Sometimes You Just Don’t Feel Like Saving Money
Blasphemy, I know…but it is true. I am not talking about some calculation that I do in me head that says doing X isn’t worth the time for the money, but about blatant laziness or avoidance. Sometimes when certain moods strike I am just unwilling to put in a little extra effort to save another dollar or two.
Three incidents stand out in my mind from the last week or two :
- I can remember about a week ago realizing that I had not been charged the sale price on ice cream. I was already in the car with the groceries and my son and I didn’t feel like going back in for the $1.50.
- I was at a flea market with my brother-in-law, who currently makes his living off eBay, and I just did not feel like haggling. I was just buying a small toy for The Pebble and I knew I could get it probably %50 or more cheaper than I did. I just paid full price.
- Price Protectr had emailed that the price on a recently purchased book had dropped about a dollar, but I avoided sending a quick email multiple times until I finally let it go.
I know the money involved in these three examples is minor, but the same thing occasionally happens with larger money returns and other random finance activities. The bigger the purchase, like a car, the more detrimental the behavior. I am usually not hard on myself, because I know that my energy for such activities was invested into other areas of life that are more important. With that said I do see an oppurtunity for growth. The oppurtunity to just summon a little extra strength when I see a similar lackadaisical situation developing. Even reaching deep within myself to overcome my shyness and make the extra call or haggle that I sometimes avoid because of my personality foible. Now that I have made a public declaration my weakness, I will be more strengthened to tackle the problem in upcoming siutations.
Does anyone else every feel the same way? Got any examples?
Follow The Shopping Calendar For Big Savings
Fred Thompson’s Commentary On The Economy and The Bailout – December 2008
Nice post! I used to beat myself up over ATM fees, because I was too lazy to drive to my credit union, but then I sat down and did the math… my credit union is X miles from my house, and with the cost of gas and the mpg of my car, the ATM fees are actually cheaper to pay then a round trip out to the credit union. I guess that’s just an example of laziness working *for* me. =)
Interesting Alan with the ATM fees. You could always get a 2nd bank account.
I think returns are always a hassle and rarely get done. I wish I had the same enthusiam for waiting in a return line as I do a checkout line. I should be happy; they are giving me money back.
Target is great for returns and exchanges. Very easy.
This happens to me all the time, especially at the grocery store. I’m sure I could save a bunch of money in small doses from situations such as this. I also will not save money a lot of the time because I don’t research a purchase as much as I should before going through with it. Often I can save a ton of money by buying online, using a coupon, or whatever. It’s just laziness that I don’t sometimes.
I always forget to use my coupons and miss sales off. I avoid going to the less expensive grocery as it is situated far from my house. If I were not so lazy I could save some money and buy something really useful
@Alan – Nice analysis. Laziness and effeciency are two different things!
@Sue – Target is great and lines are usually short whenever I go, but returns are often on of those lazy items on my list.
@Pete – Online buying is a place were a system or a habit can go a long way. My a list that details your pre step process to saving money that you refer to. Writing things down is usually good motivation.
@Gloria – Don’t beat yourself up, accept it and try to create a habit that helps you accomplish your goal without having to put in to much energy.
I used to do this all the time. The worst occurrence was when I was living in the UK and my card was charged twice for a plane flight (about £150). I didn’t even call them because I was too busy and didn’t want the aggravation in the little free time I had.
I can’t believe I did that now – I’m much more careful about money these days (although that probably has something to do with being married with a family now!).