Temptation is all around me
I have a circular from Aldi sitting on my counter in the kitchen. I don’t usually keep the circulars – this one is from two weeks ago – but I can’t seem to let go of it. For on the front of this circular is an ad for a 19″ flat screen flat panel computer monitor for $169.
Oh. My. Goodness. I want it. I want it so much that in a earlier, less budgeted life, I’d already own it. I am required to have a 19″ or larger monitor for my contracting work (which I do, but a huge heavy 19″ CRT that takes up an enormous amount of desk space) and oh… how I want this flat panel one. Seriously.
I can’t afford it. There is no way, especially THIS month, this horrid money bleeding already month, I can even dare to think about it. But yet I think. And plot. And wonder. Maybe it won’t sell. Maybe it will go on further sale (at Aldi after a month or two, they slash prices on non-grocery items that haven’t sold to clear space for the next things). Is there a price at which I would buy it? Maybe I could ask for it for Christmas… except my spouse and I aren’t exchanging expensive gifts this year at all…. well… hmm.
Even my spouse wants it. He briefly pondered using his $150 in birthday money he has been patiently saving for a Playstation 3 to buy one… for him. (His current monitor is a 17″ CRT.)
When I was at Aldi this week I went over the touched the display box. It felt silly. But still I wanted to just… touch it.
Seriously, I am insane. Who does this? I need to get control of myself. I need to stop whining and boohooing and remember it is my own fault I can’t buy it, my own overspending in the past that leaves me with no disposable discretionary income to speak of. My. Own. Fault.
I want it. As my son says when watching Happy Monster Band on Playhouse Disney Online… I love it.
:sigh:
October 11th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Have you considered how much your daughter might enjoy the flat screen monitor for her upcoming birthday?
October 11th, 2007 at 11:01 am
I also had a moment of weakness this week. I have a hard time watching my friends spend and spend…and I just can’t afford to…
October 11th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Well, if it’s a business expense, you’ll save a bit on taxes. Maybe you can find a better deal on Ebay or Craigslist though.
I’m spending this month trying to talk myself out of buying Guitar Hero 3 for the Wii when it comes out at the end of the month.
I can’t justify spending $90 for a game when I’m deeply in debt, yet I still fear I may go out and buy it. It’s not easy!
October 11th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Wow, games are $90 now? Maybe I want to rethink that PS3 :p
October 12th, 2007 at 1:26 am
Just though I would share something that popped into my head reading this. If your contract work requires you to have a 19″ Monitor it is most likely due to 19″ CRT’s having a standard resolution of 1600×1200, something only a handful of 19″ LCD’s can do. Most of them are only capable of 1280×1024, no better than a 17″ CRT or LCD.
I don’t know why the LCD technology skipped that gap, but I think it has something to do with the 20″+ LCD’s for around the same price.
October 12th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Dear Paid Twice,
Pull it together. Do you already have one or more televisions? Ask yourself…how will buying this T.V. help me achieve my goal of becoming debt free?
October 12th, 2007 at 10:16 am
It isn’t a TV. It’s a computer monitor. A TV wouldn’t be tempting
October 12th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I love that you went over and touched the box. I know exactly how you feel – but my strategy of avoiding the store won’t work at Aldi! Maybe save it for a reward when you hit a goal?
October 14th, 2007 at 3:30 am
CAUTION: THIS INFORMATION MAY LEAD YOU ON THE WRONG PATH!
With that said, a few months ago, I traded in my 17″ CRT for a 19″ Wide Screen LCD and my electricity bill has never been lower. Seriously, it’s consistently $10 (at least) lower than the previous months. And if anything, I’m on the computer MORE because of all the joy of watching DVD’s on the Wide screen.
They use less power than a light bulb, LCDs are great for viewing pleasure, great for your electricity bill, and better for your eyes.
Bite the bullet.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
@Jennifer – excellent point.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
@SavingDiva – you can do it! It is hard but it will be worth it.