Ethics and frugality - Page 2

[chel]

we like netflix because of the wider variety. We often watch old seasons of TV shows that you can download (so no waiting for the mail, no driving, and something we can't find in the video store). We have also done movies from our cable service that are the same price of the local video store, but we don't have to drive.

[Ruthla]

I'd stick with the local store. Netflix is going to cost you more than $5 a month for the plan you want- the $5 plan gets you 1 movie at a time, 2 movies total per month. The $10 plan gets you 1 movie at a time, unlimited videos per month. For more money, you get more videos at a time, though I havent' memorized the entire fee schedule.

My guess is that you'll want one of the more expensive plans so you always have a fresh movie to watch, even when the one you just finished is on its way back to Netflix, or the next one in your queue is on its way to you. So maybe Netflix will only save you $10 a month, if anything.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by 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Local video stores are becoming outdated, not just by netflix, also by cable on demand, and the internet.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.

ITA. The local store is not a charity.

[HappyLamb]

Originally Posted by 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).

I agree with this. Like most others on this board, I am a big fan of supporting smaller independents, avoiding big-box stores, and the like. But at the end of the day, I have student loans, mortgage, medical bills, ect... to pay off. If I can support a local business for a smaller amount more ($2.59 vs. $2.95) at the health food store is one thing, but this sounds like a considerable chunk of change.
like aqua said, you're not running a charity distribution fund.

[AuntNi]

Originally Posted by Pancakes

I'd pay 34 dollars per week just for the extra time added to my schedule!

:
When DH and I get seriously into a TV series on DVD, we can totally watch 4 DVDs a week.

We've had a Netflix membership off and on for 2-3 years. One thing we've noticed is at some point, they start "throttling" you. They say it's unlimited, but it's really not. If they start thinking they're losing money on you, they'll hold your new movies for a day or two, so you might be lucky to get 4 movies a week. That's something to keep in mind when making your decision.

I went through this same quandary last year, but it was regarding my local scrapbook store. My job has been very uncertain, and we have cc debt, so I had to cut my spending waaaay back. I just stopped going there, cold turkey. I used to visit there maybe 3x/week, now it's more like once every 3 months. If I see something I need someplace cheaper, I buy it. If they don't have something I need, I buy it online. I decided my loyalty needed to be to my family's finances, not to a local store, no matter how much I love it. When they would inquire, "Where've you been? We've missed you," I just replied that I've been using what I have on hand. As my brother always says, "I didn't take them to raise!" And truthfully, back in the day, I was contributing *plenty* to their bottom line. It's somebody else's turn now.

[allborntogrow]

Originally Posted by 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!

We stay up late!