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

[*pixie*dust*]

Splurge- Annual Vacation. I budget and look forward to vacation all year long. Good shoes because I need my back and feet to last a life time. Good Quality work wardrobe staples that I can add just a few items to each season.

Skimp - name brand foods. With a few exceptions (Heinz catchup, Open Pit BBQ sauce, Miracle Whip) most store brand items are just fine.

Going to the movies (netflix is easy and simple).

Eating out. We generally don't eat out unless it a necessary because we are traveling or away from home. It isnt something we do just for pleasure --except on vacation.

 

[hambirg]

I tend to splurge on items where I have found the quality of the cheaper alternatives to be bad.

Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi (we have found the Big K brand to be drinkable too), but I picked up a 20oz bottle of the Walgreens brand, and it was gross. I didn't even drink it.

Tide, All, Gain or Arm and Hammer. I tried the cheap brands and just found them to be way watered down.

Shoes. I think it's important to have good fitting, supportive shoes. I will look for a deal though. Our Fred Meyers has clearance shoes for an additional 60% off. They carry all the good brands. My son got a new pair of Nikes for $20.

Soy milk. . .we like Westsoy or Trader Joes. I don't bother trying other brands anymore. . .nobody will drink them.

Bras. . .I'm not built for cheap bras. I will gladly pay for a high quality bra. I feel like I don't have much of a choice there.

 

[budbeerlady]

Skimp:
food - not brand loyal and if I have a coupon with a good sale...
Car - 1995 Chevy with 199,065 miles on it
Tv - have an antenna and converter box
Clothes- clearance rack for Dd, goodwill for myself
Eating out- only on vacation

Splurge:
Vacations- Disney, weekend in Chicago, nights at waterpark hotels. We work hard, I do my best to plan a few reasonable getaways every other monthish.

Toilet paper- Will only purchase one brand.

Quality electronics - I research and then sniff out the best deal I can find when I have to have it. I LOVE my Kindle and my Canon Camera.

Horse stuff- lead ropes, brushes, stuff in general. I have too much but an always picking up something else.

 

[bettymae1121]

Food is our splurge, both eating out and groceries. I'd rather pay more for high quality fresh foods that taste great.

I'd say the area we skimp most on is clothing. While we still go for high quality clasic styles that last (cheaper in the long run than items that are out of style before we've worn them more than twice or fall apart in the wash after six months), both DH and I only own the minimum we can get away with and will only buy on clearence or on sale if at all possible.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Bras. . .I'm not built for cheap bras. I will gladly pay for a high quality bra. I feel like I don't have much of a choice there.

Okay. Add another one to my list! Bras!!!!! I, too, feel better when I'm in a REALLY good fitting bra and I'm willing to pay for them. In fact, I just spent over $100 on running bras that I LOVE!!! But, I take really good care of them and they last me a very long time.

 

[nunzia]

We splurge on DVC and vacations..I also have started buying the grandkids school clothes (I remember when we were young and broke school clothes was a rough time..we have eight grandkids and counting, so this is a splurge. I buy clothes and other gifts for them year round online at Kohls and Children's place clearance sales and hit up local stores clearance too. I have a huge closet for gifts.. The DVC is also used to let the grandkids come to Disney ). Since my feet hurt with my old age, I've gotten where I need pretty pricey shoes, as does my DH. Most clothes come from thrift stores with the exception of Coldwater Creek jeans, which I only buy on clearance..usally under $20.00. We also will only buy brand name dog food..Purina is fine..DH is a vet tech, and some generic brands really do cause malnutriion. Also, toilet paper! gone are the days of generic TP. We splurge by having a large DISH package (not HBO and junk) but rarely go to movies. We eat out rarely, and eat cheap the rest of the time. Our house is smallish, cars paid for. I tend to buy too much scrapbooking stuff. but again usually get it on clearance.. Yep..live small vacation large.

 

[honeydiane1953]

splurge wdw skimp on name brands at grocery stores

 

[karice2]

Splurge
Dry Cleaning
Good Restaurants
Travel
Artwork
Coach
Auto Repairs (No Car Payment means gotta keep the old girl running)
Bras

Save
No New car
Shoes (DSW and Repairs)
Clothes (K&G and Coupons or sales)
Entertainment (netflix, book rentals, home nights)

 

[labdogs42]

splurge
Vacations
electronics
dining out
shoes -- I have wide feet, I can only wear certain styles. Cheap shoes end up thrown out or donated after a few wears anyway, so I have learned to buy high quality shoes for me
private school for DS
cleaning lady


save
hair -- color it myself, cut DH's hair for him
clothes -- buy on sale/clearance
cars -- keep them until they can't run anymore!
groceries, buy generic, use coupons

 

[karice2]

Okay. Add another one to my list! Bras!!!!! I, too, feel better when I'm in a REALLY good fitting bra and I'm willing to pay for them. In fact, I just spent over $100 on running bras that I LOVE!!! But, I take really good care of them and they last me a very long time.

The best running bra I ever bought is the Enell bra. My mom calls it my bullet proof vest. My girls don't go anywhere in that thing. Sure it has 25 hooks in the front but so worth it. I think I pay about $60 for it.

www.enell.com

 

[Pakey]

Splurge:

Travel
Art
My husband's country club
Fine dining out
My dogs' care

Save:

House/Appliances/Electronics
Automobiles
Clothing
Groceries

 

[Jennifer in MI]

The best running bra I ever bought is the Enell bra. My mom calls it my bullet proof vest. My girls don't go anywhere in that thing. Sure it has 25 hooks in the front but so worth it. I think I pay about $60 for it.

www.enell.com

THIS is one of the bras I just got!!! This particular one, I accidentally ordered too small, but I could tell it was going to do the job! I can't wait to get the right size in the mail. I also got a Moving Comfort Bra that is really, really nice!!!

I'm LOL about the bullet proof vest comment! It's so true!

 

[PatriciaH]

Splurge:
Travel
Food (for cooking and eating out, organic milk, good cheese, grass fed beef when we have it, local eggs and butter, local farms and farmers markets, Whole Foods).
Wine, craft beers
Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts sometimes during the week
Cats food and litter (the best we can find).
Good outdoor bird food
Entertainment (I love the movies so we go when something good is out, we like to do fun events, plays, Holiday Pops, Tanglewood, etc.).
Electronics (I will buy something like an iPhone, Wii or flat screen TV soon after they come out, but we use them for years)! I really want an iPad now.
Bath and Body Works and Yankee Candle (on sale).
Mattress/box spring
Gardening

Skimp:
Salon (I get my hair cut/styled maybe 2 times a year (it is long and one length, my natural color now).
Cars (I do not drive during the day-I walk everywhere and our car is a 2002).
Clothing (we shop at Khols, Marshalls, TJMaxx, sales, etc.)
Shoes (I use mine for years and buy on sale or at the outlets)
Books (library or discounted for books we keep)
Furniture (wish we could afford nicer but I have a good eye and our place looks like catalog with cheaper stuff).
Makeup (Mostly CVS/Target, love the good stuff too but only buy when they have deals).