Here is a nasty little question that will get you all thinking or in some case scrambling for cover. What was the last purchase you made not including essentials like food, medicines or your gas bill and can you justify it?
I confess I bought a new handbag. I have two very small handbags in my closet that I only use occasionally but my everyday handbag has been falling apart for some time. I have held off buying a new one for several months until I found what seems like the perfect one to suit my needs. While waiting to make this purchase the handle has been held on the old one with one of those rock climbing D spring clips (not very attractive but serviceable).
I have thrown away the old bag so have added no new clutter to my home. I feel quite justified in making this purchase. What do you think and how does your last purchase shape up?
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Posted 1 year ago #
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My last non-essential purchase was three packets of champagne yeast for brewing my own ginger ale.
Or does that count as food?
I am so #$%#$@%# poor that I don't make many non-essential purchases. Spending $2 to rent a movie from the South Asian market is my occasional extravagance.
Posted 1 year ago # -
We went to the local indie kids bookstore for an Ed Emberly drawing book that has Halloween pictures in it, and the first Harry Potter book because my partner wants to read it to our son and we haven't found a used copy (I guess people must keep that one). I got myself 2 books. One is a new hardback, and it fit my hardback book guidelines (at least 2 of my friends also want to read it, so we can pass it around) and the other was a paperback.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Last week bought a new bird feeder to replace one that broke ((*%(*^%^ squirrels!!!) and a cart to hold all of our yard implements, like shovels and rakes. Needed both of them, and both make life easier. No regrets.
Oh -- and went in with a friend for a 5-season DVD compilation of a British TV series we both are addicted to. Only the 1st 3 seasons are available thru Netflix. Only $25 -- we will get good use out of it. Hours and hours of viewing bliss for both families.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Oh, Susan, which series? I love Brit TV and have rented/borrowed several over the years.
My last purchase was new "middle" sized cutting board (for quilting). The old one got broken in my suitcase on a trip in 2009, and DH cut it down so I could use the good part as an insert for the bottom of a tote bag. I finally found one I liked, and I had a 50% off coupon at JoAnn's! Score! Totally justified. :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
ooooo that is a nasty question!
i am deep in the throes of negotiating a quantity of maple syrup to be shipped here from the USA.
i bought some kindle books last night.
i bought some gourmet jams and preserves last week.
and some spice mixtures.
all wildly extravagant, but all "consumable".for non-consumables: about a month ago i bought my husband an ipod touch so he could travel around tokyo and paris with metro and louvre and map apps....see his flight and accom details easily.....skype/email me with no dramas....have some music and french phrases to hand.
it was kind of extravagant, but perfect for his needs....cheaper and smaller than a laptop....cheaper than an iphone....and now he is home he has been using it for all sorts of things, and he was not a PDA kind of guy before.
i think it was justifiable.Posted 1 year ago # -
i just had a quick scan through my credit card bill for the last month.
it is all utility bills.....amazon....itunes.....lawyer.....podiatrist.....the jams and spices....the ipod.
nothing i could really classify as "stuff"....none of it will be sitting around.Posted 1 year ago # -
Nasty. All iTunes stuff for me. OH just got an iPad which was useful more than essential. He travels a lot so it will mean carrying less (no DVD player or book or dvds).
To be honest apart from iTunes I don't buy a lot. New clothes recently have all been maternity tops and jeans as I don't want to stretch my normal ones or they're too uncomfortable with bump.
I have just started logging bank transactions with ibank though so we can see what were spending money on. It's been very useful but I'm still working through the kinks.
Posted 1 year ago # -
pkilmain: The series is "Pie in the Sky," which is a combination detective and cooking show. Stars Richard Griffiths -- very funny. None of us can BEAR the thought of not knowing how it ends.
Posted 1 year ago # -
My last purchase was a new firepit I found on craigslist. It was new, in the original box for half price. My old one burned through and had to go.
We will enjoy it on these cool nights.Posted 1 year ago # -
The last major purchase I made was out of necessity: my 23 year old washing machine and dryer both failed at around the same time. We had them fixed and they broke again, so it was time. At Sears, I picked out the Consumer Reports Best Buy machines, but they still cost me over $2000 (the installation of the gas dryer required a plumber.) I honestly can't remember my last minor purchase--it was probably an item of clothing I need for performing. I buy very little new clothing. I've stopped buying accessories like bags and shoes and also things like plants, fresh flowers, and decor items like rugs and throw pillows. This is less for uncluttering reasons than it is to save money, but I am also getting rid of a lot of stuff. I find that when I go into shops, I see very little that I really want or need. It's amazing how the market is flooded with cheap, cheesy consumer goods.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Most definitely! Sump pump ordered on Amazon about 2 hours ago. Badly needed to drain down my pool, since the pump and filter quit earlier this summer and winter is approaching.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Got a prepay cell phone, to replace the monthly plan that has way more minutes than I've ever used in a month.
Posted 1 year ago # -
@Rosa, I love the Ed Emberley drawing books!
My last purchase was a beautiful black cotton top with multicoloured embroidery. I have very few summer tops, and this one was bought at a recycled clothes store. So I think it's justified. (I've donated several winter tops to make up for it though).
Posted 1 year ago # -
thanks for the pie in the sky recommendation!
i am getting close to the final seasons of my beloved "touch of frost" and "poirot", so this might just be the thing.
bigpond has season 1 available for rent, so it's a-coming.Posted 1 year ago # -
Oh, this thread hits a sore spot. Yesterday I went to a big-box store. On the one hand, I bought only those things that were on my list (a new bath mat, for example). On the other hand, one of the things on my list was a 9-foot ethernet cable to connect a dvd player to...oh dear...a tv.
It's been well over 10 years since I had a (second-hand) tv with cable. I tossed the tv itself a couple of years ago - easier to watch movies on my laptop.
But when my father died, I decided to take his tv - a two-year-old flatscreen. I didn't realize how large it was. And then of course I needed the dvd player with internet access to Netflix because I am NOT buying cable and letting advertising into my home.
It took me most of yesterday to rearrange my living room with ANY kind of balance without making the tv the center of attention.
Don't mean to gripe about what is, in fact, a very nice gift from my sisters; I just have really mixed emotions about having a tv in the house. But then...movies are really beautiful on this screen.
Aieeee. I hope this wasn't a Really Bad Idea. I hope I can keep it entertainment and not distraction from real life.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I bought several metal Halloween signs from Big Lots! to display in my yard. This cooler weather has me ready for Fall. I know, I know, it's clutter, but I don't care. They are just too cute! Because they are metal, they ought to last for many years. And because they are all flat, they will store easily on a previously uncluttered shelf in my garage. I am holding off on buying Halloween candy so I won't be tempted to eat any. I live inside the city limits and we still get Trick-or-Treaters. Last year I ran out of candy and had to send DH to the store for more. I am going to get a witch costume this year, too. I can't wait!
Posted 1 year ago # -
*looks at receipts*
A bottle of whiskey (to replace the one my Scottish friend and I polished off: she'd dislocated her knee on the flight in and had just come from visiting our hospital), one of prosecco ('cause there wasn't any in the house and I like having celebratory bubbly on hand), and a packet of incense. None of which are essential, but I suppose they are consumable. Ummm . . . .
Oh! I've got it: martini glasses. I used credit at the consignment store for the set, and got rid of two I'd purchased elsewhere.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yikes. I bought a Season of a TV show I like on iTunes. Was it essential? Absolutely not. But I love to watch an episode when I am at lunch at work and am eating something that requires two hands and that doesn't allow me to keep a book held open!
Posted 1 year ago # -
My last purchase was Saturday night, a set of DVDs of the dance showcase we just wrapped. $40. Essential for planning next year's event and for critiquing my own performance.
Posted 1 year ago #
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