Money Saving Tip of the Day
Todays money saving tip is:
Buy a home video game console or games for your PC. Why? Over the long run, your investment will pay off in fun nights at home rather than expensive evenings out on the town.
Best,
James
The DINKs
- Dual Income No Kids
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9 comments:
My husband's going to like this one! I just emailed him the link. It's totally true.
I would piggyback on that and suggest buying a Nintendo Wii. It livens up family gatherings and parties with friends as well and is great even for non-gamers. Plus, of all the new consoles, it is the least expensive (just don't buy one of those overpriced bundles of stuff you don't need)!
Agreed! My wife and I are still playing Tetris on our playstation 1. It makes for a great night of sitting back and having a little competition!
Tim
TheMoneyKings.com
Checkers is also good for this, but James has only played with me once since he was beaten so bad her refuses to come back for more of a lashing.
Whenever we go to Hawaii we have fun family matches of Scrabble. Board games are a hell of a lot less expensive than going out to the movies!
Best,
Miel
Uh-oh. What about buy some sport equipment (even a basket ball?) and enjoy. It's better for the health than staying on the PC.
But otherwise I agree, better (for the finances) watch movies at home than at cinema
my husband totally would agree with you, as a WOW gamer...but...yet....staying inside like a hermit with no excercise or human interaction, playing a totally non - redeeming game?
sorry, big fat no on this one....if one wants to save money one can go on a walk or the library or stop at a cafe for a tea (cheaper than coffee).
if you want it for when you stay indoors, fantastic, but it should not be a substitute for getting out.
Finance Girl and The Shark Investor -
I agree with finding alternatives to high cost entertainment, but also side with you on finding something that is active.
If you do buy your kids video games, chances are that they will want to continue to buy more better, and best. This in the end is not a savings.
More importantly, the long term cost of kids (and husbands) being inactive would be far most costly. With obesity on the rise, this cost is huge for both the individual and society as a whole.
While it isn't as active, I am all for board games for the winter side of things. My family still has games we play whenever we are together from the 90s, 80s, and maybe even 70s. The cost is generally very low for the long term value and stimulates learning, family fun, and friendly competition.
I also agree that there are many many exercise related activities that the family can engage in for far far less than the cost of video games.
Take a hike, a walk, buy a basketball as you say, a frisbee, you name it!
Cheers,
Miel
Are you honestly suggesting staying in and playing video games is better than socialising with your friends? If you ask me, the only point there is in life is spending time with your significant other and friends.
The line is being crossed from saving money to live your life better, to saving money at the expense of your life. I'm all for being financially savvy and investing, but you're just a downright cheapskate skinflint.
Anon - Just for the record, it is just a suggestion. Would work for some and make them happy.
However, it wouldn't however be a suggestion that we'd take up with or without kids. We don't even have a TV and aside from James reading all the time are quite active otherwise.
We like the idea of finding cheaper alternatives of entertainment, as when we are together in the same place and have the time our fav is going to the movies. Which in DC can cost you up to $50 bucks without springing for dinner but being lazy and taking a taxi.
I personally am not an advocate for gaming, as you can see from my previous comments, but I do think there are good alternatives out there for cheap entertainment.
Best,
Miel
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