Wat Would You Pay For Dat?
November 12th, 2009 by Braddah LanceWe're faced with da same question everyday at least once a day.
"Wat would you pay for dat?"
While you may not ask/say it word for word, I guarantee dat you say something along those lines.... like, "no way I'm buying it at dat price!" or "ho Brah! Stay cheap!" 
On Monday, I had to burn a vacation day so my friend and I went golf. (Muchos Mahalos to Coconut Willy for da great rate!) Before we got to da course we stopped by 7-11 to get some juice (no, not dat kine "juice") and Crazy Glue.
Crazy Glue?
Yeah, Crazy Glue. I had to fix my "talking shoe". 
As I was looking for some green tea thingy I wasn't looking to pay more than a dollah for it. Why? Cause I know I can find a BIG size drink for dat price.... plus I know dat da "going rate" for a liter soda/juice is a dollah so I wasn't about to pay any more than dat. I found a Lipton Green Tea.
Then I wanted something quick to eat so I looked around. Tuna sandwich..... $5?! Supah old dried out looking pizza..... $4?!
Wassap Wit Dat!
Yesterday, NKHEA and Uncle Rodney came down and invitied me to tag along for lunch. It was deadline Wednesday and I was a little behind but I needed a mental break so I "forced" myself to go. I looked for my wallet only to find out nevah have - forgot it at home! 
Good thing I keep some diñero in my desk for "emergencies" and found $10 which included $2 in coins.
I told them no can go fancy shmancy kine place cause I only had $10 and heaven forbid I evah pay for a plate lunch dat goes into double digits! (Muchos Mahalos to Uncle Rodney for lunch!)
There are a lot of "prices" I draw da line at and sometimes no can help but to pay higher cause either no can find or you needed/wanted it right away is sometimes necessary.... but I have standards.
Ok, ok.... I stay chang..... no wait...... frugal. Dat sound mo' bettah. 
Well, Da Wife and I go through dis kine stuff all da time. I tell her, "hell no I going pay dat much for dat!" hence da "boycott" of Zippy's for me. But on da flip side you always hear "you get wat you pay for" which I believe is a crock of doo-doo. I believe you get wat you pay for if you nevah know about it. I'm all about "value" and size/quantity/price match while I'm not naive to tink dat I can get a sumo sized plate lunch for $4.
Of course there is a balance somewea wea you're willing to pay juuuust a bit more, so wea do you draw da line at? Wat's da max dat you'd pay for something? Have you evah bought something and later told/found out dat you could have gotten it cheaper? Do you even care? Or are you one to just buy cause you no like go/drive someplace else?
For instance, I'm not about to pay more than $7 for a plate lunch and even at dat price da buggah bettah be loaded and taste ono! I'm still on da prowl for da evah elusive $5 plate lunches. Or like I mentioned, $1 for soda and it ain't no 12 ouncer! I'm not about to spend $5 for a sandwich either unless it meets da "criteria". And hell's no I'm going to drop $5 for ONE beea! 
Wat kine stuff would you pay for and wat's your "limits"?
Tags: Braddah Lance Kwon, Chang, Cheap, Expensive, Frugal, Limits, Prices, Value, Wassap Wit Dat!, WWD!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Aloha BL,
I am always finding the same thing cheaper after buying it at what I thought was a good price. As for being cheap, I am very Pake and would drive across town because the gas was cheaper by 2 cents. Never mind that any savings on price was negated by the extra driving distance. And like you I am boycotting "Rippys", but I think they are beginning to get the idea since I see a lot of discount offers for them floating around.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:10 am
In-N-Out #2: Cheeseburger, Fries, and a soda for under $5.00
I'm not cheap just "frugal"!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Ho man BL......you get "rheas of da mout" today.
WHAT WAS DA QUESTION?????
OL
November 12th, 2009 at 9:40 am
No worry BL.......I stay "Chang" also as my last name not Trump or Wynn.
Today Da Wife and I gotta provide snacks for Da Teenager's tennis team. McD's DOLLAR MENU gonna get hit 25 times.
OL
November 12th, 2009 at 10:00 am
"Fair Price" is in the makas of the beholder. I've been forced into a life of frugality in overdrive... only got my own paycheck to live on and you all know what I do for a living.
I went into shock when I saw kamaboko on sale for $1.97! WWD? What happened to 79 cents? And I think you all know my bus fare story. When did it go up to $2.25?
My friend will not pay 45cents more for Fuji Apples and drive to another store for it, but $20 for 3 DVDs is "so cheap!" so she buys every week. Nothing is right or wrong, it's whatever your own priority is.
In the eye of the beholder.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I'm cheap when it come to buying clothes but I don't mind spending more for food, esp. if it tastes really good. I will admit (ashamedly) that I regularly spend $7+ per lunch per day. Today was a cheap day - $4.75 for soup and cornbread.
Bottom line is I hate feeling like I'm padding somebody's retirement account.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:27 am
you do 'get what you pay for' but the trick is knowing where and when that actually applies. just don't ask me when that is. There is absolutely a difference between sizzler's and ruth's chris. But since we can't afford to eat at ruth's chris everyweek, we live with sizzler. Because food is so subjective, it's like sally said, It's in the eye of the beholder.
the mickey d's dollar menu is one of the few low price options we have. It really makes me miss SoCal, you could get 4 rolled tacos with guac and cheese for 99 cents, or a chili dog with fries for $1.25! Nothing like that here!
November 12th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I remember someone else once talking about shopping at thrift stores. I do. I can't tell you how many times I've found clothes and other items with tags still on. My shining day was when I bought 2 Nike workout shorts, 1 Levis Denim shorts, 1 Style Co. (Macy's) dress pants and 1 Style Co. casual pants, and a board shorts.... all for $9.00, all with tags still on!!! Doesn't happen all the time but they're there more often than you know.
Oh, and a Sunny brand bag (with tag) for $5!
Sally>>>*jonesing for another shopping spree*
November 12th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I stay chang(frugal) like all of you too, especially if looking for fast food. now days go zippy's only with da coupons or order mini plates. zippy's since dey started renovations and building new places stay charge plenny fo food. gotta pay bills I guess. always looking fo da deals wen it's eating out. stay try to keep it up to 15.00 if two of us eat out fast food kine.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:31 am
@ jaydee-we don't have in 'n out here, don't tease me!
November 12th, 2009 at 10:34 am
No lie, da supah glue was to try fix da slice eh.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:52 am
When I was younger and single, I didn't think much about going to the grocery store and buying a 4-pack of toilet paper or one roll of paper towel. But now that I'm married and have a family on one income, we always purchase those items from a club warehouse (i.e. Costco, Sams or BJs). We usually look at unit prices and buy the cheapest available (even the warehouse brand) as long as the quality is not bad. Most of those generic items I've heard are really brand name items.
One thing I can think of that we don't compromise here is soda. My husband is all about Coke. He will not drink Pepsi unless he really has to (if it is the only beverage available at a restaurant). We only buy Coke and try to make sure we purchase on sale. So far I've been pretty lucky to find it on sale.
Other than that, we try to keep expenses such as fast food under control. If the three of us (besides the baby for now) can eat for $15 to $20 or less, then it's great.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Sorry ZX6R....
November 12th, 2009 at 11:23 am
... hey Braddah Lance!!! ... your *ahem* frugal spending habits are funny to me ... well, because you one GUY!!! ... I always thought that men are the money wasters
and women are the smart, money savers 
...
... a man and his money are soon parted
... that's what I say ...
... I dunno ... I'm not into expensive luxury cars or brand-name clothes ... I wouldn't mind it ... but, I'm not in pursuit of it ... but for the small stuff ... I do admit that I'll spend needless extra money ...
1. for convenience ... (ok reason)
2. in a spur of the moment stupidity ... (bad reason)
3. just because I have extra money ... (dumba$$ reason)
4. for the ladies ... (the only good reason)
... Have a Good One Everyone!!! ...
November 12th, 2009 at 11:25 am
i second you on the boycott of Zippy's! Never will I go back there and buy food. I'll only eat their food if someone else buys those potluck ready bucket of chili. Other then that, NO CAN!
November 12th, 2009 at 11:46 am
You mean Zippy's has more than Jello Parfait and Coffee?
November 12th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I freaked out when I went to Zippy's and got a zip pac...almost $10?! You kidding me!
Times has a good deal on their plate lunches. Includes a drink for $7 something and you get planny food.
I not usually the kine who go all ovah for shop for da cheapest cereal vs. bread, vs. whatevahs. I just go one market for all da week's groceries. Sometimes I choose the market based on what's on sale, but das it.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
While I do try to get the best price for what I buy I really don't mind paying a premium for quality and service on occasion. The worst "I think I paid too much" are air tickets - guaranz someone paid less than you.
Alan from Makiki
November 12th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I bring home lunch 4 days and go out for lunch once a week with co-worker. Da wife and I don't eat out much. It's also healthier to eat at home. However, we splurge on our anniversary. Last week on our 36th, we went Ruth Chris's and even then it was for early bird at a reduced rate. They asked if was for a special occasion and we said for anniversary and got a little extra value for our dinner, champagne, chocolate-coconut strawberries, $25 gift certificate and even rose petals on our table...it was very nice. A little pricey for us but money well spent...da rib eye is definitely a broke-da-mouth "four shakas"
November 12th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Congratulations hemajang! 36 yrs! and what a nice dinner you two had, very special treatment. Congratulations again!
November 12th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
i no mind paying if the quality is there. also, the utility gotta be there as well. for example, i can't remember the last time i bought clothes from a normal retail store. usually it's ross or the rack or some similar place for me because i couldn't care less about the fashion. i'll drop nuts kind dollars on food, though if it tastes good because eating well matters to me. the best of both worlds is a couple of particular taco trucks that park near my work (kind of the equivalent of the manapua man for the bay area) broke da mouth food that's authentic and fresh and i get out of there for five bucks
November 12th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
"Rippys"
I like dat one! 
But to their defense, they have lowered their prices (I heard) but still thier price to quantity ratio is way outta whack! 
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Oooooh man! You gotta bus' out In-N-Out eh?!?
Das ok..... I going get my share in three weeks! *hint hint.... stay tuned*
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Heh? I do?
Well I couldn't pass as a Jackson.
Make surah you count 'em before you leave.
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True dat! My $5 plate lunch maybe a $8 plate lunch to somebody else.
I remembah wen it used to be $.99.
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I hear it's been raining a lot........ maybe I'll bring da sun. *BL crossing fingahs*
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I know sometimes.... most times not.
Couldn't have said it any bettah.
Heh?! But then again if I ate dat everyday I'd be like 300+ lbs.
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You really wen scorah yeah?
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I think those mini plates are going to be a hit.... as long as it stays at da price they get 'em at now.
Us too! Actually..... less if we can.
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Dat makes da two of us! It's ok.... I'll pound one for you wen I'm up there in a few weeks.
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There's not enough Supah Glue in da world to do dat.
I was draining some supah long putts...... too bad it was taking me like four just to get on. 
November 12th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Da drivah no was working?
November 12th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I wouldn't pay more than a buck (one at atime, of course) at Femme Nu or Club Rockza. Must learn to pace oneself.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Das how it usually is....... once you get married! How's Baby Jack?
He should have applied there cause I heard they are very adamant about not supporting each oddah.
For instance Pepsi guys not even going to Mickey D's cause it's a Coke establishment etc. 
Untill Baby gets biggah......
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You should have sent in a picture of you pounding a double double saying dat.
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I really tink depends on how your economic status was growing cause my family nevah have money so I was always frugal.
Hmmm...... spend or waste?
I keed I keed. 
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I'm with you...... but I gotta give sometimes wen Da Wife wants to pick up a Zip Chili to go.
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Yeah, they also got a giant donut and naples.
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You tellin' me!!! I was trippin' out wen I saw dat too....... and even more worse........ same amount of food! WWD!
Plenny fo' you.
Kinda scary to go market and spend jus' as much as I would at Sam's and get less stuff but sometimes gotta only get da "one" pack.
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No doubt about dat.
Definitely no doubt about dat!
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Smart man..... very smart man.
WOW! You guys been married longah than I've been alive!!!
CONGRATULATIONS on numbah 36!!! You surah 36 right?
You tink they going believe if I tell 'em 30?
Well I going try them next yea (get gift certificate) so I going put your four shakas to da test.
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It's wen you find all three in "harmony" dat there's a perfect sense in da world.
$5? I'll swim there for dat. Ok... maybe not swim.
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Not even with a GPS.
I would say about 1 out of 4 was spot on. Now if I only could hit da softball da same distance my slice travels..........
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LMAO!
Yup...... it's not a sprint. 
November 12th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Why u think I hit da ball to right field.....
November 12th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Howzit all you bugga's
Small stay small kine late
but betta late den neva 
Me get real bad habit I just buy'um if I like'um
no even go check if can get'um mo cheap some udda place 
NKHEA..... not 2 shmut
November 12th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I'd pay $5 for one beer at the bar. It's all about atmosphere and enjoying time with friends. At 8Fat I've gone as high as $11 for one beer (smoked lager) from Brazil, I think. I like to try new beers, and the better beers cost more. Sometimes, you can get the best of both worlds. Flying Dog Barley Wine at 8Fat is like $7.50. But it's also a 10.2% abv beer, so not only does it taste better, you get more than two bud lights worth of alcohol for a beer that costs about the same as two bud lights.
For me, it's mostly about expectations and trying new things rather than pure price. I can get cheap Genki sushi (and I do on occasion), but to have it made by someone who knows what he's doing like at Maguroya or Yohei (my two favorite sushi places) is worth it once in a while. Even with like burgers, I'm happy with two double cheeses from Ron's House (McDonalds), but the burgers at The Counter are good too even though they cost like 6x as much. And it's still cheaper to splurge on a good burger to raise your mood than on new clothes or toys.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Howzit BL!
Busy day, I don't like Zippy's, over price. They give the smallest scoops of rice.
I don't mind pay a little more for good food.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I ain't paying no $20 for "champagne" (which is really ginger ale) for 10 minutes of "companionship" I never got and still don't get the concept.
I'd rather go to a nudie bar (If I went to those places) At least you know what you're getting.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:40 am
BL, if you want to cure your slice, use vaseline instead of crazy glue.
when you come back up here, I'll get fancy schmancy upscale nice restaurants to send your wife to and then take you to the down home taquerias for some ono cheap mexican eats.