What everyday items do you splurge on?

[Frozen Canuck]

I would say that our spending is fairly moderate. For the most part, we only buy what we need, and when we do purchase something, we don't usually set out to purchase the most expensive item available. However, for me, I almost always make our marinara sauce from scratch, but if I do decide to cut a corner and use jarred sauce, I tend to grab either Victoria's or Rao's, both of which are on the pricier end of things.

When it comes to health and beauty items, I purchase just standard Dove bar soap, Colgate toothpaste, or whatever, but for my lip balm, I would never be happy with just a regular, waxy Chapstick, and instead reach for my husband's $8/tube Jack Black lip balm.

Are there any items where you aren't willing to settle for the standard brands, and instead, reach for a more expensive alternative to get the quality you prefer? Feel free to discuss anything from toilet paper to crackers, and everything in between.

 

[slo]

I'm a big cheapskate on most items except my shampoo & conditioner (Redken), my face moisturizer (Clinique) and my shoes (Clarks & Birkenstock)

 

[1GoldenSun]

Deli meat, sneakers, and socks.

 

[fly girl]

I can be a cheap-o. (need I remind you of the $1 off coupon fiasco a few weeks ago, lol)

Love coupons and promo codes, cannot pay regular retail unless it is an emergency. And if I have to pay for shipping ... oh, that burns me.

But I do like certain higher end things. Skin and hair care are my biggies. I am not plunking down crazy insane prices, but I do splurge on high end stuff (and use awards programs, specials, and promo codes on them too. Naturally! lol)

 

[Diznotyzed]

I'm willing to spend for comfortable shoes, and as a former fitter, bras.

 

[easyas123]

Welp, our electric bill has been higher than normal, so we are splurging a bit on that

I splurge a bit on shoes and I'm rather particular about my dishwasher soap and some hair products.

 

[neverlandsky]

Pasture raised eggs.

 

[Meriweather]

comfortable shoes. If I find them, I stock up because chances are they will be discontinued.

Appliances............need a new oven now and will not get a mediocre one. I want a good one.

 

[ronandannette]

Cuts of beef. Not exactly a brand but DH will only eat filet, striploin or rib steaks and prime rib or sirloin roasts.

 

[easyas123]

Pasture raised eggs.

Ugh, we are swimming in them. My son raises them, a dozen or so seem to show up in our fridge every other day.
Should tell him to haul some down to the local farmers market! As it is he's giving them away to family & friends, so many of us are benefiting from his chickens.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

There are certain personal care and food brands that I buy that aren't the cheapest option but I try to stock up on them when they go on sale.

Wall paint. I can’t stand cheap Home Depot/Lowe’s paint. I can’t wrap my head around people that will empty out a room, spend hours prepping the walls an taping the baseboards then use crap that will dull & chip just to save $25.

 

[paisleys]

comfortable shoes. If I find them, I stock up because chances are they will be discontinued.

Appliances............need a new oven now and will not get a mediocre one. I want a good one.

I was elated when the el cheap washer that came with our home died 7 years ago (take the dryer with you!). My husband told me to restrain myself but I bought the top of the line front loaders. My washer and dryer make me SO HAPPY. It used to take me hours to do 2 loads but these things are super fast, quiet, thorough and don't tear anything. Appliances you use often are worth splurging on!

 

[paisleys]

Wall paint. I can’t stand cheap Home Depot/Lowe’s paint. I can’t wrap my head around people that will empty out a room, spend hours prepping the walls an taping the baseboards then use crap that will dull & chip just to save $25.

Yes--Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are the only paints for me.

 

[LSUmiss]

I buy whatever brands I prefer for everything. I don’t look at price. However, I usually only buy what we need. We spend most extra disposable money on experience type items vs things.

 

[KatMac]

Bras. I get them custom made and they are amazing! Absolutely worth the money.

 

[morgan98]

Food in general. We are both good cooks and honestly eat every meal at home. Okay once every month we may order take out. Anyway, we eat well. Things like crab, sea bass, filet mignon if we want it. We also balance it out with things like frittata, hamburgers, ground turkey, tacos, etc. But basically, I shop the cheeses I want at Whole Foods, the olive bar, and really anything else I want. We spend about $800 a month all in at the grocery. Is that high for two people, probably, but it is okay. it is worth it for our health and also for just satisfaction. I was also raised by a mother who was born in Italy and my husband has dual Italian citizenship - we do spend money on wine to go with the food too. Although my husband has a hobby job at a wine store and we drink moderately priced Old World Wine (more moderate after his discount).

However, we really do not collect things and have low expenses in other areas and never had children. So it is what it is.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Skin care and hair care

 

[PAsFab5]

I am still very thrifty from our days of not having any money. It has taken a few years of my husband saying “this is ridiculous, we have money for that....” to me that I finally loosen the reigns a bit.

My big splurges now are boars head lunch meat, organic meats, Benjamin Moore paint, cable and vacations where we eat at restaurants and do activities.

I truly feel blessed everyday.

 

[NannyBeBe]

Food. I want my little family to have the best quality food available and will spend whatever it costs to do that.

 

[Immadismom]

Very few things.

Vehicles - we only have Honda or Toyota vehicles

laundry detergent - Persil or Gain (step kids are allergic to Tide)

Moroccanoil - this is my hair’s saving grace. It’s expensive, but I have cut back from Hair washing each day, which helps lower the usage of product.

deli meat - only Boar’s Head