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

[Anonymous]

Cruises. We're taking four this year.

[Anonymous]

We always splurge on the condo next to the beach (Sea Colony -- so not super glamorous, but we are picky about staying at a place with many upgrades). And, the cute guys who put up our umbrella every day and bring out our chairs. They take them away everyday as well. So worth it.

[Anonymous]

1. Food. DH and I sometimes will splurge for the 3-star Michelin ultra fancy tasting menu experience. Maybe once a year. Some people are into spending hundreds on concert/show tickets, but for us, we'd rather spend hundreds on a multi-course meal that is exquisitely prepared and nearly brings me to tears at how good a bite tastes.

2. Travel. You only live once. We are careful with this though, we stack all purchases that we can on our Chase Sapphire cards to accrue points. We've been to Europe 3 times with flights completely covered by Chase points (just pay taxes), sometimes with a little extra for part of the lodging. We are flexible in where we go and will just go with flight deals to pick where we travel to. Usually the lodging is out of pocket. But this way, instead of a one week stay 2 hours away at a beach, we can be at a beach in Italy for not that much more $$.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

My hair

[Anonymous]

You tell 'em, 12:47!

[Anonymous]

Another amazing thing. Zingerman’s 16yr old balsamic vinegar. I eat it on salad nearly every day. It’s $45 for 250ml and worth every penny for the joy it brings me. But it’s also on sale for $25 every January and I stock up for the year ahead of salads and hostess gifts. Even $25 for a bottle of vinegar seems extravagant- but it could be $45!

It’s the one annual purchase that delights both my splurge side AND my frugal side.

[Anonymous]

Sports tickets. I spend way too much going to games and getting good seats for a game I could just watch on tv for free...but I never regret it

[Anonymous]

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.

Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

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.

[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.

I think $80 for wine is fine if you really like wine. I’ll spend $30-40 on wine occasionally and I know nothing about it. It just feels nice to buy supposedly nicer wine to celebrate a birthday, holiday, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Food. DH and I sometimes will splurge for the 3-star Michelin ultra fancy tasting menu experience. Maybe once a year. Some people are into spending hundreds on concert/show tickets, but for us, we'd rather spend hundreds on a multi-course meal that is exquisitely prepared and nearly brings me to tears at how good a bite tastes.

2. Travel. You only live once. We are careful with this though, we stack all purchases that we can on our Chase Sapphire cards to accrue points. We've been to Europe 3 times with flights completely covered by Chase points (just pay taxes), sometimes with a little extra for part of the lodging. We are flexible in where we go and will just go with flight deals to pick where we travel to. Usually the lodging is out of pocket. But this way, instead of a one week stay 2 hours away at a beach, we can be at a beach in Italy for not that much more $$.

I lived in NYC in my 20s and loved the fine dining scene. I generally didn’t do 3 stars but have been to plenty of 1-2 star restaurants. I’m not sure I care to spend my money that way now and it’s hard to get away for date nights with kids but glad I was able to experience that.

[Anonymous]

The $600 pellet ice machine I bought. It’s completely decadent to spend that much when my freezer makes ice, but it turns every drink into a nicely crunchy delight!

[Anonymous]

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.

I'm with you. We frequent a wine shop near our beach house which is a little more expensive but has very knowledgeable owners who remember us and make great recommendations. It's a pleasant place to shop and we are supporting a local business in a seasonal community. That's worth it to me.

[Anonymous]

Milk, eggs and sometimes meat from SMC, year round CSA shares for fruit and veggies.