RSS Feeds
Facebook
GRS Twitter
For me, the best personal finance lessons are the ones I learn first-hand. When I actually experience something, I get a lot more out of it than simply by reading about it.
Last week I flew to San Francisco. To kill time on the early morning flight, I browsed the SkyMall catalog. Big mistake. There’s some cool stuff in there — cool stuff that I don’t actually need. Before I knew it, I was dog-earing pages for things like:
- A vinyl record-to-compact disc converter.
- A “handsome” bill organizer.
- A motion-activated camera for birdwatching.
- A baking pan for brownies where every piece is an “edge”.
And, of course, the piece de resistance: the Arcade Legends full-sized 100-game system, which features dozens of my childhood favorites like Asteroids, Centipede, Tempest, Berserk, and Missile Command. I was giving serious consideration to this $3700 monstrosity before I realized what an idiot I was being.
It sometimes frustrates me that I’m tempted by gadgets and toys still. I want not to care. I want to be able to walk into a store or browse through a catalog and not find myself longing for things I know I do not need. Fortunately, I’m usually able to remind myself of my goals. And none of my goals involve owning an Arcade Legends video game machine.
I put away the SkyMall catalog and I read a book instead.
This article is about Psychology, Shopping Saturday, 25th April 2009 (by J.D. Roth)
April 25th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Even Stephen Colbert is not immune to the lures of skymall…don’t feel bad!
April 25th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
SkyMall always gets me, too. The one thing I’ve always wanted to try out is that pen that scans text when you hover it over a page. I can’t imagine that it would work, but it says it does. I’m also a fan of that wall-sized crossword puzzle. It’s been there ever since I’ve been reading SkyMall.
April 25th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
What? No Laserdic games like Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace? PHAIL.
Actually I still don’t get the point of that catalog. Surely, no one actually orders from it? And haven’t similar store like The Sharper Image gone belly up?
April 25th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Oh man, and that hot dog bun and dog toaster??!! I am a vegetarian, and I still want that thing. And the pretty furniture that hides the kitty litter box–c’mon, I am sure you like that one too, JD!
I know what you mean about the temptations. I can say I don’t care, but it’s not true (just like saying you aren’t influenced by ads)! I will be done this year with my debt snowball, and I sometimes consider adding “stuff” from West Elm and CB2 to my budget. Ahh! I faltered once and put Seattle Sounders tickets in my budget. Shame shame!
“Ohh, but how about those awesome shelves on page 55? Those could go up in my bedroom, hey we should renovate our bedroom…”
April 25th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I am an unrepentant SkyMall hoor. I consider it brain candy to keep me entertained during my flight. Wanting useless ornamental stuff is okay, buying is not.
April 25th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I actually did buy something from the SkyMall catalog, well after my trip. It was a cd rack, which held over 1,200 cds, which was rare at the time. I went home, measured, and purchased it from their website at a good price. Still in use and getting a bit full.
But that brownie pan with all the edges…they’re doing commercials for it on kids TV now and I’m trying to be strong here….
April 25th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Most of the stuff in SkyMall is made-in-China crap, even if it’s expensive. I think my favorites are the fake plastic–er, excuse me, resin statues. My other favorite is the Frontgate stuff, which are things that people buy to appear affluent–the actual affluent have no need for that stuff.
April 25th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
If you cook your brownies in a muffin pan, every piece is an edge, too. ;D
April 25th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I’m from Norway, and was unaware of the Sky Mall catalog until we went to Hawaii for a month around Christmas. I had a lot of laughs browsing through it! It’s full of convenience trinkets and gadgets that solve one specific and CONSTRUCTED problem, and which would have no use otherwise; and when it breaks or fails to fulfill the promises, it becomes useless junk. Thrifty people are much better off spending their money on quality, multi-purpose equipment. (And seriously: An electric pet water fountain, with carbon filtering??? What is wrong with a good oldfashioned bowl?)
April 25th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Just do me one favor…never ever EVER buy the carved rosewood “Celtic harps” they occasionally have in the catalog. Especially if you have any intention of learning to play. They are absolute, irredeemable CRAP. (and I work for a music store, so I know!)
In fact, a general tip about musical instruments…don’t buy them from in-flight magazines. Just Say No.
April 25th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I want that brownie pan soooooo much!! Brownies with edges win!
April 25th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Or even better - cook your brownies in mini-muffin pan - bite size brownies! Perfect party food.
April 25th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Actually, the filtered pet fountains are pretty good - invested in one (though not from skymall) about a year ago, and haven’t regretted it. YMMV…
April 25th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I share your love of the Skymall catalog - I don’t fly much, but I always enjoy flipping through it. Last time, I was intrigued by their EZ Bed - a portable airmattress bed that actually has a frame, so it sets up like a normal bed. I filed it away, and waited a couple months, and realized that it really would be a good thing to have for our small condo, as we have many guests, who to date, had to sleep on a air mattress on the floor, which is very cold in the winter.
I did what a good GRS reader would do next - looked for reviews, and then looked for the best price online. I was able to get the bed $50 cheaper than on SkyMall by going straight to the manufacturer, and our guests have really enjoyed the upgrade to our accommodations!
April 25th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I just look through those things at all the ridiculous novelty junk (like this) for a laugh. I don’t think I’ve ever been tempted to buy any of it, though.
Today I *did* spend almost $50 on fiberglass and epoxy supplies. Did I “need” that? I don’t know, but the boat will be less cracked now, and closer to being ready to paint. My total investment in my boat so far is still less than two of those arcade machines.
April 25th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
There is nothing in the SkyMall catalog that you NEED; everything for sale on those pages are things you WANT.
Before you can purchase things you WANT, you first need to buy things you NEED and then PAY YOURSELF through savings and investments. If you are lucky enough to have any money left over - then you can satisfy your WANTS.
April 25th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
My wife and I love paging through SkyMall on flights, looking at all the neat stuff. We’ve never actually *bought* anything from it, but the products have led to several copy-cat things we’ve made ourselves.
We’re planning on making our own kitty-box hider kind of like this one: http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102519387&c= (we just have to find a cabinet we like!)
April 25th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I can totally relate, only eBay is my medium. SkyMall just never really offered me anything… Maybe I’m too quirky? Not sure. If they started selling car parts in there I’d be too hooked then I bet. (Unfortunately, my one and only hobby is an EXPENSIVE one, but I LOVE it and will never give it up, no matter how much it costs. And since I drive my car almost every day, I enjoy all the money I’ve put into her every time we go somewhere.)
To the comment about the pet fountain — It’s been GREAT for me. My cat would ONLY drink out of the sink before getting that, and since buying one (for about $65 IIRC) I haven’t been pestered by him for water out of the sink. Of course, we aren’t using the carbon filter with ours. All the carbon filters in my house are hooked up to fish tanks. (Three of them, soon to be only two.)
Anyhow, I don’t see what’s wrong with having things, and definitely nothing wrong with wanting them. Just keep it to things that you like and that decorate your space to show off how you feel, no need to over-do it like some. And absolutely not worth running up credit cards for…
April 25th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I love to look at catalogs. Christmas entertainment was picking out everything you likes for the Sears catalog and calculating how much it would cost. I planned many wardrobes dreamed of toys and never ordered them. We need to dream, enjoy the novelty of the items, and then get down to basics.
I thought I was the only one who wanted the brownie edges until all the hoopla about them. Muffin tins I have plenty will use them not just for edges but portion control. I freeze the extras!
April 25th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
When I started flying on a regular basis, I was a sucker for the SkyMall magazine. I’m not sure what it was, maybe being strapped into the same seat for 4+ hours while being fed stale, recirculated air and really bad overpriced food, but something would compel me to look at the items, marvel at the inflated prices and still want to order! Lucky for me, after my first purchase or useless junk that immediately collected dust, I opted to bring a book to read on these flights.
April 25th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Do people seriously like edges?? The best brownie is the one from the middle, with NO edges–completely moist all around!
April 25th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Arcade Legends:
DIY for less than $800
http://www.geocities.com/sbspin/mame/index.htm
April 25th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
there are few things more ridiculous than the contents of the skymall catalog. i flew to nola and back last week for a conference, and i had to suppress audible laughter while flipping through that thing.
April 25th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Am I the only person here who has never read “SkyMall”? I didn’t even have a clue what it was until I read about it here.
I do use airplanes from time to time, but mostly I sleep or do crossword puzzles.
I think I’m the person others complain about when they complain about other persons.
Bozo
PS: If “SkyMall” starts offering good specials on CDs (the bank type, not the earplugs type), send me a copy. Anything over 3.25% APY will suffice.
April 25th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I love that magazine too, I browse it, do some wish full thinking and then move on.
I think we have similar hangups. Now that I’m debt free but the house I still want to get rid of cable, keep the cellphone bill to a minimum and pay as much as possible on the mortgage. I think I may have gone too far, we put back over 2 grand a month in savings and investments and I still feel like I should have a part time job or should be doing something more.
It’s a constant debate in my brain between the part that says “You’re doing awesome, relax a little and enjoy it” and the part that says “you have to keep pushing and paying down the house and putting money in savings/investments.
I do have one bit of advice for you about making your own “MAME” cabinet. For now, just download MAME, grab the ROMS you want to play and let that be your “fix” for now. (NOTE: MAME is complicated but not too hard, spend a few minutes reading on how to use/play it and it take you back). Once you’ve done that, see if you still want a full size machine. If you do, follow the tons of advice on the net, you can buy an old cabinet, slap a cpu, VGA monitor and pick up an IPAC or JPAC and you’ll be in business.
Drop me an email and I’ll send you some pics of my work in progress, and I’ll give you a lot more information on how I’ve done it for less than 300 (so far..)
TW
April 25th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Okay, I’ll admit it. I have the brownie pan. I got it as a Christmas gift, and I love it. It makes wonderful cornbread and coffee cake, too.
April 25th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
SkyMall is a private company which raked in annual revenues of ~$100 million in 2007, so people are buying these made in China products like crazy and the company is financially healthy.
I think of SkyMall like a Brookstone store in mall. Both companies have nothing you NEED only stuff people WANT, best to avoid if you are smart and frugal. Brookstone took in $500 million in 2007!
Sad to see this type of marketing in action, WHAT A WASTE of $600 million every year that could be used to cure cancer or some other noble cause.
April 25th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
When I look through the SkyMall catalog, I laugh. For every single item in it, I already know of a cheaper (or free-as-in-beer, in the case of MAME) alternative.
Turn your next SkyMall experience into a game to see how much better you could do…
April 25th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
This is a total mystery.
Why do you even look at “SkyMall”?
Why do you even fly?
Why don’t you walk?
As I am totally confused, (that’s why I am called a Bozo)
Bozo
April 25th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
If you seriously find yourself being enticed by all sorts of Skymall stuff, it might be time to develop a more critical stance on consumerism, consumer goods, and the motives people have for wanting and spending and acquiring.
One the one hand, sure, it’s fine just to look and lust yet not spend….
But on the other hand, it doesn’t sound really healthy just to stay in that zone. It seems a lot healthier–and more in line with GRS–to see through the crap, the fake “needs” the crap addresses, and the freakish economy that both supports and feeds off of the manufacture and consumption of Stuff.
Yeah, the Stuff is “cool” and sometimes pragmatic, but shouldn’t we strive to “want” a society that doesn’t “need” automatic pet feeding devices and robotic vacuum discs? Isn’t being frugal a bit about returning to simple and less materialistic solutions for everyday problems? And doesn’t that involve developing a frugal mindset that sees so much Stuff as more harm than good?
April 25th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I just have to say, I can’t believe there are this many fans of the brownie pan. I thought I was the only one!!
Seriously though, Skymall is a truly incredible collection of junk. JS is bang on. It’s all the worst bits of the american shopping experience. They should practically rename the catalogue “Things you will buy, use once, then store in your garage for 10 years.”
April 25th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Recently, somebody gave me an emulator that allowed actual arcade game code to be played on a PC. They also gave me 20+ CDs worth of games which covered every arcade game I’d ever heard of.
I wish I could remember the name of the emulator, but I know it’s floating around on the Torrents.
April 25th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
My wife loves the edge pieces of brownies and I have learned the hard way that my half of the pan is in the middle. Last night she came to me and said she thought of an idea on the way home from work. Then, she proceeded to sketch out with a drawing that looks strikingly similar to the skymall product you dog-eared. Crazy!
I guess we won’t be making millions off her invention and will be resigned to get rich slowly…
April 26th, 2009 at 12:44 am
I used to browse the Skymall catalog on flights, and dog-ear the pages with interesting stuff (which mainly interested me as potential gift ideas). Somehow, when I pulled out the catalog at home later, the stuff was never as appealing as it had been when I was on the plane, and I never ordered anything.
April 26th, 2009 at 1:49 am
Now I’m totally confused. What’s an “emulator”. I looked up “to emulate” in the dictionary, and found the definition. However, for the life of me, I could not find “emulator”. I must have an old dictionary.
I am an old fart, so maybe that’s it.
Bozo
PS: My eyes aren’t what they used to be, so bear with me, here. I’m trying to read a dictionary printed in 1963 with teensy, weensy type.
April 26th, 2009 at 2:11 am
LOL…Skymall. I love reading that thing when I’m on the plane. It’s all over-priced stuff, but the gadgets are always fun and interesting to look at (but NOT buy).
I too, always ogled the brownie pan, and knew exactly which one you were writing about.
@ #8, Jess: Great idea! Thanks!
April 26th, 2009 at 5:44 am
Love the mini-muffin pan idea for the brownies! Much cuter than the Sky Mall pan!
I find what I keep getting attracted to in Sky Mall are all the organizing “solutions”, but as I’ve gotten better about getting rid of stuff and not buying crap I don’t need, the desire to buy plastic bins to hold everything diminishes.
Although, thinking about Sky Mall reminded me of a old poster from the London Underground that I love. It seems appropriate to this particular discussion.
http://www.ltmcollection.org/posters/poster/poster.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&IXinv=1992/11&IXsummary=results/results&IXsearchcommissioner=Art%20on%20the%20Underground&_IXFIRST_=83&IXenlarge=1062-79
April 26th, 2009 at 5:47 am
You did the right thing– put it away! I always found those items over priced and avalable elsewhere for less.
April 26th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Bozo,
An emulator is a computer program that runs the source code of another machine such as an Atari console, a Nintendo etc. There are emulators (programs) for just about every old school console out there.
Example, you grab the C64 emulator (program) from the net, they are usually very small in size, (someone took the time to copy the data that makes a C64 a C64 off the ROM chips in the device and save it to a computer file, then they write a program which runs the info on a PC) so your PC is emulating the original hardware. You grab a couple of pieces of the C64 software and run it using the emulation software and it’s like you are sitting in front of a C64, on your PC, usually in window mode, it doesn’t have to take up the whole screen so it’s not a 100% accurate experience but it does work.
(dictionary.com’s definition is: to imitate (a particular computer system) by using a software system, often including a microprogram or another computer that enables it to do the same work, run the same programs, etc., as the first.)
P.S. your whole comment may have been sarcasm that I missed, if that is the case then the jokes on me!
April 26th, 2009 at 5:59 am
OMG Wonder Woman bracelets!!!!!
April 26th, 2009 at 5:59 am
RJ,
Your comment concerns me:
“Yeah, the Stuff is “cool” and sometimes pragmatic, but shouldn’t we strive to “want” a society that doesn’t “need” automatic pet feeding devices and robotic vacuum discs?”
No, I don’t want to remove the wanting from our society. The fact that we live in a country where so much is spent on wants is proof of our success as a country. We don’t want for food, we don’t want for shelter, we don’t want for so many things that we have become a consumer driven, want fulfilling society.
Do I agree with it? NO. Do I participate? NO. Do I plan to do anything other than lead by example when the case of fulfilling wants vs needs comes up? NO. I do try to educate those around me and I preach the Dave Ramsey lifestyle but other than that it’s a live and let live world.
How do you get rid of a want based culture anyway? Laws that limit your spending, laws that limit your consumption? That’s a slippery slope and that’s not what America or Capitalism is about.
I agree with your frustration in that we’ve gone too far with the crap we are willing to buy just to spend some money and feel better about ourselves but you can’t change people, even through laws and regulations, they have to change themselves.
TW
April 26th, 2009 at 6:27 am
I don’t think it’s logistically impossible to create a non want-based culture, because you’re dealing with the hard wiring of our survival instinct. If we lived out in caves, we’d be “wanting” the drier, warmer caves or we’d “want” the softer pine needles to make our beds or the tasty berries instead of the boring roots. Obtaining those wants would allow us to be healthier than our counterparts in the damper, colder caves with the less varied food, which biologically speaking is “better” for a species.
On the surface, wanting a resin statue or an all-edges brownie pan is miles away from wanting a clean dry shelter, but it comes from the same primal need-state, which is why we rationally can say “This is crap that I don’t need to have a happy fulfilled life”, but still (kinda?) want it anyway.
April 26th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Ahh, SkyMall…I’ve actually never bought anything from that thing, I’m also quite the gadget head, my weakness is the Think Geek website. At this point I’ve trained myself to have a little more self-control when wanting to purchase something. The last gadget I bought was a GPS system which I really do need since I am absolutely terrible with directions and I bought it refurbished for 1/3 of retail price. So I still allow myself to indulge but a bit more controlled.
April 26th, 2009 at 8:03 am
My husband and I both enjoy flipping through SkyMall catalogs. He even brings them home for folks who don’t travel at all, but enjoy looking at them. I’ve bought one thing from SkyMall and it’s still awesome. It’s a stainless steel drying rack for dishes. I’ve had it for many years now. It’s well designed, easy to clean, and won’t disintegrate like the wooden one I had previously.
Shirley
April 26th, 2009 at 8:32 am
you crack me up!
I just call it ‘window shopping’ and I too dog-ear the pages of catalogs and such, but if you wait on the ordering long enough usually the order is never placed LOL
However I have been wanting that ‘edge’ pan for YEARS from king arthur since I first saw it there - still holding out - but weakening . . . weakening!
Must be strong . . .
April 26th, 2009 at 8:37 am
I like the middle of the brownies too, like Jenni (#21)!! That pan is no temptation for me. Just spent $400 on several pairs of new sneakers, though — but my feet were killing me, so I think it was necessary. (Nothing to do with Skymall, just an example of spending money and feeling slightly guilty.)
April 26th, 2009 at 8:44 am
I entertain myself on planes by writing commentary all over the SkyMall catalog. Every couple of pages, I’ll write something like, “This is snake oil” or, “A $2 spatula works just as well.” I try to keep it clean in case the next reader is a kid, and I hope it *is* a kid so they will see some written resistance to the assumption that we should buy buy buy this junk!
April 26th, 2009 at 9:31 am
I’m with Jenni, we need a brownie pan with NO edges - market THAT, SkyMall!
April 26th, 2009 at 10:50 am
The money-saving strategy I use when visiting a mall is to limit the amount of money to spend.
This way I make sure that I can buy only one thing per visit and have a simple lunch.
The experience is nice and I usually buy the best product for the price, as I have a limited budget.
April 26th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Flying back from our honeymoon last week, my husband and I also half-seriously considered how cool it would be to have the same arcade game system! That SkyMall catalog has some ridiculous stuff in there that we liked!
April 26th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I guess the Italian equivalent is D-mail: http://www.dmail.it/
You laugh out loud at 20 items you see on it… and then find yourself craving for the 21st - it’s evil!
April 26th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
@TW
I never called for rules or regulations to limit capitalist and materialist expression in the U.S. But now that you mention it, I can’t say I’m entirely opposed to some restrictions that may help conserve energy and other resources.
All I was saying is that, as indivudals, if we find ourselves tempted so easily by things like Skymall, perhaps we have to work harder to develop the critical reaction (aversion?) to junk culture.
It’s one thing to be frugal through techniques, but a very different thing to be frugal through attitude and vision as well as behavior. If frugality is merely a collection of tips and shortcuts, as opposed to a deeply-rooted belief system, then it’s easier for us imperceptibly to lapse back into hyperconsumption and debt.
Many people here have expressed admiration for Skymall products, and yes, many of them do show great feats of human technology and engineering–handmaidens of capitalism. On the other hand, these products can only exist if there’s demand for them; they weren’t created merely for browsing. The paradox of consumerism kicks in here: in order for others to admire these things frugally, many more people have to be shelling out money or a credit line for them. That lessens the appeal of this junk for me.
April 26th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
@RJ,
I know you didn’t call for regulations and the like, I do think that there are some that would support them but you can’t regulate morality or frugality for that matter. I think it’s up to us to lead by example and try to influence those around us but I shudder at the idea of anyone trying to force it via laws etc.
I really like the comment about writing all over the magazine, I think I’ll follow suit the next time I fly.
We are not opposed here, except maybe in how much we’d support the government in an attempt to stem over consumption.
TW
April 26th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Not at all relevant sidenote/shameless plug: JD, you totally should have gone to Miette bakery while in SF! They bake their brownies in individual pans so every brownie has the chewy corners AND a fudgy center. Leave the gadgets to the professionals.
April 26th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
When we are trapped in transit, our mind is looking for amusement, and we must be terribly vulnerable at such a time. Apparently, unhappiness leads to consumer cravings!
I just mentally imagine it arriving, and then finding all sorts of terrible flaws in it…
April 26th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Um, does that mean I shouldn’t tell you about the Skymall “Peaceful Progression Wake Up Clock” on my nightstand?
Yeah, SkyMall is evil.
April 26th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
“Just because you’re on a diet, doesn’t mean you can’t read the menu!”
The fun of perusing SkyMall is to dog-ear the pages for stuff that you never buy (ok, maybe not “never” — I bought the 20 piece Tiger Direct computer adapters set and it’s great!)
April 26th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
“Folk singers can’t really fool with no SkyMall”
-Todd Snider
April 27th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Hey, nothing wrong at looking at that stuff or even thinking you want it- as long as you don’t buy it. I do not shop much here but when I travel, I love to look at very high end stores in NYC, Paris and London. I don’t buy Badgley Mischka(spelling?) or Christian Laboutin(sp -but you know, really fancy shoes)- and most of the stuff has no place in my life(or my body) but I like to look at it. Also I sometimes take Skymall, cut something out and make it into a card with a funny comment. Then I recycle it.
April 27th, 2009 at 6:08 am
JD, it takes time to become apathetic about our consumerist society and all of its (haha) “treasures.” My BF and I are in the process of dropping out, but we still get lured in occasionally. He’s an electronic musician, so for him it’s equipment. I’m an artist and photographer, so for me, it’s equipment, show fees, art supplies, and of course, we both love books and movies.
At least you came to your senses before you bought that birdwatching camera!
Jen M.
April 27th, 2009 at 6:33 am
1. Don’t knock litterbox-hiding furniture or automatic feeding devices. The former has come in very handy for me, as I have multiple cats, and hiding the litterboxes makes our home a more pleasant environment for our guests.
Our litter cabinet was a curbside find that I converted. It’s really easy to do. We have not gotten the latter yet, but we are considering it, because we have a special needs cat who cannot share food with our others. Right now, if we travel overnight, we have to take him with us. If we got him an automatic feeder, he could stay home on those overnighters, and it would save all of us a lot of stress.
2. Catalogs are evil. They are fun to look through, and we do find “wants.” I had a mild victory over one yesterday, however. I get shoe catalog, because my mother once gifted me with shoes from the company that puts this catalog out. I was looking for a pair of black sandals yesterday and was dissatisifed with what was in the catalog, so I went online. I found the pair I want for 1/2 the price of what was in that catalog, PLUS the sandals I found are vegan (the ones in the catalog are not.) I think catalogs make a good starting point when you really have a need for something, but beyond that, they’re just brain candy, as someone said.
3. We do not fly. We either drive or take the train when we travel. I find flight extremely unsustainable from both an environmental and a frugal standpoint. Of course, if we ever need to or choose to travel internationally, we’ll have to make a concession. The nice thing about train travel is the scenery. I find train travel very soothing, and it’s much cheaper, in my experience. (I should note that I’m not crazy–the “we” to which I refer is me and my boyfriend. LOL!)
Jen M.
April 27th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I also like looking at the SkyMall catalog. For me though, I always end up thinking, “Man! I need to think of one of these ideas! The profit margins are probably HUGE on some of these products.” I’ve always wanted an arcade legends type of thing, but I realize the price tag they put on it is waaaaay too high. I’ve been looking into building a MAME box for several years. There are all kinds of plans on the internet and you could build the cabinet yourself. Essentially, all you need is an old computer and you could load far more games on it than you can find on any of these pre-made things on the market. Plus there’s the satisfaction of having made it yourself. I estimate it would probably cost around $500 or so to make–depending on the features you add. But anyway, if that’s something that might interest you, look into it. I always thought it seemed like a fun project.
April 27th, 2009 at 8:54 am
This is definitely a human weakness, no doubt about it! I agree that legislating against it would be counterproductive. For me I’ve just learned to stay away from temptation. I buy a lot less Stuff when I A) put mailbox catalogs in the recycle bin without opening them, B) delete the catalog emails before opening them, and C) don’t open the SkyMall catalog on the plane. I am, however, really enthused about the idea of writing commentary in the margins. Next time I fly, I might just indulge!!!
P.S. I love both the center and the edge brownies. But having an equal-opportunity policy does cause havoc on the waistline…
April 27th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Fortunately for me, I have not been tempted by the wares of the SkyMall. Catalogs of any sort don’t really do it for me because my experience has always been that the item is a cheap quality item and will break within months of owning it. Therefore, I stick with what I can see and touch personally.
But, the point of temptation is not lost on me. I just spent another $35 on DVDs. I was doing quite well for awhile, I hadn’t bought any DVDs at all and then suddenly this wave hits and I’d wager I’ve spent about $200 on DVDs in the last two months. *sigh*
April 27th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I have the brownie pan because I put it on my Amazon wishlist and got it as a Xmas present. I’ll let you borrow it. I have the entire MAME arcade emulator too. And I live in PDX. I’d be happy to share both in exchange for some of Kris’s extra tomato starts!
April 27th, 2009 at 10:11 am
For a great laugh, check out Kasper Hauser’s hilarious parody of the SkyMall catalog:
http://www.kasperhauser.com/skymaul_site/FlipBook.html
Also, I found that canceling my fashion magazine and catalog subscriptions is a great way to want less and therefore buy less.
April 27th, 2009 at 11:06 am
I bought it at SkyMall,
that five mile high mall.
They always have just what I need!
April 27th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I just love the GRS community! It just answered all my questions about Skymall that I never thought to ask!
- How much $$$ does this company make
- Who is buying what…
For me, I usually flip through it before the flight takes off and kind of chuckle at some of the useless items and fantisize about some of the more “practical” items. Buy the time we are taxi-ing the runway the magazine is back in its compartment and by the time we are in flight I’m usually catching a few ZZZzz’s and forget about Skymall until my next flight!
For those that have ordered…I’m curious, do you fill out the order form on the flight (and leave with the flight staff?) or do you have to place your order once you land/return home? The reason I ask is it seems like having to remember to place an order would compel people to forget unless it is something they REALLY want.
April 27th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Yeah, that arcade machine always gets me. But that’s probably the most expensive way to get an arcade cabinet in your home (of course).
Unfortunately even the “inexpensive” DIY options ( http://www.arcadedepot.com , for example), are still quite expensive - over $1000 at the minimum.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Doesn’t the exclusivity enhance people’s buying? i.e., Only those who fly see the SkyMall catalog, so only “we” special people have access to these wonderful products. I bet that temporary mood of “specialness” helps them sell.
I read the SkyMall catalog to appreciate the human genius that creates such a variety of items - and, for the comedy of the prices.
April 28th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I think the most insidious thing about SkyMall is not that it’s there, but the obnoxious things it lists. Seriously, who needs a 50 way back scratcher anyway?
April 29th, 2009 at 8:59 am
All I can think about when SkyMall is mentioned is the comedian Jim Gaffigan. “Hey, buddy, I work for SkyMall and I don’t appreciate you jabbing us!”