The Buck Stops Here - part 2

By stella.louise (view all posts by stella.louise)
at 2:21PM Friday June 19, 2009
under Loose Change

Last week I explored where people drew the line when it came to economizing. My co-workers answers were illuminating, but they got me to wondering about the flip side of the coin: What won't you pay extra for?

Here's what my fellow deal aficionados had to say about that:

Most respondents cited premium prices for brand names--whether it be medications, personal care products, food items or fashion--as something they wouldn't shell out for. They'd either go with the generic or score the brand name at bargain prices at a discount outlet.

The next item that was easy for people to slash from their budgets is cable. Sara says, "I won't pay extra for premium cable channels like HBO or Showtime. While I love Weeds and Entourage, I can wait and watch them when they come out on DVD...or I can mooch off a friend that'll pay the big bucks for premium programming."

Iva and Annie agreed with Annie declaring:

"We're canceling our subscription because A. It's over $100 and B. Every show we like is online. Besides, having a constant stream of TV available only gives me one more excuse not to finish the novel that's been sitting on my night table for a month. Do I really need to watch a rerun of "Futurama?" Or the "America's Next Top Model" Marathon? No, I don't."

As someone who is guilty of watching America's Next Top Model Marathons while taking months to finish reading that novel, I admire Annie's stance. She's not only saving money by cutting out cable, but a whole lotta wasted time as well...

Several Savings.com folks were adverse to spend extra on their vehicles with Jacob H. eschewing premium gas, David taking a pass on extended warranties, Jacob S. shunning synthetic oil and Joe Z. changing his own oil:

"I don't mean to sound annoyingly macho or chauvinistic or anything, but I firmly believe that you can't quite call yourself a man if you don't change your own oil. I mean for the love of God, you crawl under the car and unscrew a bolt. How hard is this, people? Sure, you run the risk of messing up your perfectly gelled metro-hair, but in this economy we need to make some sacrifices."

Around here, we don't mess with Joe Z.!

Entertainment was another area that people found it easy to economize on.

Darin scoffs at Chai Latte drinkers saying, "You want to pay $4 for a cup of coffee? Go right ahead. Best coffee I've ever had was 59-cents at a diner. Made Starbucks look like a chump," while Marc avoids paying full price for video games by exercising some patience--"I buy games at least six months after they come out when you can get them for more than 50-75% off the original price"--and Kip won't pay cover charges at bars and clubs.

Annie refuses to get sucked into paying for overpriced meals at trendy restaurants:

"You think because you put three tiny pieces of cheese and a pistachio on a piece of chalkboard that you can call it charcuterie and charge me $50 for it? It's cheese. I think not. And keep your $4 Diet Coke and your $15 glass of wine. Having a bill over $100 is never worth it; it would have to be the best meal of my life for me not to feel ripped off. Besides, all the best meals I've had were at divey, unexpected places. As long as I can get Kogi Korean Tacos for $5, I don't see the point."

You go, Annie!

Jacob S. and Alan don't buy into the whole "organic" thing--but I'm betting they get an earful about that from Loren and Sheryl!

As for me, valet parking--or paying for parking in general--irks me. It's a tough thing to avoid in L.A., but I'd rather drive around the block several times or walk a quarter mile to score a free spot than hand my keys over to a complete stranger.

How about you? What won't you pay extra for? Let us know in the comments!