Spent $500 on bedding, why didn't I do so earlier??

[Slow2FIRE]

I'm not one to care too much about duvets, comforters and blankets - but the sheets have to be great.  I'll spend on sheets.

Microfiber and cheap sheets feel awful for me and seems to snag on my skin (I can't touch microfiber cloths at all, it is like nails on a chalk board).

I'll spend on high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and they will last many years.  Granted, some of the "thread counts" are a little obfuscated and arrived at through sleight of hand so I'd just physically feel the sheet to see if it meets my requirements (a reason why sheets are something I'll never, ever buy online)

[EnjoyIt]

I'm in the camp that thinks that is an insane amount of money for sheets.

I understand spending based on quality, but I don't think you could ever convince me that sheets are an area where quality matters that much.

This thread reminds me of the people who try to justify an $800 blender by saying that they burn our normal $30 blenders every six months.  I call user error.  If you're going through sheets every twelve months, you're doing something horribly horribly wrong.

I'm not disputing that $500 sheets are better than $50 sheets.  I expect that they are.  They're just not 10x better.

You know what's even worse than buying $500 sheets?  Buying $500 sheets and then bragging about it on the internet to a bunch of people celebrating their collective frugality.  It another environment it would just be gauche conspicuous consumption, but here it's definitely trolling.  The only thing missing was a link to your e-commerce site selling $500 linen sheets.

Hey OP, I know a great vegan forum where you can go brag about how much you love veal.  Go ahead and try the same argument there that you used here, the one about how "it's only 12 cents of dead baby animal per day, it feels like it's worth ten times that!"

@sol
That is so rude.  There are a few things in life worth spending money on.  I will list a few examples discussed plus some of my own:
Good safe tires that handle water well, or snow tires in the winter in the needed regions.
Good brakes
Comfortable shoes that fit and work with your body.
A good mattress that works for your body
Appropriate winter clothing for the season or for the given activity
Food without chemicals and preservatives

Something you spend 6-9 hours a day in deserves comfort.  Especially if it helps you get better sleep in a shorter time.  Personally I would not spend $500 on sheets but have spent significantly more than that on a good mattress and think it was one of the better purchases we have made that positively affected our lives.  Spend a few weeks in a good bed and maybe you will be singing a very different tune. Maybe you will be more accepting of other people's views.

What you said isn't face punching.  It was simply rude for the sake of being rude.  Apparently others in this thread believe good bedding is worth spending a little extra on.  Maybe, just maybe you are wrong and OP deserves an apology.

[Dicey]

I'm in the camp that thinks that is an insane amount of money for sheets.

I understand spending based on quality, but I don't think you could ever convince me that sheets are an area where quality matters that much.

This thread reminds me of the people who try to justify an $800 blender by saying that they burn our normal $30 blenders every six months.  I call user error.  If you're going through sheets every twelve months, you're doing something horribly horribly wrong.

I'm not disputing that $500 sheets are better than $50 sheets.  I expect that they are.  They're just not 10x better.

You know what's even worse than buying $500 sheets?  Buying $500 sheets and then bragging about it on the internet to a bunch of people celebrating their collective frugality.  It another environment it would just be gauche conspicuous consumption, but here it's definitely trolling.  The only thing missing was a link to your e-commerce site selling $500 linen sheets.

Hey OP, I know a great vegan forum where you can go brag about how much you love veal.  Go ahead and try the same argument there that you used here, the one about how "it's only 12 cents of dead baby animal per day, it feels like it's worth ten times that!"

Hey @sol, have you seen this thread?

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/i-did-the-stupidest-thing-and-bought-$10k-worth-of-gift-cards-to-a-mall/

I think you'll find it interesting.

[PoutineLover]

I'm in the camp that thinks that is an insane amount of money for sheets.

I understand spending based on quality, but I don't think you could ever convince me that sheets are an area where quality matters that much.

This thread reminds me of the people who try to justify an $800 blender by saying that they burn our normal $30 blenders every six months.  I call user error.  If you're going through sheets every twelve months, you're doing something horribly horribly wrong.

I'm not disputing that $500 sheets are better than $50 sheets.  I expect that they are.  They're just not 10x better.

You know what's even worse than buying $500 sheets?  Buying $500 sheets and then bragging about it on the internet to a bunch of people celebrating their collective frugality.  It another environment it would just be gauche conspicuous consumption, but here it's definitely trolling.  The only thing missing was a link to your e-commerce site selling $500 linen sheets.

Hey OP, I know a great vegan forum where you can go brag about how much you love veal.  Go ahead and try the same argument there that you used here, the one about how "it's only 12 cents of dead baby animal per day, it feels like it's worth ten times that!"

@sol
That is so rude.  There are a few things in life worth spending money on.  I will list a few examples discussed plus some of my own:
Good safe tires that handle water well, or snow tires in the winter in the needed regions.
Good brakes
Comfortable shoes that fit and work with your body.
A good mattress that works for your body
Appropriate winter clothing for the season or for the given activity
Food without chemicals and preservatives

Something you spend 6-9 hours a day in deserves comfort.  Especially if it helps you get better sleep in a shorter time.  Personally I would not spend $500 on sheets but have spent significantly more than that on a good mattress and think it was one of the better purchases we have made that positively affected our lives.  Spend a few weeks in a good bed and maybe you will be singing a very different tune. Maybe you will be more accepting of other people's views.

What you said isn't face punching.  It was simply rude for the sake of being rude.  Apparently others in this thread believe good bedding is worth spending a little extra on.  Maybe, just maybe you are wrong and OP deserves an apology.

This is a forum about frugality, not conspicuous consumption. I remember mmm talking about how you can live a luxurious life, while spending a quarter of what everyone else does. I do agree with getting quality in the areas that count but quality=/=most expensive option. There's no way 500 dollar sheets are the best way to get a quality sleep, as many people on the tread have pointed out with personal examples.
Also, re: bolded, literally everything is a chemical and preservatives are probably one of humankind's greatest intentions, so you might want to rethink that statement.

[Brother Esau]

The fact that I don't like camping anymore because I can't sleep well on just a sleeping bag disgusts me a little bit.

I never slept very well when camping until I added an inflatable mattress. Now I sleep better when camping than I do at home. Highly recommend it.

[mountain mustache]

This wearing out sheets things is crazy! I am using sheets my parents got as wedding presents 42 years ago...they are amazing vintage prints, and feel like...sheets. Maybe I've never had "fancy" sheets so I don't know what I'm missing, but I sleep just fine in my old sheets, and I love the patterns. One thing I do have that is probably a "luxury" is a plain down comforter. I froze the last 2 winters here (I live at 7k feet in the Rockies, and my room is insanely cold) so this year I bought a $140 down comforter on closeout at Eddie Bauer. I bet I'll have it for 30+ years...it's amazing quality, and sleeping through the night without waking up at 2am frozen has been worth it...but I can't even bring myself to spend more money on a duvet cover for it, because that $140 seemed like SO much money to spend on bedding.

[Dicey]

...Granted, some of the "thread counts" are a little obfuscated and arrived at through sleight of hand so I'd just physically feel the sheet to see if it meets my requirements (a reason why sheets are something I'll never, ever buy online)

Bingo! Manufacturers have manipulated the thread count because Sukkas think it's important. They just make the threads finer so they can jam more in, jack up the thread count, and the price. The long staple cotton sheets made of beefier thread, thus lower thread count, are always going to last longer and wear better. Except for percale sheets, which typically are blended polyester and are therefore crap to sleep on, but they last forever. Percale vs. cotton is like margarine vs. butter. Butter is better.

[Cranky]

I do have an awesome down comforter! It’s at least 20 years old now and I bought it on sale, with a gift card my mom gave us. It really was a good investment. We keep the house pretty chilly and it is really warm. I think I’ve had two duvet covers in those 20 years. I bought this for be on sale at overstock (I think?) and recall it being less than $25.

[englishteacheralex]

Bedding is one of my least favorite things to have to buy. Groan. We need sheets. For some reason our fitted sheets keep bursting at the seams. Pisses me off. Maybe because it's a memory foam mattress and is too thick or something? WTF? Freakin' stupid having to buy stupid stupid sheets.

[KBCB]

I am glad you are finding comfort in your new bed set up. Comfort when sleeping is very important. I bought a stupidly expensive mattress nearly 10 years ago and every night when I lay down I am so happy I bought it because the comfort the bed provides is unmatched.

[boy_bye]

...Granted, some of the "thread counts" are a little obfuscated and arrived at through sleight of hand so I'd just physically feel the sheet to see if it meets my requirements (a reason why sheets are something I'll never, ever buy online)

Bingo! Manufacturers have manipulated the thread count because Sukkas think it's important. They just make the threads finer so they can jam more in, jack up the thread count, and the price. The long staple cotton sheets made of beefier thread, thus lower thread count, are always going to last longer and wear better. Except for percale sheets, which typically are blended polyester and are therefore crap to sleep on, but they last forever. Percale vs. cotton is like margarine vs. butter. Butter is better.

I believe percale has more to do with how the thread is woven, than the content of the thread. I'm a percale fan (I like a crisp sheet all year round) and they are always, always 100% cotton (I can't hang with polyester or microfiber sheets AT ALL).

[diffusate]

Haha actually as the OP I really enjoyed  Sol's comment. Just what I came here for. In almost all categories I bet I could out frugal any of you - maybe we should have a contest. In any case I find the range of responses fascinating. If that makes me a troll, so be it!

I think we all agree that the point of frugality is getting the most enjoyment out of each dollar. We're all living hugely luxurious lives compared to almost anyone in the world, so it's not a question of being luxurious or frugal, its a question of optimizing our luxuries. For me, I'd be glad to forego a meal or two out per year in exchange for the pleasure of this bedding and the temperature regulation that makes both me and my partner comfortable despite different preferences. And yes, I sleep nude year round.

I'm in the camp that thinks that is an insane amount of money for sheets.

I understand spending based on quality, but I don't think you could ever convince me that sheets are an area where quality matters that much.

This thread reminds me of the people who try to justify an $800 blender by saying that they burn our normal $30 blenders every six months.  I call user error.  If you're going through sheets every twelve months, you're doing something horribly horribly wrong.

I'm not disputing that $500 sheets are better than $50 sheets.  I expect that they are.  They're just not 10x better.

You know what's even worse than buying $500 sheets?  Buying $500 sheets and then bragging about it on the internet to a bunch of people celebrating their collective frugality.  It another environment it would just be gauche conspicuous consumption, but here it's definitely trolling.  The only thing missing was a link to your e-commerce site selling $500 linen sheets.

Hey OP, I know a great vegan forum where you can go brag about how much you love veal.  Go ahead and try the same argument there that you used here, the one about how "it's only 12 cents of dead baby animal per day, it feels like it's worth ten times that!"

@sol
That is so rude.  There are a few things in life worth spending money on.  I will list a few examples discussed plus some of my own:
Good safe tires that handle water well, or snow tires in the winter in the needed regions.
Good brakes
Comfortable shoes that fit and work with your body.
A good mattress that works for your body
Appropriate winter clothing for the season or for the given activity
Food without chemicals and preservatives

Something you spend 6-9 hours a day in deserves comfort.  Especially if it helps you get better sleep in a shorter time.  Personally I would not spend $500 on sheets but have spent significantly more than that on a good mattress and think it was one of the better purchases we have made that positively affected our lives.  Spend a few weeks in a good bed and maybe you will be singing a very different tune. Maybe you will be more accepting of other people's views.

What you said isn't face punching.  It was simply rude for the sake of being rude.  Apparently others in this thread believe good bedding is worth spending a little extra on.  Maybe, just maybe you are wrong and OP deserves an apology.

[sisto]

I'm also a fan of good quality sheets and it's one of our splurges, but we usually buy them with gift cards or during massive sales around Black Friday or after Christmas. I wanted to pop in and say that I also have Costco and I bought some Kirkland branded sheets that have been pretty great. Just the other day I was there and saw a comforter set that I really liked and I bought it on a whim. I decided that I'd take it home and check it out and it it wasn't amazing I'd return it. Well turns out it's amazing!!! For $49.99 I got 2 comforters in one set that are complementary. Plus the big fluffy comforter is reversible. The lighter one is meant for summer use or to use folded down on the bottom of the bed. It's a solid color that complements the thicker one. It has matching pillow covers too. I feel like I live in a luxury hotel now. I know it's probably silly to some, but considering how much time you spend sleeping, I find it a worth it luxury.

[I'm a red panda]

I'm also a fan of good quality sheets and it's one of our splurges, but we usually buy them with gift cards or during massive sales around Black Friday or after Christmas. I wanted to pop in and say that I also have Costco and I bought some Kirkland branded sheets that have been pretty great. Just the other day I was there and saw a comforter set that I really liked and I bought it on a whim. I decided that I'd take it home and check it out and it it wasn't amazing I'd return it. Well turns out it's amazing!!! For $49.99 I got 2 comforters in one set that are complementary. Plus the big fluffy comforter is reversible. The lighter one is meant for summer use or to use folded down on the bottom of the bed. It's a solid color that complements the thicker one. It has matching pillow covers too. I feel like I live in a luxury hotel now. I know it's probably silly to some, but considering how much time you spend sleeping, I find it a worth it luxury.

Is it a kirkland comforter?  I'm looking for new ones and this set sounds interesting.  Just in warehouse or do you know if it is online?

[Much Fishing to Do]

The online talking-point of not cheaping out on "anything that separates you from the ground" is a decent rule of thumb.  Mattresses, tires, shoes, chairs, etc.

I've never heard of that rule of thumb but seems like exactly what I allow myself to follow, though tires and shoes are probably the only ones I spend more than average money on, the rest I just see the point to spending average money as opposed to cheaping out like I do on most other things.

[letsdoit]

i'm more about total darkness in the bedroom
and no internet b4 bed if possible

[slow hand slow plan]

That much on sheets is not frugal/mustachian..whatever you want to call it... ... There is a sliding scale of what money buys and sheets that cost a fifth of that are going to be 99% as good... I do not get the wearing out sheets thing either... This post makes no sense and belongs on a amazon review at best.

Buy what you want but i am surprised anyone on this forum would think that is a worthwhile purchase when people bicker over meat that is 99 cents more a pound at costsco or aldi.

[RetiredAt63]

Crisp cotton is great for summer, flannelette for winter.  Line dried summer sheets don't need ironing.  And they smell so good.

Fitted sheets - hmm, I am not sure how to categorize them.  Sucker bait?   Back in the day sheets were sheets.  My Mom would take all the bottom sheets off and wash them.  The top sheets (basically clean since there was no body pressure on them) became the bottom sheets.  Last week's washed sheets became the top sheets.  So each bed had 3 sheets, and since no sheet got lain on more than once in every 3 weeks they lasted forever.  Plus they always fit, since she was doing the corner folding, not relying on some manufacturer's idea of corner size.  Plus of course if one sheet wore out it was easy to buy one sheet to replace it.  Now if the bottom sheet wears out the whole set is gone.

Bottom sheets will also wear out faster if people have really rough skin on their feet, it abrades the fibres.

[I'm a red panda]

Crisp cotton is great for summer, flannelette for winter.  Line dried summer sheets don't need ironing.  And they smell so good.

Fitted sheets - hmm, I am not sure how to categorize them.  Sucker bait?   Back in the day sheets were sheets.  My Mom would take all the bottom sheets off and wash them.  The top sheets (basically clean since there was no body pressure on them) became the bottom sheets.  Last week's washed sheets became the top sheets.  So each bed had 3 sheets, and since no sheet got lain on more than once in every 3 weeks they lasted forever.  Plus they always fit, since she was doing the corner folding, not relying on some manufacturer's idea of corner size.  Plus of course if one sheet wore out it was easy to buy one sheet to replace it.  Now if the bottom sheet wears out the whole set is gone.

Bottom sheets will also wear out faster if people have really rough skin on their feet, it abrades the fibres.

Bah, flat sheets are for those stuck in the past. All I need is a fitted sheet. 

[Cranky]

It’s also not that hard to put elastic on the corners, if tucking in the sides of the bottom sheet is too complexly old fashioned for you. ;-)

[RetiredAt63]

Crisp cotton is great for summer, flannelette for winter.  Line dried summer sheets don't need ironing.  And they smell so good.

Fitted sheets - hmm, I am not sure how to categorize them.  Sucker bait?   Back in the day sheets were sheets.  My Mom would take all the bottom sheets off and wash them.  The top sheets (basically clean since there was no body pressure on them) became the bottom sheets.  Last week's washed sheets became the top sheets.  So each bed had 3 sheets, and since no sheet got lain on more than once in every 3 weeks they lasted forever.  Plus they always fit, since she was doing the corner folding, not relying on some manufacturer's idea of corner size.  Plus of course if one sheet wore out it was easy to buy one sheet to replace it.  Now if the bottom sheet wears out the whole set is gone.

Bottom sheets will also wear out faster if people have really rough skin on their feet, it abrades the fibres.

Bah, flat sheets are for those stuck in the past. All I need is a fitted sheet.

And they got you!

[Slow2FIRE]

Crisp cotton is great for summer, flannelette for winter.  Line dried summer sheets don't need ironing.  And they smell so good.

Fitted sheets - hmm, I am not sure how to categorize them.  Sucker bait?   Back in the day sheets were sheets.  My Mom would take all the bottom sheets off and wash them.  The top sheets (basically clean since there was no body pressure on them) became the bottom sheets.  Last week's washed sheets became the top sheets.  So each bed had 3 sheets, and since no sheet got lain on more than once in every 3 weeks they lasted forever.  Plus they always fit, since she was doing the corner folding, not relying on some manufacturer's idea of corner size.  Plus of course if one sheet wore out it was easy to buy one sheet to replace it.  Now if the bottom sheet wears out the whole set is gone.

Bottom sheets will also wear out faster if people have really rough skin on their feet, it abrades the fibres.

Bah, flat sheets are for those stuck in the past. All I need is a fitted sheet.

And they got you!

Can you buy just the flat sheets, and at a lesser cost than a set with a fitted sheet with similar characteristic products?

[Slow2FIRE]

I find it very amusing that the OP started out with a post about spending $500 for their entire bedding set and it quickly devolved into people haphazardly misquoting the OP as having spent $500 on only sheets.

This was then followed up by people commenting on spending $500 on sheets alone not being worth 10x as much as spending $50 on sheets (or something to that effect).  Kind of like the passing a message game, but worse because anyone could easily refer to the OP before claiming that their spending $500 on sheets is crazy.

[RetiredAt63]

I find it very amusing that the OP started out with a post about spending $500 for their entire bedding set and it quickly devolved into people haphazardly misquoting the OP as having spent $500 on only sheets.

This was then followed up by people commenting on spending $500 on sheets alone not being worth 10x as much as spending $50 on sheets (or something to that effect).  Kind of like the passing a message game, but worse because anyone could easily refer to the OP before claiming that their spending $500 on sheets is crazy.

$160 (US?) on one fitted bottom sheet?  I am still in shock. I have no idea what West Elm is, but a linen duvet cover for $160 may be (or may not be) good value, the cover is replacing the top sheet and since it is also the top layer of the bed it is replacing a quilt/coverlet/decorative item.  Silk-filled comforter for $140 is actually probably pretty reasonable, silk is fairly pricey to produce (not as much so in China, which is where it is probably from).

[RetiredAt63]

And they got you!

Can you buy just the flat sheets, and at a lesser cost than a set with a fitted sheet with similar characteristic products?
[/quote]

Not any more, I think.  It all comes in sets.  Amazon has flat sheets in various sizes and fibers.   Of course anyone in a cold climate with a garden has lots of uses for old sheets.  Fitted sheets are a pain in the garden for frost protection, but I suppose they would be fine for gathering leaves (I used sheets as easy to handle tarps when I had a lot of leaves to rake).

[undercover]

I can only imagine posts like these are subconsciously made for approval of one's actions. But hey, I'm not knocking it at all. Spend on what you want.

I sleep on $40 Better Homes and Gardens sheets from Walmart and a $20 comforter from Target.  The sheets are fine...if I don't sleep it's because I didn't work hard enough that day.

I think the honest truth when it comes to bedding is that except for build quality, price is completely irrelevant to comfort. You CAN buy a $3,000 mattress and hate it. And I've slept great on microfiber sheets before although they're not my first choice. West Elm is definitely overpriced for what it is although I've bought furniture from their outlet and I like their style.

[Cassie]

West Elm is a very overpriced rip off place. In regard to beds I think it’s important to buy a good quality mattress and box springs.  Sheets and comforters can be bought on sale for great prices and last for years. Same thing with towels.

[sol]

I think it’s important to buy a good quality mattress and box springs. 

I think "box springs" are a complete hoax.  There aren't even springs in them anymore!  Why does it cost an extra thousand dollars to have a solid platform that your bed sits on?

[Cassie]

We get them on sale and paid 50 the last time. We replaced the last one when they squeaked every time we moved.

[Cassie]

That’s for our guest room so a double bed. We bought a sleep number king size for us 13 years ago with a 20 year warranty.  It sits on what looks like a plastic LEGO set so the base will last forever.

[I'm a red panda]

I think it’s important to buy a good quality mattress and box springs. 

I think "box springs" are a complete hoax.  There aren't even springs in them anymore!  Why does it cost an extra thousand dollars to have a solid platform that your bed sits on?

Why are you paying $1000 for box springs?
My current bed (king size) the box spring cost $180 ($90 for 2 twin size, half height, so we got 'specialty' ones that cost more)

And we needed a solid platform for the mattress to sit on, otherwise it would fall to the floor, our bed wasn't designed to not have box springs- there is no platform fully across the bed.

[GuitarStv]

I think it’s important to buy a good quality mattress and box springs. 

I think "box springs" are a complete hoax.  There aren't even springs in them anymore!  Why does it cost an extra thousand dollars to have a solid platform that your bed sits on?

Why are you paying $1000 for box springs?
My current bed (king size) the box spring cost $180 ($90 for 2 twin size, half height, so we got 'specialty' ones that cost more)

And we needed a solid platform for the mattress to sit on, otherwise it would fall to the floor, our bed wasn't designed to not have box springs- there is no platform fully across the bed.

The floor in my house is pretty solid.  Just sayin'.

[I'm a red panda]

I think it’s important to buy a good quality mattress and box springs. 

I think "box springs" are a complete hoax.  There aren't even springs in them anymore!  Why does it cost an extra thousand dollars to have a solid platform that your bed sits on?

Why are you paying $1000 for box springs?
My current bed (king size) the box spring cost $180 ($90 for 2 twin size, half height, so we got 'specialty' ones that cost more)

And we needed a solid platform for the mattress to sit on, otherwise it would fall to the floor, our bed wasn't designed to not have box springs- there is no platform fully across the bed.

The floor in my house is pretty solid.  Just sayin'.

My bed doubles as a dresser, and a "hobby" since husband built it.  It's gorgeous and I wouldn't get rid of it.
Box springs are cheap. The mattress was cheap.

[sisto]

I'm also a fan of good quality sheets and it's one of our splurges, but we usually buy them with gift cards or during massive sales around Black Friday or after Christmas. I wanted to pop in and say that I also have Costco and I bought some Kirkland branded sheets that have been pretty great. Just the other day I was there and saw a comforter set that I really liked and I bought it on a whim. I decided that I'd take it home and check it out and it it wasn't amazing I'd return it. Well turns out it's amazing!!! For $49.99 I got 2 comforters in one set that are complementary. Plus the big fluffy comforter is reversible. The lighter one is meant for summer use or to use folded down on the bottom of the bed. It's a solid color that complements the thicker one. It has matching pillow covers too. I feel like I live in a luxury hotel now. I know it's probably silly to some, but considering how much time you spend sleeping, I find it a worth it luxury.

Is it a kirkland comforter?  I'm looking for new ones and this set sounds interesting.  Just in warehouse or do you know if it is online?

@i'm a red panda I got mine in store. Not sure if it's online. It's made by Style Design. I hope that helps you find it. :)

[slow hand slow plan]

Still a bad purchase.... if Belgium flax linen is the only linen for you there are much cheaper sets made of the same material...

[EnjoyIt]

This is a forum about frugality, not conspicuous consumption. I remember mmm talking about how you can live a luxurious life, while spending a quarter of what everyone else does. I do agree with getting quality in the areas that count but quality=/=most expensive option. There's no way 500 dollar sheets are the best way to get a quality sleep, as many people on the tread have pointed out with personal examples.
Also, re: bolded, literally everything is a chemical and preservatives are probably one of humankind's greatest intentions, so you might want to rethink that statement.

I don't fully agree that this forum is just about frugality but more about using your resources wisely to have a positive life experience.  Being frugal is part of it.  OP said it best so I will quote him/her

I think we all agree that the point of frugality is getting the most enjoyment out of each dollar. We're all living hugely luxurious lives compared to almost anyone in the world, so it's not a question of being luxurious or frugal, its a question of optimizing our luxuries.

This forum isn't about how cheap we can go although some want to and take it to that extreme. It is either choice and I'm not judging. But for most of us, we learn and adapt to make our spending most beneficial for us.  Some here would spend $2k on a bike and that is okay. But god forbid OP wants to sleep comfortably and some people bring out the punching gloves.  It is one thing to spend $500 on comfortable bedding while still saving a huge percentage of their income vs buying $500 bedding and being in credit card debt. 

Regarding food:  I was trying to say it is better to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and fishes as opposed to powdered or caned alternatives that have additives that have no health benefits.  Obesity and heart disease is on the rise in the US which I believe is lifestyle and diet induced. Last i checked the life expectancy of Americans is decreasing because of that.  Cancer is also on the rise and I believe much of it has to do with all the additives we find in our foods today.  Why eat canned chicken that has been preserved for months when I would rather spend a little more (luxury) to have fresh chicken?  Why eat canned tomatoes when I can spend a little more on fresh tomatoes that not only taste better, they have no added sodium and no preservatives?  Personally I do not care much for the word organic, but I do care what is in the foods we eat.  Good quality food is a luxury we are willing to spend on.

[PoutineLover]

This is a forum about frugality, not conspicuous consumption. I remember mmm talking about how you can live a luxurious life, while spending a quarter of what everyone else does. I do agree with getting quality in the areas that count but quality=/=most expensive option. There's no way 500 dollar sheets are the best way to get a quality sleep, as many people on the tread have pointed out with personal examples.
Also, re: bolded, literally everything is a chemical and preservatives are probably one of humankind's greatest intentions, so you might want to rethink that statement.

I don't fully agree that this forum is just about frugality but more about using your resources wisely to have a positive life experience.  Being frugal is part of it.  OP said it best so I will quote him/her

I think we all agree that the point of frugality is getting the most enjoyment out of each dollar. We're all living hugely luxurious lives compared to almost anyone in the world, so it's not a question of being luxurious or frugal, its a question of optimizing our luxuries.

This forum isn't about how cheap we can go although some want to and take it to that extreme. It is either choice and I'm not judging. But for most of us, we learn and adapt to make our spending most beneficial for us.  Some here would spend $2k on a bike and that is okay. But god forbid OP wants to sleep comfortably and some people bring out the punching gloves.  It is one thing to spend $500 on comfortable bedding while still saving a huge percentage of their income vs buying $500 bedding and being in credit card debt. 

Regarding food:  I was trying to say it is better to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and fishes as opposed to powdered or caned alternatives that have additives that have no health benefits.  Obesity and heart disease is on the rise in the US which I believe is lifestyle and diet induced. Last i checked the life expectancy of Americans is decreasing because of that.  Cancer is also on the rise and I believe much of it has to do with all the additives we find in our foods today.  Why eat canned chicken that has been preserved for months when I would rather spend a little more (luxury) to have fresh chicken?  Why eat canned tomatoes when I can spend a little more on fresh tomatoes that not only taste better, they have no added sodium and no preservatives?  Personally I do not care much for the word organic, but I do care what is in the foods we eat.  Good quality food is a luxury we are willing to spend on.

I agree with using resources wisely, but I think there are diminishing returns the higher you go, so optimizing is finding the best balance between quality, utility and price. The exact point isn't the same for everyone though, and it does depend on your overall resources and debt, the value of that particular item compared to other things in your life, and the relative cost of the item compared to what else is available. OP seems happy with the purchase so whatever, but there's definitely been a tendency towards justifying expensive luxury purchases in the forum that doesn't necessarily fit the original message of the blog.
About the food, I know what you mean but I see so many examples of people on this forum and elsewhere who know nothing about science and nutrition spouting off about chemicals and preservatives and organic this or natural that without considering the actual definitions of the words. Pickling and fermenting use "preservatives" but I would argue that foods prepared that way are healthy and nutritious, and those techniques have conferred health benefits and allowed humans to access more nutrients over periods of scarcity. I also strive to eat whole, fresh foods as much as possible as well, but I recognize that my ability to do so is a privilege, and many cheaper but still healthy options come frozen or canned. I think the choice of words matters, that's what I meant to point out.

[EnjoyIt]

This is a forum about frugality, not conspicuous consumption. I remember mmm talking about how you can live a luxurious life, while spending a quarter of what everyone else does. I do agree with getting quality in the areas that count but quality=/=most expensive option. There's no way 500 dollar sheets are the best way to get a quality sleep, as many people on the tread have pointed out with personal examples.
Also, re: bolded, literally everything is a chemical and preservatives are probably one of humankind's greatest intentions, so you might want to rethink that statement.

I don't fully agree that this forum is just about frugality but more about using your resources wisely to have a positive life experience.  Being frugal is part of it.  OP said it best so I will quote him/her

I think we all agree that the point of frugality is getting the most enjoyment out of each dollar. We're all living hugely luxurious lives compared to almost anyone in the world, so it's not a question of being luxurious or frugal, its a question of optimizing our luxuries.

This forum isn't about how cheap we can go although some want to and take it to that extreme. It is either choice and I'm not judging. But for most of us, we learn and adapt to make our spending most beneficial for us.  Some here would spend $2k on a bike and that is okay. But god forbid OP wants to sleep comfortably and some people bring out the punching gloves.  It is one thing to spend $500 on comfortable bedding while still saving a huge percentage of their income vs buying $500 bedding and being in credit card debt. 

Regarding food:  I was trying to say it is better to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and fishes as opposed to powdered or caned alternatives that have additives that have no health benefits.  Obesity and heart disease is on the rise in the US which I believe is lifestyle and diet induced. Last i checked the life expectancy of Americans is decreasing because of that.  Cancer is also on the rise and I believe much of it has to do with all the additives we find in our foods today.  Why eat canned chicken that has been preserved for months when I would rather spend a little more (luxury) to have fresh chicken?  Why eat canned tomatoes when I can spend a little more on fresh tomatoes that not only taste better, they have no added sodium and no preservatives?  Personally I do not care much for the word organic, but I do care what is in the foods we eat.  Good quality food is a luxury we are willing to spend on.

I agree with using resources wisely, but I think there are diminishing returns the higher you go, so optimizing is finding the best balance between quality, utility and price. The exact point isn't the same for everyone though, and it does depend on your overall resources and debt, the value of that particular item compared to other things in your life, and the relative cost of the item compared to what else is available. OP seems happy with the purchase so whatever, but there's definitely been a tendency towards justifying expensive luxury purchases in the forum that doesn't necessarily fit the original message of the blog.

About the food, I know what you mean but I see so many examples of people on this forum and elsewhere who know nothing about science and nutrition spouting off about chemicals and preservatives and organic this or natural that without considering the actual definitions of the words. Pickling and fermenting use "preservatives" but I would argue that foods prepared that way are healthy and nutritious, and those techniques have conferred health benefits and allowed humans to access more nutrients over periods of scarcity. I also strive to eat whole, fresh foods as much as possible as well, but I recognize that my ability to do so is a privilege, and many cheaper but still healthy options come frozen or canned. I think the choice of words matters, that's what I meant to point out.

Agree on both topics above and why I clarified my words.  I far to often see people just go organic because it has organic on the label which if really studies can be pretty meaningless. 

[OtherJen]

I once spent a lot of money on a mattress until I discovered that it's far more comfortable, you'll sleep much better, and you will have fewer back problems by sleeping on the floor.

Do you sleep directly on the floor or on a futon-type mattress? I can do the latter but I've learned the hard way (tent camping) that I end up with bruises over my hipbones if I don't sleep on some form of cushioned surface. Since I'm a side-sleeper, the bruises ruin each subsequent night of sleep.

[slow hand slow plan]

Organic depends. Organic Meat shows much higher fat soluble vitamin content i and fatty acids (GLA and ALA  specifically)
 Organic produce also shows much higher bioflavanoids and antioxidants.

Organic also has the added benefit of being better for the planet (CAFO compared to  Pasture , etc) Organic meat is required to be pasture raised for 120 days minimum some organic farms are 100% pasture

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24968103

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/02/18/467136329/is-organic-more-nutritious-new-study-adds-to-the-evidence is a good older article on it.

[I'm a red panda]

I once spent a lot of money on a mattress until I discovered that it's far more comfortable, you'll sleep much better, and you will have fewer back problems by sleeping on the floor.

Do you sleep directly on the floor or on a futon-type mattress? I can do the latter but I've learned the hard way (tent camping) that I end up with bruises over my hipbones if I don't sleep on some form of cushioned surface. Since I'm a side-sleeper, the bruises ruin each subsequent night of sleep.

When I was a kid, I could sleep on the floor very comfortably.  Now my hips get horrible bruises as well. Visible bruises.  I also sleep on my side. The curve of my back makes back sleeping painful, and a neck fusion means I can no longer sleep on my stomach.
It is even worse when I am pregnant- sleeping without a gigantic pile of pillows is hell.  (We have a pretty firm mattress otherwise.)  There is no good way to sleep when pregnant for me.

From your username- I wonder if you are female too. I THINK GuitarStv is male.  I wonder if that makes an actual difference, as the anatomy, especially at the hips IS different.

[GuitarStv]

I once spent a lot of money on a mattress until I discovered that it's far more comfortable, you'll sleep much better, and you will have fewer back problems by sleeping on the floor.

Do you sleep directly on the floor or on a futon-type mattress? I can do the latter but I've learned the hard way (tent camping) that I end up with bruises over my hipbones if I don't sleep on some form of cushioned surface. Since I'm a side-sleeper, the bruises ruin each subsequent night of sleep.

On a thin pad or thick blanket when on hardwoord, or straight on carpet with an under pad.  I sleep face down with my head wedged between two pillows and don't get bruising.

[OtherJen]

I once spent a lot of money on a mattress until I discovered that it's far more comfortable, you'll sleep much better, and you will have fewer back problems by sleeping on the floor.

Do you sleep directly on the floor or on a futon-type mattress? I can do the latter but I've learned the hard way (tent camping) that I end up with bruises over my hipbones if I don't sleep on some form of cushioned surface. Since I'm a side-sleeper, the bruises ruin each subsequent night of sleep.

When I was a kid, I could sleep on the floor very comfortably.  Now my hips get horrible bruises as well. Visible bruises.  I also sleep on my side. The curve of my back makes back sleeping painful, and a neck fusion means I can no longer sleep on my stomach.
It is even worse when I am pregnant- sleeping without a gigantic pile of pillows is hell.  (We have a pretty firm mattress otherwise.)  There is no good way to sleep when pregnant for me.

From your username- I wonder if you are female too. I THINK GuitarStv is male.  I wonder if that makes an actual difference, as the anatomy, especially at the hips IS different.

Yes, I am female. Sleeping directly on a hard surface was fine when I was a kid, before my hips grew. I can sometimes sleep on my back on a mattress because it accommodates the curve of my backside but a hard surface can be difficult for a long period. I've never been able to sleep on my stomach.

[EnjoyIt]

I once spent a lot of money on a mattress until I discovered that it's far more comfortable, you'll sleep much better, and you will have fewer back problems by sleeping on the floor.

Do you sleep directly on the floor or on a futon-type mattress? I can do the latter but I've learned the hard way (tent camping) that I end up with bruises over my hipbones if I don't sleep on some form of cushioned surface. Since I'm a side-sleeper, the bruises ruin each subsequent night of sleep.

On a thin pad or thick blanket when on hardwoord, or straight on carpet with an under pad.  I sleep face down with my head wedged between two pillows and don't get bruising.

I don't want to assume anything, but are you male or female? DO you have a partner and and how does your partner tolerate sleeping on the floor?

I ask because there is no way in hell I could ever get my wife to sleep on the floor.  We had to do it a few years back and she was miserable.  It hurt her hips and back. 

[katscratch]

I'm a middle age female with moderate hip curve and a bit of scoliosis, and a history of low back pain, and I sleep on the floor. Either on my side or my stomach (which my jaw doesn't appreciate when my mouth guard is in but I find myself in that position fairly often).

I use a blanket on the floor, and sometimes a pillow if I'm on my side, sometimes my arm.

Previous partner joined me. Relationship ended due to distance, not floor sleeping :)

I've found that I'm much less sore in the morning - on mattresses I tend to stay in one position for a very long time and end up quite stiff in the morning with a sore back. I've worn a heart rate monitor synced to a sleep app for fun and I definitely get better quality sleep on the floor.

....as far as bedding to keep this on topic, I have a gifted bottom sheet and a linen duvet cover (adore), plus a wool blanket as needed for winter.

[GuitarStv]

I once spent a lot of money on a mattress until I discovered that it's far more comfortable, you'll sleep much better, and you will have fewer back problems by sleeping on the floor.

Do you sleep directly on the floor or on a futon-type mattress? I can do the latter but I've learned the hard way (tent camping) that I end up with bruises over my hipbones if I don't sleep on some form of cushioned surface. Since I'm a side-sleeper, the bruises ruin each subsequent night of sleep.

On a thin pad or thick blanket when on hardwoord, or straight on carpet with an under pad.  I sleep face down with my head wedged between two pillows and don't get bruising.

I don't want to assume anything, but are you male or female? DO you have a partner and and how does your partner tolerate sleeping on the floor?

I ask because there is no way in hell I could ever get my wife to sleep on the floor.  We had to do it a few years back and she was miserable.  It hurt her hips and back.

Male with somewhat tolerant female partner.  She gets a thicker pad.

[letsdoit]

I once spent a lot of money on a mattress until I discovered that it's far more comfortable, you'll sleep much better, and you will have fewer back problems by sleeping on the floor.

Do you sleep directly on the floor or on a futon-type mattress? I can do the latter but I've learned the hard way (tent camping) that I end up with bruises over my hipbones if I don't sleep on some form of cushioned surface. Since I'm a side-sleeper, the bruises ruin each subsequent night of sleep.

On a thin pad or thick blanket when on hardwoord, or straight on carpet with an under pad.  I sleep face down with my head wedged between two pillows and don't get bruising.

I don't want to assume anything, but are you male or female? DO you have a partner and and how does your partner tolerate sleeping on the floor?

I ask because there is no way in hell I could ever get my wife to sleep on the floor.  We had to do it a few years back and she was miserable.  It hurt her hips and back.

Male with somewhat tolerant female partner.  She gets a thicker pad.

 I did the floor for almost 20 years and the shoulders were the thing that got me .  I am a man

[anonymouscow]

I find it very amusing that the OP started out with a post about spending $500 for their entire bedding set and it quickly devolved into people haphazardly misquoting the OP as having spent $500 on only sheets.

This was then followed up by people commenting on spending $500 on sheets alone not being worth 10x as much as spending $50 on sheets (or something to that effect).  Kind of like the passing a message game, but worse because anyone could easily refer to the OP before claiming that their spending $500 on sheets is crazy.

Except it wasn't an entire bedding set,

"After lots of research, I bought a West Elm linen duvet cover ($160), a lightweight silk-filled comforter on Amazon ($140), and a single flat sheet (used as a fitted sheet) from Rough Linen ($160). Spent almost $500 and didn't even get a top sheet or pillow cases (already had decent cases, and not using top sheet). "

At least to me, calling it sheets or a bedding is pretty much the same thing, I "change the sheets" even if it involves more than just the sheets.

If you have the money and it matters that much, good for you. To me $160 for a sheet or $460 for 3 pcs is excessive.

I'm not sure what the OP, or anyone for that matter, expected the responses to be. The next form topic below this one is "Share your badassity", I'm not sure where or how buying, what to me are luxury goods, fits into this forum.

If I spent what others would consider excessive on some item(s), I wouldn't start a thread about it.

[Cassie]

Ridiculous amount of money for what he got and West Elm is very overpriced.   I have had really old sheets rip or get pilled and then not comfortable. Last set of sheets for a king size bed was 50 and 50 comforter from Ross.

[Rosy]

I grew up with linen sheets that last forever. I never knew there was such a quality discrepancy in sheets until I bought a set at the dollar store in the states. They stayed wrinkly after one wash, felt yucky, clingy hot and the pattern literally washed out after six months.

These days I buy my sheets at Aldi for $39.99 and at the AFB about $40 except for a lovely set of bamboo sheets I got on sale for $20 which feel great and look great after many washings.

Linen sheets are still the best because they get softer over time and last a long time, but I can tell you that the bamboo sheets are every bit as nice.

I use cotton quilts since it is plenty hot in Florida, different thicknesses for fall. In winter we use a good quality blanket - all blankets are not created equal either. A lightweight silk cover as the OP describes would probably be ideal for summer, I'd love that, but the cotton quilts work fine, except they feel heavy.
Maybe I'll find a silk coverlet on sale one day - it isn't a priority in my world.