tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post7552901428137837605..comments2023-09-22T09:03:09.417-04:00Comments on Townie Bastard: Consumerist?towniebastardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03129158923604362272noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-11191496116655621602009-09-06T15:32:18.095-04:002009-09-06T15:32:18.095-04:00Hi...Well, I'm really glad to have a response ...Hi...Well, I'm really glad to have a response from you and also a "welcome" from Megan. Very Sweet. I was starting to feel funny about reading your blog, as though I might be intruding. I feel bad now, about making that observation about the buying of lots of stuff. I assure you, I wasn't being judgmental in any way...especially since you're also managing to save some. You guys are at that time of life of accumulating things for the future and you have the means to do it. I believe that's what money is for. I know for a fact I would be spending an equal amount on books and trips. I'm older than you and Cathy and, hence, have bought all the "stuff" already. Ultimately, I now tend to spend money on experiences (and delicious food); when I have extra, which ain't too damn often. Anyway, just wanted to say hi...and wish Cathy good luck with her students and you the same with your job search. Excellent commenting on the Beatles new adventure...really kind of an ugly business and not at all conducive to the 60's Beatles and their messages of peace and love. I'm sure the standard rhetoric would have to do with appealing to a new generation, allowing them access, etc. Yeah, that's it. Anyway....thanks. JanetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-7355121764101018482009-09-02T22:00:35.974-04:002009-09-02T22:00:35.974-04:00JH, I wouldn't bother with a Kindle yet. I thi...JH, I wouldn't bother with a Kindle yet. I think it's still a generation or two away from being a truly useful device.<br /><br />I also just wanted to emphasize, again, that I'm not mad with that observation about our lifestyle. It just gave me a moment's pause, which I hardly think is a bad thing. It never hurts to take a moment or two and reevaluate the way you're living and is it a healthy way to go about doing things.towniebastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03129158923604362272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-35972406391621630042009-09-02T21:34:04.783-04:002009-09-02T21:34:04.783-04:00Like you, until we moved North we had never had a ...Like you, until we moved North we had never had a disposable income, and we always struggling with the bills. Just when we thought we were getting ahead down south.... Along came two kids! Two steps forward, one back. For the first (and probably only) time, we are debt free. We have a phone bill and an internet bill. We can put away a sizable amount each pay cheque for a down payment to ease the future mortgage payment. We can even put money into RSPs and RESPs.<br />If our families knew what we spend/buy, they would probably tell us we are wasting an opportunity to save even more. They think our kids already have too much stuff, etc. But the reason we get paid extra money for isolation is because, well, we're isolated! (My closest Wal-mart is 2800 km away). And really, what do all those boredom-induced, gotta have it now trips shopping down south add up to? I think I'm actually saving (relatively) on food up here because I do have to plan a year ahead for the basics and at least a week ahead for food mail. We seem to make healthier choices!<br />And if we get to take our kids to Disney World, well, I can think of worse things to spend our money on - although some might say that is the height of consumerism!<br />Thank you for taking the time to write that post... you've made me think about and my hubby might thank you, too, the next time one of his online purchases arrives at the post office!MKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-82989713417514767662009-09-02T09:27:47.823-04:002009-09-02T09:27:47.823-04:00You (again) make Nunavut sound a bit like my time ...You (again) make Nunavut sound a bit like my time in Africa - even as a student w/out funding I lived better than I ever do in the North (your South). And we splurged a fair bit while on vacation in North America too - there's just so much stuff...and it seems so cheap. But, I think you need to factor in the 'no kids' element. We just don't buy stuff for ourselves anymore at all -- partly just because we never go shopping anymore, and even my on-line time's pretty restricted too....Sara Dormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11062772751850705696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-25143865122891386922009-09-02T06:29:56.441-04:002009-09-02T06:29:56.441-04:00I am suprised you have not gone the Kindle route. ...I am suprised you have not gone the Kindle route. Would it work there? <br /><br />Good luck in the Dominion.JHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10945020920850791837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-65683939010180620342009-09-02T03:33:45.617-04:002009-09-02T03:33:45.617-04:00First, I think "books" and "consume...First, I think "books" and "consumerist" in the same sentence - no. <br /><br />I understand where you're coming from, but keep in mind that you tend to spend like a sport - as in it has a season. You can't buy much in Iqaluit so when you leave you buy a lot and then you live (e.g. read) with it all year. It's like the way you buy a large annual allotment of foodstuff on the sealift whereas most of us go to the grocery store a couple of times a week. Also keep in mind that you tend to write about your purchases quite a bit, partly because you are trying to explain life in Iqaluit (where else in Canada would a person hear about foodmail?)<br /><br />I totally relate to the econo-geographical statements, it's the same thing here in the middle east. We struggled before and now it's all luxury. But some of that luxury is necessary - as in, it's difficult to live in the middle east (and the north) and so you need to go abroad sometimes. They're great experiences you wouldn't have the opportunity for otherwise. Some of the luxury is just plain paid for by others and comes with the territory (no pun intended). I've actually felt guilty about how much we've spent since moving here and yet very little of it is on our tab and, well, beds and stoves are necessities. The company paid for re-location, for our rent, for our appliances & furniture (which we get to keep and they will ship back for us). The only things we've paid for are my pretty new iphone (a birthday present) and a new tv. We've never had a new tv, last one was from the sally anne. I think buying in large doses the way that we do tends to feel much more consumerist than getting stuff regularly and slowly, but it all amounts to the same.<br /><br />You are both hard-working, thoughtful people who have adapted and even enjoy a place that sends many others running for the plane. You think before you buy and those things will last you a long time and will last you even if/when you are ever in a lower income bracket. Make hay while the sun shines.tanker bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09080888329110339975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-67313304281499975072009-09-02T00:45:33.322-04:002009-09-02T00:45:33.322-04:00Welcome, Janet! It's always nice to have peopl...Welcome, Janet! It's always nice to have people from the south reading about our lives in the north. <br /><br />My southern relatives will sometimes say things like "Money means nothing to you". They're reacting to my near-constant willingness to go to restaurants or purchase specialty items when I'm on vacation. This was even more pronounced when I lived in Inuvik (much farther to the north) and would spend at least $1000 every time I went to Wal-Mart. (First lesson after the move to Yellowknife: <i>I can come back tomorrow.</i>)<br /><br />It's just a different sort of consumerism, that's all. We have different spending trends than folks in California. I do understand how it could seem extreme if you weren't used to it.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17013847036123410760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-76835208327483085452009-09-01T23:19:51.640-04:002009-09-01T23:19:51.640-04:00I agree with this post, Townie. Moving here allows...I agree with this post, Townie. Moving here allows you to pamper yourself. You seem grateful for it, I know I am. So what's the problem? I buy nice things for myself that I know I will have a long time. I'm quite young so I'm building my empire of household goods and electronics. Is there something wrong with not wanting to pinch every penny when it's not necessary? There are so many worse things you could spend your money on other than books. At least you're bettering yourself through reading.<br /><br />In the end, who really cares what some random reader thinks? It's your life, we all just live in it.Jaimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09421598387629137548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10757771.post-43796789519708879802009-09-01T21:50:54.253-04:002009-09-01T21:50:54.253-04:00Townie, I bet you will enjoy whatever books you bo...Townie, I bet you will enjoy whatever books you bought during a three day white out this winter. Your reader should look toward Orange County for an even deeper example of consumerism. Spending habits are a value judgement that we all make. I'd let this one go. PaulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com