<p>Some things we think it is normal to spend a lot of money on, for example a car. But buying a $70,000 car might cause less concern than buying a $60,000 car and a $10,000 some other kind of toy.</p>
<p>For example, I have long admired the big cannon-type lenses that you see professionals using, such as a 600 mm Nikon at nearly 10K. Then I realized what the hey, I can just go and get one …</p>
<p>Anything similar in your psychological block category?</p>
<p>Expensive purses. Could do it, but just don’t want to.</p>
<p>One time my best friend said “I love your purse. What kind is it?”</p>
<p>“I don’t know.”</p>
<p>“You don’t know what kind of purse you have?!?!”</p>
<p>Nrdsb4, my answer might have been, “Leather.”</p>
<p>Like Nrdsb4 - no brands (clothing purses, etc.). I actually don’t necessarily know if I could afford Coach, Gucci, etc. But either way, I don’t care for brand names for their own sake. I pick out what I like and feel brands (if I happen to like a brand, great!) are more a status symbol than anything else.</p>
<p>I also have a hard time splurging on purses and most “things.” We CAN afford them but have a hard time committing the funds. Expensive hotel rooms are another thing–we are finally getting more comfortable staying where we want instead of the cheapest acceptable lodging, even though the cost may be higher. ;)</p>
<p>H is starting to buy the computer equipment he WANTS (even though our house is FILLED with computers and equipment). He says he will donate some of the older ones, but we shall see.</p>
<p>We have a hard time buying expensive new cars and tend to keep deferring the purchase until the mechanic says our aging vehicles need to be put out of their misery, then we have to look in earnest and figure out whether to get gently used or <gasp> new! The last time we got a new car was in 1999.</gasp></p>
<p>Hair salon visits. I could afford expensive ones and I probably should, but that’s my mental block. But somehow when the kids want something I never have a problem. Go figure.</p>
<p>My H just replaced the fuel pump on his 47yr old pick up.</p>
<p>I’m a miser about postage! The idea of spending more to send something than the item costs bugs me. I’ll wait to find three books I want on Amazon to get free postage before I’ll spend the $4 for postage for the one I want. I know it’s irrational with the cost of gasoline and transportation in general, but still.</p>
<p>Expensive hair cut, cabs, dessert/coffee at restaurants. I am sure there are some others I could think of. </p>
<p>I’ve been going to the same hair dresser since my 20s. She used to charge me $25, now it is $40. My kids’ haircut is around $100. They both tell me that I need to go see David, how wonderful he is. </p>
<p>I’ll spend thousands to travel, but to get me to pay for a cab is hard. I just think it is a waste when there is public transportation. </p>
<p>I hate paying $5 for coffee and $10 for dessert when I could get that for a lot less. On the other hand, getting a bottle of wine or champagne is a different matter.</p>
<p>H and kids laugh at me all the time. They can’t figure out why I have a hard time paying for certain things.</p>
<p>If the extra several hundred percent I have to pay for something “expensive” provides only an incremental benefit to me personally compared to what a cheaper item does (e.g., Lexus IS vs Toyota Matrix), then I see no reason to splurge. I do pay extra for shoes - quality and fit is more important than the wow factor, so Louboutins are out, and Tod’s are in. ;)</p>
<p>We rarely pay for a cab either. But then when we do, it feels like a real treat!</p>
<p>This resonates with me as well. I also cannot get the designer purse and spending hundreds of dollars on an everyday bag although I have always been a fan of Coach until they had changed their designs a few years ago… hated that look. Since they now have “classic coach” I bought a Coach hobo bag last year on sale at Lord and Taylor for about $285 and I just love it -the size and the style are perfect and the bag will last for a really long time especially as I use the Coach cleanser on it and I’m really careful.</p>
<p>I used to only grind fresh coffee beans on the weekend and use ground coffee during the week but last year I decided that was just stupid. I enjoy a fresh ground cup of coffee, I can afford it as I work hard and have a good income. Why am I not treating myself better? Same with theatre or the opera or going to a symphony. I always look for whatever discount offers I can take advantage of… but sometimes there just aren’t any or none that are convenient… does that mean I should never go to theatre or the Metropolitan Opera?? I can’t afford to do so on a weekly basis but a few times a year, no problem. </p>
<p>When my kids were little and I hadn’t gone back to work, it was always the bargain matinee for us and not a chance that they would have soda. We would buy one popcorn for them to share and they would drink juice boxes that I brought with me. </p>
<p>My DH loves the Audi but would never splurge on that car if a Toyota Camry or an Altima can get you there as well.</p>
<p>We can afford items in a hotel minibar but why buy when I can go to a supermarket or a vending machine for at least half off.</p>
<p>I think zm has hit on a general truth. My good friend is a photographer - she earns money photographing weddings, bar mitzvahs, etc., and she has done the photography for some books. We were out for a walk and she was talking about an expensive lens she really wanted but felt she couldn’t afford. I asked her how much she was spending on her daughter’s horseback riding and her son’s music and sports. She decided to buy the lens.</p>
<p>I am the same way. I am very cheap when it comes to buying things for myself, but I think nothing of spending lots of money on my son’s multiple hours of music lessons each week.</p>
<p>Lots of things.
Valet parking. Cabs (when traveling) but will fly business class when flying long distances.
My shopping splurging has no rhyme or reason. I have been known to spend over 150 dollars on pants at Anthropologie but won’t spend over 30 for anything at Target, Ross or Old Navy.
My H hates ordering a drink when we dine out. He will always have tap water. I need my ice tea and never check the price.</p>
<p>Oh yea, I rarely splurge on taxi rides–will walk literally hours instead. Hardly ever use valet parking either–if we can’t self-park, we may go elsewhere. Rarely splurge on clothing for me but OK with nice things that cost money for H & the kids. I will also rarely order a drink when we dine out–we generally stick with tap water; H is getting adventurous and will order decaf these days and sometimes split a beer with my dad.</p>
<p>I have enough money to buy a ps4 but im saving my money so I wont spend it on the ps4.</p>
<p>I spend a lot on handbags because I use them every single day. That is sort of how I decide whether an expensive purchase is worth it or not. Like upgrading my wedding ring was worth it because I wear it and thus appreciate it almost 24/7. Nice cars are also worth it here in CA, because we drive almost everywhere, everyday. I have a hard time buying expensive luggage, on the other hand, because while I do travel, the number of times I actually handle/use the luggage are few, so not worth it.</p>
<p>I grew up with depression-era parents so maybe it’s been ingrained to not spend unless necessary.
On the other hand, I’m very happy with what I have and can afford what I want, when I want it (I just don’t seem to want very much).
The things I HAVE splurged on (since I save on everything else!)–art work I couldn’t live without, a good seat at a play, my kids, and travel experiences.</p>
<p>anything brand name - clothes specifically, buy all of mine @ costco. Restaurants - hate to spend more than $25 per person unless it is a spl. occassion in which case it is $35 (all inclusive). Drinks at a restaurant/bar. the only things that I “splurged” on were decent cars and 1 watch.</p>