Entertainment as an Addiction

By Sarah

A story in this morning's New York Times notes that while consumers are willing to forgo dinners out at restaurants and even "name brand" detergents for their clothes, they are buying fancy flat-screen TVs in record numbers. Go fig.

I can already hear the rationalization on the drive to Best Buy.

Husband: "We're not going out to the movies. We're not going out to dinner. We're not going on vacation this year. We're not going anywhere. If we're going to stay home, we might as well make it worthwhile."

Wife: "But a new TV costs $2,000!"

Husband. "What's $2,000 averaged out over three years? About $1.82 a day. Can we afford that? Hell, that's half what you spend on Starbucks. Which, by the way, we have to cut out."

I know, because I've had this conversation. Except, I'm the one going for the 42" Hitachi and my husband and children (the traitors) are the ones asking why. I know I'm right. We don't go out, ever. Partly that's because we live in Vermont and there's no place to go, as they say. But mostly it's because we eat in every night. I also have given up on Tide and all name brands. The rare piece of beef we ate tonight came from the corner convenience store that just happens to buy from a local slaughterhouse.

As for Starbucks, you should know that a venti latte ordered once a day, five times a week will end up costing you...$884 a year, before tax. No scone. No blueberry muffin, either.

Which raises this question: what have you given up in this recession? Is it the gym membership? The new spring wardrobe? (Say it's not so!) Maybe you don't go out to eat as much. Or maybe you've cut back on your cell phone range.

Whatever it is, we want to hear it. There's only ONE thing we don't want to hear - that you've cut back on buying books. Books are the best deal going. Relatively cheap, tons of entertainment value and, best of all, you don't need a cable subscription. Also, as much as I hate to admit this, you can pass them to friends.

So dish! What have you been sacrificing?

Sarah

Comments

[Kathy Sweeney]

Shoes and purses. No kidding. I am in the process of going cold turkey on both - it's been over six months, and as long as I can stay out of my favorite shoe store, I'll be good.

Plus, I have to be honest - I still have my first pair of navy docksiders (special order) from when I was 15. I don't have every pair of shoes I've ever owned (the heels went out the door after my son was born) but I have more than enough to last the rest of my life.

But one equivalent of your big screen TV is the Espresso Maker. We bought a very fancy one last summer, and I know it has already paid for itself - my husband drinks a TON of coffee, and we don't even wave as we go past the Starbucks these days.

We do eat out/order take-out a lot, but haven't been to any place fancy since the holidays. Given what has happened to our grocery store bills, I'm not sure where that break-even point might be.

Enjoy your new TV, Sarah - our digital cable has tons of free stuff On Demand!

[Karen in Ohio]

The big rise in sales of new digital TVs has another side, as well. First, the price has come way down--from tens of thousands a short few years ago (and when my brother nearly bankrupted his family for a massive rear projection thing that is way too big for their family room), to mere hundreds now. You can actually buy a 42" flat screen for under $1,000, if you look hard enough.

But the most compelling reason is that the US is switching over to digital nationwide next February, and anyone who does not already have a digital TV either needs to get one, or get yet another set-top box to receive the signals. I don't know about you, but I hate all those gadgets and gizmos, let alone the necessity to have umpteen remote controls with incomprehensible and too-small-to-see-anyway cryptic commands. I've been at two of my children's homes recently, and tried to watch TV when no one was there to turn it on. My youngest daughter, bless her, wrote out great directions which included a drawing of the remote with the right buttons circled. I love that kid. The other daughter's TV has to stay on all night if I'm the last one to go to bed because even though the three-year old can turn it off, I still cannot figure out how.

We never did have cable, so are not economizing, per se. But when we bought our new digital TV (to replace one that was nearly 30 years old), we toyed with the idea of getting it. Until, that is, we realized we could now get nearly four times the number of channels as before. There are six local stations, but some of them have as many as six channels when you include their digital channels--all of which are "hidden" from regular analog users. Even our local TV guides do not show the programming of these channels. But they have almost everything the cable channels have: cooking shows, history shows (PBS), BBC news and a wonderful news program from Germany (it's nice to get the European perspective for a change), all sorts of PBS nature programs, plus kids' stuff galore. We even used to have Tube, which was a 24-hour music video channel, but that went down the tubes, pun intended.

So with all this free largesse, we decided not to incur our kids' wrath (who endured their childhoods without cable, horrors) by getting it now. It saves us a ton of money, and we never seem to run out of things to watch if we want to.

Oh, and those "hidden" channels? Not hidden anymore, thanks to tv.yahoo.com, which allows you to sign in and choose your own zip code to find local programming of all kinds. Check it out, it's way cool.

[William Simon]

I've cut WAY back on the DVD purchases (or as someone once called them, my "lame-o DVD's"), have become very conservative on book purchases (Tart Titles are the exception, of course!), from a steady stream of Caramel Macchiatos to Regular Coffee, cooking more, going out/take-out MUCH less, making one cigar (when I have one) last all day, and *I* don't have a 42" television...:) Got a Home Theatre that will rattle the neighbor's windows (bought when we moved in), but no 42" screen. Dammit...:)

[Maryann Mercer]

Since I just bought myself a new PC, I'm not sure what I've given up...but I know something will go by the wayside. Maybe impulse DVD buying...after I get the next in the Robin Hood, Bones, and NCIS series. We don't do trips to Cozy's Custard anymore (soft serv yummy and too easy a drive)I could say buying clothes for work...I have enough business casual for the next five years as long as I don't alter my shape too drastically. Same with shoes, except for my cross trainers, which get replaced every six months by order of my chiropractor. And I'd take a new TV over Starbuck's any day of the week :o) BUT I will never give up books...that's like cutting off an arm.

[Nancy martin]

Home improvements. Our home is old and gradually falling into a heap of bricks, but after the kitchen renovation last fall, we're tapped out. I am discovering we can cover a lot of problems with paint, but the garage roof is looking very precarious....

[michele]

I've cut back in lots of areas -- clothing shopping, beauty treatments, restaurants. This isn't because of the recession, but because I moved from New York to New Hampshire. There a lot fewer shops, salons and restaurants here and MUCH less pressure on how you look. I've noticed the difference in my wallet for sure. It's not just a fortunate coincidence either -- we knew this would be a quieter, more modest lifestyle. You want to save money, people, get out of those urban areas!

[Mary Storyteller]

Making the CD was my big "entertainment" expense this year. Sales are now in the double-digits (I celebrate whatever milestones I can) -- still far from break-even, but even if it never makes $$, it is just too cool!
Time and $$ for the CD were partly due to the fact that
I have eliminated travel this year, partly to help pay for the house project, partly to do all the clearing out that will be necessary for the move, and partly because that United flight back from Hawaii was so painful.
I have old TVs and rabbit ears, so I'm going to have to go through some of the converter box agony. I've been told that I won't be able to do timed recordings on my VCR, so I may need to buy a new DVR-VCR for that. Drat! The electrician will be putting an antenna in the attic space of the house, but I'll have to deal with converting and/or buying new tvs . . . I made a comment at Circuit City about hating change, then laughed and said that "no change" would mean still having black & white tv with dials for changing channels, so I guess I don't hate ALL change.

[Patti Abbott]

European trips, a new car, new clothes, expensive restaurants. Our financial situation hasn't really changed but as we near retirement in this economy, it seems prudent to spend less.

[Mothrababe]

We don't eat out as much; don't buy as many magazines; don't buy as many DVDs; have cut down on expensive coffees, etc.; as always, I buy clothes and shoes on sale, or very very marked down - and that isn't that often.

We recycle unwanted books (not enough room)to the Book Barn in Connecticut that pays reasonably for used books - what they don't want, we donate to Savers. My mother in law bought us a 27" flat screen tv for Christmas, and we gave our 16 year old 27" analog tv to a less financially endowed friend. It's the first time her family has ever had anything larger than a 15" tv screen and they love it. We recycle DVDs back to Newbury Comics who buys that kind of thing. Anything I can't find a home for gets donated somewhere.

Marianne

[ArkansasCyndi]

The number one thing is Travel. We are staying home this summer due mostly to the high cost of gas and diesel. We'd looked at taking the RV through Alaska this summer, but it just wasn't worth the expense we'd incur.

We're cut back on dining out. Maybe once a week, but probably closer to once very two weeks.

We bought a big screen tv years ago on the justification that watching tv is one of our major activities. That was in 1995. As soon as it dies, we'll head out for another one.

The one thing I haven't cut back on is books. I probably buy more now than ever, especially Tart books and other associated mysteries. (just finished six straight Elvis Cole novels and starting on Charlene Harris's latest Sookie Stackhouse)

I am cutting back on magazine subscriptions. We get too many as it is.

Not buying clothes either. If I can make do with what's in the closet, all the better.

[J.D. Rhoades]

You can really economize on DVDs if you go to your local video store and buy them used. Most stores order a bunch of copies when the DVD first comes out, but they don't need them when the furor dies down which may only be a matter of a month or so. You can get "almost new" releases for 5 to 10 bucks in some places, rarely more than 20.

We rarely go to the movies any more, because the little eating machines that are my children are likely to bankrupt me at the concession stands.

And we're saving up for the new TV for Christmas.
But I'm buying more books than ever. When you're a writer, they're deductible. :-).

[sarahS]

When you're a writer, they're deductible. :-).

Ain't that the truth! It's the best perk of my career!

[Tom]

William, I hope you made another exception for Patrick Macnee's coffee table extravaganza on The Avengers.

[SusanCo]

I really havent given up anything so far. Where I work we have to wear uniform tops, so no need to buy clothes for that.Knocking around the house is jeans or loungers. We have never gone out much,because we both love to cook we would rather eat our own food. Going to movies is out because of cell phones and rude people thinking everyone wants to hear the end before it happens.Movies are Saturday nights with one for each of us. Him, his slashers and my comedies, some popcorn that doesnt cost $5.00, and our comments that are funnier then the scripts. I guess just call us Simple Folk that would rather have fun together and we are cheap dates LOLOLOL

[Abbe]

I've saved a TON by using the library a lot more and trading stuff at the used bookstore. I rent videos through Netflix, and rip them to an external hard drive if I really like them, rather than buy. If I want to get lunch at work, I stick to the sides like steamed veggies and rice -- that's only $3 vs. $8 for the full meal.

I've been skipping trips to the movie theaters since I can easily spend $30 per week, once tickets and snacks are factored in. If we went at night or used a babysitter, that could easily triple. We also try to eat at home first so that the concession stand or a meal out aren't tempting. I used go to the movies quite often, but lately... nothing inspires me to brave the lousy crowds.

Of course, I reserve the right to make exceptions... Indy 4 comes out next month.

[Sue]

We don't eat dinner out except for the yearly family birthday outing for the mother in law. A drink or two for mom and dad, an appetizer, and three meals now costs practically what a week's worth of groceries cost. We check the tire pressure weekly, and service the cars regularly to get the best gas mileage we can. I clip coupons.....I haven't done that since we were first married, broke, and living on love. We ditched the 2nd phone line, only have basic cable, and haven't been to a movie since that new fangled cinemascope color stuff came out. Errands are done on the way home from work so extra gas doesn't have to be used on weekends.

An up side....the neighborhood is starting to flow back into the pattern we had when it and all the families were new....backyard socializing. I forgot how much fun a couple of packages of hot dogs, cheap beer, music, and a group of friends could be.

[Josh]

We've cut down on eating out, and I've tried with varying success to get the other spenders to cut down on impulse purchases at Barnes & Noble and the other large chain That Shall Not Be Named. I've tried to stay out of EB Games/GameStop.

Abbe, I'm a lawyer at a software company, and I can tell you that ripping a DvD that you don't own is stealing and maybe illegal, not that you would get caught for it. Geez, don't you read the FBI message at the beginning? You can't even fast forward past it.

You can rip something you own. I got an iPod for my trek to RT last week, and I have since ripped probably about 60 CD's to it; but we own all of them. Next up will be the several hundred records that we gathered between about 1967 and 1985, but, again, we own them.

[Karen in Ohio]

We've been getting movies at the library for years. Free is even better than cheap! I'm trying to use the library more, but not for Tart books. Those are keepers.

Sue, you are right about neighbors socializing again! I guess that's why. We have a group of friends that is suddenly hanging out together again, after years of sporadic contact. It could also be that all of our kids are almost on their own, and light is shining brightly in the pinpoint distance, but it still costs much less to take a six-pack or a bottle over to a friend's than it does to go to even a pizza place in a group.

[Brandy]

We live on one income anyway because I stay home and homeschool our children. We've always been rather cost-conscience, out of necessity. We've cut back from eating out once a week, to once every couple of weeks and we never were really ones to attend the movies. However, buying the entire seasons to certain tv shows on DVD's is actually cheaper than the four of us attending a movie! Ah, and for those who think it's cheaper to homeschool, I am getting ready to order my kids new curriculum for next year. That lovely tax rebate expected soon will be eaten WHOLE. *G*

[Harley]

"Daily Variety" -- known here in Hollywood as The Trades. It's a few hundred bucks a year, and it's a lovely guilty pleasure, which I've promised myself to reinstate once I sell my first screenplay.

For what else I'm giving up, check out tomorrow's blog.

[Harley]

P.S. Brandy, you are astonishing. I am in awe of anyone who homeschools.

[Peg H]

We don't go out to eat, order in, or get take out any more.

Other than oatmeal or smoothies for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch, I cook one meal a day and can stretch that meal a good many days. My Mother and Grandmother taught me how to do that.

I buy one DVD a month because we can't afford to go to the movies and hubby can't sit comfortably in a movie theater. I shop in a discount grocery store, buy store brands and use coupons. I go to our local three day a week farmer's market right before closing the last day to get bargain prices on fresh fruit and vegetables.

We've replaced all our lighbulbs with the more economical green ones.

I dropped all my writer's group memberships but one and am now down to attending only every other year of that one's conference so I can save up enough to really enjoy it.

We don't go on vacations but our yard is a lovely garden where we can go to decompress.

I budget myself to buying no more than 4 paperback books a month. If I didn't do that we'd go broke for sure. Books are my addiction.

[Becki]

No overnight vacation this year. Day trips only.

No new spring clothes. Less eating out. NO starbucks.

NO WAY can we give up on books but I have probably a year's worth stockpiled so I am slowing down. Same with DVDs.

Hubbie's cutting back on the home improvement books and magazines.

Also watching the grocery bill more closely. I love drinking soda from 20oz bottles but discovered today they went from 1.49 to 1.79 A BOTTLE! Back to cans. Stuff like that. Stockpiling the good deals.

[mary alice at mystery lovers bookshop]

Get Netflix. It makes you think what you really want to watch.And it is cheaper.

We've cut back on magazines, DVD's and CD's.

Still can't cut out the fresh veggies. Last week I bought leeks at Trader joe's......from France!and cheaper than the supermarket. Can't wait for the local Farmer's market hwere I order online and pick up just what I want once a week.

Out 8 days in Spain (Billboa)is now 15 days in Turkey for less and look out Jenny White.....we are there in Istanbul this fall.

I got a water color floral painting class for Christmas and loving the return to my favorite art medium......b/t my originals and www.kiva.org(fabulous) guess what this year's gifts will be?

[Debby]

I continue to stock-pile books in case I ever get laid off from work....considering that I have survived about six so far, and there is a big one happening right now. I have enough to last for a few years, if I work full-time....about three months if not working.

I actually cant say that I have given up anything yet, either. Still doing trips, although rarely flying. Gas for the car is an issue, but I gotta work and I gotta see my friends.