Definitely agreed. "Learn to think cheap." has been important for us. "Money saving tips" that include Areon chairs and a several thousand dollar expresso machine are retarded. My co-founder wanted an external monitor for his laptop ... so he picked one up a 19" CRT for 5€ on eBay. We like expresso, so we have a 15€ coffee grinder and a 25€ mocha pot that goes on the stove. This isn't rocket science.
So can Areon chairs. That doesn't mean that they're the most effective use of money. Really, this is a list of motivational tips, not money saving tips.
But even there, the sort of people I'd like to hire are much more excited about hard problems than fancy office accessories.
Not that I think all of his advice is sound, but every buy recommendation is followed by a justification of how much that item saves. Maybe you could save more through other means, but they are all, in theory, net savers.
For example, on the home economics front, I'd advise that you buy pots and pans at Target so you can cook your own meals because you'll save $15/meal/person x 3 meals/day x 30 days/month x 4 persons/household = $5400/month/household, on average. Maybe you can save more by buying used pots at the thrift store, or inheriting them from your rich uncle, or salvaging them out of the garbage, but that doesn't invalidate the point.
Your question was glib, and this is a forum for smart people.
Buying Areon chairs for $1500 a pop is not a "save money" move. That's not to say that it's not a smart move but if you want to judge it solely from an economic perspective, it's got fail all over it.
If you're running a startup that means you're lean on employees, and that means hiring the best. Employee retention for folks with many employment options requires perks beyond just stock options.
And honestly, every coder appreciates a good chair... we do spend 8+ hours in it every day...
