Author Topic: Antimustachian guilty pleasures  (Read 5656 times)

nkt0

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Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« on: May 27, 2018, 03:05:47 PM »
Mine is movies at the movie theater. First-run, big, bold, bright, and sometimes crowded. I know there are so many ways to economize movie-watching, but I just love the ritual of the silver screen. Indie movies to blockbusters, I watch them all.

What’s your anti-mustachian guilty pleasure?

ender

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2018, 04:23:58 PM »
I've spent a fair bit on a game I play.

Per hour it's really cheap entertainment, though, or that's what I tell myself.

Cassie

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2018, 06:06:29 PM »
Get MoviePass for 10/month. You can see 1 movie everyday if you want.  Great deal.

Travis

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2018, 07:24:39 PM »
I've spent a fair bit on a game I play.

Per hour it's really cheap entertainment, though, or that's what I tell myself.

$26/month for online video game accounts we rarely use anymore.  When we started playing 13 years ago we put in enough hours for it to be like a part time job.  Now we play the game about an hour a month.

sparkytheop

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2018, 11:01:14 PM »
Get MoviePass for 10/month. You can see 1 movie everyday if you want.  Great deal.

Except now they've limited it to only seeing a movie one time, so unless you have a lot of theaters in the area, all playing different movies, you can't even get close to one a day (our theater might play only three different movies for over a week :( )  It's still a great deal, but they "reserve the right to change the rules", so...

Cassie

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2018, 11:47:06 PM »
We live in a bigger area. We probably see 1-2 movies/week which makes it worthwhile.

Steeze

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2018, 07:27:58 AM »
Food on the weekends:

Spicy beef noodle soup in china town - 6-8$
Bagel & coffee when at the laundromat - 4$
Local diner on Sunday mornings - 5-7$

Total 20$ x2 for DW = $160/mo.

Add in another $80 or so on lunches when we don't cook the night before and our average restaurant bill is $250 a month.

Shameful, but I do enjoy and budget for it!





TheGrimSqueaker

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2018, 01:06:07 AM »
Dinner parties. I absolutely love to throw dinner parties.

I am fairly frugal when getting the ingredients together since I cook from scratch, I don't hire service staff, and I did not actually pay for the china or flatware because most of it is stuff I was either given as a gift, or else I inherited it. But the square footage to store it isn't free and neither is the table space.

Having the space and resources to entertain has allowed me to participate in human society in a way a soloist with no kids (except for the adoption thing which backfired) seldom can. I can reciprocate hospitality and host parties for birthdays, wedding showers, and graduations. This is great because with no family within reasonable driving distance, and with being of the wrong racial composition for most of the family members within a day's drive, I would not otherwise be invited anywhere.

MgoSam

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2018, 11:07:23 AM »
Get MoviePass for 10/month. You can see 1 movie everyday if you want.  Great deal.

Except now they've limited it to only seeing a movie one time, so unless you have a lot of theaters in the area, all playing different movies, you can't even get close to one a day (our theater might play only three different movies for over a week :( )  It's still a great deal, but they "reserve the right to change the rules", so...

So what if they change the rules, for the time being $10/month to be able to see movies is a fantastic deal. I'm happy to go for the ride as long as it exists. I see about 3 movies a month so it is a bargain for me. I just lost my card and was lazy about seeing it and being cheap I held out seeing many movies (bought the bullet nad paid to see Infinity Wars). I'm hoping to get it back so that I don't have to pay out of pocket for Deadpool 2, Quiet Place, and a few other movies that are entertaining.

I like going to movie theaters alone, I find it very relaxing and as I am sadly addicted to my phone, going to the theater forces me to concentrate on watching the movie for 2+ hours without looking at my phone (I turn it off to eliminate any temptation).

MgoSam

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2018, 11:50:38 AM »
I like craft beers. My current favorite brewery doesn't currently distribute other than a few kegs to local restaurants, so in order to enjoy their beer you must either go in person or buy a growler.

I feel no shame for spending money on beer nor for going out.

FireHiker

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2018, 11:56:48 AM »
Unlimited annual pass at a yoga studio. It has absolutely changed my life. My friend talked me into trying it on a whim three years ago on a groupon, when I was pretty unhealthy and sedentary. I've stuck with it, added in a boot camp class twice a week they offer at the same studio, and become friends with several people there. One has turned into a very good friend of mine who is hiking Mt. Whitney with me in July and who talked me into running a half marathon which is finally this coming weekend. I went from never running more than 1.5 miles in my life to now being up to 10 miles two days ago. Although I could still stand to lose a few pounds, and have some work to do with my diet, I am in the best shape of my life, and much happier and healthier. I'm probably to the point where I could do yoga on my own at home, but I love the community and I find since I pay a fair bit for it I make sure to use it. It is definitely my happy place and worth every penny!

FreshPrincess

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2018, 12:13:58 PM »
$60/mo to dance.  It's a dance fitness class and it's my most favorite thing I've ever done, fills my soul cup and has increased my self-esteem and my view of myself and body exponentially.  The women in the class have become my friends and it's basically just like going out dancing with my friends 5-6 days a week.

zygote

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #12 on: May 29, 2018, 03:18:53 PM »
Theater. I have always loved theater. It's actually how I met my wife, who loves it too.

Unfortunately, theater is expensive. I take advantage of all discounts/rushes/lotteries/etc., but it adds up really fast. I spend more on theater a month than some people on this forum spend on food. It's a complete luxury, but I will always budget for it because of how much joy it brings to my life.

Happily Irrelevant

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #13 on: May 29, 2018, 06:17:59 PM »
Breakfast and the newspaper.   My entire life I've read the morning newspaper.  A few decades ago I started going to breakfast on the way to work and taking my newspaper.  No tablet stuff, this has to be the real deal physical newspaper.  I sit and read while eating my cheap breakfast.  I'll probably go out to breakfast every morning until I'm so old I can't drive.

nkt0

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #14 on: May 29, 2018, 09:26:46 PM »
Theater. I have always loved theater. It's actually how I met my wife, who loves it too.

Unfortunately, theater is expensive.

We love theater, too. We are lucky to live in a city where there is an abundance of theater, much of it very affordable.

calimom

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2018, 06:25:48 PM »
I enjoy simple and cheap pleasures and luxuries, some of which like a nice swim club/fitness center I barter for, as I do for monthly massages and a twice yearly case of wine from a local vintner.

But I love, love, love my Volvo V70 station wagon. This make and model of car will never show up on a "10 Best Cars For Mustachians" list. I am pleased with the amount of safety I feel driving my family around in it, and can fit my kids and a number of their friends due to the optional rear seat. Suck it, minivans! It holds an amazing amount of cargo, so I can use it for my work or house projects. And (hangs head in shame) it's fun to drive and looks cool in my driveway.

In my defense, I bought it used and in cash from the original owner who purchase it in Sweden (still has the Swedish plate under the CA one). While some maintenance is no doubt costs more than, say a Toyota, it's needed no major repair and has held its value.

Just Joe

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #16 on: June 11, 2018, 02:16:05 PM »
My ~$1250 ebike. Built it from my old mtn bike and a kit with motor plus battery. Rolled past 1000 miles last night.

Also: a comfortable car to drive to grandma's house. After years of driving economy cars (still the right answer for our needs most of the time, we still own one), we bought something for longer trips that's a bit bigger, more comfortable, quieter and safer.

Interestingly cars have become more efficient over time. Gets better gas mileage than our older, smaller vehicles when on the highway. Admittedly the cost to buy fuel is only part of the TCO.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2018, 08:32:15 AM by Just Joe »

grandep

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #17 on: June 11, 2018, 04:40:42 PM »
Dinner parties. I absolutely love to throw dinner parties.

I am fairly frugal when getting the ingredients together since I cook from scratch, I don't hire service staff, and I did not actually pay for the china or flatware because most of it is stuff I was either given as a gift, or else I inherited it. But the square footage to store it isn't free and neither is the table space.

Having the space and resources to entertain has allowed me to participate in human society in a way a soloist with no kids (except for the adoption thing which backfired) seldom can. I can reciprocate hospitality and host parties for birthdays, wedding showers, and graduations. This is great because with no family within reasonable driving distance, and with being of the wrong racial composition for most of the family members within a day's drive, I would not otherwise be invited anywhere.

Are you going to write an autobiography? Because in these two paragraphs alone you have me hooked. I want to know more.

Antonn Park

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #18 on: June 12, 2018, 03:59:54 PM »
Skincare products. Hey, when you're in your mid-thirties, your skin starts to change.

honeybbq

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #19 on: June 13, 2018, 12:36:06 PM »
Unlimited annual pass at a yoga studio. It has absolutely changed my life. My friend talked me into trying it on a whim three years ago on a groupon, when I was pretty unhealthy and sedentary. I've stuck with it, added in a boot camp class twice a week they offer at the same studio, and become friends with several people there. One has turned into a very good friend of mine who is hiking Mt. Whitney with me in July and who talked me into running a half marathon which is finally this coming weekend. I went from never running more than 1.5 miles in my life to now being up to 10 miles two days ago. Although I could still stand to lose a few pounds, and have some work to do with my diet, I am in the best shape of my life, and much happier and healthier. I'm probably to the point where I could do yoga on my own at home, but I love the community and I find since I pay a fair bit for it I make sure to use it. It is definitely my happy place and worth every penny!

Best of luck in your first half! You'll be an addict when you're done. :)

honeybbq

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #20 on: June 13, 2018, 12:38:49 PM »
My guilty pleasure is hobbies.

Some can be done fairly cheaply, others are $$$.

Skiing
Hockey
Triathlon
Running

Vacations built around these things.... yup.

For my 40th I did a long weekend out of state at a beautiful location and ran my first marathon. It was worth every crusty cent.

Cool Friend

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Re: Antimustachian guilty pleasures
« Reply #21 on: June 14, 2018, 12:03:30 PM »
1.  Beer - I drink more of it than I should, but I love it.
2.  Work Lunches - I don't bring lunch from home nearly as much as I'd like to (100% of the time is my ideal), because I'm on the move a lot and there's no guarantee I'll be able to actually eat the lunch I brought; I've had to throw out several lunches I never got a chance to eat. Luckily, lunch is paid for by my company when I have to work through it, and this happens pretty frequently.
3. Musical Equipment - They're considered luxury products, but making music is what makes life worth living for me.

I will say that when it comes to these three superfluous expenses, I still practice frugality.  I drink cheap beer and I rarely go to a bar.  I buy work lunches that cost $5-8 whereas my coworkers will routinely spend $12 or more on their lunches.  Almost all of the music equipment I buy is used, I do a lot of research to make sure it's something that will hold value, and I sell things when they're no longer useful to me (I've even made a profit off of some of it this way).

So I try not to beat myself up too much about it, even though there is plenty of savings to be had if I managed to cut out these things entirely.  I count myself very fortunate that I don't care about clothes, tech, furniture, cars, glamorous vacations, and other lifestyle signifiers.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!