When I was working my day gig, I didn't know the meaning of delayed gratification because if I wanted something, I simply bought it.
Obviously I spent too much money, but I had a LOT of man toys. Chainsaws, garden tractors, tools, and other manly stuff.
That all came to a screeching halt when I became un-jobbed. All of a sudden, if I wanted something, I had to save up the money to buy it. It was a radical concept and one that I was not completely sure I liked.
It was a totally foreign concept to me. I didn't like it at first, but then I realized that when you don't have disposable cash burning a hole in your pocket, you can't afford to indulge in impulse buying. All of a sudden you have to prioritize, make decisions, and buy only things you can afford. I'm not whining, because I think this is a good thing.
Anyhow, as I've said before I was a IBM compatible/Windows man for years because that's the hardware/software that made it possible for me to work from home.
When I was no longer tethered to Windows, I bought an Apple Mac for my desk, but I still had a Windows laptop that I used when I traveled.
Then a few months ago, Jilda's laptop died and I gave her my laptop thinking I no longer needed a laptop. As it turns out, the moment I gave her mine, I realized I used it much more that I thought.
I started then saving the money I earned on the side. I had my eye on a Macbook Pro. This week I had a couple windfall checks that came in which gave me the money I needed to pay cash for my new laptop.
I had interviews and photo shoots set up for today so in between appointments, I ran by the Apple Store and bought the Macbook.
I had to wait longer than normal today because the store was hopping with folks upgrading to the new iPhones. Still, within 15 minutes, I was headed to the truck with a smile on my face.
Tonight, instead of being tied to my desk, I'm sitting in the living room typing this update on the laptop.
There were times in the past when I didn't have to wait to buy things, and sometimes I experienced "buyers remorse" -- The feeling that creeps in shortly after a significant purchase -- ah man, did I really need this or could I have gotten a better deal on this if I'd shopped around.........
Today, I did not experience buyer's remorse. I did the research, I knew what I wanted, and I'd saved for months to buy it.
I guess what I'm saying is that I've come to understand that delayed gratification is a good thing.
Obviously I spent too much money, but I had a LOT of man toys. Chainsaws, garden tractors, tools, and other manly stuff.
That all came to a screeching halt when I became un-jobbed. All of a sudden, if I wanted something, I had to save up the money to buy it. It was a radical concept and one that I was not completely sure I liked.
It was a totally foreign concept to me. I didn't like it at first, but then I realized that when you don't have disposable cash burning a hole in your pocket, you can't afford to indulge in impulse buying. All of a sudden you have to prioritize, make decisions, and buy only things you can afford. I'm not whining, because I think this is a good thing.
Anyhow, as I've said before I was a IBM compatible/Windows man for years because that's the hardware/software that made it possible for me to work from home.
When I was no longer tethered to Windows, I bought an Apple Mac for my desk, but I still had a Windows laptop that I used when I traveled.
Then a few months ago, Jilda's laptop died and I gave her my laptop thinking I no longer needed a laptop. As it turns out, the moment I gave her mine, I realized I used it much more that I thought.
I started then saving the money I earned on the side. I had my eye on a Macbook Pro. This week I had a couple windfall checks that came in which gave me the money I needed to pay cash for my new laptop.
I had interviews and photo shoots set up for today so in between appointments, I ran by the Apple Store and bought the Macbook.
I had to wait longer than normal today because the store was hopping with folks upgrading to the new iPhones. Still, within 15 minutes, I was headed to the truck with a smile on my face.
Tonight, instead of being tied to my desk, I'm sitting in the living room typing this update on the laptop.
There were times in the past when I didn't have to wait to buy things, and sometimes I experienced "buyers remorse" -- The feeling that creeps in shortly after a significant purchase -- ah man, did I really need this or could I have gotten a better deal on this if I'd shopped around.........
Today, I did not experience buyer's remorse. I did the research, I knew what I wanted, and I'd saved for months to buy it.
I guess what I'm saying is that I've come to understand that delayed gratification is a good thing.
great post.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us should experience delayed gratification. It's too easy now days to get something right when we want it!!
ReplyDeleteI so need to learn how to budget!
ReplyDeleteI love my MacBook Pro - write all my posts, edit my photos, keep my 'books', talk to the world (well my Dad and my brother and sister and fast emails between DH and self all day long and...
ReplyDeleteAnyway congratulations on your NEW laptop. I love working where I want, hiding it away when I want, travelling with it... I could go on.
Loved your post today. Vote every day. Read you every day.
- Joy
Nice post... And welcome to the macbook pro world... :-)
ReplyDeleteJJRod'z
Very wise. Being patient and frugal by not giving in to every whim, you learn to pick the things you really want. Glad you got the Macbook Pro.
ReplyDeleteYes, we've learned about delayed gratification the hard way!
ReplyDeleteGood things comes to those that wait and wait and wait and surely its coming ...and wait .. LOL ..
ReplyDeletePatiences is a great virtue...ONE that I'm working on ....
We have spent our entire married lives only buying something when we had the money for it. You really appreciate what you have when you save for it and plan for it.
ReplyDeleteNothing says happiness like a MAC! Now my daughter was given the Mac Pro because she needed all the bells and whistles for her college major...Interior Design. I got the smaller version and love it.
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER...I'm now putting my funds in the jar for the Pro! NEXT time I'm going for the gusto. It does things the one I purchased does not. But for now...this little baby goes with me everywhere and I love her. Once a Mac you don't go back!
Sadly this will be a long time in coming but then the plus side is can you imagine what they may have added by the year say....2020?
Have fun and maybe you can catch THE GAME on it...! Anticipation is building around here...you have plans for Game Day????
But gratification delayed too long leads to desperation -- to get laid.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Lola
Oh, so true.
ReplyDeleteWe're a MAC family too - meaning we all use one 3-year-old Macbook Pro.
For some time now, I've had my sights set on the baby - the 11" Macbook Air, just for me! I've never owned "my own" brand new computer before. Maybe one more paycheck!
Happy typing!
See delayed gratification works - if only I could teach my grandson that.
ReplyDeleteGood luck. sandie
Congrats on your purchase Rick. I used Mac at a previous job and it was definitely easier on the eyes I thought. Enjoy your new toy! And relax!
ReplyDeleteI traveled a similar path. I used Windows for years, even taught courses for Windows users. The last pc I bought failed 3 times in the allotted 2 years so I got credit for a new on thanks to BestBuy. By then I had already bought the MacBook Pro. I used the credit to buy a 'spare,' a Gateway my wife uses. She has a Windows pc at work so this works for her.
ReplyDeleteI really like the MacBook, even wish I'd seen the light earlier. I was surprised how I was affected by the death of Steve Jobs now that I am a Mac user.
Enjoy the MacBook for a long time. Terry