Can you hold out?

zarazara

I'm an OS officianado, I turn off lights, make myown bread, home cooking, etc etc but now I'm getting confused. If the media and news is correct then very soon there will be deflation and mega sales and bankrupsies. So, do we all then hit the shops? Provided we have the cash is it OS to bag the bargin I'd love new carpets and furniture in my sitting room, is it best to buy whilst its in the sale, or not buy at all and make do with what I already have ? saving my cash , probably on low interest, for some unknown future thing? What do you think?

geordie_joe

You have to answer one question, would you be happier with new carpets etc. or with the money to buy them sitting in the bank? There's being OS, frugal, prudent, green, ethical etc. etc, and there's being happy. Most of us would like to strike a balance between them all, but being happy is the most important, so get your new carpets and furniture when the time is right. But get the best deal you can.

Quasar

Let's put it this way. Being OS doesn't mean we stops buying things we like -life must be lived a little

So yes, if it is something that you either need or want badly and it's going cheap, why not? Of course you have to weigh the pros and cons of buying treats now against those of keeping money aside for an uncertain future.

There may be a deflation, then again it may not be so bad. I'd say if you can at all afford it now without unduly jeopardising your finances, go for it, otherwise life will pass you by...:o

Toonie

I'm of the opinion if something has come to end of its usable life for you then get something new (though this still doesn't necessarily mean brand new). With many items, someone else will still want your old things, and it works quite well in a chain.

I'm at the stage of needing to get a new sofa, the one we have is third hand and the springs have pretty much gone now, so we will have a good look around, whilst still making sure we get value for money as there is no point continually saving for something that may never come. If you can manage to keep some emergency fund money (enough to cover direct debits, food etc) just in case, then I think other savings can be used if you need something.

Penelope_Penguin

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, and is more shopping question, I'll move it to the Shop Don't Drop Board

jenniewb

I don't know about anyone else, but although the stores are having problems, I am anticipating things are also going to get pretty bad for the rest of us. We may be seeing low prices in highstreet stores right now, but give it time and prices of basic things like electrics, gas, oil... basic food...etc will all rise and it could really be a huge issue for us.
I don't want to get to 12 months away and realise that all those little bits I went out and bought in the sale are useless in the face of not being able to actually afford to heat the kettle!

I don't buy the spending now thing, I don't have any savings, nothing to fall back on, and so there is no way I am going to assume everything will turn out fine when it could so easily be very different.

The only reason I will be buying anything in the near future is because I actually need it.

bubblegumcola

If its a household item that really needs replaced cos it is broken, ripped, knackered then I will eventually replace it but I wouldn't usually replace something just cos I have gone off it. You don't have to buy brand new stuff anyway, people give away some brilliant stuff on freecycle, its just if you get offered it or if its to your taste. I've saved alot of money getting large outdoor toys for my youngest on freecycle and they have been really well used. I think people are going to make do with what they have til they can afford it/save up unless they really need to get the item, if for example they need a new cooker cos their last one has blown up.

Definitely less of keeping up with the Jones' and more make do and mend. Stores are going to have to work to get sales from us, especially larger household items. If it is broken just shop around for the best deal otherwise just be happy it works for the moment even if it isn't the latest model. I'd rather have the money to pay my 'leccy bill than have the latest flat screen telly or american style fridge. When we were growing up I don't remember everyone being so self-conscious of what we had in our house and were quite happy to buy second hand stuff out of the papers.

blue_monkey_2

The other thing to remember, if you wait until somewhere has gone into administration - such as MFI - there might not be anywhere to go if the product you get is faulty. Sending to the Manufacturer will then outweigh any saving. Worse if you paid for goods and never got them (always use a credit card) but right now I am buying if I NEED them, not if I WANT them. There are loads of things I want but needing is different so I'll hold onto my money for now.

zarazara

some interesting, and diverse, replies. Thanks peeps.