Author Topic: What's your ONE SPLURGE? (Read 28421 times)

Mortgage Free Mike · « **on:** February 10, 2014, 02:24:07 PM »

Over the past few years as I paid off my mortgage, I adopted many of the strategies set forth by Mr. Money Mustache.

But let's be honest, we all have that ONE SPLURGE.

For me, I haven't been able to give up my gym membership. Sure, we have a small gym in my condo, but it's not the same as my real gym. It costs me $29.99 a month. I go almost every day, so it's about $1 a day. My workouts, no matter what I'm doing, give me the energy to conquer the world. For me, that's well worth the price.

Now, I'm curious, what's your ONE SPLURGE?

Samsam · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2014, 02:31:22 PM »

I have to eat Arby's every month.

brianeboatman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2014, 02:34:25 PM »

On occasion, I splurge on new shoes. Ok, not "new" shoes, but shoes that are "new to me". I love high end shoes that I wear to work. My favorite brand is "Mephisto". They are AMAZING! I buy two or three pairs a year on Ebay for around $30.00 each. They retail for $250 to $450 each, so I don't feel too bad. I love getting the, "Wow, those are great looking shoes" comments. Everyone at my office knows that I'm ultra cheap and they snicker when attorneys, etc. comment on my shoes cause they know I only paid $30.00 for them. Anyways, that's my splurge!

For example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-In-Box-MEPHISTO-ABEL-Mens-Oxfords-Black-100-Authentic-RARE-/161216825625?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&var=&hash=item2589458919

meadow lark · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2014, 02:51:06 PM »

Travel.

Workinghard · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2014, 02:57:37 PM »

I love to travel, but I would have to say my one splurge is McDonalds sugar free ice vanilla coffee. It helps me make it through the 12-16hr days on the weekend. I'm always thrilled when I get gift cards for my BD or Christmas and being able to buy it guilt free.

dragoncar · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2014, 03:14:25 PM »

one? LOL

fantabulous · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2014, 03:23:30 PM »

Clothes and computer parts are still my main splurges. Being an IT worker, the computer parts tend to get justified career related. I know I don't strictly need either at this point.

kittenstache · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2014, 04:01:43 PM »

Horseback riding lessons, once a week, $50 for a private lesson

Samsam · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2014, 04:58:35 PM »

Quote from: dragoncar on February 10, 2014, 03:14:25 PM

one? LOL

your right...I lied...Arby's and sushi..

PajamaMama · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2014, 05:03:21 PM »

Having softener salt delivered. I hate carrying the 40 lb bags down to the basement. Also vacations.

Exflyboy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2014, 05:06:25 PM »

I built myself an airplane that cruises at 200mph, flys in instrument conditions (clouds) and is aerobatic.

It cost $90,000 to build and cost $3600 just to keep it sitting in the rented hangar ( it got flown every week.. more $$$)

This was madness, we were using it to travel 1200 miles twice per year to see the In laws!

I sold it back in October and put the money in Vanguard.. Then retired 4 weeks ago..:)

Frank

Emilyngh · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2014, 05:08:07 PM »

cable.

tracipam · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2014, 06:27:30 PM »

Mmmm, another vote for travel.

Dibbels81 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2014, 06:28:39 PM »

Beer--a trip to the liquor store usually ends with a bottle of something imported from Belgium

Thegoblinchief · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2014, 06:34:36 PM »

Once we're out of hair on fire, travel would be the big splurge.

Currently, it's booze. Very small amount, but it should arguably be zero. Thankfully I've developed a taste for bottom shelf vodka that keeps my writing wheels lubricated and I can spend very little on craft beer for special days.

I'd also love to own a cargo bike but find it really hard to see the $ return until more of them percolate into the used market.

lifejoy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2014, 06:46:53 PM »

Gifts.

I'm trying to limit my spending there... But it's a work in progress :)

Trying225 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2014, 06:51:28 PM »

Travel and sushi.

HappierAtHome · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2014, 07:36:35 PM »

Sushi. Specifically, the really great sushi train right near my house where all the food is super fresh and tasty, the staff are lovely and it's always a fun time to sit and eat there.

For a while we were there once a fortnight... we're trying to only go once every two months or so now.

EK · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2014, 07:37:46 PM »

I have two: fancy pants coffee beans and piano lessons.

Caoineag · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2014, 07:48:12 PM »

Food. And it really is my only ridiculous category which is why I am cutting it. But damn, I do love it. I love the bad stuff to the good stuff, low cost to high price, almost every ethnic cuisine I have ever encountered (no I can't name one that I don't enjoy).

You are supposed to eat to live but I most definitely live to eat. People think I am social when I discuss food because I become so animated about it. I learn to make most things at home to cut costs (and to get access to it more often) but I could never understand an out to eat budget below $200 per month, its simply incomprehensible to me. Obsession is probably a better term for it...

Grateful Stache · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2014, 07:48:52 PM »

Lately it's been music. Seeing a good show these days can cost $40, so I try to limit it. I always make sure it's within budget, but it's hard to let great music pass through town without going to see it.

greaper007 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2014, 08:07:58 PM »

Hookers. Filthy, dirty, hookers.

orcas50 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2014, 10:52:07 PM »

Downhill skiing for a family of four. Seasons passes to local ski hill, and usually a 4 night mid-winter ski trip at another ski area (6 hour drive) including overnight accommodations. It's worth it to us, so much fun and great to be outdoors as a family all winter long.

DollarBill · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2014, 10:58:04 PM »

King crab legs maybe 2 or 3 times a year...but won't buy them unless I find them under $20 a lb.

Ozstache · « **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2014, 11:14:50 PM »

Travel and dogs. I get far more ROI on having such travel experiences and pleasure from my lovable mutts versus accumulating things I don't need.

LibraTraci · « **Reply #25 on:** February 10, 2014, 11:56:29 PM »

I spend way too much money on my hair. I wouldn't necessarily call it my "splurge" because that seems to imply, "Wheee! This is FUN." More, I get this feeling like "Good gravy, this is expensive."

Quote from: orcas50 on February 10, 2014, 10:52:07 PM

Downhill skiing for a family of four.

On a side note, if anyone happens to be considering a trip to beautiful Utah, I work at one of the ski resorts here, and know my way around as far as cheapest rentals, cheapest lift tickets, etc. Happy to share more info by PM if it can be useful to anyone.

sol · « **Reply #26 on:** February 11, 2014, 12:41:28 AM »

Three children. I suspect they cost more than the aforementioned acrobatic airplane, or piano lessons and iced coffee, or kitesurfing trips to the Carribean (which I just can't possible give up because there is seriously no room in my budget. Seriously.)

Rienk · « **Reply #27 on:** February 11, 2014, 02:44:39 AM »

Whisky. I love exploring the different distilleries and just taking the time to discover all the variety in flavour. Unfortunately it's a bit expensive and fancypants, I have a €1500/year whisky budget to splurge on this hobby.

Paulie · « **Reply #28 on:** February 11, 2014, 03:14:02 AM »

Quote from: Rienk on February 11, 2014, 02:44:39 AM

Whisky. I love exploring the different distilleries and just taking the time to discover all the variety in flavour. Unfortunately it's a bit expensive and fancypants, I have a €1500/year whisky budget to splurge on this hobby.

Haha wow! You must indeed really love whisky!
My biggest expense/splurge each month is rent, could be cheaper if we were willing to live further away from the city center or in a smaller town nearby. But I love our neighbourhood and appartment.

soccerluvof4 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 11, 2014, 03:21:08 AM »

4 kids in select soccer = alot of travel. But it has become really away of life and time with kids so its worth it but expensive.

nikki · « **Reply #30 on:** February 11, 2014, 03:53:35 AM »

PIZZA!!!

Jules13 · « **Reply #31 on:** February 11, 2014, 06:22:36 AM »

Quote

Hookers. Filthy, dirty, hookers.

Okay, sorry....that just cracked me up.

Healthy food. Our food category is ridiculous. And our Vitamix and Juicer are the most expensive things in our house.

lifejoy · « **Reply #32 on:** February 11, 2014, 06:33:22 AM »

Quote from: Jules13 on February 11, 2014, 06:22:36 AM

Quote
Hookers. Filthy, dirty, hookers.

Okay, sorry....that just cracked me up.

Healthy food. Our food category is ridiculous. And our Vitamix and Juicer are the most expensive things in our house.

I've been contemplating changing my lifestyle to include more healthy food, even if it's more expensive. Too much ramen (and healthy things like daal) and not enough out of season fruit :D

Rienk · « **Reply #33 on:** February 11, 2014, 07:01:10 AM »

Quote from: Paulie on February 11, 2014, 03:14:02 AM

Haha wow! You must indeed really love whisky!

I'm trying to cut back :) Well I don't even drink that much, but the specialist stuff is just really expensive. Still, most of the whisky I drink is created by small distilleries using traditional craftsmanship so despite the price I feel like it has a certain mustachian charm to it.

Grateful Stache · « **Reply #34 on:** February 11, 2014, 07:06:05 AM »

Quote from: sol on February 11, 2014, 12:41:28 AM

or kitesurfing trips to the Carribean (which I just can't possible give up because there is seriously no room in my budget. Seriously.)

HA!!

Your hands must be tied!

Cromacster · « **Reply #35 on:** February 11, 2014, 07:21:03 AM »

Crossfit. For the wife and I it is nearly 3,000 per year. Pretty crazy. Worth it for so many reasons.

Fastfwd · « **Reply #36 on:** February 11, 2014, 07:52:03 AM »

I do not need but I WANT the new iphone every year. For me it makes sense as the price is only about 1% of my net income and I spend hours and hours using it.

Then there's the carrier plan for voice and data. But this I truly NEED and I can expense part of it.

Elaine · « **Reply #37 on:** February 11, 2014, 07:58:58 AM »

I guess clothing, I don't spend a crazy amount but if I didn't care at all about style I could DEFINITELY spend half what I spend now. If I don't like what I'm wearing I feel really not myself, it seriously affects my mood, plus I'm very petite so finding my size in cheaper brands usually doesn't happen.

lackofstache · « **Reply #38 on:** February 11, 2014, 08:26:28 AM »

Yoga (we use Yogaglo @ $19/mo), Bicycles (1 for everyone plus a Yuba Mundo & trailer). The enjoyment we get from these has a huge ROI. Bike camping w/ your two kids is an amazing experience & is a key component to our annual travels.

jasman18 · « **Reply #39 on:** February 11, 2014, 09:57:58 AM »

Very LONG HOT showers. probably costs me an extra $5-$10 a month.
Very relaxing and totally worth it.

samburger · « **Reply #40 on:** February 11, 2014, 10:15:52 AM »

Quote from: 4alpacas on February 11, 2014, 08:41:33 AM

Our dog.

We spent way too much money. WAY TOO MUCH. But I love her so much!

I don't have a dog for the first time in my life and I hate it so much.

We're calculating the upcoming dog splurge now (heee!). We can't find dog-friendly apartments in our ideal price range, so we'll have to fork over an extra 100-150/mo in rent, which we pile on top of the additional 1,500/yr we're estimating for regular care, not including adoption fees (300-400 for my very favorite rescues, who have high adoption fees to cover excellent interim care).

That's 3,300/yr for a pooch! That's an additional 82,500 I need to add to the 'stache to sustain a pup. That's just one pup.

And then there's the cats...

odput · « **Reply #41 on:** February 11, 2014, 10:26:17 AM »

Another vote for dogs...we have 3 and can't imagine what it would be like not to have any of them

mamagoose · « **Reply #42 on:** February 11, 2014, 10:33:28 AM »

Monthly massages. Started getting them during pregnancy for the stress relief, now I keep getting them as my "me time". It's $50/month and I tip $20 on top of that. This is the only beauty thing I pay for since I can cut my own hair, paint my own nails, wash my own face... but I can't give myself a backrub. It helps me get mentally centered too, I love it.

sol · « **Reply #43 on:** February 11, 2014, 10:47:01 AM »

This thread is rapidly devolving into consumerist BS. There's a whole internet you can go hang out at if you want to brag about the things you spend money on. I suggest starting with facebook.

luigi49 · « **Reply #44 on:** February 11, 2014, 11:38:33 AM »

I guess kids here.

ketchup · « **Reply #45 on:** February 11, 2014, 11:47:43 AM »

galliver · « **Reply #46 on:** February 11, 2014, 11:56:51 AM »

Personal training and a locker at the campus gym. I've scrimped on my fitness my whole life, but finally decided that if there was anything I was willing to put money into, it should be my health. I did, and it worked (I go 2-3x week regularly now and enjoy it).

After reading this, I'll acknowledge travel as well. Not exactly a must, but seeing my family twice a year, and my boyfriend twice a month, are worth the ~$1k that each adds up to over the year. I think if I didn't value the people I loved that much, I'd be crossing from frugal to cheap, for sure.

Quote from: sol on February 11, 2014, 10:47:01 AM

This thread is rapidly devolving into consumerist BS. There's a whole internet you can go hang out at if you want to brag about the things you spend money on. I suggest starting with facebook.

On the rest of the internet it's bragging, here it's confession. It annoys you? Don't read! Why do so many people here have trouble with this concept??

4alpacas · « **Reply #47 on:** February 11, 2014, 11:59:39 AM »

ketchup, is your splurge your dog? Or is it the professional photographer for your dog? ;) Your dog is beautiful!

ketchup · « **Reply #48 on:** February 11, 2014, 12:07:16 PM »

Quote from: 4alpacas on February 11, 2014, 11:59:39 AM

ketchup, is your splurge your dog? Or is it the professional photographer for your dog? ;) Your dog is beautiful!

Two very similar-looking Australian shepherds, actually (everyone says they look exactly the same, but those two pictures are of two different dogs). Photography by the girlfriend, grooming also by the girlfriend. Professional photography costs us $0. :)

4alpacas · « **Reply #49 on:** February 11, 2014, 12:11:35 PM »

Quote from: ketchup on February 11, 2014, 12:07:16 PM

Quote from: 4alpacas on February 11, 2014, 11:59:39 AM
ketchup, is your splurge your dog? Or is it the professional photographer for your dog? ;) Your dog is beautiful!
Two very similar-looking Australian shepherds, actually (everyone says they look exactly the same, but those two pictures are of two different dogs). Photography by the girlfriend, grooming also by the girlfriend. Professional photography costs us $0. :)

I looked a little closer, and I can tell the difference. BOTH of your dogs are beautiful! And your girlfriend did a great job with the grooming and pictures.

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Author Topic: What's your ONE SPLURGE? (Read 28421 times)

Thegoblinchief

Paulie