I'm Realizing That I Don't Want New Toys Anymore

Kraig | March 13, 2012 | 18 Comments · Living Cheap

My friend and I went to Best Buy tonight. He wanted to show me a new in-dash stereo/GPS/DVD player that he has his eye on for his car. The price tag on it says $800. My first thought when I saw it was, "Ouch, that's not worth $800 to me." Next, we checked out all the latest and greatest electronics in the store. We stopped by the home theater section where he showed me a center channel speaker that he wants (he has an entire home theater system, but no center channel). That was $250, for just the one speaker. After that, we watched some TV in 3D. Wow, now that was actually cool. I thought about what it would be like to own a 3D TV for about....... 30 seconds.

Next, we were off to the cameras. Good thing I don't know much about the new cameras, because I didn't even geek out very much. Four years ago, I was in and out of Best Buy weekly, eyeballing the newest Canon camera. I bought one right before my California trip in 2008 for $450. It's still my camera today, although the camera on my iPhone 4S is about as good now and 10 times smaller, more portable and more convenient. Anyway, since I don't know squat about camera's anymore, I just played around with them for a bit and then left that department. Last, but not least, my friend and I made our way to the computer section, where... to be honest, I wasn't impressed at all. They had like 10 computers, most of which didn't seem to be any cooler than my trusty HP desktop that I bought 4 and a half years ago. Is Best Buy's selection getting worse or what? So, what's the point of this story? The point is that I used to be a Best Buy fanatic. I would have died and gone to heaven if I could have gotten a gift certificate there back in my younger days. That was my favorite place to shop, back when I had no money. Those shiny new electronics looked so awesome and if only I had the money to buy them, my life would have been so much better (yeah right). Fast forward many years to tonight. I'm walking through the store and thinking, I don't want any of this junk. That stereo system is $700? I can go to the Financial Blogger Conference for that. And wow, that would that be such a better investment. That's it folks, I've gone off the deep end. Nothing in Best Buy appeals to me anymore. In fact, the store looked and felt like it was dying a long, slow death. The employees looked like they were miserable. The selection looked to be fading away. And the appeal of all that shiny new electronic eye candy is gone in my mind. Through my blog, I hope to help more people see it like I do that, the expensive stuff they sell at stores like that is a big waste of money. It might make you feel good today, but when all the money in your bank account is gone and your toy starts to get obsolete, you end up with nothing. Take it from me, that crap is useless. I have plenty of old and outdated electronics sitting around my apartment collecting dust. Investing in your future is where its at!

#Not Spending Money #Personal Finance Lessons

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18 Comments

Well Heeled Blog says:
March 13, 2012 at 9:58 PM
I kind of would like a new camera (or rather, a camera, as I've never had a digital camera before!). But I don't know if that's necessary because I have an iPhone and it has an OK camera. On the other hand, I'd like to start learning to use a dSLR, and entry-level ones go for $350-$450.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:
  March 13, 2012 at 10:03 PM
  I would love a camera too (if it was free)! No, I love photography and may get one again. The next time I do, however, I will be sure to be ready to get some serious use out of it. The last time I bought one, it sat in the drawer for four years, and still sits there today. What a bummer!
Steer says:
March 13, 2012 at 10:04 PM
I like the article! The use of the phrase "electronic candy" was priceless.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:
  March 13, 2012 at 10:16 PM
  Yep. I didn't think the day would come that I'd not be impressed by that place, but it came.
WorkSaveLive says:
March 14, 2012 at 6:58 AM
Yeah...I'm pretty sure you've gone crazy. I mean, come on, who wouldn't want the Samsung 65", LED, 3D/HD, TV? It only costs $3500. LOL. I actually want that TV in a bad way but I've said "NO!" for the past 2 years. It's killing me inside. In all seriousness, I still have a want for some of the electronic gadgets but we won't get any of them because there are better uses for our money...for now. As soon as I get out of debt though you better believe I'll be buying a new TV and camera!
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:
  March 14, 2012 at 7:35 AM
  Don't you think it may be possible that even when you're out of debt, you may still find better uses for your money?
Bichon Frise says:
March 14, 2012 at 9:46 AM
We think it is ok to buy things like TV's and cameras, if that is ONE of things you truly enjoy. It is good to have hobbies which provide happiness and entertainment for you. It keeps a person sane. If watching TV is truly what you enjoy, then splurge a bit. BUT, we do not think it is appropriate to always be searching after the latest and greatest and chasing every hobby your neighbor, friends and co-workers want to get into. So, the important thing is to find the things which you find value in and can afford because they provide you with happiness and entertainment ("utility" as economists like to say). Otherwise, the sprint on the treadmill of life will be come unbearable. Electronics don't turn your crank (they don't do it for us either), but something does. If it's making sure every penny gets saved for retirement while eating rice and beans more power to you! If it's travel, save up and go somewhere you want. If it's eating out with friends, do it. Sure, it's a couple grand (or more!) that you won't save but if it provides satisfaction, then it is money well spent. most people can't do it all, but doing the few things you can afford at the top of your list provides benefits, sanity being one of them.
Steve@thelooniebin says:
March 14, 2012 at 6:33 PM
I used to be an avid pc gamer and would always build a monster of a computer every 2 years. Now that I'm married, bought a house and run a blog I don't have time for gaming much anymore. I think it's your priorities that change our outlook on life. Instead of seeing that big screen TV at Bestbuy for $3500, I see my property taxes for a year or 100 shares of a dividend paying stock that PAYS ME $200 a year.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:
  March 14, 2012 at 6:52 PM
  That's exactly how I think too. I'm thinking, that's rent for 5 months!
Katie says:
March 14, 2012 at 8:24 PM
I went to Walmart today, planning to buy a laptop but once I got there I just couldn't part with the $400. Looks like my good ole desktop will just have to suffice for a while longer.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:
  March 14, 2012 at 8:25 PM
  Heck yeah! That's the spirit!
Savvy Scot says:
March 22, 2012 at 7:45 AM
Good Post. I think that 3D TVs are still way ahead of their time. There is not nearly enough content to justify the purchase yet. Similar to when HD was first developed - but worse given that older movies could be re-written to discs in HD (as they were recorded in HD in the first place for movie theatres)
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:
  March 22, 2012 at 7:50 AM
  So does that mean 3D movies/TV shows can't be converted to 3D? I guess I never thought about it, but it wouldn't make sense that they could, right? That may be tough for the industry. Anyway, they are cool toys, but I'm not interested!
Karunesh @ chase-a-dream.com says:
March 28, 2012 at 2:10 AM
Guys love to spend on gadgets. Referring them as toys does helps to give that habit :). Curbing this habit would save you a lot of money. Good luck :)
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:
  March 28, 2012 at 7:59 AM
  Yep, I'm giving up that habit so I have to think about it in terms of "buying toys".
Dennis says:
June 4, 2012 at 8:03 AM
I don't get the obsession with gadgets. --I have a $15/month cell phone for emergencies, all the other stuff a smart phone does I can do better on a computer. --I don't watch TV anymore, so that makes that easy. --My 2007 camera works fine. --I've used the same computer since 2005, just reload Windows every couple years and it works fine. Expendable income I spend on used books -- yes, paper ones. Do you know how many hours of entertainment a $1 book from Goodwill provides? Imagine 20 big ones. If I had to care about what everyone else is obsessed with I would have nothing in this world to hold me here. I don't know if I'm blessed or cursed.
Chase says:
January 30, 2013 at 1:28 PM
Kraig, I just wanted to drop a note to tell you that I appreciate and enjoy reading your blog. I've just come across it (following a comment you left on 20somethingfinance.com) and I'm relating to many of your experiences. Unfortunately, many of your past experiences are my present experiences, but I'm inspired to reevaluate and do what it takes to decentralize money from my life outlook. Keep doing what you're doing.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:
  February 1, 2013 at 8:29 AM
  Chase, I'm so glad you found this blog. Welcome! I don't know what you're going through, but I'm glad I helped inspire you to make some changes and turn things around (at least financially). Something I've learned to be true is that when you start living on less and with less, it becomes the new normal and you don't really notice how "deprived" you are. I feel like I live a good, middle class life. But I spend a lot less than most the people I know. Sometimes, I feel bad for not wanting to spend much on entertainment and dining, but those around me understand. Many of them can't spend much because of their financially situation, whereas I don't want to spend much because of my goals. It is convenient that most people are broke, because that helps us not spend at times because they can't spend either. Anyway, I hope you see you around here more in the future. Thanks for coming by and for commenting!

I'm Realizing That I Don't Want New Toys Anymore

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