The cost of household items is

[Tink33]

so high. When did things get so expensive?

In the last month we purchased both a new bed for my DS and a new dryer.

We went to the local mattress store and I couldn't believe the prices for beds. I sat on one while my DS tested out the different kinds. I remarked that the mattress I was sitting on was comfortable and when I looked at the price tag it was almost $5000 on sale!

We went to Costco for our dryer. My DH liked the look of those front loading washers and dryers with the glass doors. The set was about $2500 with the pedestals that were "necessary".

Is this why most people are in debt? Is it because homes are so expensive now and you have to put nice stuff in them? Is it the younger generation?

???

 

[Christine]

Well, I'm not sure how this is a "younger" generation thing, but there has been an increasing demand for "luxury" items. Stuff like: the tempurpedic mattresses made with "space age" materials and the "industrial" quality laundry machines. As there is more affluency, there is more demand for it. And then there are ALWAYS those people who cannot afford it, but still *must* have it.

I just bought myself a new washing machine last weekend. For a split second, I thought about getting a front loader-heck, I *can* afford it. But, you know what? The old top loader has served me well for a lifetime and my money can be better spent elsewhere. So, I got a $400 washing machine.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Is this why most people are in debt? Is it because homes are so expensive now and you have to put nice stuff in them? Is it the younger generation?

???

well - this statement really doesn't make sense to me.

yes - some homes can be expensive...

you don't HAVE to put nice stuff in them (I know the living room in my first house looked like parents house circa 1990...as I had all their old furniture) Heck - we are in our second house and our dining room table has crayon marks on it from when DH was a KID! The mattress in our guest room is what i had when I was about 5.

I really don't see what "the younger generation" has to do with it. Everyone has different priorities.

I personally never saw (and still don't ) see the thrill of a front load washer with matching dryer. As Christine said - the top loaders still get the job done...and a more resonable price. And, personally, my laundry room isn't on the "tour of the house" to guests...it's a room only I see. (I'm unsure DH even knows where the washer/dryer is)

Yes - things are expensive these days...but more affordable alternatives are available (white or black appliances vs. stainless steel for another example)

 

[Crankyshank]

I really haven't noticed an increase in cost of furniture and appliances. I have noticed a lot more fancy things out there that cost $$$ but the standard tried and true every day boring models are still there and in a lot of cases they dropped in price because so many people are going for the fancier model.

Our washing machine is 20yrs old and is starting to really show its age. I never understood the need for a front loaded especially since it means having to squat or bend over to get the stuff out of the washer - top loaders work just as well, less likely to leak, last pretty long, and are at least half the cost.

 

[Chicago526]

I think furniture is way over priced. I hunted for 2 years before finding a sofa/love seat combo for $1600 that wasn't butt ugly. And I'm still searching for a resonable priced bedroom set. In my 29 years on this Earth, I've never ever had a matching bedroom set, and I'd really like to have one. But I can't see paying $2000 to $3000 for a bed stand, two dressers and a couple of night stands! And that's at the low end of the price spectrum!

I'm 29 and DH is 33, and all of our "stuff" is bargin basement. All our appliances and furniture are basic model "entry level". Except the new dishwasher, we did by a mid-level one, since we'll have it for the next 15 years we figure we might as well get a ice one! Oh, and we have a really nice washer and dryer, but they came with the house, so that doesn't count.

 

[Tink33]

By younger generation, I meant people in their 20s and 30s.

I guess I am wondering who buys $5000 beds X 2/3/4 people in the house? Who spends $2500 on something that cleans your clothes?

I work in the credit industry. Today a credit report crossed my desk in which the person's revolving debt (credit cards) was $86,000. Add in installment loans and it was well over $100,000. I briefly wondered what the person bought for $86,000 and then thought about the cost of "luxuries".

 

[happybratpack]

I have a friend that I've known since HS that spends like there is no tomorrow. Her father passed away and she rec'd a sizeable amount of ins money. She bought a house a few years ago and bought the top of the line of everything...from mattresses to furniture to appliances to electronics. She blew through the entire fund and is now in $$$$$ of debt. I honestly think it's a case of keeping up with the Jones' at any cost.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

I dont think it has anything to do with the younger generation or the new houses.

We live in a small house based on many comparisons and we bought a front loader. Our reasoning was we have our own septic system. The front loader uses a max of 12 gallons of water whereas a top loader used 55 gallons. For us the extra 250.00 we spent is much less than the 15000.00 to replace our septic system.

We would never spend 5000.00 on a bed. We like nice things and trips but we save and bargain shop for those nice things as well. I never buy anything that isnt on sale so I will watch/stalk (LOL) what we want for a few weeks.

 

[Crankyshank]

I'm 31 and like I said- I have no need to spend money on a front loading washer and would never ever pay $5000 for a mattress.
When we bought our (old and small) house 3yrs ago and had to purchase a fridge and a stove we went with basic models instead of stainless steel/bottom freezer/ceramic top models.

I don't really know anyone my age that would spend that kind of money on a washer & dryer or a mattress. We're more the IKEA sort of folks where our parents are the expensive appliance type

 

[Nancy]

I have a friend that I've known since HS that spends like there is no tomorrow. Her father passed away and she rec'd a sizeable amount of ins money. She bought a house a few years ago and bought the top of the line of everything...from mattresses to furniture to appliances to electronics. She blew through the entire fund and is now in $$$$$ of debt. I honestly think it's a case of keeping up with the Jones' at any cost.

She sounds like my SIL. Whenever she or her husband changed jobs instead of rolling over their 401 K they would cash them out and spend like crazy. They lost lots of money and all they have to show is nice furniture and appliances. When they retire they will have nothing to fall back on...and when he DH got fired they were in serious trouble because of having no savings! BUT they have expensive leather furniture (that the dog has ruined) top of the line appliances (but she can't cook) and the best beds money can buy, plus a hot tub, nice patio furniture/ gazebo and firepit. But the killer in all this is they don't even have life insurance on themselves because they "can't afford it"..but they do drive brand new, top of the line cars with all the bells and whistles. You would never know from how they are with money that she was related to her 2 brothers, they are both frugal.
Oh well, if that is how they want to live, so be it. I'd rather have money in the bank for retirement.

 

[cardaway]

I really haven't noticed an increase in cost of furniture and appliances. I have noticed a lot more fancy things out there that cost $$$ but the standard tried and true every day boring models are still there and in a lot of cases they dropped in price because so many people are going for the fancier model.

ITA with this. In fact it's also true for most electronics.

 

[Chicago526]

I do have to say, though, that I think if I were going to blow a ton of money on a single item, it would be my mattress. We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping, may as well be comfortable!!! I slept in one of those "Heavenly" beds at a Marriott once, it was the BEST nights sleep I've every had, at home or on the road. I'd pay top dollar to sleep like that every night!

 

[disneysteve]

There is a very interesting book on this topic called "Trading Up: The New American Luxury." Basically, more and more people are "trading up" to designer appliances, premium liquors, bistro food, fancy coffee, etc. The cheap standard stuff is still out there and is still cheap, but people aren't satisfied with those things anymore.

$5000 for a mattress is INSANE. We got ours about 5 years ago for about $800, and I'm certain we could get a comparable one today for the same price. We got a new clothes washer 2 years ago when our old one died: $300. New dishwasher last year: $400. Sure, there were fancy ones with all the bells and whistles for 3 times as much, but we didn't buy those. Didn't need them and thought it was nuts to spend that kind of money on them.

Far too many people have forgotten how to distinguish wants from needs. You might need a washer and dryer, and for $500-600, you can get a set that will work just fine for the next 10-15 years. Or you can spend $2500 and it will still only last 10-15 years. No brainer in my book.

 

[disneysteve]

In the last month we purchased both a new bed for my DS and a new dryer.

So how much did you actually spend for the mattress and dryer?

 

[Christine]

Even though, in my first post on this thread, I "DISed" the top loading washers, I do want to come to their defense.

If, and I say *IF*, I had some extra cash laying around, I might get one. Why? Well, actually they are kind of worth the money. They are much more energy efficient and they are much gentler on your clothing. Also, you can wash twice as much in one load than you can in a top loader. Believe me, with a family of 4, I could use that occasionally. So, the front loaders aren't necessarily a "gourmet" item but, if you are on a budget, it would probably not be the best move to buy one.

Seriously, though, I know people who have bought them so that their laundry room looks good.

 

[Free4Life11]

I do have to say, though, that I think if I were going to blow a ton of money on a single item, it would be my mattress. We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping, may as well be comfortable!!! I slept in one of those "Heavenly" beds at a Marriott once, it was the BEST nights sleep I've every had, at home or on the road. I'd pay top dollar to sleep like that every night!

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/service/reservations_service.html

You can order Westin's "Heavenly Bed."

To be honest, it looks like a MAJOR PITA to make each day!

 

[Regina]

Our 12 year old dryer croaked on Friday so off we went to Lowe's. We found a Whirlpool with the features I want on sale for $437 less 10%, which ironically brought it below the $397 price point that includes free delivery and removal. We agreed to add $4.00 to simplify things and get the latter offer.

From there, we went to Best Buy to return something. Out of curiosity, we looked at the dryer there. It was $499 so we were very happy with what we paid.

I did see the high end appliances. They do look nice but couldn't justify the price.

Over the past couple of years, we replaced all 4 mattresses. I found the stores that only sell mattresses were way higher priced than furnitures stores. We got great deals on Sertas and have been very happy with them.

Beats me who's buying the $$$$$$ ticket items, but it sure isn't me.

 

[punkin]

mattresses are expensive, but there are ways to get them slightly cheaper. I bought my DD7 a top of the line sealy posturepedic (no pillowtop) twin last year for $375 including box spring. It was a floor model but was in great shape. Retail it would have been over $800.

I bought myself a simmons extra firm king size for $999 including box spring. It was on a massive sale and has no pillowtop. Pillowtops, silk and wool blend ticking, "space age" materials, 18" deep mattress(which needs expensive bedding) is what is driving up the prices and (IMO) giving very little return for your money.

I also vote for front loaders for convenience (I do less loads) and economy (saves on water and electricity and wear and tear on clothes). I certainly did not buy them to make my (very ugly) laundry room look good.

 

[Tink33]

So how much did you actually spend for the mattress and dryer?

We picked a gas dryer, one model up from the lowest price because it had super capacity = $450. I think we received a discount because it was the floor model. They are no longer carrying this model because (according to the salesperson) "everyone is buying the other set".

The bed was more than I wanted to spend. We bought the least expensive queen bed in the store. We agreed to a mismatched mattress and box spring and the total with delivery was $969. When it was delivered the next day, we did receive a matched set.

And then DH visited the Bose store and frugal Lesley was not there to protest.

 

[delilah]

By younger generation, I meant people in their 20s and 30s.

I guess I am wondering who buys $5000 beds X 2/3/4 people in the house? Who spends $2500 on something that cleans your clothes?

I work in the credit industry. Today a credit report crossed my desk in which the person's revolving debt (credit cards) was $86,000. Add in installment loans and it was well over $100,000. I briefly wondered what the person bought for $86,000 and then thought about the cost of "luxuries".

I tend to agree with the generational thing, because I work with people in their mid to late thirties, and I compare their spending with mine when I was their age and in their situation. Going back to when I was in my early 20's and in graduate/professional school, my husband and I knew how to have a really good time without spending a boatload of money. We had to. Our stipends in grad school were about $400/mo for each of us. We went to $1 movies on campus, thought a hamburger from McDonald's was a rare treat and splurge. Vacations were spent going to visit our family (who lived in Florida). We went to WDW once, before we were married, and not again until we finished graduate/professional school, and I was in private practice for two or three years. These were one day trips; we returned to our family's home at the end of the day. We made our first vacation trip with no other family several years after I was in practice. Other trips were strictly to attend conferences that were required.

In contrast, the newbies in my office have been relatively big spenders. One fellow bought his fiance such an expensive engagement ring that the jeweler sent him a box of chocolates to thank him. (Mine cost about $300, and was from a place like Service Merchandise). The other new couple, who are married to each other took a three week vacation in Australia the first year they were in practice. The second year in practice, she conceived her first child on a three week vacation in Europe. Now, I know vacations in Australia and Europe don't come cheap, and, I know I couldn't afford not to work for three weeks, and not get paid. I know how much these people get paid, and it isn't more than what my my husband and I make.

My financial goals, simply state, are not to owe any money, and to save enough to pay bills during retirement. I'm not sure how these people would be able to, and they aren't children anymore--35 is middle aged, like I am.