The Value in Being Thrifty with Your Media Purchases

In an age of subscription services, discounted media and endless content; it’s alarmingly easy to look past the embarrassment of riches. Why show restraint, when there are always more books, albums, movies, TV shows or games to lose yourself in? It’s endless. At the same time, why not pick up the discounted this or that? It’s cheap anyway. Of course, all this is a consumer trap. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. We train ourselves to hoard media that we can’t possibly consume but there is value in adopting a more thrifty approach and being sensible with purchases.

Naturally, you could argue this of any purchase, and you’d be right to. However, when there’s an endless supply of books, TV shows and movies how can you possibly have time to get your money’s worth? Sure, if you your income is truly disposable then maybe it doesn’t matter, but more likely that not that £10 on NOW TV you aren’t using right now could go somewhere else. Now more than ever there is something to be said for knowing where your money is going and how you can better utilise it, or perhaps not spend it.

It goes without saying that the key to saving money is to not spend it unnecessarily. Perhaps many will find this advice redundant? Taking the time to know where you are getting your money’s worth can do a lot of good though. There is no harm in subscribing and unsubscribing as required, and not every sale on the Playstation store needs to be a ‘now’ thing.

A backlog isn’t shameful, it’s OK to own media not yet explored but needlessly adding to it is admittedly pointless. So, why not start today by saving money and having fun.

The Busy Papa

Also known as Aaron, The Busy Papa focuses on lifestyle, parenting and personal wellbeing content. He has two decades experience in creative writing (including several published poems) and strongly dislikes (though tolerates) tomatoes.