Comments on: 12 Mistakes of Christmas http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/20/103650_12-mistakes-of-christmas.html Bridging the gap between saving money and investing Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:38:31 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Charles Rice http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/20/103650_12-mistakes-of-christmas.html/comment-page-1#comment-501040 Charles Rice Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:26:39 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/30/103650_3650.html#comment-501040 Regarding "Buying something just because it’s on sale": I had a job a few years back that had extremely liberal meal allowances when you traveled, which was frequent. I realized that the in effect, every restaurant was free. My sole criteria for eating was "Do I want to eat that particular item, or not". The same logic works very well for me when shopping; assume that everything in the entire store is free, and will be free forever. Now, what would you take home? Since this mindset shift, I don't think I have bought a single item because it was on sale, if I did not first want the item if it were free. Regarding “Buying something just because it’s on sale”: I had a job a few years back that had extremely liberal meal allowances when you traveled, which was frequent. I realized that the in effect, every restaurant was free. My sole criteria for eating was “Do I want to eat that particular item, or not”.

The same logic works very well for me when shopping; assume that everything in the entire store is free, and will be free forever. Now, what would you take home? Since this mindset shift, I don’t think I have bought a single item because it was on sale, if I did not first want the item if it were free.

]]> By: Hilary http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/20/103650_12-mistakes-of-christmas.html/comment-page-1#comment-500814 Hilary Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:05:42 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/30/103650_3650.html#comment-500814 I still regret the time I let my boyfriend know that I wasn't crazy about his present. It really really hurt him. I'd recommend against it in any circumstances - after all, material goods should never be your first priority... I still regret the time I let my boyfriend know that I wasn’t crazy about his present. It really really hurt him. I’d recommend against it in any circumstances – after all, material goods should never be your first priority…

]]> By: Joe http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/20/103650_12-mistakes-of-christmas.html/comment-page-1#comment-499922 Joe Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:11:32 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/30/103650_3650.html#comment-499922 @ JO, I could understand if it was homemade fruitcake, but the kind I usually get resembles a cinder block more than any kind of cake. And don't get me started on the fruit substance inside (shiver). @ Patsy, I think alpaca wool socks might be the exception. I'm not sure the generic fruit of the loom variety would be as appreciated. @ MamawW, I agree that embarrassing the gift giver is something to be avoided. I think it depends on the kind of relationship you have with the giver. I know most of my close relatives and friends would be OK if I told them, "thanks, but you REALLY shouldn't have", but I also have a circle of friends that would be devastated by such honesty.. @ JO,

I could understand if it was homemade fruitcake, but the kind I usually get resembles a cinder block more than any kind of cake. And don’t get me started on the fruit substance inside (shiver).

@ Patsy,

I think alpaca wool socks might be the exception. I’m not sure the generic fruit of the loom variety would be as appreciated.

@ MamawW,

I agree that embarrassing the gift giver is something to be avoided. I think it depends on the kind of relationship you have with the giver. I know most of my close relatives and friends would be OK if I told them, “thanks, but you REALLY shouldn’t have”, but I also have a circle of friends that would be devastated by such honesty..

]]> By: MamawW http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/20/103650_12-mistakes-of-christmas.html/comment-page-1#comment-499702 MamawW Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:30:47 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/30/103650_3650.html#comment-499702 I once gave my teen nephews belts with their initials and socks. One fast let me know the fad was no belts and no socks instead of just saying thanks. After that I really didn't care what I bought them. No reason to embarrass a gift giver. I once gave my teen nephews belts with their initials and socks. One fast let me know the fad was no belts and no socks instead of just saying thanks. After that I really didn’t care what I bought them. No reason to embarrass a gift giver.

]]> By: Patsy http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/20/103650_12-mistakes-of-christmas.html/comment-page-1#comment-499369 Patsy Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:05:36 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/30/103650_3650.html#comment-499369 Hey, I just bought 12 pairs of alpaca wool socks that have to be washed in cold water by hand. You don't think they'll be appreciated? Hey, I just bought 12 pairs of alpaca wool socks that have to be washed in cold water by hand. You don’t think they’ll be appreciated?

]]> By: Jo http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/20/103650_12-mistakes-of-christmas.html/comment-page-1#comment-498856 Jo Sun, 21 Dec 2008 06:23:04 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/12/30/103650_3650.html#comment-498856 Hey, I love fruitcake! Hey, I love fruitcake!

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