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I’m often amused at products that make their way into articles in the Wall Street Journal, and I wonder, “Really? Someone would pay that much money for that?”
What do you think of these beach paddle ball sets?
You could buy a purely functional version of a beach paddleball set for as little as $10, but the nice wooden set on the right is from Amazon for about $70. Shockingly, the nearly identical (it appears to me) product on the left goes for $801. $801 for a $10 paddle ball set?
I don’t know anyone who has the $801 version, so I don’t know the motivation. I can only presume that for some people there’s value in paying a really high price for something.
Not me, but on the other hand, I’m not as frugal as Andy Janovich that I wrote about yesterday. If I had his money, I’d certainly have a vehicle newer than his 2000 model pickup (and my cars are newer than his!).
I have to remind myself that there are no “points” for my NOT spending $801 for a $10 paddle ball set. I am responsible to use the money I do have wisely.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13.5, NIV)
Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12.15, NIV)
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? (Luke 16.10 – 12, NIV)
I do try to discern between want versus need in the purchases I make. I do wonder why people buy the super expensive items when a less costly will do the job just as well. I’m guessing it’s a status symbol thing.
Now, I did just indulge in buying a new jeweler’s bench. I wanted something I would use every day and have it be a nice reminder of my graduation from the workforce. The bench I currently use is a student model, ten years old. It’s functional yet it lacks storage and a larger work surface I would like. It’s a reward for how far I feel I have come as an artist. Added bonus, I can use the student bench when I am ready to teach. That’s a win-win for me.
Sounds like a wise purchase to me! Professionals have the right tools and an appropriate work environment.