Thinking in pounds
#1
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Joined: Jan 2005
Location: back in Gods own country..
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Thinking in pounds
How long was it before you stopped converting everything you bought in dollars back into pounds, do you still do it, did you never do it? Do you thnk of a dollar in the same way you thought of a pound..i.e if something was only 10 quid do you now think its only 10 bucks??
Initially we converted everything and everything was so cheap but now I don't, things actually aren't much cheaper, and are roughly the same, a packet of cigs was about 4.80 back home, in our local Vons they cost $4.60, as we are paid in dollars that still makes them pretty expensive..
Initially we converted everything and everything was so cheap but now I don't, things actually aren't much cheaper, and are roughly the same, a packet of cigs was about 4.80 back home, in our local Vons they cost $4.60, as we are paid in dollars that still makes them pretty expensive..
#2
Re: Thinking in pounds
Done it only this week end. I do it as a yard stick for 'quality' purposes. I bought a pair of trousers this week end which I thought were quality and converted back into pounds and comparing it with what I used to pay in the UK. Based on the calc I thought I got a good deal. But you are right one should think in dollars.
#3
Re: Thinking in pounds
Doesn't work.
Think instead: How long do I have to work to buy X?
If you want to compare with another country, do a similar comparison with that country.
Think instead: How long do I have to work to buy X?
If you want to compare with another country, do a similar comparison with that country.
#4
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Re: Thinking in pounds
Never converted to pounds as I've lived abroad before. My wife, on the other hand, still converts to pounds and WILL NOT BLOODY ACCEPT THAT A DOLLAR IS A GODDAM DOLLAR SINCE WE LIVE HERE, EAT HERE, WORK HERE AND SHIT HERE!! The amount of arguments we've had along the lines of:
Her: "Ooh thats cheap...only 50 quid"
Me: "its a $100 dollars dear"
Her: "Not its only the same as about 50 quid...very cheap."
Me: "NO! ITS 100 DOLLARS. IT IS NOT CHEAP!"
Her: "DONT SHOUT AT ME! ITS 50 QUID!"
Me: 'Wheres my gun woman..."
Her: "Ooh thats cheap...only 50 quid"
Me: "its a $100 dollars dear"
Her: "Not its only the same as about 50 quid...very cheap."
Me: "NO! ITS 100 DOLLARS. IT IS NOT CHEAP!"
Her: "DONT SHOUT AT ME! ITS 50 QUID!"
Me: 'Wheres my gun woman..."
#5
Re: Thinking in pounds
I used to but only while i still had money in my UK account. Since I work for $$$ I try to see things in $$ too .. however sometimes when I get a realllll bargain I convert it back and wonder if I would have found it in the UK for that price.
Jan
Jan
#6
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,174
Re: Thinking in pounds
Originally Posted by fatbrit
Doesn't work.
Think instead: How long do I have to work to buy X?
Think instead: How long do I have to work to buy X?
Definitely worth reading!
(As is Allen Carr's easy way to stop smoking; Availability: Usually ships within 1-2 business days.7 used & new from $13.95 )
#7
Re: Thinking in pounds
Originally Posted by woodsey
How long was it before you stopped converting everything you bought in dollars back into pounds, do you still do it, did you never do it? ..
#8
Re: Thinking in pounds
Originally Posted by DonnaElvira
Have you read 'Your Money or Your Life' by any chance?
Definitely worth reading!
(As is Allen Carr's easy way to stop smoking; Availability: Usually ships within 1-2 business days.7 used & new from $13.95 )
Definitely worth reading!
(As is Allen Carr's easy way to stop smoking; Availability: Usually ships within 1-2 business days.7 used & new from $13.95 )
Nope -- I've just lived in so many places I gave up after the first one!
#9
Re: Thinking in pounds
Only when I was here on holiday...it don't work if your gettin' a kack US salary because when you convert that, it'll only depress you....it's like for like unless your salary is coming from abroad.
#10
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 857
Re: Thinking in pounds
Sometimes I do - but mostly I just look at the price and if I would pay that in pounds then I figure it's good value for money!
#11
Re: Thinking in pounds
I still convert from dollars to pounds especially when buying electrical items and occasionally when filling up with petrol makes you feel quite smug especially when relatives in the UK tell you how much petrol is in the UK
#12
Re: Thinking in pounds
I sort of use a quasi exchange rate like it used to be, i.e. 1 pound to 1.5 dollars seems about fair based on values of things.
#13
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Re: Thinking in pounds
Originally Posted by Dan725
I sort of use a quasi exchange rate like it used to be, i.e. 1 pound to 1.5 dollars seems about fair based on values of things.
But completely wrong either way you look at it. I know, lets juts pick an arbitary divisor, apply it to everything we buy and hey presto! A suitable price. You're not an accountant or politician by any chance are you Dan?
Personally I like to think in Tukish lira...that way im multi-billionare and my $32k car only cost me the equivalent of a pack of silk cut and half a bottle of cheap wine.
#14
Mr. Grumpy
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3,100
Re: Thinking in pounds
the only time i convert now is if i'm trying to justify an expensive purchase
converting to pounds helps me rationalise the value and con myself that it is cheap!
converting to pounds helps me rationalise the value and con myself that it is cheap!
#15
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Location: back in Gods own country..
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Re: Thinking in pounds
Originally Posted by BritGuyTN
the only time i convert now is if i'm trying to justify an expensive purchase
converting to pounds helps me rationalise the value and con myself that it is cheap!
converting to pounds helps me rationalise the value and con myself that it is cheap!