Since adopting a more Minimalist lifestyle, there are a few things I wonder why I ever wasted good money on. Adopting a Minimalist lifestye requires before any new purchase, the following questions are asked: Do I REALLY need this item?; How much use will I REALLY get from this item?; Can I borrow this item, rather than buy it?; Is this purchase in line with my new values?
Given the new consciousness I employ before making a purchase I am more aware of those items I will never waste my hard earned money on again:
* Cable TV--I can watch any television program from network television to cable programming on the internet for free. In fact, a new report released by the Yankee Group indicates one in eight Americans will drop their cable TV subscription before the end of 2010. So, I actually consider myself a trendsetter in this area because I have been without cable since 2008--Yeah me!
* Magazine Subscriptions--I now assign one Saturday out of the month library day. On this day, I read all of my favorite magazines for free, then LEAVE them at the library--no more unnecessary clutter to recycle. This is also the day I check out or return any books I want to read/have already read.
* A NEW car--I will probably never be car-free, like some Minimalist. But, I will certainly never pay full price for a such an expensive depreciating asset again. From this point forward, it is Certified Pre-Owned all the way, baby!
* Home Decor--There are entirely too many consignment stores that sell these items in excellent to very good condition at a fraction of the cost. Why do I need a brand new vase anyway? Or picture frames or lamps?
*Gym Membership--I love running and it is free. Besides, I never got my money's worth because the act of having to drive to the location to work out was just too much of a hassle for me. I used the membership only because I was paying for it, not because I enjoyed it. So, never again.
*A Pet--there are thousands of perfectly good pets at the pound who need a home, especially after many pet owners could not afford to keep their pets due to the effects of the Great Recession. Sure, I'll have to pay to have the pet spayed/neutered and vaccinated, but not for the pet itself.
*Ringtones--they are ridiculous to me. No offense to anyone who has one, but I just don't get it. My phone can have a regular ring like in the old day, circa 2005. This is just another way cellphone companies have found to jack up the cost of the service--and consumers are falling for it hook, line and sinker.
So, that's the short list of the things I will never pay for again. What are some things you will never pay for or never pay for again?
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And in terms of gym memberships... I sort of like to measure how much sense something makes by asking myself what someone from Mars would think about it. I always wonder what the Martians would say about us... we refuse to get up and walk across the room to change the TV channel, yet we pay thousands of dollars to run around on little machines like rats...
Check on everything, including NOT buying a new car.
LOL@Rebecca for this comment:
we refuse to get up and walk across the room to change the TV channel, yet we pay thousands of dollars to run around on little machines like rats...
Love, A
www.365fashionrehab.com
I have been debating for the longest time if I should get Tetris on my cell phone. Have been pondering since I got my phone 2 years ago, and still haven't forked over the $7.
I don't think I could give up cable because there are many shows we enjoy as a family, and I don't want us all to have to crowd around the computer. Of course, if I was totally broke it would go, but it would not be my first choice.
We dropped our gym membership last year, and I actually have a post coming up about that on Wednesday. We seem to be on the same page today!
Enjoyed the post!