Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Oct 18, 2021 22:40:41 GMT -5
Thinking about the vacation spending thread and my recent trip, I've got things that I don't mind splurging on (hotel), and other things I do mind spending on (food, drinks, transportation). What are yours?
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buystoys
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Post by buystoys on Oct 19, 2021 6:58:27 GMT -5
If we're on vacation, I don't mind spending on food and drinks. We're also splurging on weekly groceries by using a meal service. Other than that, DH and I are both fairly tight fisted. As long as we stay within our budget, I'm happy.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Oct 19, 2021 7:30:39 GMT -5
We keep our regular expenses pretty low so we can say "fuck it" when on vacation. Weekends away we'll do on the cheap (though cheap hotel never) but if I'm planning a week somewhere then I am planning a damn week. :-) Granted, there are some things we do on vacation that help us stay under budget, like going to a grocery store to buy breakfast and snack foods or choosing not to go on too many excursions and just having enjoy the beach days.
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daisylu
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Post by daisylu on Oct 19, 2021 8:18:51 GMT -5
We used to do hotels on the cheap, especially when I was a single mom traveling with my sister and her son. We kept it that way for a long time, mostly because we never spent much time in the room anyway. At the time, these hotels were the best we could do - but there were never any "roach motels". Once I finally got DH to vacation and now that we have gotten older we appreciate finer hotels, and we have never skimped on food (or much else) when on vacation.
We work a LOT, so our vacations are mostly about relaxing. Most are to the beach, where we are happy to just lay on the beach all day. We have never been bar/club people, so most nights on vacation you will find us on the balcony with a cooler of beer listening to the waves.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Oct 19, 2021 8:34:10 GMT -5
Our travel budget is a big chunk. My family except my brother is five hours away and DH's youngest sister moved to Florida. Also sports/entertainment tickets.
I try to shop grocery sales, keep extra on hand, etc. If I really want it, I will buy it and have no problem buying steaks and stuff but it still pains me to pay more than I think it should cost.
My tennis shoes cost a lot but they work. I've always been difficult to buy shoes for.
Basically if we really want it, we will generally buy it. I do try to look for sales and stuff. I use hotel points to get the prime location hotel for football weekends. I'm not willing to shell out $1,000+ but I will use points.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Oct 19, 2021 8:39:45 GMT -5
I should say that I don't mind spending on quality food, but I don't like to spend a lot extra that will go to waste due to convenience needs. I also don't like to pay for a glass of wine at a restaurant, when I can get the whole bottle for that price at home.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2021 9:17:17 GMT -5
Splurges: Business class on long-hauls (and this is why I'll never go to Australia/NZ- extortionate airfares and I won't fly Coach), day pass to an airline club for long layovers, decent hotels (Hampton Inn or equivalent, better if I'm using points), car service to/from airport for longer trips, smaller cruises or group tours if I'm not traveling independently.
Cheap: I frequently buy food at a local grocery store and have dinner in my room. I've enjoyed some Airbnb places when hotel rates were crazy (Edinburgh and Reykjavik). I borrow guidebooks from the library rather than buy them. On road trips I bring a cooler of snacks from home and get sandwiches at Subway and additional snacks at local grocery stores.
Souvenirs can fall into either category. I won't load up on Made in China crap but might buy local handicrafts or food (within limits of what I can bring back into the US) or serious jewelry.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Oct 19, 2021 9:20:10 GMT -5
Our everyday budget is pretty low. We drive 14+ year old cars, have old electronics, etc. but we splurge on travel.
Our travel budget is easily twice what it takes us to live the rest of the year. We fly business. We try to stay at convenient locations and use less public transportation when we get into new cities. A lot of it is because it is easier for me, but TD realizes that business class seats tend to minimize his RLS.
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Value Buy
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Post by Value Buy on Oct 19, 2021 9:28:02 GMT -5
Interstate freeways that immediately turn into a tollroad at the stateline, or I65 going from Indiana over to Kentucky where the bridge became a toll rather than being free for 60 years, without a toll booth to pay your toll. You have to go online and pay it.
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flamingo
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Post by flamingo on Oct 19, 2021 9:30:18 GMT -5
I don't mind splurging on a nice hotel; DH OTOH is super cheap about hotels and always wants to stay at the least expensive place he can convince me of. Which, when we first got together and I had no money, whatever he wanted was fine b/c he was footing the bill. Nowadays, we split costs, so no, sorry, I'm not staying at the budget inn. AND, while I try to not point it out to him, the trips where I've put my foot down on the hotel I want have been the ones he later raves about. in fact, he takes all the credit for his "great hotel pick" on those vacations. LOL.
We rarely go out to eat (maybe once a week?) so I don't mind splurging when we do. I like going places I can order a drink and sip it while we people watch. When on vacation, we do a mix of buying snacks for our room, eating at cheap fast food type places (like for breakfast), and eating out at nicer restaurants for our one big meal of the day.
But, I'm able to "not care" about splurging on these things b/c we are pretty cheap in our day-to-day lives so we're able to save money for these splurges.
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minnesotapaintlady
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Post by minnesotapaintlady on Oct 19, 2021 9:57:17 GMT -5
Are we just talking vacation? If so, I don't like spending money on hotels, but that's only because I've gotten away with paying pretty much nothing for them over the years because I use credit card rewards or stay at timeshares my parents own. So, basically, I'm used to staying at really nice places for free or close to it, so paying for them sucks when I have to. Other than that, I'm pretty loose with the spending on vacation. As long as I stay in the overall budget I don't mind paying for pretty much anything. I'm not a souvenir person though. Pictures are generally good enough for me.
Outside of vacation, I'm a complete miser with eating out. We almost never do outside of cheap fast food when we can't get home to eat. I hardly ever buy myself new clothes either. I won't spend much on phones or phone plans and haven't had cable for 15 years. I use an antenna, have a DVR and stream, but I share most services and pay very little.
Stuff I will spend on? The kids. A freaking fortune and not think twice about it. Heat and AC. I will be comfortable in my house. I set my thermostat to 70 all summer and never touch it.
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Oct 19, 2021 12:26:13 GMT -5
I read somewhere that you should consider spending more on the things that you touch or use everyday. With this in mind, I have spent more on kitchen upgrades because DH and I mostly cook and eat at home. Quartz countertop, better appliances, good knives, nice cookware are a few examples. I also spend money on mattresses every few years. We sprung for the adjustable base for our king mattress and really enjoyed that purchase after my hip replacement.
We also have spent quite a bit of money on our boat and camper. DH loves to fish and we bought a new boat when he retired. We live on a river, so we spend many days fishing. DH also wanted to buy a camper and I do like using it to visit our friends. I hope to take another National Park road trip next year.
I like to save money on things that go down the drain or in the trash. I am talking paper towels, TP, shampoo, soap, dishwasher detergent, laundry soap, cleaning products and the like. I have found my favorite brands over the years at the lower price point. I am not afraid to lay in a year's supply of something if I run across a good deal.
We land in the middle on food spending. I buy items on sale for our use and for the food pantry. We often lay in a freezer full of beef when it goes on sale. I do splurge for delicious potato salad and twice baked potatoes from a local deli. We like to garden which gives us fresh produce for very little cost all summer. We buy what we want at the grocery store, and we like a bargain.
I save on random stuff all the time because I like to thrift store/yard sale shop. The trick is not to buy anything that you don't need. I try to remember how much we had to purge before the last move.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Oct 19, 2021 13:19:13 GMT -5
I tend to buy my clothes at stores that carry Petites - which puts me shopping at White House Black Market, Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer and Talbots for the most part. WHBM is my favorite. Even some of their Regular clothes fit me.
It is just DH and I and our income is very good, our home is on the conservative side for our income, until about a month ago, the cars were on the conservative side (except we have 7 right now, we have to get rid of two old ones, retitle one to DH's brother, and we own the car DD is driving. We have about 4 payments left on it, and will probably transfer title to her in Spring.
We don't eat out very often, but when we do, we eat where we want. It usually is not real high end, but we usually go to a steak house at least once a year.
I have a Diet Pepsi Addiction, Soda has gotten so expensive, I told myself I need to cut back. We also need to make a real effort to throw away less food, make sure we use whatever we purchase.
We had already declared we were not doing extended family gifts this year- Cousins, Grandmother to Grandchildren, etc. I don't care if my kids gift me, but I would still like to gift them. I don't want my Mom to gift DH and I but again... don't know how I will feel about not giving her a gift. I might get tickets to a show, something we can attend together. DD asked for a Medium Away Bag that would be Checked Luggage size, and some packing cubes. I have that ordered. DS will need area rugs, we already paid for new flooring, a ceiling fan or two, paint and a built in microwave for the upper. I will still give him something as a gift though.
I really want to sell the rental my DBIL is living in. DD says he has his Adult Son (DD says he is bad news), his GF, and His adult DD and her 4 year old lives downstairs. The DD downstairs is the same age as my DD, and I kind of like the idea of giving her some stability... But DH will never charge them the market rate, and they will take advantage, so really we should sell it.
I want new appliances, but I keep delaying the purchase. We can well afford it, but I kind of want to update the kitchen, and if I am going to do that, I should do it all at the same time. I think I would be better off buying a different house than remodeling, going to wait until we are closer to retirement to do that, so we will hold tight for 5-10 years.
And, I just remembered my DB called and told me my Mom's phone is not charging right. She is on our Phone Plan, so this is my issue to deal with. I guess I will tell DH, he seems to like dealing with this stuff.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Oct 19, 2021 13:21:38 GMT -5
I don't think I could share how much we spend on kid activities. We're not going to get a horse, but you want lessons, we're down along with all necessities. Piano, bass, ukulele, tennis, swimming, golf, archery, jiu jitsu, ice skating, gymnastics. It's a little crazy but I like spending my money on those. Our vacations are cheap though. Camping, tacking on visits to work trips, traveling with my family, and almost all in state.
I also spend more on items that are sustainable, not packaged in plastic, etc. Whole family saves money shopping 2nd hand stores for clothes.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Oct 19, 2021 13:30:59 GMT -5
I read somewhere that you should consider spending more on the things that you touch or use everyday. With this in mind, I have spent more on kitchen upgrades because DH and I mostly cook and eat at home. Quartz countertop, better appliances, good knives, nice cookware are a few examples. I also spend money on mattresses every few years. We sprung for the adjustable base for our king mattress and really enjoyed that purchase after my hip replacement. We also have spent quite a bit of money on our boat and camper. DH loves to fish and we bought a new boat when he retired. We live on a river, so we spend many days fishing. DH also wanted to buy a camper and I do like using it to visit our friends. I hope to take another National Park road trip next year. I like to save money on things that go down the drain or in the trash. I am talking paper towels, TP, shampoo, soap, dishwasher detergent, laundry soap, cleaning products and the like. I have found my favorite brands over the years at the lower price point. I am not afraid to lay in a year's supply of something if I run across a good deal. We land in the middle on food spending. I buy items on sale for our use and for the food pantry. We often lay in a freezer full of beef when it goes on sale. I do splurge for delicious potato salad and twice baked potatoes from a local deli. We like to garden which gives us fresh produce for very little cost all summer. We buy what we want at the grocery store, and we like a bargain. I save on random stuff all the time because I like to thrift store/yard sale shop. The trick is not to buy anything that you don't need. I try to remember how much we had to purge before the last move. You know, having spent 18 months barely using public restrooms and having been stuck with a six-pack of one-ply during the Great TP Scare of 2020, I can say I will gladly pay for Charmin even if it's not on sale, lol. Paper towels, I will buy Viva because you barely have to use one half sheet to clean up a spill, plus I also use Swedish dishcloths for kitchen clean up and rags for cleaning around the house, so paper towels last a long time. I will go store brand on most grocery items. I will avoid splurging on body wash/soap, even shampoo and conditioner for the most part(Trader Joe's makes a fantastic hair mask), but I will spend the bucks on hair care products and skin care. I buy a lot of clothing basics from Target (tank tops, tees, cozy cardigans, underwear), because if you wash everything in cold water even the cheapest apparel lasts forever, and most of my professional attire is from a local consignment shop. I save the spendy items for shoes and bags. Our "put a roof over our head" expenses are low enough that we can afford to keep our house and associated means of basic living on one income. Finally. My car is a 2013 Fit with 44,000 miles on it (paid off) and husband has a 2018 Fit that will be paid off in April 2023. I plan on keeping my car until at least 2025. I'll probably see if my sister wants to buy it for my niece before I sell privately. We've started going out to eat again, which was our downfall pre-pandemic, but for the most part we're still just getting takeout on weekends from our favorite restaurants and having cocktails on our front porch.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Oct 19, 2021 14:05:05 GMT -5
I try to save on big ticket items.
While we buy new cars, we don’t buy luxury brands. We drive the cars into the ground. And, as much as possible, I avoid paying between $100 and $150 an hour for a mechanic’s labor to do all but the most complicated repairs (this reduces the cost of most repairs by 50% to 75%, even if I have to buy a small specialty tool).
I work to manage our insurance cost. We carry a full suite of insurance. Medical, disability (when we were working), dental, vision, auto, replacement cost homeowners, earthquake (we live in a seismic zone, about a mile from the nearest recorded fault line), and enough umbrella liability coverage to protect the value of our retirement accounts. I comparison shop the medical, etc. every year, and the auto, homeowners, and umbrella liability every two or three years. Back in 2010, after the housing market collapsed and construction costs dropped like a rock, I pushed back on our homeowners insurance carrier about their replacement cost calculation and reduced the cost of our homeowners and quake insurance by $800 a year. That reduction continued, to varying degrees, for about 10 years. I’m guessing we saved more than $5K on our homeowners and quake insurance over the 10 year period by just asking the insurance carrier to recalculate the replacement cost coverage on the house.
So far, I haven’t been able to justify flying first class or business class. Even on international flights. But, we do try to fly the airlines with the most comfortable seats, which usually means we don’t fly domestic airlines on international trips.
Splurges
New cars. I like to know that the cars we drive have been well maintained and not abused. In hopes that the car will last longer.
Starbucks. I don’t worry about how often DW stops at Starbucks. If she’s willing to drive modest, 10 or 15 year old car, I think we can swing the Starbucks.
Travel. We don’t have kids to leave what we earned to, so we’re being a little self indulgent.
Meals away from home. If I’m craving chicken wings, we’ll hit the neighborhood sports bar. We don’t do much fine dining. Local casual places are more our style.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Oct 19, 2021 18:59:07 GMT -5
I don't think I could share how much we spend on kid activities. We're not going to get a horse, but you want lessons, we're down along with all necessities. Piano, bass, ukulele, tennis, swimming, golf, archery, jiu jitsu, ice skating, gymnastics. It's a little crazy but I like spending my money on those. Our vacations are cheap though. Camping, tacking on visits to work trips, traveling with my family, and almost all in state. I also spend more on items that are sustainable, not packaged in plastic, etc. Whole family saves money shopping 2nd hand stores for clothes. Other than the mortgage, most of my income is spent on my kids. Food, clothing, electronics, activities, braces...the list goes on and on. DH's pay covers school tuition. So, there's that, too. I'd be like Scrooge McDuck if I didn't have kids. ETA: I lied. We do spend some of our money on my schooling. My education is the *only* thing that is mine, and mine alone. So, we splurge here.
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jerseygirl
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Post by jerseygirl on Oct 19, 2021 19:58:30 GMT -5
We spend money on education, first our kids for private high school, college and no student loans Now for grandkids ,paid half for 2 oldest through college , their parents paid other half,no student loans. Oldest DGS we paid for his masters in aeronautical engineering and his wife a business masters. Giving money every Christmas for 3 younger grands and if not enough will take care of rest so no loans We have 3 in family with doctorates and DIL will have hers next year Other spend is travel. I traveled a lot internationally for work so anything over 2 hours is business. If staying for a week will rent a nice 2 BR 2 bath . Take family on vacations but of course not for last almost 2 years. We’re hoping to charter 2 sailboats in the BVI in the spring . We have lawn and snow guys which at first were splurges but needed now. Don’t eat out much now after Covid, promised DrDS not to eat at indoor restaurants. Take out maybe 2x month. I’m now buying some store brands never thought I would buy anything other than Hellman’s Mayo , grandma and mom both would be horrified! I’m 79 now and finally decided not to continue consulting. I’ve very much enjoyed it for last 10 years, Well will see if an interesting offer comes up during the long dreary winter?? Not going to ballet or opera in NYC now as too nervous about attending with 3000 others even if vaccinated. So not spending on restaurants or entertainment now Missing missrigby garden stories. She inspired me to hire a master gardener to put in 2 butterfly gardens. Very happy I spent to do this Spend time on board of a charity and give to 4 others . ‘Adopted’ 2 little girls in the Philllipines this year, not sure how this will go but the funds should help . Have 4 GSs and only one GD so like to think I’m helping 2 other little girls. I feel blessed and extremely fortunate to be able to enjoy how we’re living now
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Oct 19, 2021 20:03:26 GMT -5
We splurge on what we want. We have good vehicles, hubs new, but first one for him since 2006. Mine a company car and still only has 38k on it, so we are good for quite awhile yet.
Appliances need replaced a lot more often anymore and they are a lot more expensive.
We eat really well and what we want so spend more on that.
Clothes not much in my budget anymore, nothing much here to buy, so that is a savings. We don't eat out much anymore, though hubs gets food and brings it home. Spend quite a bit on amazon, but things we used to shop for.
Scrips are eating up more and more of my income.
Trying to pass some of our money on to son, but worry about running out, but who knows, we should be ok.
Life is not what it was since covid, nothing is the same. I hope it gets back to it in time, I'm tired of living like this.
But we are still doing ok, so shouldn't complain.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Oct 21, 2021 11:19:39 GMT -5
Splurges: *Traveling (right now I have tons of airline and hotel points accumulated from work travel that gets used for personal travel. Going to be a little strange once I stop working and actually have to pay to stay at a nice hotel).
*Live theater *Eating out (not fine dining. mainly local places) *Cleaning service (just once per month. it for sure saves me back pain and completely worth it)
Savings: *Car (I drive a Hyundai Kona. Some people think I must be a little wacky because I make really good money and do not spend it on a luxury car. I really have no desire for one. I would rather much rather spend it travel). *Cable (I haven't had cable for about 8 years) *Phone (work currently pays for my phone but prior to that I had Ting. Once I stop working my guess is I will go back to Ting or something equivalent).
I'm not sure whether I should put clothing in splurges or savings...my position requires me to dress professionally at times (thankfully not everyday). I buy some nice sheath dresses and jackets but a lot of times they come from the outlets. Since getting promoted I do spend more than I used to on clothes but I try to buy decent quality at a decent price, and get a good amount of wear out of them before donation.
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