Swagbucks

There was a span in my life when I ordered things off Amazon and other sites almost every day.  At first, it started out small, but as more time passed, I started buying more and more things, putting myself in a bigger financial hole.  I always paid off all the money I used, but I hated using so much money on things I rarely used, which is why after awhile, I stopped buying things online altogether (besides on things I really wanted).  Then a year or two ago, my friends showed me this website called Swagbucks, where you can take surveys, watch videos, and do other things to get points to buy cool things (including things off Amazon).  They tried to get me to join for a year, but I never did because it seemed so tedious and I thought I'd never have the time.  Amazing how your view of something can change once you give it a chance.

So with that in mind, yesterday I made my Swagbucks account and began earning points.  My first impression so far is that it isn't that hard, and there are lots of things to do, but it does take awhile to accumulate points in the day.  I reached my first daily goal, though, so I feel pretty excited.  Yes, it's going to be awhile before I can really buy anything, but I'm making progress, and in time, I'll be able to buy things and save money at the same time.  I was skeptical of the site before, but now I can say, it's for real and pretty awesome. 

Here's to winning!

Prime Number

Being so busy with life the past few months, I haven't bought anything off Amazon in so long.  But now that school's out and I have some cash to spend, there's a few things I wanted to buy.  Nothing too expensive, just trading cards, and the WWE 2K14 video game, since I've been watching wrestling a lot recently.  But when I went to buy those things off Amazon, I saw that I didn't have enough for free shipping since they raised the price from $25 to $35.  It's nothing I didn't already know, and something that could easily be solved with Amazon Prime, but this was my sister's account, so it wasn't up to me.  And even if it was, I wouldn't pay extra for something I rarely use now.  It's just annoying that they raise the prices, even though they make millions of dollars already since it's manipulative, and just makes you use more money.  Something that won't change, but I wish things went back to the way they used to be.

Wishlists

My friends who I hang out with at home have this hilarious tradition where we each give each other Gatorade on each others birthdays.  I started the tradition years ago, and looking back, I don't know why I did, but I'm glad I did since it shows how laid back my friends are, and takes the pressure off me getting my friends real presents.  Unfortunately, that philosophy doesn't apply with everyone.  Nor would I want it to.  Recently, when I talked to one of my school friends, they told me that they dreaded getting their friends presents for special occasions.  I didn't understand why since I always thought it was challenging and fun trying to get your friends something, but I could see why she thought that way.  It's tough trying to figure out what to get somebody, especially if you want to make it sincere or have to use a lot of money.  Usually, I escape the problem by getting or making my friends cards, but I know I can't do that for everyone.  So what's a person to do?

That is when my friend and I talked about lists, specifically wishlists.  She said that she preferred her friends tell her what to get them, or give her a wishlist, like on Amazon, but I didn't know if I agreed.  Sure, that makes things simpler, but is it better that way?  Is it fun?  And are you spreading a false message by giving someone what they want, when we all know that you can't have everything you want in life.  Maybe I'm thinking too deep about this, but what do you think?

Question: Do you have/like something like an Amazon wishlist?  What do you think about it?  And do you like being told what to get a person, or having the freedom to choose what to give them?

For The Person Who Has Everything

I'm currently facing in a dilemma right now in my life (although it's hardly something most would consider a problem).  The past few years, I've been spending lots of money on Amazon, buying all sorts of things from trading cards to films.  And for the most part, I was happy since I was buying things that were solely mine, and having fun enjoying them my way.  At the beginning, I bought things solely because I liked them, but after awhile, I started buying things based off of collecting or reputation.  The problem was that after awhile, I had everything I wanted since I bought everything.  And everything I did want either cost too much, or was something I decided I didn't need.  With that in mind, I wonder what I should do now?  I don't have everything in life (because who does), but now that nothing interests me enough to buy/want it, what do you get for the person who has everything they could ever want currently (not counting things that aren't material goods like happiness and love)?  And does it have anything to do with disillusionment of life, or is it simply finding something new to like?  I'm curious to see what you all think.

Out-of-Print Merchandise

The Slifer The Sky Dragon Shonen Jump Card that I want

With the recession and the ability for consumers to purchase merchandise online at a premium, this is a great time to buy things, especially with Black Friday less than a week away.  I usually never buy anything on that day, but I do buy lots of things off Amazon: films, cards, etc., but one thing I cannot stand is when merchandise is out-of print.  When that happens, it causes one thing that would usually only be a few dollars to skyrocket in price like it's a collector's item, when most of the time it isn't.  For example, there are really old films that cost a lot, but that is understandable because it's historical and may be one of a kind.  And even then, it's still reasonable.  But when a Disney film is selling for $60, or a card like that Egyptian God card from Shonen Jump costs close to $100, that's when you know things are crazy.  Worst of all, there are people who go crazy buying all these things.  I understand why a person would because as a collector myself, it's something I can relate to, but there are times when you have to know when to say no and walk away.  It's tough to do, especially with something so tempting, but if you don't, you'll be paying lots of money for something you may never enjoy.  I wish it wasn't like this because people buy things online to save money, not pay more.  You expect these kind of crazy kind of transactions from businesses, but not from regular people like you and me.