Author Topic: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't  (Read 55564 times)

Imma

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #150 on: July 23, 2017, 08:32:50 AM »
Netflix - had it for a while, got rid of it.  Library has most movies.
Hairdresser - Whal clippers are a one time expense.
Shampoo - Soap works just as well.
Using the car - Short trips add up (gas expenses), walk more now.
Soda - No more Coke, this was a big one for me to kick.

I think libraries are the only public service that's cheaper in the US than in Europe. I did it the other way round. No more library subscription or cable TV, but Netflix. I buy books secondhand.
Conditioner and most other toiletries. I use shampoo every week (otherwise I just rinse my hair with water) and deo, toothpaste and handsoap. I don't wash my body with soap. I don't use any face cream and very limited makeup.
Sunscreen (only when I go outside for long periods of time in the bright sun, which isn't often because of our climate)
Different products to clean my house (vinegar and all purpose cleaner are enough)
Decorative furniture, random crap to hang on the walls, decorative objects
High heels for work
Jewellery
 


Blissful Biker

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #151 on: July 23, 2017, 12:05:24 PM »
A Canoe!

Wanted to buy one but the neighbours are letting us borrow theirs anytime in exchange for beers and smoked meat.  (my husband is a mean smoker, yumm)

Poundwise

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #152 on: July 24, 2017, 06:48:49 AM »
Proximity to exciting metro area with world-class everything.

We have it but I can count on the fingers of one hand how often a year I feel like taking advantage of it. I could stroll down 5th Avenue or go to a museum every day but I don't want to.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2017, 06:50:51 AM by Poundwise »

Dollar Slice

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #153 on: July 24, 2017, 08:41:30 AM »
We have it but I can count on the fingers of one hand how often a year I feel like taking advantage of it. I could stroll down 5th Avenue or go to a museum every day but I don't want to.

I was just talking to someone this weekend (both of us live in Manhattan) about the baffling number of people here who say things like this/act like this. Why on earth are people paying $2000+ in rent to live in a tiny apartment if they're not interested in taking advantage of the location? I don't get it at all. I meet people who make the most bizarre financial/life decisions here. (E.g. a friend of mine spends ~$4k a month to live in midtown so he can reverse-commute to New Jersey.)

Poundwise

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #154 on: July 24, 2017, 08:53:39 AM »
Oh, the main reason I'm still here is because my husband loves his job. Next, of course, my kids would miss their friends and I would miss mine.  We're here for the people, not the amenities. When I was younger and had the free time and energy, I longed for the big city. Also, as one gets to be an old fart, if the thought of going out and having fun is tiring, the thought of moving is a horror.

Trudie

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #155 on: August 25, 2017, 11:13:38 AM »
- Hair dryer
- Glowing praise from my supervisor (Be competent, but carry on.)
- Restaurant meals
- Dryer sheets
- Paper books (love my library and interlibrary loan)
- My uterus (I was done with it.  It was causing me trouble.  No more periods.  Yay!)

merlin7676

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #156 on: August 25, 2017, 11:25:52 AM »
-Washing my hair everyday
-Deodorant  - After a few days, my body reached a natural, neutral balance.   I notice a subtle scent if I stick my nose in my pit, but not a smell unless I have been sweating/working out
-Milk and ice cream - it's just not worth the stomach issues it causes
-Physical books - get most of my kindle books from the library
-Clothes - have a few work polos and a few tshirts. One pair of jeans.

EmFrugal

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #157 on: August 25, 2017, 01:30:50 PM »
Blonde highlights every 3-4 months - turns out my natural auburn color is lovely after all
Daily Makeup - I finally realized I like my face
Weekend pizza delivery - Making our own is more fun
Organic produce - still on the fence about this but stopped buying it as frequently and am settling for fresh conventional, farmer's market, or growing our own for now
iPhone - My two year old republic wireless android is just fine
Sleeping in until 7am - Now I wake at 5am, meditate, work, and work-out. Life changing!
4 children - always wanted four, but three turned out to be perfect for us
Beautiful SFH - I never imagined living in a townhome with kids, but it was more affordable in our HCOL area and requires less yard work; kids play with neighborhood kids in common greenspace
Staying at Home with kids full time - Now I work part-time doing something I've dreamed of for several years; the balance and extra income is great



GenXbiker

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #158 on: August 26, 2017, 11:05:16 AM »
Big Country House
Second Vehicle (truck)
Motorcycle
Pool Table
Cable TV or Paid Streaming Service
Electric Can Opener
Wristwatch
Tablet
Alcohol
Kids

I am not giving up shampoo, warm showers, soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets (although I use half sheets).

Imma

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #159 on: August 26, 2017, 12:45:15 PM »
I am not giving up shampoo, warm showers, soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets (although I use half sheets).

I have read about dryer sheets online, but what are they??! I don't think they exist in Europe.

GenXbiker

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #160 on: August 26, 2017, 01:46:19 PM »
I am not giving up shampoo, warm showers, soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets (although I use half sheets).

I have read about dryer sheets online, but what are they??! I don't think they exist in Europe.

It's a sheet which contains fabric softener that softens clothes, prevents static build-up, and adds a fresh scent.

Imma

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #161 on: August 27, 2017, 12:15:48 AM »
I am not giving up shampoo, warm showers, soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets (although I use half sheets).

I have read about dryer sheets online, but what are they??! I don't think they exist in Europe.

It's a sheet which contains fabric softener that softens clothes, prevents static build-up, and adds a fresh scent.

I was in the shop and apparantly they are available in here too. But they were well hidden so I guess they aren't widely used. I learned something new today :)

Undecided

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #162 on: August 27, 2017, 08:09:16 PM »

A college degree.


How did you get rid of yours?

driftwood

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #163 on: August 28, 2017, 06:58:00 AM »
A wife.

I'm a red panda

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #164 on: August 28, 2017, 09:00:33 AM »

A college degree.


How did you get rid of yours?
Delete it from the resume and no one knows it exists?

aceyou

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #165 on: August 28, 2017, 06:40:09 PM »
Cable
Shampoo/conditioner (bar soap has worked fine)
expensive razors (10 for a dollar at the dollar store ones work fantastic)
meat (still eat it a few times a week, but it's far more likely that I don't on any given day)
full coverage on car (PLPD is just fine thanks)
To work till I was 60
Phone plan directly from a major carrier
Haircuts at a hair place
To eat out many times a week (couple times a month now)
To use a car to get everywhere
To put employment on a pedestal as a virtue

aceyou

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #166 on: August 28, 2017, 08:25:59 PM »
Cable
Shampoo/conditioner (bar soap has worked fine)
expensive razors (10 for a dollar at the dollar store ones work fantastic)
meat (still eat it a few times a week, but it's far more likely that I don't on any given day)
full coverage on car (PLPD is just fine thanks)
To work till I was 60
Phone plan directly from a major carrier
Haircuts at a hair place
To eat out many times a week (couple times a month now)
To use a car to get everywhere
To put employment on a pedestal as a virtue

crimwell

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #167 on: August 30, 2017, 07:13:52 PM »
Gym membership. I still sign up for specific classes occasionally, but I built a spartan CrossFit-esque home gym that folds away in my living room for a one-time investment of $300. The gyms in my area are pricey, so it's been saving me at least $75/month.

Can you describe the "folds away" part of the home gym? (Or pics?) That sounds awesome!

crimwell

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #168 on: September 08, 2017, 11:13:45 AM »
Cool, thanks. Sounds like a good setup

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #169 on: September 11, 2017, 05:23:05 AM »
Regular hair cuts. I've cut down from four a year to one a year, and just trim it myself as needed.

Kitchen spray. I use diluted dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle.

Nail-hardening nail polish. I went through a stretch where my nails were very soft so I was using a hardening clear coat to strengthen them. Some small improvements to my diet and they're hard as nails now.

Tyson

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #170 on: September 11, 2017, 10:11:52 AM »
Kitchen spray. I use diluted dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle.

I use  water/vinegar in a 70/30 ratio and it works exceptionally well in the kitchen.  It's also a great general house cleaner.  Smells like vinegar for a few minutes but that dissipates pretty quickly.

soccerluvof4

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #171 on: September 11, 2017, 02:50:19 PM »
Razor blades hardly
new clothes
eating out
prescription readers. buy at 1$ store
Cleaning supplies-most we make
School hot lunch
watch
alarm clock


mustachepungoeshere

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Tyson

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TheDuder

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #174 on: September 12, 2017, 12:10:27 PM »
About 75% of the stuff I own

Dr.Jeckyl

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #175 on: September 12, 2017, 12:15:09 PM »
This reads like one of those Millennials Kill (insert random crap you don't need here) Industry. I get suckered in and realize that it's because the millennials aren't buying garbage they can't afford and don't need. I always think to myself I'm not a millennial but I also don't buy lemon zesters in bulk.

forumname123

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #176 on: September 12, 2017, 12:22:55 PM »
This reads like one of those Millennials Kill (insert random crap you don't need here) Industry. I get suckered in and realize that it's because the millennials aren't buying garbage they can't afford and don't need. I always think to myself I'm not a millennial but I also don't buy lemon zesters in bulk.

Don't be one of those people who tries to define everyone by their age/generation. Plenty of people of all ages buy lemon zesters in bulk, and plenty people of all ages don't. It is not black and white.

Dr.Jeckyl

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Re: Things you used to think you needed, but didn't
« Reply #177 on: September 12, 2017, 12:26:15 PM »
This reads like one of those Millennials Kill (insert random crap you don't need here) Industry. I get suckered in and realize that it's because the millennials aren't buying garbage they can't afford and don't need. I always think to myself I'm not a millennial but I also don't buy lemon zesters in bulk.

Don't be one of those people who tries to define everyone by their age/generation. Plenty of people of all ages buy lemon zesters in bulk, and plenty people of all ages don't. It is not black and white.

Lol, but I'm trying to be one of the cool kids. I think I'm pulling it off too, flannel seems to be coming back. I can tell all the youngsters about cassettes.