Comments on: That's Not as Cheap as it Looks (Beware of Tangential Purchases) http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/ You haven't budgeted like this. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:59:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jessica http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/#comment-1130 Jessica Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:04:37 +0000 http://www.youneedabudget.com/?p=2222#comment-1130 Jesse, So glad to hear we are not the only family who does not own a TV... we hear dumb reasons all the time on why I NEED one!! I just smile and so no thank you. I am a stay at home mom of 3 kids who are in school and I don't see how people find ANY TIME to watch TV!!! Thanks!! Jesse,
So glad to hear we are not the only family who does not own a TV… we hear dumb reasons all the time on why I NEED one!! I just smile and so no thank you. I am a stay at home mom of 3 kids who are in school and I don’t see how people find ANY TIME to watch TV!!! Thanks!!

]]> By: Sandra D. http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/#comment-1129 Sandra D. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:06:54 +0000 http://www.youneedabudget.com/?p=2222#comment-1129 I hear ya on this one! It's a vicious snowball, especially with electronics! I do have one purchase that created some tangential purchases, but is now paying me back: backyard chickens! Getting friends to donate old wood, and keeping it simple has made my expenses low and once egg production is up to full I may even come out ahead! As far as that TV issue, while we have always had ONE, we have never had cable. We have Internet instead. Like all things, one must consider the time sucked out of your life as a tangential purchase, after all, your time has VALUE! I hear ya on this one! It’s a vicious snowball, especially with electronics! I do have one purchase that created some tangential purchases, but is now paying me back: backyard chickens! Getting friends to donate old wood, and keeping it simple has made my expenses low and once egg production is up to full I may even come out ahead!

As far as that TV issue, while we have always had ONE, we have never had cable. We have Internet instead. Like all things, one must consider the time sucked out of your life as a tangential purchase, after all, your time has VALUE!

]]> By: Ed http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/#comment-1128 Ed Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:10:05 +0000 http://www.youneedabudget.com/?p=2222#comment-1128 The big deal is the car. People forget when they buy a car that there's SALES TAX. Oops, that wasn't part of the budget when I spent to much on that cool car. Then there's the increased PROPERTY TAX annually because there's an additional car or a newer, nicer car in the garage. Oh, and let's not forget my favorite: the increased AUTO INSURANCE that comes with a nicer, newer car. Of course, newer cars don't have as many things go wrong with them, so there's the savings of fewer repairs (or repairs covered by warranty). In my YNAB, I have Auto subcategories for New Car Purchases and Car Repairs, and the Car Repairs ($300/month) keeps getting depleted with expensive maintenance (90,000 mile, etc) and silly breakdowns ($350 for an oxygen sensor? Huh?), so who knows how much cheaper it is keeping my 9 and 10 year old cars for much longer. But then I think of the tax and insurance increases and I remember the answer again. The big deal is the car. People forget when they buy a car that there’s SALES TAX. Oops, that wasn’t part of the budget when I spent to much on that cool car. Then there’s the increased PROPERTY TAX annually because there’s an additional car or a newer, nicer car in the garage. Oh, and let’s not forget my favorite: the increased AUTO INSURANCE that comes with a nicer, newer car. Of course, newer cars don’t have as many things go wrong with them, so there’s the savings of fewer repairs (or repairs covered by warranty). In my YNAB, I have Auto subcategories for New Car Purchases and Car Repairs, and the Car Repairs ($300/month) keeps getting depleted with expensive maintenance (90,000 mile, etc) and silly breakdowns ($350 for an oxygen sensor? Huh?), so who knows how much cheaper it is keeping my 9 and 10 year old cars for much longer. But then I think of the tax and insurance increases and I remember the answer again.

]]> By: Jesse http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/#comment-1127 Jesse Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:57:57 +0000 http://www.youneedabudget.com/?p=2222#comment-1127 @LeeAnn, touché! @LeeAnn, touché!

]]> By: Friday Night Links (10/9/2009)… : The Digitante http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/#comment-1126 Friday Night Links (10/9/2009)… : The Digitante Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:23:55 +0000 http://www.youneedabudget.com/?p=2222#comment-1126 [...] Not as Cheap as You Think (http://thedig.in/2p) – I remember it well. It started off as a box of cigars. But then if I’m going to have these cigars, I probably should have a humidor to properly store them. And what if I want to take them with me? Better buy a case. Now I need a punch to properly smoke them. My last lighter got tossed when I accidentally had it in my pocket when heading to the airport, so I should pick up a Zippo. It really never ends, folks. Talk about tangential. [...] [...] Not as Cheap as You Think (http://thedig.in/2p) – I remember it well. It started off as a box of cigars. But then if I’m going to have these cigars, I probably should have a humidor to properly store them. And what if I want to take them with me? Better buy a case. Now I need a punch to properly smoke them. My last lighter got tossed when I accidentally had it in my pocket when heading to the airport, so I should pick up a Zippo. It really never ends, folks. Talk about tangential. [...]

]]> By: LeeAnn http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/#comment-1125 LeeAnn Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:22:15 +0000 http://www.youneedabudget.com/?p=2222#comment-1125 Even free things can involve substantial tangential purchases. Ever brought home a free kitten? Even free things can involve substantial tangential purchases. Ever brought home a free kitten?

]]> By: Carla http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/#comment-1124 Carla Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:13:37 +0000 http://www.youneedabudget.com/?p=2222#comment-1124 We did purchase a Wii, and we never buy games for it because we simply stick to those games that are our favorites. If one of us wants a new game, that person can ask for it as a birthday gift, or that person can save up their own money for it. And, batteries aren't an issue for us because we use rechargeable batteries for a number of our electronic items. We did purchase a Wii, and we never buy games for it because we simply stick to those games that are our favorites. If one of us wants a new game, that person can ask for it as a birthday gift, or that person can save up their own money for it. And, batteries aren’t an issue for us because we use rechargeable batteries for a number of our electronic items.

]]> By: Lise http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/#comment-1123 Lise Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:52:41 +0000 http://www.youneedabudget.com/?p=2222#comment-1123 Good article, Jesse. It reminds me a little bit of the part in Your Money or Your Life where it asks you to consider, before acquiring an item, if you want to dust it, store it, insure it, etc, etc. And stuff does tend to attract more stuff! I'll agree with the comment above that the Wii is a big culprit for tangential costs, but I haven't had as much of an issue with the batteries - they seem to last pretty long. Oh, and not at all apropos of this post, I notice you have a list of bloggers who use YNAB. Would you mind adding my blog, Frugal in the Fruitlands (link above), to that list? I've been using YNAB for about six months and I'd happily add my voice to a list of satisfied users. Good article, Jesse. It reminds me a little bit of the part in Your Money or Your Life where it asks you to consider, before acquiring an item, if you want to dust it, store it, insure it, etc, etc. And stuff does tend to attract more stuff!

I’ll agree with the comment above that the Wii is a big culprit for tangential costs, but I haven’t had as much of an issue with the batteries – they seem to last pretty long.

Oh, and not at all apropos of this post, I notice you have a list of bloggers who use YNAB. Would you mind adding my blog, Frugal in the Fruitlands (link above), to that list? I’ve been using YNAB for about six months and I’d happily add my voice to a list of satisfied users.

]]> By: Pam http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/#comment-1122 Pam Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:55:16 +0000 http://www.youneedabudget.com/?p=2222#comment-1122 I hear you. I just moved to another state with no income taxes and reduced my rental costs by $600, but my daily trips to Super Target since I moved have eaten up any savings from the rent reduction...at least for the first month. I've had to rein myself back in and remind me why I made the move in the first place and remember how fun it is to save! I hear you. I just moved to another state with no income taxes and reduced my rental costs by $600, but my daily trips to Super Target since I moved have eaten up any savings from the rent reduction…at least for the first month. I’ve had to rein myself back in and remind me why I made the move in the first place and remember how fun it is to save!

]]> By: Joan http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2009/thats-not-as-cheap-as-it-looks-beware-of-tangental-purchases/#comment-1121 Joan Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:29:09 +0000 http://www.youneedabudget.com/?p=2222#comment-1121 Jesse, this is a great post and savings tip. Not many people think about tangential purchases, and this is definitely something you should consider. Jesse, this is a great post and savings tip. Not many people think about tangential purchases, and this is definitely something you should consider.

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