<p>Yes. And for me add manicures. I did splurge for teeth whitening with my dentist.</p>
<p>I won’t pay for expensive gas…Costco is about 50 cents a gallon cheaper.</p>
<p>I will also never buy another expensive car (LOVE THEM) but love being car payment free even more. I can’t believe the 180 I have done with this one.</p>
<p>Expensive shoes (except nice running/walking shoes), purses, and jewelry…I will never pay for these!</p>
<p>Food? I will always pay top dollar for good quality grocery stores.</p>
<p>I brown bag lunch. I could afford to go out a couple of times a week or eat in the cafeteria, but I don’t.</p>
<p>I won’t buy clothes that aren’t on sale. In fact, I check the clearance racks before looking at anything in the rest of the store. Had to buy a new winter coat during the season this year. Almost killed me because nothing was on clearance.</p>
<p>An expensive car. If it goes from point A to point B, I’m ok with it. I think the most expensive new vehicle I ever owned was the minivan I bought in the late 90s because I had kids and carseats and kid stuff. Since then, I’ve been bottom of the line all the way. </p>
<p>Services. I can clean, mow, and scoop. Why would pay anyone for that? I cannot, however, diagnose my own illnesses, and when a family member would benefit from a good therapist, I did pay oop for that (she was out of network). </p>
<p>Underwear. Way past the point where I’m thinking anyone will be impressed by my underpants (or even see them). </p>
<p>But, I get manicures, too. I carry Coach purses (outlet only, but still). My pet gets high quality food. And while a big fan of most generics, I prefer real Cheetos to the store brand.</p>
<p>If you added up the money we’ve spent on education and owning a home, we could probably afford to drive a Maybach (or two!). Kids sometimes ask why we drive a used VW when their friends’ parents have BMWs, but I explain that we just have different priorities. And you will graduate debt free!</p>
<p>My wife insists on going to the best dentist in town, who doesn’t take insurance. I can see her point, but I’m happy with my guy, who’s covered by my plan.</p>
<p>Sorry, not sure how to quote. Originally posted by ucbalumnus:</p>
<p>“Note also that many less expensive cars are quite good these days. For example, in Road & Track’s 2013 Performance Car of the Year - Road & Track , the third place car out of thirteen was by far the least expensive, costing only about 1/13 as much as the most expensive car.”</p>
<p>I’d be hard pressed to trade in my trusty, 12 year old Expedition for a new Ford Fiesta, even if it is a reasonably priced top performance car. I still need lots of space to load up kids, dogs, surfboards, etc. :).</p>
<p>Four years from now, when my youngest is off to college, I will definitely downsize my daily driver, but for now I am very satisfied.</p>
<p>“Other expensive things I’d like but won’t buy:
Facials
Veneers on my teeth
Dermatologic procedures to get rid of spider veins, dark spots, etc., on my face.
These things are very expensive, but I’d really like them!!
ETA: Facelift”</p>
<p>Getting older would be so much easier if you were a guy. Sometimes I’m jealous and think, wouldn’t it be great if I could just grow some facial hair and cover it all up? Much cheaper, too.</p>
<p>Hah ha, busdriver11. Sadly, at this point I could grow some facial hair, but that would be even grosser, so I’ve chosen to keep that pretty much under control!!!</p>
<p>^^Hilarious response, veryhappy!</p>
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<p>Not all guys can grow good facial hair. But then most guys are not worried about a spot or few or whatever (as long as it is not skin cancer).</p>
<p>Even bad facial hair is better than wrinkles and sag. Wrinkles and sagging skin even looks better on guys than women.</p>
<p>Purses, dress shoes, mani/pedi, designer clothes (Kohl’s and LLBean are a splurge for me), higher-end cars, new linens and furniture…it’s a pretty long list. We have a long tradition of agonizing over whether to spend $$. Have been dragging our feet about updating the master bathroom (which has a non-functional shower) for almost two years. Need new software for my embroidery sewing machine and I feel guilty as he** about it – but the package I had been using is eight years old and no longer runs on 64-bit computers.</p>
<p>What we splurge on: 1) college; 2) saving for retirement; 3) medical care; 4) travel (we do it, but on the fairly cheap).</p>
<p>DH and I both came from families without two nickels to rub together. I have family members who struggle financially. The make-do or do-without mindset is firmly engrained.</p>
<p>Something that I should splurge on but have not, cleaning and lawn service. I feel guilty hiring someone to do things I can do, but I don’t enjoy doing and can well afford.</p>
<p>I am at the age that I covet very few material things. I buy what I need, when I need, regardless of price and actually find myself spending less money and accumulate less stuff. We splurge on travel but I value the experience of the adventure more than the plush hotel or cruise. Recently, we travelled with my in laws where we shared this luxurious condo with 3 bathrooms for 4 people, so many closets that I am afraid to misplace my single carry on! The resort is very nice but I am not a pool/spa person and will be just as happy throwing a towel on the beach and read my book. On the other hand, on our last trip oversea, we rented an airless hostel room for 50E. Granted we only stayed overnight before our flight, but still, we could easy spend a bit more for comfort…</p>
<p>I am still looking for a middle ground. We can afford it. Like someone said “if you don’t travel first class now, your kid will!”</p>
<p>We could afford cleaning and lawn service but I don’t like the idea of paying someone to clean up after me (and I figure it’s exercise). What I’d really like is a smaller house to take care of.</p>
<p>Regarding facial hair, I always tell my stylist to leave my bangs long enough to cover the wrinkles on my forehead.</p>
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<p>Could this be due to the apparent tendency of both women and men to be more concerned with and judgemental about a woman’s appearance than a man’s appearance (including one’s own)?</p>
<p>My H has actually gotten better looking, IMO, as he has gotten older, while I make sure that all my engagements involve flattering light with people who need reading glasses. :o</p>
<p>I save money by never having hired outside help.
Not babysitters, or house cleaners or landscapers. ( however the combination of restoration work and removing all my sod by hand, contributed, IMO, to needing a knee replacement before I turned 56. That was about $8,000 after insurance)
We rarely hire work to be done on the house, except for things like roofing. For minor electrical or plumbing repairs, H does it himself, as well as painting the house. ( he is very particular)</p>
<p>Now that my oldest is presumably planning her wedding ( although it is going to be so small, not sure if we are even invited as they may just have a ceremony at the courthouse), I am reminded that H & I planned and paid for our wedding ourselves. ( We were 23 & 26)</p>
<p>Instead of bridal shops, I went to the department store where my grandmother worked (& got a discount) and looked for a dress on sale that would work.
I even made our wedding invitations and we had my sister in law take photos instead of hiring a photographer. One of Hs friends from work made the cake. I did order flowers and we went to a jewelry store to buy the rings.</p>
<p>In retrospect though, I would have hired a photographer, or at least have someone that would have arranged a photo with my mother and I. There are only a couple posed shots.</p>
<p>I may splurge for a manicure, have to ask my youngest where she goes. She not only gets mani/pedis but has her eyebrows done as well.
I might even get my hair cut!
naw</p>
<p>“Could this be due to the apparent tendency of both women and men to be more concerned with and judgemental about a woman’s appearance than a man’s appearance (including one’s own)?”</p>
<p>Who knows. It’s just what it is. Regardless, guys at least have a good shot at covering it up, with good or bad facial hair. Unless, of course, they have a medical condition that prevents them from growing hair on their face.</p>
<p>I had Depression-era parents. This thread resonates with me.</p>
<p>I have a cheap lawn service. $30/week for my 1/3 acres lot. It’s a bargain to me, as it would take me at least 5-6 hours to cut and edge the grass, plus blow the trips & junk off my driveway. And they take it all away. The service we use does several house so n our street, so the guys just divide and conquer the neighborhood and are gone in 2 hours. </p>
<p>Regarding services, I heard someone on TV describe that you should look if you enjoy it then do it, if not, consider how much your time is worth. I think I’m clearly worth more than minimum wage for the boring side of yard work. (I happily maintain my garden and yell at the guys if they get near my bushes with clippers).</p>
<p>Every time I think about cutting back on services (yard, housekeeping, bug guy) I feel badly about even MORE jobs being lost from our community. It is amazing to me how often one of my patients, or one of my husbands, shows up to do some kind of work.</p>
<p>OTOH, I have had some pretty bad luck with “gardeners”. I do most of the back yard myself, but this guy INSISTS on “pruning” my fruit trees, even though he obviously doesn’t know what he is doing.</p>
<p>fascinating thread </p>
<p>I don’t buy: smart phones, book readers, i pads, laptops, notebooks, tvs…
basically I don’t buy/own many electronics</p>
<p>I always have: fresh cut flowers in most rooms, manicures, fancy underwear :)</p>
<p>I buy art, but I don’t overpay.</p>
<p>I buy all shoes and clothes from the two small US companies, employing US workers, and don’t buy on sale.</p>
<p>I can’t spend much on a handbag. I’m working on that issue. There was an excellent rec on a different thread. (thanks again, mirabile dictu)</p>
<p>eta: I have a bug guy, too.</p>
<p>I have the least expensive car that will suit my needs. I usually take taxis on vacation… very rarely public transport - only if it is quicker for some reason.</p>