Retraining the language I use

[Webzter]

It irks me when I see things like this article: First Person: How We're Planning to Save More Than $12,000 This Summer - Yahoo! Finance

but I'm guilty of it as well. My goal this summer is to be more precise with the language I use with regard to money. For example, the other day I caught myself saying that a pair of safety chaps would be a good investment. Obviously, it's not an investment but a capital outlay.

It's a mindset thing.

Another trap is "hey, look at how much I saved on this doohickey with the triple-flange adjustable torq thingamabob." That hides the fact that the purchase might have been completely unnecessary. From now on, I'm going to only talk about purchases in terms of money spent... and also only buy double-flanged doohickeys.

 

[ERD50]

My goal this summer is to never, ever get sucked into reading another pointless yahoo 'finance' article. 'Save' money by not getting the house painted every single year

-ERD50

 

[Webzter]

My goal this summer is to never, ever get sucked into reading another pointless yahoo 'finance' article. 'Save' money by not getting the house painted every single year

-ERD50

Yeah, they're just painting the trim every year now But they're doing it themselves to save money!

Oh, and they're saving money by not planting perennials this year like they do every year. I'm not sure if they understand what a perennial is

 

[lemming]

I don't say I've saved money when I buy something on sale. I would usually never have bought it at the full price ticket-groceries or clothing.
I do say "I did good" when talking about a purchase that I think was a good price. Not buying something you don't need is a better savings.
As for that vacation, I was never going to spend $5k on a vacation 0ever.

 

[brewer12345]

I just have to stop saying "motherphucker" and offering people a "hot lunch."

 

[Walt34]

I don't say I've saved money when I buy something on sale.

I had that conversation with wife #1. She came home happy that she'd "saved" 40% off on a sale. I had the lack of sense to ask "How much would you have saved if you'd stayed home?"

That did not go over well.

 

[Walt34]

For example, the other day I caught myself saying that a pair of safety chaps would be a good investment. Obviously, it's not an investment but a capital outlay

That depends. It's cheaper than surgery to reattach your leg after cutting it off with a chain saw.

Not to mention the pain involved.