Thoughts from the cheap seats



My husband and I went to see David Sedaris recently. Or more accurately, we went to listen to him in person recently. We really enjoyed it; he was (of course!) very funny and also rather unassuming, from what little I could see from our limited-view seats in the highest balcony. In fact I spent most of the time with my eyes closed, just leaning back, listening and laughing. Why, I thought, should we pay to have great seats when we’re really just going to be listening?

So we didn’t. Which was just fine.

We did get seats right in the middle, but they were very, VERY far away. Before the show started, a lady sitting nearby mentioned that she couldn’t believe how much the tickets were and so she got these seats instead.

“I couldn’t afford those”, she said, pointing down below to the good seats.

“I could,” said my husband, “but I didn’t want to spend the money.”

I was a little surprised by both of their comments. Despite all the rambling I do about money here, it’s not that often that I hear two people who don’t know each other at all talking about their personal finances.

It’s also an interesting change from how things were for us just a few years ago. Now we’re not spending as much because we want the money to go to other things. In the past, we couldn’t spend as much because we had more bills than money. The bills (debts!) were like a giant slurping maw.

It’s nice to be able to spend more if we want to, but to choose not to. To have our priorities and stick with them, while still doing enjoyable things.

And of course you can hear David Sedaris for free on NPR, or get his books from the library. It was cool to hear him in person once though.

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Posted in Spending money on Oct 26, 2008

4 Responses to “ Thoughts from the cheap seats ”

  1. # 1 jin6655321 Says:
    October 26th, 2008 at 7:57 am

    David Sedaris is one of my favorite authors!
    I agree, comedic acts aren’t like concerts or plays. Usually, all they do is stand and or sit, maybe shuffle around the stage every once in awhile.

  2. # 2 SP Says:
    October 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am

    I love david sedaris too. You are right, no need to be front and center.

    Usually, when I say I can’t afford something, what I really mean is I don’t think it is worth it. Usually, I can afford it, but I think it is overpriced

  3. # 3 shadox Says:
    October 26th, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    On the flip side, my wife and I got tickets to see Bill Mahr in San Francisco a couple of months ago – it was a gift from the in-laws – and while seeing the man wasn’t that important to me, the sound way back up in the nose bleed seats was really awful. I had to struggle to hear much of the time, which really was much less enjoyable than it could have been.

  4. # 4 StarL Says:
    October 27th, 2008 at 2:03 am

    “It’s also an interesting change from how things were for us just a few years ago. Now we’re not spending as much because we want the money to go to other things. In the past, we couldn’t spend as much because we had more bills than money. The bills (debts!) were like a giant slurping maw. ” —You know these circumstances really show one of life’s greatest ironies. Like how it’s funny how when you’re “poor” you’re relatively happier, while when you’re “rich,” you don’t even know how to be happy and content.

    This circumstance in your post however points out the fact that when you don’t have money, you want to spend on things you think you need. But then when you have the money, you just know that you can do without the things you were wishing for when you had none.

    I do agree though, that it’s far better to have the option when it comes to finances. It’s a little comforting actually to know that you’ve been handling your money well enough that you’ve got some extra. :)

    Great post. :)
    More power!

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