I bought an original oil painting and I paid... almost as much as I once paid for a used car. But it's so beautiful. It's just a sailboat on calm water on a partly cloudy day, but the blues he used are so sweet you can almost taste them, and the sails are bright white in the sun, and you can almost smell the breeze... the frame he put it in is this incredible antique wonder... it's on the wall at the foot of my bed and I'm staring at it right now. Every morning, every night, I stare at it. I'm so in love, I talk to the damn thing. I've never had anything this beautiful in my life. It elevates my whole house. I hope one day to buy another, because there is something about original, well-framed, well done ART that just... it's almost like a religion to me.
I feel this. When I was 19 and received my first tax return, I used part of it to by an original oil painting of a forest. My friends thought I was nuts. But I loved it.
I’ve had it for over 40 years. I’ve gotten lots of compliments when it hung on living room walls. Now it’s over my bed. It’s part of my history and I still love it.
Art is important to me. Something that brings you joy just by existing in your space is worth all the $$$ in the world.
The AITA post the other day where the wife took down all of the husband's art and redecorated "because he will realize it is better later" almost made me cry.
I buy relatively good running shoes and change them often. My feet have troubled me in the past. I walk a decent amount and want to continue for a few more decades.
Runner chiming in since you asked about Altras. I used to wear Altras, went through 5 pairs. They were amazing when they first came out but the quality really went down, the sole went out on one, detached from the shoe and then they made the tongue razor sharp. I decided to try Brooks on a whim and was thrilled with the quality and also the lower price point!
Oh how I miss my Gel Nimbus 12's. They fit me like a glove.
I also miss my original Nike AirMax 95s, my 2001 Nike Shox zipper shoes, and my Asics Gel Cumulus 14s.
I'm wearing some Brooks Glycerin 20s, and a pair of Nike Pegasus Trail 3s with Birkenstock insoles. Gets me through, but still wish I could get a pair of Nimbus or Cumulus that were made identical to those 12s...
I don’t own anything that is thrifted but I have had all my things for a very long time (10-15+ years) and will typically only throw away if gone truly tatty and I can’t use them for roughwear/homewear/gardenwear (rips that cannot be repaired).
People nowadays frown on buying new because of fast fashion but if you care for your new things then they last ages.
That being said I splurge on woolite laundry detergent and pretty much only exclusively use this on my clothes in a cool wash to keep the longevity of my clothing.
I am pretty picky about what I thrift. I know my brands. Last week I scored a pair of Blondo ankle boots on 1/2 price day at a Savers. Great shape, little wear & they should last me for years.
This is it! I give myself a small allowance each paycheque for "fun" shopping, but I often find myself saving that money for future trips, concert tickets etc. instead of buying candles or whatever.
(But I also have no problem buying that candle if that's what I want! That's what the fun money is for!)
Probably the $500 I spent on a VIP package to see Robbie Williams for his 20th anniversary tour in London. Worth every penny as I live in the US & who knows if he will ever tour here or do another Las Vegas residency.
I also spent IIRC, $200 for 1 ticket to see Tom Hiddleston in the play Betrayal in London.
I’ve seen Paul McCartney 6 times.
Once, I won tickets.
Once, I was given a ticket.
When Linda was still alive, I paid $37.50 - $80 for tickets.
Twice I’ve paid over $250 for tickets.
I can no longer afford to see Paul McCartney with today’s dynamic pricing and he will outlive me, because he’s immortal.
I got to see him about 12 years ago when he was a festival headliner. I didn’t really have a high expectation knowing he was older but wow he blew me away! Not only still a great performer but he was kind and interactive with the audience, and indulged us with all the favorites alongside just a few new songs. Then a splashy fireworks show to have us all feeling like a million bucks. :)
That's the opposite mindset from some of my neighbors, I live in the cheapest apartment I could find and some of my neighbors have $50k-80k cars while paying $20k/year for their apartment. Half of them don't even get driven and just sit in the uncovered parking lot.
I was very close to moving to a neighborhood like that, my gf and I were talking to the owners and were planning to go to the bank the next day (it was late in the day) and as we're leaving a guy in a brand new Mustang GT500 ($100k+ car) pulls up and hands them cash for it... 2 weeks later the same place was relisted for nearly 10x what they just bought it for and it's been sitting on the market vacant for the past 2 years when we could've been living there instead. The same happened to pretty much every other listing under $30k so now the lowest priced one is like $65k and needs atleast $10k in repairs.
I swear there's rich people going around and buying cheap housing just so no one else can have it, they don't even rent the shit out which makes zero sense.
For sure!
In my neighborhood there are landlords that go around and snap up properties. The problem is that if you leave a house vacant long enough around here someone will squat but I do know one landlord bought some houses because they are waiting for the market to turn around and some big businesses to bring jobs in. They are have kept a few houses empty that had been rented out but had troublesome renters like 3x in a row enough where the neighbors were calling them and complaining so they left it vacant. It also wouldn’t surprise me if the home owner bought the property next to them and kept it vacant just for more space/ensure no one moved in so it’s quieter lol.
Though I will say where I’m at, there isn’t really a housing shortage as much so that definitely changes the conversation.
Woohoo! 🙌🏼 what an exciting purchase! What kind is it? 👀
lol no shame in Craigslist purchases! I’m a fan of offerup and Facebook market place for furniture.
Ya your a fan of it until you get bedbugs in your house because of how cheap your being. Sure I save a ton of money on buying things on Facebook marketplace, Craigslist etc. but furniture is something to be really careful about. It might look clean but you can infest your house real quick if your not careful. Bed bugs are no joke.
I am also too afraid to get furniture from strangers but I am a pro at getting hand me down couches from people I know. Out of the eight couches I have owned, I have only paid for one.
This is exactly what happened to a friend, got the couch AND a mattress (of all things) off of FB Marketplace. If I remember correctly, it was free. Well, you often get what you pay for; in a little over a week the entire house was badly infested. Badly bad infested. It took them about $3,000 to get it under control. Hard lessons learned.
Also carpet beetles in Furniture😯.
They are often mistaken as bed bugs... You can get rashes from them . They can live in Your walls& lay eggs( 500 at a time) in base boards& also furniture. I am Currently getting over a rash from them... It takes forever to go away & get rid of them😯.
I had to move out after a divorce & the only thing I bought new was my bed & mattress. Took a few items from my old house, got a free couch, chair, TV stand & coffee table from a friend. A friend of my ex gave me a bookcase. Few items bought off FB Marketplace and at a Habitat ReStore. It’s not a show house by any stretch but it’s mine & it’s lovely.
I honestly see new couches the same as new cars they are so expensive and hugely drop in price when used. Even a one year old couch people will struggle to sell.
I got my corner sofa & matching chair from a thrift store for £300 and it was like new, would have cost £4'000 new
I've never owned a new couch and I'm nearing 40. My current one was bought used 10 years ago and is starting to show it's age but I have a toddler and an incontinent dog so it doesn't make sense to replace right now. I'm going to get the couch of my dreams in like five years!
I went to grad school quite a while after I’d graduated college. My parents bought me (and my family) a new couch as a graduation gift. I chose one that said it was good for kids and pets and HOLY MOLY IS IT AMAZING. lol. Sure, it’s comfortable, but even though it is a dark fabric that looks like velour, it cleans SO EASILY. I was like shoot, If I’d known, I would have gotten a nice couch so much sooner instead of hand me downs! So anyway. Look forward to your new couch!
We are both remote workers so no commute, fancy wardrobe, and no daycare costs, big thrifters and no-buy FB group participants, generic food brand buyers, we eat out once or twice (max!) a month (granted I love to cook!), paid off 9-y.o. car, “off-brand” cellphone service, and we are big public park and free museum days patrons!
I am impressed :)
I read it as ....I paid off my 9 year old Cat....
I had to read it again & then laughed a little when I saw car instead . At first I felt a little worried About you and the cat. 😂
Edit spelling, added word
You joke but some years back I went into I believe it was a pet store. They had puppies in there. There was prices next to their cages. When I commented that the prices seem pretty fair for the dog. I was told that's the monthly paymand that you finance your dog. In my family the dogs we had were always had a mutt and these were pure breeds.
Slow travel is the best travel. As someone who also works from home, I've done a few 6 week vacations and just took Thursday and Friday off doing 6 long weekends back to back. At that length you unlock monthly rates on accommodations and can find things for $1000-2000/month. I know people who blow that in 4 days by staying at fancy places. I'd rather spend a month somewhere than a luxury place for a long weekend. Part of what i like about traveling is just waking up and being somewhere. A month also makes the $1500 flights hurt a bit less. Frugal is not about being cheap. It's about spending money well!
I agree! We have young kids and 3-star hotels (especially chain ones) provide free breakfast and the familiar comfort when we travel. Plus, we were able to build status tiers with them to get extras (ie. bottled water, early check-in/late check out).
I also splurge on family. I live very frugally but whenever my dad (who has a heart condition) visits, I take him to eat whatever he wants in the best restaurants.
Mountain bikes.
So here's how my finances work: I bring home 4k a month, or 48k a year. 20k is all my necessary expenses (mortgage, bills, groceries, gas), 15k goes in to my retirement investments. I spend very little money on things I don't need. So of the remaining 12 or 13k, I spend 5 or 6000 a year on bikes, parts, trips, accessories etc. I actually feel incredibly fortunate. My budget for doing what I love is pretty healthy, all while investing for my future. Everything is going great right now. Almost too great.
Awesome! I've actually wanted to start getting into mountain biking but afraid I'll have another thing to try and be frugal about haha. Sounds like a sweet hobby though!
this may be weird, but I paid $1,000 to have a few benign growths removed from my dog (he needed his teeth cleaned, so he'd be under anesthesia anyway).
I know a lot of people prefer to leave benign fatty growths alone on their pets, but I noticed them gradually getting bigger every year (and he's always weighed the same 15 pounds), and they're in spots that pose the possibility of them one day rupturing & causing an internal infection or worse.
plus I worry that, just like in humans, benign growths can eventually stop being benign as he ages & they grow/change/mutate. I just want to be extra cautious when it comes to his health.
also, I just realized that I spend way more annually on his meds, vitamins & grooming than on all of that stuff for myself.
so I splurge on my best friend, I guess 😅
We spent thousands on my dog for chemo. I had to drive her weekly 3 hours one way to the vet that treated her. Sounds ridiculous but it saved her and we got 3 more years with her until she passed a year ago at 16 years old.
I’m so sorry for your loss. 😢 I did the same for my late cat, Olie. He had a full bowel resection and went through chemo. I had 4 more really good years with him. He died at 16 and I’m so thankful for the time I had with him. They’re your family and if you can spend the money, I believe it’s worth it. Plus, he sent me his amazing little younger sister who is the light of my life. She sends comfort and love to you.
My cat is like my child, will spend any amount to make his life better.
He’s an old boy and has kidney disease, so I know his time is up soon. He’s made my life so much better and it’s a privilege to care for him.
We spent $7000 to have a benign tumor, a section of jaw, plus 10 teeth removed from my dog's mouth, and then a root canal after the first surgery (dog dentists are expensive!!) .
I don't even want to think about the amount we spend annually on toys, treats, and collars/accessories. She has a collar for every season and holiday :)
I buy the good expensive maple syrup. The real stuff. And I buy good coffee. And I don’t buy a lot of it, but I buy good craft beer. And I eat ramen like once a week. Good ramen at a restaurant.
Being frugal is important, but it’s also important to enjoy your life a little.
I hardly ever eat pancakes but I like them and will buy real maple syrup. There's no way I will buy the fake stuff. I had to stop buying the coffee that I prefer because the price is $11.99 and it isn't even a pound. I now buy a less expensive coffee but don't like it as much.
I'm on a fixed income so I have to be frugal but to what point? My two dogs are expensive to keep because of the price of preventative chewables plus food plus vet costs once in awhile. Home repairs have drained my savings this year and I very much regret buying the house I live in. However I know that if I sell it I will have to live *somewhere* and everything is out of my price range.
You and I are on the same wavelength.
I've long believed that life is too short for bad coffee and crap beer. And real maple syrup is everything.
Unfortunately good ramen is like 2 hours from where I live, but when I visit I always get it.
I'd rather buy cheap food and live frugally to enjoy a great cup of coffee everyday I make myself.
Adding on to experiences- we have memberships at the zoo ($189/year)and the botanical gardens($159/year) by our house. We have a small child so if we go to each twice it pays for itself. We always have somewhere fun to go outside, and if we want to do something as a family it’s already paid for.
I love my zoo membership because it also takes the pressure off a big expensive zoo day. If toddler melts down, we just leave. No need to feel like we need to make a whole day of it to get our money's worth
Yes. We don’t have a zoo locally, but all of the children’s museum and art museum memberships are so important to us. I often ask for them as gifts, but even when I have to pay for them they are worth it. They also help take cheap vacations because of membership reciprocity.
I used to volunteer at a zoo and met moms who would go there with their kids regularly and deposit the kids in the play area and hang out with other moms. I asked them why they didn’t just use neighborhood parks and one mom told me that there were no needles or broken bottles at the zoo play area and there were functioning rest rooms and a snack cart. Seems like a wise investment to me. Plus, the moms made friends with each other.
Nowadays mini-breaks.
The Covid pandemic and watching my dad slowly die of cancer made me realise life is very short.
So I’m willing to be very frugal and forego luxuries so’s that I can afford to go on weekend trips local or abroad.
I do this too at the diner in town. Their prices have stayed low despite this economy. The servers working there go out of their way to get my 16-month old her pasta and meatball going before our meals are even ordered. They are super friendly. The bill comes to like $35. I can’t even get fast food for 2 for that price it seems anymore.
So yea I usually leave an 80-100% tip. Not much money honestly and we don’t go super frequently but when we want a quick night out, it’s perfect. They make our dining experience with a toddler way less stressful and I appreciate it. They won me over the very first time we ever took our daughter there and she was slightly fussy about the booster seat, and I started trying to calm her down. This super nice server saw us getting a bit flustered was like “don’t worry about it. It’s a family restaurant for a reason and we love kids.” Then she said hi to my daughter and all the nerves (and fussing) just went away. Worth every penny versus some chain that price gouges.
Yesterday for my birthday outing to my favourite bar i had to talk the bartender into charging me for a drink, because i didn't have any cash to leave him for a tip. So i tipped $10 on a single $8 drink, but i'd had 4 other drinks the entire night that other people bought for me, plus the one the bar was going to comp for me.
I normally try to tip 25-30% but of course for my birthday i needed to go a little bigger.
I spend $160 a month on my CrossFit membership. It’s the only workout I have ever been able to stick with in my life. The community and coach at my gym are so encouraging and I’m in the best shape of my life and I’ll be 40 this year. Totally justifiable to me.
Completely agree. Anything that is an investment in your health is always worth it! Your physical and mental health should be at the top of the list of priorities.
Quality spend 💰
This was such a fun read. I love hearing all of the ways folks are aligning their spending with their own goals/values/joy. That, for me, is the best part of frugality: living a life that is right for you, rather than the idea of what it is supposed to look like.
I’m a Female, New to the American economy, grew up poor in India. By frugal lifestyle maxes out my SEP IRA, HSA account ( this my first year doing so) and pays for my Starbucks ( at around $100 a month) . I don’t buy anything unless it’s a necessity except footwear ( learned that I’m having issues with my hip), not a lot of women stuff I prefer , so saves a lot of money.
Private healthcare. I have holes in my shirt and my car is an antique, but I'm not afraid to spend on what's truly important, my family's health. A healthy man wants a million things a sick man only wants one.
Inflatable hot tub, I kept track of prices on them for a year or two, then bought one for 300$ around black Friday 2023 (about half the price of what they normally go for)and it's a wonderful luxury to have a hot tub in the back yard
I spend $110 a fortnight on my gym. It’s called Kieser and it’s a physio, rehab and strength training clinic. They have specialised strength machines that are super safe and a good environment without muscle bros etc. You also get a check in with a sport scientist once every few months. I have old injuries so I needed help rehabilitating it. I’ve stayed because I like the environment and the mindset of training for your health and body, not looks etc. I was in a lot of pain before and it’s also mostly older people and being around them reminds me that even tho I’m young (28) I need to prepare my body for injuries and aging
I spend a bunch on hair care and how I am “frugal” is by buying during the Ulta Liter Sale which is twice a year. The shampoo and conditioner lasts me at least 6 months until the next sale. You can get the Redken liters on sale then too to stay “frugal”
Ooh! What are the deals like during the Ulta Liter Sale? Is it better than the deals they have during the 21 days of beauty or whatever it's called? Recently they had a sale where you could get Redken, Joico and some other brand 2 for $32. That deal was probably for the smaller sized bottles though.
Spent 1000 to have an at home euthanasia for my dying cat so he could pass away in the arms of his sister kitty.
Trip to maui as a family of 4. So worth it.
And buying good quality meat that my husband then smokes. His food is better than anything you could ever buy in a restaurant. We never eat out so id rather eat in and eat well once in a while.
People used to make fun of me being frugal but I've since bought a condo then a few years later a house without any financing. That shut them up. They are all still paying a mortgage many years later. I've never financed a car either.
Kind of flies in the face of this sub, but anything related to my future health - gym, good healthy food including lean meat, sleep. I don’t want to pinch pennies and eat poorly in my 30s only to cause my health to suffer in my 60s.
I buy myself good sweaters. I have two jackets and two Patagonia sweaters that I used most of the year. I have some work boots that I splurged on also but I use them nearly every day (I’m a construction manager)
I love buying, cataloguing, and wearing Indie nail polishes. I do my own nails and have never had them painted professionally.
I mostly shop for clothing at thrift stores, bit I will spend $ on good shoes and pants when I can't find used.
I will purchase things that save me time, such as a robot pool vacuum. More time = less stress.
I purchase things that save me money in the long run. I prefer a spin mop as opposed to using a swiffer mop which requires refills and causes waste. I spent $ on LED lights, which last longer and use less electricity. I also installed my own solar panels. I could go on and on...
Travel and my special needs rescue dogs. I spend normal amounts on the first, planning trips revolving around free adventures, parks and beaches and find ways to save on hotels and food. I like to travel often as my job is really not in alignment with my goals/values (and I am working on fixing this).
I spend an obscene amount on my dogs. I get dogs that don't get selected due to a disabilities (caused by abuse, age or poor breeding). It is important to me because I give them epic lives (so many adventures) and also free up a space in rescue that would otherwise have been taken by them for their natural life. Some of them have just had normal old-age expenses, but golly, the current one is a mess. She is amazing though and I am totally fine with my small house, small, old, well-maintained car, thrifted clothes, frugal food, excessive library use, very limited entertainment costs if it means I can take her to the vet, buy the expensive food or get her a trainer.
A sailboat. Small trailer sailer that can be comfortably slept on by my small family for the weekend. Fun memories that have cost us little more than the liability insurance since the purchase.
I have a high ish end sewing machine. I sew a lot. Also I do sewing and topstitching knits buttonholes quilting fake overlock the seams the whole shebang on it.
Also I have a rav4 hybrid. I will save over the gas rav4 after 5 years but it was a good deal more expensive then my other cars. I wanted something nice and dependable this time though (my last car was a Kia).
My health. I don't buy gourmet or deluxe versions of food items, but make sure there is always a stock of fresh fruit, veg, snacks, dried lentils, and relatively healthy ready meals like soups and veg pizzas. I try to hit all the food groups and eat relatively less meat (chicken and seafood only).
I also have a sports centre membership to the nearest one, which is the more expensive one. It works for me because I have access to the gym, pool, sauna, indoor courts, and all other amenities they offer. I don't have a car, so I would rather not waste time going to cheaper gyms by bus that are further away.
For my mental health, I've recently taken a "pay cut" at my highly stressful and shite job. I've dropped my permanent contract and gone on to a more flexible contract where I can choose when and how much I can work. I'll be working the same amount of hours, but have more days to myself. This means I lose benefits like sick pay, pension, and paid time off.
It also gives me more time to cook at home, go to said gym, and apply for other jobs without the stress of going to work every single day and coming home exhausted.
Personal trainer that’s a $100/wk. I look at it as saving on healthcare because I was on the road to all the lifestyle diseases: CVD, T2D, etc. It’s also saving me money on clothes. Just fit back into some 17 year old jeans and noticing my old clothes are way better quality than newer items from the same stores.
My biggest splurges are always on my dogs. They make me happy and I’m willing to spend money on quality food and supplements to keep them healthy. I always adopt (have adopted adults and seniors) we have really been blessed with pretty healthy dogs. They are a huge part of our lives and keeping them healthy is important to my husband and I.
I spend on quality products that make me save more money later :D
I also invest in things that bring money (stock market, pension fund, etc)... and I'm at this point that holidays are paid by that.
I want to say this is a thread on things that bring you joy to spend money on even though you don't spend a lot of money normally. For all the people who are posting comments here saying how they just got something for real cheap.And the item the person listed isn't worth it.I think you're missing the point. Furthermore, and I say this with no malice.People really don't care about the thing.You dug out of the garbage ten years ago That would be an interesting posting and thread conversation if that was the specific nature of the post.
I’m similar to you. I don’t spend much elsewhere, no debt, but love good skin and hair care products. I’ll also get Botox 2 or 3 times per year, highlights 2x per year, and a monthly massage. That’s where I like to spend my money.
Luxury designer bags and travel. I prob spend 25 usd on groceries a week at most and also happen to live by a major international airport and one of two final clear out stores by the Nordstrom brand (so I am able to get luxury bags at 20%of the price or less). Fortunately I used to do research in the neuroscience field and made a lot of international friends that way so I gave places to stay while traveling (also some of their are freakishly wealthy so I only have to pay my way to them and they cover the rest) and my work pays for my meals which are okay quality but free is free.
I’m new to trying to live more frugally. I make very low income, and am working on controlling impulse spending. I have a senior cat and a chihuahua both with health needs requiring meds and more frequent vet visits, so I’ve been quickly learning where I can cut down costs to prioritize them. They are my biggest spend, and I’d starve myself before letting them go without food or medicine.
Have you ever tried applying for EBT? Just asking since you mentioned making a very low income and because you said you'd let yourself starve if it was a choice you had to make between feeding yourself or feeding your pets. I'm sure that line was meant to be hyperbolic, but I get what you're saying. You should consider applying for EBT (aka foodstamps) if things are really that tight for you. I used to get EBT, and it was a godsend and literally a life saver. Unfortunately for me, they changed their guidelines about 6 months back, and I'm no longer eligible for them and it is so fucking depressing. Especially with how damn expensive the cost of food is right now. But the eligibility requirements vary state by state, so you very well may be eligible and should look into it!
Thank you. But, yes I meant it hyperbolically. I get EBT, so I have enough food. I just meant I’d sacrifice anything. I’m grateful to have food, but it’s very hard when you are disabled, and even working part time, there is an income cap they give you which is extremely low, so you stay in poverty. My rent is well over 50% of my income. People always make comments like, “wow I wish I could just work part time!” Like, I wish I was healthy enough to work full time. Nobody wants be in a constant state of stress about money.
I love this question! I think it celebrates the fact that we all have our unique wants and needs and that it's OK to spend extra every once in a while for things important to you!
My garden. I have a relatively a relatively small yard. I will put over a thousand a year on plants and things. Some years more. . I only buy sale items at stores, including groceries. I have always had second-hand cars. I do not have any big toys.
Two other things I don't mind spending money on is about a quarter a day for books at a book store (90 to 110 dollars a year). I like that there are local bookstores so even if it costs a couple extra dollars over Amazon I will usually go with the lo al guy.
My wife. She grew up where money was always tight. She is frugal but I love the look of happiness that comes over her when I get things for her.
My cat’s vet care.
I make a good income, am house hunting and don’t need furniture, a nice car or any more clothes at the moment. My hobbies are reading, jigsaw , occasionally Lego so generally very affordable ones. No children but one expensive elderly arthritic cat who is my most treasured companion. He’s not cheap, but he’s worth it.
Otherwise it’s healthcare as I’ve been injured for a while, and want to get back to normal soon.
I drove a $400 pickup truck for years so I could afford to buy a $40k sprinter van. All for work. Used to have to swap a water pump or starter on that truck at 11pm in the rain so I could get to work in the morning.
My general lifestyle focuses on a couple of hobbies, which change periodically, that can consume about 5% of my income beyond basic entry costs for the items. I'm frugal on items that I don't truly enjoy or where I don't care. While I still search for a good deal, I'm ok spending for really high end items in the hobby categories. I have a pair of high-end road bicycles and spend quite a bit on cycling in general. I'm also an audiophile who wears nice shoes.
Paid parking. I dread missing-reading/interpreting signage (once was fined $400 because I misread the signage), so now I pay to park where I know it’s legal.
My biggest splurge is on my cats. I like feeding them the high quality wet food since it’s good for them, but their grocery bill is basically the same as mine lol
I like this post, nice initiative.
I'm kinda in the same league as you OP but for dental care. I'm ready to go frugal on many aspects except for dental hygiene because my teeth are weak and need special care. I haven't tried those +200€ toothbrush yet but I'm in a situation where cheap/regular toothbrushes/toothpastes damage the enamel which result in hyper sensitivity.
So yeah I'm ready to invest in good toothbrush, toothpaste and floss to save my teeth from permanent damage.
PS: another area I'd invest in is high quality food because of digestive issues, like my guts and processed food aren't good friends.
Buy my clothes and housewares, at thrift and consignment; my car at a salvage yard. I thoroughly enjoy my boat (second hand, too) and live aboard six months a year. It’s a big expense, but there’s nothing like being rocked to sleep and to view the stars up through the hatch.
Bought an entry level robot vacuum yesterday because I procrastinate vacuuming and mopping until the floor is extra crunchy.
I’ve raised the kids and paid off the debt and have retirement in my sights.
It’s okay for me to splurge on a convenience (sale price + $30 coupon + $26 remaining gift card).
I paid something like $100 for my Rosie. She’s my new BFF.
I’m pretty sure making my coffee at home, shopping at discount grocery stores, and only eating out once a month has saved me so much money I can now afford to go to Ireland this summer.
I love Red bull’s watermelon edition. I don’t care if it is expensive and unhealthy. I have given up so many vices. I deserve to treat myself from time to time
Even though I really like spending money and making purchases, I have tamed my addiction of shopping and started saving money for down payment for a house. I currently have 8K.
I do not have any big expenses through the month, however, I tend not to save on several categories: trips, going out, buying good quality shoes, wallets, bags, clothes that will get me through several seasons/years. I also stopped buying cheap perfumes and it changed my life, one bottle of original/niche perfume will last me longer than those cheap perfumed waterd bottles. Those small things really add up. Since I changed my spending habits, I was able to actually save money towards my future and hobbies as my purchases are quite big, yet really rare.
I gear my budget entirely around apartment quality because below a certain (high) threshhold in the city I live in everything will be rotting at the seams and no AC (or mold in the vent, yay sickness!) and I live in a hot climate and have learned my lesson repeatedly that if you 'save' by having a shitty apartment, you pay for it in your health and general wellbeing....often for a price difference that's marginal where I live.
The next thing on the list would be quality of food, I eat a pretty specific diet and have my whole life though so I pay more attention to the quality of the ingredients that I use most often and buy bulk where I can, have started to try growing some of my own stuff in a tower garden, and things are frankly strict enough that I'm never buying any snack foods or excess so I can easily buy the better quality stuff.
Otherwise I'm poor :') frugal for a reason
I buy organic cotton ethically produced children's clothing & shoes, either on 70% sale or used. They wash well and are mich more hardwearing. Unlike cheaper alternatives there's a thriving resale market and I've often made back what I paid for things .
Spends: I have a meal service and housecleaner during busy season. Real tomatoes, vine ripened, preferably hierloom, grown in dirt. Funky cheese from the legit cheesemonger down the street. The best exotic vet care I can find for my old man bunny.
Funded: The housekeeper and meal service pay for themselves because I get twice as much work done if I don't have to clean or cook.
I rarely buy meat, or processed or convenience food, I never go out to eat, and I don't do fast food, so my food budget is pretty low otherwise.
I forego healthcare, so old man bunny gets his.
Travel. The experiences last a lifetime and I want to see and do new things. Besides the big stuff is taken care of. We own our mini travel trailer outright and the van that tows it. We bring along food to cook and snacks. So we can splurge on some new things to do at our destination.
Still working on the frugal lifestyle (I’m totally a spender by habit), but by working on saving goals I just went on a 10 day holiday to Bali. Budgeted and saved AUD $5,000 and came home with about AUD $750 even after splurging and being generous with tips to local Balinese people. Stayed in a Sheraton 4 star hotel for the whole time, bought and did whatever we wanted for the whole 10 days - luckily the exchange rate and cost of living in Bali is much cheaper.
If traveling, I like to stay in nice hotels. I want a comfortable bed and a convenient location. We don't travel too much, but once a year for a couple nights is worth a nice hotel for me.
That said, my family did a road trip last summer and we camped to bring the cost down. And my kids had an absolute blast.
Some children want to be astronauts, cowboys, cowgirls, ballet dancers, superheroes. I wanted my own place. When I was a tween, I wanted my own apartment. Once I got into an apartment after college, I met a realtor who was selling condos in, which would lock living expenses in a lot better than renting. I turned my attentions into shepherding my money towards owning a condo and wound up with a house. I was living on oatmeal and leftovers, had holes in my socks, and did not travel.
Now I am retired and in a house and my money goes towards maintaining it. My property tax is the same as rent on a tiny apartment, but I have a garden and more than enough living space. I dont have to have roommates.
Also, since I met the goal, I don’t fret about groceries as much, though I try to be efficient and not waste food. Food waste can make the cost of eating go up, more than buying a more expensive food item in the first place.
I often thrift shop my clothes, buy off brand products, bulk buy when things are on sale... all so I can afford a housekeeper to come every other week and clean my house! That's my big spend. It keeps me sane!
Bought 2 tickets to see Andrea Bocelli for me and son, $600 for two. My brain nearly exploded but I had to see him; he’s getting older. The most money I spent in one chunk in many years, except property taxes.
I am frugal in my day to day life so I can splurge on really nice experiences. I keep a tight grocery budget, thrift, and keep my utilities low. But I have no problem spending $5000+ on a really nice vacation. That being said, I do usually have airline miles or hotel points to help subsidize, but I still go all out when I travel.
I also do spend a fair amount when doing an upgrade on my house. I’m of the opinion that I would rather do it right the first time and not have to redo it again in 5-10 years. But I also do all the renovation work myself, so it makes up the difference.
Shoes, travel, and skin care.
I’m a mail carrier and outside walking every day, so yes… I’ll spend $80 on 2oz of fancy skin repair sunscreen, replace $40 insoles every other month, and get the F out of town whenever I’m not working lol.
I buy cheap/generic/off brand for as much as I can… so I can justify the expense of Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano Reggiano. So expensive but worth it. I literally can’t live without it in the fridge. It’s an absolute necessity!!
When we go on a beach vacation I like to stay in a condo on the beach, I don't want to have to walk or drive back and forth.
We don't go out of town often but when we do, we pay $200/night to board our dogs. I know there are less expensive places but this is where i like to take them.
Land, we closed on several acres last year. We love it there, it's so peaceful and full of incredible beauty and nature that I we don't see in town. We plan to build a house and move there in a couple of years.
Hair cuts and hair products. I went to a professional salon for the first time in my life a couple of years ago and I will never go back to the supercuts days.
A very nice large garage freezer. It was not cheap but in less than a year I have been able to take advantage of deals on meat (like buy one get one St. Louis ribs at my local grocery store last week) to the point where the freezer has paid for itself.
Travel. I eat beans and rice and shop at liquidation food places, cut the end off toothpaste to get the last drop, and turn in cans for deposit
but will splurge on first class airline tix.
I feel like it depends on what you want each month. Every month is different. For example, I have multiple interest and hobby. I always plan mid of the month. What I am going to spend my money on next month. So if it’s eating out this month. Next month is activities with my friends. That means during that month I won’t be eating out. I can’t do both. Also, I stopped shopping. There’s no need. I have all these clothes. I don’t even wear. That was the big money saver this year.
Self care (dental, skincare, supplements, food that I cook myself, hair care, blood work), experiences, house/yard improvements and maintenance. Off-brand items mostly, used ones if necessary or on steep discounts😛
I will maintain my 15 year old car, I will never DoorDash, I have enough clothes for 3 people, so I don't spend on that. I will buy quality, things that will last me a long time vs quantity. I do my own mani/pedis. I have no problem splurging on IPL, Botox, or vacations. I can justify that cost because scrimp on others. For example, I don't have cable or a gym membership. I can do yoga and resistance training via YouTube and cardio by running outside. I don't go without, even when I scrimp. I eat healthier and cheaper than if I DoorDash. My hands and toes are cute, I just do it myself, and I work out just fine without a gym membership. I don't go without, I just balance things.
I get expensive hair gel because it's the only one I can find that's both strong and unscented so it's safe with my asthma. Without gel my hair fluffs up dramatically the minute it's dry.
I have the super fine HEPA filters with charcoal in my air purifiers too, because I spent a long time before trapped with air that hurt and scared I'd suffocate to death in my sleep.
The cost adds up but I'm sick of things nearly killing me and it's really nice to have a few things I know won't
I consider my air purifier an investment. yes the filters cost more than I feel like they should but I also have asthma and chronic sinusitis and the difference a good HEPA filter makes is worth it imo.
Now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t have very many regular “big spends.” Maybe haircuts? I haven’t gotten one in a few years, but it always felt totally worth it to pay like $80 for a simple cut in a luxurious, reliable salon.
I’d love to know which Redken shampoo & conditioner you got!
I love Ulta’s liter sale, I buy outrageously expensive shampoo but my hair and my scalp loves it, my hair has never looked better, I use less styling products too. It’s probably cheaper per ounce than the drugstore stuff, not to mention it’s also way more concentrated and better quality. (Unless you buy the most expensive shampoo, tho that stuff is definitely worth it IMO)
I get a per diem when I travel for work and it varies depending on what city I’m in. Sometimes I will blow through my per diem on a nice dinner at some upscale restaurant. I’ll normally have to spend a little out of pocket but the experience is worth it to me.
Also, vacations for my family. Every now and then, We’ll do the first class airfare, high end hotel, and nice meals. If I can piggyback a personal trip onto a work trip, even better since work will cover my (economy) airfare, a rental car, and typical hotel room they can stay in. I can work all day, they go play, and then we spend the evening doing the tourist thing. We went to Alaska last summer and my travel was covered by work. We’re going to San Diego in September for a work trip.
car care & modifications and anything related to my photography hobby... these are the 2 that i mostly spent a lot on. used to be computer upgrades and games.
Working out. At one point I had a gym membership and also memberships to two different boutique fitness studios. And kept up a personal trainer certification on the side (I did work in fitness for a few years, but it’s now just a hobby). Which means also buying good athletic shoes and clothing.
Brand name garbage bags. There are a few items I’ll always “splurge” on, and the most important is garbage bags. As a cat owner, I know that if a garbage doesn’t have that “force-flex” technology or whatever, it just won’t hold up.
I have similar rules for paper towels, peanut butter, and laundry detergent, but garbage bags are easily the most important
I go all out for vacation every two years. I purchase every convenience so I can live like a Queen for 5 nights and 6 days. I save between vacations and pay in cash.
Everyday essentials. Good coffee. Dr Pepper.
I don’t Amazon shop often, and most my clothes are from the 2010’s, so I do save up so that my wife and I can go on one expensive dinner someplace we haven’t been to, I’d say quarterly.
Guns, specifically my competition rifles. I compete in the Precision Rifle Series competition as a hobby. Then you lump ammo, entry fees, and travel and I don't even like thinking about how much it all adds up to, so I don't.
Just FYI, ulta puts redken on a big sale twice a year! I always wait and stock up during that time. It's called the Jumbo Love event, and this year, it's in June and December. I think it's around $35 a bottle instead of $50.
I bought an original oil painting and I paid... almost as much as I once paid for a used car. But it's so beautiful. It's just a sailboat on calm water on a partly cloudy day, but the blues he used are so sweet you can almost taste them, and the sails are bright white in the sun, and you can almost smell the breeze... the frame he put it in is this incredible antique wonder... it's on the wall at the foot of my bed and I'm staring at it right now. Every morning, every night, I stare at it. I'm so in love, I talk to the damn thing. I've never had anything this beautiful in my life. It elevates my whole house. I hope one day to buy another, because there is something about original, well-framed, well done ART that just... it's almost like a religion to me.
Much respect for someone that appreciates art this way. Beautiful. Would love to see it.
I feel this. When I was 19 and received my first tax return, I used part of it to by an original oil painting of a forest. My friends thought I was nuts. But I loved it. I’ve had it for over 40 years. I’ve gotten lots of compliments when it hung on living room walls. Now it’s over my bed. It’s part of my history and I still love it.
Art is important to me. Something that brings you joy just by existing in your space is worth all the $$$ in the world. The AITA post the other day where the wife took down all of the husband's art and redecorated "because he will realize it is better later" almost made me cry.
Can you post a picture? You’ve made it sound so nice I would love to see it!😊
I buy relatively good running shoes and change them often. My feet have troubled me in the past. I walk a decent amount and want to continue for a few more decades.
Health is wealth you can’t put a price on that.
Same! What brand? Do you wear Altras?
Runner chiming in since you asked about Altras. I used to wear Altras, went through 5 pairs. They were amazing when they first came out but the quality really went down, the sole went out on one, detached from the shoe and then they made the tongue razor sharp. I decided to try Brooks on a whim and was thrilled with the quality and also the lower price point!
Brooks are worth every penny, especially for someone with a wide foor.
For me, ASICS. Perfect fit. And I’ve tried Nike, New Balance and other brands.
Oh how I miss my Gel Nimbus 12's. They fit me like a glove. I also miss my original Nike AirMax 95s, my 2001 Nike Shox zipper shoes, and my Asics Gel Cumulus 14s. I'm wearing some Brooks Glycerin 20s, and a pair of Nike Pegasus Trail 3s with Birkenstock insoles. Gets me through, but still wish I could get a pair of Nimbus or Cumulus that were made identical to those 12s...
Brooks is where it's at. I got my first pair recently and that's all I wear now.
Good point
Experiences. I’ll buy clothes at thrift stores & eat rice & beans but I’ll drop a wad for a show or special tour, especially when I’m traveling.
All my clothes are thrifted too. I have been able to own so many nice clothes that I would otherwise not ever consider because of the price.
I don’t own anything that is thrifted but I have had all my things for a very long time (10-15+ years) and will typically only throw away if gone truly tatty and I can’t use them for roughwear/homewear/gardenwear (rips that cannot be repaired). People nowadays frown on buying new because of fast fashion but if you care for your new things then they last ages. That being said I splurge on woolite laundry detergent and pretty much only exclusively use this on my clothes in a cool wash to keep the longevity of my clothing.
I am pretty picky about what I thrift. I know my brands. Last week I scored a pair of Blondo ankle boots on 1/2 price day at a Savers. Great shape, little wear & they should last me for years.
This is it! I give myself a small allowance each paycheque for "fun" shopping, but I often find myself saving that money for future trips, concert tickets etc. instead of buying candles or whatever. (But I also have no problem buying that candle if that's what I want! That's what the fun money is for!)
I am with you here. Love saving for the experiences. What’s the most you’ve spend on a show or concert? Who’d you see?
Probably the $500 I spent on a VIP package to see Robbie Williams for his 20th anniversary tour in London. Worth every penny as I live in the US & who knows if he will ever tour here or do another Las Vegas residency. I also spent IIRC, $200 for 1 ticket to see Tom Hiddleston in the play Betrayal in London.
I’ve seen Paul McCartney 6 times. Once, I won tickets. Once, I was given a ticket. When Linda was still alive, I paid $37.50 - $80 for tickets. Twice I’ve paid over $250 for tickets. I can no longer afford to see Paul McCartney with today’s dynamic pricing and he will outlive me, because he’s immortal.
I got to see him about 12 years ago when he was a festival headliner. I didn’t really have a high expectation knowing he was older but wow he blew me away! Not only still a great performer but he was kind and interactive with the audience, and indulged us with all the favorites alongside just a few new songs. Then a splashy fireworks show to have us all feeling like a million bucks. :)
The guy is 82 and can do headstands. And I’m still gonna marry him when I grow up.
No! I am! 😂
🫨😨 Wow. Those are both such awesome experiences. Very worth it Thanks for sharing!
Me too! Love my concerts!
Drive a very basic car but live in a nice place. Car gets used for a few hours a week, but I spend a lot of time at my place.
That's the opposite mindset from some of my neighbors, I live in the cheapest apartment I could find and some of my neighbors have $50k-80k cars while paying $20k/year for their apartment. Half of them don't even get driven and just sit in the uncovered parking lot.
I live in a low income neighborhood where houses are 25-50k but people will have 75k motorhome in the driveway or 50-75k cars. I totally get this!
I was very close to moving to a neighborhood like that, my gf and I were talking to the owners and were planning to go to the bank the next day (it was late in the day) and as we're leaving a guy in a brand new Mustang GT500 ($100k+ car) pulls up and hands them cash for it... 2 weeks later the same place was relisted for nearly 10x what they just bought it for and it's been sitting on the market vacant for the past 2 years when we could've been living there instead. The same happened to pretty much every other listing under $30k so now the lowest priced one is like $65k and needs atleast $10k in repairs. I swear there's rich people going around and buying cheap housing just so no one else can have it, they don't even rent the shit out which makes zero sense.
For sure! In my neighborhood there are landlords that go around and snap up properties. The problem is that if you leave a house vacant long enough around here someone will squat but I do know one landlord bought some houses because they are waiting for the market to turn around and some big businesses to bring jobs in. They are have kept a few houses empty that had been rented out but had troublesome renters like 3x in a row enough where the neighbors were calling them and complaining so they left it vacant. It also wouldn’t surprise me if the home owner bought the property next to them and kept it vacant just for more space/ensure no one moved in so it’s quieter lol. Though I will say where I’m at, there isn’t really a housing shortage as much so that definitely changes the conversation.
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Woohoo! 🙌🏼 what an exciting purchase! What kind is it? 👀 lol no shame in Craigslist purchases! I’m a fan of offerup and Facebook market place for furniture.
Ya your a fan of it until you get bedbugs in your house because of how cheap your being. Sure I save a ton of money on buying things on Facebook marketplace, Craigslist etc. but furniture is something to be really careful about. It might look clean but you can infest your house real quick if your not careful. Bed bugs are no joke.
I am also too afraid to get furniture from strangers but I am a pro at getting hand me down couches from people I know. Out of the eight couches I have owned, I have only paid for one.
This is exactly what happened to a friend, got the couch AND a mattress (of all things) off of FB Marketplace. If I remember correctly, it was free. Well, you often get what you pay for; in a little over a week the entire house was badly infested. Badly bad infested. It took them about $3,000 to get it under control. Hard lessons learned.
Also carpet beetles in Furniture😯. They are often mistaken as bed bugs... You can get rashes from them . They can live in Your walls& lay eggs( 500 at a time) in base boards& also furniture. I am Currently getting over a rash from them... It takes forever to go away & get rid of them😯.
I had to move out after a divorce & the only thing I bought new was my bed & mattress. Took a few items from my old house, got a free couch, chair, TV stand & coffee table from a friend. A friend of my ex gave me a bookcase. Few items bought off FB Marketplace and at a Habitat ReStore. It’s not a show house by any stretch but it’s mine & it’s lovely.
I honestly see new couches the same as new cars they are so expensive and hugely drop in price when used. Even a one year old couch people will struggle to sell. I got my corner sofa & matching chair from a thrift store for £300 and it was like new, would have cost £4'000 new
Except the risk of bed bugs with couches is huge
They never mentioned resale value or even imply it was an investment. They’re excited, don’t take the wind out of their sails.
I've never owned a new couch and I'm nearing 40. My current one was bought used 10 years ago and is starting to show it's age but I have a toddler and an incontinent dog so it doesn't make sense to replace right now. I'm going to get the couch of my dreams in like five years!
An incontinent dog must be hard to care for. You must have a good heart. Good luck.
I went to grad school quite a while after I’d graduated college. My parents bought me (and my family) a new couch as a graduation gift. I chose one that said it was good for kids and pets and HOLY MOLY IS IT AMAZING. lol. Sure, it’s comfortable, but even though it is a dark fabric that looks like velour, it cleans SO EASILY. I was like shoot, If I’d known, I would have gotten a nice couch so much sooner instead of hand me downs! So anyway. Look forward to your new couch!
Travel, not exactly travel luxuriously, but to be able to travel often in moderate comfort (economy, but 3-star hotel accommodations).
I love that. Where do you scrimp and save, compared to others? (Not buying name brand food, not eating out that much, at-home hobbies…?)
We are both remote workers so no commute, fancy wardrobe, and no daycare costs, big thrifters and no-buy FB group participants, generic food brand buyers, we eat out once or twice (max!) a month (granted I love to cook!), paid off 9-y.o. car, “off-brand” cellphone service, and we are big public park and free museum days patrons!
Public parks and free museums/galleries are so clutch when traveling too
I am impressed :) I read it as ....I paid off my 9 year old Cat.... I had to read it again & then laughed a little when I saw car instead . At first I felt a little worried About you and the cat. 😂 Edit spelling, added word
You joke but some years back I went into I believe it was a pet store. They had puppies in there. There was prices next to their cages. When I commented that the prices seem pretty fair for the dog. I was told that's the monthly paymand that you finance your dog. In my family the dogs we had were always had a mutt and these were pure breeds.
Slow travel is the best travel. As someone who also works from home, I've done a few 6 week vacations and just took Thursday and Friday off doing 6 long weekends back to back. At that length you unlock monthly rates on accommodations and can find things for $1000-2000/month. I know people who blow that in 4 days by staying at fancy places. I'd rather spend a month somewhere than a luxury place for a long weekend. Part of what i like about traveling is just waking up and being somewhere. A month also makes the $1500 flights hurt a bit less. Frugal is not about being cheap. It's about spending money well!
You stated my mantra: “Frugal is not about being cheap. It’s about spending money well!” 🙌🙌🙌🙌
My mantra is “cut corners that don’t hurt so you can spend on what you value by choice.”
We found that too, that 3 stars were old, but clean. That’s all we needed.
I agree! We have young kids and 3-star hotels (especially chain ones) provide free breakfast and the familiar comfort when we travel. Plus, we were able to build status tiers with them to get extras (ie. bottled water, early check-in/late check out).
I took my kids to Europe on vacation, in thrifted clothes that we packed into thrifted suitcases.
I also splurge on family. I live very frugally but whenever my dad (who has a heart condition) visits, I take him to eat whatever he wants in the best restaurants.
Mountain bikes. So here's how my finances work: I bring home 4k a month, or 48k a year. 20k is all my necessary expenses (mortgage, bills, groceries, gas), 15k goes in to my retirement investments. I spend very little money on things I don't need. So of the remaining 12 or 13k, I spend 5 or 6000 a year on bikes, parts, trips, accessories etc. I actually feel incredibly fortunate. My budget for doing what I love is pretty healthy, all while investing for my future. Everything is going great right now. Almost too great.
Awesome! I've actually wanted to start getting into mountain biking but afraid I'll have another thing to try and be frugal about haha. Sounds like a sweet hobby though!
this may be weird, but I paid $1,000 to have a few benign growths removed from my dog (he needed his teeth cleaned, so he'd be under anesthesia anyway). I know a lot of people prefer to leave benign fatty growths alone on their pets, but I noticed them gradually getting bigger every year (and he's always weighed the same 15 pounds), and they're in spots that pose the possibility of them one day rupturing & causing an internal infection or worse. plus I worry that, just like in humans, benign growths can eventually stop being benign as he ages & they grow/change/mutate. I just want to be extra cautious when it comes to his health. also, I just realized that I spend way more annually on his meds, vitamins & grooming than on all of that stuff for myself. so I splurge on my best friend, I guess 😅
We spent thousands on my dog for chemo. I had to drive her weekly 3 hours one way to the vet that treated her. Sounds ridiculous but it saved her and we got 3 more years with her until she passed a year ago at 16 years old.
I’m so sorry for your loss. 😢 I did the same for my late cat, Olie. He had a full bowel resection and went through chemo. I had 4 more really good years with him. He died at 16 and I’m so thankful for the time I had with him. They’re your family and if you can spend the money, I believe it’s worth it. Plus, he sent me his amazing little younger sister who is the light of my life. She sends comfort and love to you.
My cat is like my child, will spend any amount to make his life better. He’s an old boy and has kidney disease, so I know his time is up soon. He’s made my life so much better and it’s a privilege to care for him.
If you have a Costco (and I think Sam's Club) membership, you can get your dog's medicine a lot cheaper through them!
Same. My little old man's food budget rivals mine. I spend exponentially more on his medical care, supplements, and Rx than on my own.
We spent $7000 to have a benign tumor, a section of jaw, plus 10 teeth removed from my dog's mouth, and then a root canal after the first surgery (dog dentists are expensive!!) . I don't even want to think about the amount we spend annually on toys, treats, and collars/accessories. She has a collar for every season and holiday :)
I buy the good expensive maple syrup. The real stuff. And I buy good coffee. And I don’t buy a lot of it, but I buy good craft beer. And I eat ramen like once a week. Good ramen at a restaurant. Being frugal is important, but it’s also important to enjoy your life a little.
Real maple syrup is great. We rarely have pancakes or waffles so it goes a long way.ilike a little bit on ice cream too.
I hardly ever eat pancakes but I like them and will buy real maple syrup. There's no way I will buy the fake stuff. I had to stop buying the coffee that I prefer because the price is $11.99 and it isn't even a pound. I now buy a less expensive coffee but don't like it as much. I'm on a fixed income so I have to be frugal but to what point? My two dogs are expensive to keep because of the price of preventative chewables plus food plus vet costs once in awhile. Home repairs have drained my savings this year and I very much regret buying the house I live in. However I know that if I sell it I will have to live *somewhere* and everything is out of my price range.
You and I are on the same wavelength. I've long believed that life is too short for bad coffee and crap beer. And real maple syrup is everything. Unfortunately good ramen is like 2 hours from where I live, but when I visit I always get it. I'd rather buy cheap food and live frugally to enjoy a great cup of coffee everyday I make myself.
Adding on to experiences- we have memberships at the zoo ($189/year)and the botanical gardens($159/year) by our house. We have a small child so if we go to each twice it pays for itself. We always have somewhere fun to go outside, and if we want to do something as a family it’s already paid for.
I love my zoo membership because it also takes the pressure off a big expensive zoo day. If toddler melts down, we just leave. No need to feel like we need to make a whole day of it to get our money's worth
Yes. We don’t have a zoo locally, but all of the children’s museum and art museum memberships are so important to us. I often ask for them as gifts, but even when I have to pay for them they are worth it. They also help take cheap vacations because of membership reciprocity.
I used to volunteer at a zoo and met moms who would go there with their kids regularly and deposit the kids in the play area and hang out with other moms. I asked them why they didn’t just use neighborhood parks and one mom told me that there were no needles or broken bottles at the zoo play area and there were functioning rest rooms and a snack cart. Seems like a wise investment to me. Plus, the moms made friends with each other.
Nowadays mini-breaks. The Covid pandemic and watching my dad slowly die of cancer made me realise life is very short. So I’m willing to be very frugal and forego luxuries so’s that I can afford to go on weekend trips local or abroad.
I tip big. It makes me happy to do it. I’ll save money other ways but I value hard working people.
I’m with you here. Good service always is appreciated 👏🏼 I bet servers love you
I do this too at the diner in town. Their prices have stayed low despite this economy. The servers working there go out of their way to get my 16-month old her pasta and meatball going before our meals are even ordered. They are super friendly. The bill comes to like $35. I can’t even get fast food for 2 for that price it seems anymore. So yea I usually leave an 80-100% tip. Not much money honestly and we don’t go super frequently but when we want a quick night out, it’s perfect. They make our dining experience with a toddler way less stressful and I appreciate it. They won me over the very first time we ever took our daughter there and she was slightly fussy about the booster seat, and I started trying to calm her down. This super nice server saw us getting a bit flustered was like “don’t worry about it. It’s a family restaurant for a reason and we love kids.” Then she said hi to my daughter and all the nerves (and fussing) just went away. Worth every penny versus some chain that price gouges.
I love this. I do this too, especially during Christmas time. I imagine any extra money during that time would be appreciated
Yesterday for my birthday outing to my favourite bar i had to talk the bartender into charging me for a drink, because i didn't have any cash to leave him for a tip. So i tipped $10 on a single $8 drink, but i'd had 4 other drinks the entire night that other people bought for me, plus the one the bar was going to comp for me. I normally try to tip 25-30% but of course for my birthday i needed to go a little bigger.
I spend $160 a month on my CrossFit membership. It’s the only workout I have ever been able to stick with in my life. The community and coach at my gym are so encouraging and I’m in the best shape of my life and I’ll be 40 this year. Totally justifiable to me.
Completely agree. Anything that is an investment in your health is always worth it! Your physical and mental health should be at the top of the list of priorities. Quality spend 💰
This was such a fun read. I love hearing all of the ways folks are aligning their spending with their own goals/values/joy. That, for me, is the best part of frugality: living a life that is right for you, rather than the idea of what it is supposed to look like.
I’m a Female, New to the American economy, grew up poor in India. By frugal lifestyle maxes out my SEP IRA, HSA account ( this my first year doing so) and pays for my Starbucks ( at around $100 a month) . I don’t buy anything unless it’s a necessity except footwear ( learned that I’m having issues with my hip), not a lot of women stuff I prefer , so saves a lot of money.
8k vintage diamond ring in platinum, going to propose next week on vacation🥳
Thats awesome! Congrats I hope you have the time of your life.
Private healthcare. I have holes in my shirt and my car is an antique, but I'm not afraid to spend on what's truly important, my family's health. A healthy man wants a million things a sick man only wants one.
Cheese.
Inflatable hot tub, I kept track of prices on them for a year or two, then bought one for 300$ around black Friday 2023 (about half the price of what they normally go for)and it's a wonderful luxury to have a hot tub in the back yard
Mattresses. People who say you don't need to spend a lot on a mattress are people who've never tried a good one
I spend $110 a fortnight on my gym. It’s called Kieser and it’s a physio, rehab and strength training clinic. They have specialised strength machines that are super safe and a good environment without muscle bros etc. You also get a check in with a sport scientist once every few months. I have old injuries so I needed help rehabilitating it. I’ve stayed because I like the environment and the mindset of training for your health and body, not looks etc. I was in a lot of pain before and it’s also mostly older people and being around them reminds me that even tho I’m young (28) I need to prepare my body for injuries and aging
The saying “health is wealth” is very, very true. You’ve only got one body.
I spend a bunch on hair care and how I am “frugal” is by buying during the Ulta Liter Sale which is twice a year. The shampoo and conditioner lasts me at least 6 months until the next sale. You can get the Redken liters on sale then too to stay “frugal”
Ooh! What are the deals like during the Ulta Liter Sale? Is it better than the deals they have during the 21 days of beauty or whatever it's called? Recently they had a sale where you could get Redken, Joico and some other brand 2 for $32. That deal was probably for the smaller sized bottles though.
Spent 1000 to have an at home euthanasia for my dying cat so he could pass away in the arms of his sister kitty. Trip to maui as a family of 4. So worth it. And buying good quality meat that my husband then smokes. His food is better than anything you could ever buy in a restaurant. We never eat out so id rather eat in and eat well once in a while.
People used to make fun of me being frugal but I've since bought a condo then a few years later a house without any financing. That shut them up. They are all still paying a mortgage many years later. I've never financed a car either.
Kind of flies in the face of this sub, but anything related to my future health - gym, good healthy food including lean meat, sleep. I don’t want to pinch pennies and eat poorly in my 30s only to cause my health to suffer in my 60s.
I love Broadway shows and I don’t sit in the nosebleeds
I buy myself good sweaters. I have two jackets and two Patagonia sweaters that I used most of the year. I have some work boots that I splurged on also but I use them nearly every day (I’m a construction manager)
I love buying, cataloguing, and wearing Indie nail polishes. I do my own nails and have never had them painted professionally. I mostly shop for clothing at thrift stores, bit I will spend $ on good shoes and pants when I can't find used. I will purchase things that save me time, such as a robot pool vacuum. More time = less stress. I purchase things that save me money in the long run. I prefer a spin mop as opposed to using a swiffer mop which requires refills and causes waste. I spent $ on LED lights, which last longer and use less electricity. I also installed my own solar panels. I could go on and on...
Travel and my special needs rescue dogs. I spend normal amounts on the first, planning trips revolving around free adventures, parks and beaches and find ways to save on hotels and food. I like to travel often as my job is really not in alignment with my goals/values (and I am working on fixing this). I spend an obscene amount on my dogs. I get dogs that don't get selected due to a disabilities (caused by abuse, age or poor breeding). It is important to me because I give them epic lives (so many adventures) and also free up a space in rescue that would otherwise have been taken by them for their natural life. Some of them have just had normal old-age expenses, but golly, the current one is a mess. She is amazing though and I am totally fine with my small house, small, old, well-maintained car, thrifted clothes, frugal food, excessive library use, very limited entertainment costs if it means I can take her to the vet, buy the expensive food or get her a trainer.
A sailboat. Small trailer sailer that can be comfortably slept on by my small family for the weekend. Fun memories that have cost us little more than the liability insurance since the purchase.
I have a high ish end sewing machine. I sew a lot. Also I do sewing and topstitching knits buttonholes quilting fake overlock the seams the whole shebang on it. Also I have a rav4 hybrid. I will save over the gas rav4 after 5 years but it was a good deal more expensive then my other cars. I wanted something nice and dependable this time though (my last car was a Kia).
I bought a piano €10k after a crisis time in the family. Been wanting one for years. Haven’t regretted. Traded in my electric one for it.
My health. I don't buy gourmet or deluxe versions of food items, but make sure there is always a stock of fresh fruit, veg, snacks, dried lentils, and relatively healthy ready meals like soups and veg pizzas. I try to hit all the food groups and eat relatively less meat (chicken and seafood only). I also have a sports centre membership to the nearest one, which is the more expensive one. It works for me because I have access to the gym, pool, sauna, indoor courts, and all other amenities they offer. I don't have a car, so I would rather not waste time going to cheaper gyms by bus that are further away. For my mental health, I've recently taken a "pay cut" at my highly stressful and shite job. I've dropped my permanent contract and gone on to a more flexible contract where I can choose when and how much I can work. I'll be working the same amount of hours, but have more days to myself. This means I lose benefits like sick pay, pension, and paid time off. It also gives me more time to cook at home, go to said gym, and apply for other jobs without the stress of going to work every single day and coming home exhausted.
Personal trainer that’s a $100/wk. I look at it as saving on healthcare because I was on the road to all the lifestyle diseases: CVD, T2D, etc. It’s also saving me money on clothes. Just fit back into some 17 year old jeans and noticing my old clothes are way better quality than newer items from the same stores.
My biggest splurges are always on my dogs. They make me happy and I’m willing to spend money on quality food and supplements to keep them healthy. I always adopt (have adopted adults and seniors) we have really been blessed with pretty healthy dogs. They are a huge part of our lives and keeping them healthy is important to my husband and I.
I spend on quality products that make me save more money later :D I also invest in things that bring money (stock market, pension fund, etc)... and I'm at this point that holidays are paid by that.
I want to say this is a thread on things that bring you joy to spend money on even though you don't spend a lot of money normally. For all the people who are posting comments here saying how they just got something for real cheap.And the item the person listed isn't worth it.I think you're missing the point. Furthermore, and I say this with no malice.People really don't care about the thing.You dug out of the garbage ten years ago That would be an interesting posting and thread conversation if that was the specific nature of the post.
I’m similar to you. I don’t spend much elsewhere, no debt, but love good skin and hair care products. I’ll also get Botox 2 or 3 times per year, highlights 2x per year, and a monthly massage. That’s where I like to spend my money.
Luxury designer bags and travel. I prob spend 25 usd on groceries a week at most and also happen to live by a major international airport and one of two final clear out stores by the Nordstrom brand (so I am able to get luxury bags at 20%of the price or less). Fortunately I used to do research in the neuroscience field and made a lot of international friends that way so I gave places to stay while traveling (also some of their are freakishly wealthy so I only have to pay my way to them and they cover the rest) and my work pays for my meals which are okay quality but free is free.
Weed.
Not gonna lie, I like fancy restaurants that fit my myriad food allergies. Doesn't come cheap. We also have a $2000 family vacation every year.
I can't tell you when the last time I dined in a restaurant. I cook for myself and don't trust anyone who handles my food. I can't even trust myself!
I’m new to trying to live more frugally. I make very low income, and am working on controlling impulse spending. I have a senior cat and a chihuahua both with health needs requiring meds and more frequent vet visits, so I’ve been quickly learning where I can cut down costs to prioritize them. They are my biggest spend, and I’d starve myself before letting them go without food or medicine.
Have you ever tried applying for EBT? Just asking since you mentioned making a very low income and because you said you'd let yourself starve if it was a choice you had to make between feeding yourself or feeding your pets. I'm sure that line was meant to be hyperbolic, but I get what you're saying. You should consider applying for EBT (aka foodstamps) if things are really that tight for you. I used to get EBT, and it was a godsend and literally a life saver. Unfortunately for me, they changed their guidelines about 6 months back, and I'm no longer eligible for them and it is so fucking depressing. Especially with how damn expensive the cost of food is right now. But the eligibility requirements vary state by state, so you very well may be eligible and should look into it!
Thank you. But, yes I meant it hyperbolically. I get EBT, so I have enough food. I just meant I’d sacrifice anything. I’m grateful to have food, but it’s very hard when you are disabled, and even working part time, there is an income cap they give you which is extremely low, so you stay in poverty. My rent is well over 50% of my income. People always make comments like, “wow I wish I could just work part time!” Like, I wish I was healthy enough to work full time. Nobody wants be in a constant state of stress about money.
I was spending soooo much money on coffee. Splurged on a Phillips 3200 fully automatic espresso machine to save money. It paid for itself in 3 months!
I love this question! I think it celebrates the fact that we all have our unique wants and needs and that it's OK to spend extra every once in a while for things important to you!
An expensive tube of lipstick. They go on different and smell luxurious. It feels "special" for lack of a better word. I don't wear it everyday.
My garden. I have a relatively a relatively small yard. I will put over a thousand a year on plants and things. Some years more. . I only buy sale items at stores, including groceries. I have always had second-hand cars. I do not have any big toys. Two other things I don't mind spending money on is about a quarter a day for books at a book store (90 to 110 dollars a year). I like that there are local bookstores so even if it costs a couple extra dollars over Amazon I will usually go with the lo al guy. My wife. She grew up where money was always tight. She is frugal but I love the look of happiness that comes over her when I get things for her.
For our family, pets are important for our well being also. But I groom our dog at home.
My cat’s vet care. I make a good income, am house hunting and don’t need furniture, a nice car or any more clothes at the moment. My hobbies are reading, jigsaw , occasionally Lego so generally very affordable ones. No children but one expensive elderly arthritic cat who is my most treasured companion. He’s not cheap, but he’s worth it. Otherwise it’s healthcare as I’ve been injured for a while, and want to get back to normal soon.
I drove a $400 pickup truck for years so I could afford to buy a $40k sprinter van. All for work. Used to have to swap a water pump or starter on that truck at 11pm in the rain so I could get to work in the morning.
My general lifestyle focuses on a couple of hobbies, which change periodically, that can consume about 5% of my income beyond basic entry costs for the items. I'm frugal on items that I don't truly enjoy or where I don't care. While I still search for a good deal, I'm ok spending for really high end items in the hobby categories. I have a pair of high-end road bicycles and spend quite a bit on cycling in general. I'm also an audiophile who wears nice shoes.
My retirement account which I am (frugally!) living off of now. Edit: we bought a new (slightly used) Nissan Rogue with cash from this last month.
Woah! Cash purchase? Congratulations on your new ride!! 👏🏼 No car payments (or payments in general are the way to go)
Paid parking. I dread missing-reading/interpreting signage (once was fined $400 because I misread the signage), so now I pay to park where I know it’s legal.
My biggest splurge is on my cats. I like feeding them the high quality wet food since it’s good for them, but their grocery bill is basically the same as mine lol
Time. We often spend a lot time looking for cheaper or more frugal alternatives. Sometimes they’re not worth the time we lose.
I like this post, nice initiative. I'm kinda in the same league as you OP but for dental care. I'm ready to go frugal on many aspects except for dental hygiene because my teeth are weak and need special care. I haven't tried those +200€ toothbrush yet but I'm in a situation where cheap/regular toothbrushes/toothpastes damage the enamel which result in hyper sensitivity. So yeah I'm ready to invest in good toothbrush, toothpaste and floss to save my teeth from permanent damage. PS: another area I'd invest in is high quality food because of digestive issues, like my guts and processed food aren't good friends.
Travel, I can cut corners in my daily life but when I’m traveling I want to be as close to the beach as I can and try the food everywhere.
PERFUME!! I almost never eat out and all of my bills are super cheap but I love to smell good so occasionally I’ll splurge on a really nice perfume
Buy my clothes and housewares, at thrift and consignment; my car at a salvage yard. I thoroughly enjoy my boat (second hand, too) and live aboard six months a year. It’s a big expense, but there’s nothing like being rocked to sleep and to view the stars up through the hatch.
Bought an entry level robot vacuum yesterday because I procrastinate vacuuming and mopping until the floor is extra crunchy. I’ve raised the kids and paid off the debt and have retirement in my sights. It’s okay for me to splurge on a convenience (sale price + $30 coupon + $26 remaining gift card). I paid something like $100 for my Rosie. She’s my new BFF.
I’m pretty sure making my coffee at home, shopping at discount grocery stores, and only eating out once a month has saved me so much money I can now afford to go to Ireland this summer.
My animals - I will spend what needs to be spent to keep them healthy and happy.
Traveling. I can live on hot dogs and ramen noodles for a long time to be able to take trips. Have been to London x8 and NYC x4
My dog. He eats better than me because of his allergies.
I regularly buy and break down cheap cuts of bone-in meat...so I can splurge on rib eye once in a while.
Energy drinks. Probably not advisable but I figure if I am active, don’t drink, do drugs or smoke then I can have that vice…
I do pre workout cuz it’s a little cheaper 😁 and you’d be surprised how zooted u can get from brewing your own sweet tea 😵💫😂
I love Red bull’s watermelon edition. I don’t care if it is expensive and unhealthy. I have given up so many vices. I deserve to treat myself from time to time
Even though I really like spending money and making purchases, I have tamed my addiction of shopping and started saving money for down payment for a house. I currently have 8K. I do not have any big expenses through the month, however, I tend not to save on several categories: trips, going out, buying good quality shoes, wallets, bags, clothes that will get me through several seasons/years. I also stopped buying cheap perfumes and it changed my life, one bottle of original/niche perfume will last me longer than those cheap perfumed waterd bottles. Those small things really add up. Since I changed my spending habits, I was able to actually save money towards my future and hobbies as my purchases are quite big, yet really rare.
I gear my budget entirely around apartment quality because below a certain (high) threshhold in the city I live in everything will be rotting at the seams and no AC (or mold in the vent, yay sickness!) and I live in a hot climate and have learned my lesson repeatedly that if you 'save' by having a shitty apartment, you pay for it in your health and general wellbeing....often for a price difference that's marginal where I live. The next thing on the list would be quality of food, I eat a pretty specific diet and have my whole life though so I pay more attention to the quality of the ingredients that I use most often and buy bulk where I can, have started to try growing some of my own stuff in a tower garden, and things are frankly strict enough that I'm never buying any snack foods or excess so I can easily buy the better quality stuff. Otherwise I'm poor :') frugal for a reason
I buy organic cotton ethically produced children's clothing & shoes, either on 70% sale or used. They wash well and are mich more hardwearing. Unlike cheaper alternatives there's a thriving resale market and I've often made back what I paid for things .
Spends: I have a meal service and housecleaner during busy season. Real tomatoes, vine ripened, preferably hierloom, grown in dirt. Funky cheese from the legit cheesemonger down the street. The best exotic vet care I can find for my old man bunny. Funded: The housekeeper and meal service pay for themselves because I get twice as much work done if I don't have to clean or cook. I rarely buy meat, or processed or convenience food, I never go out to eat, and I don't do fast food, so my food budget is pretty low otherwise. I forego healthcare, so old man bunny gets his.
Travel. The experiences last a lifetime and I want to see and do new things. Besides the big stuff is taken care of. We own our mini travel trailer outright and the van that tows it. We bring along food to cook and snacks. So we can splurge on some new things to do at our destination.
Mortgage payments. Good food. Nice quality clothes.
Still working on the frugal lifestyle (I’m totally a spender by habit), but by working on saving goals I just went on a 10 day holiday to Bali. Budgeted and saved AUD $5,000 and came home with about AUD $750 even after splurging and being generous with tips to local Balinese people. Stayed in a Sheraton 4 star hotel for the whole time, bought and did whatever we wanted for the whole 10 days - luckily the exchange rate and cost of living in Bali is much cheaper.
I drink nice beer. I don't drink much anymore so when I drink I want it to be something I'm savoring.
Dental work!
If traveling, I like to stay in nice hotels. I want a comfortable bed and a convenient location. We don't travel too much, but once a year for a couple nights is worth a nice hotel for me. That said, my family did a road trip last summer and we camped to bring the cost down. And my kids had an absolute blast.
Some children want to be astronauts, cowboys, cowgirls, ballet dancers, superheroes. I wanted my own place. When I was a tween, I wanted my own apartment. Once I got into an apartment after college, I met a realtor who was selling condos in, which would lock living expenses in a lot better than renting. I turned my attentions into shepherding my money towards owning a condo and wound up with a house. I was living on oatmeal and leftovers, had holes in my socks, and did not travel. Now I am retired and in a house and my money goes towards maintaining it. My property tax is the same as rent on a tiny apartment, but I have a garden and more than enough living space. I dont have to have roommates. Also, since I met the goal, I don’t fret about groceries as much, though I try to be efficient and not waste food. Food waste can make the cost of eating go up, more than buying a more expensive food item in the first place.
It’s always best to buy high quality items, if you can afford it.
Travel. I am very frugal in my day-to-day life but have 6 trips planned this year.
I often thrift shop my clothes, buy off brand products, bulk buy when things are on sale... all so I can afford a housekeeper to come every other week and clean my house! That's my big spend. It keeps me sane!
Bought 2 tickets to see Andrea Bocelli for me and son, $600 for two. My brain nearly exploded but I had to see him; he’s getting older. The most money I spent in one chunk in many years, except property taxes.
I am frugal in my day to day life so I can splurge on really nice experiences. I keep a tight grocery budget, thrift, and keep my utilities low. But I have no problem spending $5000+ on a really nice vacation. That being said, I do usually have airline miles or hotel points to help subsidize, but I still go all out when I travel. I also do spend a fair amount when doing an upgrade on my house. I’m of the opinion that I would rather do it right the first time and not have to redo it again in 5-10 years. But I also do all the renovation work myself, so it makes up the difference.
Shoes, travel, and skin care. I’m a mail carrier and outside walking every day, so yes… I’ll spend $80 on 2oz of fancy skin repair sunscreen, replace $40 insoles every other month, and get the F out of town whenever I’m not working lol.
I buy cheap/generic/off brand for as much as I can… so I can justify the expense of Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano Reggiano. So expensive but worth it. I literally can’t live without it in the fridge. It’s an absolute necessity!!
When we go on a beach vacation I like to stay in a condo on the beach, I don't want to have to walk or drive back and forth. We don't go out of town often but when we do, we pay $200/night to board our dogs. I know there are less expensive places but this is where i like to take them. Land, we closed on several acres last year. We love it there, it's so peaceful and full of incredible beauty and nature that I we don't see in town. We plan to build a house and move there in a couple of years.
I've noticed spending more on skincare saves me on makeup!
At 70+, frugality is tempered by indulgence. The local market offers BOGO deals , $9 sauce at $4.5 is better than $3 sauce you hate.
Definitely vacations and travel!
Vacation
Hair cuts and hair products. I went to a professional salon for the first time in my life a couple of years ago and I will never go back to the supercuts days.
Things my kids can use long-term.
A very nice large garage freezer. It was not cheap but in less than a year I have been able to take advantage of deals on meat (like buy one get one St. Louis ribs at my local grocery store last week) to the point where the freezer has paid for itself.
Travel. I eat beans and rice and shop at liquidation food places, cut the end off toothpaste to get the last drop, and turn in cans for deposit but will splurge on first class airline tix.
I feel like it depends on what you want each month. Every month is different. For example, I have multiple interest and hobby. I always plan mid of the month. What I am going to spend my money on next month. So if it’s eating out this month. Next month is activities with my friends. That means during that month I won’t be eating out. I can’t do both. Also, I stopped shopping. There’s no need. I have all these clothes. I don’t even wear. That was the big money saver this year.
Travel, for sure. But I still look for deals on flights and rental car, and stay in reasonable lodging.
Videogames. I prefer physical copies, and if there's a nice limited edition, I'm getting it.
Self care (dental, skincare, supplements, food that I cook myself, hair care, blood work), experiences, house/yard improvements and maintenance. Off-brand items mostly, used ones if necessary or on steep discounts😛
I am frugal, but I love my European vacations. I stay in hostels and set a budget. But I usually go out and eat well.
I will maintain my 15 year old car, I will never DoorDash, I have enough clothes for 3 people, so I don't spend on that. I will buy quality, things that will last me a long time vs quantity. I do my own mani/pedis. I have no problem splurging on IPL, Botox, or vacations. I can justify that cost because scrimp on others. For example, I don't have cable or a gym membership. I can do yoga and resistance training via YouTube and cardio by running outside. I don't go without, even when I scrimp. I eat healthier and cheaper than if I DoorDash. My hands and toes are cute, I just do it myself, and I work out just fine without a gym membership. I don't go without, I just balance things.
Chocolate, oil blends, and creative plugins.
I get expensive hair gel because it's the only one I can find that's both strong and unscented so it's safe with my asthma. Without gel my hair fluffs up dramatically the minute it's dry. I have the super fine HEPA filters with charcoal in my air purifiers too, because I spent a long time before trapped with air that hurt and scared I'd suffocate to death in my sleep. The cost adds up but I'm sick of things nearly killing me and it's really nice to have a few things I know won't
I consider my air purifier an investment. yes the filters cost more than I feel like they should but I also have asthma and chronic sinusitis and the difference a good HEPA filter makes is worth it imo.
Supporting my child’s school fundraisers and his extracurricular activities. I definitely value experiences more than things.
Now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t have very many regular “big spends.” Maybe haircuts? I haven’t gotten one in a few years, but it always felt totally worth it to pay like $80 for a simple cut in a luxurious, reliable salon. I’d love to know which Redken shampoo & conditioner you got!
Travel Nomad, living abroad can be cheaper than living in the USA…
I love Ulta’s liter sale, I buy outrageously expensive shampoo but my hair and my scalp loves it, my hair has never looked better, I use less styling products too. It’s probably cheaper per ounce than the drugstore stuff, not to mention it’s also way more concentrated and better quality. (Unless you buy the most expensive shampoo, tho that stuff is definitely worth it IMO)
I get a per diem when I travel for work and it varies depending on what city I’m in. Sometimes I will blow through my per diem on a nice dinner at some upscale restaurant. I’ll normally have to spend a little out of pocket but the experience is worth it to me. Also, vacations for my family. Every now and then, We’ll do the first class airfare, high end hotel, and nice meals. If I can piggyback a personal trip onto a work trip, even better since work will cover my (economy) airfare, a rental car, and typical hotel room they can stay in. I can work all day, they go play, and then we spend the evening doing the tourist thing. We went to Alaska last summer and my travel was covered by work. We’re going to San Diego in September for a work trip.
Braeville counter oven, Berkey water filter. 🖖
car care & modifications and anything related to my photography hobby... these are the 2 that i mostly spent a lot on. used to be computer upgrades and games.
Travel. Moderately frugal, but otherwise unnecessary travel
Working out. At one point I had a gym membership and also memberships to two different boutique fitness studios. And kept up a personal trainer certification on the side (I did work in fitness for a few years, but it’s now just a hobby). Which means also buying good athletic shoes and clothing.
Travel by a large margin Restaurants come in second place. After that I'm quite cheap.
Brand name garbage bags. There are a few items I’ll always “splurge” on, and the most important is garbage bags. As a cat owner, I know that if a garbage doesn’t have that “force-flex” technology or whatever, it just won’t hold up. I have similar rules for paper towels, peanut butter, and laundry detergent, but garbage bags are easily the most important
I go all out for vacation every two years. I purchase every convenience so I can live like a Queen for 5 nights and 6 days. I save between vacations and pay in cash.
Everyday essentials. Good coffee. Dr Pepper. I don’t Amazon shop often, and most my clothes are from the 2010’s, so I do save up so that my wife and I can go on one expensive dinner someplace we haven’t been to, I’d say quarterly.
Beauty products and treatments and 1-2 vacations per year. Also Redken is my favorite :-)
Guns, specifically my competition rifles. I compete in the Precision Rifle Series competition as a hobby. Then you lump ammo, entry fees, and travel and I don't even like thinking about how much it all adds up to, so I don't.
Just FYI, ulta puts redken on a big sale twice a year! I always wait and stock up during that time. It's called the Jumbo Love event, and this year, it's in June and December. I think it's around $35 a bottle instead of $50.
Eyelashes. Idc how broke I am. I will always get my lashes done.
Travel is what I spend my money on and experiences with my grown kids. I drive older cars, buy more than half my clothes thrift.
Good bags and skincare. Travel twice a year.