Comments on: The Best $30 I’ve Spent in a Long Time http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/ Our Journey to a Debt-Free Life Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:23:03 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Tricia http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-465222 Tricia Thu, 01 May 2008 02:13:31 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-465222 My son got one "bigger" prize...a small gumball bank. The rest were small things - some pencils, a couple foam arrows, a few other small things (not sure what they are called) and the family favorite - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoopee_cushion#Whoopee_cushion" rel="nofollow">a whoope cushion</a>! My son got one “bigger” prize…a small gumball bank. The rest were small things – some pencils, a couple foam arrows, a few other small things (not sure what they are called) and the family favorite – a whoope cushion!

]]> By: CanadianKate http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-465183 CanadianKate Thu, 01 May 2008 00:38:37 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-465183 My burning question... how did your son 'spend' his tickets? One big prize or several little ones? My burning question… how did your son ’spend’ his tickets? One big prize or several little ones?

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-465182 Mrs. Micah Thu, 01 May 2008 00:30:33 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-465182 And that's exactly what money's for...being spent. Most of the time, you're right to spend that money on paying down the debt. All kinds of good consequences for you in the future and makes you happy. But this time, sounds like the right decision. And that’s exactly what money’s for…being spent. Most of the time, you’re right to spend that money on paying down the debt. All kinds of good consequences for you in the future and makes you happy. But this time, sounds like the right decision.

]]> By: Jen http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-465008 Jen Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:08:41 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-465008 That's great! I can imagine years from now when your son is in college/on his first job he'll be telling his friends about the awesome time he was out with his mom and he won a bazillion tickets! It's a great memory - for BOTH of you! :D That’s great! I can imagine years from now when your son is in college/on his first job he’ll be telling his friends about the awesome time he was out with his mom and he won a bazillion tickets! It’s a great memory – for BOTH of you! :D

]]> By: Frugalista Files http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464990 Frugalista Files Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:57:01 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464990 I loved reading this post. I remember going go cart riding with my family. I LOVED that. I'm glad you have the experience, whatever the cost. I loved reading this post. I remember going go cart riding with my family. I LOVED that. I’m glad you have the experience, whatever the cost.

]]> By: Susan http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464967 Susan Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:12:43 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464967 Tricia: You can always get out of debt, but you have only one son. Never economize on him. If he needs something buy it for him! We used to have a big Coke bottle bank and would fill it up with all our change. Once a year we emptied it out and used the proceeds towards our trip to Disneyland. Now, we have a box of quarters, dimes and nickels on the kitchen counter and when full it holds about $20. It is a practical way to save for fun times and it quickly fills up again. ( And, when we were really broke I would often tgive our kids a baggie filled with change. They just thought I was eccentric, but money is money.) :) Tricia: You can always get out of debt, but you have only one son.
Never economize on him. If he needs something buy it for him!
We used to have a big Coke bottle bank and would fill it up with all our change. Once a year we emptied it out and used the proceeds towards our trip to Disneyland. Now, we have a box of quarters, dimes and nickels on the kitchen counter and when full it holds about $20. It is a practical way to save for fun times and it quickly fills up again. ( And, when we were really broke I would often tgive our kids a baggie filled with change. They just thought I was eccentric, but money is money.) :)

]]> By: Joe @ SimpleDebtFreeFinance http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464933 Joe @ SimpleDebtFreeFinance Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:42:21 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464933 Tricia, I whole heartedly believe that this is what money is for - memories and experiences, not more stuff. You've gotten far more return on that $30 than you would have gotten paying down any debt, regardless of the interest rate! Your son's experience will continue to pay dividends through the years - especially when he has a child of his own. Tricia,

I whole heartedly believe that this is what money is for – memories and experiences, not more stuff. You’ve gotten far more return on that $30 than you would have gotten paying down any debt, regardless of the interest rate!

Your son’s experience will continue to pay dividends through the years – especially when he has a child of his own.

]]> By: Caitlin @ C³ http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464914 Caitlin @ C³ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:20:08 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464914 I think that's a <i>fantastic</i> use for $30! You and your son will both have nice memories of a good time sent with each other, and those will last a lot longer than any worries about current debt! I think that’s a fantastic use for $30!

You and your son will both have nice memories of a good time sent with each other, and those will last a lot longer than any worries about current debt!

]]> By: justine http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464880 justine Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:39:13 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464880 Yippee for being over your funk! I think it's great that you were thoughtful in spending the $30, and it sounds well spent. However, I just want to point out generally that it's not necessary to spend any money to get an equal amount of joy out of a child and good memories for the parent and child. (I'm not making this point in reference to you deciding to spend the $30, just in general.) I have built amazing memories with my children by taking them into nature (free) for a day and having them marvel at the animals, water, plants, etc. Free children's museums have produced the same effect, as have neighborhood festivals and fairs. I think it's mostly about the focused, quality time we spend with our kids - not the money spent. Yippee for being over your funk! I think it’s great that you were thoughtful in spending the $30, and it sounds well spent. However, I just want to point out generally that it’s not necessary to spend any money to get an equal amount of joy out of a child and good memories for the parent and child. (I’m not making this point in reference to you deciding to spend the $30, just in general.) I have built amazing memories with my children by taking them into nature (free) for a day and having them marvel at the animals, water, plants, etc. Free children’s museums have produced the same effect, as have neighborhood festivals and fairs. I think it’s mostly about the focused, quality time we spend with our kids – not the money spent.

]]> By: Rachel @ Master Your Card http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464853 Rachel @ Master Your Card Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:50:24 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464853 I think that spending small amounts of money on little treats like this helps us to really appreciate the money. If we spent money like water, we would stop appreciating the things that we spent it on. I think that spending small amounts of money on little treats like this helps us to really appreciate the money. If we spent money like water, we would stop appreciating the things that we spent it on.

]]> By: Mar http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464809 Mar Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:58:12 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464809 That outing may have cost you $30, but it was actually PRICELESS! My daughter is 12 and she still remembers certain outings and picnics and other things that we attended when she was 6 or 7. I think it's totally worth doing this once a quarter or so - maybe put $2 in a jar every week and when you have $25 or $30, it's time for another trip! That outing may have cost you $30, but it was actually PRICELESS! My daughter is 12 and she still remembers certain outings and picnics and other things that we attended when she was 6 or 7. I think it’s totally worth doing this once a quarter or so – maybe put $2 in a jar every week and when you have $25 or $30, it’s time for another trip!

]]> By: Ian http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464779 Ian Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:03:54 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464779 The memories it will give your son are worth a whole lot more than the memories it would give the creditor. I would say it's money well spent! The memories it will give your son are worth a whole lot more than the memories it would give the creditor. I would say it’s money well spent!

]]> By: Dannalie http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464778 Dannalie Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:01:07 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464778 Way to go! As empty nesters my DH and I get bored so we go out with friends every Wednesday to a local restaurant that has a band. We call it Wasted Wednesday. We usually spend about $30 a week. But I budget for it and we always have a good time. so I agree with arduous, expereinces are worth it! Way to go!
As empty nesters my DH and I get bored so we go out with friends every Wednesday to a local restaurant that has a band. We call it Wasted Wednesday. We usually spend about $30 a week. But I budget for it and we always have a good time. so I agree with arduous, expereinces are worth it!

]]> By: Toxic Money http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464730 Toxic Money Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:40:59 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464730 You rock, Tricia!!! You rock, Tricia!!!

]]> By: Charlie Park http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464718 Charlie Park Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:20:39 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464718 What a great story, and what great memories! Sometimes we all need a "debt payoff nap" to rest up and get going again. So glad you took that break! What a great story, and what great memories! Sometimes we all need a “debt payoff nap” to rest up and get going again. So glad you took that break!

]]> By: James http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464651 James Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:58:07 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464651 Yeah, thats always a hard call. The thirty dollars is money that you won't have to pay interest on, but on the other hand, sometimes its better to relax a little bit. Yeah, thats always a hard call. The thirty dollars is money that you won’t have to pay interest on, but on the other hand, sometimes its better to relax a little bit.

]]> By: arduous http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464646 arduous Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:08:39 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464646 Tricia, I think it's great you went out and spent some time with your son and I hope you're not feeling any guilt for spending the $30, because you HAVE been kicking some serious debt booty, and you deserved a break. Besides, $30 spent on an experience that you are going to remember and be able to look back on is always good. What I've been reminded of this past year is that experiences are often worth the money, but stuff is less often worth the money. So you know, if you were going to spend $30, at least it was on an experience you can remember and not on stuff that will eventually gather dust in a corner! :) Tricia, I think it’s great you went out and spent some time with your son and I hope you’re not feeling any guilt for spending the $30, because you HAVE been kicking some serious debt booty, and you deserved a break.

Besides, $30 spent on an experience that you are going to remember and be able to look back on is always good. What I’ve been reminded of this past year is that experiences are often worth the money, but stuff is less often worth the money. So you know, if you were going to spend $30, at least it was on an experience you can remember and not on stuff that will eventually gather dust in a corner! :)

]]> By: Sherri http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464641 Sherri Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:48:37 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464641 I think the $30 had a bigger impact on your life going where it went over going to debt. I'm glad you had a good time. Sometimes we have to remember to continue to *live* when we are on a journey (debt reduction, weight loss, for me--grad school, hehe). =D Your son will only be young for so long. I think the $30 had a bigger impact on your life going where it went over going to debt. I’m glad you had a good time. Sometimes we have to remember to continue to *live* when we are on a journey (debt reduction, weight loss, for me–grad school, hehe). =D Your son will only be young for so long.

]]> By: Rick Vaughn http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464618 Rick Vaughn Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:35:27 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464618 Tricia, Look at it this way at least you didn't charge the $30. Only kidding! Tricia,

Look at it this way at least you didn’t charge the $30. Only kidding!

]]> By: Maria http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/comment-page-1/#comment-464607 Maria Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:04:36 +0000 http://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2008/04/the-best-30-ive-spent-in-a-long-time/#comment-464607 That's great Tricia! Time spent with your son doing something like that is always worth it! That $30 has now become a "priceless" memory. :) That’s great Tricia! Time spent with your son doing something like that is always worth it!
That $30 has now become a “priceless” memory.
:)

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