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Post Info TOPIC: how "cheap" are you? Where are you utterly frivolous?
janey831


Kate Spade

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RE: how "cheap" are you? Where are you utterly frivolous?
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Cheap:


I only ever order water when I am at restaurants.  This used to be about saving a few extra dollars, but more recently, water just tastes better to me and I am able to appreciate the way my meal tastes with water, rather than juice or coke.  I will however make an exception for an occasional glass of wine or microbrew


I ride the train to work every morning because my job will pay for all of it.  If I chose to drive in, I would pay an extra 50 dollars out of pocket.  It's just not worth it to me, especially when I have to pay for gas too.  Not to mention it helps out the environment.


Clothes, I almost never pay full price for clothes.  I am trying to get in the mentality though of buying more quality items than spending 20 dollars here and there for items that I know will not really last.


Books & CD's  I hate paying full price for books, so I usually get them marked down, scour the bargain bins, buy used, or wait til paperback.  Also, I used to frequent a discount book store in my neighborhood, but it closed down.


Rent:  I absolutely REFUSE to pay for rent, so I live with the parents too.  I put away money each month into my "condo" fund.  I would much rather invest my money into something than have it sucked away by rent.


Shampoo & Conditioner:  I don't color my hair, so I don't see any need for expensive shampoo or conditioner.  Plus with the way i go through conditioner, it would be a very expensive habit for me.


Splurge:


I love love gourmet goods, fresh, organic, all natural.  I try not to scrimp here.  I have done so in the past, while in school, but I want to lead a more healthful lifestyle.  I figure, this is what I am putting into my body, I better make sure its quality!


skincare products.  I am SUCH a sucker for nice skin care products.  Body lotions, shower gels, and ESPECIALLY face care products.  It's worth it to me because I only get one face!


Candles: Love, Love candles.  I dont really have a reason...


Pet Treats/Food:  I try to buy my dog all natural products, let's face it, i just like to spoil him.



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kealoha


Kate Spade

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Posts: 1107
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Save on:



  • Lingerie--I don't need fancy, just items that won't give me VPL or back fat lines. 

  • Bath products--I use baby wash, oil & lotion; safe enough for my nieces & nephews, safe for me.

  • Newspapers--read them online &/or @ work.

  • Movies--FH & I seldom go & if we do, it's to a matinee & we don't buy snacks.

  • Eating out--FH is a chef & when we were living in Hawaii, we got hooked up all the time so I've become spoiled & used to paying $20 for a $200 meal.

  • Socks/Pantyhose/Tights--I get them @ Target, Marshall's or TJ Maxx on sale.  I refuse to spend a ton of $$$ on stuff like that.

  • Household items like foil, dishwashing liquid, facial tissue, etc.  I tend to buy generic &/or house brands.

  • Cell phone--I'm waiting for my rebate to kick in before I can get a new one.

  • Gym membership--I use DVDs & the gym in my apartment, plus I walk a few blocks to work.

  • Clothes--I scour Marshall's, Macy's, TJ Maxx, Off 5th, & Neiman's for killer deals.

  • Books--I tend to buy used or go to the library.

  • Mascara--I change my tube every other month, so I buy from the drugstore.

Splurge on:



  • Haircuts--I just got a haircut & didn't mind paying for it.  My last one prior to it was 3 months ago & I paid $70, but it grew out nicely & still looked great.  Granted I don't normally wait that long in between cuts, but I don't mind paying $$$.

  • Pedicures--my monthly indulgence.

Moderate on:



  • Makeup & skincare--I don't like paying $$$ for a facial cleanser, but like nice moisturizers; foundation & concealer I'll splurge, but bronzers, lipsticks & nail polishes are a mixed bag.

  • Magazines--I tend to get my subscriptions online, but will buy an issue if I like who's on the cover.

  • Shoes--I like nicer stuff, but try to get them on sale.  I'll pay full price for a pair that'll last me for years.


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travelgirl


Kate Spade

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Posts: 1210
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My "cheap" list is long and my "splurge" list is short:


 


Where I scrimp:


-I also do the Aveda Instutitue-love it!  $44 for haircut and highlights!


-Clothes-I go to the Gap Clearance Center/Distribution Center every other week and get Banana Republic stuff for dirt cheap ($6.99 pants, $14.99 shoes, etc.), buy all my kids Gap clothes there (4.99 a piece), and most of hubby's stuff there too.  Pretty much all of my wardrobe is from this place...


-Groceries-I'm a big fan of super-double coupons!


-Movies-I NEVER go to movies, and don't even do cable movie stations or Netflix because I have such a short attention span I can't sit through them!


-Animals-I have never had a pet.


-Cars-I buy, never lease, practical Honda's. 


-I sell my clothes at Plato's Closet or a local upscale consignment boutique.


-I do as many focus groups/marketing studies I can (this is where I get my "splurge" money).


-Beauty stuff-I buy expensive haircare but only buy cosmetics during GWP time (and some stuff comes from the drugstore like mascara).


-Alchohol-I don' drink much at all.  When I buy wine, I buy it from Costco.


-Travel (in a way)-I use frequent flyer points for airfare or buy cheap airfare (I will drive 2 hours to get a better fare).


-Media-I "borrow" from the library all my music, and books.


-Nails, massages, etc-I hate having strangers touch me.  Hate it.


 


Where I splurge:


-Hotels-I am a "hotel snob".  I like Ritz Carltons, what can I say???


-Hair products-hooked on the Aveda stuff and since I save on the haircuts and highlights I splurge on this...


-Purses-I like nice purses.


-Accessories-I always ask for Tiffany for my birthday and Christmas, and I also like LV, Burberry, etc when it comes to accessories.


-Sports for my sons-We spare no expense on this for whatever reason.  Easton bats, Underarmour, Nike ID shoes, Notre Dame Football camp, $150 football helmets, the list goes on and on...


-Air conditioning-It goes on in April and goes off in October (or December this year!) and the windows never open.


 



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AllieGurl


Marc Jacobs

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Posts: 2030
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Well I am definitly a spender.

I am cheap on:

Airfare
Hotel rooms
Vacations.
(we always find a way to do a fabulous trip for cheap! )
The movies - PULEZZ $13 for a movie? Insane!
My car. (it is paid off and it is a 99' , and i have no interest in getting a new one)
House decor. (I manage to do it all by myself copying expensive items and doing it for a fraction of the price.)

Frivolous -
Nails and eyebrows done every week
Eat out every night.
Shopping!
Makeup/skincare
Hair colored and cut every 3 weeks
Housekeeper






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littlebean


Kate Spade

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Posts: 1200
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I basically scrimp on everything so that I can splurge on anything!  If that makes sense.  I live on a very small budget but I love the finer things in life (ALL of them! ha), so I try hard to be super frugal 95% of the time so that I can go all out 5% of the time.  Some of my favorites...

 

Scrimp:

  • Groceries: I try to save money at the store by buying in bulk when things are on sale, buying fruits and veggies when they are season and eating a lot of healthy but cheap items such as lentils, beans, etc.
  • Eating In: Once a week, I try to make a massive pot of something that I can then subsist on for days afterwards as leftover lunches or dinners to prevent myself from going out to eat needlessly.
  • Clothes: I hardly ever buy something that isn't on sale.
  • Movies: We do netflix instead of going out to many movies.
  • Entertainment: We're super diligent at keeping an eye out for discouns (student or otherwise) to go to the symphony, ballet, opera, restaurant week, etc.
  • Drinks: I never order a soda -- water is free and healthy -- and try to avoid ordering much in the way of alcohol when I'm out.  Opening a bottle of wine at home is better for us.
  • Deals/Rewards: I make use of every possible deal/credit card reward/referral bonus/my points/whatever that I can!
  • Online Banking
  • Library

Splurge:

  • Haircuts, waxings, manicures, etc. -- I love all of it, but I can go without all of it when I need to.
  • Travel -- I love international travel (and domestic travel, too), although I work hard to find
    good airfares, hotel rates from priceline, etc.  I often stay at b&b's to save money and make travel more affordable.
  • Clothes, accessories, etc. -- duh!
  • Super nice meals -- I have been known to frequent some extravagant places!  I love a fancy meal.


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kittenheels


Coach

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Posts: 1520
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This is really interesting reading

Splurge:

Comfortable shoes - beauty and comfort tend to go hand in hand with a high price tag.  I don't own that many pairs, but I wear them all and love them all.

Clothing - while I try to buy most of my clothing from Loehmann's, sample sales or online codes, if there is something that I love, but no code, I will buy it. 

Vacations - when DH and I travel - we like nice hotels and restaurants.  We work pretty hard, so it's nice to splurge a little bit.

Hair/Maintenace - I get my hair cut and colored every month.  I have short hair - and it's the best look for me, but it requires a lot of maintenance.  Same with eyebrows and other waxing - once a month just makes me feel groomed and together. 

Save:

Beauty products:  with rare exceptions most things come from the drug store except for my night cream and eye cream.  Those both last at least a year, so I feel they are pennies per use.

Makeup:  I wear contacts, so I buy inexpensive mascara so I can change it frequently.  I really don't buy a lot of makeup, so although I like nice foundation and blush, I tend to use them for a while.

Food:  We eat in a lot.  I also try to bring my lunch to work as much as I can.  If I have to buy lunch during the week, I don't get a drink.  I also love finding inexpensive wines for home - there are so many good ones out there between 10-15 dollars.

Car:  I drive a Jetta - which gets decent mileage and I try not to use it during the weekends at all.  Other than my job - which I need to drive to get there - I live in a walkable neighborhood - which is neat for LA.

 



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dangergirl


Kate Spade

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Posts: 1019
Date:
RE: how "cheap" are you? Where are you utterly frivolous?
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cheap

  • make-up and bath products - everything i buy is pretty cheap and i only really wear concealer and mascara
  • hair - i only get my hair cut every 6 months or so because i don't get round to it, and i'd rather spend the money on clothes
  • underwear
  • i don't have a car although i can drive, the buses are pretty good here
  • drink - i don't like the taste of alcohol so don't buy many drinks - cheap date!

splurge

  • shopping (kind of) - although i don't buy expensive clothes and get quite a lot of them in sales, i buy little bits and pieces randomly so it seems to add up
  • food - i enjoy food and just because i'm a student doesn't mean i want to live on beans and toast. i also enjoy a good meal out every few weeks
  • magazines - i buy a magazine or two every month, but don't subscribe as i'm always moving between home and uni


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blink


Coach

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Posts: 1652
Date:
RE: how "cheap" are you? Where are you utterly frivolous?
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I thought I was cheap, but looking over the posts makes me realize that I am more likely a spender...


Scrimp:

Meeting friends at dinner, I never ever like to split the bill evenly with the group.  I will take care of my individual part, plus 20% tip, and if somehow the bill is short because somebody else forgot they had one more drink, I won't chip in.

Order water most of the time at restaurants, almost never alcohol unless it's a really special occasion.

Hair and nails.  I used to have best friends who were cosmetologists, so I got my highlights for cost (then I moved away).  And I used to do my own acrylic nails back in the 90's.  But now I don't have time and I just can't bring myself to spend the money on it-plus I hate chemicals now.  My hair is back to natural color and is straight, luckily there is no grays and my color isn't as mousy as I used to think it was.  I realize I am lucky here, if I had a different hair type, I would probably be spending something on it.


Splurge:

Gourmet and organic groceries

Beauty and Makeup products (hopefully made with minimal chemicals)

Jeans.  Not so much these days as budget is tight, but designer jeans are worth saving and waiting for to me.

My kids.  Not that I overspend on them, I mean that I want quality products...like the best diapers, clothes in all natural fabrics, natural bath products, nice unique toys from teaching stores, that sort of splurge (Not like, $50 designer onesies).

Hotels

Handbags and accessories




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"Go either very cheap or very expensive. It's the middle ground that is fashion nowhere." ~ Karl Lagerfeld
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