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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 27 2013 at 11:50am | IP Logged
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I continually have this debate with myself: is it more frugal to buy an object (such as a book) that can be resold when you are through with it or to buy a pdf file, ebook, etc that costs less to start?
You can buy cds through places like itunes; you can buy movies on Amazon prime and store them in your virtual watch file; you can buy ebooks galore- not to mention pdf files for many school related items. This saves storage space as well as up front costs.
But then you can't resell a book or a dvd that is virtual (at least I think not...).
I tend to buy items that can be resold, especially for school. But then there is the hassle of the time to sell the item, mail it, etc.
So I go around and around with this idea... which is more frugal?
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 27 2013 at 12:42pm | IP Logged
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You'd have to know resale value vs. cost of the virtual item. Some items you may be able to resell at close to original value. Others not. So you're not saving anything by buying to resell if you lose more money in the transaction than the virtual item costs.
Also you'd have to know yourself. I have a lot of kids. Odds are anything I buy will get multiple use and lose even more value for resale. But that has to be tempered with, how is it going to be used by the kids. There's only so many devices and so much time to get to virtual items.
It won't be a single answer. It'll depend on each item. And also knowing which items can be resold. For instance, Rosetta Stone does not give permission for resale in their copy right. But it may still be a good deal for me because of the number of kids that can use it. And then I can bless someone else with it, if it survives that long.
Purchasing used is another option of course. Since you bought it for the used price, if your turn around is fast enough you'd be more likely to sell it for around what you paid.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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JennGM
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| Posted: Dec 27 2013 at 1:26pm | IP Logged
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Like Jodie said, it depends on the item. Our house hasn't gone digital for books yet, just my use, so I can't say this is from experience for the children's books.
I hesitate buying digital books if I'm going to use more than once. How will I know if the system will continue to be supported or if I lose my files? I know back-ups are crucial, but I have lost in the past.
For books that we reuse, I prefer to buy, usually used.
I don't resell much, except for more expensive books (over $7.00), because shipping costs and such.
For books that are just used briefly by myself for reference or a quick read, then I consider digital.
But I also rarely use my computer for school things.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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jawgee
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| Posted: Dec 27 2013 at 1:40pm | IP Logged
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When I can I try to buy actual books/curriculum used - figuring that I won't lose much on resale when I've already purchased it used (Teaching Textbooks, Noeo Science, etc.). I try to buy used items in Like New condition, to get the best value for my money.
When I do have to buy new, though, I usually only consider a pricey item if it is something I will use with all four kids (Rosetta Stone, like someone mentioned before).
That said, if the price for the electronic version (PDF, eBook, etc.) is much lower, then I will buy the electronic version.
So many factors to consider...
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Monica
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Dec 27 2013 at 3:17pm | IP Logged
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Shipping is the big factor for me. I got my dh an ereader and ordering the books he likes through some of the small publishers is so much more cost effective digitally. This is mostly because we are up here in the great north though!
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Kristie in Canada
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Martha
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To me, a book worth reading is a book worth owning in hard copy and a book not worth reading is not worth owning in any format, so we would either go free download or library for those.
Also, for me it is not just resale factor.
Someone can take my book and it doesn't inhibit my ability to read my email.
I've yet to have anyone hunk to steal all my books, but kindles and iPad and computers crash or break or systems get hacked every single day. Way more often than say.. a house fire or whatever... destroying all my books.
I can still access my cookbooks, knitting projects, romance novels  and school materials even when the electricity goes out and even on a road trip.
Additional cost of maintaining a data package on some devices should be considered too. As well the inevitable breakable or required upgrade of the device. Sure books can get worn out or messed up too. But it is unusual that it happens to all of them in one fell swoop.
Now I love technology and I do think it saves me a ton of money. If for no other reason than I can usually preview and review things more thoroughly than just a mini description in a catalog ever gave. Not to mention I only print off what I tried and want to keep. (Hand craft patterns, recipes, and so forth.)
But usually things I actually want to own, I want hard copy.
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Martha
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 27 2013 at 5:45pm | IP Logged
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Hmm... that is a good point about losing everything if a device is lost or stolen. It could get very costly to replace everything. Also there is the inconvenience factor of not be able to access things if the power is out.
I lean towards hard copy vs. digital. There have been times when I have bought an item used and then sold it for as much or more than I paid, which was helpful for the budget.
Recently, though, I did buy a full season of an old TV show through Amazon Prime, and I bought the digital version, which is stored in my on line account. I didn't want a multi-disc set to store (shelf space being prime real estate here), and it was a few dollars cheaper to buy the digital version. However, it's not something I can resell later. The total cost was under $10, so I doubt I would have recouped much of my investment.
I do like to buy, use and then resell if I can. Of course, I never come out ahead because any money I make usually goes right back into more books...  
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 27 2013 at 5:53pm | IP Logged
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Yes, Amazon has the cloud so that those digital things are stored there. Yes power outage is a consideration. I'd never go all digital. But especially for "fun reading" well, I just got my oldest daughter a set of 3 books she's been wanting. The books are $15-18 EACH. I got all 3 on Kindle for $12. And we don't have access to a good library, besides I fail regularly at getting there to get or return books.. and that's if a small child doesn't manage to destroy one. I'm just tired of policing library books from the toddler crowd. So we don't do the library if I can help it. Waiting to get everything in a proper hardback book would severely restrict our access to the stories contained by the books. Especially classic books that you can get free. We have 3 kindles besides the 2 computers. No monthly charges for any of the devices except the internet connection.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 27 2013 at 5:55pm | IP Logged
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Oh and since all 3 kindles and one computer can be used on battery.. as long as you're not needing internet to access something.. short periods of power outage isn't a problem.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Frugal Friday: Which is more frugal?
