s/o on other thread...things you probably spend too much money on but think it's worth it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so important to some people to come on this thread and tell the spender they are wrong?

Let’s pretend I like to regularly buy a bottle of $80 wine. I purchase it at the wine and cheese store in my neighborhood and I like supporting a small business in my neighborhood. The fact that I live walking distance to a local store that sells $80 wine alone probably tells you a lot about me as a person - but put try to your assumptions aside. I like to walk to the store because it’s good for the environment. I see neighborhood acquaintances when I shop there. When I pick up the wine, I often get a baguette or other locally made items I need. Sure it’s a bit more than Safeway, but I value this store’s convenience and personal service when I have questions. I like the $80 wine. I like to drink it, serve it to guests and take it as a hostess gift. I think the label looks expensive and impressive and I know that studies show that makes others perceive the wine as better than it really is. It makes people think I know more about wine than I do.

Then you come on the thread to tell me that you are a wine expert (actually a well educated wine connoisseur, but let’s not quibble) and you want, no NEED, to tell me that Total Wine sells several winery direct wines in the same style for $30-40 that are better tasting and better rated. Also I am a fool who must not read labels or I would even know that one of the $30 options uses grapes from the same source as my stupid $80 bottle.

Great I’m wrong and you are right. I’m a fool and you are sooo smart. But who cares? You assumed that the transaction was merely about optimizing the quality of wine for the price. But it’s not. Not for me at least. I explained why I value my standard less efficient transaction. I know there are amazing wine experiences and values out there if I just do a bit of research - but I don’t want to. That’s not how I want to spend my time. That’s the whole purpose of this thread - to point out the less efficient, unnecessary, extras that bring us joy.

The title of the thread is " ... but think it's worth it."

It's not "Things you spend too much money on even though it's completely nonsensical." That's probably the thread you should start.

It’s you who is missing the point. If I think it’s worth it, why do you feel a need to tell me you don’t think it’s worth it.
It’s worth it to me. It’s not worth it to you. Why is it important for you to make sure I know exactly why you don’t think it’s worth it? More specifically why do you patronizingly assume the reason I think it’s worth it to me is because I lack information or reasoning skills?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so important to some people to come on this thread and tell the spender they are wrong?

Let’s pretend I like to regularly buy a bottle of $80 wine. I purchase it at the wine and cheese store in my neighborhood and I like supporting a small business in my neighborhood. The fact that I live walking distance to a local store that sells $80 wine alone probably tells you a lot about me as a person - but put try to your assumptions aside. I like to walk to the store because it’s good for the environment. I see neighborhood acquaintances when I shop there. When I pick up the wine, I often get a baguette or other locally made items I need. Sure it’s a bit more than Safeway, but I value this store’s convenience and personal service when I have questions. I like the $80 wine. I like to drink it, serve it to guests and take it as a hostess gift. I think the label looks expensive and impressive and I know that studies show that makes others perceive the wine as better than it really is. It makes people think I know more about wine than I do.

Then you come on the thread to tell me that you are a wine expert (actually a well educated wine connoisseur, but let’s not quibble) and you want, no NEED, to tell me that Total Wine sells several winery direct wines in the same style for $30-40 that are better tasting and better rated. Also I am a fool who must not read labels or I would even know that one of the $30 options uses grapes from the same source as my stupid $80 bottle.

Great I’m wrong and you are right. I’m a fool and you are sooo smart. But who cares? You assumed that the transaction was merely about optimizing the quality of wine for the price. But it’s not. Not for me at least. I explained why I value my standard less efficient transaction. I know there are amazing wine experiences and values out there if I just do a bit of research - but I don’t want to. That’s not how I want to spend my time. That’s the whole purpose of this thread - to point out the less efficient, unnecessary, extras that bring us joy.

The title of the thread is " ... but think it's worth it."

It's not "Things you spend too much money on even though it's completely nonsensical." That's probably the thread you should start.

It’s you who is missing the point. If I think it’s worth it, why do you feel a need to tell me you don’t think it’s worth it.
It’s worth it to me. It’s not worth it to you. Why is it important for you to make sure I know exactly why you don’t think it’s worth it? More specifically why do you patronizingly assume the reason I think it’s worth it to me is because I lack information or reasoning skills?

Sometimes the justifications provided are demonstrably incorrect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Produce and meats - I buy from WF because the quality of the produce is much better than at my local supermarket. I pay extra at WF for meat, eggs, and dairy that have a humane label.

Clothes and shoes - I rarely buy but when I do I spend $$$ on quality things that will last me 10, 20 years or longer.

Doctor - I go to an expensive internist who doesn't take insurance. Upside is I never wait for an appointment and the doctor takes their time to be thorough.

Hotels on vacation - I'll splurge.

I'm really frugal in other areas to the point where family members joke about it. Reusing ziplocs, anyone?

Reusing Ziploc bags but voluntarily paying out of pocket for all medical services is objectively dumb.

I do the same and would not consider myself dumb. Do you know how hard it is to find a good doctor that takes insurance.

[Anonymous]

I splurged on my home remodel. 150K on a kitchen remodel, high end appliances, custom cabinets. I love to cook and it gives me joy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Produce and meats - I buy from WF because the quality of the produce is much better than at my local supermarket. I pay extra at WF for meat, eggs, and dairy that have a humane label.

Clothes and shoes - I rarely buy but when I do I spend $$$ on quality things that will last me 10, 20 years or longer.

Doctor - I go to an expensive internist who doesn't take insurance. Upside is I never wait for an appointment and the doctor takes their time to be thorough.

Hotels on vacation - I'll splurge.

I'm really frugal in other areas to the point where family members joke about it. Reusing ziplocs, anyone?

Reusing Ziploc bags but voluntarily paying out of pocket for all medical services is objectively dumb.

DP. I've never had a problem.

I do the same and would not consider myself dumb. Do you know how hard it is to find a good doctor that takes insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Produce and meats - I buy from WF because the quality of the produce is much better than at my local supermarket. I pay extra at WF for meat, eggs, and dairy that have a humane label.

Clothes and shoes - I rarely buy but when I do I spend $$$ on quality things that will last me 10, 20 years or longer.

Doctor - I go to an expensive internist who doesn't take insurance. Upside is I never wait for an appointment and the doctor takes their time to be thorough.

Hotels on vacation - I'll splurge.

I'm really frugal in other areas to the point where family members joke about it. Reusing ziplocs, anyone?

Reusing Ziploc bags but voluntarily paying out of pocket for all medical services is objectively dumb.

I do the same and would not consider myself dumb. Do you know how hard it is to find a good doctor that takes insurance.

DP I've never had a problem finding good in-network doctors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I splurged on my home remodel. 150K on a kitchen remodel, high end appliances, custom cabinets. I love to cook and it gives me joy.

That must have included an addition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so important to some people to come on this thread and tell the spender they are wrong?

Let’s pretend I like to regularly buy a bottle of $80 wine. I purchase it at the wine and cheese store in my neighborhood and I like supporting a small business in my neighborhood. The fact that I live walking distance to a local store that sells $80 wine alone probably tells you a lot about me as a person - but put try to your assumptions aside. I like to walk to the store because it’s good for the environment. I see neighborhood acquaintances when I shop there. When I pick up the wine, I often get a baguette or other locally made items I need. Sure it’s a bit more than Safeway, but I value this store’s convenience and personal service when I have questions. I like the $80 wine. I like to drink it, serve it to guests and take it as a hostess gift. I think the label looks expensive and impressive and I know that studies show that makes others perceive the wine as better than it really is. It makes people think I know more about wine than I do.

Then you come on the thread to tell me that you are a wine expert (actually a well educated wine connoisseur, but let’s not quibble) and you want, no NEED, to tell me that Total Wine sells several winery direct wines in the same style for $30-40 that are better tasting and better rated. Also I am a fool who must not read labels or I would even know that one of the $30 options uses grapes from the same source as my stupid $80 bottle.

Great I’m wrong and you are right. I’m a fool and you are sooo smart. But who cares? You assumed that the transaction was merely about optimizing the quality of wine for the price. But it’s not. Not for me at least. I explained why I value my standard less efficient transaction. I know there are amazing wine experiences and values out there if I just do a bit of research - but I don’t want to. That’s not how I want to spend my time. That’s the whole purpose of this thread - to point out the less efficient, unnecessary, extras that bring us joy.

The title of the thread is " ... but think it's worth it."

It's not "Things you spend too much money on even though it's completely nonsensical." That's probably the thread you should start.

Embedded in the "worth it" is "worth it to ME" - not to you, PP, not universally, but to the person saying that they fully recognize they spend obscene sums on something that someone else doesn't care about and could spend less on. But to the person spending the money, it is worth it.

This whole thread is people saying what they enjoy. It's really a pleasure. Outside of you.

[Anonymous]

The expensive toilet paper is worth it for me.
I've been amazed going to houses where people make much more than we do and they have the crappiest thin toilet paper--and aren't on septic, where you might have to do that.

We've been buying "expensive" local eggs for years, because I really do think they taste better.

[Anonymous]

Violin lessons for DS. He's ok not super talented, we are Asian so it's a walking stereotype, but it's his favorite thing so we keep doing it.

I also spend too much on sweatpants.

[Anonymous]

Hotels - I don't care how I get there, but when I do get there, I'm staying in a nice hotel. Three stars is the lowest I'll go and even then, only certain chains.

Makeup - I have sensitive skin & have learned that it does better with certain $$$ brands. Worth it to me.

[Anonymous]

Eating at nice restaurants

Outsourcing cleaning/yard work

Skincare (including botox)

[Anonymous]

Travel I guess.
My gigolo cooks and cleans for free which I enjoy greatly. Not really into stuff. I wish things would excite me since that would be a fast and easy excitement. Stuff from last 20 years has no quality or charm.
I brought back part of my parents' wedding present - crystal made in former Czechoslovakia with me from my last trip home. So happy about those little shot glasses because they were behind the glass in cabinets my whole childhood. I know this is stuff, but I have memories seeing them all my young life, and having to wipe the dust around them.
Half of the crystal has gold trim and the rest has lovely flower pattern. They were hard to get back in a day, impossible now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Travel I guess.
My gigolo cooks and cleans for free which I enjoy greatly. Not really into stuff. I wish things would excite me since that would be a fast and easy excitement. Stuff from last 20 years has no quality or charm.
I brought back part of my parents' wedding present - crystal made in former Czechoslovakia with me from my last trip home. So happy about those little shot glasses because they were behind the glass in cabinets my whole childhood. I know this is stuff, but I have memories seeing them all my young life, and having to wipe the dust around them.
Half of the crystal has gold trim and the rest has lovely flower pattern. They were hard to get back in a day, impossible now.

Your gigolo? You mean your spouse? Or what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Produce and meats - I buy from WF because the quality of the produce is much better than at my local supermarket. I pay extra at WF for meat, eggs, and dairy that have a humane label.

Clothes and shoes - I rarely buy but when I do I spend $$$ on quality things that will last me 10, 20 years or longer.

Doctor - I go to an expensive internist who doesn't take insurance. Upside is I never wait for an appointment and the doctor takes their time to be thorough.

Hotels on vacation - I'll splurge.

I'm really frugal in other areas to the point where family members joke about it. Reusing ziplocs, anyone?

Reusing Ziploc bags but voluntarily paying out of pocket for all medical services is objectively dumb.

I do the same and would not consider myself dumb. Do you know how hard it is to find a good doctor that takes insurance.

DP I've never had a problem finding good in-network doctors.

I'm the PP with Tricare. You are lucky.