What are you splurging on in the year 2025?

[Telecaster]

Knock on wood, an African Safari with stayovers in Cape Town and Victoria Falls. 12 or so day all in, with friends, in September.

That sounds like fun!  Make sure to give us a trip report when you get back. 

[GuitarStv]

I bought a new car in the beginning of January because I knew tariffs were coming and my car was 17 years old. I saved money by buying a 2024 on the lot that didn’t have any extra features. I’ve cancelled all my trips because I think we will have massive inflation and possibly SS will be cut. I also no longer trust flying since musk’s engineers have been involved with the FAA. I’m going to buy as little as possible until I see how things shake out. I hope I’m wrong about everything.

fwiw, flying is still by far the safest mode of transportation

That remains to be seen after the FAA cuts.

[Cassie]

Considering that Musk has had many failures with his satellites and rockets plus his habit of proceeding to break things and then go forward to see the results I do think that flying will no longer be as safe as it was. Musk has brought in his engineers that aren’t aviation experts and has loaned 2 airports in Alaska and one in Atlanta starlink terminals on a trial basis to see how they work with the FAA system. 

Musk can also turn off the satellites if he wants to which is what he has threatened to do with Ukraine. If the FAA was totally dependent on starlink our air safety would be totally dependent on a ketamine addicted crazy man. I’m not the only person that is worried about this. 2 months ago I would have thought this post was totally crazy and now it’s absolutely possible.

[SEAK]

Splurged on treks in Bhutan April/May and Japan in November. July it'll be either the Dolomites or Tombstones in the Yukon Territories. Then somewhere warm Dec/Jan: Maui, ??...

[life_travel]

2 dental implants . Lost 1 tooth 25 years ago and one 6 years ago and finally decided to get implants ( 14 K for both)

[cupcakery]

I'm splurging on a yoga retreat to Africa this year.  I can more than afford it, but it seems so over the top.  I was invited to go and I figure something like this will never happen again.

DH and I also want to do something for our anniversary, and are batting some ideas around, but haven't decided on where we'll go yet.

[Dicey]

2 dental implants . Lost 1 tooth 25 years ago and one 6 years ago and finally decided to get implants ( 14 K for both)

That's an investment in your overall health, not a splurge. I'd call it a wise investment. I hope the process goes smoothly.

[Metalcat]

2 dental implants . Lost 1 tooth 25 years ago and one 6 years ago and finally decided to get implants ( 14 K for both)

That's an investment in your overall health, not a splurge. I'd call it a wise investment. I hope the process goes smoothly.

Same. DH is getting an implant this year as well and I certainly don't consider it a splurge. It's a privilege to be able to easily afford it though, of course.

[Scandium]

2 dental implants . Lost 1 tooth 25 years ago and one 6 years ago and finally decided to get implants ( 14 K for both)

My kid had invisialign, and I've realized I should do it too. I had braces as a kids and they've slipped back somewhat. It causes rubbing and enamel damage, so it's not just aesthetic (which I don't care about at my age). I could sign up for insurance, and I think get it for $2k - 2.5k. I've been to cheap to do it for a couple years now, but maybe this year? Or next.. (thought it also kinda a PIA to deal with for a while).

[Dicey]

2 dental implants . Lost 1 tooth 25 years ago and one 6 years ago and finally decided to get implants ( 14 K for both)

My kid had invisialign, and I've realized I should do it too. I had braces as a kids and they've slipped back somewhat. It cases rubbing and enamel damage, so it's not just aesthetic (which I don't care about at my age). I could sign up for insurance, and I think get it for $2k - 2.5k. I've been to cheap to do it for a couple years now, but maybe this year? Or next.. (thought it also kinda a PIA to deal with for a while).

I had braces in my mid-thirties, and DH did in his fifties. Despite the fact that he wore his retainers religiously, his teeth shifted, and he needed braces again after only a few months. Fortunately, his orthodontist didn't charge him extra. I slipped up and stopped wearing my retainers after I got a new crown that the retainers didn't fit over. I noticed shifting, so I found a new orthodontist (I'd moved since the original work). She made a new set for a reasonable price. DH and I are quite a sight at night time. We both wear our retainers and use c-paps. We call it "Geek Love."

My point is that it is a pain in the ass, but absolutely worth it. Go for it! Future you will be glad you did.

[kina]

I'm giving serious thought to getting a Eufy or similar robotic vacuum.

Otherwise 2025 will probably be a hunker down year because my country is imploding with an orange rot. So glad the major appliances that self-destructed did it last year...

[Must_ache]

I have a week and a half in Europe in April coming up.  I only paid about $1,000 for airfare and hotel combined due to travel credit card hacking. 
These vacations every year and a half or so are not luxurious or anything but a lot of fun.  I'll probably spend at least another $1,500-$2,000 on admissions and food during the 10+ days (excluding all the trains, I purchased those too)
BUDAPEST
VIENNA
BRNO
PRAGUE
DRESDEN
BERLIN

[Metalcat]

I'm giving serious thought to getting a Eufy or similar robotic vacuum.

Otherwise 2025 will probably be a hunker down year because my country is imploding with an orange rot. So glad the major appliances that self-destructed did it last year...

I bought an iLife for less than $200 a decade ago and it's still running well.

[ldigz]

I'm giving serious thought to getting a Eufy or similar robotic vacuum.

Otherwise 2025 will probably be a hunker down year because my country is imploding with an orange rot. So glad the major appliances that self-destructed did it last year...

I've had Eufy 11s for several years. It's one of my best purchases ever. I rarely need to sweep, it cost around $100, I can repair it myself, and parts are easy to purchase from Eufy.

[jim555]

Pondering on buying a dozen eggs.  LOL.

[Zikoris]

I don't really splurge on things, I have long-standing budgets for everything that's important to me. I imagine my February trip to Asia will be my largest expense of the year, at a little over half my travel budget, followed by wherever I go in the fall. But I don't think of my travel budget any differently than my grocery budget or my rent budget.

[Cassie]

2 weeks ago a friend messaged everyone that a friend of hers died and she was trying to find a home for her 8 year old little dog. I said I could be a foster home if my little dogs were fine with her. She is an easy keeper and my boy dog adores her. My female dog is dying from heart failure.

I took her to my vet to get her current on her vaccines. She has horrible teeth and a growth on her gum. The dental estimate is between 2-2.6k. I’m not going to have the growth biopsied because I won’t treat cancer in a pet. I decided to keep her as no one wants her now that she’s going to be expensive. My male dog has severe separation anxiety so once he’s gone I will only have one dog because of the cost. So that’s my splurge.

[Metalcat]

2 weeks ago a friend messaged everyone that a friend of hers died and she was trying to find a home for her 8 year old little dog. I said I could be a foster home if my little dogs were fine with her. She is an easy keeper and my boy dog adores her. My female dog is dying from heart failure.

I took her to my vet to get her current on her vaccines. She has horrible teeth and a growth on her gum. The dental estimate is between 2-2.6k. I’m not going to have the growth biopsied because I won’t treat cancer in a pet. I decided to keep her as no one wants her now that she’s going to be expensive. My male dog has severe separation anxiety so once he’s gone I will only have one dog because of the cost. So that’s my splurge.

<3

[Shuchong]

I don't usually live in NL during the winter, I usually live somewhere much, much colder. I do have thicker socks for outdoors in cold winters, but winter is only part of the year, and even then, I don't spend the majority of my time outside.

Indoors and during non-winter, I wear slippers or Sketchers, so I like thin socks the vast majority of the time.

In perhaps a further explanation of our sock differences, my splurge this month was some roller skis so that I can skate ski even once the snow eventually melts.  (I am terrible at skate skiing, making it even more of a splurge, but I can't run anymore, and I want a way to be outdoors and get my heartrate high.)  Perhaps I will wear the lightweight darn toughs during the few hot days this summer...

[ditheca]

To celebrate my oldest son's graduation from high school (with an associates degree!), we're taking our first overseas trip as a family. Two weeks in Taiwan!

Flights were $7k, and I expect a few thousand more in food, lodging, and miscellaneous expenses.

[HipGnosis]

Taking my GF to an inclusive resort in the Caribbean.  Our first trip out of the country.
I just did my biggest amazon order ever for stuff for us to take / wear.   I've got 7 delievery dates.

[Sugaree]

Currently, a hydroponic setup to grow strawberries and tomatoes.  Also, I have a trip next week for a concert and another in September.  I need to tighten up the budget on everything else for awhile though.

[kina]

I bought an iLife for less than $200 a decade ago and it's still running well.

I've had Eufy 11s for several years. It's one of my best purchases ever. I rarely need to sweep, it cost around $100, I can repair it myself, and parts are easy to purchase from Eufy.

My Eufy 11s should arrive next week. I looked into the iLife, but the manufacturer's website says it is closing its doors soon (although the warranty is supposed to be still valid-not sure how that would work but...). Thanks to you both for the input!

[Raenia]

My splurge this month is new socks - Icebreaker all the way! Darn Tough make my feet sweat. (We are also a divided family, DH loves Darn Tough and hates Icebreaker.)

[Metalcat]

My splurge this month is new socks - Icebreaker all the way! Darn Tough make my feet sweat. (We are also a divided family, DH loves Darn Tough and hates Icebreaker.)

This is exactly me and DH, our Icebreaker vs Darn Tough debates can get heated. Also, it's so nice to see someone else on my side of this debate for once!!

[clarkfan1979]

For the 3rd summer in a row we will buy suite tickets for a Colorado Rockies baseball game and split it with some friends. Sunday day games are the cheapest at $130 each. We are a family of 3. It includes the ticket and good food. We will spend an extra $60 on beers and ice cream bar for my son. It's $450 total. Kind of excessive, but parking is free on Sundays!

Game is about 2.5 hours. You can enter the stadium 2 hours early and access to the suite 1.5 hours early. Three sets of parents with kids and one set of grandparents. I'm a big baseball fan and it's more enjoyable for myself and the kids when the kids can walk around the suite.

In addition, my wife bought a $450 concert ticket to see the Backstreet Boys in concert at the Sphere in Las Vegas in July with 3 of her best high school friends and another 5 girls.   

[Dicey]

2 weeks ago a friend messaged everyone that a friend of hers died and she was trying to find a home for her 8 year old little dog. I said I could be a foster home if my little dogs were fine with her. She is an easy keeper and my boy dog adores her. My female dog is dying from heart failure.

I took her to my vet to get her current on her vaccines. She has horrible teeth and a growth on her gum. The dental estimate is between 2-2.6k. I’m not going to have the growth biopsied because I won’t treat cancer in a pet. I decided to keep her as no one wants her now that she’s going to be expensive. My male dog has severe separation anxiety so once he’s gone I will only have one dog because of the cost. So that’s my splurge.

<3

<3 <3

[NorthernFire]

Two or three vacations. Probably 5-6 weeks in total. I'm not getting any younger.

[thriftyc]

Likely some long awaited home renovations.

[jpdx]

Nothing in 2025. I pulled all of my major purchases and splurging to 2024 and plan to coast through the economic uncertainty over the next few years.

[Sugaree]

My splurge this month is new socks - Icebreaker all the way! Darn Tough make my feet sweat. (We are also a divided family, DH loves Darn Tough and hates Icebreaker.)

I'm kind of considering throwing out every sock in my house and buying 2 dozen pairs of the same damn socks.  I did that a couple of years ago with the kid's socks and it has worked out well. 

[Metalcat]

My splurge this month is new socks - Icebreaker all the way! Darn Tough make my feet sweat. (We are also a divided family, DH loves Darn Tough and hates Icebreaker.)

I'm kind of considering throwing out every sock in my house and buying 2 dozen pairs of the same damn socks.  I did that a couple of years ago with the kid's socks and it has worked out well.

If you guys merino wool socks, you don't need 2 dozen pairs.

[Zikoris]

My splurge this month is new socks - Icebreaker all the way! Darn Tough make my feet sweat. (We are also a divided family, DH loves Darn Tough and hates Icebreaker.)

I'm kind of considering throwing out every sock in my house and buying 2 dozen pairs of the same damn socks.  I did that a couple of years ago with the kid's socks and it has worked out well.

Another option is to stop caring if your socks match. When one of my socks wears out I just match it with something else. If one is striped and the other is Spongebob, oh well.

[Sugaree]

My splurge this month is new socks - Icebreaker all the way! Darn Tough make my feet sweat. (We are also a divided family, DH loves Darn Tough and hates Icebreaker.)

I'm kind of considering throwing out every sock in my house and buying 2 dozen pairs of the same damn socks.  I did that a couple of years ago with the kid's socks and it has worked out well.

Another option is to stop caring if your socks match. When one of my socks wears out I just match it with something else. If one is striped and the other is Spongebob, oh well.

Mine don't actually match today.  They're both black, but definitely different socks. 

[GuitarStv]

My splurge this month is new socks - Icebreaker all the way! Darn Tough make my feet sweat. (We are also a divided family, DH loves Darn Tough and hates Icebreaker.)

I'm kind of considering throwing out every sock in my house and buying 2 dozen pairs of the same damn socks.  I did that a couple of years ago with the kid's socks and it has worked out well.

Another option is to stop caring if your socks match. When one of my socks wears out I just match it with something else. If one is striped and the other is Spongebob, oh well.

Why not both?  Start buying only one brand/colour/design of sock now to replace ones that you wear out.  Wear mismatched socks until all your socks are one type.  Then continue only having one type of sock (optimal).

(Always buy single colour socks of either black or white.  Then worst case scenario if your sock of choice gets discontinued, you can match the colour with a different brand/make and it'll look close enough that it's not weird.)

[spartana]

^^^I buy only white ankle socks and just throw them in a pile in my dresser after washing and grab them as needed. If one gets a hole I have many to replace them. Of course my bed socks (@Sailor Sam screams!) are wild and crazy dog socks and I match them up. Can't have the lime green Corgi on one foot and the hot pink pit bull on the other. The HORROR!!

[Sugaree]

My splurge this month is new socks - Icebreaker all the way! Darn Tough make my feet sweat. (We are also a divided family, DH loves Darn Tough and hates Icebreaker.)

I'm kind of considering throwing out every sock in my house and buying 2 dozen pairs of the same damn socks.  I did that a couple of years ago with the kid's socks and it has worked out well.

Another option is to stop caring if your socks match. When one of my socks wears out I just match it with something else. If one is striped and the other is Spongebob, oh well.

Why not both?  Start buying only one brand/colour/design of sock now to replace ones that you wear out.  Wear mismatched socks until all your socks are one type.  Then continue only having one type of sock (optimal).

(Always buy single colour socks of either black or white.  Then worst case scenario if your sock of choice gets discontinued, you can match the colour with a different brand/make and it'll look close enough that it's not weird.)

I only wear black socks and the kid only wears white socks.  That makes it easy since our socks are pretty much the same size now (his shoes are actually several sizes larger than mine now).

[GuitarStv]

bed socks

Next to the vitamixes, this is the most disturbing thing I've ever read on these forums.

[Turtle]

My splurge this month is new socks - Icebreaker all the way! Darn Tough make my feet sweat. (We are also a divided family, DH loves Darn Tough and hates Icebreaker.)

I'm kind of considering throwing out every sock in my house and buying 2 dozen pairs of the same damn socks.  I did that a couple of years ago with the kid's socks and it has worked out well.

Another option is to stop caring if your socks match. When one of my socks wears out I just match it with something else. If one is striped and the other is Spongebob, oh well.

I don’t care about colors, but I am picky about having the same size/type of sock on both feet so that they feel the same.  Costco multi-packs of wool socks for winter and short socks for summer.

Another member of team naked feet for sleep.  Have to be able to stick one out from under the covers as needed for temperature regulation.

[Arbitrage]

Maybe a heat pump.  We've been waiting for the stupid IRA rebates to get defined, 3 damn years after the law was passed.  Still saying "late Spring" in our state, which is supposedly one of the earliest states to get the program up and running. 

We're probably not going to be eligible for the rebates this year unless one or both of the (currently half-time) wage earners in the household loses our job, but the job loss is a distinct possibility.  It's been irritating to have to keep waiting while they kick the IRA rebate can down the road by a few months, every few months.  We were really hoping to have it by this summer for the A/C, but it's feeling less and less likely.  Where we live in northwest WA, summer is mild and A/C is uncommon, but that's changing as the world warms and heat waves become more frequent and severe.

Anyhow, it could end up being more of a splurge than anticipated if we can't wrangle rebates.  Or it might just have to wait another year, when it will be even more likely that our income will drop.

[spartana]

bed socks

Next to the vitamixes, this is the most disturbing thing I've ever read on these forums.

I think it's just the word "bed" that disturbs you ;-). Plus the men of this world thank us bed sock wearers for no longer needing to warm our freezing toes on them in the middle of the night.

[jrhampt]

Maybe a heat pump.  We've been waiting for the stupid IRA rebates to get defined, 3 damn years after the law was passed.  Still saying "late Spring" in our state, which is supposedly one of the earliest states to get the program up and running. 

We're probably not going to be eligible for the rebates this year unless one or both of the (currently half-time) wage earners in the household loses our job, but the job loss is a distinct possibility.  It's been irritating to have to keep waiting while they kick the IRA rebate can down the road by a few months, every few months.  We were really hoping to have it by this summer for the A/C, but it's feeling less and less likely.  Where we live in northwest WA, summer is mild and A/C is uncommon, but that's changing as the world warms and heat waves become more frequent and severe.

Anyhow, it could end up being more of a splurge than anticipated if we can't wrangle rebates.  Or it might just have to wait another year, when it will be even more likely that our income will drop.

If you can afford it, I would just go ahead and do it.  We didn't realize we would be getting a rebate and then were pleasantly surprised by the size of it.  We did ours over a year ago and between the tax credit and the rebate I think the net cost was maybe 2k.

[Sandi_k]

Taking my GF to an inclusive resort in the Caribbean.  Our first trip out of the country.
I just did my biggest amazon order ever for stuff for us to take / wear.   I've got 7 delievery dates.

Which one?!! Always interested in Caribbean destinations!

[2sk22]

Just bought a couple of business class tickets to Thailand in August - we were invited for a destination wedding and decided to make a vacation out of it

[Sibley]

Replacing the warped windows in the back bedroom. It will be nice being able to close and lock them properly.

[Just Joe]

My father and I have begun a classic car project together. Last year was a mess b/c of my mother's health issues. Dad is really excited so we'll do this. I think he feels like his future adventure time is limited.

I'm footing some of the cost of the car project. Ultimately the car will likely be mine when he is done with it. Good investment if the classic car markets stay similar. Prob is my inheritance unless Dad needs to sell it to pay for his future care. That's fine with me.

Also still need to complete some home reno stuff started last year. DIY stuff. Will help DW who this project weighs on.

Mostly just spending slowly so we can continue to grow our savings.

Have asked DW if she wants to vacation, take in a concert or sporting event - or several. She purchased tickets for a comedian that we like. The ball game we considered was $135 per ticket even in the nose bleed section. Still okay with that. Doubt we'll go to the beach this year. Maybe we'll go camping instead. I would like to do a variety of day trip / staycation type things this year. I do want to explore the backroads with DW. We used to do that much more.

We're falling into the rut of just staying home b/c home is so comfortable and affordable. I want to do other things too though. We reserve the winter months for watching too much TV and doom-scrolling. Warm weather is upon us.

[TheFrenchCat]

Looks like a trip to Houston this year.  DH's cousin is getting married there, and so far we've attended every wedding on both sides.  We're debating a road trip, since, with the three of us, the gas might be cheaper than the plane tickets.  That and Houston is kind of boring for us as we've been there a couple times before, so Nashville and Indianapolis might be more interesting.

[simonsez]

A door and 2 or 3 windows that qualify for the federal tax credit

Board games - have purchased Asia and Oceania expansions for Wingspan, Finspan, Quacks of Quedlinburg thus far.  Local shop has used Castles of Burgundy in fantastic shape for $20. Also have my eye on Camel Up (2nd version), Codenames, Agricola, and Power Grid. May snag CoB to treat myself soon while it is still on the shelf and let my birthday and Christmas help with the others.

Along with the above is motivation to shift part of office (had full home office for many years, currently shifting gears) and turn into multi-use room capable of poker and board games plus arts and crafts plus corresponding storage.

Decent trunks - bought 2 pairs of Chubbie's for $50 in colors that will hopefully be complimentary with tan legs later this sun season. I'm particular about liners, especially on rivers and sandy beaches. The finer mesh is much less coarse/grabby to places with high concentrations of nerve endings.

A new patio rug. Current one is starting its 8th year and it's rather brittle in a few spots. Can only move the patio furniture or rotate the rug to minimize the bad spots so much.

Some type of backyard pool/vessel/setup to let the baby splash in.  Costco has some for $47 but it was too big for my backyard and patio area. I did purchase a good outdoor umbrella with a granite base from Costco recently for more than I care to admit (which perhaps is the very essence of a splurge?) to help shade the kiddo while outside.

A few more ornamental flowers this year. Will likely do similar amount of herbs, fruits, and veggies.

Already splurged on symphony tickets. Beethoven's 9th, wonderful and worth every penny. Was a religious experience. Will probably attend a concert or 2 later this year plus 1 or 2 indoor plays plus 1 or 2 outdoor plays/festivals and another symphony or philharmonic performance (or 2! Dvorak's New World and Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov are hard to choose just one and both are in play this year locally! Plus sometimes I'm a big softy and will also do one for Christmas music)

New Ping putter cover. My Craz-E isn't going anywhere but the cover needs replacing.

Cost of materials plus sweat equity for new weather-resistant driving range and shooting range on the family property. Have some ground to manipulate and level, pour concrete bays, build the overhang, build/acquire tables, build/acquire the hopper and dispenser for golf balls, pour rock and purchase mats. May be a 2026 endeavor, will see how job search goes.

[reeshau]

Looks like a trip to Houston this year.  DH's cousin is getting married there, and so far we've attended every wedding on both sides.  We're debating a road trip, since, with the three of us, the gas might be cheaper than the plane tickets.  That and Houston is kind of boring for us as we've been there a couple times before, so Nashville and Indianapolis might be more interesting.

We just got a Meow Wolf installation, if that's your thing.  Haven't been there yet, but looking forward to it.

[Raenia]

Looks like we've got another few splurges coming up. We're getting an unusually high tax refund this year (a bunch of new-to-us deductions threw off our calculations) so we decided to spend on some early anniversary presents.

For DH, a projector and blu-ray player that we've been looking at for a while. DH has always wanted a projector setup, and has spent a lot of time researching and selecting the sweet spot equipment for price/quality, so when the one he wanted was on sale and about to go out of stock, we decided to go ahead with it.

For me, piano movers. I've wanted a piano forever, and was very sad that we couldn't take my mom's piano when she downsized but we didn't have the space. Recently a family friend offered us her piano, which is a lovely instrument and we couldn't get anything so nice for just the price of movers. But it is out of state, so it'll be a pricey move even so.