Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 19:56     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Anonymous wrote:I put the extra money towards travel and savings.

I’m baffled by people who complain about laundry. You put it in and walk away. What’s so hard?

Cleaners would be nice but I’d rather have that money for a nicer vacation.


I hear ya regarding the laundry. 🧺

Back in the olden days people had to hand wash every item individually, by scrubbing it on a washboard….then wring it out of course when rinsing.
Or later on people had to use an actual clothes wringer to rinse their laundry.
Then they had to pin it to a clothesline and….

Now a days laundry is a breeze by comparison!
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 19:23     Subject: Re:Most meaningful quality of life splurge
First ➕ foremost, a huge congratulations on your achievement!

Second in answer to your question, I think a good splurge would be to hire a good, responsible housecleaner to come to your home & clean it 1-2x/month.

This investment will pay great dividends as it will allow you to not only rest on your days off > but also allow you more quality time w/your two children!
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 19:01     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Paper towels instead of hand towels in the bathroom.
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 15:51     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Hire cleaners before they are all deported.
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 15:41     Subject: Re:Most meaningful quality of life splurge
This might not work for you — given the demands on your life, but, several years ago, I put aside about $3,000, so that when I found a way that I wanted to treat myself, it would already be funded. I imagined maybe travel, or jewelry, or some fabulous addition to my wardrobe. I startled myself by leaping into music lessons— which turned out to be even better gifts than I could have imagined. So, OP, whatever you decide to do now, consider stashing away a bit — for a future dream that might not fit your budget. Have fun with it!
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 15:18     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We earn more than you and don’t have cleaners. I think this thread really demonstrates why poor people stay poor in this country. I know OP isn’t poor but still does the same thing. People get more money and think they deserve to splurge on themselves.

I’m guessing she has no college savings for her kids. That should be a priority. But people would rather splurge on themselves and then complain later that they need financial aid (paid for by the rest of us) because they were irresponsible with their money.

Look at the few posts saying to save it. They are the ones who got out of the lower class.



People like you think time has no value. However, you are wrong.


Time doesn’t have “value” when she would need to pay cleaners more than she earns.


This. We have a good hhi, no mortgage but I cannot justify it over savings and college.


Do you even know how much cleaners cost? If you can’t save for college and save for retirement and college, then don’t do it. But frankly, it’s not an either or for many people. Every extra dollar doesn’t need to go to college.
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 15:14     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We earn more than you and don’t have cleaners. I think this thread really demonstrates why poor people stay poor in this country. I know OP isn’t poor but still does the same thing. People get more money and think they deserve to splurge on themselves.

I’m guessing she has no college savings for her kids. That should be a priority. But people would rather splurge on themselves and then complain later that they need financial aid (paid for by the rest of us) because they were irresponsible with their money.

Look at the few posts saying to save it. They are the ones who got out of the lower class.



People like you think time has no value. However, you are wrong.


Time doesn’t have “value” when she would need to pay cleaners more than she earns.


Of course time has a value. Only a fool doesn’t understand that.

And who says she pays cleaners more than she earns. Sounds foolish but unsurprising since you don’t know what cleaners cost, not having hired them.
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 15:05     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
When I got my last big raise we switched to weekly cleaners instead of biweekly. It is amazing. They also change the sheets and towels. I never have to do a deep clean or more than a wipe and a quick vacuum. So much time and energy saved. They track down all the waster bottles and random cups, put away kids toys, pull away beds and couches and vacuum and dust under there. Since they come weekly, the physical dirt doesn't accumulate as much. They still come when we go on vacations and for longer trips, they have one clean where they tackle something like cleaning and washing the fridge, organize a closet etc.
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 14:59     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Anonymous wrote:Celebrate the raise with a splurge item/activity but otherwise do no change your lifestyle. Instead, save the money and earmark for something important to you: savings, travel, renovation, car, etc.

Tally up what cleaners or a laundry service costs before going that route. That’s how I determined the money was better spent elsewhere (travel).


Spunds like my in-laws. Frugal all year long - cook dinner every night even in their late 70's etc.. but go on very expensive vacations. I think mother in law is tired of cooking and living frugally and would prefer to go out more often. Daily life style is better than one or two nice vacations per year to me.
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 14:58     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Anonymous wrote:College funds for your kids
Once a month cleaning for yourself
Once a week food delivery from your favorite restaurant


I order out or go out every evening now that kids are older and it is great. No more cleaning up dishes etc... Life changer.

Plus cleaning lady - yes 1-2 times per week - they can change sheets, do laundry, and just overall mop vacuum house and tidy up - great coming home to a clean house
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 14:56     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Anonymous wrote:Single mom here if little kids ages 4 and 6. I just got a new job with significant raise 80k to 140k. I'd like to splurge one 1 quality of life improvement for myself. What would you choose? Cleaners? Gym membership?


weekly cleaner
go out to dinner at least 2-3 times per week or order in (healthy food though)
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 14:05     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We earn more than you and don’t have cleaners. I think this thread really demonstrates why poor people stay poor in this country. I know OP isn’t poor but still does the same thing. People get more money and think they deserve to splurge on themselves.

I’m guessing she has no college savings for her kids. That should be a priority. But people would rather splurge on themselves and then complain later that they need financial aid (paid for by the rest of us) because they were irresponsible with their money.

Look at the few posts saying to save it. They are the ones who got out of the lower class.



People like you think time has no value. However, you are wrong.


Time doesn’t have “value” when she would need to pay cleaners more than she earns.


This. We have a good hhi, no mortgage but I cannot justify it over savings and college.



This worked for us when I was a sahm and when I worked part time, but when I went back to work full time I just couldn’t keep up. It’s a season of life for me and when things get slower I’ll get rid of the cleaners
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 13:51     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Cleaners
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 13:45     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I put the extra money towards travel and savings.

I’m baffled by people who complain about laundry. You put it in and walk away. What’s so hard?

Cleaners would be nice but I’d rather have that money for a nicer vacation.


Do you actually do the laundry in your house? Putting it in is one of many steps. Sorting, washing, drying, folding, putting away. Let me guess, your wife does all the laundry?


DP. Laundry is one of the funny things people have strong opinions about here. I think prewashing sorting is the hard part. We watch TV and fold. But I don’t get the complaints. (Wife here).


You have help. It takes me an entire day to do the laundry for my family of five.


I also have a family of five. Each person does their own. I think it’s important as a life skill to think about cleaning up after yourself and your own hygiene. Yes, even the kids — starting at age 5 the kindergartener helps do his own laundry and is proud of it! The older kids do it with minimal supervision.



+1. Kids were doing their own laundry other than turning on the machines from age 5; learned how to turn them on around 9-10. I only do my own and the sheets. Start early and it’s no big deal; if you’re doing elementary and older kids’ laundry just show them once and let them know it’s their job now!
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2025 13:42     Subject: Most meaningful quality of life splurge
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We earn more than you and don’t have cleaners. I think this thread really demonstrates why poor people stay poor in this country. I know OP isn’t poor but still does the same thing. People get more money and think they deserve to splurge on themselves.

I’m guessing she has no college savings for her kids. That should be a priority. But people would rather splurge on themselves and then complain later that they need financial aid (paid for by the rest of us) because they were irresponsible with their money.

Look at the few posts saying to save it. They are the ones who got out of the lower class.



People like you think time has no value. However, you are wrong.


Time doesn’t have “value” when she would need to pay cleaners more than she earns.


This. We have a good hhi, no mortgage but I cannot justify it over savings and college.