Self-indulgence - Other Than Make-Up

[TISH1124]

What are 3 things you or your family indulges in every month..that you could really do without and really save money on if you didn't... but you spend money for anyway...(OTHER than MAKEUP)
Your rationalization and the real reason.

• Eat Lunch Out M-F My reason: I just really need to get out of the office and get a break from my hectic day. Truth: I am too lazy to pack a lunch everyday!
• Cleaning Lady 2x a month - My reason: I work so many hours I just don't have time to clean the house like it needs to be. Truth: I HATE cleaning even behind myself didnt you know this before we got married!
• Eat Fast Food Dinner Out 3-4x a week - My reason: I am just so tired when I get off work I don't feel like standing over a hot stove. Truth: I want to come home and play on Specktra or simply do nothing not cook!

I could have so much more money for makeup if I gave up 2 of these for at least half of the time...Not to mention I would loose weight!!!

 

[Sass E]

HHmm..okay I'll join ya on this

Here it goes...

1. We take the kids to pizza every Friday night (with a coupon of course). My reason: We don't eat out a lot so that's our night to eat out. Truth: I like to have a night when I don't have to cook, it's nice to have a break and let someone else do the work.

2. We could use cheaper shampoos. My reason: Suave or V05 is only a buck a piece but I'm addicted to Samy and have tried but can't live without it. Truth: I love this shampoo and I figure it's only $5.99 a bottle compared to twice the price of some higher end brands and it does a better job.

3. Going to the QT to get soda's like 4 x's a week. My reason: We love our 32 oz caffeine free diet cokes. Truth: it's something to do and since we are trying to save money it's like a little road trip and reason to get out of the house.

I know I could save like $150 bucks a month if we cut these things out but I cut out sooo much already, I've just learned how to make it fit.

 

[Simply Elegant]

1. Clothes.
My reason: It's something that won't last long in stores and I need it.
Truth: I want it but don't have any room left in my closet or dresser for anymore clothes.
2. Dessert coffees.
My reason: If I have one once in awhile before a test it'll keep me awake and study better.
Truth: I don't actually need them to stay awake and if I have one too late when I'm studying at night then I won't have a good sleep.
3. Shoes.
My reason: I need a new pair to go with that dress/skirt/pants.
Truth: I have another pair that would match perfectly well and just want them.

 

[xxManBeaterxx]

I dont really buy much makeup anymore, maybe 1 or 2 things from a couple of mac collections every year... and whatever money we spend, we make up for it else where, (ugly cars, i own 1 pair of shoes, we buy clothes like once every 3 years)

1. Eating out for a family of 3.
Reason: I really hate washing the pots and pans and dishes and taking the time out to prep food.
Truth: I cant cook nearly as well as the hundreds of local restaurants in my town, but it would save some extra cash.

2. Home decorating (painting, rugs, furniture, flowers, electronics)
Reason: I lived in a nice house growing up, every single wall was white, the rug was white, everything you could imagine was white. I need some color and comfortable cushions in my life!!!
Truth: Some of the things werent necessary.

3. Sending my kid to private school.
Reason: I grew up in the public school system, and what did i learn? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Hawaii has one of the worse public schools in the united states, in more than half my classes i used to watch movies or anime everyday, and hawaii's public high schools almost has the lowest math and english scores in the nation.
Truth: I spend 11,000 dollars a year on private school.. =.= and i still have my 120,000 dollar loan to pay off from pharmacy school..

 

[Hilly]

1. Eating out very often. Truth- I am lazy and like to eat (especially sushi).

2. Target runs. Truth- I am always buying crap to redecorate my home with, but dont need to be. Fills boredom

3. Wandering the mall. Truth- I get bored and often have stupid coupons for some free something or other and it lures me in to buy other crap.

 

[couturesista]

Simply Elegant and Hilly, just described me to the T. Basically all thee above!

 

[concertina]

Oooo, yikes! An accountability thread. I'm scared!

But heres mine...

1. Eating out ALL THE DAMN TIME.
My Reason: Cooking takes so much time for so little pay-off, its no fun to cook for one, I don't have time, I'm not creative in the kitchen.
The Truth: I'm lazy and lonely.
2. Buying beauty/skin products/house stuff online.
My Reason: I'm trying to be better about my appearance, I want to have better skin, I want to make the home nice for when my husband comes home.
The Truth: I like buying things and I get bored.
3. Spending so much time online.
My Reason: I need to catch up on all my blogs, upload my pictures, check out my forums, check the news, check my email, etc.
The Truth: I'm putting off things I really need to be doing because they're not as fun or enjoyable.

*Whew* That felt good....

...now to actually *change* those things!

 

[concertina]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxManBeaterxx 3. Sending my kid to private school. Reason: I grew up in the public school system, and what did i learn? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Hawaii has one of the worse public schools in the united states, in more than half my classes i used to watch movies or anime everyday, and hawaii's public high schools almost has the lowest math and english scores in the nation.

Where in Hawaii are you? My husband went to high school at Mililani and it was a pretty amazing school. As is Hawaii Kai on the Leeward side.

Would the cost of moving/living be worth it?

 

[xxManBeaterxx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by concertina Where in Hawaii are you? My husband went to high school at Mililani and it was a pretty amazing school. As is Hawaii Kai on the Leeward side. Would the cost of moving/living be worth it?

From reading the newspapers i know wthat 90% of all public schools fail state test standards and the no child left behind act, i know the schools in hawaii kai (kaiser area) failed

, and i think mililiani did well actually. I live on oahu, waikiki area, if i moved to mililani it would be okay if there was no traffic because its only a 20 minute communte to our jobs, but because of massive traffic and only one 4 lane highway for a population of 1.2 million residents, it easily becomes a 1 hour 40 minute communte to town.

 

[TISH1124]

Quote:

Originally Posted by concertina Oooo, yikes! An accountability thread. I'm scared! But heres mine... 1. Eating out ALL THE DAMN TIME. My Reason: Cooking takes so much time for so little pay-off, its no fun to cook for one, I don't have time, I'm not creative in the kitchen. The Truth: I'm lazy and lonely. 2. Buying beauty/skin products/house stuff online. My Reason: I'm trying to be better about my appearance, I want to have better skin, I want to make the home nice for when my husband comes home. The Truth: I like buying things and I get bored. 3. Spending so much time online. My Reason: I need to catch up on all my blogs, upload my pictures, check out my forums, check the news, check my email, etc. The Truth: I'm putting off things I really need to be doing because they're not as fun or enjoyable. *Whew* That felt good.... ...now to actually *change* those things!

Oh Misti!! I hope your husband is home soon. I can imagine how loney you must be...and cooking for one is never fun...Hell cooking for three isn't much fun for the most part either

 

[M.A.C. head.]

1. Shopping for my daughter - I love seeing her look all cute and watching the excitement in her eyes when she gets a new DVD or toy. That's the truth.

That's pretty much the only other indulgence we have. We love spoiling her!

 

[vocaltest]

I don't really have anything I or my family really indulge in... I'm a student, I work part time and get relatively a lot of money for part time, I don't have any outgoings at all, so I guess really my only indulgence is MAC, but I'm trying to cut down.

So I guess it would be...

1. MAC/Beauty products in general - The truth? Because I have really really low self esteem and always have done, and I'm always trying to find better ways to improve myself and make myself look better. Sad, but true!

 

[User49]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vocaltest I don't really have anything I or my family really indulge in... I'm a student, I work part time and get relatively a lot of money for part time, I don't have any outgoings at all, so I guess really my only indulgence is MAC, but I'm trying to cut down. So I guess it would be... 1. MAC/Beauty products in general - The truth? Because I have really really low self esteem and always have done, and I'm always trying to find better ways to improve myself and make myself look better. Sad, but true!

I don't think you need to worry about looks! Some people really do need make up but you arent one of them! I'm also a part timer so don't have money anymore for indulgences! I used to have starbucks coffees alot but I had to cut back! I don't think I'd be able to not spend ANY money on a little indulgence once in a while. You only live once!!! xx

Actually I lie, my indulgence I could do without is PIZZA!!! Im a pizza-holic!

 

[Shadowy Lady]

Mine:

1. I spend a lot of time online, checking out this website and reading the news. Reason: It's just too boring at my work sometimes....I'm never online in the evenings when I'm home

2. Clothes and shoes. Reason: do I really need a reason? I love shopping
3. Books: I buy at least 2 per week. Reason: I love makeup and shopping for pretty things but I also have a thirst for knowledge and I trust books more than TV, ...to satisfy me in that area...I realize this made me sound like a geek

 

[aleksis210]

OOooh fun post! okay...
1. The movies-My reason: I just like going even though I never like any of the ones I see! lol! I keep hoping there will be one that I absolutely love but I'm just too picky!!
2.Art-My reason: I love admiring it on my wall Truth: I'm just obssesed with paintings(certain art/artist of course). I spend way too much money on art

3.Antique Dishes:I buy them anywhere and everywhere I see them. My reason: I just love them! Truth: There is some truth in that I love them of course, but the main reason I can't stop buying them is because when I told my grandfather I loved them before he passed away he brought me back the most beautiful handpainted bowls from the 60s/70s from his house in NC and I lost them...they just disappeared...(I still cry when I think about them

)and now I feel guilty and that I have to make up by buying so many of them. hopefully when I have my own house I can have a little room for them or hang them up somewhere...they look a lot like the dishes you see in Anthropologie, but a lot cheaper and genuine.

**I don't even want to think about how much I could save a month...seriously...leave me alone!....lol
My boyfriend's indulgence is his expensive ass gym membership and protein shakes(they are sooo expensive!!)

 

[anthgrl]

Well, I have only one to add, but:

1) Massages/pedicures: My reason: It improves my health/stress level, etc. Regarding the massages, my argument is that I have a bad back so need massages to help keep out of pain.
The Truth: The truth is I'm just a sucker for some pampering, even if it doesn't have a bit of actual physical benefit!

 

[redambition]

1. Yarn. Reason: I knit. Truth: I love the stuff and i'm stocking up for the time when i have a mortgage. then i can happily knit it all up.

2. beautician visit once a month. Reason: i hate doing my eyebrows and there is no way i'm doing my own bikini line. ever. Truth: see reason.

3. Takeaway dinners every so often. Reason: they're a treat. Truth: i'm feeling lazy those nights.

 

[CantAffordMAC]

Starbucks: I spend a ridiculous amount on Starbucks every month...I go at least 3-5 times a week. I tell myself that its my money, and I can get Starbucks if I want...but the truth is its so damn good I cant resists the caramel macchiatos, the iced coffees, the cookies, the caramel frappucinos. Which is also why Im gaining weight.

Eating out: I eat out all the time when I am at work especially. I will order burgers, chinese, pizza, sandwiches, coffee, etc. I tell myself "Well you have to eat! Its only 5 dollars" But that $5 adds up fast when ur doing it everyday, and the truth is I could go to the grocery store and pack a lunch, but its never as good as the junk food

I really think my only other indulgence is makeup. I only buy shoes/clothes occasionally, when I need them. My makeup habit is getting ridiculous. I might feel a bit better about it if I ONLY bought makeup, but $75-$100 every few weeks on makeup, on top of $40 every 2 weeks for Starbucks, on top of $100 a month on food is just too much! My reason for buying so much makeup is because I want to be a makeup artist someday and I figure all my makeup will come in handy then ("building my kit") But in reality, its all for me!!!

Well I also spend a lot on Yankee candles, every few months I spend like $100....I do not burn the candles. they are all sitting in my room. But my excuse is that I will use them someday when I move out...and they are on sale, so Im shopping smart.

 

[pinklips1207]

here's mine...
1. Cold Stone OR Golden Spoon- my daughter loves Vanilla Ice Cream!!! everytime she does good at school i treat her...

2. Beauty Supply Stores- i don't know why, everytime i'm bored or driving i feel like i need to stop at a beauty supply for no freakin' reasons!!! i need to stop doin this...

3. IN-N-OUT- my husband, daughter and I are addicted!!! the smell is so inviting everytime i drive passed it!!!

 

[Lapis]

Clothes shopping for the kids
My excuse- they need new clothing
The truth- it's sooo much easier to shop for them than myself esp dd, I love that I can pick anything out and she looks adorable in it.

Eating out twice a week
My excuse- no time to cook
The truth- while I like cooking I HATE that I have to do all the cleaning up esp since that's supposed to be dh's job