I splurge on handbags, clothes, good restaurants, travel, education, almost everything in life. There are few things in life that I won’t splurge.
It would need to be weather prohibiting, physically impossible, or public transportation unavailable before I would pay for a taxi or uber. I still remember D1 saying very loudly at a bus stop on a raining day, “Mommy, some day when we are rich, we will take a taxi.” (she remembered I said taxi was too expensive). Meanwhile I would pay up for business/first class airline ticket.
I have a hard time paying $5+ for coffee or tea, but would spend $15+ for wine.
What are some of your pet peeves when it comes “not splurge?”
Socks. I won’t spend a ton of money on socks. I have friends who insist that some swanky name is what I should get…or Smartwool (I can’t wear wool). I just get inexpensive cotton socks…you know, they wear out, and I just get new ones.
Wine glasses. I buy them at Target. No point in spending 35-50 dollars a stem…when you can get perfectly good and nice ones…at Target.
I’m already a misfit in this group! I like nice socks - I walk/jog and socks make a huge difference. I live in the south so I drive. Public transportation…NOT a fan. Rode a train in California and that was kinda fun, but the buses/trams in Seattle totally creeped me out. I don’t need sweaty strangers that close to me, especially those with giant holes in their ears.
I don’t pay a lot for my cars. I have a long commute so currently driving a Honda CRV and it’s totally fine. I don’t spend a lot on clothes - Kohls, Penneys, Marshalls is fine for me. Tend to splurge more on my boys & sometimes my dog ;-).
I LOVE nice socks–they avoid blisters and will happily pay whatever it takes to buy Thorlo socks, which I find the most comfortable. I rarely splurge for taxis and have never paid full freight for first class (but have happily had it when it was at a great bargain). I normally fly United Economy Plus, preferably at no extra charge, though once did pay for a year’s subscription to economy plus.
I find public transit fascinating and such an efficient way to get around, but when I’m going to and from the airport with luggage prefer to take a taxi over even a shuttle.
I drive cars for a very long time–we’ve owned one now that I purchased new in 1999. It’s about time to buy a new one just because the mechanic damaged the braking system when he disabled the anti-lock brakes. I like to have inexpensive good vehicles.
I also favor “hole in the wall” or “dive” restaurants when possible because I like the prices and flavor of “ethnic” places. I rarely buy beverages when dining out–tap water is my preferred drink, with or without ice.
I’ll play! I never want to turn our house’s heaters on. Mind you, we’re coastal southern California so it’s not like the pipes are freezing but it does get 60ish chilly in our house at rare times. We have high ceilings and the heaters are so terribly inefficient. Just put a darn sweater on!
In full disclosure, I must add that I’m at that lovely time of life that I have hot flashes quite often and 60 degrees feels about right.
Wine glasses for sure. Have broken too many to use expensive ones on a regular basis. Also socks for me. But I buy Smartwool for others. Haha.
H always wants to take subway. Lately, I’ve been insisting on a taxi. What I do agree upon, unless it is pouring or freezing, is to walk a few blocks or avenues to make sure the taxi is already going in the right direction.
H usually wants to buy the cheap of everything. I tend to have the more champagne taste. But I can’t stand buying something at full price when I know it was on sale a week or two ago or I gave a coupon at home I forgot to bring.
I buy cheapo socks and underwear for sure–JC Penny or Sears 10-packs. In fact, I’m pretty cheap about clothes–I mean, I buy nice (sometimes expensive) clothes, but I pick things that will last for years (the jeans I’m wearing right now? purchased 2007. The shoes? Purchased 2005), I own very few clothes, and I repair them when they break down (I got comments on my elbow patches the other day HAHAHAHA awesome).
My neck hurts when I carry heavy items so I always check my bags no matter what. I will only take taxi or uber to and from airports when traveling. We have also bought a subscription to Economy Plus and also have tried ‘Mint’ on Virgin America. On any overseas trip, I will only travel in J (Biz) even though I have to pay for it.
I haven’t had to buy work clothes in years and I wear mostly casual comfortable clothes. I love jewelry and have many sets of jewelry in various colored stones (rubies, colored sapphires, emeralds, diamonds) that I accessorize with my casual clothes.
My kids are foodies and I have been to many Michelin restaurants with them. But I also favor"hole in the wall" places as well and I can eat very cheaply since I don’t drink alcohol.
My son gave me a new luxury European vehicle right before he was married and I probably would have a harder time justifying the cost if I had to get it for myself.
I can’t really think of anything that I am cheap on. On the other hand, my funds are limited and it is not like I can buy things indiscriminately. I can’t afford many of the things or experiences that some on this forum discuss (such as some brands in the Dressing Young thread, LOL). But even so, I don’t think I’m cheap on anything. I don’t think twice when in the supermarket about buying the brand of a household item that I prefer. When I buy clothes, I spend within my means/budget, but it is not as if I buy the cheapest clothing that is sold either.
I love to read and I regularly buy books as gifts for other people, but for myself, I get books only from the library. (I’m also a member of the Bag-a-Week Club.)
I actually prefer McDonald’s coffee to Starbucks, so $1 instead of $3. If friends want to go to Starbucks, I will but it’s not an every day thing. I like nice shoes, but will only buy them on sale. With a coupon. And usually an extra discount.
I have purchased 4 cars in my life, 3 new and 1 used (about 18 months old). I hated the used car. I will never buy one again. I’ve had my current car for 15 years, so I think it is worth it to buy what I want. New.
My brother goes to starbucks every day, often 2x. He has about 10 cars and I don’t think he’s ever bought a new car and I don’t think he ever will.
I am cheap in general but the one thing I’m super cheap on and will scour for a long time in order to find: the cheapest meds. I will look for an hour to find a medicine for only a few dollars less. But with the amount of meds I take, it adds up!
I love to read, but don’t like to spend on books or magazines. Weekly trips to our local library do it for me. Especially when they allowed to order books from different locations around the city to be delivered to my local library for free.
Since my insurer pays most of my Rx costs for the most part and under state ;aw we can’t see the full prices on the receipt., it’s tough to KNOW unless I want to ask the pharmacist, who is generally busy. I do look for coupons on my meds but buy them with or without the coupons
I rarely buy anything at Whole Foods–things there just seem over-priced in general. I like our local grocery chain better anyway and try to support them by making most of my non-Costco purchases there.
I hate paying for airline tickets. I will do anything to use airmiles, jumpseat, or get my company to pay for it. And I like 4 star vacations at two star prices, typical of flight crews. I also absolutely hate clothes shopping, and will wear the same shirts and single pair of pants until they fall apart. I won’t spend much on clothes, and might shop at thrift shops instead of going to a clothing store, even though our salaries would allow a decent wardrobe. I really should do better!
I also generally will not spend more than $10 for wine at the grocery store, though I occasionally will splurge up to $14. I really appreciate good wine, but we can get such awesome wine in WA for cheap, that there’s no reason to go higher.
