Unnessecary Purchases?

[Dent]

I do have a job, which is great, All of you are completely right, I should be buying equipment, I earned this money and I deserve to spend it. For all my hard work I deserve new equipment.

I cant persay gamble, but say for example making bets for hockey games etc.

Im going to go get some irons after this.

I do have a college fund as well, so I think I'm safe, I have alot of money in there.

[TinCupTampa]

If had had to pinpoint the two best "Unnecessary Purchases" i would list them as follows:

1) Sky Caddie... this has helped immensely... words cant even describe how much it will help your game.

2) Starter set of clubs for my girlfriend. Now she is addicted and always wants to go to the golf store to look for new outfits. I never get yelled at for wanting to go golfing now and she is getting an idea on what I want and/or need so she can shop for me too. It was quite the investment.

[Shindig]

I do have a job, which is great, All of you are completely right, I should be buying equipment, I earned this money and I deserve to spend it. For all my hard work I deserve new equipment.

As long as you're putting aside a percentage of your income for later, you should be fine. I enjoyed spending when I was in high school (although I didnt play golf, I did play cards and a few tabletop games), and I still saved thousands for later. I'm still in school 8.5 months of the year and I still save good money... and I golf.

So: 1. Yes, you should enjoy the money you earn. 2. You should save some of the money you earn to enjoy later. It sounds like you're already doing that, as was I at your age. I call it my "F.U." fund - so if I ever find myself needing to say that, I won't be suddenly bankrupt. In my mind, there are very few joys in life (except maybe an ace, but I wouldn't know) greater than knowing I won't be stuck permanently in a job I'll hate, should that ever crop up. 3. I would suggest avoiding large impulse buys because you want to make sure you're getting the right equipment (equipment that works and that you'll enjoy). When I bought my ten Mizunos in April, I was tempted to get a fairway wood and a CLK too, but I had never demoed them. Now I realize I don't need them right away, but might want them for Xmas. So I can figure out what I want then, and get the right things. But it sounds like you're already doing this, too. 4. You sound like you're far more financial secure than a large fraction of people your age, even after the purchases you described earlier in the thread. Congrats.

[golf_junkie27]

This is a great thread, Dent. Just look at my sig. I have a two, 3W I don't need and two sets of irons that I use, sparingly. I have two wedges collecting dust and 3 Dozen NXT Tour Balls sitting in a box. Not to mention 100 Nike Platinum Ones in a shoe box. The problem for me is Ebay. I find too many deals that I can't pass up.

I've stopped for fear of the Queen of the Castle. I'm afraid if I purchase anything that UPS box is going to find itself upside my head.

[Dent]

As long as you're putting aside a percentage of your income for later, you should be fine. I enjoyed spending when I was in high school (although I didnt play golf, I did play cards and a few tabletop games), and I still saved thousands for later. I'm still in school 8.5 months of the year and I still save good money... and I golf.

Thank you Shindig, and Yes, I do have to admit, I am pretty financially secure, I have a savings account setup with online banking that automatically puts a certain ammount from my spending account into there once a month, which is for a vehicle. I also have a college fund, which has been running for about 5 years.

I also get payed more than I spend. I just bought this putter and still have money in the bank (in the hundreds), plus the paycheck I will get tomorrow.

This is a great thread, Dent. Just look at my sig. I have a two, 3W I don't need and two sets of irons that I use, sparingly. I have two wedges collecting dust and 3 Dozen NXT Tour Balls sitting in a box. Not to mention 100 Nike Platinum Ones in a shoe box. The problem for me is Ebay. I find too many deals that I can't pass up.

Time to put those balls to good use, Sell all those unwanted clubs on ebay, that could get you some money back.

[Ruckus]

This is consumerism in America. If it wasn't golf equipment, for me it would be something else. Anyone with a marketing degree or at least some understanding of marketing can tell you that this is not an unusual phenomenon... it's marketing and advertising doing its job. As a psychologist, I can give you a thousand reasons why we do this, but that likely won't stop us from spending money for things we don't need. I believe the correct term, in our case, is being a golf ho (stolen from golfwrx site).

P.S. I have a wife... that doesn't stop me. Maybe kids would help

[Dent]

This is consumerism in America. If it wasn't golf equipment, for me it would be something else. Anyone with a marketing degree or at least some understanding of marketing can tell you that this is not an unusual phenomenon... it's marketing and advertising doing its job. As a psychologist, I can give you a thousand reasons why we do this, but that likely won't stop us from spending money for things we don't need. I believe the correct term, in our case, is being a golf ho (stolen from golfwrx site).

I definatly have to agree, I never thought the advertising would ever do a number, but with all this new technology in everything, I gave in. Obviouslly i mostly buy it for the performance but....

buying it for the bag to look nice as well doesnt hurt...

[Lange]

Being a friend/golfing buddy of Dent's i to have found myself in the same situation, yet if i have the money sometimes it's worth to spend some cash to get these clubs or accessories. Me also being a hockey fan i have always been in the situation where it seems there is always something to buy. It's just something you end up adjusting to and with the right sence and advice you can still save money for future.

[TCCcaddie]

One "problem" i think about golf that is different fro other sports is that there are so many options of brands and clubs and different variations on those clubs. There are soo many accessories and other products that we can buy in golf wheich is different from other sports like baseball where you only have a bat and a glove.

I put problem i quotes because i dont really think its a problem....because its wayy to fun to be a problem.

[Dent]

Agreed, also even more products are coming out with the new Golf Invention show that is airing on T.V (not sure if thats finished or not) but it is sure bringing out new ideas, that Entrepenuers would love to endorse and make a reality.

[Shindig]

P.S. I have a wife... that doesn't stop me. Maybe kids would help

Having kids to keep you from buying golf equipment is the wrong reason to have kids.

Having kids to get them golf equipment is the right reason.

[itzzzberny]

Exactly! I need to somehow convince myself that these are good purchases Im making.

as long as you keep playing.... then they were good purchases....

[rgoudy1975]

I have never bought a putter, I've just used whatever my father or friends have given me. Recently I went shopping and found two that I really liked, so I bought both. now I have a good dilemna; I have 2 great putters that I can't decide between.

[MSDOGS1976]

Found a good deal on some golf balls the other night. I have tons of balls. But I'm like most golfers. Weak. I bought them.

[Dent]

It also makes me feel so much better when I can come onto this forum and edit my signature with a new logo in the back, it just looks that much sweeter.

[JKilgore44]

If you're in a spending mood, PM me and I'll cut you a deal on some Titleist DCI 981's with R300 shafts. Probably not stiff enough shaft for you, but if you're wanting to spend your money, I'll be glad to accept it!

And yes, I often go through what you're going through now. If I find a good deal on anything golf related, I feel obligated to buy it. I use the same rationale you do to, that's what's really funny about the situation. I convince myself that the money I was going to spend on beer and bud will be much more rewarding if I spend it on new clubs/balls/shoes etc. And it is. And you're young. Take the money you've earned and spend it on something nice for yourself. You have the rest of your life to save money and get rich.

Plus you never know if the investment you make today could pay itself off in the years to come... (as in you make it onto some kind of tour)

[TCCcaddie]

Nice marketing strategy..strike while the iron's hot.

[Jeepthrills]

No - I have a wife

I have one of those too. What I have found works occasionally is to buy it and then deal with the fall out later. There is a saying that goes "It's easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission." The key is not to abuse this.