Attitude toward “spending money wisely”

[iris lilies]

As I mentioned previously, I’m spending craptons of money furnishing our Hermann house. It often gives me an icky feeling.. Is this entirely necessary purchasing? Well, not really, but what’s the point of using old outdated furniture to keep money in the bank? No point, really.

But here’s what’s striking to me: I feel like I am now one of those people who actively look for sales and make it their internal value spending money wisely. Get the best deal! Shave off dollars from the buy!

I’ve never been of that mindset. Me being frugal doesn’t mean looking for the best deal, me being frugal means do not buy anything.Period.

I remember decades ago first hanging out with DH’s family and his sisters all talking about comparative shopping experiences to shave off dollars. I felt like I was from another tribe. My mindset at the time was not to find the best deal, my mindset was do not enter a store EVER because they just want your money. Stores are The Enemy.

one of my friends who spent a lot of money was always rattling off what kind of discount she got from a purchase. I always tuned that out, that isn’t a value that is important to me.

It is very weird, this entering a new tribe. I’m currently shopping for expensive upholstered furniture, a sofa or two and upholstered chairs. That stuff adds up. So I have to pay attention to “sale” prices I guess. Blindster is offering a 35% discount this week and when our window coverings are going to be $600, that amounts to a lot.

This post is just another musing about values and spending money.

[Tybee]

I think my basic programming was to save, save, save, and now I am finding that I want to spend on things that are not necessary, and then I feel guilty.
So yesterday I bought a painting on ebay from a dealer from whom I bought a painting last year. I have been looking at this picture for six months now, and yesterday I decided to mark the sale of the family property by buying this painting. I used money I saved from my job. I think I will like looking at it, and hope the kids like it and one of them wants it when I'm gone. But it's not a necessity and it's not like a cd where it is earning money. So it feels weird to buy it.

[iris lilies]

I think my basic programming was to save, save, save, and now I am finding that I want to spend on things that are not necessary, and then I feel guilty.
So yesterday I bought a painting on ebay from a dealer from whom I bought a painting last year. I have been looking at this picture for six months now, and yesterday I decided to mark the sale of the family property by buying this painting. I used money I saved from my job. I think I will like looking at it, and hope the kids like it and one of them wants it when I'm gone. But it's not a necessity and it's not like a cd where it is earning money. So it feels weird to buy it.
I am so glad you bought that painting!

I looked at a painting for months on ebay, made an offer that was countered too high, and I never got the painting because it sold later. I still think about it and wish I had purchased it because it was a difference of a couple hundred bucks, no big deal.

[Tybee]

I am so glad you bought that painting!

I looked at a painting for months on ebay, made an offer that was countered too high, and I never got the painting because it sold later. I still think about it and wish I had purchased it because it was a difference of a couple hundred bucks, no big deal.

That's funny, I did the same with this picture months ago, but then said alright, I'll offer the last thing they countered withm so this time we had a deal.
I do realize that I still have most of the paintings I have bought in my life and they still give me pleasure.

[catherine]

Wow, I guess paintings are the blow-out gazingus pins of the truly frugal! I typically think long and hard about any purchase over $100--less than that, I'm too prone to fritter it away for some things (not Starbucks or food, but books, cheap online classes, etc.)

But one of my very favorite people and places is the artist Stephen Huneck/Dog Mountain in VT. They always have a March Madness sale. Well, my birthday is in March, and the year that I turned Medicare-eligible, I thought about the huge savings I was about to get from not having to pay full-boat commercial insurance, and, very uncharacteristically, I decided to blow my first month's savings on a numbered S. Huneck woodcut. $800. But I do love that woodcut and I look at it every day, happy that not only do I get to enjoy it, but I supported a wonderful organization.

As far as bargains go, I tend to be also of the mindset of "it's better to not buy than spend time tracking down the cheapest way to buy." People who are constantly bragging about their nickel-and-diming can get a little tiresome. However, I do love scoring a good bargain when I find them!


ETA: Well, looks like I could always get my money back if I get desperate for cash! My woodcut has appreciated in value!
https://www.dogmt.com/She-Sings-A-Lovely-Song-Woodcut.html

[Tybee]

Wow, I guess paintings are the blow-out gazingus pins of the truly frugal! I typically think long and hard about any purchase over $100--less than that, I'm too prone to fritter it away for some things (not Starbucks or food, but books, cheap online classes, etc.)

But one of my very favorite people and places is the artist Stephen Huneck/Dog Mountain in VT. They always have a March Madness sale. Well, my birthday is in March, and the year that I turned Medicare-eligible, I thought about the huge savings I was about to get from not having to pay full-boat commercial insurance, and, very uncharacteristically, I decided to blow my first month's savings on a numbered S. Huneck woodcut. $800. But I do love that woodcut and I look at it every day, happy that not only do I get to enjoy it, but I supported a wonderful organization.

As far as bargains go, I tend to be also of the mindset of "it's better to not buy than spend time tracking down the cheapest way to buy." People who are constantly bragging about their nickel-and-diming can get a little tiresome. However, I do love scoring a good bargain when I find them!


ETA: Well, looks like I could always get my money back if I get desperate for cash! My woodcut has appreciated in value!
https://www.dogmt.com/She-Sings-A-Lovely-Song-Woodcut.html

That's lovely! Here's mine, Danish, circa 1930:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/PsUAAOSwxbhh6AFr/s-l500.webp

[catherine]

That's lovely! Here's mine, Danish, circa 1930:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/PsUAAOSwxbhh6AFr/s-l500.webp

Beautiful!

[iris lilies]

I love Tybee’s painting, it is so gentle and peaceful and just plain pretty.
That is cool catherin’s woodcut has appreciated. I am never in any mind that the art I buy will appreciate.

[pinkytoe]

DH and I have this conversation frequently because of our experience-based frugal mindset. Losing jobs and your house leaves a taste in your mouth. It seems the older I get the more I appreciate how much time it can take to save pennies here and there and so I would rather buy the quality thing up front and not have to think about it again. At least that is the mindset I am working on but old habits die hard.

[happystuff]

I guess I come to all this from a different perspective... at this point in my life, I just don't WANT anything! I'm still trying to get rid of "stuff" and the thought of adding MORE stuff to the existing stuff does not make me happy. There may come a time when I've gotten rid of all that I no longer want and then - maybe - I'll want something else. Who knows.

But I do like a good deal when I actually need to go buy something. LOL

[rosarugosa]

Art is definitely one of my gazingus pins, and I've been a bit spendy lately. The whole kitchen project seems to have put me in the mindset of "spare no expense to get every last detail perfect". Plus I now have some new wall space that can accommodate some new artwork!
I've also succumbed to the siren's call of some functional art in the form of lamps by Janna Ugone. It's a good thing my house is small.
https://jannaugoneandco.com/

[Tybee]

Art is definitely one of my gazingus pins, and I've been a bit spendy lately. The whole kitchen project seems to have put me in the mindset of "spare no expense to get every last detail perfect". Plus I now have some new wall space that can accommodate some new artwork!
I've also succumbed to the siren's call of some functional art in the form of lamps by Janna Ugone. It's a good thing my house is small.
https://jannaugoneandco.com/

Those are so neat!

[iris lilies]

Art is definitely one of my gazingus pins, and I've been a bit spendy lately. The whole kitchen project seems to have put me in the mindset of "spare no expense to get every last detail perfect". Plus I now have some new wall space that can accommodate some new artwork!
I've also succumbed to the siren's call of some functional art in the form of lamps by Janna Ugone. It's a good thing my house is small.
https://jannaugoneandco.com/

I like these lamps. They have an Arts and Crafts vibe, , would you say? They could work in my living room where I may someday need a table lamp.

I just now looked ar the “luminaries” style. I love those.

[rosarugosa]

I am awaiting one of the luminaires as we speak. I ordered it while there was a 20% off sale, which they do have occasionally. This one:

https://jannaugoneandco.com/collections/luminaires-small-accent-lamps/products/steel-luminaire-table-lamp-with-midnight-sky-shade?variant=12391460995157


*20% off, so I "saved money," right? lol

[iris lilies]

I am awaiting one of the luminaires as we speak. I ordered it while there was a 20% off sale, which they do have occasionally. This one:

https://jannaugoneandco.com/collections/luminaires-small-accent-lamps/products/steel-luminaire-table-lamp-with-midnight-sky-shade?variant=12391460995157


*20% off, so I "saved money," right? lol

I liked that one, maybe the best. I also like the tree trunk table lamp..

[catherine]

I am awaiting one of the luminaires as we speak. I ordered it while there was a 20% off sale, which they do have occasionally. This one:

https://jannaugoneandco.com/collections/luminaires-small-accent-lamps/products/steel-luminaire-table-lamp-with-midnight-sky-shade?variant=12391460995157


*20% off, so I "saved money," right? lol

Those are beautiful lamps! I, too, have a thing about functional art, including lamps. One of the things that made the cut during The Purge was a lamp DH and I bought at a consignment shop in Princeton. It is an old Arts and Crafts floor lamp with a mica shade exactly like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Upgradelights-Craftsman-Square-Chandelier-Lampshade/dp/B07PFXJVDG. But when you turn on the light, there are silhouette images of a couple at Central Park, traffic crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, and people on the observation deck at the Empire State Building looking over Manhattan. I'm sure the date of the images are early-mid 20th century--probably the 30s or 40s.

My 18-month old grandson LOVES it. He points to it to get me to turn it on, and then I tell him stories about each panel. Every time he visits, this is a ritual. To me, validates the value of beautiful home craftsmanship and functional art. I love my lamp, as I'm sure you will love yours, rosa!

[rosarugosa]

Catherine: I love those old Arts & Crafts lamps. That's pretty neat that your grandson loves your lamp too!

[Rogar]

There are certain categories of goods that routinely go on sale and regardless of how much I cold afford, it seems silly not to watch for sales. Possibly just a habit from years of frugality. I replaced blinds in two rooms fairly recently. I don't know if are the least expensive, but Home Depot always had one brand or another on sale and it seemed worthwhile to wait for their sale rotation to come around. I get some clothing from REI and a couple of times a year they offer 20% for any one item, which is worth waiting for if you need shoes or a winter coat. I shop their outlet store online for past season items. Probably a habit hard to break.

[pinkytoe]

I dislike the word "curated" but that is what I have been trying to do with household possessions, clothes and other things since I retired. Instead of a drawer full of crappy kitchen utensils, one by one, I have been replacing with better quality items - many found at the thrift store and like new. End result being hopefully that I have exactly what I need and no extraneous clutter.

[littlebittybobby]

okay---i tell ya what---spending money wisely is one of many reasons why i liketa take my own tools ta the wreckin' yard and pull my own parts! Yup. hope that answers your quession. thankk mee.