Comments on: When do the savings kick in?

By: Frugality: Increasing Your Quality of Life for Less.

Frugality: Increasing Your Quality of Life for Less. — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:02:52 +0000

[...] while back, I asked when the savings kick in from various kinds of frugality. Basically, we enjoy free things like DVDs from the library and such. But we wouldn’t spend [...]

By: » January 20, 2008 Link Payday Uncommon Cents: (Hopefully) simple personal finance

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:10:07 +0000

[...] Micah discusses whether borrowing a DVD from a friend actually saves her any money. It’s an interesting concept; if you would not have spent money on something anyway, does [...]

By: Re: When do the savings kick in? | All About Appearances

Re: When do the savings kick in? | All About Appearances — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:03:48 +0000

[...] just read, When do the savings kick in? at Mrs. Micah: Finance for a freelance life. Then I read the follow-up, Saving the Enron way. Then [...]

By: Saving the Enron Way | Mrs. Micah: Finance for a Freelance Life

Saving the Enron Way | Mrs. Micah: Finance for a Freelance Life — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 01:30:35 +0000

[...] When do the savings kick in? [...]

By: deepali

deepali — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 23:24:38 +0000

I think you can consider it “saved” if you would have spent more otherwise (ie, buying the set, or paying for another activity during the time you used to watch the show). But I wouldn’t necessarily consider it “savings”.

Regarding the grocery store experience – for the same basket of goods, you’ve spent $10 less. That’s money saved. The question really is, did you spend $40 when you would have spent $50, thereby allowing you to put $10 into your savings account, or did you actually plan to spend $40 (because you knew the deals in advance)? Then I wouldn’t consider it savings, unless you still plan to put the remaining $10 in your savings account.

Those grocery store savings are tricky though – they actually get you buy more, even if you aren’t spending more.

By: fathersez

fathersez — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 23:00:06 +0000

Mrs. M,

As you said it’ll make your head spin.

Perhaps you can grade actual money that you put in your savings or investment accounts as Grade A savings.

And money that did not go out to be spent as Grade B savings. THis is a mental account, perhaps slightly more than a gimmick, as it does have real positive benefits.

You like these movies or DVDs. And you are seeing them without money actually being paid out. So you have just added to your Grade B savings account.

Have a great time, you and M are doing it right!

By: Dad

Dad — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:58:30 +0000

You may not be “saving” but you are increasing your standard of living at least a little by adding this entertainment at no cost.

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:37:57 +0000

Sorry bad link. Here is the giveaway link.
http://gettingaheadinlife.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-am-giving-away-625.html

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:35:55 +0000

I am giving away $625. Add some to your savings.

http://gettingaheadinlife.blogspot.comhttp://gettingaheadinlife.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-am-giving-away-625.html

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:20:44 +0000

Saving money happens when you don’t spend it. You are keeping it for another use. Some days you save it for tomorrow. Some days it is saved for the car insurance. Some days it is saved for “the future”.