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The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: 71 dB on May 22, 2007, 09:53:52 AM

Title: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 22, 2007, 09:53:52 AM
I have a guideline budget of 50 euros/month for internet shopping. This month (May) I have bought online the following way:

Seinfeld - Season 7 - 20,49 euros
Rameau - Les Indes galantes - Les Arts Florissants/William Christie - 27,58 euros

That's 48,07 euros and the budget is used. Both purchases are brilliant. I don't regret them one second. Now I have to wait for the June so I can make new purchases for 50 euros. I suddenly got hooked to opera DVDs and they are not cheap. I try to buy one Bach cantata CD by Suzuki every other month. So, next month purchases seems to be one opera DVD + Bach cantata CD. Things are limited when you are not Harry.


Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Novi on May 22, 2007, 11:12:19 AM
Hey, it's June in a week or so :).

By the way, in case you didn't know, there's a whole lot of Elgar being broadcast in June on BBC's Radio 3:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/classical/elgar/r3broadcasts.shtml
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: orbital on May 22, 2007, 11:17:45 AM
SEason 8 is coming out in June, so there you go  :D
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 22, 2007, 11:23:46 AM
Quote from: Novitiate on May 22, 2007, 11:12:19 AM
Hey, it's June in a week or so :).

Yeah.  >:D

Quote from: Novitiate on May 22, 2007, 11:12:19 AMBy the way, in case you didn't know, there's a whole lot of Elgar being broadcast in June on BBC's Radio 3:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/classical/elgar/r3broadcasts.shtml

Good to know! Thanks!

Quote from: orbital on May 22, 2007, 11:17:45 AM
SEason 8 is coming out in June, so there you go  :D

I will wait for the price to drop. Why pay 41.99 euros?

Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 22, 2007, 11:59:30 AM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 22, 2007, 09:53:52 AM
Seinfeld - Season 7 - 20,49 euros

No soup for you!

Yes, Season 7 is an essential purchase. You chose wisely.

Sarge
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: MishaK on May 22, 2007, 12:44:47 PM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 22, 2007, 09:53:52 AM
I have a guideline budget of 50 euros/month for internet shopping.

So there are no budgetary restrictions for in-store shopping, right? Well, you know what to do then...  ;D
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 22, 2007, 12:53:34 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 22, 2007, 11:59:30 AM
No soup for you!

Yes, Season 7 is an essential purchase. You chose wisely.

Sarge

All Seinfeld seasons are essential.  ::) Last summer I bought one season (the 6th) and I was instantly hooked. Now I have all first 7 seasons and the last two will be purchased too. Thank god the seasons aren't expensive!

Quote from: O Mensch on May 22, 2007, 12:44:47 PM
So there are no budgetary restrictions for in-store shopping, right? Well, you know what to do then...  ;D

I try to avoid in-store shopping but sometimes it's not possible.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 22, 2007, 12:57:42 PM
Yeah it tricky.

I've had to cut back 'cause the interest on the Visa from all those cd purchases makes everything more expensive so its a vicious cycle...

...this year I've been trying to buy a maximun of two items per month...

...so I usually get two BOXSETS and feel no guilt ;D
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 22, 2007, 01:09:13 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on May 22, 2007, 12:57:42 PM
Yeah it tricky.

I've had to cut back 'cause the interest on the Visa from all those cd purchases makes everything more expensive so its a vicious cycle...

...this year I've been trying to buy a maximun of two items per month...

...so I usually get two BOXSETS and feel no guilt ;D

Two items per month is not much. I'd like to buy about 10 items per month.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 22, 2007, 01:12:30 PM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 22, 2007, 01:09:13 PM
Two items per month is not much. I'd like to buy about 10 items per month.

Yes, its very difficult...but the debt... :(

I've bought 8 items on-line this month - but I'm going for the cheapist prices I can find. :)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Maciek on May 22, 2007, 04:14:48 PM
71 dB, I'm not sure if you use eBay but you can buy quite a lot of cheap opera DVDs - Asian releases - there. They're usually NTSC and region free - which means you can watch them on any computer but not on every TV.

Maciek
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 22, 2007, 04:37:15 PM
Quote from: MrOsa on May 22, 2007, 04:14:48 PM
71 dB, I'm not sure if you use eBay but you can buy quite a lot of cheap opera DVDs - Asian releases - there. They're usually NTSC and region free - which means you can watch them on any computer but not on every TV.

Maciek

Good to know Maciek. I have NTSC support in my home theatre and my DVD-player is region free, of course. Technically, I can watch ANY DVD on Earth.  :)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: karlhenning on May 23, 2007, 04:15:06 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 22, 2007, 11:59:30 AM
No soup for you!

Yes, Season 7 is an essential purchase. You chose wisely.

Though it does mean putting off the Dittersdorf purchases until August  0:)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 05:02:47 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 23, 2007, 04:15:06 AM
Though it does mean putting off the Dittersdorf purchases until August  0:)

I am lucky if I can buy more Dittersdorf this year.  ::)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: karlhenning on May 23, 2007, 05:03:47 AM
It's all right; we all have to prioritize  :)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: dtwilbanks on May 23, 2007, 05:31:06 AM
Sometimes dozens of CDs a month isn't enough.  :-\

Sick, sick, sick.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Larry Rinkel on May 23, 2007, 06:03:16 AM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 05:02:47 AM
I am lucky if I can buy more Dittersdorf this year.  ::)

Then you are lucky indeed.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 06:37:15 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 23, 2007, 05:03:47 AM
It's all right; we all have to prioritize  :)

Yeah, but poor people need to prioritize more.  :'(
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: mahlertitan on May 23, 2007, 08:17:10 AM
http://www.demonoid.com/files/?category=0&subcategory=All&quality=All&seeded=0&external=2&query=Seinfeld&uid=0&sort=


could've saved a few bucks there.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: George on May 23, 2007, 08:29:27 AM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on May 22, 2007, 12:57:42 PM

...so I usually get two BOXSETS and feel no guilt ;D

Yes, I fully agree that this is the best way to get tons of music.

I like to find solid sets to get, since the cost per disc is less than half what they cost separately.  :)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: George on May 23, 2007, 08:30:52 AM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 06:37:15 AM
Yeah, but poor people need to prioritize more.  :'(

Indeed.  :)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on May 23, 2007, 08:42:40 AM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 06:37:15 AM
Yeah, but poor people need to prioritize more.  :'(

Why are you poor? You are an engineer right? Now I now you are not going to get RICH by being an engineer but you are not exactly starving right?
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: beclemund on May 23, 2007, 09:10:32 AM
I try to stay away from budgets... generally, if I find I've spent too much in a given month, I tell my wife that she should go spend some money.  ;D

It makes for some exciting bills!  >:D
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 09:27:03 AM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on May 23, 2007, 08:42:40 AM
Why are you poor? You are an engineer right? Now I now you are not going to get RICH by being an engineer but you are not exactly starving right?

Yes, I am an acoustics engineer but I have been unemployed for almost a year now.
Getting a new job has been amazingly difficult.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: karlhenning on May 23, 2007, 09:32:13 AM
I don't know any other unemployed person who buys seasons of TV shows on DVD.  You must be in pretty good shape.

Good luck finding work, all the same!
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 09:43:06 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 23, 2007, 09:32:13 AM
I don't know any other unemployed person who buys seasons of TV shows on DVD.  You must be in pretty good shape.

Good luck finding work, all the same!

The money for all these DVDs are taken from my savings. That's why I have strict budget to control how fast I eat my savings. Fortunately, seasons of many TV shows do not cost much anymore.

Thank you!  ;)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: mahlertitan on May 23, 2007, 12:58:13 PM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 09:43:06 AM
The money for all these DVDs are taken from my savings. That's why I have strict budget to control how fast I eat my savings. Fortunately, seasons of many TV shows do not cost much anymore.

Thank you!  ;)

maybe you need to spend less time debate with us about Mahler, and go get a job.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Mark on May 23, 2007, 01:11:49 PM
My internet spending budget ranges from about £15-£45 per month. At any rate, I always spend at least £14.99, as that's the cost of my eMusic subscription - for the price of which, I can get anywhere from 9 to 12 CDs in MP3 format every 30 days. This is handy, as I've run out of storage space for physical discs (current total running at about 1000, plus around 300-400 non-classical).

I also keep a running Amazon wish List - which I've whittled down from five pages to just two - and this has all the releases I can't buy from eMusic. I simply check this list periodically for the lowest prices, then snap up the bargains; usually, from Amazon sellers.

And like Beclemund, if guilt kicks in when the wife discovers my overspending, I recommend she treat herself, too. ;D
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 01:22:40 PM
Quote from: MahlerTitan on May 23, 2007, 12:58:13 PM
maybe you need to spend less time debate with us about Mahler, and go get a job.

Frankly, getting a job is nasty as hell and I would mentally die without the internet forums.

It's not nice to spend days for finetuning your applications and never hear from the job afterworlds. No invitations to job interviews. No nothing.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Maciek on May 23, 2007, 01:25:56 PM
Don't worry, 71 dB, I'm there with you. Only I'm lucky enough to have a scholarship. But when that's over (this October) who knows what will happen...? :o :o :o :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 23, 2007, 01:28:52 PM
Quote from: Mark on May 23, 2007, 01:11:49 PMI also keep a running Amazon wish List - which I've whittled down from five pages to just two -

Oh yes I love my Amazon wish list - 22 pages and going strong! I enjoy just looking through it as its like having your very own personalized shop. I did a cull recently but only reduced it by a page then within a week it was back to where it was :)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: mahlertitan on May 23, 2007, 01:31:10 PM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 01:22:40 PM
Frankly, getting a job is nasty as hell and I would mentally die without the internet forums.

It's not nice to spend days for finetuning your applications and never hear from the job afterworlds. No invitations to job interviews. No nothing.

if so, you better not to use up your precious savings, at least don't waste it on some show like Seinfeld.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 01:35:19 PM
I just deleted some CDs from my Amazon wishlist. Why keep CDs there you can never buy? Dussek & Ries DELETED!  >:D

Quote from: MrOsa on May 23, 2007, 01:25:56 PM
Don't worry, 71 dB, I'm there with you. Only I'm lucky enough to have a scholarship. But when that's over (this October) who knows what will happen...? :o :o :o :'( :'( :'(

Thanks for the support!

I hope something will be arranged after your scholarship.  ;)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 01:39:33 PM
Quote from: MahlerTitan on May 23, 2007, 01:31:10 PM
if so, you better not to use up your precious savings, at least don't waste it on some show like Seinfeld.

Well, I choose to waste my savings on Seinfeld, ok? 20-25 euros/season is money well spend from my point of view. 
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: mahlertitan on May 23, 2007, 02:57:06 PM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 01:39:33 PM
Well, I choose to waste my savings on Seinfeld, ok? 20-25 euros/season is money well spend from my point of view. 

okay, just make sure you have enough money left for food.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: George on May 23, 2007, 04:31:11 PM
Quote from: 71 dB on May 23, 2007, 01:39:33 PM
Well, I choose to waste my savings on Seinfeld, ok? 20-25 euros/season is money well spend from my point of view. 

That laughter will get you through many hard times IMO, so its a VERY wise investment.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on May 24, 2007, 07:11:18 AM
Quote from: MahlerTitan on May 23, 2007, 02:57:06 PM
okay, just make sure you have enough money left for food.

Of course! I have savings worth about 40.000 euros.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on June 14, 2007, 11:39:18 AM
June 50 euros budget used.  :-\ What did I got?

J. S. Bach - Cantatas vol. 33 - Suzuki [hybrid SACD]
Elgar - The Starlight Express - Handley [CD]
Silk Stalkings - Season 5 [DVD]
Brahms/Mendelssohn - Violin Concertos - Mutter/Karajan [CD]
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: karlhenning on June 14, 2007, 11:46:13 AM
I'd never delete Dittersdorf from my wish-list.

But then, that is because I would never add him in the first place  8)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Philoctetes on June 14, 2007, 11:46:58 AM
Quote from: George on May 23, 2007, 08:30:52 AM
Indeed.  :)

It isn't just the poor.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: George on June 14, 2007, 12:45:16 PM
Quote from: Philoctetes on June 14, 2007, 11:46:58 AM
It isn't just the poor.

Indeed.  :)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Steve on June 14, 2007, 12:58:31 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 14, 2007, 11:46:13 AM
I'd never delete Dittersdorf from my wish-list.

But then, that is because I would never add him in the first place  8)

You and I lack the appropriate level of intellectual aptitude to be able to appreciate such a composer, Karl.  :)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: beclemund on June 14, 2007, 12:59:13 PM
My biggest problem is not overspending...

I tend to order impulsively tho' and that leaves me feeling a bit guilty in terms of online orders as I am failing to protect our precious environment by inefficient shipping demands. I really need to plan better so I get several months worth of shopping at one time (and buy more locally... but the stores are not nearly as dependable in terms of selection as online retailers) and reduce my impact on the environment with my purchases.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Steve on June 14, 2007, 01:05:24 PM
Quote from: beclemund on June 14, 2007, 12:59:13 PM
My biggest problem is not overspending...

I tend to order impulsively tho' and that leaves me feeling a bit guilty in terms of online orders as I am failing to protect our precious environment by inefficient shipping demands. I really need to plan better so I get several months worth of shopping at one time (and buy more locally... but the stores are not nearly as dependable in terms of selection as online retailers) and reduce my impact on the environment with my purchases.

Keeping up one's collection, while being conscious of the environment, can be very diffciult. Unfortunately, for us here in Chicago, there are virtually no quality retailers left...  :-[
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Philoctetes on June 14, 2007, 01:06:50 PM
Quote from: Steve on June 14, 2007, 01:05:24 PM
Keeping up one's collection, while being conscious of the environment, can be very diffciult. Unfortunately, for us here in Chicago, there are virtually no quality retailers left...  :-[

We still have some quality retailers up here?
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Novi on June 14, 2007, 01:09:58 PM
Quote from: beclemund on June 14, 2007, 12:59:13 PM
My biggest problem is not overspending...

I tend to order impulsively tho' and that leaves me feeling a bit guilty in terms of online orders as I am failing to protect our precious environment by inefficient shipping demands. I really need to plan better so I get several months worth of shopping at one time (and buy more locally... but the stores are not nearly as dependable in terms of selection as online retailers) and reduce my impact on the environment with my purchases.

I hear ya, my friend. But sometimes it's hard to avoid.

HMV is one of the greatest culprits. It's free UK delivery but they still send orders item by item. JPC is a bit better - they tend to wait till most of your order's there, then courier a largish package, but then courier the rest in dribs and drabs. I appreciate their efforts, but really, I'm a little embarrassed  :-[ by the wasted resources. Likewise the caiman orders, which are never combined.

Quote from: 71 dB on June 14, 2007, 11:39:18 AM
June 50 euros budget used.  :-\ What did I got?

J. S. Bach - Cantatas vol. 33 - Suzuki [hybrid SACD]
Elgar - The Starlight Express - Handley [CD]
Silk Stalkings - Season 5 [DVD]
Brahms/Mendelssohn - Violin Concertos - Mutter/Karajan [CD]


71dB, there's only 2 or so weeks till July ...  :)
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Steve on June 14, 2007, 01:11:49 PM
Quote from: Philoctetes on June 14, 2007, 01:06:50 PM
We still have some quality retailers up here?


In Geneva, really? There are hardly any quality records stores in Chicago.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: beclemund on June 14, 2007, 01:16:19 PM
Quote from: Novitiate on June 14, 2007, 01:09:58 PMHMV is one of the greatest culprits. It's free UK delivery but they still send orders item by item. JPC is a bit better - they tend to wait till most of your order's there, then courier a largish package, but then courier the rest in dribs and drabs. I appreciate their efforts, but really, I'm a little embarrassed  :-[ by the wasted resources. Likewise the caiman orders, which are never combined.

Fortunately, I can request Amazon combine orders, so that is helpful, but all of the resellers and non Amazon orders tend to make a mess of things. These days, I often opt to spend more for an item at one retailer if I have multiple items to order along with it rather than save a few dollars by ordering it elsewhere... but then, that means fewer total goodies to buy with my finite budget.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Harry on June 14, 2007, 01:16:20 PM
Quote from: Steve on June 14, 2007, 01:11:49 PM
In Geneva, really? There are hardly any quality records stores in Chicago.


True, when I was there, I could not find a decent store anywere. :(
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on June 14, 2007, 01:18:57 PM
Quote from: Novitiate on June 14, 2007, 01:09:58 PM
71dB, there's only 2 or so weeks till July ...  :)

True but it feels a long time...  :-\
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: orbital on June 14, 2007, 01:33:00 PM
Quote from: 71 dB on June 14, 2007, 01:18:57 PM
True but it feels a long time...  :-\
Not a big fan of the downloading game? Imagine how many puchases you could make with 50 Euros  :o
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Philoctetes on June 14, 2007, 01:46:00 PM
Quote from: Steve on June 14, 2007, 01:11:49 PM
In Geneva, really? There are hardly any quality records stores in Chicago.


Sorry, the question mark was meant to imply that there weren't any quality stores.

I know of none since Tower went out of business.

We do have a record store in downtown Geneva called Kiss the Sky, but their selection is not really the 'classical' genre if you know what I mean.

Nice store though.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: 71 dB on June 14, 2007, 01:55:18 PM
Quote from: orbital on June 14, 2007, 01:33:00 PM
Not a big fan of the downloading game? Imagine how many puchases you could make with 50 Euros  :o

??? To my knowledge legal downloads are like 10 euros/CD. That's not less than what I spend on CDs. I don't like mp3s because they aren't "save". Hard discs can broke any time and if you burn CD-R:s you don't know if they last even 10 years
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: orbital on June 14, 2007, 02:00:35 PM
Quote from: 71 dB on June 14, 2007, 01:55:18 PM
??? To my knowledge legal downloads are like 10 euros/CD. That's not less than what I spend on CDs. I don't like mp3s because they aren't "save". Hard discs can broke any time and if you burn CD-R:s you don't know if they last even 10 years
10? Those links that Mark gave were offering for much less (around 1-2 Euros?) and it should be perfectly legal within the EU.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: techniquest on June 14, 2007, 10:48:05 PM
QuoteYeah, but poor people need to prioritize more.
Absolutely we do! I buy from ebay and only use Paypal. If my balance gets too low, then I sell some stuff on ebay (again only using paypal) in order to get some more spending power. That way it keeps actual spending to a minimum.
There are no stores selling classical music in my town, so I have to rely on dwindling classical sections in HMV or Virgin when I go to cities. There is a dedicated classical music store about in my nearest city (15 miles away) and I do treat myself occasionally especially as it now has a growing second-hand section.
Title: Re: Internet shopping budget...
Post by: Steve on June 14, 2007, 11:14:28 PM
Quote from: 71 dB on June 14, 2007, 01:55:18 PM
??? To my knowledge legal downloads are like 10 euros/CD. That's not less than what I spend on CDs. I don't like mp3s because they aren't "save". Hard discs can broke any time and if you burn CD-R:s you don't know if they last even 10 years

Sites such as eclassical and emusic offer legal, low priced classical downloads. Blank CD-Rs are so cheap right now, that backing them up wouldn't be much of an issue. You should really look into legal downloads.