Comments on: The Culture of Immediacy

By: Cas

Cas — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:35:17 +0000

Our patience was tested this past weekend as we were visiting Toronto during Carabana, and trying to get from Fort York to Medieval Times… should be a 5 min. trek by car, only 2.5 km, and it took over an hour!!! Which would have been all good, we had the time, but these idiots that decide that they can’t wait, and start driving on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic, causing everyone to squeeze to allow a car into a lane that doesn’t exist was just enough to send my blood pressure rising!
We did have a great trip — went to the zoo for free! using free child’s admission coupons and cashing in Airmiles! Went to Fort York, free on weekends, and could park for free! (But less than 1/2 block away people were paying $30 to park!!!) Went to Ontario Place with free children’s admissions. All of this helped offset the cost for Medieval times (although, we bought the $35 seats — anyone that pays full price is crazy!) We visited the Old Spaghetti factory — great bang for your buck, what a neat place! And our credit cards will be paid off when the bill arrives! Great times!
Patience is required when planning a trip to get the best deals too; did lots of online searching for deals/coupons, and got the Radisson hotel for $79 per night… I think we did good!

By: Rita

Rita — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:09:58 +0000

Delaying gratification is still something I have to work on. I don’t go into debt often (only for car loan, home improvements as I loathe being in debt) but getting what I want right now has meant at times that money doesn’t go into savings but into paying off in full what I put on my credit card during the month.

I am learning to wait until large ticket items come on sale. Also this week I decided that instead of buying a $120 item that I really want right now I will get it by using credit card rewards. It means I may have another 4 weeks to wait until it is shipped which is a real test for me, so yes, I am an impatient personality.

I do tend to get aggravated at tourist traffic in the summer but I’m working on that too by taking alternate routes when possible and trying to leave for work/appts earlier so that traffic hiccups don’t get me stressed. Driving with mellower music also helps me chill out.

I do not however, understand drivers who will take chances in passing etc and then end up turning off a mile or so later. What was the purpose of that? Did they accomplish anything other than terrifying other drivers and causing near accidents?

By: psychsarah

psychsarah — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 23:39:31 +0000

Catherine-you totally can! You’ll soon be the little engine that did Please share when you cross the “finish line” so we can all cheer you on!

By: Weekly Round Up-Long Weekend Edition « Finance Blog

Weekly Round Up-Long Weekend Edition « Finance Blog — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:56:07 +0000

[...] The Culture of Immediacy @ Gail Vaz-Oxlade [...]

By: Weekly Round Up-Long Weekend Edition

Weekly Round Up-Long Weekend Edition — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:02:14 +0000

[...] The Culture of Immediacy @ Gail Vaz-Oxlade [...]

By: Gail Says...

Gail Says... — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:18:32 +0000

Rock on Lori!

By: Lori

Lori — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:09:22 +0000

not a response to this post (great as usual though), but i had to share, today, my husband and i PAID OFF our LOC!! 2 years ago this month we had a 1 month old baby and put a 14 000 basement reno on our LOC. today, our daughter is 2, and we have another baby on the way in 4 weeks and our LOC is at 0!!! what a feeling! no regrets on the reno, it’s increased our living space, and will allow us to stay in our home a few more years, but the key to paying it off was to put debt repayment in our budget and throw every extra cent we had on it. anyway, it’s a great feeling, and i had to share, as Gail, you were my driving force behind getting it paid off! thanks!

By: R.

R. — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:30:27 +0000

Hey Gail, it’s their constitutional guarantee to enter the race called “the pursuit of happiness….”

By: Links Worth Sharing – Week of July 31, 2010 | Simply Frugal

Links Worth Sharing – Week of July 31, 2010 | Simply Frugal — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:01:55 +0000

[...] The Culture of Immediacy [...]

By: Rebecca W

Rebecca W — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:13:27 +0000

Rose: Was it a person that was on Global Tv? Someone I know bought 7 or so today :S

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:45:33 +0000

I take the bus or drive my bicycle to work. Drivers here are so impatient to turn right or left, they will run over a pedestrian just to be “first”. What is the rush? Only to get in an accident or get pulled over by the police, someone had that experience today for something.

I am in the process at looking to buying my 1st home. Been looking for awhile. Lining up a mortgage broker, real estate agent, and found 4 programs I can participate in. Home Buyers’ Plan, Land Transfer tax credit (Ontario), 1st Time Home Buyer and a 2nd mortgage through the city for 1st time home buyers for 10% up to 15k. It is a grant as long as you live in the home for 20yrs, otherwise, it is repayable with 5% interest.

Life is too short to be in a rush. We should appreciate everyone who helps us along the way.

By: Rose

Rose — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:39:41 +0000

I find it timely to find your article on immediacy when the Apple iPhone 4 came out today. Some people lined up for 18 HOURS! One adolescent girl waited in line from 7 pm THE NIGHT BEFORE. Another adolescent boy had his hands on a new phone that could’ve cost either $659 or $779. But the biggest idiot of them all — bought 8 phones to the tune of $6,000!!!!! Betcha he sells most on ebay. I really wish the interviewers would ask people how they paid for it and IF they could afford it.

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:43:20 +0000

That was the perfect thing for me to read right now. I’m not so much worried about the spending, but I’m just in a pre-transition time right now, and the only thing worse than change sometimes is waiting for it.

Thanks for the reminder to enjoy where I’m at.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:41:14 +0000

I’ve enjoyed this post and the replies.
Guess I’m the third one here that lets others go ahead of me in line. You’re right – the look on their face is definitely worth it. Quite a while ago I started doing or saying three nice things a day. As time has passed, I can honestly say I’ve made a few days happier for people. It makes my day too.
I can never understand someone tailgating me and passing just to get wherever about 3 minutes sooner. It’s dangerous. I almost got hit by a pickup truck on my way home today because the young man took his eyes off the road to fiddle with something – ipod? cell phone? I’m glad I was paying attention. Scary.
I feel about 6 years old psychsarah. Almost hopping from one foot to the other. I am [this close] to being debt free and I can hardly stand the strain of waiting. As of today I have $6,000. left owing. I’m just going to play the little engine that could – I think I can, I think I can…..

By: Tennis Fan

Tennis Fan — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:03:04 +0000

I find myself occasionally frustrated with how long it is taking to get work done on my house or purchase furniture. The main reason is I believe in having the cash in hand before having work done or purchasing an item that isn’t a need. It is a rare occasion that I can’t pay a credit card off the same month I made the purchase. The last time I didn’t pay an item off same month was my range, and even at that I didn’t pay any interest on it due to a special they were running. I am also a big planner. I am an architect and if you plan work on your house correctly you shouldn’t typically have to pay to have work done more than once. Speaking of Ikea, much of the furniture I do have I purchased there and I get tons of compliments (everyone thinks it is from pottery barn).

Allison I also love to have the Ikea catalog in hand versus looking at it online some how it is just not as gratifying. It is one of my favorite things to get in the mail.