What Purchases are Worth the Splurge — And What Aren’t?
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Something that I've wanted to do for a while is talk about what's worth the “splurge” (on a big or small level) versus what's NOT worth the splurge. For example: I always joke that life is too short for cheap liquor and cheap toilet paper. On the flip side, I rarely notice the difference with a “fine” wine (ahem), and “good” coffee is wasted on me also — Folgers is just fine for my one cup a day. At the grocery store, I often buy store brands (or whatever's cheapest).
{related: what are you a snob about?}
What's Worth the Splurge To Me
On a day to day level, my cleaning professional (who now comes once a fortnight) is non-negotiable and an absolute essential (we love you Olga!), and I will give up other splurges (such as frequent dinners out) to keep room for her in the budget.
Psst: In honor of this series' original title, Tales from the Wallet — here's a wallet we love!
On a grander level, I think education is worth the splurge if other factors align; in other words, the more expensive program may be worth it if it offers enhanced networking capabilities / alumni base / career services / etc. In terms of housing, I've always prioritized living space over location or amenities (e.g., I've never lived in a glitzy apartment building in a super chic area but rather the largest apartment I could get in the safest area near where I wanted to live).
As I've mentioned before, in terms of fashion I tend to splurge on accessories (bags, jewelry) and less on clothing. Still, I have noticed huge differences in, say, a sweater marketed as a $100 sweater versus a sweater marketed as a $500 sweater (which I may have paid $100 for).
Yesterday we talked about travel splurges, with many people (me included) noting that you should travel when you can. I wonder, though: when is it worth it to get the “bargain” deal for travel — taking your trip in the off season or staying somewhere not as fashionable — if you're going for the experience?
There are no right answers here, obviously; I just thought it might be an interesting discussion. Readers, where do you splurge and where do you save? What purchases are worth the splurge — and what aren't?
Worth the splurge:
Hair ($150-200 every 5 weeks including products) I love my hair dresser; I hate having the same hair style or color and he is very creative and I have wicked grays for my age.
Dining out & Groceries & Alcohol ($1K per month) Even if I cook at home I tend to spend a lot at the grocery on fresh produce and most of it does not go to waste. I also really like good drinks (soda water and good wine, liquor, and beer). Second the notion that I would rather have 3 nice dinners than 10 trips to a faster food joint.
Travel/Entertainment (about $200/mo on average) I have always loved traveling but I am frugal on the details of always looking for flights, best deals etc. I definitely travel around more than anyone I work with and most friends. I try to always go to visit people so I have somewhere to stay or get a group so we can split the cost.
Skin care: Paula’s Choice (teamed up with the hair and I am still getting carded)
Massage: ($80 every 6 weeks) I get the worst knots in my shoulders and I swear the reason I can’t see cellulite is because I get a massage every 6 weeks. This started after I wasn’t in a steady relationship anymore…
Facials – new addiction
Amazon Prime – but not sure I consider this a splurge bc it pays for itself. When I go to the grocery I would compare prices and the grocery prices were usually higher and I had to carry it up flights of stairs. I’ve got soda water and beer to carry!
Gifts – this is more of a problem but I am good at giving gifts! $300/mos. and that’s with only 1 wedding this year
Dog walker/sitter – If fido ain’t happy, nobody happy.
Not worth the splurge
Jewelry – I like it but never got into it. Most nice pieces I own are from ex-boyfriends including my watch.
Makeup – I wear pretty much just eye stuff and a little lip stuff and I don’t want to pay that much for any of that even though Sephora is fun…
Car – I get made fun of but I drive a junker and will until it dies – no sign of the end yet. Fingers crossed.
Clothes – I love shopping but I have such a small closet that I have had to really pare down the selections and have built it back up with neutral pieces that range from target-nordstrom.
Handbags – never over $200 and I rotate the 6 I have. They are all Kate Spade but I get them at the outlet and I have to let one go before I buy another.
Gym – I never went once I lost my workout buddy. I’d rather do a video at home, run/bike outside, play sports, and if not I pay a trainer or go to a yoga or barre class.
Cable – can’t get it anyway but I don’t think I would go back if I could
Rent – trying to find a good deal is tough but totally worth it so I can have money for the above
Shoes – similar to bags, never over $200 but try to find comfort and shoes that go with lots of stuff. I get the heels replaced often.
On the fence about a house cleaner. Or maybe I am fine with doing it but I just am too lazy to begin the search/set it up etc.
Like this topic!
Splurge: (also required I think)
Vacations: Take 3 in a year. One anywhere in the Caribbean for a long weekend (4days); international (Europe mostly, a week) and lastly to visit my parents and in-laws (a week).
Cabs: avoid subways on weekday mornings and late nights…
Food: take out or Plated for dinner and lunch out at work.
Clothes and bags: not Boss but J.crew, Theory, BR..and rue la la addict. Tumi bag for work which is just great- light and lasts..and oh..shoes but not very expensive
Apartment : balance between space and location but still a lot of $$$
Stationary: I love good pens, pencils, notebooks ( not necessarily expensive but have many and keep buying more)
Hobbies: take lessons on weekend – tennis etc.
laundry : all outsourced
Save: or things that are not high priority
Jewelry : Few good ones that I wear regularly and rotate with those I fancy (forever21, random stores)
Spas: occasional facials, mani pedis outside … Enjoy doing it at home
Cable: nope, don’t need, netflix works
Gym: never went
Splurge-worthy:
– My hairstylist – ~$300 for a cut and color (with tip), which I get done every 6 months or so. I get a trim every other month (~$100). Worth every penny because my stylist is the only person who has ever understood my hair
– Kitchen tools – I am slowly building a good knife set and a good set of All-clad pans. I received a KitchenAid mixer as a gift, otherwise I would have bought it for myself. I love good metal cup measures for dry goods, but Pyrex suffices for liquids.
– Coffee – recently roasted, freshly ground beans are the best! But I can’t tell the difference between good/mediocre wines (bad wines are easy to spot though), so no splurge there.
– Makeup – on mascara (Clinique or Benefit), blush (can’t remember the brand – something in a pot from Sephora), and concealer.
– Shoes – my feet are finicky. They do not like shoes from Payless or Target (which I wore like a boss in high-school, college, and even law school), which is why I say it’s a splurge for me to buy anything from the department store.
Save:
– Hair care – I really can’t tell the difference between salon products and drugstore products. So Pantene, all the way. I occasionally splurge on a bottle of Aveda hairspray.
– Kitchen – save on pantry essentials at Aldi (flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, bread, some produce). Save on utensils like whisks, spatulas, and egg-turners at TJMaxx or Marshall’s.
– Coffee – my Chemex was about $30 (and a $10 box of filters lasts about 6 months). I use off brand sugar substitute and half & half from Aldi.
– Clothing – seriously, I’ll wear whatever fits. Target, thrift, hand-me-downs – doesn’t matter. I have bought one or two “nice” pairs of jeans (~$80), but I’ve also worn jeans that I found at garage sales.
Splurge – my hair dresser and good make-up. And spa days (pedicures relax me). Shoes, I need good quality shoes.
Save – insurances (Shop around until you get a good deal. We do not have tornado where I live yet they always try to sell us the tornado insurance. Packing Lunches and bringing coffee to the office (thankfully our office has a Keurig, so I just bring the cups I like) instead of buying.
My tastes have changed over the years on what I consider to be “splurge” or “save” items.
My new splurge items would be:
Shoes: My poor old feet can no longer handle the cheap $20 throwaway shoes. Good comfortable shoes are worth the splurge.
Purse/Bag: Helps one look like an actual grown up.
Car: It does not have to be a BMW or Merc, but again, no more driving that rusted beater.
Bedding: Ah! You spend 8 hours in bed. Make it count! Buy a decent mattress.
Computer: Hey, it’s my profession so I will pay extra for the Mac over the $300 PC.
Jewelry: I love funky jewelry, but eventually I came around to appreciating the idea of just having 4 or 5 really good classic pieces (pearls, ring, watch, ear studs). I still buy a few “fun” items, but will not pay more than $10 for them if I do.
Things I now don’t care as much about: Haircuts/color, manicures, designer clothing anything, food and wine, dining out, bras, tv sets, furniture, makeup.