Feeling The Need To Spend
October 27, 2008 – 5:32 am
I don’t know why, but immediately after I found out that I would not be laid off I suddenly had the desire to go spend some money. It’s true that my wife and I put off a few purchases until my future employment was a bit more certain. Some of these things my wife clearly knew about, and others she probably didn’t. She reads this blog though now that I signed her up for an email subscription, so I guess she’ll know the full list now!
Items that I’ve been waiting to purchase:
- a new computer. Actually it doesn’t have to be brand new, but from searching craigslist and ebay for a few months it appears that I can buy a new version of what I need/want for the same amount as a used computer. This is caused mostly by the fact that a lot used computers come with a bunch of stuff I don’t need, like monitors, installed operating systems, etc. I’ve been bringing my work laptop home for a while now and I don’t mind doing that, but it would be nice to have a computer at home all the time that I could use. Cost: $300.
- a new watch for my wife. Her last one had a crack in the watch face. It only cost $15 or so (my wife never likes the expensive watches…boy is she a keeper!). Perhaps I’ll take her out this weekend and get her a new “expensive” $25 watch.
- food containers. My wife and I pack our lunches every day. I eat 3-4 small meals throughout the day at work (not counting the 2 I eat before and after work at home). My wife used to eat just a single meal at work, but now that she’s pregnant with twins she needs 3 meals a day at work too. This has increased the need for more plastic containers. Cost: ~$30.
- My car needs an oil change. Although it’s a bit illogical that I postponed doing this for a couple weeks, it still seemed like delaying the outflow of money made sense. Cost: ~$30. I know I could change the oil myself for less, but I don’t really have the space to do it (my driveway slopes quite a bit), and since my car is pretty old (1990) I like having the dealership look the car over a few times a year.
All in we’re looking at a few hundred dollars. Nothing too crazy, but I’ll probably wait a while on the computer until these uneasy feelings subside a bit.
Image Credit: Simon Davison
If You Liked This Post Then Please Check These Out...
|
4 Responses to “Feeling The Need To Spend”
I think that the want to spend is fairly normal. It seems like whenever you restrain yourself from something that you want to indulge as soon as you can when you no longer need to restrain.
Good luck with getting the items you need!
By Matt @ MyFinancialRecovery.net on Oct 27, 2008
I’d hold off a little longer on the computer, you’ll see some great deals as the economy goes through this most recent cycle.
I can relate to wanting to spend more, it has got to be mental, realizing that you’ll be okay. Fight or flight has left the building.
By Kevin on Oct 27, 2008
Those are some really modest wishes. If you are going out to spend some money, plastic food containers are certainly preferable to a big screen TV! You are to be commended for your restraint!
By Mary@SimplyForties on Nov 2, 2008
Thanks for the comment Mary. I’m not sure I would describe my wishes as modest. Maybe this post casts me in a bit too favorable light.
Overall I am rather content, however, so spending money on big ticket items doesn’t bring me any more joy than buying a few smaller things.
By todd on Nov 3, 2008