Do you have luxuries?

[BCHGRL]

When it comes to my home, I am willing to splurge on luxury. I feel that if I make my home comfortable and enjoyable, I will spend less time away from my home (time away from home, work, or family translates into money spent for me). Same for hubby. I have made it so comfortable here that he is content to stay home.

I have cable, internet, a big-screen tv with HD, new flooring (including hardwoods), a HUGE sectional, a new sink, surround sound.

One luxury that I would like to have is a jet ski. My husband had one for a few years and it was so much fun, especially where we live.

Our cars are paid off so we don't spend much on them, other than just regular maintenance. Just a few days ago, I calculated that we have saved close to $10,000 so far driving vehicles that are paid for. Mine was paid off June of 05 and his was May of 06. I don't spend much on clothes, beauty items, dining out, etc.

[Ima saver]

I will splurge on my house also. When we built this house, I splurged for all new furniture and I love the way my house looks! If we build a new one, I will probably buy all new furniture again.

[MonkeyMama]

I live in an upscale neighborhood and I was surprised how frugal some of my neighbors are. A lot of them have gorgeous houses but buy everything secondhand, etc. We were just discussiong why toddler beds were a waste - a mattress on the floor will do. They have more but seem less concerned with appearances overall. I think they are more concerned with their portfolios. Like someone said the poor will measure wealth by "things" and the rich by "portfolios." I see that being around more well-off people.

I have many rich clients of all walks of life. Most of them are quite frugal and would enjoy this message board. It also amazes me how penny-wise and pound-foolish some of them are. My god - I had a doctor want to fire us because he couldn't see why HE couldn't do our job. We are all sitting around smacking our heads - because he makes 100s of dollars an hour focusing on his work and not worrying about the complexities of the tax code - duh. He is so frustrating to deal with you hope he will give it a try - be our guest - LOL. I Can think of a handful of our clients that live in excess, but most of them are of the "Millionaire next Door" variety. Sure they might have fancy cars and houses and such, but they have more money than they know what to do with at this point. I guess the point is they are pretty obsessed with retaining wealth and micro-manage their money. I agree overall taking a risk and such will put you exponentially ahead, but combine that with frugalness and many people realize you can get that much more ahead.

[Aleta]

Until most of us get to the point of where we want to own our lives again, we have done some of the same things. When I look back, I can see when I went to sales parties and put everything on my credit card because that was what everyone else was doing. I think we just don't want to look like we can't afford it. At least this is the way my husband used to think. I look around now and watch how friends and family that I know spend money if there's no tomorrow and I just feel bad for them. Some make very good and above salaries but they are caught up in that world. I can see where they are and I know from experience what it will take for them to climb out of it.

[Daylily]

I buy sushi rolls at the grocery store every week.
Delicious treat but absolutely not necessary.

[Ima saver]

Oh, I just got my self some new crystal glasses. My "good" glasses were a gift to me for pet sitting, about 35 years ago, the color was all gone from being washed so much. Now I can have people over and offer matching glasses! That will be my christmas present!

[kealina]

[quote=BCHGRL]When it comes to my home, I am willing to splurge on luxury. I feel that if I make my home comfortable and enjoyable, I will spend less time away from my home (time away from home, work, or family translates into money spent for me). Same for hubby. I have made it so comfortable here that he is content to stay home.
QUOTE]

DH and i have discussed it and we believe in that idea too... your home should be your haven... it is one of our future goals...

[tgavin71]

I have a few luxuries. I save in other areas of the budget to be able to afford them.

Lunch with friends twice a month.
Case of beer once a month
Holidays 3 or times a year. Usually for 2 weeks at a time.
Chocolate, lollies, chips, biscuits, store cakes,icecream etc etc etc. Although we do have a canteen at home and each day we all get a set amount of money to spend so we don't go crazy.
Gym membership ( to work of all the chocolate etc)

Of course we could survive without all these but for me it is a part of enjoying life.

[PauletteGoddard]

I am an infantile Aries: all my luxuries become instant needs. However, my lunar Capricorn (for the Freudian, substitute "id" for Aries and "superego" for Capricorn) puts the kibosh on many of these items.

Luxuries are usually everything pertaining to bed and bath: the ablutions, the scents, the bubbles! the silk upon moist and glistening skin, the slide into heavenly sheets and fluffy pillows, the heavy Hudson's Bay blanket to remind me of my homeland. There are also the luxuries of the occasional chocolate treat with pure whipped cream, the even less frequent splurge of veal scallops, the ordering of the Flexcar for jaunts with young child or disabled friend.

But the one gift I want from my husband this holiday season? The Fracas gift set. I love a good fragrance too.

[lrjohnson]

My luxuries:
International travel
Netflix
Cable internet
Seltzer water and club soda
Out to eat twice a month.

The fewer luxuries I have, the more I appreciate them. The less I go out to eat, the more I enjoy it.

[rduell]

I've been trying to think of what our luxuries are. Besides eating out too often, one of them would be caller I.D. We like to be able to see who is calling before we answer the phone or be able to see who called while we were out if they don't leave a message.

Our caller ID phone display is going bad though, so I may cancel it and save the extra $7 a month.

[PrincessPerky]

Long hair, it goes down to my knees, aside from the cost of shampoo/conditioner, I generally find it gets in the way of work, and time is money.....

[Broken Arrow]

You have hair that goes down... to your knees? PrincessRapunzel?

[beebop25blue25]

My splurges tend to be food! We splurge on the weekends with steaks, if we don't have that we go out to eat. We also have dishnetwork 180 channels. This is a must with 5 kids , plus a husband that is addicted to the TV. And actually it doesn't cost but about $6.00 more a month that my crappy cable tv used to! We also have caller ID. I HATE talking on the phone and with caller ID I can decide when it rings if I want to answer or not!! We cut back in other areas so it balances out!

[Thrifty Ray]

luxuries:

Our travel trailer...which we thoroughly enjoy during camping season.
High speed internet...which the business pays for and I enjoy for free!
My morning coffee. Regular old folgers with vanilla creamer--but it is one of my most treasured rituals.

We live on 2 acres...which provide plenty of room for family, hobbies, pets, parents and hopefully this year a garden!!

[Ima saver]

I love steak, I try to buy it on sale, but even if it is not, I want steak at least once a week.

[sarah]

I think that my entire life is luxurious. I live better than anyone did at the turn of the 20th century and better than over 80% of the world's population today. However what are my luxuries in middle class American Terms.

180 channel dishnetwork. I adore it
netflix

[Fern]

Organic food.

[lgslgs]

I bought an 18 pack of eggs for $1.88 this afternoon. In October they were $1.22. Ugh.

Guess that's my luxury for the week!

Lynda

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

You have hair that goes down... to your knees? PrincessRapunzel?

yeah pretty cool to some, sheer lunacy to others...a luxury either way!

While we are on the subject of luxuries..disposable feminine pads