# How much savings vs how much convenience? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 20, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365 "2021-12-20T14:53:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/21 "2021-12-20T18:33:29Z")
My sister lived in Breckinridge up by Quandry Mt for 30 odd years, now enjoys the sun and climate of Grand Junction Co. with great view of the National Monument. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/22 "2021-12-20T18:55:50Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Now that my kids are grown and me being single, I tend not to pay attention to anything I’m paying for. Yeah - I’m kinda like that at some times. Like when I’m w/ my adult kids, I like playing the whole, “Your money is no good” thing. Picking up a tab is something I didn’t perceive myself as able to do for decades - now it is kinda fun. But then I can get myself all twisted up thinking, “Damn, that shouldn’t cost 75 cents! I’ll do without, or wait till I find it cheaper!” 😃 Just the other day, we moved a piano down a short flight of 6 stairs. Of course, I started off saying, “Well, it’s downhill. All we have to do is get it started and gravity will do the work!” Fortunately, my wife was more clear headed. We disagreed on the percentages, but we both agreed that there was a non-zero chance that we would injure ourselves, damage the piano, and/or damage our house. Spent $290 for a couple of burly (and insured) guys to do 10 mins work. By far the correct decision. Now I’m back to picking pennies of the sidewalk… ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/23 "2021-12-20T19:58:19Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Over the years, never paying anything in credit card interest has saved me a lot of money. I’m not sure if this is a joke answer or not, but not paying interest doesn’t equal _saving_ money. I didn’t throw a $20 into the sewer this morning, doesn’t mean I just saved $20. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/24 "2021-12-20T20:04:38Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I didn’t throw a $20 into the sewer this morning, doesn’t mean I just saved $20. 😃 For some reason or another, it reminds me of the guy who goes to the casino or a card game w/ $50 he is willing to lose. He leave w/ $25 and says he won $25. I play a regular golf game where each guy puts in $5. Very often, someone will get $1-2 back and describe that as their “winnings”! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/25 "2021-12-20T20:13:41Z")
> [@chela](#): > > My sister lived in Breckinridge up by Quandry Mt for 30 odd years, now enjoys the sun and climate of Grand Junction Co. with great view of the National Monument. Yeah, I know Mt. Quandary and the Subdivision below it. A few of those folks live higher than we do. Living at elevation is perhaps like sailing a boat. Everything is beautiful and fine, followed by, “Oh Shit” Don’t think Grand Junction is for us though. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/26 "2021-12-20T21:17:43Z")
It’s saving money as much as buying a cheap thing is saving money. It is money that could’ve been spent but wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/27 "2021-12-20T22:13:07Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Over the years, never paying anything in credit card interest has saved me a lot of money. > [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I’m not sure if this is a joke answer or not, but not paying interest doesn’t equal _saving_ money. > > I didn’t throw a $20 into the sewer this morning, doesn’t mean I just saved $20. I don’t know why you think avoiding interest doesn’t give you more money to save. 😕 From [American Household Credit Card Debt Statistics: 2020 - NerdWallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/average-credit-card-debt-household/#:~:text=Despite%20lower%20interest%20rates%2C%20debt%20costs%20add%20up.,the%20cost%20of%20living%2C%20but%20by%20how%20much%3F) **Despite lower interest rates, debt costs add up.** U.S. households that carry credit card debt will pay interest charges of $1,155 on average this year. To me, the valid comparison is that if you pay credit card interest, you are throwing money down the sewer. Either pay off the balance, or save up to buy stuff. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/28 "2021-12-20T22:42:24Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > For some reason or another, it reminds me of the guy who goes to the casino or a card game w/ $50 he is willing to lose. He leave w/ $25 and says he won $25. I play a regular golf game where each guy puts in $5. Very often, someone will get $1-2 back and describe that as their “winnings”! When at a friend’s home a few years ago, he showed me is brand new gi-normous flat screen TV. The thing was damn near the size of a queen size mattress. He exclaimed excitedly to me “_…and we got it FREE!!!_”. I asked him, did he win it in a lottery or something. “_Wellllll…I just sold a bunch of old stuff I had. Got four thousand for it, and bought this TV_”. When I remarked that doesn’t make that TV free, and that if it were, he could count his money as he watched TV, his wife tried to but could not squelch a snicker. He got pissed off at both of us and I kind of got the vibe that he wife wasn’t all that happy with him blowing that kind of money for a TV, especially since his old one was pretty humongous as well. The “free” part was evidently a pathetic rationalization. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/29 "2021-12-21T04:17:41Z")
> [@glee](#): > > To me, the valid comparison is that if you pay credit card interest, you are throwing money down the sewer. > Either pay off the balance, or save up to buy stuff. One way paying off your credit card on time can make you money is if you have a good reward points program. I do most of my regular spending on my card. I figure I’m spending the money anyways, but this way, I can get free stuff at some point. I’ve had several free flights over the years, and a free lawnmower as well. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/30 "2021-12-21T05:33:36Z")
> [@glee](#): > > U.S. households that carry credit card debt will pay interest charges of $1,155 on average this year. Yes, but not having to pay that interest to begin with is not the same thing as _saving_ money. You’d only be saving money if you got a discount off the price for paying it all up front. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/31 "2021-12-21T05:59:58Z")
Thinking on it, I guess I am looking at it from the position that not paying interest is the default, so me not paying it doesn’t gain me anything. But if you (general you) are someone who normally _would_ pay interest and you stop buying until you have enough money to pay for the whole thing at once, then I guess that person would be “saving” money they otherwise would have spent. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/32 "2021-12-21T06:42:40Z")
I make my own laundry detergent (Fels Naptha Soap, 20 Mule Team Borax, and Arm & Hammer Washing Soda) and it works just fine (and leaves no smell on my clothes) but I tried making my own dishwashing detergent, and that concoction was worse than just washing them with plain water. So, I use Finish Quantum Max gel packs and they get my dishes nice and clean. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/33 "2021-12-21T07:47:52Z")
By that logic, someone who defaults to buying the cheapest stuff isn’t actually saving anything either. Having a credit card and paying in full saves money that would otherwise be spent on interest. Having a mortgage and making extra payments saves money that would otherwise be spent on interest. Buying a thing that is cheaper than another similar thing saves money that would otherwise be spent on the more expensive thing. These are all valid ways of saving money. Edit: Thinking about it more, you are right. If you aren’t modifying your behaviour then it doesn’t “feel” like saving. If someone normally spends $200 at a restaurant but goes to a cheaper one and spends $100 they may feel like they’ve saved $100. A different person eating at the same $100 restaurant might feel like they are frivolously throwing money away. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/34 "2021-12-21T12:17:30Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Thinking on it, I guess I am looking at it from the position that not paying interest is the default, so me not paying it doesn’t gain me anything. But if you (general you) are someone who normally _would_ pay interest and you stop buying until you have enough money to pay for the whole thing at once, then I guess that person would be “saving” money they otherwise would have spent. This is what I meant. 😀 I appreciate your position that savings can also come through: - buying in bulk - buying a cheaper version - doing it yourself - waiting for a sale I like the quote that ‘compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe.’ So I avoid paying interest whenever possible and try to build up my savings by earning interest on them. ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/35 "2021-12-21T12:36:31Z")
Getting back to the Original Poster’s question: > [@Dinsdale](#): > > So how about you guys? Any comments on my choices? Any examples where you decided, “Oh, it is only a few pennies. What the heck!” Or, “Damn the cost, THAT’S what I WANT!” I believe there was a similar thread, and many people responded that they would spend more to purchase a premium brand of toilet paper. And I agree about the comments of purchasing gasoline. It always amazed me when the local news would show a gas station offering a “super special” price - and would shown cars lined up for blocks IDLING THEIR ENGINES. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/36 "2021-12-21T15:49:48Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > For some reason or another, it reminds me of the guy who goes to the casino or a card game w/ $50 he is willing to lose. He leave w/ $25 and says he won $25. Heh, I do not “get” gambling. When I lived in Philadelphia, we drove to Atlantic City one day just to site see. I put a coin (quarter?) in a slot machine and won a few dollars. I walked away a winner, didn’t play any more games of chance. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/37 "2021-12-21T15:58:00Z")
For me, I’m often willing to spend extra on things that eliminate repetitive, time-sucking tasks. For example, I often have my groceries delivered. This bothers my husband to no end (he sees it as “cheating”); however, if I save a couple of hours a week and am more likely to cook what I purchase as a result of that savings, it’s worth it to me to pay extra, usually in the form of tips, to have groceries delivered. And despite the tip, we usually come out about net neutral since we throw less away and don’t spend on impulse purchases. But if it’s a one-time thing where I’ll save a ton of money doing it myself, I’d rather save the cash. For example, my lawnmower wasn’t working. I hadn’t used it in years (we use a lawn service) but now that the kids are older, they’re interested in using it to make cash and I’d happily pay them to mow our lawn. But having it serviced would require that I figure out how to get it into my little hybrid SUV, pay $300 just for them to look at it and clean it up, and even that wouldn’t be guaranteed to make the damn thing work. So I figured out how to take it apart thanks to youtube, bought a new carburetor kit on Amazon for $15, replaced the old one, put it back together and it works beautifully. Worth every penny and every minute I spent on it. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/38 "2021-12-21T16:10:33Z")
My time is valuable, and I don’t like to spend it doing things that I don’t like to do. Other people are willing to do those things for money, so I pay: - a lawn guy (who also does snowblowing in the winter) - a poop scooper - to get my groceries delivered - a housecleaner (very occasionally, because my house is tiny. When I had a bigger house, it was every other week) I also buy what I want, for the most part, without checking prices. Now, I will comparison shop a tv, for instance, but toilet paper? I’m going to get what I like. I’m not extravagant by any means, and I’m in fact a minimalist, so I don’t see the point of making life any less pleasant than I have to. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/39 "2021-12-21T16:12:34Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Heh, I do not “get” gambling. When I lived in Philadelphia, we drove to Atlantic City one day just to site see. I put a coin (quarter?) in a slot machine and won a few dollars. I walked away a winner, didn’t play any more games of chance. For me, having a little $ in play makes many things more interesting to me. But I dislike losing far more than I like winning, so I usually play for low stakes. And these days bet far less than I used to. I used to play a lot of poker w/ friends - but just nickel/dime/quarter stuff - or quarter/half/dollar. You’d have to be REALLY stupid and/or unlucky to lose $50 over the course of a LONG night. When I golf, we often have $5-10 on the entire round. So if you get skunked, you lose $10 over the course of 4-5 hrs. And I used to like to be in football/b-ball pools. Made watching the games/tourneys more interesting. Now I no longer watch. In casinos, there is little more fun than a hot craps table. Again, betting carefully minimizes your maximum burn. But A LOT of my golf buddies like to play the slots. I just don’t get that. I remember when folk were criticizing Jordan for gambling large amounts. I was surprised when I realized his gambling tens of thousands was proportionately no different from me wagering tens! 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365/40 "2021-12-21T16:17:24Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > … So I figured out how to take it apart thanks to youtube, bought a new carburetor kit on Amazon for $15, replaced the old one, put it back together and it works beautifully. Worth every penny and every minute I spent on it. How much time did that take - including time googling, finding the part on Amazon, and doing the repair (including setup and cleanup)? Did you have a place to do the work? I remember being impressed at how simple things can look on Youtube, when the filmer has a nice clear, well lit workstation, with all the tools handy… I went through a period of trying to work on my old gas mower, but was frustrated when my efforts didn’t make it run better. Yeah, successful tinkering can be very rewarding. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-savings-vs-how-much-convenience/956365.md?page=3)