frugalbychoice

Many New Year’s resolutions include becoming organized, staying within a budget, paying off debt, losing weight, and improving oneself. Today I am starting a series that will run for the month of January, on resolving to be frugal for 2009!

 Today’s resolution is: Get Only What You Need.

Now, why is this a good resolution to make for 2009?

First of all, if you don’t need it and don’t buy it, you’re saving money simply by not purchasing it. Second, if you don’t buy it, you’re saving  your dwelling from more clutter. Third, you’re saving yourself the time of cleaning it and maintaining it. And finally, you’re saving the hassle of upgrading it, repairing it, and eventually, disposing of it.

Let’s say the “it” is a stand mixer. It’s a beautiful, shiny work of art. It would look glorious on your countertop. It costs just $279.99.  What else could you do with $279.99? Could you add it to a debt payment? Or put it into a savings account? What about making a gift to a reputable charity? 

 Where will you put the mixer? Will it always stay on your counter, even if you use it just once per month? Will it get in your way? Is it likely to collect dust more often than dough? 

 Sitting there on your counter, you will need to wash the bowl each time you use it. Likely, you will collect the other implements for using the mixer- dough hooks, various beaters and attachments, spatulas and so forth.

Now what happens when a newer, prettier mixer debuts? It’s red, your favorite color. Much more stylish than stainless steel. It matches your decor. Oh, and the old one? Well, it got some scratches. One of the hooks broke. You can’t find a beater. You might as well dump it in the trash, but alas, your city prohibits throwing out appliances. You have to haul it to a special waste center and pay a fee for its disposal.

 Is it worth it?

On this, I do speak from personal experience. I love to cook and bake. I thought a stand mixer would be a great addition to my set of tools, even though I have a small kitchen with very little counter space. My parents purchased the mixer for me as a Christmas gift two years ago. I can count on one hand and have fingers left as to the number of times I’ve used it. I find it is more of a hassle to set the thing up, dig out the beaters, and get it going. By the time I do all that I can have it mixed by hand and burn a few calories to boot.  Do I still have it? Yes, somewhat out of guilt in that it was a huge gift for my parents to get me and somewhat out of hope that I will have more time to use it or that I will get a house with a more functional kitchen than I have now.