Things that are a waste of money

beetsnotbeats wrote:

atomicfront wrote:

beetsnotbeats wrote:

hutch wrote:
but one i think makes sense: don't buy a book when it just comes out..wait a year or two and you can have it for a few bucks on amazon…

Depends. Non-fiction is often of a timely manner, especially when about tech. And many fans of fiction want to be the first to read the latest from whomever, just like us music lovers.

There is this thing called the Library. 

Yup. Been working in one for over ten years. But being a research library, we have very little contemporary fiction. Always lots of new non-fiction, of course.

Public libraries are generally terrible for recent non-fiction. Nowadays, many are measured for their worth by circulation stats instead of the value and breadth of their collections. So the collections librarians bring in lots of copies of  contemporary fiction that the mainstream public check out in droves. This keeps the circulation stats up and the know-nothing bean counters happy.

I think Enoch Pratt can get you just about any book you want.  You do know if a branch doesn't have it on the shelf they can order it from another branch for you? 

My point with the concerts was a less is more theory.

If you go to a show every night of the week, it becomes more of a habit or a lifestyle than something you're doing for enjoyment of a specific show.

The same goes for beer. I like to go out now and then to try new beers at a craft beer bar. But if I did it every night of the week (even limiting myself to one or two), it would grow old fast.

The same goes for anything, really. At least imo.

hutch wrote:
a lot of these suggestions are stupid…. less concerts? if you enjoy them, why?? who is to say what life is for?


but one i think makes sense: don't buy a book when it just comes out..wait a year or two and you can have it for a few bucks on amazon…

hutch wrote:

beetsnotbeats wrote:

hutch wrote:
but one i think makes sense: don't buy a book when it just comes out..wait a year or two and you can have it for a few bucks on amazon…

Depends. Non-fiction is often of a timely manner, especially when about tech. And many fans of fiction want to be the first to read the latest from whomever, just like us music lovers.

90% +of books… do you really need to read that george washington bio the day it comes out and pay $20 when you can have it for $5 or so a few months later… or the Smiths bio

I've never understood the pack mentality of  I have to read this at the same time as everyone else… I'm going to read Rushdie's memoir but I can wait a few months….

Yes, books about the past can usually wait. Books about the present often can't.

James wrote:
My point with the concerts was a less is more theory.

If you go to a show every night of the week, it becomes more of a habit or a lifestyle than something you're doing for enjoyment of a specific show.

The same goes for beer. I like to go out now and then to try new beers at a craft beer bar. But if I did it every night of the week (even limiting myself to one or two), it would grow old fast.

The same goes for anything, really. At least imo.

hutch wrote:
a lot of these suggestions are stupid…. less concerts? if you enjoy them, why?? who is to say what life is for?


but one i think makes sense: don't buy a book when it just comes out..wait a year or two and you can have it for a few bucks on amazon…

Going to a show ever night does seem like it would be boring.  Like don't you have a life.  I guess if you were in the local scene and were in a band it would be cool to support the other bands in the scene by seeing their shows as well.  But in the end it is entertainment.  If you are being entertained by going to see a band every night I wouldn't see it as a waste of money…more a waste of a life.

Inter-library loan is not available everywhere and often costs money. Patrons might be able to recall checked-out books but they might still have to wait two weeks until they can get it. Or there might be a wait list for the title. Or it's non-circulating. Or… Or… Or….

Sometimes you just gotta buy it.

beetsnotbeats wrote:
Inter-library loan is not available everywhere and often costs money. Patrons might be able to recall checked-out books but they might still have to wait two weeks until they can get it. Or there might be a wait list for the title. Or it's non-circulating. Or… Or… Or….

Sometimes you just gotta buy it.

GAP insurance.  You know it is a waste of money as the dealers try so hard to sell it you.  The odds of you totaling a car in the first year of ownership is pretty low.  After a couple of years you will owe less than it is worth so it won't help you anymore.