FINALLY Buying My New TV

As I've posted a couple times, I've been in the market for a new TV. I had saved my pennies and through the generosity of friends and family at the holidays, I have enough $$$ to buy a new TV. You can read about my silly post Christmas shopping expedition here.

I logged onto Overstock.com and found a most suitable replacement TV (26 inches, HD LCD). And the cool part is it is below my budget threshold AND I will be able to use the additional money to replace the very generic DVD player that is almost dead.

The best part is that Overstock has free shipping on Electronics this week, double yeah. I'm still in my TV watching season and I sure do hope to be able to hook up my new TV and watch my favorite DVD's in full living color. Now if my hope for a second paying part time job comes through this week, I'll be more than thrilled.

Falling off the Wagon~So To Speak

Last week I wrote that I had a bit of a shopping meltdown-Post Christmas. I'm the first to admit, I'm feeling the stress of the Bankruptcy filing in many ways, (eat too much, drink too much when I'm lucky to get a bottle of wine, just obsess too much in general when I have too much time on my hands). I'm still waiting for the final discharge so I can plan the Post Bankruptcy part of my life with more finality.

I made the decision to go buy my new TV after the holidays-partly due to the generosity of friends and family who gave me gift cards and cash which covered about one half the cost of the TV. I decided to splurge and buy the new TV that I've been coveting and wanting.

In retrospect, how silly or stupid was it of me to go shopping the weekend AFTER Christmas and look for a new TV. Really stupid and silly. I had done my homework and had picked out the model I wanted. I then went to a total of 5 stores looking for said TV. I had even called a couple stores to check inventory and was told at my first two choices, the TV was in stock. All 5 stores were out of stock, a few tried to sell me an upgrade (at the upgrade price) and I politely declined saying I was on a budget and sticking to it. Nor was I going to purchase a unknown to me brand TV, a few places tried to sell me these unknown brands ( and when I did look them up on line, the reviews were terrible to lukewarm at best). Each time I declined, I got a look of confusion or something else. Folks, these flat screen TVs were THE item to purchase at the Holidays. And the model I wanted (and the back up model) were both out of stock. I don't have $700 to spend on a new TV, nor do I want to spend $700 on a new TV. I'm very satisfied with the budget I set and I intend to stick with it. I think most of the sales people were wondering why I did not buy the darn TV before the holidays.

Here is the problem. I also got a number of store specific gift cards as presents. I was getting more annoyed as I left each store (lack of availability, salespeople just out of high school trying to sell me a TV I did not want or could not afford and not hearing me say so), the post holiday shopping crowds. You know, everyone spending those gift cards and doing the return exchange routine. And truthfully, I hate shopping just to shop. I shop with a specific purpose in mind, get in the store, get out of the store.

I ended up taking my frustrations out on these gift cards, I started to buy things. Granted it was stuff I needed-new tea kettle, new cutting board, new robe, new slippers, new paring knife, etc. But I could have waited, instead, I sashayed into Bed, Bath and Beyond and Target and had a grand time shopping,using the gifts cards and cash as well. As well as I frittered away most of the cash I had taken out of my account for the TV (gas, two lunches out, small grocery shop, dog food, car wash, couple bottles of wine for hostess gifts for post Christmas, pre new years parties).

Yikes. Not a good way to start the New Year at all. I can only blame my lack of self control and allowing the stress of the Bankruptcy to get to me. And I have this feeling that will only be satiated with a new TV. Which will have to wait a few weeks until the stores are re-stocked with the brand I want at the price I have budgeted for. And until then, I will continue to watch TV on my small 13 inch screen with a lot of snow on the picture.

Overall, A Good Couple Days

The weekend was full of those last minute chores that needed to be done before Christmas, cleaning the house, wrapping the last few gifts, double checking and making sure I was all set on presents. I kept it very low keyed this year and I'll post the tale of the tape later this week.

My holiday was lovely and low keyed, had a fabulous meal with friends, the weather co-operated, I was able to get some quality work done around the house, my desk tidied up, all my clothes ironed, folded and put away. I was able to make my space a bit more clutter free.

I was lucky enough by careful saving and the receiving of several gift cards to be able to afford my new LCD Flat Screen TV that I have been wanting for a while. I have decided to go for a serious look-see at a couple stores this weekend as well as comparison shop on line for the best price.

Part of me is very excited to finally have a real TV (my current TV has a small 12 screen). I'm in my TV/DVD watching season and the thought of having a larger screen is exciting. Part of me is dreading spending the money, I'm feeling reluctant to spend any money on myself, even for something that I have budgeted and saved for. Total price for the TV I want is $490. I got $185 in gift cards from various folks and I had saved $225 in my TV fund. That comes out to $410 and I think I can swing the extra $80 to cover the difference and get the TV sooner rather than at the end of January. This of course, goes completely against my belief that you should enjoy your money. A new TV will bring me hours of enjoyment. Why all of a sudden I am feeling like I can't spend the money is beyond me. All my bills are current, I have even paid in advance my first quarter of my homeowners insurance, I have a ton of food in my cupboards and I don't have anything due until after January 15th.

I feel that this month marks a turning point for me, I am getting comfortable using and staying within my budget (something that fell to the way side for a number of years) and I am starting to make some headway in my projected savings plans. Even though I have saved the money for the TV a part of me says DON'T BUY IT. Another part says BUY THE TV, YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT AND CAN AFFORD IT.

Ah well, we shall see, who knows, maybe the TV will go on sale and I'll be able to get a real deal over the weekend.

Just to Really Make My Weekend

My DVD player decided last night to die. I was trying to watch a DVD and it kept getting stuck at one chapter. Thought it was the DVD, so I switched to a different movie, same thing happened except then the DVD player decided to make all these noises, I could not activate any of the menus, and it would not open the DVD slot. Since I don't have cable or get great TV reception, I watch a lot of movies, especially in the winter when I am home and the weather is not condusive to sitting outside and listening to music.

Verdict, dead as a doornail. Great and ugh. Another thing to add to my list of household items that have died (hoover, toaster oven, and now DVD player). I'm going to start a wish list of things I need and want. The timing on having to replace these items, well, stinks, to say the least.

I'm hoping I'll win the Lottery.