I used to order stuff from Amazon.com. Even with the inflated dollar a couple years back, it was still a better deal than buying from Amazon.ca. Music for $10, movies for $15, it was a steal! Video games used to be a part of that deal, but then Amazon.com stopped shipping to Canada. I always thought it was kind of strange that they would do that. Oh, well, at least movies and music were still available, and you can take advantage of the Super Saver Shipping, which is free. Ever since the Canadian dollar has been on par with the US dollar, it’s never been a better time to buy from the neighbor across the border. Until now.
Enchanted came out on DVD and Blu-Ray last week, and I made the decision to buy the Blu-Ray version – after all, the movie surpassed my expectations and I need more Blu-Ray movies in my collection. Unfortunately, Blu-Ray movies cost as much as DVDs did back in 1999. It’s ridiculous! So, I checked Amazon.com and found it for $24. While it’s only cheaper by $6, it’s about the same price as new DVDs in Canada. So, I added it to my cart, and Super Saver Shipping only takes effect on orders over $30. No big deal, I’ll just add a book I’ve always wanted – did it, went to Checkout, and lo and behold – Super Saver Shipping is not available to Canada anymore. Holy crap, somebody take a shotgun and shoot these mofos. Now, if I add shipping to the order, I’m right back where I started and I may as well buy the movie from downtown. So, I did. Eat monkey dung, Amazon.com!
So, Esmond’s been pining away for that Frostmourne sword replica that Blizzard released recently. For all you non-gamers out there, Frostmourne is the sword that Prince Arthas used in WarCraft III and World of WarCraft. However, the replica costs $379. Yowza. Anyway, Mom was going to go thirders on it (as opposed to halfers), so I decided to pitch in my third and let Esmond cover the rest when he gets back from Winnipeg – which is the end of next month, I should add! So, I preordered that bizzatch.
Gadget time. I went to Staples to get some extra goodies, now that I have a Staples card (and 6 months of no payments or interest – it helps to be on a budget). I ended up getting the Microsoft Sidewinder Mouse, an XBox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows, an 80 GB iPod Classic, and a second Acer X223w 22″ widescreen LCD monitor. Yes, a second one. Why? Because I’m going dual-screen, baby! Haven’t quite figured out how I want to set it up, but I was kind of hoping to stack them, instead of the traditional horizontal configuration. Sounds cool, eh?
As for the new iPod, I wanted to upgrade because: (a) I need more disk space, (b) I hate the iPod Touch, and (c) Esmond gets an upgrade to a 30 GB iPod. I swear, a lot of my buying decisions are Esmond-centric, because I keep thinking about what other gadget of mine Esmond would get. Although I don’t really need one, I’m getting a new cell phone in May when my contract expires so that he can have my Moto Q.
“Okay, wait a tick,” you’re probably asking. “How the hell can you afford to buy so much crap when you’re on a budget? Is it really a budget at all?”
The answer is yes to both of your questions. I know that makes no sense, but that’s okay. The budget plan I’m on is simply two budgets: my job at Vale Inco earns me the most income. That income is roughly $2600 a month. Some of it goes into minor bills, like cell phone, internet, 900 number phone sex, and car insurance. The rest goes into the major loans, like RRSPs, a consolidation loan, and a car loan. I work at my parents’ restaurant after work, including weekends and excluding Mondays (because Garfield HATES Mondays). I also fix computers on the side (though I haven’t been getting paid for that recently). Since I don’t get a salary, I have to guesstimate my income, so I set it to $1250 a month. This money goes into all my non-essential bills and spending money. For some strange reason, food falls into this category, but that’s mainly because I mooch off the restaurant and rarely ever need to buy groceries. So, with $1250 a month to play with, and no rent to pay, you can see why I can afford stuff. The only drawback – I live with my parents and I work way too much. A small price to pay, until I start burning out.
Megan is moving to Winnipeg. I helped her pack up last weekend, and will probably get the rest done tomorrow. If not, there’s always next weekend. Either way, she’s damn lucky to be getting out of this town. I guess it helps to be frugal, but I can’t give up my toys. I think that if I ever move to Winnipeg, I’ll probably still be working two jobs, budgeting like crazy, starting a 900 number phone sex service, or going into another career.
