Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Sep 15th 2006, 10:16 pm
#1
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Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
I was in Aldi yesterday and spotted a welding kit for A$99 and grabbed it. (I did also get the 99c bar of chocolate I actually went in for!)
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
So far so normal.
I then absorb the number 40. "40 notes" ... "or less than a couple of hours work" or something else which lets me "feel" a $40 hit instead of a $99 hit. I know that it costs $99, but the "emotional" cost is the same as a $40 spend. My "gut feeling" "spending warning system" now reckons I've still got an extra $60 sitting in the bank balance which I may be in danger of spending.
This is one I need to watch out for. Head and heart not working together.
(Especially as my boss wants to offload a 18.5' 200HP boat on me for A$6000!)
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
So far so normal.
I then absorb the number 40. "40 notes" ... "or less than a couple of hours work" or something else which lets me "feel" a $40 hit instead of a $99 hit. I know that it costs $99, but the "emotional" cost is the same as a $40 spend. My "gut feeling" "spending warning system" now reckons I've still got an extra $60 sitting in the bank balance which I may be in danger of spending.
This is one I need to watch out for. Head and heart not working together.
(Especially as my boss wants to offload a 18.5' 200HP boat on me for A$6000!)
Sep 15th 2006, 10:23 pm
#2
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Originally Posted by CHnJ
I was in Aldi yesterday and spotted a welding kit for A$99 and grabbed it. (I did also get the 99c bar of chocolate I actually went in for!)
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
So far so normal.
I then absorb the number 40. "40 notes" ... "or less than a couple of hours work" or something else which lets me "feel" a $40 hit instead of a $99 hit. I know that it costs $99, but the "emotional" cost is the same as a $40 spend. My "gut feeling" "spending warning system" now reckons I've still got an extra $60 sitting in the bank balance which I may be in danger of spending.
This is one I need to watch out for. Head and heart not working together.
(Especially as my boss wants to offload a 18.5' 200HP boat on me for A$6000!)
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
So far so normal.
I then absorb the number 40. "40 notes" ... "or less than a couple of hours work" or something else which lets me "feel" a $40 hit instead of a $99 hit. I know that it costs $99, but the "emotional" cost is the same as a $40 spend. My "gut feeling" "spending warning system" now reckons I've still got an extra $60 sitting in the bank balance which I may be in danger of spending.
This is one I need to watch out for. Head and heart not working together.
(Especially as my boss wants to offload a 18.5' 200HP boat on me for A$6000!)
that sounds sooooo familiar
Sep 15th 2006, 11:06 pm
#3
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
[QUOTE=CHnJ]I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
QUOTE]
I must admit this does sound very familiar!!! Even after 3 years here. If I spot something I would really like to buy (but know I shouldn't) this is my prime time to convert to pounds to justify to myself (or hubby) how good a bargain it really is!! He is slowly catching on - but I will string it out for as long as I can. hehe.
Julie
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
QUOTE]
I must admit this does sound very familiar!!! Even after 3 years here. If I spot something I would really like to buy (but know I shouldn't) this is my prime time to convert to pounds to justify to myself (or hubby) how good a bargain it really is!! He is slowly catching on - but I will string it out for as long as I can. hehe.
Julie
Sep 15th 2006, 11:11 pm
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
[QUOTE=Macquarie]
LOL ... it's the second step that's the killer though! £40 is harder to come by than $40! We've been here for 2 years and I don't know how I'm going to get rid of this particular habit of mind. : )
<I just know I'm going to buy the boat ... and I have NO rational explantation to help me justify that!>
Originally Posted by CHnJ
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
QUOTE]
I must admit this does sound very familiar!!! Even after 3 years here. If I spot something I would really like to buy (but know I shouldn't) this is my prime time to convert to pounds to justify to myself (or hubby) how good a bargain it really is!! He is slowly catching on - but I will string it out for as long as I can. hehe.
Julie
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
QUOTE]
I must admit this does sound very familiar!!! Even after 3 years here. If I spot something I would really like to buy (but know I shouldn't) this is my prime time to convert to pounds to justify to myself (or hubby) how good a bargain it really is!! He is slowly catching on - but I will string it out for as long as I can. hehe.
Julie
<I just know I'm going to buy the boat ... and I have NO rational explantation to help me justify that!>
Sep 15th 2006, 11:59 pm
#5
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Originally Posted by CHnJ
I was in Aldi yesterday and spotted a welding kit for A$99 and grabbed it. (I did also get the 99c bar of chocolate I actually went in for!)
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
So far so normal.
I then absorb the number 40. "40 notes" ... "or less than a couple of hours work" or something else which lets me "feel" a $40 hit instead of a $99 hit. I know that it costs $99, but the "emotional" cost is the same as a $40 spend. My "gut feeling" "spending warning system" now reckons I've still got an extra $60 sitting in the bank balance which I may be in danger of spending.
This is one I need to watch out for. Head and heart not working together.
(Especially as my boss wants to offload a 18.5' 200HP boat on me for A$6000!)
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
So far so normal.
I then absorb the number 40. "40 notes" ... "or less than a couple of hours work" or something else which lets me "feel" a $40 hit instead of a $99 hit. I know that it costs $99, but the "emotional" cost is the same as a $40 spend. My "gut feeling" "spending warning system" now reckons I've still got an extra $60 sitting in the bank balance which I may be in danger of spending.
This is one I need to watch out for. Head and heart not working together.
(Especially as my boss wants to offload a 18.5' 200HP boat on me for A$6000!)
You too? <g>
Sep 16th 2006, 12:03 am
#6
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
OMG - thats me 18 months in. I jump from being tight and not wanting to spend $10 bucks on a really big plastic container - to converting to £'s for a more desirable purchase.
God help us all.
Tracey.
God help us all.
Tracey.
Sep 16th 2006, 1:01 am
#7
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Originally Posted by CHnJ
(Especially as my boss wants to offload a 18.5' 200HP boat on me for A$6000!)
£1250 for a boat.........thats all
Sep 16th 2006, 5:53 am
#8
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
The thing is though if you don't buy it when you see it chances are it won't be there next time you have a look. So what the heck just buy it 
Sep 16th 2006, 6:04 am
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Originally Posted by Mrs Rangersman
The thing is though if you don't buy it when you see it chances are it won't be there next time you have a look. So what the heck just buy it
Sep 16th 2006, 9:31 am
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Originally Posted by Rachel & Paul
If your in SA i'll go halves on the boat with ya!! £1250 for a boat.........thats all
£1250 for a boat.........thats all
Sep 16th 2006, 9:49 am
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Originally Posted by CHnJ
I was in Aldi yesterday and spotted a welding kit for A$99 and grabbed it. (I did also get the 99c bar of chocolate I actually went in for!)
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
So far so normal.
I then absorb the number 40. "40 notes" ... "or less than a couple of hours work" or something else which lets me "feel" a $40 hit instead of a $99 hit. I know that it costs $99, but the "emotional" cost is the same as a $40 spend. My "gut feeling" "spending warning system" now reckons I've still got an extra $60 sitting in the bank balance which I may be in danger of spending.
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
So far so normal.
I then absorb the number 40. "40 notes" ... "or less than a couple of hours work" or something else which lets me "feel" a $40 hit instead of a $99 hit. I know that it costs $99, but the "emotional" cost is the same as a $40 spend. My "gut feeling" "spending warning system" now reckons I've still got an extra $60 sitting in the bank balance which I may be in danger of spending.
I have never fallen foul of this because I know the real 'exchange rate' I should be using based on my own calculations. In fact, I don't do the conversion at all now, and now I think about it, haven't in a few years. I think it was when I got my first job or stopped spending money coming out of a sterling account.
Lots of GMC gear makes you feel you're getting something for nothing - or the 'XU1' (?) 15 buck sanders and drills inthe Big Green shed.
Last edited by BadgeIsBack; Sep 16th 2006 at 9:51 am.
Sep 16th 2006, 11:07 am
#12
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack
Have to completely disagree with you there, old boy. First time for everything, eh.
I have never fallen foul of this because I know the real 'exchange rate' I should be using based on my own calculations. In fact, I don't do the conversion at all now, and now I think about it, haven't in a few years. I think it was when I got my first job or stopped spending money coming out of a sterling account.
Lots of GMC gear makes you feel you're getting something for nothing - or the 'XU1' (?) 15 buck sanders and drills inthe Big Green shed.
I have never fallen foul of this because I know the real 'exchange rate' I should be using based on my own calculations. In fact, I don't do the conversion at all now, and now I think about it, haven't in a few years. I think it was when I got my first job or stopped spending money coming out of a sterling account.
Lots of GMC gear makes you feel you're getting something for nothing - or the 'XU1' (?) 15 buck sanders and drills inthe Big Green shed.
I fear the money + emotion thing must be my feminine side coming out though!
Sep 16th 2006, 11:16 am
#13
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Originally Posted by CHnJ
I was in Aldi yesterday and spotted a welding kit for A$99 and grabbed it. (I did also get the 99c bar of chocolate I actually went in for!)
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
So far so normal.
I then absorb the number 40. "40 notes" ... "or less than a couple of hours work" or something else which lets me "feel" a $40 hit instead of a $99 hit. I know that it costs $99, but the "emotional" cost is the same as a $40 spend. My "gut feeling" "spending warning system" now reckons I've still got an extra $60 sitting in the bank balance which I may be in danger of spending.
This is one I need to watch out for. Head and heart not working together.
(Especially as my boss wants to offload a 18.5' 200HP boat on me for A$6000!)
I caught myself in a mental trap that I now realise I do with any purchase I need to justify to myself.
"Hmm ... $99 wow, that's cheap. But hang on, in pounds that would only £40"
So far so normal.
I then absorb the number 40. "40 notes" ... "or less than a couple of hours work" or something else which lets me "feel" a $40 hit instead of a $99 hit. I know that it costs $99, but the "emotional" cost is the same as a $40 spend. My "gut feeling" "spending warning system" now reckons I've still got an extra $60 sitting in the bank balance which I may be in danger of spending.
This is one I need to watch out for. Head and heart not working together.
(Especially as my boss wants to offload a 18.5' 200HP boat on me for A$6000!)
aldi are in Aus !?!
cheap German chocolate / coffee - both very good and not forgetting `Eruption` Aftershave or is that Lidl
Sep 16th 2006, 12:05 pm
#14
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Originally Posted by CHnJ
I confess to being a fan of XU1 type tools. It gets me a tool I wouldn't otherwise have. If I hash it up while I'm learning then it's not a drama, whereas bending something by Makita would cause a twinge or two. When a quality tool is needed for safety and efficacy I'll buy it ... for example, I chose a Stihl for my chainsaw.
I fear the money + emotion thing must be my feminine side coming out though!
I fear the money + emotion thing must be my feminine side coming out though!
Sep 16th 2006, 1:26 pm
#15
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Re: Uh oh. I've just noticed something that living in Oz does to a Brit.
Originally Posted by CHnJ
I confess to being a fan of XU1 type tools. It gets me a tool I wouldn't otherwise have. If I hash it up while I'm learning then it's not a drama, whereas bending something by Makita would cause a twinge or two. When a quality tool is needed for safety and efficacy I'll buy it ... for example, I chose a Stihl for my chainsaw.
I fear the money + emotion thing must be my feminine side coming out though!
I fear the money + emotion thing must be my feminine side coming out though!
I've shelled out for GMC and Ryobi as starters - the Xu1 drill I bought 2 years took so long to charge, I didn't even use it and promptly replaced it with a $50 buck GMC which seemed like a rolls-royce in comparison!
I got a Stihl new though - decided you couldn't skimp on chainsaws - got the 45cc 18" Stihl 25/250? and keep it sharpened in between outings.
I love Makita - I've got their 'cheap' $120 corded drill made in England. Love it. Might get a sander or a router next. I've also had my eye on the special GMC thicknesser at $200 or so. Not many left in Melbourne now. I still need a compressor which I have yet to really, really justify and now a dust collection system.
What's your thoughts on table saws. I've been making do with an old Mk3 Triton - today I used it in crosscut mode - and I liked the results - cutting more than one piece at a time to get them all the same length. infact I do more crosscutting than ripping so may leave it like that.