The Money Mustache Community
Around the Internet => Antimustachian Wall of Shame and Comedy => Topic started by: MrSaturday on May 18, 2012, 01:34:36 PM
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From fivecentnickely.com's article "Being Too Frugal Can End Up Costing You Money (http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2012/05/15/being-too-frugal-can-end-up-costing-you-money/)":
Having 200 channels on my television actually saves me money too.
For me, it is totally worth the money I spend on having so many channels. It keeps me at home on the couch instead of out on the town looking for something to do and spending money. This isn’t true of everyone, but I know that I personally get bored and distracted easily.
He forgot to mention that by staying home on the couch you can also avoid expensive gym memberships.
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He also failed to mention that staying at home on the couch keeps you from having to interact with those pesky people known as the opposite sex.
Needling aside, I understand where he's coming from. We ended up with basic digital cable with our internet (the package was cheaper than the internet alone) and it has provided many benefits such as at-home "dinner and a movie" date nights, as well as keeping my other half sane while she stays at home day after day with our newborn that requires constant attention (or she'll crawl off).
Although, that's utilizing it to supplement an already-required activity, whereas he seems to be utilizing it as the activity itself.
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Needling aside...
I want to keep needling, if you don't mind ;)
I saw that same article yesterday and vomited a little when I read the section you quote. Along the same lines, being obese can save you major cash because you are more likely to die young and avoid expensive end-of-life care. Score!
Really, the article just sounded like justification for spending a lot on an indulgence. It would be more genuine to just say "It may not be frugal, but we really love it, and watching TV is the kind of life we want to live. We are spending money for what we love." That's more honest, and most people won't fault you for spending money on what you enjoy. No justification required.
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Home on the couch, dude sounds like a real interesting person. Would love to hang out with him.
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From fivecentnickely.com's article "Being Too Frugal Can End Up Costing You Money (http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2012/05/15/being-too-frugal-can-end-up-costing-you-money/)":
Having 200 channels on my television actually saves me money too.
For me, it is totally worth the money I spend on having so many channels. It keeps me at home on the couch instead of out on the town looking for something to do and spending money. This isn’t true of everyone, but I know that I personally get bored and distracted easily.
He forgot to mention that by staying home on the couch you can also avoid expensive gym memberships.
No need to look for something to do if you leave the house with a purpose. Even as simple as biking over to a friend's house to watch movies on their couch instead of your own, thereby saving you even more money on that cable subscription.
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I am a twentysomething person with friends who are always working when I have time off, work weird hours, and I do find myself watching a lot of TV. It's easy, doesn't require a lot of planning, and gives me endless hours of entertainment. I deal with needy people all day, and I don't want to have to argue or negotiate with people when it comes to deciding activities. I don't have to explain why I think paying $10 cover for going to the club is stupid, or why I cringe when I have to drive 20 miles to attend an event, or why I am upset that I can't get my monthly gas and water bill to get below $50...
That being said, I also watch it for free on Hulu and don't pay for cable. I know there are other ways I could be spending my time that might be more productive, but I do find it to be cheaper and easier than hanging out with some of my friends and acquaintances.