Today I took the first step to spending some free money. The “free money” is via gift cards Hubs earns from his hotel rewards, so a perk of his job. When the gift cards arrive, I’m going to spend them on a new TV. Why, oh why, do I feel so guilty about doing this, especially since the tv will be free? Pretty dumb, huh?
Hubs has been after me for quite some time to make this purchase. The reason is related to my RLS (restless legs syndrome). The disease is something I have dealt with since my 20s. For several hours preceding bedtime, sitting becomes near impossible for me. Standing or lying down and doing leg scissors are about the only things that slightly alleviate the awful sensations. Even with medication, it can take me hours to fall asleep. Staying asleep all night is yet another issue. I’m not a fan of having a tv in the bedroom, but given the amount of time it takes me to fall asleep, it may benefit me. Watching TV at night has always made me tired.
Getting back to the gift cards. Given a choice, I prefer to redeem for Lowes as this helps offset expenses for the house. Unfortunately, the club Hubs has the most points available to redeem with doesn’t offer Lowes as an option. So, I went ahead and redeemed for $150 worth of Best Buy cards. Walmart was also an option, but it took fewer points for Best Buy, and the store will price match. Yep, I am always looking for the best deal! For this club, Hubs still has $150 worth to redeem. Points never expire, which aside from my indecisiveness, is one reason we let them build up.
As for the tv, I’ll likely go with a 32 inch LG smart tv. It has been years since we bought a tv. One good thing is that they sure have come down in price! We may decide to mount the tv but can always do that later.
I think part of where my guilt in spending comes in is that the gift cards could be used to offset our grocery budget, or for gas, etc. The money saved in those categories could then go towards paying off more debt. Oh, how this blasted debt controls my thinking! I’m always looking for more ways to pay it off!
Do any of you have trouble spending gift cards, especially on items that aren’t necessarily a need? Hey, in spite of my nightly agony, I have survived without a tv in the bedroom – so not quite a need!
We are actually going through the same thing right now. Hubs won a $250 American Express gift card from work. He gave it to me and told me to use it for groceries. Later I gave it back to him and told him to get something from his wants list. He works so hard and always puts us first. We are debt free except for our mortgage. We live below are means. He needs to spend it on something on himself I told him. He is looking at things for his truck. Enjoy the TV. You have been working very hard paying off your debt.
Nice win for your hubby! I think that is great that he will spend it on himself. My hubby is the same way in that he prefers for me to use any bonus that comes his way.
I understand you about the restless legs! Just miserable isn’t it? I’ve had it for years and even trying to lay back in a recliner does not help. But I would caution you on the size of the tv. Put a cardboard piece that size and see how it works, at the distance from the bed. I had a TV about that size and went up and wow! I love it. Often the price is not much more. (I have a 32 inch in the living room and wish it was bigger but I don’t want to replace the stand).
A terrible disease, isn’t it? That is a really good suggestion about cardboard. The more I think about it, I will likely go to the next size. One reason is that I wouldn’t want to wear my glasses in bed and having a larger screen would be better. Thanks for your input!
I have a hard time doing that too – if it were something for someone else I would have NO problem spending it, but I have a very hard time spending money on myself too. I use all the awards I earn on Swagbucks for Christmas presents for dh and the kids or I get them to Wal-Mart so I can buy cat food/supplies or Sam’s Club so I can buy food. I actually think it is a good thing for me right now – in the past I would spend money without hesitation so I think the fact that now we have a hard time spending it and REALLY think about it (to the point of obsession maybe for me), means we are at a point where we are truly making changes and the debt WILL GO!!!!
Glad you are getting the TV!! I have terrible insomnia too so I feel your pain and lately, I don’t know if it is from the surgery or not, I’ve been having restless leg syndrome too – nothing I do helps except walking around which is really great at 3 am!!!! We should set up a chat 🙂
That’s my problem, too. If it were for anyone else, I wouldn’t hesitate. I have a hard time spending money on myself. We should set up a chat. I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night.
There’s is no difference in spending free money than in spending earned money. It feels the same because it is the same. You could spend that money on a need so spending it on a want does make you twinge. That’s a good thing. It is when spending doesn’t hurt at all that you can get in trouble. And by the way, it sounds like a very smart and thoughtful purchase. I’m so sorry you have that syndrome but glad that you are an over coming kind of person.
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Good point! When it comes to anything money, most things now make me twinge. While I will get a TV, I think I may wait for the upcoming Christmas sales to save even more!
I have always hoped I would not get RLS since I already have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep sometimes.. Doctors always ask if I have symptoms. I would think that buying what you need for relief would be a great purchase.
I hope you never get it, Linda. It is truly a miserable disease. I’m hoping the TV gives me a little relief and makes those hours before I do fall asleep a little easier.
I like how you analyzed this purchase, Lucy. I know you want the debt gone yesterday. You have been working hard for almost 3 years and the goal is in sight now. I know you want to be a good steward of what you are given, and are not just buying the tv on a whim, like maybe you used to do? We did not get 21st century TVs until more recently ourselves. The first one we got is the 32 inch LG smart tv you are talking about. We got it in 2015 at the Super Bowl sales. It is a good tv. We used it in the living room until this last Super Bowl season, where we got a 50 inch for the living room and put the 32 inch in our bedroom. It does a good job. And you are right about the prices coming down on the smart TVs. I am glad we waited to get them so they were more affordable. We spent many years with the old style TVs and the converter boxes. LOL! I hope the tv will be a blessing to you with your RLS.
Thanks, Chris. Yes, I do want to be a good steward of the money we have. I know this is why it has taken me so long to do this! We didn’t buy a new TV for our living room for a long time. I thought we were doing good to have a 25 inch, even if it was the old box style! Only replaced it because it quit working. When we got a 40 inch, it seemed huge! Lol I may now take JE’s advice and go with a similar size as it would likely be easier on my eyes. Plus Hubs is so used to bigger screens in the hotels he stays in that I’m not so sure he’d like a smaller screen! At least it won’t be anything OOP fo us. And yes, I want this debt gone yesterday!
yes, I am the same way, too. I always feel like it could be used for necessities and then feel guilty buying something I want. But, the TV kind of sounds like it would sure help you. The only other suggestion I have is look for a used tv on craigslist or facebook marketplace. I see people selling like 32″ for cheap, all the time.
Funny how many of us are like this. I used to be this way whenever I got money as a gift, too. It usually ended up being used for a necessity. Now that I have the Best Buy cards coming, I’ll likely stick with that plan as otherwise, those cards would no doubt gather dust waiting on me to decide what to do with them. Lol
well, that’s true about the Best Buy gift cards. there would only be so many things you could use it on there – so a tv is a great option!
Now with them already ordered, I feel committed! I will say, though, if we didn’t have them available, I’d wait to make the purchase! Oh, how I hate spending money on myself!