deciding to attempt to become mustachian, I kept buying it, not thinking about it. However, it is, as MMM says, unnecessary, and in ways unhealthy. I started reducing my consumption about six months ago, and for the last two months, water and occasional homebrewed teas have been the only liquids we have bought! (Cost savings: 4 bottles- $14- per month)

Way to go! It all adds up :)


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[homehandymum]

We are selling our house and expecting another baby.

This week I did not buy a fabulous rug for our living room as part of the 'staging' for the photos.  No amount of fabulous rug will hide that fact that this is hideous old carpet that needs to be replaced.

I also did not buy the third edition of my favourite pregnancy book - apparently significantly updated and rewritten since the 2nd edition, which I already own.  I'm gonna get it out of the library first :)

[MrsSmitty]

I found out at 11:50 that I needed to work from home for the afternoon (plumber had an opening today, my DIY skills do not include dealing with toilet insides yet). Normally I would have taken the opportunity to stop on my way home and buy something tasty for lunch and leave my boring leftovers in the fridge at work for tomorrow. But I didn't. I took them back home and ate them.

[YK-Phil]

For me, it is bikes and bike stuff. Every time I walk in the only bike shop in Yellowknife to pick up a part or borrow a tool, and see all the high end bikes and accessories on display, I have to force myself to get what I need quickly and leave as fast as I can. Problem is my friend works there, and he never fails to get in my way to extol the virtues of this bike and that bike, telling me I should take it on a test ride, or how awesome those $200 panniers are. As recently as yesterday, I was checking whether they had a bottom bracket in stock because mine broke, and they told me I had to order it, which takes at least 10 days, which also mean I will be without wheels for some time, so it was pretty hard to resist the temptation of getting that shiny new bike. As I am typing this, the thought of going to the bike shop today after work has been crossing my mind a few times...

When I am in Calgary, it is much easier because I frequent a bike collective and my old MTB looks relatively high end compared to what most folks around there ride, plus if I need a part or accessory, I got to dig through piles of greasy parts or dismantle an old bike that has the part I need. In the end, the cheapo in me always win...

[arebelspy]

I don't think this thread is a good idea, because it focuses too much attention on "things desired."   Over time,  I think this will actually encourage people to buy more stuff.  After all,  if you list 1000 things that you have resisted buying, don't you now deserve to buy one little thing?

With that disclaimer in mind,  I resisted buying a 1998 - 2003  Porsche 911,  but I may succumb eventually after doing sufficient research.

Good point.

It depends on why you're not going to buy it.

If you're looking at things constantly and deciding you won't buy it because willpower, you'll quickly exhaust that and spend more than you would.

If you're not going to buy it because you don't want it, great.

The mindset is completely different.  You should focus on not wanting the useless things, not trying to resist that which you do want.

[nyxst]

Well, I like the thread... it saved me $30 already!  I bought something off of Amazon that I "needed".... (those Rubbermaid lunch blocks things for my whole family) but I am already perfectly capable of packing our lunches without those using wax paper like I've been doing for 15 years already.  I saw this thread and it got me thinking. I went back to amazon and the "Request Cancellation" button was right there... and I clicked it... and now I feel better :) 

[Shor]

I walked in to the local Costco on the way home from work with every intention of ordering an entire pizza ($10) all for myself. I reasoned that I could split it up in to 3 meals, and the refillable soda has been a craving since the week before.

I spent an hour at the store just roaming the aisles, resisting, resisting the temptation to purchase said pizza. $10 is pretty good for a large pizza... but the price per meal is not fantastic...not to mention the unhealthiness...

I wandered the aisles some more, my stomach growling and aching, I feel light-headed. I formulate a quick list and rush to grab a rotisserie chicken $5, banana bunch $1 and 12x muffins $6. Enough to last me at least 8-10 meals at nearly the same cost of a pizza.

I take one last look at the food court as I purchase my items...
Even as I pack everything in to the car and sit down to drive off, I get one last aching for pizzadom.

"F* it! I'm already in the car!" I say aloud, startling some poor women in the parking lot. I rip open the muffins and enjoy my first poppy seed muffin in 5 years, (delicious!) and drive off the lot in weary triumph.

[JoyBlogette]

It's probably bad, but I take library books on trips. Ooo, risky! Living on the edge! ;)

ha ha... me too.  Risk takers. :)

I resisted buying a Dr. Suess book that I love and borrowed it from the library instead (for the 4th time).

[nyxst]

My daughter and I stopped at the book store to kill some time. (never ever ever a good idea....) and we each found a MUST HAVE book that we just HAD to have... but, I used the free wifi to pull up the library catalog and found that they were both available at the library the next town over.  We will go pick them up today or tomorrow and save about $25.00.  It's not much, but it's something!

[happy]

On the weekend walked to the beach and did NOT buy take-away coffee to reward myself, but I thought about it. It was cold and windy.
I did not buy a load of wood for the fire, because the season is nearly over, and there's a heap of fallen wood down the back of my property, just requires sweat and energy to get it back up the hill. I walked up and down the hill a few times dragging wood which sufficed. At the same time, I found lots of it..so problem solved for this year, just need to collect it: be a badass not a slackass.

[Squirrel away]

I went onto Amazon and deleted a load of stuff off my wish list.:)

[Sister C]

Yesterday I didn't buy the book I wanted on Amazon. Normally that's not hard, but I've been really sick & home from work, and I used to always "treat myself" when I was sick (take-out, books, movies etc.). Today I was able to walk the four short blocks to the library (slowly) and get it for free.

[4alpacas]

I'm not going to buy my dog a velociraptor costume for Halloween because she already has one that I bought last year for $1.  I'm going to make the costume my avatar, and I will smile every time I see the poor dog dressed as a raptor.  :D

[swallowtail]

I want to take Tai Chi and Wushu classes VERY badly, but I already go to a nice gym.  Instead I am going to rotate through the Tai Chi DVDs at the library, and wait until my gym membership expires and re-assess whether to take Wushu classes then (June 2015 :( )

[Andiham]

A set of two memory foam pillows at Costco for $9.99. My DH helped me remember that I didn't want new pillows before we got to Costco, though. :)

[Mrs. Frugalwoods]

Food. For me, it's always tasty-looking prepared food at the grocery store (probs because it's pretty much the only store we go in!). Specifically this week, some huge bakery cinnamon rolls. I actually picked up the package and sniffed them. Verdict: smelled delish. But, I set them down and backed away.

[shusherstache]

I wanted a new accent wall color in our living room, but I didn't want to drop the $30 for a new gallon of paint.  Instead, I perused the Gallery of Already Bought Leftover/Oops Paints in the garage and mixed my own approximation of the 'smoked turquoise' color that I had wanted in the first place.  The only cost was a new brush and a brush comb so that I don't accidently kill my next latex brush like I did the last one.

[carozy]

I'm changing my habits with books buying thanks to Overdrive.  For instance two recent ebooks I wanted to read I've been able to find and borrow through Overdrive rather than buying through Amazon.  (Fluent in 3 Months and The Slight Edge.)  If I go into bookstores I look at them as a place to get ideas for books.  Now I always check Overdrive first.  If it's not on Overdrive, I don't buy it until I have an Amazon gift card to use.

[myteafix]

I went onto Amazon and deleted a load of stuff off my wish list.:)

I too am guilty of getting bit by the Amazon bug. Lately it's taken a lot of restraint to keep from buying books. I've also deleted tons of wishlist items.

[arebelspy]

Delete all of them.

If you truly want/need it, you'll remember it.  Otherwise you'll never give it a second thought and be no worse off.

;)

[highcountry]

4alpacas, there was a paper that was published in nature recently on the affects of artificial sweeteners on mice metabolism. The paper also included some preliminary human studies as well. Basically artificial sweeteners caused more diabetes type problems than real sugar. I don't have database access at the moment, but here is a NY times summary of the study: http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2014/09/17/artificial-sweeteners-may-disrupt-bodys-blood-sugar-controls/

[RetiredAt63]

I posted in General Discussion - the mower on my lawn tractor was shot and I wanted a new lawn tractor with mower SO BAD!  I didn't buy it.  Instead I found a new-to-my-tractor mower (almost new, great condition) and had it installed.

[Zamboni]

There was actually a book written a few years ago:
Not Buying It:  My Year Without Shopping.

Disclaimer:  many people give this book poor reviews.  I, on the other hand, enjoyed it.  Yes, the author is a fairly well off feminist DINK who didn't exactly suffer during her experience because anything she really wanted, like a haircut, she just categorized as necessary.   Yes, the book kind of meandered around.  Those aspects really annoyed many readers.   However, it was fun to read about her reflecting on the necessity of different items.  Is wine necessary?  What about ski wax?

Now the lifestyle police reviewing her book complain that she was even skiing.  She is so entitled with her skiing!  What an elitist!  People don't seem to get that the point is doing what is really important to you as an individual, not to deprive yourself unnecessarily.  But I was living in a very posh country club neighborhood at the time I read this, and the complete and utter lack of reflection about consumerism in everyone around me really contrasted with her experiment.  If you want to ski, go ski!  If someone told me I can never ski again because it is not necessary, then I would really be bummed out.  But do you really need a new spider sweater this year?  No, you don't.  The presence or absence of said sweater is fairly irrelevant to your skiing.

In fact, I decided to try my own little experiment to mirror hers that summer, so that way she inspired me.  It was the birth of mustachianism in me before such a thing even existed.  It was really weird in that I came to realize how many of my neighbors conversed socially about only two things:  1)  their new stuff and buying stuff and 2) their kids and how awesome they are.  Not very deep conversations, that's for sure.

[GardenFun]

Local jewelry store owner is retiring and closing the store.  We have purchased a few items from them in the past so got some special invite to come look at their stuff.  Have been thinking about getting new earrings so was initially intrigued but then thought "what am I going to do with new earrings?  I hardly get a chance to wear the items I already have."  Plus remembered threads about people trying to sell jewelry on Craigslist for 1/2 what they paid.  Threw away advertisement and haven't thought about it until now. 

[ruthiegirl]

I went to IKEA to check out some ideas for our kitchen.  We had to remove half of the cabinets due to some water damage.  I need to build/hack something together that will fill our needs for a 2 years or so.

Anyway, after walking around IKEA for 2 hours, I had filled a cart with serving dishes and cute Christmas cookie cutters and pretty things and toys and a couple of those cute star paper lights and whatnot. 

I even had an order form for $650 worth of cabinets. 

After coming to my senses, I walked out without buying anything.  I have a ton of ideas and the use of my hands.  I started building a cabinet this morning -- spent $22 on plywood and a few pieces of lumber.  I have paint and screws.

 I know better than to go shopping. 

[VirginiaBob]

A boat larger than a kayak.

[4alpacas]

4alpacas, there was a paper that was published in nature recently on the affects of artificial sweeteners on mice metabolism. The paper also included some preliminary human studies as well. Basically artificial sweeteners caused more diabetes type problems than real sugar. I don't have database access at the moment, but here is a NY times summary of the study: http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2014/09/17/artificial-sweeteners-may-disrupt-bodys-blood-sugar-controls/

Thanks!  I'll look up the journal article. 

[fireferrets]

Resisted buying vanilla beans on Ebay. I had read about making my own vanilla extract and home and fancied giving it a go. But then I remembered I have a huge bottle of extract I had just bought from Sam's Club. Why do I need to make more? I'm just an occasional baker.