Comments on: Worth the Cost – Part 1

By: Summer

Summer — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 05:34:53 +0000

We have high speed right now because I write online for extra cash. Having fastr access has hlped in so many ways, especailly when esearching an article.

However, before we made the switch I found tasks that could do while waiting. Folding towels, knitting, making notes. Anything that can b done sitting down at the computer so that there is no jumping back and forth.

By: Michele

Michele — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:11:09 +0000

I think everyone has their own level of expertise and comfort. So what I may pay someone to do or pay top dollar for maybe a waste to someone else. I keep that in mind when people share their lives with me. What works for me, is just that, works for me.
I can do without DSL and a housekeeper…….but I however found it to be best for my family if we have a vacation once a year. For us, it keeps our sanity. We do it as frugal as possible and we always pay cash. But it is what works for us!
I am so glad to read this post as often I think people think I am silly to clip coupons, shop thrift stores but then buy annual passes to Disney (vacation of choice and we live just 3 hours away from there, so we go often.). It is good to know that others *get it*.
God Bless,
Michele

By: Lesley

Lesley — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:49:25 +0000

We got DSL about 3 months ago and we LOVE it!! I know it is not as fast as high speed, but it is definatly not as slow as dial up.

I love to cook and I figure time equals money on certain kitchen appliances/gadgets. I am longing to get a high end mixer, mainly for the purpose of lesseing my time in the kitchen.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:15:46 +0000

For the two years that I’ve had a computer in my home I steadfastly refused to get high-speed service, believing I was making a sacrifice to save money. Imagine my astonishment when I found out I could get high-speed CHEAPER then dial-up. I was able to sign up for a combination phone/internet service from a local company and save $20 a month. I can think of a lot of other places to put that money and a lot of things to do with the time saved. So check around, don’t just assume that harder is better!

By: Melody

Melody — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:22:28 +0000

Like KimC – we also have high speed internet. We live just far enough from town that DSL isn’t available, but cable internet is. I own a web design business, so having dialup just isn’t an option. Having cable internet and phone is actually cheaper here than having a land line and dialup anyway, so it’s a good tradeoff.

Another thing I’ve been toying with is getting a new computer. Not because I want one – I’m perfectly happy with the one I have. It’s getting so slow though that like you mentioned, I need to be able to get to the computer, do some work, and get off quickly to tend to my son.

We’ve also considered going to all cell phones and ditching the cable phone because the internet phone quality just isn’t that great. At the moment though, the price is still lower so we haven’t yet made the switch.

By: Avlor

Avlor — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:16:01 +0000

For us too, we choose high speed internet. I love being able to look things up, learn things, share things, etc. Dial vs. cable modem for us is about $5/mo difference. I’ll pay it.

We also chose to invest in a good digital SLR camera, so I can take portraits of my kiddos instead of paying someone else. I’ve loved improving my skills and have several pictures I’m quite proud of. We have more pictures of the kiddos now, than when we’d pay to go somewhere and be given pressure sales.

Like Kim C, we chose cellphones instead of landlines because I can call and get calls from anywhere. Great for emergencies. If I don’t want to answer the phone, I can turn it off. Will have to figure out something when kiddos are old enough to stay by themselves sometimes (get them a cell phone or get a landline again) so they can call for help if needed. My cell has come in handy several times.

By: KimC (frugalmommy)

KimC (frugalmommy) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:19:57 +0000

We consider high speed internet to be the frugal choice for us for all of Janel’s reason but also because the cost of a land line plus the cost of dialup internet is very nearly what we pay for our faster internet.
Similarly, we feel that cellphones rather than a land line are a frugal choice because we live very far from town; if a quick call on the cell when I’m already in town can help us prevent a few unplanned trips to town each month then we’ve nearly paid the bill.
And I’d just as soon *not* find myself stranded w/8 children and no phone on a twisty, hilly stretch of road with a mile or two to the nearest house.

By: Rachel May

Rachel May — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:51:54 +0000

I know not many people are going to agree with me on this one, but I pay someone to clean my house every other week. She also runs 4-5 loads of laundry and puts them away while she’s here. I pay her $50 for each visit.

It’s completely worth it to me because I teach full-time (five courses of high school science). My husband works in sales full-time. I’d rather spend my time saving money by grocery shopping and cooking healthy meals. We used to eat out much more, because I was spending more time cleaning or being stressed about cleaning.

I know I make up that $100/month and MUCH more by getting the best deal for our money at the grocery store and cooking healthy meals at home. Plus, I’m less stressed and able to spend more quality time with our family (both of which are healthy benefits).

Like you said, Janel, what works for us may not work for everyone else!