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Should I Buy It?
Being on a fixed income and being a guy who has always carefully considered a major purchase, I seldom treat myself to a luxury. Oh, I do spoil myself and others at times, but I'm talking about spending some of my hard-saved-money on something that I've done without for years.
I find myself balancing between the "hey, you've-got-it-spend-it" mode and the "save-it-in-case-you-live-a-long-time" mode. In the morning I think "buy" and by midday I think "save."
Here's where you come in. For over a year and a half now, I have admired the "On the Sly" band of blogoteers who have shared their wisdom with others in the blogosphere. Over 2000 comments have been at times perceptive, intuitive, insightful and humorous. And always interesting! So, I've decided to tap the wisdom of the blogoteers on whether I should spend the money on a number of items that have been on my "wish list."
These items are listed in random order, lest you think that the item I want most is listed first or last.
Should I buy a paper shredder? I never would have even considered such a purchase until some thief in England used one of my credit card numbers to order videogames to the tune of almost $500. Now I've become very conscious of identity theft, although I'm not sure why anyone would choose to be me! Anyway, almost daily I toss into the garbage paperwork from my banks, my credit card companies, my eBay account.
I'm not even sure what a paper shredder costs, but I wouldn't really want to spend more than $20 on one. Am I safe without one? After all, twenty bucks today can buy me a half a tank of gas!
Should I buy a big screen tv? I know there are all these new names floating around the electronics department of stores. Words like plasma, high definition, flat-screen, LCD with or without DVD. I flat out don't understand all that. Very likely I have the smallest living room tv in our family. I think it's a 25-inch screen. I'd love to watch my Dodgers win the 2007 World Series on a larger screen. But don't these things cost a couple thousand dollars?
Should I buy an air purifier? Here's something else I never would have considered in the past. But in the last few years I've allowed friends to smoke cigarettes in my living room. After they leave, the smell of cigarette smoke lingers in my living room and, I've noticed, settles on my walls. I found this out recently when I took a framed photo off the wall and saw a grey outline where the picture had been. I've tried burning incense, but then my house smells like a hippie shop from the 1960s. Would an air purifier cure all this? And what do they cost? $100?
Should I buy an electric car? For the past two summers I've toyed with the idea of buying an electric car like City Building Inspector Rick Perry and other Plattsburgh officials get to drive around. Every day I have to drive to the post office and many days to the bank. How much money could I save on gas with those trips alone? And wouldn't I look great riding along in that open-air electric car with my ponytail flying behind? What do they cost? $5000? That would be a healthy serving of my nest egg! It's too late for this year, but maybe in 2008?
Should I buy a new dishwasher? That would normally be the last thing on my mind. But I have a problem. About one out of every three times I use my dishwasher, water comes dripping out the front. This has been easily remedied thus far by using towels from my ample collection of hotel souvenir towels I've gathered in my lifetime. Hilton Hotel towels work best, by the way. But how long can this go on? Wouldn't it just be easier to give in and buy a new dishwasher? But what do they cost? $500?
Just so that you won't think that I can't make any decisions on my own, I do want you to know that I have purchased one item lately -- an air-conditioner. After listening to daily complaints from friends about how it is in my house, I relented. I purchased an air-conditioner, and, I must admit, I'm glad I did. It keeps the kitchen, dining room and kitchen very cool during our summer heat waves. I was probably one of the last holdouts on purchasing A-C. I had always felt that a fan works just as well, but it took just one day to prove that I had been wrong all these years. It would probably work even better if I could figure out what all those buttons mean on the air-conditioner.
That's my shopping list. Anyone want to offer advice on what my next purchase should be?
Comments
Hey Foxy, how you doin? If you really want a handy office equipment, even I would recommend a paper shredder. It gives you a kind of status like an important and disciplined person that do not share his secrets with others. It also gives an aid of shredding your trash.
Posted by: paper shredders | August 14, 2008 11:49 PM
Foxy, I would definitely recommend the shredder. Both Megan and I have one and I shred everything. I would pass on both the air purifier and electric car. I am a non-smoker and my guests know that and respect that. The electric car, while it would be a lot of fun and would save money, is limited and not too practical from November through March. Besides, you have quite a few miles left on your car. You didn't say how old the dishwasher was but it sounds like it might be time for a new one. Do yourself a favor and call Nate at Wilson's Appliance. He is a bit higher than Lowe's but his customer service more than makes up the difference. You may even be able to find a dishwasher at the old store on Broad St which is now their "Scratch and Dent" store and, as some of the comments said, you may be eligible for a rebate. As far as the AC, I have 2 and I have them in my upstairs bedrooms and put a fan in the hallway and the cold air flows throughout my condo and, really, we don't get that many hot days so central air, while nice, is not necessary.
Posted by: UPS Dave | August 16, 2007 8:18 PM
hey Foxy, did you know if you buy an Energy-Star dishwasher you get a rebate of $50.00. Just pick up the rebate form on Miller St. MLD offices. It will make it worth your while to buy new.
Angel
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the tip. I'll remember that.)
Posted by: Angel | August 16, 2007 2:38 PM
Hey Foxy,
Here's a link you can check out for your dishwasher problems: http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=18243
The offer still stands at the end of September if you need some help!
(Foxy's note: Woody, I'll check it out, and I accept your September offer! Thanks.)
Posted by: Woody | August 15, 2007 8:10 AM
Foxy,
Long time, no blog!!! It's been a very busy summer with baseball, both coaching and watching!
It's always a dilemma to determine the “best” place to spend one’s money. Being an avid sports and TV fan much like yourself, I would first go for the TV. I have a 42” Panasonic plasma with a 6.1 surround sound system. Movies, sports, and even the news sound and look absolutely awesome. I understand the cable provider up there is a little behind in their digital technology, so an extra investment in a digital satellite system might be worth the extra money.
Shredders are a good investment. Like Woody said, with your e-bay business it is not worth the risk of having some dumpster-diver or trash monkey finding your documents and stealing someone’s personal information. Along the same lines make sure you protect your information when conducting business via the computer. 85% of all identity theft crimes occur via the computer.
Smoking sucks! Tell your friends to quit or get out! That smoke will permeate every inch of your house including your closets and clothes. I bet you always wanted to go out on a date with that special someone smelling like an ashtray!
Stay away from electric cars. Research shows that electric car owners would have to own the car for 12 to 20 years before recouping the expense of buying an electric car versus a similarly equipped gas powered version of the same car. Go buy a nice Honda Civic. It is an ULEV(ultra low emissions vehicle) that can get upwards of 40 mpg for around $15,000, about $8,000 less than the hybrid.
Congrats on the AC…all the more reason to get the TV and a package of paper plates!
Take care,
Kern
(Foxy's note: Kern, I saw your Dad at the post office yesterday and he was looking good. And he was minus the cane! I am going to try to have a meeting with him some Friday over a few refreshments.)
Posted by: Kern | August 14, 2007 10:18 AM
Foxy - All these comments sound like "sound advice". The only things I might add are: 1. How old is that dishwasher? 2. would you like features like quieter, delay wash (you could turn it on at bedtime and not be bothered with noise) and lastly, make sure it has an energy star rating (costs less to operate) 3. do you need a tall tub so you can throw those large pots and pans in after those parties? (measure first so you don't have to remodel the whole kitchen to fit it in) :)Don't buy a dishwasher based on price, buy it for the features and manufacturer.
(Foxy's note: I think the dishwasher is about 8 years old. Is that bad?)
Posted by: Gerri Lambert | August 14, 2007 9:49 AM
Foxy; When I retired eight years ago to Florida and let my lovely wife pick out the lot and house. But I did a few things went to Sears and purchased a large screen tv and 3 smaller tv's for the house! I even have cable installed in my outside screen room! I also pick out the meanest and baddest weber grill for cooking and partying outside! Plus a small refrigerator for stocking my favorite brew Coors Light! Its fun my wife uses the weber grill and I sit and drink my coors while watching the Yankees Win !!!!! You can't take it with you when God calls! Enjoy Life! Its Precious
Posted by: Lenny Smallacombe | August 14, 2007 8:57 AM
Now this is ironic Foxy. Just this morning our old reliable T V bit the big one, so, guess what we did. Yup!!! We went to Best Buy and got a new 40" HD TV. Just got done watching the Yankees Win!!!!!!! Theeeeeeee Yankees Win!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't get any better than that. Go for the T V.
Crusher
Posted by: crusher | August 13, 2007 10:38 PM
Foxy, how does a man whom I consider to be one of the last great sport fans of our time not own a big screen? Seriously, I would delete this blog ASAP and go buy one right now. . .Pretend that you have had one all along.
As for the smoking friends; because you will have a big screen will you be hosting more sports parties, etc. . .Now what I would do is put out a jar and tell all the smokers that until that jar is filled with about 300 bucks (the cost of an Ionic breeze*), no one can smoke inside. . .come Superbowl time, that jar will be filled up.
*The ionic breeze is the first and last air purifier you will ever need. There is no air filter you have to replace, it is completely silent and has about the same dimensions as one of those fancy tower fans (but you can stick these behind a couch). It works off of some scientific ion magnet or something but let me tell you it works wonders. As long as your smoking buddies don't exhale directly into your carpeting and/or furniture, the smell of smoke will completely disappear within 2 hours.
Now the only maintainance that you will have to do for this ionic breeze is a simple cleaning of these metal strips (the thing that catches all the stuff in the air - real scientific wording eh?) about once a week. That involves taking it out (real simple) and wiping it down with a damp cloth.
At this point with all the parties you will be having because of your big screen and clean air, you will have more dishes to clean. . .
But I personally would hold off on buying the new electric car until you get the big screen home safely.
(Foxy's note: Kelly, as always, you have got this dilemna entirely figured out. You da man! Thanks. Oh, by the way, do you own stock in Ionic Breeze?)
Posted by: Kelly Miller | August 13, 2007 3:12 PM
Foxy,
Paper shredder - absolutely but you need to invest in the cross-cut to completely destroy your information.
Big Screen – do you need a new TV? Is the one you have broken? Can you recycle the one you have now? They may be cheaper in a year. I think you need to think longer about this item.
Dish Washer - If you get it analyzed and then need to purchase anyway, it adds to the purchase price (same dilemma I am dealing with over a refrigerator).
Electric Car - Unless you go to the post office and the bank in Rouses Point, no. The batteries are expensive to replace.
Air Purifier - As Miss D indicates, let them smoke outside.
You are a smart guy to now be using an air conditioner. You might not turn it off until October! Of course this is coming from a Florida resident....
Posted by: Elaine from Orlando | August 13, 2007 2:22 PM
Foxy,
Yes to the big screen TV. I got a 42 incher last year. Do what I did and buy it on Black Friday. I got one at Sears for $1000.00.
If you do get one you MUST also get home theatre speakers with surround sound. For another $200.00 it is well worth it.
Bottom line, buy whatever you want. You're only young once.
Craig Mathews
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the advice, Craig. I might call you about it. I agree that you're only young once, but can I be old twice?)
Posted by: Craig Mathews | August 13, 2007 1:34 PM
Hey Foxy.....Great to see you for the Stowaways reunion!
If you are throwing out all those bank papers with account numbers, ebay papers with user id and/or password you definitely should have a paper shredder. Buy the crosscut one....little bit more $$ but much more secure.
The big screen with HD is a necessity but I don't think it will help the Dodgers win the Series.
I wouldn't waste time with an air purifier....just as easy to have your friends go outside to smoke....and you'll be doing them a favor by making them cut down on their smoking, especially in winter when we all know how cold it is outside! Being a smoker, I truly did cut down in the winter when I was up north.
Electric car is totally out of the question---wait a few years until the technology gets better. How long do you think a bank of batteries will last up there at -30F ??
I'll be up with Stan and Miney at the end of September and would be happy to look at your dishwasher for you and repair if I can. Be forewarned however that the door gasket alone can cost almost $100 (depending on model) and with a new dishwasher coming in at under $300, it may be more economically feasible to buy a new one. (I'll put it in for you when I'm there.)
Take care Fox man!
Posted by: Woody | August 13, 2007 8:14 AM
Thanks for asking us to help Foxy - from what I've read so far we're all pretty close in opinion. Here are my thoughts:
Paper shredder - the odds of "needing" one are very slim, but they're kind of cool for an inexpensive enough price - I think Ken's cost $10 on sale and he loves it.
Big screen TV - Absolutely, positively without a doubt in my mind - bigger screen and high definition - you so owe it to yourself.
Air purifier - really good product and they do work, but the replacement filters are expensive and the machine eventually goes by the way of the veg-o-matic, treadmill...etc. (get the picture?)
Dishwasher - I know the best appliance repair man around - he will look at your dishwasher and give you the best advice - don't make that decision on your own.
Electric car - you've got to be kidding me. The hybrids are coming down in price and up in quality - until then - invest in a bicycle for your short jaunts - this is the perfect time of year to start.
Last, but absolutely not least, do not let anyone smoke in your house - I don't care who they are. My mother doesn't even smoke in my house. Besides, when that grandbaby is born - this won't even be an option so you may as well put a stop to it now!
Always happy to lend an opinion - your friend, miss d
(Foxy's note: A bicycle? I gave that up when I was 12. I'll break the smoking news to my friend tomorrow morning! And that big-screen TV is looking for like a reality with every comment. Thanks for the opinions, miss d.)
Posted by: miss d | August 12, 2007 9:21 PM
Foxy,
Big screen TV's are great. Even a person my age can read the inning numbers during ball games and the fine print of the infomercials. If you are only buying it so you can watch the Dodgers in the series...get the paper shredder.
(Foxy's note: Now here's one Yankee fan who can make me laugh!)
Posted by: Jim Carr | August 12, 2007 6:10 PM
Fox man! Paper shredder, no, unless you have any documents that could come back to cause a north country scandal someday. Big screen TV, yes, I just bought one and it's one of the best purchases i've ever made! it will make your dodgers even look good! Air purifier, no, just hire someone to come in and get 7 Saratoga court spick and span! Electric car, no, a man who is single and on the prowl like you does not need one of those cars. Dishwasher, yes! those things are lifesavers! if you need anymore of my expert advice you know where to find me!!
(Foxy's note: Wow! Advice all the way from Texas ... by way of Jay, New York!)
Posted by: Bryan Benway | August 12, 2007 6:08 PM
Fox,
Just my opinion, mind you.....
paper shredder? Well, I don't know what they cost and it is definitely easier to simply feed a piece of paper through the shredder than it is to rip off the piece of paper that has your account number, social security number, etc. on it and then tear it into little pieces. To save time and save yourself the worry....yes, buy the paper shredder.
Big screen TV? Yes, it is a gift to yourself that you would thoroughly enjoy for years.
You deserve it.
Air purifier? Know that they have filters that have to be changed on a regular basis and run on electricity, which you must include in the price. I would, instead, ask your friends to step outside to have a cigarette. You don't smoke and therefore should not subject your lungs, or your house, to the affects of smoking. This stand point is coming directly from a smoker. No, to the air purifier, if you ask them to go outside....yes to the air purifier if you can't bring yourself to ask them to go outside.
An electric car....no.
A new dishwasher? Why not get the gaskets replaced instead?
In the end, Foxy, it's like this.....spend on what will make you happy. You earned it and should be able to take some enjoyment from your hard earned money. I would much rather see my parents enjoying themselves, and even spoiling themselves, than to see them saving money so that they have something to leave to myself and my brothers when they are gone.
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the sound advice, Kathy. It's nice when a former student can help her old retired teacher by offering words of wisdom!)
Posted by: Kathy | August 12, 2007 4:56 PM