That is the question.
Last week I encountered the perfect storm at Target: A Nintendo Wii, a Wii Fit, and my frugal nature collided.
I was caught between my childhood passion for video games, my need to get off the couch, and my inability to part with $330+.
You see, when I was a kid, I was in love with the original Nintendo. I spent a whole summer addicted to the thing. And my mom was addicted, too.
This summer my mom (and next door neighbor!) bought a Nintendo Wii. Several weeks later, she got a Wii Fit, and after playing with her, oh boy, do I have some serious Wii envy! It is so much fun!
Fortunately for me, up until last week, I had never seen a Wii or a Wii Fit for sale in any of my local stores.In fact, they’ve been darn near impossible to find anywhere.
But that changed last week. I happened to be walking by the Nintendo aisle at Target, and they called to me from the display case.
I called my husband about four times on the cell phone, and had a mini anxiety attack as I contemplated whether or not I should purchase the thing.
The actual cost of the Nintendo Wii ($250) isn’t all that bad – especially compared to other gaming systems. But I really wanted the Wii Fit, an extra controller, and an extra nunchuck. Add it all up, and we’re talking a $400 purchase!
My husband was supportive of whatever I decided. And he also knows me well… His words to me, “If you’re just going to obsess about it for the next 6 months just get it now and be done with it. We’ve been good with our money and we can afford it. It’s fine by me.”
But in the end, I couldn’t do it. Between the kids, running the household, writing this blog, enjoying time with my husband and pursing my other hobbies, I just don’t know when I would find time to play. I also fear that a Wii Fit may just end up like my giant collection of exercise videos, my treadmill, and my handweights…. dusty and ignored.
I think if the kids were old enough to play (my oldest is 3), I would feel differently. I can imagine a time where the Nintendo Wii could be a great family pastime – playing virtual tournaments and so on.
So for now, I will play Nintendo Wii at my mom’s and use that time to better evaluate whether the Wii is a worthwhile purchase for our family.
It was definitely a hard decision for this frugal gal!
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