Inspired by this thread about paying to have your laundry done. I’m sure some Dopers were reading that thread in horror, appalled at the idea that someone would pay someone else to do a household chore like laundry?
So, what do you willingly pay for, that other people in your family/social circle/whatever would consider an extravagance?
I’ll start: Air Conditioning. I keep the A/C in my house at about 68F, beginning in April. I don’t care how high the electric bills get - I absolutely REFUSE to sit around and sweat half to death like I did when I was a kid. My parents had this strict no-air-conditioning-before-July rule, and it was hot enough in my house to suffocate. Once I got out of the house I promised myself I would not live like that ever again, and I’ve kept my word.
My wife thinks this is an appalling extravagance. Never mind that we always have the money to pay the electric bill (level payment plan, don’t ya know). Her mother and grandparents to this day believe they’re poor (they’re not), and a summer visit to their home is like a visit to a freaking sauna. Not me. I’ll gladly pay a higher electric bill for some extra comfort.
Expensive jeans–not what I would consider outrageously expensive, but definitely not something they’d sell at Wal*Mart.
For travel in general, I don’t like camping, I don’t like roughing it, and I don’t like long car trips. I’d rather wait until I can afford to fly and stay at a better hotel, than do it on the cheap. In this regard a former co-worker of mine, one time, was headed to San Francisco to meet her son, and said she wanted to find a campground nearby to stay in. That just struck me as evidence of totally missing the point of being in San Francisco.
Moderately priced wine…I actually rarely spend more than $12 for a bottle but I know people who think that’s outrageous.
I buy things like personal care items (i.e. soaps, shaving accessories etc) that are a lot more expensive than the standard grocery store stuff, (a tube of my favorite shower gel is $19.00). I don’t scrimp because I don’t have to, and I like it. I also buy expensive boots. In my line of work a good pair of $150.00 Red Wing workboots can save your hide.
My extravagance - pre-cut salads. I’ve tried so many times to buy the damned lettuce and make my own damned salad, but it almost always gets thrown out eventually, so I’ve just starting sucking it up and buying the damned salads in the bags.
We don’t camp except in a nice trailer, either. My husband is very firm on that - he was forced to tent as a kid, hated it, and will not spend a night in a tent now. And I support him in this decision. We’re just too old to enjoy sleeping on the ground.
(I’m thinking about getting AC in my next car, too. We only need it about two weeks of the year here, but dammit, I hate driving all hot and sticky.)
I’m more like your stereotypical guy than your stereotypical woman when it comes to cleaning- I don’t notice messiness until it’s… well, let’s just say well past the point at which most people would do something about it.
I didn’t tell my parents about it for a long time, not wanting to hear the lecture I’d get on being extravagant and all that. Then, when I finally came out to my family about having someone come to clean every two weeks, it turns out they do the same thing :smack:
We’re the same with regard to air conditioning. Today, May 24th, it was 94 degrees where we live. Our A/C has been on since April, and will be on until November. We keep it about 70 - no need to be shivering, but we are not hurting for money such that we would sit around in our underwear with fans on, trying to get cool! I don’t care what it costs, we’ll pay it.
I could buy $4 shaving cream from the supermarket, but I decided it’s worth it to my skin to buy the $12 Body Shop tube… really $24 if you want to compare the same sized containers…
I have also recently become accustomed to tailor made business shirts. I don’t wear them often (normal work day is jeans and t-shirt, but client visits are shirt and tie). But considering I have extraordinarily long arms for my size (which is 6’10" anyway), I figure it’s worth the extra $50 or so to get one that actually fits properly.
No one thinks this is an extravagance among our family/friends and social circle but more of a necessity. But we pay to maintain, clean and house a sailboat in slip at a marina in another state every month. It might be a waste of money to some people though. And I have a cleaning lady who comes twice a month.
I buy a bouquet of flowers at the grocery store every week. Daffodils, tulips, sweat peas, daisies, tea roses – what ever looks good. About 4 or 5 bucks and they make me smile.
I am prudent and thrifty, but I don’t have to. Nearly my whole life could be disapproved of by my family. I subscribe to the Vimes Theory of Economics:
A poor man can only afford a $10 pair of boots, say. Well, every year they wear out, and in ten years he’s spent $100.
A rich man goes out and buys a $100 pair of boots. They last him ten years before he has to buy one.
So in ten years, the poor man has spent the same amount of money and still has wet feet.
Spend a little extra and be comfortable, and buy quality to last, I say.
A boat. Yep, it’s a hole in the water into which one throws money, but it’s our hole in the water. We choose to spend our disposable income on something that brings us pleasure. Yes, it’s a yacht. La de dah!
I never took a real vacation till I was almost 46, so I have a lot to make up for. I’m now 59, with health problems, so I figure how many healthy years do I have left, before I’m too old or debilitated to travel? (I have absolutely no desire to waste my time and money on some cruise ship filled with old fogies).
I’ve discovered that I make a horrible travel companion, and need some time to myself anyway, so each year I take off for two weeks, all by myself. Yes, single occupancy is a bitch. I can’t really afford it, but eventually the bills get paid, plus I then have some new photos to sell in my eBay store; at least I can deduct the photography expenses.
This year I’m visiting Paris (for the 3rd time) and Amsterdam (for the 1st time).
Science Diet (for sensitive stomachs) for my cats. I’d rather pay $32 for a bag of cat food rather than take them to the vet’s every month or two for diarrhea. Also, scoopable cat litter. My friends think I’m nuts to pay $10 for kitty litter.
DSL is a must for us. Dialup around here is about 26k baud. It was painful downloading PDFs from EbscoHost on that connection.
I hate buying cheap clothes too, they just fall apart too quickly (especially brassieres and shoes). I’d rather save money and buy something that lasts longer - although I am certainly not above working the clearance rack; indeed, I do so with great relish.
Luckily my husband and I are compatible about these things.
DSL
Patagonia clothing.
Renting a convertible when I go to Hawaii.
I spend 1-4 hours a day at home on the net. I have a T1 line at work so I’m not used to waiting.
I have a Patagonia jacket that is 17 years old and the cuffs are still tight. I have a whole lot of Patagucci clothing that is 8-12 years old and still looks great. And I usually buy it through the Patagonia seconds store, which is 30-80% discounted.
Why the heck wouldn’t you rent a convertible in Hawaii? Especially when it will be 3-4 months before I can use my own convertible in Montana.
Whistlepig, who’s on the net, wearing a Patagonia jacket and looking forward to another trip to Kauai.
I’m with you on the traveling. I am paying for business class on Amtrak next week (because it’s nicer than coach and it’s also reserved seating) and staying in a bed and breakfast inn. I saved up for it, so why not?
Regional theater. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is in my hometown, and I see a play at least once every two weeks, and go to the lectures/discussions/ancillary events. I probably spend $15-20/week on tickets and drinks (because a Perrier in hand is so important to a post-show discussion, dahling), but it’s completely worth it. Even on a college budget.
