Ethics and frugality

[allborntogrow]

I have a burning question . . .

Hubby and I rent four movies a week. Our local independent video store (which we love and that has a huge selection) does four for two sunday through monday and you get to keep the movies for a week. So we end up spending about 34 dollars per week on videos.

Netflix is significantly less.

I can't wrap my idea around it, though. I don't have any problems with Netflix - in fact, if I wasn't a block away from a great video store that I've been patronizing for nearly 20 years (since childhood) that I would miss dearly if it were to close down I wouldn't even think twice. However, even the extra 19 dollars netflix would provide us would be helpful.

What would you do in this situation? I sense I would feel guilty about switching to Netflix, but money is money and there's no denying that . . .

Thanks in advance for any and all help!!!

[Sharlla]

McD's has that video rental box $1 per night new releases. Or you could do blockbuster or hollywood video for $10 on up a month for unlimited rentals. I can't imagine paying $8.50 a movie. Heck for that much you can buy a used DVD.

[Fujiko]

I costs $34 to rent four videos? Are they made of gold? Or am I misunderstanding?

If I'm not, then I'm sorry but that's a crazy business, and you should rent from Netflix.

[akwifeandmomma]

$34 per week? Or did you mean per month?

Maybe you could do Netflix for your main movie renting, and still go to the video store for those inbetween times. We still go to blockbuster on occasion, those times when we want a video and our netflix movies are in transit...

[EmsMom]

I kind of agree that $34 a week (or even a month) seems like a lot to spend on videos. But I also hear you on the independently owned part. I try to support small business too. Maybe you could ask them to come up with a different plan? Or you could possibly just cut your use of them in half if you wanted to save money. Personally, I have a 2 disc a month plan at Netflix and that is just because they offer video that would be impossible to get elsewhere (old PBS shows, documentaries, etc.), at least around here.

[swimswamswum]

We spend more to go to our local video store (I'm not sure if it's as much as you spend, ours has coupons and daily rental specials). The place is amazing and sponsors our community's annual film festival. I think that if you can afford it, you should support the local place. Perhaps you can rent fewer movies or supplement them with movies from the library? I am really of the mindset that you should buy splurges and treats and other things that you don't need ethically. I think it would be great if we bought everything ethically, but I understand that sometimes people can't afford to. If we don't support local places, they will go out of business and all we'll be left with is homogenization.

[Scribe]

How about keeping your local store and reducing the number of movies you rent to match the Netflix price? Good on you for supporting a local business. If I had a local store here, I'd definitely give up Netflix.

[mightymoo]

Local video stores are becoming outdated, not just by netflix, also by cable on demand, and the internet. I don't see the point of spending more of my own money to try to postpone the inevitable. Even our Blockbuster video closed down in my town.

[spiderdust]

I'm just fainting over the idea of $34 per WEEK on videos!

[allborntogrow]

OH I'm such a fool and unable to communicate . . . $34 a MONTH gets four movies a WEEK for the whole month!

Eight dollars and fifty cents gets you FOUR movies for a week.

Does that change anyone's ideas? If it was $34 a week you could be certain that I would have signed up for netflix yesterday!!!

[p1gg1e]

I say keep going local. Its a big price difference BUT your supporting a local small business. Maybe cut back to half and do the library for the other?

[spiderdust]

Ditto. Get 4 movies a week, but only every other week.

[MorganRiley]

34 a month is still alot

you can only watch one movie at a time...(unless you have multiple tv's and watch alone?)

we pay 15 a month for 2 at a time at hollywood video

the mcd's red box $1 per movie rental is a good deal BUT

1. gas running back and forth
2. if you dont return within 24 hours they charge you more

[dharmamama]

I'd say cut back on the number of movies you rent from the local place and supplement with the library.

dm

[Fujiko]

Hon, don't feel personally responsible for the well-being of someone else's business, especially if it costs you a lot of money. You need to do what's right for you and your family (whatever you decide that will be; there's a lot of great suggestions here).

[Mosaic]

Ya' know, if it's a local joint, and they know you well... I wouldn't be above approaching them and saying, "We're considering switching to Netflix to save $19/month. Since we are longtime, frequent customers, can we set up a deal?" Chances are they'll take you up on it or cut you some kind of bargain; and if they say no, at least you know you tried!

[carfreemama]

Just want to chime in here that 'local' does not always equal 'ethical.' We have a good friend who tried to start a union at the local hip, trendy video store and they broke every labour law in the book. He ended up losing his job. To this day they pay less than the other chain stores and are generally rotten to work for. They have way better selection, but I refuse to shop there. It rots my socks that they're still doing well.

I am big on unions and fair trade. Sometimes local businesses are great, sometimes not. But in my town, many of them cry that they can't afford to pay benefits or even anything above minimum wage BECAUSE they're local, small, blah, blah, blah. But everyone wants to support them because they're independent. I guess it depends on your definition of ethical.

Not that I'm a big fan of chain stores...

[Gwendolyn's babies]

I would go the library route.

I wish I had the time to watch movies. It seems I only get to watch an occassionaly "kid movie" with the kiddos.

[Pancakes]

I'd probably stay local, but that's just me.

I'm just amazed that you can find time to watch 4 movies a week. I'd pay 34 dollars per week just for the extra time added to my schedule!

[Smokering]

Do you happen to have a friend with a big DVD collection? I do, and she's very generous about lending, so we haven't hired a DVD for ages! Sometimes the DVDs she brings over aren't what I would have chosen myself, but they're usually good anyway, so it expands our horizons. Ask around and maybe you can borrow a few weeks' worth for free!