What do you spend the least on in the course of a year?

[MonkeyMama]

Kind of a hard question to answer. There is a lot of things we don't spend any money on, and a lot of things we buy a lot of, but very used and don't spend a lot on.

Things that come to mind, particularly reading this thread:

Drugs/Medication - $0
Haircuts - $20 per year
Beauty - $0 (I don't get professional manicures or wear much of any makeup, etc.,etc.)
Gaming system/video games - mostly gotten for free (though we have tons)
Books - mostly gotten for free

Probably plenty of stuff we don't spend any money on, that most people do.

[MonkeyMama]

p.S. The average woman where I live spends a heck of a lot more than $600 per year on clothes. !!

[disneysteve]

For the purpose of this thread, I took it to mean of the things you do spend money on, where do you spend the least. There are a lot of things I spend $0 on. I wasn't counting those. I spend $0 on haircuts. My wife spends $0 on makeup.

[MonkeyMama]

Our budget tends to be pretty all or nothing. There really isn't much we spend "only a little bit" on.

[kork13]

The clothing tack is an interesting similarity between everyone. For myself, last weekend I went on a clothing shopping spree.... There's a large outlet mall in the next city over, so I went up there, and spent right about $100 on some new shirts and a couple other items. Got great deals on some stuff I really liked (70+% off), and most likely won't need (or even want) to shop for stuff like that again for at least another 6-12 months.

I'll echo what DS said above... In my mind, that $100 was completely wanton and frivolous. I don't know how people can go out and buy hundreds of dollars of clothing EACH MONTH! But, I suppose most of us think a little differently from a large section of society, so whatever.....

[Ima saver]

I spend less than $50 a year on clothes, just new jeans or shorts when my old ones wear out. I spend less than $10 a year on make up. I have not spent a dime on medical on myself in 3 years. I have never gotten my hair or nails done.

[Caoineag]

I work a professional job and am rough on my clothes so that category definitely doesn't count but makeup would. I have some, I will use it for very special occassions but since I use it so rarely I think the average is about $5 per year if that. No pedicures or manicures either.

[Cassandra]

I spend the least amount on movies throughout the year. Fiance and I have seen one movie so far this year ("Julie and Julia- great movie) and have rented a couple movies. But that's pretty much it.

I also have spent very little on clothes the past couple years but honestly, if I had more money to spend, I would probably buy more clothes.

[GREENBACK]

I spend the least amount on movies throughout the year. Fiance and I have seen one movie so far this year ("Julie and Julia- great movie) and have rented a couple movies. But that's pretty much it.

Just to clarify a bit about this thread. I was asking about general categories of spending;for instance,Things like "movies" would fall into the entertainment category for me. By the way Cassadra, I was dragged to see Julie and Julia on my gf's "chick flick" night with the girls from her workplace and it was a good movie. I was the only guy and was forced to sit in the middle of all those good looking women

She may not invite/drag me to one of these again.

[Cassandra]

Just to clarify a bit about this thread. I was asking about general categories of spending;for instance,Things like "movies" would fall into the entertainment category for me. By the way Cassadra, I was dragged to see Julie and Julia on my gf's "chick flick" night with the girls from her workplace and it was a good movie. I was the only guy and was forced to sit in the middle of all those good looking women

She may not invite/drag me to one of these again.

Definitely entertainment then. We don't spend a lot on going out- we eat out occasionally, but mostly we do free things (a lot hosted by our school. ).

I dragged fiance along with me to see that movie. He was prepared to not like it and sleep through the movie, but turns out he really enjoyed it.

[zakity]

We might spend $600 a year on clothes (shoes included). But, I have three pubescent boys (13, 11, and 11). Blasted kids keep growing.

[marvholly]

Reading over this thread I just realized I, too, have spent nearly NOTHING on clothes this year. I have bought about 6 blouses at resale stores-total spent was about $15-20. That said & done I do generally buy 1-2 pair walking shoes (reebok or new balance) which last several years and are what I wear to work. Generally i do buy at least one complete outfit per summer & fall season but wait for FINAL clearance which s/b in the next week or 2 for summer and shop Kohl's 50-70%off w/ a monthly coupon, Marshalls, Burlington and/or TJ Maxx.

My next cheapest categories are entertainment/eating out at $300-400/year and all non-eating out food, household supplies and cat supplies for $1200/year (wait my heat/hot water/cooking gas is only $900/year and land line phone is $300/year). However, since i lump all utilites in a single category it is over my $1200/year.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Typically clothes we spend the least on but we still spend. I'm surprised so many here spend so little on clothes.

I go through my sneakers 1x year sometimes 2x at $120 a pop. So our shoes can be expensive.

I don't buy new clothes really, but I like new underwear at least once a year, but maybe I'm a female.

My DH gets a haircut at $15/pop every 3 weeks. I used to get a $50 cut every 6 months, but I've changed to a short cut ever 3 months at $50. Decided it's easier and I prefer it to a ponytail.

No makeup but I use a ton of moisturizer and cleaners for DH and I. We're still carded at 30 and 32 for drinks out (just happened this week when we were out with my PARENTS!)

I think around $30/month for medications, mostly for my DH's eye condition, genetic and absolutely necessary.

[disneysteve]

I'm surprised so many here spend so little on clothes.

I go through my sneakers 1x year sometimes 2x at $120 a pop. So our shoes can be expensive.

I think clothing is one of those WANTS vs. NEEDS areas that really bury a lot of people's budgets. They convince themselves that they need a new wardrobe each season. They just MUST have the latest fashion trends. As a result, they spend hundreds each month on clothing.

Those of us around here are the type who buy decent quality timeless designs that we can wear year after year. We also aren't vain about someone seeing us twice in the same outfit. I know people, women mainly, who won't wear a fancy dress more than once for that reason. So they buy a dress, wear it to one event and then give it away. It boggles my mind.

Another problem is weight management. Many people constantly buy new clothing out of necessity because they keep gaining more and more weight. I can't speak for anyone else here, but personally, I eat healthy and keep active in order to maintain my weight. I still wear the same size clothing I wore when I graduated high school in 1982. Aside from the health benefits, it also helps keep the clothing spending under control. I can still wear things that I bought 10 or 15 years ago.

As for shoes, I've never spent anywhere near $120 on a pair. I generally get New Balance sneakers at the outlet for $49 or $59 tops. Same for my everyday shoes. I wear Rockport walking shoes to work and pay about $50 for those also.

[zakity]

**snort** I got "carded" by my kids once. The lady asked me if they were my kids and I said "yes" and she hit the "bypass age" button. I guess kids do make you look old. **teehee**