What do you splurge on, what do you skimp on?

[southern_redhead]

I was thinking about my budget today. I cut corners where I can: I try to buy items on sale or with a coupon (or even better on sale WITH a coupon.) I will buy store brand if it is just as good and I can't get the namebrand cheaper. I also try to really get my money's worth out of what I buy...but there are a few things I refuse to skimp on (well, I do still try to get a deal on them but I would buy them regardlesss.) They are:

Juice Beauty Skincare: I have sensitive acne prone skin. I bought some of this once and it worked sooo well. I ran out and tried to get by with drugstore stuff, welcome back, acne! I have vowed to not go without JB anymore...that and my Minocycline. I mean, at 32 no one should have to have zits! I do buy it through mypoints and get 2 pts per dollar so it's not too bad.

Clothing: I used to buy super cheap for us but ended up rebuying at least once during the season, stuff just didn't hold up. Now I buy the more expensive items but have been able to get deals by shopping off season with a coupon. The clothes wear and hold up so much better, I can pass down older DS's clothes to younger DS and they still look new, I can sell DD and younger DS's clothes at our 2x a year consignment sale and make back a fair amount of money.

Tide/All detergent: This probably plays a part in the above clothing staying nice. I have tried other detergents but found that they faded clothing or sometimes even streaked it or left stains. I use the F&C versions of both brands.

I will, however, skimp when possible. I buy my CG foundation at Dollar General with a $1 off coupon, I buy el cheapo cat litter (they don't seem to care one way or the other and it all works fine), I will only buy Bath and Bodyworks when they have a great sale and I have a good coupon. Unless I can get a great deal on namebrand vegetables I buy the walmart brand. My kids may get several really nice things at Christmas or their birthday but they don't get any toys or video games in between unless they save their money and buy it on their own (barring special trips or occasions, then we set a limit of what we will spend). That's just a few things...... What are yours?

 

[momx2]

Splurge = DVC
Skimp = My clothes and eating out

 

[JaymeC]

I splurge on things that make my life easier and things that I'm going to remember the rest of my life. Usually this means splurging on the big stuff and living cheap day to day. So we take great vacation (though even those I usually keep under 2k), I have a good camera, and I have a Kindle because that makes MY life so much easier (you wouldn't believe how high I can pile book....)

But I shop at thrift store for clothing, clip coupons, and hit up the yard sale most weekends. In fact, I'm done shopping for our boy (4 and 5) for Christmas besides a few movie I want to pick up for them because I buy stuff and sock it away from yardsales I do need to buy for dh still though. I also guess I skimp in a way on housing. We live in a SMALL house, about 900sqft. But this serves many purposes in saving money, one of which is I only buy what we LOVE because we need to have a spot for it

 

[Green Tea]

I'll splurge on travel, purses, clothes for DD, cars.

I'll skimp on gas (always go to the cheapest station,) buy store brand items with a couple of exceptions. Actually hard to think of things here. Hummm.....

 

[Eliza32]

I'm in the UK, so clipping coupons is not a national passtime like it seems to be in the US, but I'm always doing it. Been to the US so many times I feel like I'm an honorary citizen!!
Our splurges are really coming to the US so often, and toilet paper - I have to have the best!!
oooh.....and then there's my MAC cosmetics. Otherwise I shop in Poundstretcher (our equivalent of Dollar Tree), Aldi and other local supermarkets. Wish people over here would get into the habit of yard/garage sales!!!

 

[torinsmom]

My splurges usually revolve around my son. He usually gets the things he really wants, like electronics and music stuff. OTOH, he is not into high end clothing, so $17 cargo jeans and a few t-shirts, Hanes socks and boxers are all he really needs in the clothing dept. I am beginning to have to splurge on shoes for him, because he is going into a size 15 and they are not easy to find.

I skimp on my clothes; most come from the thrift shop or from the clearance racks at Kohl's and other stores. I see no need to spend $50 on a pair of pants when I can get 4-5 outfits for that same money. I do splurge on new shoes, although I always buy on sale. I just can't wear shoes that have been on other people's feet.

I skimp at the grocery store to make our dollars stretch. I will buy generic in a heartbeat.

I guess you could say I splurge and skimp on vacations. We got to WDW every year, but we stay offsite, drive and don't buy a lot of souvenirs. We share meals, or sometimes eat meals offsite.

Marsha

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Splurge is DVC
Skimp is eating out


I also skimp when buying stuff for myself and splurge on my Grandchild Seems I dont need 800 shoes after all LOL

 

[superme80]

I splurge on food. I love to cook and bake and mostly do it from scratch. So I try and use the best ingredients. Yes it can get pricey, but We save on not eating out. I skimp on driving. If I don't leave the house I don't use gas or wear and tear on my vehicle!

 

[Marionnette]

I splurge on travel, quality cooking ingredients and shoes. I skimp on entertainment and eating out. We rarely eat out b/c Im a very good cook. So if we want an exceptional meal then it has to be at a premium restaurant. Cant afford to do that very often. And we dont go to the theater, movie, concerts or sporting events except for special occasions.

 

[rszdtrvl]

We splurge on media items (books, video games, dvd's).

However, we have no problems drinking store brand soda.

I am the queen of the Amazon.com preorders! I love pre-ordering stuff and then being able to not have to hunt them down in the stores or remembering when they are supposed to be released.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

I am beginning to have to splurge on shoes for him, because he is going into a size 15 and they are not easy to find.

Marsha

My 14 year old is going in to size 15 too!!! I couldn't believe when we took him in to get running shoes (he's currently training for the Disney half!) he measured a 14!!!!!! He's taller than I am now and I'm 5'10"!! He's going to be a TALL kid.

My only splurges:
electronics (I love the latest and greatest!!)
Vacations (I really like vacations where everything is taken care of - cleaning, cooking, etc)
RUNNING SHOES!!! We're all runners. I just spent $500 on five new pair. Ack! Ds' next pair will have to be special ordered!!!
Groceries. We buy 99% organic, but we have a Trader Joe's. So, I only spend around $150/week for 6 of us.

I don't mind getting cheap clothing (we have an AWESOME thrift store right near us - the kids are always finding Under Armor, Abercrombie, American Eagle, etc.). I think I spent about $100 on clothes last year (this included two new suits - $8 each!).

 

[bookgirl]

Splurge

My new car LOL my first never been owned by someone else car.

Real Gas (I used to do this because real gas was better for older cars, but I do get better milage with non ethanol so I still use it).

Coach..Love Coach about 1-2 a year.

Travel, I like to take 2-4 day trips multiple times per year. With maybe one 4+ days every 2 years.

Twins- I tend to buy them things even when I think it's silly to spend that much on a couple of little boys (okay 11 not so little any more) but that's not all the time but probably more than they need.

Skimp

Generic (as long as they taste the same and does what I need them too I'll buy store brand.

Clothes, I buy on sale/outlet/or discount. I don't need designer clothes. I only pay more when it's a matter of timeless stuff that will last at least 5-10 years (leather coat, classic cut clothes, plain black dress shoes etc), or a matter of necessity like quality shoes for walking or orthepedic needs.

If I don't need the top tier hotel or transportation or seating, I down grade.

I tend to make due with my older stuff and only get new when my current stuff is broke or unable to handle my current circumstances. Even when I get new I tend to recycle my older stuff either by giving it to someone who wants/needs it or at our local charity thrift store. (Old box tv, 6 year old computer, 11 year old luggage. All things I could upgrade but they still work and I just can't make myself buy new until something breaks or is out dated enough to not run my programs LOL)

 

[southern_redhead]

from the clearance racks at Kohl's

I the clearance racks at Kohl's. This summer I got THREE cardigans for $12 total (they were originally $40 each so that would have been $120 )

Skimp is eating out


I also skimp when buying stuff for myself and splurge on my Grandchild Seems I dont need 800 shoes after all LOL

I forgot eating out. We don't do that very often, especially to fast food places. We did yesterday and it reminded me why I detest it: McD's 2 10 pc meals and a cheeseburger and 2 small drinks = $16! Forget that!

I don't have grandkids but I do the same for my kids. I really agonize over whether I NEED whatever I'm buying for myself because that could be money used for them. It's not like I'm growing out of my stuff

 

[Sagginit]

splurge on clothes...its necessary for work.
disney trip once a year
trips to atlantic city on occasion
my education was the splurge of a lifetime...finally able to pay off some extra and try snowballing it after 4 years out of college.

save
groceries, try to use coupons and stack for sale.
eating out, mostly go to chain restaurants and use coupons when i can
drugstore brand beauty products, if i can get an organic product on sale for 1/3 of what i would spend at a cosmetic counter that seems like a no brainer.
car....1992 honda, what a beauty! i cant tell how much ive saved by not having a car payment for over four years.

 

[superme80]

.
car....1992 honda, what a beauty! i cant tell how much ive saved by not having a car payment for over four years.

I have a 1992 Honda too!!! I that car!!!!!!

 

[dyna]

Our big SPLURGE is our diet coke habit we do buy them on sale. oh an my nasty smoking habit maybe some day I'll be able to quit for good. Don't have to include disney visits anymore because I'm in the process of moving there

DH an I are very cheap ppl all my clothes comes from yard sales or thrift stores rarely do I pay more than a dollar for shirt or pants. Food is either bought on sale or generic or both we used coupns an sinch dh is now a senior citzen we shop on senior day so he can save that extra 10%. I color my own hair have a good yrs woth of my color stuff stocked up because i found my brand an color on clearence an stocked up yes I checked the exp date it good for another 2 yrs. We don't eat out often when we do it's either with coupon or dinner for 2 at 15.00 type thing or use coupon an still eat off senior menu. Once offically retired in a few weeks we will no longer travel on weekend when hotels costs more.

The whole month of Sept i myself spent less than 35.00

 

[pampam]

Our splurge is of course our annual pilgramage to WDW.

We've cut out eating out except perhaps a once a month treat at the local chip wagon. (French fries to our American friends) We socialize a lot with friends. If we want a dance, we rent the seniors hall, everyone puts a buck into the contribution box to pay hall rental, and we bring a dish for the pot luck supper before playing cd's and dancing. Or, we get together with friends to play cards or games. We do this once or twice a week. We linedance ($3.00 pp for 2 hours of fun, exercise, but mostly the laughs). I guess we ae blessed with a good network of friends and life is good. Cheap, but good.

Clothes are mostly second hand, or goody bags from friends. Nothing is wasted- surplus food from the garden, errands, helping one another out with chores, everyone passes things around and it all seems to work out.

Of course I watch out for the sales especially on groceries. We rarely buy any processed food- pretty much everything is made from scratch and of course this saves a lot of money as well.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Our splurge is our DVC and APs. We just moved close enough to drive so we can now go several times a year for much cheaper. DS3 is also big into the small Hot Wheels size toy CARS characters so if we are out shopping and we see 1 he doesn't have then we usually get that for him. Those $3.59 Cars add up!

We skimp on eating out while at home - usually once a week as a family outing and one day a week of dollar menu fast food snacks after school. I also maximize coupons and buy extra coupons that allow overage so while we eat at home I am able to save a good bit of money on our grocery bill. I rarely buy new clothes for myself or DH and when we do they are on clearance or a great sale. The big kids get new clothes as they need them but we don't even walk into the overpriced stores like Pac-Sun and American Eagle without a great sale and even then hit the clearance racks first. Most of DS3's clothes and toys come from his very generous Godmother. If I buy them I hit the clearance racks at Gymboree or half price day at kids consignment sales.

 

[kinntj]

Splurge: kids clothes -we use coupons, but it's still pricey to buy at Gap, Justice, and Macy's.
Tide detergent-will never buy anything else.
Meat -I get the best cuts of meat with less fat.

Skimp: food-I use coupons and shop off of a menu and therefore don't waste as much food and don't go out to eat (unless special occasion).
clothes for me -I don't work right now, so I mainly wear jeans and tshirts in the fall through spring.

 

[ancestry]

I skimp on clothes. We usually buy everything second hand which is how we afford our annual vacations. I go to the thrift store on 50% off day and walk out with a HUGE bag full of clothes (usually all name brands) for less than $30. Those same clothes in the stores would easily cost me $500-$800 dollars.

Splurge - mine and the youngest daughter's body care products - soap, face wash, makeup, etc. Both have sensitive skin and we stick to specific products or we end up having all types of problems. I also splurge on shoes. I won't buy cheap shoes or second hand shoes.