What is your splurge-worthy item/service that you never regret spending?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First class air travel. After well over 2 million miles in coach over many years I had had enough. Economy rows are getting tighter and people are getting bigger and that's a bad combination.

+1 I really can’t live without it

+100- I got tired of fat bubbas in cargo shorts and tee shirts squeezing into the middle seat spreading their fat arms into my seat. Airline should price seats by the pound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Twice a week cleaning service. Hourly rates for any domestic chores. These ladies have worked for me for past 10 years.

Lawn mowing and lawn treatment services.

Organic milk, poultry, fish, meat and soft skin fruits.

Kids EC activities, coaches and tutors at home.

Weekly massages at home.

Expensive haircut every three weeks with 30% tip.

Hired help for serving food for all at home dinner parties.

Home renovation and maintenance.

Annual big vacation.

I am very frugal in ways that does not show to others.

When I think of splurge I think of a once in a while special treat. You are having an ice cream sundae every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Twice a week cleaning service. Hourly rates for any domestic chores. These ladies have worked for me for past 10 years.

Lawn mowing and lawn treatment services.

Organic milk, poultry, fish, meat and soft skin fruits.

Kids EC activities, coaches and tutors at home.

Weekly massages at home.

Expensive haircut every three weeks with 30% tip.

Hired help for serving food for all at home dinner parties.

Home renovation and maintenance.

Annual big vacation.

I am very frugal in ways that does not show to others.

Like what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I consider myself frugal-as many of you in the thread- but I'd hate to give up on the regular cleaning service.
How about you?

My husband lost his job and we didnt give up out house cleaner. I'd rather starve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First class air travel. After well over 2 million miles in coach over many years I had had enough. Economy rows are getting tighter and people are getting bigger and that's a bad combination.

I agree, but dont think I would spend the money on 1st class if I had to. Luckily we've never had to use our money to upgrade and just dont see paying 20k more for a family of 4 for 15hrs of comfort. My family can just "suffer" for 15hrsnif it means it will cost me 20k.

I'm also not flying some lame 1st class on a regional jet. Totally not worth my miles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Twice a week cleaning service. Hourly rates for any domestic chores. These ladies have worked for me for past 10 years.

Lawn mowing and lawn treatment services.

Organic milk, poultry, fish, meat and soft skin fruits.

Kids EC activities, coaches and tutors at home.

Weekly massages at home.

Expensive haircut every three weeks with 30% tip.

Hired help for serving food for all at home dinner parties.

Home renovation and maintenance.

Annual big vacation.

I am very frugal in ways that does not show to others.

What other ways are left to be frugal? Cheap gifts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Homeschool. On the one hand, we are doing it right thing for our kid. On the other, this is the most expensive thing we have done besides buying a house.

Expensive because one of you gave up an income?

Oh yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Airline should price seats by the pound.

This is a genius idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twice a week cleaning service. Hourly rates for any domestic chores. These ladies have worked for me for past 10 years.

Lawn mowing and lawn treatment services.

Organic milk, poultry, fish, meat and soft skin fruits.

Kids EC activities, coaches and tutors at home.

Weekly massages at home.

Expensive haircut every three weeks with 30% tip.

Hired help for serving food for all at home dinner parties.

Home renovation and maintenance.

Annual big vacation.

I am very frugal in ways that does not show to others.

What other ways are left to be frugal? Cheap gifts?

I’m going to go with “cheap in regards to others”.

So no tipping, no staff bonus, no savings for college.

[Anonymous]

We go away to Florida every Christmas break.

We allocated a high percentage of our income for a home in a good school district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twice a week cleaning service. Hourly rates for any domestic chores. These ladies have worked for me for past 10 years.

Lawn mowing and lawn treatment services.

Organic milk, poultry, fish, meat and soft skin fruits.

Kids EC activities, coaches and tutors at home.

Weekly massages at home.

Expensive haircut every three weeks with 30% tip.

Hired help for serving food for all at home dinner parties.

Home renovation and maintenance.

Annual big vacation.

I am very frugal in ways that does not show to others.

What other ways are left to be frugal? Cheap gifts?

I’m going to go with “cheap in regards to others”.

So no tipping, no staff bonus, no savings for college.

LOL. I told you that my frugality does not show. Read the list below. Many of you will pay for these costs and not think anything of it. My splurge is paying for service mainly. (and some organic food and one overseas vacation). I could go on for a long time but here is a partial list.

1) I cook all/most meals. I do not get catered food for large parties that we host frequently because of DH's job. I cook for 60-70 people at a time. (how often do you pay for prepared meals during the day?)
2) Kids go to public schools in well regarded, highly competitive programs. (ie no private school cost)
3) No designer clothes or accessories. I source amazing pieces from overseas because my sister is in garments and accessory business, for next to nothing or for free.
4) I color and highlight my own hair, do all my beauty treatments at home with homemade products - wax, facials, bath scrubs. Mix my own lotions and oils. My own mani, pedi, peels, microdermabrasion. I buy all prescription strength skin care products (serums, creams) from overseas.
5) Shop for every day clothes on sale at Macy's, Kohl's, Amazon, Land's End, Costco.
6) Shop at Walmart, Aldi's, Costco, Asian markets for most groceries and booze. We entertain a lot. Most food bought at wholesale prices.
7) Grow my plants from seeds. I have a lovely garden overflowing with flowers. My costs is less than $20 a season. I have fabulous houseplants that I divide, grow and gift.
8) All drycleaning at a wholesale drycleaner.
9) House at a low COL area.
10) State college tuition prepaid for all three. Pension and retirement on track. No private school costs.
11) Never fly first class. Get the lowest airfare, use ff miles, always economy.
12) Nice but not expensive cars. Nothing above $35K. Drive it till they are on their last legs.
13) Green lifestyle- solar panels, hybrid cars, compost, rain barrels, free-cycle.
14) Refinish and reupholster most furniture. I used to work in an interior design company. I can make a house look high end with ordinary things.
15) Never paid for - IVF, therapy, cosmetic surgery or procedures, prepackaged meal plans, botox, anti-anxiety meds, hair extensions, fake nails, fake tan, hair blowouts, eyebrow shaping, gym memberships, spa day.
16) No pets. (Yes, this is a huge hidden cost that no one thinks about. Pets are expensive).
17) No clubbing, no drugs, no gambling, no going to topless bar, no smoking, no drinking except during parties.
18) Vacation in moderately priced hotels, friend's homes, airBnB. Never stay at resorts.
19) Marriage is intact so - no attorney's fees, no alimony and child support. Maintaining only one household.
20) While raising kids - hardly used diapers or formula. Kids wore disposable diapers only at night and out of the house. BF the kids. Cloth diapers. Kids were potty trained very early.
21) No Starbucks.
22) Great dental hygiene. Did not have to pay for dental work that stems out of poor hygiene. All usual dental cleaning for the entire family is covered by insurance.
23) Meet all my health care deductibles during the first two months of the year by scheduling the entire family's well visit during that time.
24) No debt except a very low mortgage.
25) Used my employer's benefits to go to school part-time for years. If your employer will reimburse tuition (even a measly amount) then use that to go to school for a certification or degree. It is free money and eventually you will have the credits required to get your degree or certificate.
26) I will always try and find a deal for any merchandise/service that I can.
27) Selling at eBay. I started because I am always decluttering my home and electronics and now this has become an easy way to make money, instead of hosting a garage sale.
28) No swimming pool at our house.
29) No beach house.
30) Simplified holiday gift giving with family and friends. We only do the one gift per person rule through a secret Santa gift giving. We are not going crazy buying tons of stuff for everyone.
31) Full house remodeling done under $50 K (labor and material) and we did not have to move to a hotel when the work was going on. I sourced all material from wholesale vendors and through connections from builders etc. The same would have cost at least $150 on the open market. I got the work done off-season (winter).
32) Wash and detail all my cars by myself. Kids help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twice a week cleaning service. Hourly rates for any domestic chores. These ladies have worked for me for past 10 years.

Lawn mowing and lawn treatment services.

Organic milk, poultry, fish, meat and soft skin fruits.

Kids EC activities, coaches and tutors at home.

Weekly massages at home.

Expensive haircut every three weeks with 30% tip.

Hired help for serving food for all at home dinner parties.

Home renovation and maintenance.

Annual big vacation.

I am very frugal in ways that does not show to others.

What other ways are left to be frugal? Cheap gifts?

I’m going to go with “cheap in regards to others”.

So no tipping, no staff bonus, no savings for college.

LOL. I told you that my frugality does not show. Read the list below. Many of you will pay for these costs and not think anything of it. My splurge is paying for service mainly. (and some organic food and one overseas vacation). I could go on for a long time but here is a partial list.

1) I cook all/most meals. I do not get catered food for large parties that we host frequently because of DH's job. I cook for 60-70 people at a time. (how often do you pay for prepared meals during the day?)
2) Kids go to public schools in well regarded, highly competitive programs. (ie no private school cost)
3) No designer clothes or accessories. I source amazing pieces from overseas because my sister is in garments and accessory business, for next to nothing or for free.
4) I color and highlight my own hair, do all my beauty treatments at home with homemade products - wax, facials, bath scrubs. Mix my own lotions and oils. My own mani, pedi, peels, microdermabrasion. I buy all prescription strength skin care products (serums, creams) from overseas.
5) Shop for every day clothes on sale at Macy's, Kohl's, Amazon, Land's End, Costco.
6) Shop at Walmart, Aldi's, Costco, Asian markets for most groceries and booze. We entertain a lot. Most food bought at wholesale prices.
7) Grow my plants from seeds. I have a lovely garden overflowing with flowers. My costs is less than $20 a season. I have fabulous houseplants that I divide, grow and gift.
8) All drycleaning at a wholesale drycleaner.
9) House at a low COL area.
10) State college tuition prepaid for all three. Pension and retirement on track. No private school costs.
11) Never fly first class. Get the lowest airfare, use ff miles, always economy.
12) Nice but not expensive cars. Nothing above $35K. Drive it till they are on their last legs.
13) Green lifestyle- solar panels, hybrid cars, compost, rain barrels, free-cycle.
14) Refinish and reupholster most furniture. I used to work in an interior design company. I can make a house look high end with ordinary things.
15) Never paid for - IVF, therapy, cosmetic surgery or procedures, prepackaged meal plans, botox, anti-anxiety meds, hair extensions, fake nails, fake tan, hair blowouts, eyebrow shaping, gym memberships, spa day.
16) No pets. (Yes, this is a huge hidden cost that no one thinks about. Pets are expensive).
17) No clubbing, no drugs, no gambling, no going to topless bar, no smoking, no drinking except during parties.
18) Vacation in moderately priced hotels, friend's homes, airBnB. Never stay at resorts.
19) Marriage is intact so - no attorney's fees, no alimony and child support. Maintaining only one household.
20) While raising kids - hardly used diapers or formula. Kids wore disposable diapers only at night and out of the house. BF the kids. Cloth diapers. Kids were potty trained very early.
21) No Starbucks.
22) Great dental hygiene. Did not have to pay for dental work that stems out of poor hygiene. All usual dental cleaning for the entire family is covered by insurance.
23) Meet all my health care deductibles during the first two months of the year by scheduling the entire family's well visit during that time.
24) No debt except a very low mortgage.
25) Used my employer's benefits to go to school part-time for years. If your employer will reimburse tuition (even a measly amount) then use that to go to school for a certification or degree. It is free money and eventually you will have the credits required to get your degree or certificate.
26) I will always try and find a deal for any merchandise/service that I can.
27) Selling at eBay. I started because I am always decluttering my home and electronics and now this has become an easy way to make money, instead of hosting a garage sale.
28) No swimming pool at our house.
29) No beach house.
30) Simplified holiday gift giving with family and friends. We only do the one gift per person rule through a secret Santa gift giving. We are not going crazy buying tons of stuff for everyone.
31) Full house remodeling done under $50 K (labor and material) and we did not have to move to a hotel when the work was going on. I sourced all material from wholesale vendors and through connections from builders etc. The same would have cost at least $150 on the open market. I got the work done off-season (winter).
32) Wash and detail all my cars by myself. Kids help.

You live a very privileged life and it's great you do. Yet, most of what you wrote is not frugality, that's why your "frugality doesn't show". You don't realize how fortunate you are that you don't have to spend money on some of the things I've highlighted, no one wants to "splurge" on IVF, believe me.

[Anonymous]

^^I know, right?

I never paid for IVF or therapy or anxiolytics. Wow, good for you! Some people don't have an option, at least if they want a shot at the life they want to live or even to be reasonably functional in society (re: therapy and meds).

Talk about a compassion-free post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twice a week cleaning service. Hourly rates for any domestic chores. These ladies have worked for me for past 10 years.

Lawn mowing and lawn treatment services.

Organic milk, poultry, fish, meat and soft skin fruits.

Kids EC activities, coaches and tutors at home.

Weekly massages at home.

Expensive haircut every three weeks with 30% tip.

Hired help for serving food for all at home dinner parties.

Home renovation and maintenance.

Annual big vacation.

I am very frugal in ways that does not show to others.

What other ways are left to be frugal? Cheap gifts?

I’m going to go with “cheap in regards to others”.

So no tipping, no staff bonus, no savings for college.

LOL. I told you that my frugality does not show. Read the list below. Many of you will pay for these costs and not think anything of it. My splurge is paying for service mainly. (and some organic food and one overseas vacation). I could go on for a long time but here is a partial list.

1) I cook all/most meals. I do not get catered food for large parties that we host frequently because of DH's job. I cook for 60-70 people at a time. (how often do you pay for prepared meals during the day?)
2) Kids go to public schools in well regarded, highly competitive programs. (ie no private school cost)
3) No designer clothes or accessories. I source amazing pieces from overseas because my sister is in garments and accessory business, for next to nothing or for free.
4) I color and highlight my own hair, do all my beauty treatments at home with homemade products - wax, facials, bath scrubs. Mix my own lotions and oils. My own mani, pedi, peels, microdermabrasion. I buy all prescription strength skin care products (serums, creams) from overseas.
5) Shop for every day clothes on sale at Macy's, Kohl's, Amazon, Land's End, Costco.
6) Shop at Walmart, Aldi's, Costco, Asian markets for most groceries and booze. We entertain a lot. Most food bought at wholesale prices.
7) Grow my plants from seeds. I have a lovely garden overflowing with flowers. My costs is less than $20 a season. I have fabulous houseplants that I divide, grow and gift.
8) All drycleaning at a wholesale drycleaner.
9) House at a low COL area.
10) State college tuition prepaid for all three. Pension and retirement on track. No private school costs.
11) Never fly first class. Get the lowest airfare, use ff miles, always economy.
12) Nice but not expensive cars. Nothing above $35K. Drive it till they are on their last legs.
13) Green lifestyle- solar panels, hybrid cars, compost, rain barrels, free-cycle.
14) Refinish and reupholster most furniture. I used to work in an interior design company. I can make a house look high end with ordinary things.
15) Never paid for - IVF, therapy, cosmetic surgery or procedures, prepackaged meal plans, botox, anti-anxiety meds, hair extensions, fake nails, fake tan, hair blowouts, eyebrow shaping, gym memberships, spa day.
16) No pets. (Yes, this is a huge hidden cost that no one thinks about. Pets are expensive).
17) No clubbing, no drugs, no gambling, no going to topless bar, no smoking, no drinking except during parties.
18) Vacation in moderately priced hotels, friend's homes, airBnB. Never stay at resorts.
19) Marriage is intact so - no attorney's fees, no alimony and child support. Maintaining only one household.
20) While raising kids - hardly used diapers or formula. Kids wore disposable diapers only at night and out of the house. BF the kids. Cloth diapers. Kids were potty trained very early.
21) No Starbucks.
22) Great dental hygiene. Did not have to pay for dental work that stems out of poor hygiene. All usual dental cleaning for the entire family is covered by insurance.
23) Meet all my health care deductibles during the first two months of the year by scheduling the entire family's well visit during that time.
24) No debt except a very low mortgage.
25) Used my employer's benefits to go to school part-time for years. If your employer will reimburse tuition (even a measly amount) then use that to go to school for a certification or degree. It is free money and eventually you will have the credits required to get your degree or certificate.
26) I will always try and find a deal for any merchandise/service that I can.
27) Selling at eBay. I started because I am always decluttering my home and electronics and now this has become an easy way to make money, instead of hosting a garage sale.
28) No swimming pool at our house.
29) No beach house.
30) Simplified holiday gift giving with family and friends. We only do the one gift per person rule through a secret Santa gift giving. We are not going crazy buying tons of stuff for everyone.
31) Full house remodeling done under $50 K (labor and material) and we did not have to move to a hotel when the work was going on. I sourced all material from wholesale vendors and through connections from builders etc. The same would have cost at least $150 on the open market. I got the work done off-season (winter).
32) Wash and detail all my cars by myself. Kids help.

Wtf? This is you being frugal?

Here are the ways I am frugal:
I am not a drug addict, so no money spent feeding my habit
I don't have family overseas, so I save TONS not flying to another country
I do not have a debilitating medical condition, so I save A LOT on hospital bills
A tree has never fallen on my house, so I don't have to spend money on repairs
My kids have never gotten in trouble with the law, so I saved on bailing them out of jail and hefty lawyers fees

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^I know, right?

I never paid for IVF or therapy or anxiolytics. Wow, good for you! Some people don't have an option, at least if they want a shot at the life they want to live or even to be reasonably functional in society (re: therapy and meds).

Talk about a compassion-free post.

LOL!! Talk about having blinders on!! Your own privilege is showing.

Some people do not have the option to pay for IVF, therapy and formula because they are that poor. Get some perspective. When you have the money and the means and when these things are in your realm of possibilities - then it does not matter if they are affordable or a splurge. If you want it, you can make it happen.

Middle class people needs to understand that there are others who are "poorer" than them and to them these are signs of privileges.

Do you know people who just cannot afford to go to college not because they cannot afford the tuition but because they have to earn enough daily to feed their families first? Do you know of people who are too poor to divorce? Do you know of people who are too poor to go to work because they cannot pay the bus-fare? Do you know people who will never buy bottled water because it is too expensive? I know people like these.

Hey, have y'all seen the poor kids in cages separated from parents with aluminium foil blankets? That's compassion-free circumstances. Being able to pay for IVF, therapy, baby formula - these are all splurges to people who are struggling to survive.