I tend to splurge on something special for myself when I'm extremely stressed out--I use it as a goal to get to the end of a hard project or an especially hard day. Of course, my version of splurging is maybe spending $4 on a latte instead of making coffee at home, as opposed to buying a big screen TV. Sometimes that's all I need to feel like I'm pampering myself!
I think it's ok to splurge when you know that what you're splurging on might offer you some serious value beyond the cost of the purchase(s). I'm a firm advocate for purchasing quality cookware, tools, etc. because cheap stuff might need replacement several times, eventually adding up to the same cost you would have paid for something a little more expensive but of much higher reliability and quality.
I also think it's important to splurge on yourself every once in a while (within the confines of an established budget), because let's face it...it can be difficult to be frugal when you can't spend a little extra every now and again to make yourself HAPPY for being frugal. So if you're the type to save money by shopping at thrift stores for clothing, and you do it consistently all year round, then you shouldn't feel bad for buying a high quality, high end suit or dress for an upcoming special occasion. You've worked hard, you should treat yourself :)
I just splurged on new shoes. But these are well made shoes that are comfortable, I will have for a long time and wear like iron! This morning I dropped off my old pair (same manufacturer) at a shoe repair place to have the heels replaced...I love them that much.
That is some very good advice that is commonly overlooked. Subpoena the officers records and check him out thoroughly; see if he has a history of complaints and/or questionable acts to fulfill his ticket quotas by any means necessary. Many of these officers do this, I have been a victim of this myself and could have taken him to court and won had he not realized I was more educated than he was and would not be taken advantage of without a fight. I got pulled over one time for no reason at all, and when I asked the officer (who wanted to search my car for reasons that are beyond me) what his reason for pulling me over was and to explain the probably cause for doing so and requesting to search my car he stayed quiet for a moment and responded by telling me "I made eye contact with him when he passed me that made me look suspicious". Seriously? Needless to say, I did not let him search my car and did not get any type of citation. My point is that challenging a citation is the right thing to do, especially when you know you should not have received it. Everyone needs to remember that these cops are just people, not gods among men who get to do whatever they want to you without just cause or proper explanation. Don't let yourself become a victim.
I think it's okay to splurge if you've taken care of your obligations first, it is your birthday or anniversary, and you have thought about some avenue to accomodate the splurge, like using coupons, a special sale, bartering, etc. Maybe that is a splurge - with modifications!
Of course it's okay to splurge. It's okay to splurge when it really IS a splurge - you can't have a daily treat and act like it's no big deal. But a monthly fancy coffee drink or something like that, something that you really savor and enjoy, is only going to help you keep on track, not derail you. If it's derailing you, it's not a splurge, it's a budget problem.
Honestly, I sometimes make a good ol' fashioned pros & cons list for whatever I'm about to buy. Concerning things like junk food, usually impulse buys are more of a craving than actual hunger so generally I'll try to wait until I get home to eat.
Time to join a Credit Union! So much better than banks. I actually MAKE about $3 on my checking account each month with my high yield checking account at my CU. By far better services than any bank I have gone to. It's not a problem that they aren't everywhere because you can got to a store with your FREE debit card and get cash back for FREE. No charges. It just makes sense.
i setup a splurge fund. put aside a little bit of extra money each week and use that on fun things. that way you aren't eating into your day to day funds.
1. Twice a year (if you haven't been buying much for yourself the whole time)
2. When you get that third pay-check in 1 month (for bi-weekly pay)
3. When you first get that raise (to celebrate)
4. When you know you'll get a lot of use out of it and it's been a while since you got yourself something nice
5. When it's a genuine hobby
I splurge on footwear, as I am a diabetic and protecting my feet is job #1. My favorite and best wearing shoes are Merril footwear and Sanita clogs. I also wear name brand "running shoes". This is a no-brainer as wearing poor quality shoes can really have horrible and life ending concequences.
For me, it's okay to splurge with gift money. Just had a birthday and received some cash from family members and I am going to buy something just for me, although I have to admit my frugal/pay off debt/saving voice is telling me to not to do that.
I think it's ok to splurge if it is something that you'll use (on a regular basis), and is something you care about getting better quality on. For example: shoes for work. You could buy some cheapy shoes from Target which will last about 6 months-1 year before they start wearing out and looking bad OR you buy higher quality shoes that last longer, and look nicer over that longer period of time.
But if you don't care about how your shoes look, splurging on shoes is a bad idea.
It's okay to splurge when you have the money saved up for said splurge beforehand! My favorite splurge is eating out at nice places, usually for lunch (Great food, less $$) and we save up or set aside money before we do so. The mental peace of knowing that the money is already there instead of the worry of where is it going to come from makes for an enjoyable time! (How can anyone enjoy themselves if they have to worry about how to pay for what they're enjoying?) Not me! I'd rather wait and have it paid for before I enjoy it. Patience is worth it. (That said, we're saving up for our next vacation--hoping to go in abut 12 - 14 months, and we've already been saving for a year! But it will be fun and a "no-worries" trip!)
Years ago a friend taught me this rule: when you get an unexpected inflow (a bonus, tax return, gift money), put 3/4 of it away in savings and splurge with the remaining 1/4. That way you get the best of both worlds and don't feel either guilty (not saving) or ashamed (splurging). I've done it ever since!
If you're not using housing, grocery or insurance money, it's okay to splurge on very special occasions (like anniversaries), or to purchase a needed item that is available at a reduced price.
I tend to splurge on something special for myself when I'm extremely stressed out--I use it as a goal to get to the end of a hard project or an especially hard day. Of course, my version of splurging is maybe spending $4 on a latte instead of making coffee at home, as opposed to buying a big screen TV. Sometimes that's all I need to feel like I'm pampering myself!
I think it's ok to splurge when you know that what you're splurging on might offer you some serious value beyond the cost of the purchase(s). I'm a firm advocate for purchasing quality cookware, tools, etc. because cheap stuff might need replacement several times, eventually adding up to the same cost you would have paid for something a little more expensive but of much higher reliability and quality.
I also think it's important to splurge on yourself every once in a while (within the confines of an established budget), because let's face it...it can be difficult to be frugal when you can't spend a little extra every now and again to make yourself HAPPY for being frugal. So if you're the type to save money by shopping at thrift stores for clothing, and you do it consistently all year round, then you shouldn't feel bad for buying a high quality, high end suit or dress for an upcoming special occasion. You've worked hard, you should treat yourself :)
It is OK to splurge on a grandchild who has had a really bad week. This is what grandma's are all about :)
I just splurged on new shoes. But these are well made shoes that are comfortable, I will have for a long time and wear like iron! This morning I dropped off my old pair (same manufacturer) at a shoe repair place to have the heels replaced...I love them that much.
That is some very good advice that is commonly overlooked. Subpoena the officers records and check him out thoroughly; see if he has a history of complaints and/or questionable acts to fulfill his ticket quotas by any means necessary. Many of these officers do this, I have been a victim of this myself and could have taken him to court and won had he not realized I was more educated than he was and would not be taken advantage of without a fight. I got pulled over one time for no reason at all, and when I asked the officer (who wanted to search my car for reasons that are beyond me) what his reason for pulling me over was and to explain the probably cause for doing so and requesting to search my car he stayed quiet for a moment and responded by telling me "I made eye contact with him when he passed me that made me look suspicious". Seriously? Needless to say, I did not let him search my car and did not get any type of citation. My point is that challenging a citation is the right thing to do, especially when you know you should not have received it. Everyone needs to remember that these cops are just people, not gods among men who get to do whatever they want to you without just cause or proper explanation. Don't let yourself become a victim.
I think it's okay to splurge if you've taken care of your obligations first, it is your birthday or anniversary, and you have thought about some avenue to accomodate the splurge, like using coupons, a special sale, bartering, etc. Maybe that is a splurge - with modifications!
Of course it's okay to splurge. It's okay to splurge when it really IS a splurge - you can't have a daily treat and act like it's no big deal. But a monthly fancy coffee drink or something like that, something that you really savor and enjoy, is only going to help you keep on track, not derail you. If it's derailing you, it's not a splurge, it's a budget problem.
It's OKAY to splurge when you are splurging on your debt snowball!! Also, when it is your mom, and you have put a "splurge" line item in your budget.
When all the bills are paid and you have worked hard and a little extra cash left over!
I also "Like" Wise Bread on Facebook.
Honestly, I sometimes make a good ol' fashioned pros & cons list for whatever I'm about to buy. Concerning things like junk food, usually impulse buys are more of a craving than actual hunger so generally I'll try to wait until I get home to eat.
Sometimes after exercise I'll splurge though :)
I splurge sometimes on gifts for others.
Time to join a Credit Union! So much better than banks. I actually MAKE about $3 on my checking account each month with my high yield checking account at my CU. By far better services than any bank I have gone to. It's not a problem that they aren't everywhere because you can got to a store with your FREE debit card and get cash back for FREE. No charges. It just makes sense.
i setup a splurge fund. put aside a little bit of extra money each week and use that on fun things. that way you aren't eating into your day to day funds.
liked on facebook!
It's okay to splurge occasionally if you have the money to pay for it in cash.
I have a few reasons to splurge:
1. Twice a year (if you haven't been buying much for yourself the whole time)
2. When you get that third pay-check in 1 month (for bi-weekly pay)
3. When you first get that raise (to celebrate)
4. When you know you'll get a lot of use out of it and it's been a while since you got yourself something nice
5. When it's a genuine hobby
For me, splurging is always a no-no. I simply can't afford it. I have to follow my budget down to the dollar or I won't be able to make ends meet.
I splurge on footwear, as I am a diabetic and protecting my feet is job #1. My favorite and best wearing shoes are Merril footwear and Sanita clogs. I also wear name brand "running shoes". This is a no-brainer as wearing poor quality shoes can really have horrible and life ending concequences.
For me, it's okay to splurge with gift money. Just had a birthday and received some cash from family members and I am going to buy something just for me, although I have to admit my frugal/pay off debt/saving voice is telling me to not to do that.
I think it's ok to splurge if it is something that you'll use (on a regular basis), and is something you care about getting better quality on. For example: shoes for work. You could buy some cheapy shoes from Target which will last about 6 months-1 year before they start wearing out and looking bad OR you buy higher quality shoes that last longer, and look nicer over that longer period of time.
But if you don't care about how your shoes look, splurging on shoes is a bad idea.
It's okay to splurge when you have the money saved up for said splurge beforehand! My favorite splurge is eating out at nice places, usually for lunch (Great food, less $$) and we save up or set aside money before we do so. The mental peace of knowing that the money is already there instead of the worry of where is it going to come from makes for an enjoyable time! (How can anyone enjoy themselves if they have to worry about how to pay for what they're enjoying?) Not me! I'd rather wait and have it paid for before I enjoy it. Patience is worth it. (That said, we're saving up for our next vacation--hoping to go in abut 12 - 14 months, and we've already been saving for a year! But it will be fun and a "no-worries" trip!)
Years ago a friend taught me this rule: when you get an unexpected inflow (a bonus, tax return, gift money), put 3/4 of it away in savings and splurge with the remaining 1/4. That way you get the best of both worlds and don't feel either guilty (not saving) or ashamed (splurging). I've done it ever since!
I follow on Twitter and I tweeted the giveaway:
http://twitter.com/#!/smdrm/status/123739071997685760
I LIke Wise Bread on Facebook as Selene Montgomery
If you're not using housing, grocery or insurance money, it's okay to splurge on very special occasions (like anniversaries), or to purchase a needed item that is available at a reduced price.