The Frugal Geek
I am routinely bewildered by how much my friends spend on games. Games are not cheap. Perhaps I have become so, and that is the problem. Still…cheap, I feel, is the wrong word to describe someone who is careful with how they spend their money. Let’s look at the definition of an alternative word, frugal:
Economical in the use or appropriation of resources; not wasteful or lavish; wise in the expenditure or application of force, materials, time, etc.;
I think a great many of us fall under this description, especially these days while the world economy is in the toilet. Game publishers regularly put out $50 hardback editions, $50-60 board games, $20-$35 expansions. Computer games routinely cost $30-$60 dollars. Going to the movies is going up again, and comics aren’t getting any less expensive. Beyond that, time itself is at a premium, especially for those of us with one or more jobs, families, and other commitments. What’s a cost-conscious geek to do?
This is the question I’ll be exploring in the next several articles. Welcome to The Frugal Geek.
The inspiration for this is series is my own frustration from years of being utterly stunned at how much people spend on their habits and their passions, being envious of their wonderful toys, yet being reluctant to drop the cash necessary to keep up because something in me says that I could be spending that money more wisely.
A little background for new readers: I am a geek in my very, very late thirties. I have a full time job, a wife, three kids, rent to pay, two cars, insurance, etc, etc, etc. I’m a family guy who has to make budgeting decisions about ,y hobbies in terms of feeding my kids and keeping the roof over our head, just like many folks out there. And like many of you, I would go completely mad in a dealer room at a convention if ever let loose to buy whatever I wanted.
The purpose of this series is to explore how to deal with lack of funds with tricks, alternatives, and common sense. I’ll be exploring all manner of geekdom, and I welcome your own thoughts on how you manage your own funds, how you control your spending, and how you reward yourself.
Next column: The Frgual Geek and Games.
Episode 0048: The Great Old Pumpkin
I approach most entertainment with a “dollar per hour” outlook. Netflix costs me $10/month. I watch 5-8 90 minute movies on DVD plus a couple on the instant watch. Swap a few of those out for TV shows (which have up to 3 hours of content on a disc) and I easily get better than $1/hour from Netflix. I consider that a good deal.
Likewise, I paid $50 for Mass Effect 2. I have probably spent well over 100 hours playing it. That’s about $0.50/hour and I consider that an amazing deal.
I dropped cable because, for $40/month I was watching maybe 10-20 hours of programming. At $2-$4/hour that’s just not economic. Especially when Hulu gives me 90% of what I watched and the other 10% can wait for DVD (and Netflix).
That’s just 3 examples. I could bore you with more but I’m sure you’re bored enough already
Not at all! Dollar/hour measurement is a good one, and one that I want to look at a a good metric to use.
I wonder what other metrics people use, if at all?
I think “Ugh, I really want X, but I don’t want to spend $50 on a board game” and then immediately spend $50 over the course of a weekend on a pile of $4 craft supplies that quickly add up.
Steam is great for the frugal gamer, thanks to weekend (and occasionally mid-week) deals that discount games 50-70%.
Steam is horrible for the frugal gamer, thanks to weekend (and occasionally mid-week) deals that discount games 50-70%.
If I listed the games I’ve purchased on Steam over the past six months, the money I’ve saved would be considerable. But then, so would the money I’ve spent. Self-control is key.
Right with you Kris. I have *always* been prone to “nickel and dime”-ing myself to death, buying lots of tiny things (like those craft supplies) instead of one big satisfying thing (like Pandemic).
Mooch off of less frugal friends?
After obtaining post-college employment (i.e. a real job) I experienced the joy of disposable income, and dispose of it I did. Entering the dealer’s room of my first convention could be likened to my personal debutante ball (overlooking that I’m male and there was no dancing to speak of). Rather than thriftiness, I practiced spendiness (a new word is born). Purchases slowed when other expenses (house payments) rose. The reducing trend continued when I was wed, but with two incomes and no children, I could still get away with spending a hefty sum on bargains now and again.
Then came the wake-up call. Little + signs on two tests. A child on the way means that I am no longer a free-wheeling youth and must become a mature provider. Looking on the treasures that I have acquired, though, I can say “This is enough.” I have games of all shapes and colors to last me for years. It will take ages for me to get through all the DVDs I picked up at crazy discount prices. Of course our family will buy new shinies every once in a while, but such purchases must now be handled more judiciously.
EBay is your friend. I’ve bought many games, played them, and then turned around and sold them for the same price at which I’d purchased them. Free long term rentals are good.