Frugaling

Save more, live well, give generously

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Popular
    • Archives
  • Recommended
  • Contact
  • Save Money
    • Lifestyle Downgrade
    • Save Money with Mindfulness
    • Save at Starbucks
    • Psychological Trick To Reduce Your Online Shopping
    • Best Freebies
  • Minimalism
    • 8 TED Talks To Become A Minimalist
    • We Rent This Life
    • Everything Must Go
    • Lifestyle Downgrade
    • The Purchase Paradox: Wanting, Until You Own It
    • Nothing In My Pockets
  • Social Justice
    • Destroy The 40-Hour Workweek
    • Too Poor To Protest: Income Inequality
    • The New Rich: How $250k A Year Became Middle Class
    • Hunter Gatherers vs. 21st Century Desk-sitters
  • Make Money
    • Make $10k in 10 Months
    • Monetize Your Blog
    • Side Hustle for Serious Cash
  • Loans
    • 5 Rules To Follow Before Accepting Student Loans
    • Would You Marry Me?
    • Should I Have a Credit Card If I’m In Debt?
    • $50k in Scholarships in 70 Minutes

My Amazon Kindle: A Eulogy

By Frugaling 12 Comments

Share This:

Amazon Kindle Broken Photo Ereader
My Amazon Kindle is broken…

From drooling wimp to reading aficionado

I don’t think I read one required book cover-to-cover in all of high school (sorry, teachers!). I didn’t enjoy reading, much to my mom’s dismay. Spark and Cliff notes eliminated the “need” to dig through the deeper meanings with tomes like Homer’s The Odyssey. I skated through high school, inspired by my brief overviews and a charismatic charm that filled in the missing plot gaps. It mostly worked.

In college, reading for enjoyment actually clicked. My grades improved and I found extra time to catch up on what I had missed. There was a simple equation: Read more to write better. Suddenly this drool-inducing, boredom-ensuing activity became relaxing and rewarding. I saw the value of it all.

A 21st century device for an age-old pastime

The transition from book avoider to avid reader was cemented by the purchase of an Amazon Kindle in college. As a nerd, geek, and all-around techie, the Kindle was the perfect blend of generations – reading power in the 21st century. When the slimmer, sleeker 3rd generation device launched, I purchased one immediately. It’s been with me ever since.

From Costa Rica to New York City, it was always with me. I chucked it onto the kitchen table, stuffed it into my backpack, and spilled a glass of orange juice into the keys. Frankly, I treated it like another paper-based book. Despite my harassment, the Kindle followed suit and kept up with my travels. Now, around four years of age (about 40 in tech years), I regret to inform you that it’s died.

When I got to school today, it refused to turn on. I followed a number of troubleshooting guides, too – no luck. There was nothing I could do, as the screen simply wouldn’t wake up or change pictures.

This shouldn’t be my gut reaction…

You might wonder why I’m writing about an inanimate object, when I aspire and espouse for a minimalist and anti-materialist lifestyle. Thanks for keeping me honest, readers! The real reason is that the loss of one object often begets a question: What’s next?

What should I get? What will be a frugal upgrade? Should I even buy another? How about a tablet, instead? What’s my price range?

Despite the eulogy, it’s felt more like an inconvenience on the way to an upgrade – another lifestyle inflation. The rapid replaceability swept the feelings of loss quickly under the rug. As I work to right my budgetary problems, this seems like room for error. The immediate reaction to buy another something – better and possibly more expensive – speaks to a disrespect for the exchange of money.

In the past, my gut reaction would be to purchase that next new device. Instead, I’m going to wait and make a frugal, informed decision that feeds my desire to read and fuels my budget. That is what’s next for me.

When you break something, what’s your gut reaction? Have you ever immediately purchased a new item to replace the broken? Or, do you take time before buying another?

Share the wealth:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Minimalism Tagged With: Amazon, Books, broken, ebook, ereader, kindle, Lifestyle, Minimalism, Tech

Comments

  1. kayi says

    February 20, 2014 at 8:26 am

    I get so bummed when that happens. I rely on something, really depend on it, and poof, it’s gone. 🙁 I do take a while to replace things. I try to think of every angle to get the best deal possible. My practical side takes over first. In the long run though, I tend to buy what I first desired. So the rest, in retrospect, seems like watching a dog chasing its tail. Just a time filler until I circled around to what I really wanted in the first place.

    Reply
  2. Leslie Beslie says

    February 20, 2014 at 10:33 am

    “You might wonder why I’m writing about an inanimate object, when I aspire and espouse for a minimalist and anti-materialist lifestyle.” Of course not! What is more minimalist than cramming millions of books into one tiny device?

    Reply
    • Sam Lustgarten says

      February 20, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      Leslie,

      Haha! Thanks for helping me see it from that angle! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Michelle @ fitnpoor.com says

    February 20, 2014 at 11:10 am

    My Nook broke and I was so upset! But then I thought about how were spending money on books that we normally wouldn’t buy, so we’re back to the library!

    Reply
    • Sam Lustgarten says

      February 20, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Michelle,

      This was my thought exactly! Maybe I’d just go to the library to get my books. 🙂 Ah, alas, we’ll see what I ultimately decide.

      Reply
  4. Syed @ The Broke Professional says

    February 20, 2014 at 11:15 am

    I feel for you my friend. I got a Kindle for the first time a couple of months ago and I can’t imagine my life without it now. If you’re getting a new product I would say stay away from the tablets. They cause more eyestrain than the Kindle readers and are a heck of a lot more pricey.

    Reply
    • Sam Lustgarten says

      February 20, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Syed,

      Thanks for your professional opinion on this. I will definitely take it into consideration; don’t want eyestrain, as I read a lot.

      Reply
  5. Adrienne says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:02 am

    Are you serious? What is the frugal response to the loss of a Kindle? HA! How about the library?

    Books will never lose their charm for those of us who enjoy reading about cover art and font selection.

    The library is a fantastic public institution. Bless you, Andrew Carnegie!

    Kindle runs out of gas? Go to the library!

    Reply
  6. Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life says

    February 22, 2014 at 9:55 pm

    I think the kindle fire was on amazon’s deal of the day recently. I don’t think I read a book cover to cover until well after high school either, now I look forward to it.

    Reply
    • Sam Lustgarten says

      February 27, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      Aww… Bummer! Must’ve missed it… I’ll have to keep waiting for the next big deal. 🙂

      Reply
  7. maria@moneyprinciple says

    February 26, 2014 at 12:39 am

    Snap! My Kindle, and if the picture is really of your Kindle than mine was exactly the same, died couple of weeks ago. I have to say that I replaced it immediately and I don’t count this as ‘life-style’ inflation – I need my books and reading and the prices of the more basic models have gone really down. My new Kindle (6 inch, paper white) costs less than $100. May it last me another four years. It may be that my approach to replacing other stuff may be different – depends on how high in my value system the activity supported by the item is.

    Reply
    • Sam Lustgarten says

      February 26, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      Maria,

      Ultimately, I think this is the path I will follow. It’s not too bad an option either. But… I really do hope I can make it last longer than four years! 🙁

      Thanks for your comment!

      Reply

Join the Conversation: Cancel reply

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe

Best Of

  • The New Rich: How $250k A Year Became Middle Class
    The New Rich: How $250k A Year Became Middle Class
  • 8 TED Talks That Will Inspire You To Become A Minimalist
    8 TED Talks That Will Inspire You To Become A Minimalist
  • 5 Tricks To Save Money At Starbucks (Updated)
    5 Tricks To Save Money At Starbucks (Updated)
  • Going Green Is A Scam
    Going Green Is A Scam
  • Mark Cuban's Horrific Student Loan Debt "Solution"
    Mark Cuban's Horrific Student Loan Debt "Solution"
  • The Real Reason Poor People Can’t Save
    The Real Reason Poor People Can’t Save

Recent Posts

  • How to Pay Off Medical Debt
  • 5 Ways to Save Money Before a New Baby
  • 4 Ways to Save Money on Streaming Services
  • 5 Ways to Save Thousands in Mortgage Interest
  • Why Professional Maintenance on Your Vehicle Saves You Money in the Long Run

Search

Archives

  • January 2023 (1)
  • March 2022 (3)
  • February 2022 (2)
  • November 2021 (1)
  • October 2021 (2)
  • August 2021 (4)
  • July 2021 (5)
  • June 2021 (3)
  • May 2021 (2)
  • January 2021 (2)
  • December 2020 (2)
  • October 2020 (2)
  • September 2020 (1)
  • August 2020 (3)
  • June 2020 (1)
  • May 2020 (2)
  • April 2020 (1)
  • February 2020 (2)
  • January 2020 (1)
  • December 2019 (1)
  • November 2019 (5)
  • September 2019 (4)
  • August 2019 (1)
  • June 2019 (1)
  • May 2019 (1)
  • April 2019 (1)
  • March 2019 (3)
  • February 2019 (1)
  • January 2019 (3)
  • December 2018 (1)
  • September 2018 (2)
  • July 2018 (1)
  • June 2018 (2)
  • May 2018 (1)
  • April 2018 (5)
  • March 2018 (6)
  • February 2018 (4)
  • January 2018 (1)
  • December 2017 (10)
  • November 2017 (3)
  • July 2017 (2)
  • June 2017 (5)
  • May 2017 (2)
  • April 2017 (8)
  • March 2017 (4)
  • February 2017 (3)
  • January 2017 (2)
  • December 2016 (2)
  • November 2016 (4)
  • October 2016 (2)
  • September 2016 (1)
  • August 2016 (4)
  • July 2016 (1)
  • June 2016 (3)
  • May 2016 (3)
  • April 2016 (4)
  • March 2016 (5)
  • February 2016 (2)
  • January 2016 (2)
  • December 2015 (3)
  • November 2015 (5)
  • October 2015 (5)
  • September 2015 (4)
  • August 2015 (6)
  • July 2015 (8)
  • June 2015 (6)
  • May 2015 (14)
  • April 2015 (14)
  • March 2015 (13)
  • February 2015 (12)
  • January 2015 (15)
  • December 2014 (10)
  • November 2014 (5)
  • October 2014 (6)
  • September 2014 (7)
  • August 2014 (12)
  • July 2014 (11)
  • June 2014 (12)
  • May 2014 (16)
  • April 2014 (13)
  • March 2014 (13)
  • February 2014 (9)
  • January 2014 (20)
  • December 2013 (9)
  • November 2013 (18)
  • October 2013 (15)
  • September 2013 (11)
  • August 2013 (11)
  • July 2013 (27)
  • June 2013 (18)
  • May 2013 (16)

Best Of

  • The New Rich: How $250k A Year Became Middle Class
  • 8 TED Talks That Will Inspire You To Become A Minimalist
  • 5 Tricks To Save Money At Starbucks (Updated)

Recent Posts

  • How to Pay Off Medical Debt
  • 5 Ways to Save Money Before a New Baby
  • 4 Ways to Save Money on Streaming Services

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Modern Studio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in