Comments on: Is It Silly to Pay Retail to Protect the Value of Your Time? http://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time A personal finance blog teaching you how to live debt free and use credit wisely. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:18:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kevinhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#comment-46219 Kevin Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:30:46 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=4009#comment-46219 I don't think we have a Kirkland's around here, but I'm familiar with the store. Good points in terms of balancing quality, use, and price. For this purchase we wanted quality lamps that would last a long time. But for other things we might just simply get the generic. Depends on the item. I don’t think we have a Kirkland’s around here, but I’m familiar with the store. Good points in terms of balancing quality, use, and price. For this purchase we wanted quality lamps that would last a long time. But for other things we might just simply get the generic. Depends on the item.

]]> By: Kevinhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#comment-46218 Kevin Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:29:13 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=4009#comment-46218 What a great example. Of course not every hour can be converted into income, but again you have to focus on savings versus time. What a great example. Of course not every hour can be converted into income, but again you have to focus on savings versus time.

]]> By: Kevinhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#comment-46217 Kevin Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:27:23 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=4009#comment-46217 Almost always. Almost. There are exceptions to every rule, but running around town to save a dollar just doesn't make sense! Almost always. Almost. There are exceptions to every rule, but running around town to save a dollar just doesn’t make sense!

]]> By: Kevinhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#comment-46216 Kevin Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:26:50 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=4009#comment-46216 Good point with the coupon. I've definitely felt that pain... Good point with the coupon. I’ve definitely felt that pain…

]]> By: » QuickHits: The 5 Easy Ways to Get Free Personal Finance Updates from PT Money | PT Moneyhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#comment-46007 » QuickHits: The 5 Easy Ways to Get Free Personal Finance Updates from PT Money | PT Money Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:42:09 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=4009#comment-46007 [...] A good analysis of time vs money: Is it Silly to Pay Retail to Protect the Value of Your Time? [...] [...] A good analysis of time vs money: Is it Silly to Pay Retail to Protect the Value of Your Time? [...]

]]> By: Golfing Girlhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#comment-45833 Golfing Girl Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:34:55 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=4009#comment-45833 You must not have a Kirkland's near you (can't remember what state you live in). They have beautiful home furnishings for rock bottom prices (a large selection of lamps as well). Knowing where to shop for certain items (e.g., lamps) saves you time and money when the need arises. Also, not being afraid to hit the Family Dollar/Dollar General type stores occasionally is important so you'll know what types of items they carry and if they can pass quality expectations (of course not all, but some will). For instance I found a great $19 lamp for our study at Kirkland's (could have gotten matching if needed) and then later needed a small table to place between the chairs in my office and knew I'd seen one the perfect size at a Family Dollar for $15. Worked perfectly! For me, there are certain items that can pass a much lower bar for quality I'm willing to accept, such as a table that will simply hold a drink or padfolio for a coworker who visits, or a lamp that will look nice and turn on. You must not have a Kirkland’s near you (can’t remember what state you live in). They have beautiful home furnishings for rock bottom prices (a large selection of lamps as well). Knowing where to shop for certain items (e.g., lamps) saves you time and money when the need arises. Also, not being afraid to hit the Family Dollar/Dollar General type stores occasionally is important so you’ll know what types of items they carry and if they can pass quality expectations (of course not all, but some will).
For instance I found a great $19 lamp for our study at Kirkland’s (could have gotten matching if needed) and then later needed a small table to place between the chairs in my office and knew I’d seen one the perfect size at a Family Dollar for $15. Worked perfectly!
For me, there are certain items that can pass a much lower bar for quality I’m willing to accept, such as a table that will simply hold a drink or padfolio for a coworker who visits, or a lamp that will look nice and turn on.

]]> By: Kenhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#comment-45795 Ken Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:42:28 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=4009#comment-45795 Having an emergency fund is JOB ONE if someone wants to start progress out of debt. It's so simple yet so many try to get by without one. Sad. Having an emergency fund is JOB ONE if someone wants to start progress out of debt. It’s so simple yet so many try to get by without one. Sad.

]]> By: Kate Kashmanhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#comment-45598 Kate Kashman Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:04:47 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=4009#comment-45598 I'm often guilty of this - I once spent months shopping for new sheets to save a couple of dollars and find exactly the perfect sheets. (Of course, I also managed to wring a few more months of life out of the old ones.) Could have gotten a second job with all that time! There is a balance, and that balance is different for each person. As long as you are being thoughtful about it, then your choice is the right choice. I’m often guilty of this – I once spent months shopping for new sheets to save a couple of dollars and find exactly the perfect sheets. (Of course, I also managed to wring a few more months of life out of the old ones.) Could have gotten a second job with all that time!

There is a balance, and that balance is different for each person. As long as you are being thoughtful about it, then your choice is the right choice.

]]> By: brooklynchickhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#comment-45595 brooklynchick Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:51:04 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=4009#comment-45595 Good call. You made an effort to be thrifty, but at the end of the day, your time is almost always more precious than your money. Good call. You made an effort to be thrifty, but at the end of the day, your time is almost always more precious than your money.

]]> By: JoeTaxpayerhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/11/04/is-it-silly-to-pay-retail-to-protect-the-value-of-your-time/#comment-45381 JoeTaxpayer Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:24:51 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=4009#comment-45381 You've addressed the dark side of frugality, when one can't separate the value of their time with potential savings to be gained and thereby waste (too much) time for the return. Tough balance for many people. A $5 coupon about to expire - I need to shred it and not waste the hour round trip to the store I'd otherwise pass on the way elsewhere, but after the expiration date. Just an example. Joe You’ve addressed the dark side of frugality, when one can’t separate the value of their time with potential savings to be gained and thereby waste (too much) time for the return. Tough balance for many people.
A $5 coupon about to expire – I need to shred it and not waste the hour round trip to the store I’d otherwise pass on the way elsewhere, but after the expiration date. Just an example.
Joe

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