I’ve noticed that I talk a lot about what I’ve already bought or am going to buy:
- Winter coat (I’ve just realized that I need one)
- Photo Albums
- Sifter (so I can start baking)
But I haven’t really mentioned what I would L-O-V-E to buy, but am consciously forgoing.
While we all have Want Lists (some, longer than others *looks away*), we all have to make choices based on our lifestyle & our financial situation to say: “Not now.”
Roland RD-700 GX Digital Grand Piano – $3000 (everything included)
Why I want it
I love playing the piano. I could spend hours working out a song, memorizing it, or just enjoying the sound.
I don’t have the space, nor the inclination to buy a piano that is too heavy to lug around, so digital pianos are my favourite option.
I originally pooh-poohed the idea of digital pianos, because I didn’t think it was possible to get a true piano sound out of them.
And I feel as though I am wrong, and I should look at this brand further.
What else is included in that price tag
Enter the Roland RD-700 GX Stage Piano.
I tried it out in the store, and it was good.. but I am not sure if it’s because I was so surprised at how good it was, or if it was really close to a grand piano sound.
This is also the newest model they have out, and the Grand Piano sound is pretty good, but I don’t know how I’d feel with it, unless I was at home, really practicing on it.
But a digital piano needs a stand to hold it up, a chair (unless you can adjust it to your chair height), a padded case with wheels to tote it around for when we finally move, and possibly speakers if you want to play out loud.
And for that price, it’s kind of expensive.
Why I am waiting
It’s $3000 all included!! That’s a crazy amount of money for a piano, and although I REALLY want it, I cannot justify buying it right now for 2 major reasons:
1. I am not on contract
2. We are going to move soon, and the less I move this heavy but portable piano, especially with those luggage handlers at the airport, the better.
It’s just too expensive and heavy to buy and use right now.
I may end up never getting it, if we move, and I get a second hand real piano instead.
What is my alternative
Going back to Toronto & spending hours on my family piano instead. Which is definitely something I do every time I go back to Ontario.
I am also going to look out for places that have free pianos for students to practice on. Maybe I can get in there…
Or go to the piano store and try it out again to see if it really is as good as I thought it sounded.
Any piano players out there with other options? Or have you tried the Roland RD-700 GX for yourself? What did you think?
Sony PRS600R E-Book Reader – $200 – $400?
Why I want it
I love reading, and I love books.
Reading a book over and over again might be boring to some, but is TOTALLY what I do!
I also really hate holding heavy books when I am in bed, because my arm gets tired.
Sometimes, the book print is too close and small for my eyes, and to avoid eye strain, I have to put down the book ever so often.
E-Book readers can make the font larger, which is what I love.
And the most important reason of all? I want a library, but I don’t want the bulk of it.
I don’t really care that it costs more than buying a book second-hand, or going to the library for free.
I would still use the library to borrow books, and then the e-reader to buy & keep the digital version of what I love to read.
What else is included in the price tag?
Not much else. It depends on what brand you want to buy.
I am interested in the newest Sony PRS600R E-Reader for $400, but in stores, I can’t even review it or see it in action, so I am hesitant about dropping $400 on it, buying an e-book, and realizing I HATE IT.
That would be a waste of an e-book purchase from the eBook store from Sony.
All I know is that I would love to review it, and the Amazon Kindle does not light my fire (get it? “kindle”? haha.. okay fine).
Why am I waiting
Because I can’t really review or touch it. There aren’t many stores here that will let you whip it out and try it out.
I have no idea what the ease of use is like, the interface, the e-ink technology… this is all new business for me!
And I also want to be sure that if I buy a book, it will have enough space to store it, I will be able to make notes on paragraphs I find interesting for future reference, and that it’s light enough to hold up in bed.
What I really want, is to personally do an honest review of the product.
I don’t even know how I would buy the books online, and if I don’t like the book within a certain day, to return it.
Or if it comes with any other features that might be interesting.
What are my alternatives?
Wait for a cheaper model of another brand. I heard some other companies are coming up fast on the heels of Sony and Amazon, and maybe if I wait I can get those for cheaper, AND be able to give an honest review.
That, or hope that a PR company out there is kind enough to send me one. 😀
I am also just going to stick to the library until I can get my hands on a Sony E-Reader PRS600R.
I do love that it’s a touch interface without any buttons, and the design looks sleek, which is important for me.
Any readers out there with other options? Or have you tried the Sony PRS600 for yourself? What did you think?
So that’s it. Two things that are major purchases I am waiting for, for various reasons (moving & being able to review/touch it)
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
FB, What do you think of the Ipad2? I know they are fairly expensive, but I think the quality and versatility is pretty good. I personally like the IPad 2 with 64GB its around $700.00. I have been contemplating about saving up for one. I like to read books, magazines and news articles and the IPad2 seems to let you do that and so much more. Would love to hear your comments. Oh by the way, thanks for sharing your trip with everyone. Hope to hear more about it. I really like the part where the metro had a button to push for in English. Really made me smile.
dennis 🙂
I absolutely LOVE my Amazon Kindle. Use it every day. Constantly buying new books for it!!!
.-= Tiffanie´s last blog ..stepping out of my bubble =-.
D300 = OUUUUUUUCH. I like the packages with the D40 body & two lenses for about $600, would be great! Then there are those photography classes I’ve wanted to take forever… Why are all my hobbies expensive?? 🙁 (I’m afraid of upgrade-itis, but I’d get like the D40 and only let myself upgrade to something like the D80 or so once I start making money from it to put towards equipment costs.)
.-= Foxie´s last blog ..New Project Idea — Opinions Wanted =-.
I just heard today that there are rumors going around that Apple is going to come out with an e-reader, too. I searched for it and it seems someone slipped up by talking about it, but not much more about it yet.
Also the Kindle now has U.S. and International Wireless so you can download books in 100 countries, or so they say…
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..Textbooks =-.
@The Asian Pear: The Palm Pre works MUCH better in its layout than a Blackberry or an iPhone, but I hated how plastic it felt in person 🙁 Still, if I had to choose as smartphone, that would be it.
@Stephanie: That’s a good idea about craigslist. I can’t wait until we move to the States & I can get one..
@Tazim: HOLY COW! $1200 camcorder.. it looks awesome.
@darrell: An e-reader for me is such a great idea, and I can definitely get books for free from the Gutenberg Project, but the actual price is scaring me off. Thanks for your kind words!
@Andrea: I didn’t know they came out with the Nook. But I’m in Canada… I don’t know how these things would work if they aren’t released here.
@Strawberry @ StrawberrySays.com: @Lisa: I’m going to give it a second look. I really liked the idea of a touch screen ereader without buttons.. I hate buttons.. but then again, in winter, buttons might be a good solution when I have mittens on.
@Kin: I’ll take a look at that model. We don’t have much in way of Roland models here in Montreal, and that Roland was the only one in stock 😛 Figures huh? Thanks!
@Jen: I wonder if that deal is here in Canada too
@Foxie: BF bought a D300 and he loves it. He says he wanted to buy a better quality “pro” camera, so that he wouldn’t have to upgrade. Personally, I think he spent more than he should’ve. It’s overkill.
My dad has the D200, and now he wants the D700.. there goes that upgrade-itis again.
And another friend of mine has a D90 and loves it. He says it’s exactly the price and size he wanted.
Ugh, I bet I can make a list that’ll rival yours, FB, I’m just in way more denial. 😉
First off, a lovely Bride Zeta III seat for my 240SX. Love love love. Definitely need it, since the original seat has degraded quite a bit, and all of the foam padding is messed up and extremely uncomfortable unless you sit in some weird, awkward position. Getting one would be a big relief on my back, as well as a huge step towards prepping her for competition. 🙂 What’s stopping me? $860 price tag when she’s not fully paid off yet. (I have insurance money that would pay for the seat, but I’m becoming more and more disenchanted with traditional work and would like to back off my hours at work. So I’m thinking I’ll pay her off with the money instead and work on the seat afterwards. Shouldn’t take me too too long, since the motivation is great!!!)
Then I’m craving a dSLR hardcore. Looking at a Nikon D40, but I’m not entirely positive yet… All I know is I can see myself dishing out up to $600 on the camera, but then there’s the accessories and lenses to think of… And it just adds up so quickly after that!! But if I can get this and really start to throw myself into my photography (Backing off hours at work to do this, thus the whole seat debacle.) I can work on building up the sort of freelance life I crave. I want all the freedom of freelancing, and I’m willing to put in the work, I’m just scared of giving up a known source of income. Even if the move would be a good one. 🙁
Though, I was thinking of buying the dSLR as a reward to paying off the 240… I’m just so torn over that whole thing. ._. Sowwie for another long, rambling comment, I just wish I could talk it over with someone who’s financially savvy and such! (My hubby and Mom are great, but being more emotional than rational about it, when I’m already emotionally thinking through it and want a more rational discussion. Sigh.)
.-= Foxie´s last blog ..New Project Idea — Opinions Wanted =-.
Barnes and Nobles “The Nook” e-reader seems pretty sleek and way cheaper than the Sony one. I think it’s $249. I wouldn’t buy one but since you mentioned it….
One thing I’d like to get is a new car but I need to wait until we pay off our other car. My Civic can still squeeze out a couple thousand miles.
Did you know that Amazon kindle is now $40 off – you should test kindle for 30 days…
I think Roland is great. It’s the closest thing to a real piano without tuning requirement. I have a Roland HP103. I practice on it and I still manage when I play on my teacher’s extra hard-keyed Steinway baby grand, lol. AND, it’s relatively easy to move.
If you just want the basic piano function without all the keyboard features, why don’t you consider a Roland RP-101 (http://www.roland.com/products/en/RP101/index.html)? It goes on avg. $1,500 (in USD at least) with a stand already. Extra seat is $100 at most. Your cost is almost half of Roland RD-700.
.-= Kin´s last blog ..Risk Hedging, Planning, and Stress =-.
You’ve already given up on it but I have a Kindle and not only do I love it, it’s changed the way I read. I’m reading more, in more situations because it’s so easy to use. I don’t get tired at all with it, and it is great how you can enlarge the print (I do that sometimes on buses when the lighting isn’t great – no eye strain at all). It was a bday present, but if I knew then, what I know now, I would have made the purchase myself, without any hesitation.
Have you thought about purchasing a Kindle??? They are AMAZING and I highly recommend them. I have the Kindle 1 and it’s great…I’ve heard very good things about the Kindle 2 as well. It makes it so easy when traveling to be able to just sign on wirelessly and purchase a book from Amazon…the device won’t SAVE you money from buying books (e-books are cheaper as a general rule), but it will definitely save you space and become your new fave gadget.
Barnes and Noble is about to come out with the Nook e-reader. So you’ll have a third option to consider. I’m sure there will be more to choose from in the future….
Nook link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?cm_mmc=Google-_-Nook%20-%20Nook%20-%20Exact-_-Nook-_-nook&cm_mmca1=10851528&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Nook_-_Nook_-_Exact&utm_creative=Nook+3484215924&iq_id=10851528&H000000012
Hey FB, I LOVE your site very inspiring!
I would go with a Sony eReader, you can save some money (not as much as one would hope…yet) and you can save space (think about lugging all those books–of course, you won’t want to repurchase them all but all the classics can be downloaded for free LEGALLY from places like project gutenberg). I would just buy an older model. I have the PRS505; it’s not touchscreen but that feature is more of a bell and whistle than a necessary feature. I LOVE my Sony eReader. It was a big purchase when I bought it (when it first came out) but it’s one of those few expensive tech-toys that I don’t regret buying over a year later. The Sony store/Future Shop/Best Buy/whatever should have a demo on hand for you to try and you could always pick up a used one. Not sure how much the 505 is going for but I think they still have them in-stock new.
D-
I have a Sony ebook reader (the touch-screen one) prs 700, and i love it! i donated or sold all the books i had that i could get in ebook format, which was over 200! I am a university student, so i use mine for school readings in PDF format, as well as for travel books when i am travelling, pleasure reads, and more. I like that you can search for text – which is very handy when using it for travel books! let me know if you have any more questions. 🙂
as for stuff i am holding off on: a camcorder. I want one of the sony camcorder which is about $1200.
I don’t want to settle for a less-nice one that I won’t be happy with, but being a student, i don’t have that kind of money to spend right now! http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665891064
Don’t know how soon you intend to move, but if this makes a difference, quality digital pianos seem to hold their value pretty well. I definitely would NOT want to move ours if we moved somewhere where we could only fly/ship stuff, but I’m fairly confident we could sell it for what we bought it for when we got it used off craigslist. Glad you are considering the digital option! =)
When you move into your more permanent place, you can check out craigslist…people will have free or cheap pianos, and you may only need to pay the cost of getting it tuned (and maybe moved from their place to yours)….you can work your way up to a fancier piano!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Layoff Survival Guide: Back to work! =-.
@Stephanie That’s a good point!
@Jean: Really? I would only be able to fly or ship it… since it’d be to the States from Canada.. but it makes me wonter.
I am still on the lookout for a used version of it, but so far no dice
There’s ALOT of things I want to buy but won’t because I can’t justify it. The one thing that I WANT to buy but won’t now is the Palm Pre. I LOVE it. But it’s only available at Bell right now. I insist that my carrier must be a GSM carrier though (plus I generally hate Bell.) So I am waiting for Rogers or Telus to get it which hopefully will be in 2 years cause that’s when my contract ends anyways. And then I can get the Palm Pre with a discount cause paying full price does not interest me at all.
.-= The Asian Pear´s last blog ..On Shortness =-.
@Small Budget big Style Chick: That’s the way I feel about those two above items! I love them, but I feel like my money is too tight now to justify buying something quite so expensive.
@frugalscholar: My parents have 20-year old washers and dryers, and they haven’t upgraded either
@Last Born Child: That’s why I have a Macbook AND Windows.
I prefer Windows for heavy stuff but Macbook is great for surfing and general surfing…
You’ve reminded me, we’re also holding off on our Tour around Asia
I am soon to purchase a vacation to Barcelona. I intend to head off sometime in the New Year.
I am also holding off on buying an Apple Macbook pro and saying goodbye to Windows. I love the idea of stress-free, crash-free computing, but I like being able to personalize Windows, the user support for obscure programs etc.
.-= Last Born Child´s last blog ..Net Worth: September 2009 – what happened? =-.
Good question! Eventually, I will buy a frontloading washer. My current washer is 20 years old. Works OK, but uses a lot of water. There is supposedly a cash for clunkers appliance program in the works.
.-= frugalscholar´s last blog ..Frugal Fieldwork: At Barnes and Noble =-.
I’m waiting to purchase an SLR camera and a sewing machine because though I know I’d use both items, I’d really like to wait until I make more progress with my saving and paying down debt before purchasing relatively expensive items.