buying yourself something nice

[m3racer]

I'm curious.......when do you decide to treat yourself to something nice? How much do you spend? What occasion?

[Broken Arrow]

Well, that's a good question, because I just recently upgraded my computer's RAM... and graphics card.

Technically, I don't have a "spending money" category in my budget. So, when "gadget fever" hits me, I have to squeeze it out of existing budget items. I don't always recommend this approach for everybody, but at least for me, it makes me think twice about my every purchase.

When I get the buying itch, I would stop and ask myself #1, if this is even a meaningful purchase, and then #2, check my budget to see if I can actually afford it right now.

If both conditions are met, that's when I start to really agonize, because that's when I know my idle flights of fancy turns into a serious purchase decision. This is usually when I'll go out and take forever staring at things like the product, then my budget, then go home and research it some more, and come back the next day and do it all over again. It used to drive my ex crazy. She could never understand why I don't just buy something if I want it that badly. But that's just the way I am, and I'm glad that I can be my own gatekeeper I guess.

As for my computer upgrades, I upgraded my RAM to 1gig, which makes XP run smoothly all round, and my graphics card is a cheapo that set me back $50. Yeah, it's money, but it's affordable enough and does exactly what I'm looking for. So, overall, I am fine with my purchases.

[QueenOphelia]

I'm treating myself to a Vegas jaunt next weekend. 5 days in the happiest place on earth!

I usually splurge on several nice dinners, a show (doing the Cirque du Soleil Show KA), and lotsa gambling. (all within a set budget of course )

I wish the dollar=euro was better or I'd be off to Europe next weekend. Oh well....

[Scanner]

I lust for one of these:

www.endlesspools.com

Truthfully, I don't know how to get there to the psychological point that would allow me to buy it and not feel guilty abotu college and retirement.

[sweeps]

Scanner, who knows... if you keep pushing those Endless pools, you might get one for free.

[Scanner]

Sweeps,

Yup. . .it's got to be something creative like that.

Or charge people $1 per ride when I'm not using it. Think the wife will go for that?

Actually, seriously. . .since you dutifully bring up that I have brought this up so much, let me ask:

How much of this is a "toy" and how much of this could be considered a home improvement? I mean, I realize pools are kind of one of those things that some people seek out but some people avoid.

Most agents tell you that you'll get your money back out, but not anything more.

Do you think it would be the same for this?

[Ima saver]

I budget $60 a week for credit card charges, so that is my splurge money. Of course a new dishwasher took up several months of splurge money but was badly needed.

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by Scanner

How much of this is a "toy" and how much of this could be considered a home improvement? I mean, I realize pools are kind of one of those things that some people seek out but some people avoid.

Most agents tell you that you'll get your money back out, but not anything more.

Do you think it would be the same for this?

Yes, it's the same, some people (myself included) would shy away from a home that had a pool (even if it was an illustrious Endless Pool ). I look at the pool and think of how much it's going to cost me to maintain it.

Other people may be drooling at the sight of an Endless Pool (I feel like dramatic music should play every time I type that). It's a crap shoot really. How long do you plan on staying in your house? That's probably the biggest factor you should consider.

[cschin4]

I pretty much buy what I want. But, I usually ask myself do I really want it and will I use it. I don't buy more than I can afford and don't have debt.

I do like to treat myself to small purchases. I really like to get a "fancy coffee" ala Starbucks. However, we have no Starbucks but the local convenience store is now making lattes for about $3. I enjoy that.
I really enjoy little treats like this. I don't care to buy clothes, shoes, etc as I am just not interested in shopping for this stuff.

[FrugalFish]

I almost never buy myself much of anything. We have a lot of nice household things, so I guess that kind of counts, but I can't remember the last time I bought something nice as a personal item- haven't even bought clothes in a couple of years(but need them).

When we do buy something special, it is something that we have really wanted for a long time and have saved up money to afford. So often something we think we want loses appeal after a month or two, so if we've wanted it for say 6 months or so, there' s a pretty good chance that we are going to enjoy it a lot for a long time to come.

I'm not much of a shopper, which is why I'm so terrible at even keeping myself clothed. I need to make a point of doing a little more for myself, but I think that will be easier in a few years when money is (hopefully) not quite as tight.

[herm4]

I am pinching every penny right now, so at this point buying flavored creamer for my coffee is a real treat.

[Fern]

well, they have the most delicious salted soft prezels at the mall so whenever i go there, usually less than once a year, i like to treat myself to one of those, with mustard.

[PrincessPerky]

Mostly I 'treat' myself in some way all the time...but for big stuff I put it on my Christmas wish list and my mother does ....

Experience wise, like museums, classes, and such...those so long as it fits in the basic budget every chance we get we go...just no souvenirs, if I bought my kids a souvenir every time we went to the Zoo or some such I would not only not be able to fit in my house, I would double the cost of a visit!

Also I count food as a splurge, and many kinds of food we splurge on all the time....the grapes whether on sale or not, bananas form food lion not BJS (BJS are green for a week, yellow for a day and then brown, can't eat a whole bunch in one day!) Not to mention whole wheat pasta, brown rice..and the 'right' bread...

So either I splurge nearly every day, or never..depends on what you call a splurge (PS no computer upgrades allowed for husband until the car is paid off .)

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I just treat myself like cschin when I feel like it. My big thing which I haven't been able to buy yet, not cost but space issues is a raclette machine. I would love one, we have borrowed our neighbors numerous times, but DH hates buying machines which we use for only one purpose. So though it's a $100 and I have begged for it for 2 years, it hasn't been purchased. I really want one, but the space to keep it would be an issue.

[skydivingchic]

I give myself an allowance of $250/month. This money has to pay for gas for my motorcycle (I have car as my main transportation, the bike is something I ride most weekends for pleasure), going out to eat, fancy coffee, getting my nails done, movie tickets, etc.

My budget is based on 2 paychecks per month, but I get paid biweekly. So twice a year I have a big chunk of money that I get to use for bigger splurges. Most recently it was a pair of good riding pants and some travel.

Finally, I put a good chunk of money into savings each month that goes toward larger short and mid term goals. Right now that money is being saved for a new (to me) car and for travel. Travel is by far my biggest splurge - it is one of my passions. DBF and I take one big trip each year, alternating years outside the country.

[Caoineag]

Hmmm...hard to answer.

My normal splurge is out to eat which I have been cutting back on.

My big splurges depends on the item. My LCD TV 720p 32"(not the 1080p I originally wanted but I still couldn't justify the higher one) took me over a year to buy. But when my much wanted ps3 (Final Fantasy Addict) went on sale plus they were discontinuing backwards compatibility on all other models (I got the 60gb ps3 and I own tons of ps2 and ps1 games), I made room in my budget by cutting back on my other splurges (groceries and out to eat).

Usually I try to wait a year for my really big ones, sometimes more if they are really expensive but my little splurges I am trying to get to once a week or less...

[Scanner]

How long do you plan on staying in your house? That's probably the biggest factor you should consider.

Sweeps,

Barring any major life changes (job loss, disability, etc), after our unplanned pregnancy, I told my DW to take a good look at our house - this is it. This is the house we will be in, probably even if we can afford something more.

Last year, we drove through a nice neighborhood - about the same size houses as ours but an acre of land. Really well done neighborhood - sprawling land for our kids to actually play on. My wife said, "I want to live the good life." I know she wanted to live there.

But truthfully, with the business, a baby on the way (and I am hoping the Twin-O-Meter is broken), I just don't think I can care for that amount of property. I like lawn care but the idea of riding a tractor 3 hours every Saturday. . .I don't know. . .if I was retired, I'd do it. I'm just pulled so many different directions.

Funny thing is, I think she's releived to know this is our house, the house the kids will grow up in. Maybe she's growing old but she's more accustomed to just "settling" and not being so ambitious.

So. . .the short answer, we'll be a long time in this house, our McMansion.

So. . .can I have the endlesspool?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by cschin4

I pretty much buy what I want. But, I usually ask myself do I really want it and will I use it. I don't buy more than I can afford and don't have debt.

Originally Posted by FrugalFish

I almost never buy myself much of anything.

When we do buy something special, it is something that we have really wanted for a long time and have saved up money to afford.

These quotes describe me pretty well. If there is something I really want and know I will make use of, I buy it as long as the price is reasonable. Most commonly, a "treat" will be a nice but practical item, like new cookware or a top-quality kitchen knife. I'm not one to buy frivolous things. One exception is items for our collection of Walt Disney memorabilia, though in recent years, we've drastically slowed our collecting. Years ago, we routinely spent a few thousand/year on items to add to our collection. Now, we may only pick up one or two pieces a year.

Like some others, I like to splurge with a nice meal out or a trip to the casino. I'd rather do that anyday than buy some useless piece of junk that will end up on our yard sale table in a few years.

[cschin4]

So. . .can I have the endlesspool?


Do you want to do pool care? Do you want to maintain the water, clean it , add the chemicals, etc? Do you want to maintain the filtration system and so forth?
If you like to swim, why not get a local YMCA membership and swim there a couple of times a week? They do the maintainence and you get to swim laps in a real pool. I would think swimming in place would get quite boring in a short time.

[Scanner]

The local Y is 28 minute drive away. There is a pool about 15 minutes away in a gym and I actually went there about 2-3 weeks ago and got a temporay 1 week free membership.

I was going to convert it into a full membership when the wife dropped the pregnancy bomb. It's not the money as so much the time. 15 minutes there. . .15 minutes back. . .30 minute workout. 2 kids and now a baby.

But if it was down my basement, I do it. I'd make the kids do it as I sat in a chair and coached them with a whistle. I know I would. I lovvvvvve to swim. BAck and forth, back and forth (or in place). The sound of bubbles in my ear.

I would swear too. . .I feel better and get less disease.