In the Wintertime, my favorite indulgence is a long, super hot, bubble bath. I like to watch the snowflakes falling down outside, while inside I'm dreaming of Summer warmth and soaking up the summer scents of lavender.
I would tell my clueless self that a degree from an East Coast semi-elite college wasn't worth a thing, ultimately, and that I would be better off taking a year off from school to do some emotional maturing!
Tea. Vancouver (Richmond) has the best tea outside of China and I spend too much on the good stuff. Cliff tea, tieguanyin, etc...Vancouver is the only place in North America to get really good tea. And since I don't live there, I have to phone in and try to muddle my way through orders with the friendliest guy ever and his wife that doesn't speak English well at all. And me, knowing even less Cantonese.
We splurge on experiencing "new" / "exotic" foods, such as fresh produce that we've never tried before (or want to re-try, such as our recent purchase of dragon fruit), or spices, or pre-cooked item. I know the new thing to do is to buy locally, but who can resist goods from other countries??
I actually live by this little rule everyday! Except, yes, I do spend when I need to, but the point is NOT to spend to keep me from spending money on unnecessary things. For example, I might need to buy gas, and that's okay. But at the same time I'm buying gas, do I really need that three dollar turkey sandwich, or can I wait to eat until I get home? So, I do not spend unless I need something, and maybe once a month I'll spend money on something I want because I deserve it :) It keeps me sane and happy.
I tend to splurge on my lunch each day. It is easier for me to buy lunch each day rather than trying to bring it in my small lunch bag. I am going to try to cut down on that cost by purchasing a larger lunch bag. I also splurged on my new car that I purchased recently.
I been budgeting for the month and was running into the same problems mentioned above. I had just decided to break it up into 2 week chunks, but after reading this, I think I may switch to 1 week at a time. Every day would have worked really well for me when I was single, but I think I'll start with a week now and see where it puts me. Thanks for the timely tip!
What people need to remember is that insurance to begin with is slanted toward the underwriter and if a claim is made the first order of business is to find a way for the insurance company to not have to pay much if anything. Insurance companies in general are not your "friend." Adjusters are paid to adjust your claim and as they are paid by the insurance company guess in whose favor that claim will be adjusted. Second, pet insurance is very very poorly regulated and often amounts to little more than a four letter word and that word is S.C.A.M. Few of us have the legal/analytical skills to successfully navigate a gobbledegook contradictory policy and full policy terms are seldom if ever disclosed at the time of purchase of the policy. Then - uh oh, too late, "but we didn't know" doesn't help when your claim is summarily rejected. Finally, when is money needed most for a beloved family pet? In an emergency! But - you have to pay the vet or emergency clinic up front. They do not bill the insurance for your sick/injured pet's care. You pay the vet and then wait for the insurance company to pay you. IF they decide to (and when, if ever). You still have to have that emergency money to pay up front for your pet's treatment.
I can't help myself: in summer we here in western Oregon are so very lucky to have abundant farmers markets and a more pleasant way to while away a sunny lunch hour cruising the produce and flower stalls simply could not be found. My guilty and expensive pleasure is heirloom tomatos and I've become quite detailed in my search for the perfect heirloom tomato - which varieties are best at which stage of the growing season, which market stall offers the most perfectly ripened tomatos and when, the careful pairings of other delicious fresh foods with said assorted varieties - yes. I am, sadly, even worse than the truffle folks. So much so that I've recently decided there probably needs to be a good twelve-step program for heirloom tomato addiction. I admit I save extra loose change over the fall, winter and spring to "spring on" heirloom tomatos. Is this compulsion? I believe so. Am I going to restrain myself? Oh, no. Not in this lifetime!
Wine and exercise. We love drinking wine, and I figure we should enjoy it before we start trying to get pregnant. We signed up for Taekwondo which cost $35 each, plus a uniform, plus my husbands gym membership.
Things I will use everyday/routinely. Especially things that can be bought once .. expensively and enjoyed for a long time. Beds,cars,shoes.
In the Wintertime, my favorite indulgence is a long, super hot, bubble bath. I like to watch the snowflakes falling down outside, while inside I'm dreaming of Summer warmth and soaking up the summer scents of lavender.
I try to splurge on experiences rather than things.
Travel, travel, travel. The world is my oyster!
I would tell my clueless self that a degree from an East Coast semi-elite college wasn't worth a thing, ultimately, and that I would be better off taking a year off from school to do some emotional maturing!
Tea. Vancouver (Richmond) has the best tea outside of China and I spend too much on the good stuff. Cliff tea, tieguanyin, etc...Vancouver is the only place in North America to get really good tea. And since I don't live there, I have to phone in and try to muddle my way through orders with the friendliest guy ever and his wife that doesn't speak English well at all. And me, knowing even less Cantonese.
Books for my new Kindle! Getting tired of being #89 on the waiting list at the library!
We splurge on experiencing "new" / "exotic" foods, such as fresh produce that we've never tried before (or want to re-try, such as our recent purchase of dragon fruit), or spices, or pre-cooked item. I know the new thing to do is to buy locally, but who can resist goods from other countries??
Food - fast food to be exact. I like the convenience of it!! A few times a week won't hurt the budget too much.
I actually live by this little rule everyday! Except, yes, I do spend when I need to, but the point is NOT to spend to keep me from spending money on unnecessary things. For example, I might need to buy gas, and that's okay. But at the same time I'm buying gas, do I really need that three dollar turkey sandwich, or can I wait to eat until I get home? So, I do not spend unless I need something, and maybe once a month I'll spend money on something I want because I deserve it :) It keeps me sane and happy.
Great article! Thanks for sharing with us!
I actually splurge on shoes--comfortable shoes.
Yarn... good quality soft yarn for knitting projects.
If I'm celebrating something, sometimes I buy pricey food items at the store. I'll buy a good balsamic vinegar, good cheese, crackers, etc.
Good coffee beans and teas from Peets.
Toys and clothes for my 10 month old son :)
I tend to splurge on my lunch each day. It is easier for me to buy lunch each day rather than trying to bring it in my small lunch bag. I am going to try to cut down on that cost by purchasing a larger lunch bag. I also splurged on my new car that I purchased recently.
I been budgeting for the month and was running into the same problems mentioned above. I had just decided to break it up into 2 week chunks, but after reading this, I think I may switch to 1 week at a time. Every day would have worked really well for me when I was single, but I think I'll start with a week now and see where it puts me. Thanks for the timely tip!
I wrote about this in my blog! :)
http://leanwithgreen.blogspot.com/2011/02/discussion-whats-your-biggest-...
What people need to remember is that insurance to begin with is slanted toward the underwriter and if a claim is made the first order of business is to find a way for the insurance company to not have to pay much if anything. Insurance companies in general are not your "friend." Adjusters are paid to adjust your claim and as they are paid by the insurance company guess in whose favor that claim will be adjusted. Second, pet insurance is very very poorly regulated and often amounts to little more than a four letter word and that word is S.C.A.M. Few of us have the legal/analytical skills to successfully navigate a gobbledegook contradictory policy and full policy terms are seldom if ever disclosed at the time of purchase of the policy. Then - uh oh, too late, "but we didn't know" doesn't help when your claim is summarily rejected. Finally, when is money needed most for a beloved family pet? In an emergency! But - you have to pay the vet or emergency clinic up front. They do not bill the insurance for your sick/injured pet's care. You pay the vet and then wait for the insurance company to pay you. IF they decide to (and when, if ever). You still have to have that emergency money to pay up front for your pet's treatment.
Sunglasses. Chapstick. Contact lens case & re-wetting drops.
For us, it's good food. Grass-fed beef. Artisan cheese. Organic produce. Exotic spices. That kind of thing.
I try not to splurge on anything, but I recently bought a house and I often find myself going overboard on my DIY projects.
I can't help myself: in summer we here in western Oregon are so very lucky to have abundant farmers markets and a more pleasant way to while away a sunny lunch hour cruising the produce and flower stalls simply could not be found. My guilty and expensive pleasure is heirloom tomatos and I've become quite detailed in my search for the perfect heirloom tomato - which varieties are best at which stage of the growing season, which market stall offers the most perfectly ripened tomatos and when, the careful pairings of other delicious fresh foods with said assorted varieties - yes. I am, sadly, even worse than the truffle folks. So much so that I've recently decided there probably needs to be a good twelve-step program for heirloom tomato addiction. I admit I save extra loose change over the fall, winter and spring to "spring on" heirloom tomatos. Is this compulsion? I believe so. Am I going to restrain myself? Oh, no. Not in this lifetime!
Right now, we have ours at 71. My right hand is cold and pruny here. I don't know why.
Wine and exercise. We love drinking wine, and I figure we should enjoy it before we start trying to get pregnant. We signed up for Taekwondo which cost $35 each, plus a uniform, plus my husbands gym membership.