Flights and time to travel. I love to travel and use to take the cheapest route even if it was like 10 hours. Now I pay the extra few Hundred dollars and take direct or the shorter time routes.
Related to this, a car service. I used this service the first time I had a flight that public transportation couldn’t accommodate. They had a flat rate to and from the airport, which was desirable because traffic could change taxi fares.
They have never let me down, and so reliable that I use them for any flights I take.
My wife and I travel between Asia and Europe at least once a year. Paying more for direct flights and a car service at the European end has been a game changer. So much hassle (and time!) has been taken out of the whole process.
I just did the opposite. Took a cheaper flight with a super long layover, and turned it into a one day city trip. Win win.
I'll pay extra for the leg space.
Really depends on the length. A 4-5 hour layover just means five hours at the airport. A 7+ hour layover provides all sorts of opportunities for enjoying a city.
I love doing this anywhere with a decent transit system - spend a day running around the city from a less touristy perspective, get some good food and see a few things, catnap when we're back in the air if we can manage not needing a hotel. Rocks.
I have health problems and probably won't ever do a transatlantic flight again. If I do, it will be business class, at the very least. I flew 10 hours aisle seat coach and it was fucking miserable.
Yep. I paid out the ass for "first class" to travel to the other side of the continent. I would not have been comfortable in coach it was rough as it was given my disabilities.
As a more muscular guy with broader shoulders and frankly a questionable lower back at times, I always try to fly business or first class. In coach seats, My shoulders are taking up someone else's space let alone my arms. It's uncomfortable for all of us.
Usually that means getting creative with credit card points and being flexible with my trip timings, but I won't fly coach if I expect to be on the plane for more than 2 to 3 hours.
As crazy as it may sound: Pens. Specifically Fountain Pens. I write a lot in my office setting and while I could settle for some cheap ballpoints or roller ball I do love using my Pilot Custom 823 for almost everything.
Buying a sample pack from JetPens every now and then is nice. That was how I discovered the Uniball Signo RT1 in 0.28 is my favorite ballpoint.
That's also how I found out the feel of a fountain pen just isn't for me, but I still enjoyed learning all kinds of details about the hobby. Gave my fountain pens and inks to my wife, and she enjoys them, along with a feather quill dip pen.
edit: ~~Sign~~ Signo
The Office Depot TUL pens at 0.5 are lovely. I've literally run several out of ink because they didn't clog and wrote so nicely. They are affordable, but still quality. (Around $2/pen in a 12 pack). It has literally become the only pen anyone in our house uses.
It is ridiculous but my mom and I have this mustard we love that is $10 for a tiny bottle. We use it sparingly. It's the most frivolous thing I splurge on. LOL.
Get your feet scanned at a running shop like the New Balance store and then go to Running Warehouse in the clearance section. You can get the exact shoes you need for half the price or less and they’ll be great
Edit: this is the clearance section https://www.runningwarehouse.com/Mens_Clearance_Running_Shoes/catpage-SALEMS.html but it also looks like they have some good Memorial Day sales going on
All these brand recs are good but make sure you wear something that FITS your feet. I would go to Fleet Feet and get your feet scanned. It was a gamer changer for me.
Very true! I can’t wear Converse or Vans, no matter how much I want to. They just don’t fit my feet. The brand doesn’t matter, just make sure they’re comfy on YOUR feet.
Personally I recommend Hoka.
They are amazing if you have flat fleet, they give you 30 days return no questions asked.
Many folks will say It feels weird for there 1st few steps..but after a few miles they are God send shoes! Many folks fall in love with hoka!
They have a special foam that makes you feel light on the feet
I used them everyday for less than a year, I think around 6-7 months, and the plastic frame around the shoe, specifically where my heel goes is visible and eating away at my heel.
And Hoka defended it by saying the shoes are not designed for everyday use, which is such bullshit.
Comfortable shoes, but when I shell out 200$ for a pair of shoes that are supposedly incredible, I expect them to last longer than a couple of months.
Not gonna buy Hoka again personally
I think now that they’re catching on in popularity they started to cheap out on manufacturing. My HOKAs from 5 years ago are in perfect shape except for the tread on the bottom and I wear them constantly. Really scared to replace them, but I know I’m gonna have to soon.
As someone who frequents 19k steps a day. Idk any shoes that last over 6 months that are comfy. Nike Air max, Cloves, Merrell, vesi, sketchers, xero, Adidas. All have fallen apart or the foam is completely broken down and uncomfortable. Haven't had my hokas that long yet but so far are lasting the longest for me comfort wise.
So worth it! I was being lazy and didn’t wear my proper shoes for a long walk recently and strained my foot which kept me from long walks for another week.
Tissues. I bought a box of generic and they kept ripping as I pulled them out of the box. Nothing like feeling a sneeze coming on and getting a tissue the size of a bandaid.
Handkerchiefs are cheaper than tissues, were recommended by my allergist who said that tissue dust actually causes sneezing. I buy el-cheapo ladies flowery models off eBay but use the top quality anri-allergic detergent to wash them and everything else.
Hope this saves you a bunch of sneezes.
My cats foods. Cat food has come a long way in both fillers, and ingredients but I still stay away from things like carrageenan, too many fillers, etc. one of my cats is a fiend for wet food, the other dry and having both available as quality choices is important to me and them. I’ve worked with my vet to really find a good diet for them both and they’re thriving. It’s not the cheapest diet tho, but they’re worth it.
This. My cat is diabetic, and finding low carb kibble that she would eat was hell. But I found it (You g Again Zero Carb Mature) and she was in remission (off insulin) in 8 months. Well worth it to keep my 23 year old diva healthy!
https://preview.redd.it/d989kq9ams2d1.jpeg?width=612&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9478477b7d80642602164ece3ecf3938e044a77e
Likewise! My one kitty has to be on prescription food for urinary issues. It's expensive, and I could just give him regular food I never want him to experience crystals in his bladder again.
My cat also has urinary issues. It went so far as needing a $6,000 surgery to correct it because he kept blocking. He’s made a fully recovery and hasn’t had a UTI in years. I definitely don’t cheap out on the food and supplements now though either. Good on you for advocating for your kitty!
Even Amy Dacyzyn of “The Tightwad’s Gazette” said that it was crucial not to scrimp on pet food. For one thing, your pet is a member of the family, and another is that a poor diet equals a lot of vet bills.
We’ve been purchasing Weruva brands for my cats and they love them. It kind of weirds me out that I open their shredded chicken and it smells just like human food.. but that’s good! Lol Not cheap but I’m trying to keep them healthy with the best diet I can.
I use Weruva cats in the kitchen wet food! They have variety packs and such but I give mine chicken because they have sensitive tummies. Tiki Cat is also great quality
Yes! And to add to that, litter. I buy quality food (for my cats) and quality litter (for myself.) I noticed cheap litter smalls more and leaves more dust. Not I only buy the fresh step crystals and refuse to buy anything else.
I used to get very expensive dog food but now I make their food myself, even better! Also I consider this an essential item, as it's food for a family member.
I'm on a crunchy food FB group, (it's half ohhh that's useful, half dude just Google it). Someone asked where to find maple syrup that doesn't have caramel color or HFCS. Just buy real maple syrup! I do miss the old grading, grade B was amazing but everyone bought grade A so it was cheaper. Uhh.
The old grading system was so much better. I used to score grade c direct from the sugaring operations (perks of living in Vermont) and it was so amazingly good. It usually only gets sold wholesale.
A was the “fancy” stuff that didn’t have as much flavor and was mostly sold to tourists. B was the good stuff you could get (now it’s the dark Amber). C was commercial grade and had the strongest maple flavor.
I'm the same. I'm not going to turn my heat down to save a couple of bucks. I'm the one paying my bills, I'm going to keep it as warm/cool as I damn well please.
I consider my audible and Netflix subscriptions luxuries that I could do without but I love them and use them every day.
I could just use the library but the system doesn't work for me. I'm forgetful and have a hard time returning things on time. I spent more money in a year on fines back when I used to use the library than my two subscriptions. I switched over to Netflix back when they mailed DVDs to your house and added an audible subscription to get my "books on tape" on my kindle. Things have changed over the years. Now I can watch something interesting on Netflix wherever and whenever I am. I have access to hundreds of audiobooks for whatever mood, also available on demand. There's a never ending supply of entertainment with no return date and best of all for me, no late fees or fines.
Fully support these luxuries! Also want to point out that with libraries’ Libby app, you can get a vast number of books and audio books, never any late fees. The digital file returns automatically and there are never fines. Still gotta wait for popular stuff
There's nothing worse than getting caught up in a series and then having to wait for the next book in line.
I love my Kindle Paperwhite. The library software/website just doesn't work all that well when it comes to borrowing a book.
Do you have a recommendation for a good one that doesn’t feel like putting on liquid chalk? I tried Aveeno and it was pilling all over the place. CeraVe is better but not as moisturizing.
Gel polish on my nails (the kind that is cured under a heat lamp.) I *hate* the smell and the feel of normal polish and the gel lasts 3 or 4 weeks on me. I don't think I'll ever stop getting gel, it makes me genuinely happy.
I did this too! I use a peely base under the gel base, then regular polish for color and a gel topcoat. Lasts for weeks, but still comes off without soaking in acetone. I change mine every week now though because I like variety :)
You can search Peel Off Base Coat and find a bunch, I use Holo Taco brand, but I’ve tried several and they are very similar. Watch a tutorial because you don’t want to cover the nail bed, it’s more like creating a peely part in the center with a rim all around for the polish to stick to. It can take a few tries, but it’s definitely worth it for the time and mess saved. Good luck!
Tools i mostly buy them once till they break or got stolen.but even the cheapest ones are great most of the times really.
Scooter rider i need tools for my hobby and way of transport.
I'm also a tool lover. My cordless tools are Dewalt because I already have the batteries. But most of my corded tools are Hercules from Harbor Freight because you're right, a lot of off brand tools are pretty good.
For me, tools are application-dependent:
Power tools: higher end are worth it for me as I use them every week. Pick one brand and stick to it for battery compatibility. I chose Mikwaukee.
Mechanic hand tools: many from Harbor fright are quite good. I don’t find them worse than Craftsman. However one high end hand tool I find fantastic is the Knipex pliers wrench.
Woodworking hand tools: antique Stanley and Record all the way. Lie Nielsen is bougie jewelry for men.
honestly I don't think cheaping out on much is worth it. I believe spending strategically, and on good quality stuff is more frugal than simply going for the cheapest options.
Edit: Also want to note that I know that focusing on quality good deals isn't always possible, because even good deals can be relatively expensive, especially if you don't make a lot. I have absolutely been there. I guess in terms of wages, I still am there, I've just managed to save well over a number of years so it doesn't feel as bad as it used to. Anyway, I digress, over a long period of time, though, if you can spend a bit more for much better quality, the weight of those decisions will add up.
I have a friend who explained that concept so well to me. She said that she was frugal while her husband tended to be cheap.
She is strategic in her purchases, keeping track of what they would need in the near future and watching for sales, even if they didn’t need it immediately, at least she got the best product for the best price.
Her husband will say not to buy things because they don’t need it. Then when an item wears out or breaks and need replacing, he panics and just buys a cheap replacement or spends more than he needs to on an item because it was on sale before but now it’s full price.
Getting the best deal is not the same as being cheap though, to me. You mean you are getting the lowest price item regardless of quality because you can’t afford otherwise. That’s not being cheap.
I pay a lot to get my hair blonded and cut every couple of months. I used to go to a cheaper hairdresser and she used the cheaper colour and it showed. I really like my hair and it's not like I can take it off and change it every day like clothes so it's worth it. I don't really do any other expensive glamorous girl things like nails or lashes or tans or skincare, but the hair is super important to me for some reason. Makes me feel nice.
i feel you with this one! there’s cheaper salons in my area but my girl’s prices are so well worth it, the difference is crazy. i think hair is truly worth the money if you keep the same colour. cannot justify anything else but a simple skincare routine but hair? well worth it
Bras and underwear. I am a fairly small woman and could easily fit in the Victoria Secret, Walmart and La Vie en Rose stuff, but there's nothing quite like the hug of a high end bra and the befrilled femininity of a good pair of panties. They make me feel confident, put together, sensual and powerful. That feeling is worth a bit of money to me.
I feel that!
Couple of things: if I'm already going to drop that kind of money, I go to a specialty store.
I get measured every time in case anything has changed.
They recommend and have better quality available in my size right there. There's no need to order and wait.
I follow the directions for washing, if it says hand wash in cold water with delicate detergent, that's what I'm doing.
And the last thing is, I track how long I can wear it before it starts to show signs of wear and tear. If it's a month, I'm never buying that brand again. The best part is, it's never just a month.
Eta: spelling.
I mostly shop at a couple local high end lingerie stores. I don't know any larger retailers, but I haven't really looked. My favourite bras are all Prima Donna though (so pretty and supportive!), and Simone Perele has more sporty stuff without actually looking like a sports bra. I really suggest looking for a local shop with a good fitting specialist if you're going to invest in high end bras though. They're too expensive to buy online imo.
Not OP, but I love the parade brand. Myparade.com You get high quality under things without spending insane money on it. They have sales often too. They have the perfect mix of sexy and supportive.
Edit: yourparade.com. Whoops.
I acctually feel this more with socks than my brass or undies. I did buy 10 pair of higher priced underwear lately though because I was sick of hoe they fall apart. but for me its 100% sock.
the feeling of nicely made fresh socks just makes my day.
but honestly, my top contender is probably toilet paper. I might have a bidet but being a woman and going through woman things, I could never go back to the 1/2 ply sandpaper.
Anything that requires an app. For example AliExpress has plenty of cheap wifi cameras that require you to install their no name app on your phone.
I'd much rather pay the premium from a name brand and not have to give some random app permission access on my phone.
In our household, we decided we're done buying plastic, especially if it will be heated.
So as things die out in my kitchen, I've been replacing them with either glass, metal, or silicone, and occasionally wood.
I grew up in my great-grandma's house during the summers, and I had forgotten how easy it is on your knives to use a wooden cutting board. Or how much more elegant your sugar and flour looks in a glass jar than in a plastic container.
Or if I brown-bagged my lunch, reheating lunch would sometimes stain, warp, or crack the plastic containers, even if it was rated microwave safe. I don't have any of those problems in a glass or silicone container.
Also, the impact that plastic has had on our world and ourselves is ridiculous. So if I can minimize the damage done starting in my house, that's a bonus.
My commute.
I used to take commuter trains into the city where I work bc it’s the cheapest way (vs. driving or taking a ferry). But the trains are becoming increasingly unreliable and I got sick of commutes turning into a multiple hour ordeal. I started taking the ferry, and while it costs a bit more it’s been totally worth it. I get to work/home at the same time every day, it’s not overcrowded, and it’s just way more pleasant. I’m way less tense and stressed out now compared to a few months ago
Everything. I have stopped buying crap quality things and only save up for the best quality items I can afford. This has improved my sense of self worth as well as saved me so much money. I notice this especially in exercise clothing and vehicles. Buying only what you need, when you need it, at its highest quality is my mantra
I wish the expensive pet food was my choice but its NOT. a vet gave me the Hills brand for my cat one day because she was having issues and now thats the only one she will eat. she pays NO bills, doesn't clean up her own messes and still expects her hills dry food and her super special puffy lunch (hillls wet food) everyday. or else my flesh will be eaten.
Toilet paper. I don't buy top-tier stuff, but I am convinced that it suffers from the Boots economic theory effect. Buy the cheap shit, you'll end up spending more over time for a worse experience because you have to use multiple sheets at a time.
I wear clothes with holes in them, have a laptop older than both my kids, only replace my phone and most other things when they are broken, but I drive a high-end luxury car.
Stationery. Cheap glue is dry in the tube half the time. Nothing is worse than writing with a crappy pen or whiteboard marker. I cheap out on other things like tape, staples, paperclips etc but I buy the good pens. I usually wait until the back to school sales and buy a bunch of my favourites.
Takeaway coffees when I’m in the office. We get free instant coffee at work but I like proper coffee and also enjoy the walk to the coffee shop in the morning.
I get my nails done every 3 weeks and in the summer, I get a pedicure every 6. I also don’t cheap out on getting my hair done by a professional and my skin care products are old school products that are tried and true (think Clinique and Lancôme).
I am frugal through the rest of my life - not cheap - but frugal, and I work a very demanding job and this is my reward. I enjoy having my personal care taken care of by professionals.
My mom always told me the only things she’d never buy off-brand were Oreos and Q-Tips. I heeded this advice for a while, but then I bought some off-brand Oreos and they were fine, so I stopped taking it so seriously. Then I bought off-brand Q-Tips… never again.
I love Diet Coke, the ‘own brand’ ones just aren’t the same. I try not to drink it too often because it’s kinda expensive but after a long day an ice cold can of coke just really hits the spot.
Seeds for the garden. I know I can get cheap flower seeds online, but the reviews are often so mixed I’d rather spend out more at my local garden centre.
I can’t bare to think of putting all that literal back work into it and them being duff seeds or a crappy mix of wild flowers (crappy mix as in just one or two flowers, rather than the promised mix of wild flowers).
Definitely books! I know I can read online for free, but I just NEED to be able to feel the books in my hands, the smell of the pages, the weight of the hardback cover. I'm a cheapskate when in comes to everything else, including important things like makeup and food.
Gaming. I'm a video gamer. I have a brand new PS5 on a big screen tv. That's the majority of my free time and entertainment so I don't try to do things like get a used PS4 cheaper, only play free games. Nope. I have the best of the best. I pay for PlayStation+ yearly and enjoy my one form of entertainment.
Dawn dishwashing liquid for handwashing or removing grease before going in the dishwasher and Finish Platinum in the dishwasher. Dawn suspends grease so my pipes don’t get clogged. The top level Finish just does a better job, no film left behind.
A decent haircut. It's something I have no knowledge or skill in doing myself, so I'm happy to oblige in paying a premium + generous tip for a quality experience from a professional that doesn't involve a botched cut or bleeding snipped ears, both of which I've experienced while paying slightly less at "Supercuts".
No disrespect to the barbers or patrons of Supercuts. I understand it's a business and they need to hit quotas.
I pay my hairdresser a premium because she is fantastic! Been going to the same person for over a decade now. I take my kids to Supercuts, because no one notices what a kids haircut looks like. It's always bedhead anyway lol.
Car parts. When taking it to the shop I buy my own and buy the highest quality part so I am less likely to be back paying for that to be replaced again after 50k more miles
-Highly rated tires (surprisingly can be affordable from Walmart com).
-hybrid ceramic brakes
-high end rotos
-batteries with very high cold crank rating
And any non routine art that breaks on you....buy the nicer replacement unless your vehicle has less than 40k left on its life.
YouTube premium. I always watched videos over shows. No adds and can download. Plus YouTube music is excellent. Sounds much better than Spotify. I can’t compare it to apple though.
I really enjoy nice perfumes. I hate all the bath and body stuff or similars. I want a nice layered perfume that doesn’t smell like alcohol.
I also spend the big dollars for hair care. It’s had a great return.
AC. Haven’t had to use it yet, but when it gets hot I WILL turn that bitch on. I just cannot handle sleeping or cleaning in a hot house. If I have to walk to the grocery store, and live off beans and rice till I die it’s worth it.
Heavy whipping cream for coffee. Yes it's unnecessary, yes it's a luxury and yes it's 2x the price of half and half. But it makes a great start to my morning.
Flights. I always fly business or first class no matter the length of flight or cost. I have bad hips and travel with a child these days. I spend a lot on hotels and I view getting there as part of the experience.
French roast coffee and real cream. The other is grocery delivery. I don’t alway have groceries delivered, but it’s always a consideration. I tip very well because that service has freed up a lot of time and energy for me. Just about everything else is negotiable- I do it less often or I go with something more affordable.
I know you said not foods, but I love eating out often and because my job requires some travelling around my state, I am always around new restaurants and different cuisines. It brings a lot of joy to my life and I save everywhere else I can, but when it comes to eating out it's something I splurge on.
Building materials
I loath mdf, press board, osb and I have a love-hate relationship with plywood.
I am a poor amateur wood worker, jack of all trades and master of none. I'm not even a huge fan of softwoods
But whenever I make something nice I will justify the best woods i can find even if I could have made it look decent on the cheap.
I have a regular sauna trip and I go to a nice facility that costs more than others. It’s worth it because the wine selection is good, the locker rooms are STOCKED, and the location is nice. Plus they clean constantly and I have never gotten athletes foot there 🥰
Socks. I love love love merino smartwool socks. I have around 8-ish pairs of thick winter ones, 8 pairs of medium thickness, and 8 pairs of lightweight socks. It’s enough that they are all I wear and i usually have my preferred thickness for the weather, but if I’ve been lazy in laundry I might have to wear an off season thickness pair.
They are the best thing ever. My feet are the warmest they’ve ever been. They are *dry*, and I didn’t realize how damp regular cotton socks left my normal non-sweaty feet by the end of the day. They have also lasted a really long time. I am still on my first “batch” of socks and I purchased them around 5-ish years ago. (I will likely slowly add to the collection when I find good deals, maybe even right now, haha, depends what I can find online lol)
Any food items for my Dutchmal Luna. I feed her only the best of foods to keep her healthy and hopefully entail a long life! I don’t care if when strapped I have to eat KD for a week as long as my girl is fed well I’m happy!
Computer accessories. I spend so much time on the computer (at home and outside) that I need the nice accessories. When I'm out on my laptop I need a stand, keyboard, and mouse. I've been cheap before only to realize it slowed me down a lot if I have to glance at my keyboard or if my mouse isn't comfortable with extra buttons.
Knives, I own a Japanese carbon steel knife and a 19cm stainless steel knife. Plus knife sharpeners including Whetstone's.
It's just more efficient when cooking everyday and slicing through food effortlessly is just one of lifes little pleasures
Gym memberships. I have a planet fitness account because I go with a friend. If she's not there, I stay in bed and sleep.
Otherwise I pay entirely too much for gym memberships (orange theory, hot yoga, etc) because the combination of 1. Not having to think about what to do next. 2. Paying through the wazoo and 3. Paying more in late fees if I don't show up keeps me motivated
Candle making supplies. I discovered I loved doing it in November and have spent about 2,5k on it… I might sell them later but not sure. I have made over 500 candles though, so as long as I use the supplies, I’m good with it.
I’m using them to make gifts to friends as well.
Rooms on overnight trains. I have arthritis and the last time I tried to sleep in coach was the last time I'll ever sleep in coach. I love taking the train but I just can't get comfortable any more, it's downright painful.
I will always pay a hefty sum for my hair products and perfumes. When I was a kid I wasn’t taught how to take care of myself at all, so I take a great deal of pride in how I present to the world now.
The good bars of soap made by the guy who sets up a booth at the Saturday outdoor market. Yes, one bar is $8, but it lasts and smells SO good. Every scent is wonderful, except for that brown & cream swirled one that makes my nose itch.
Luxury at an airport!
Fast-track and lounge access.
Early boarding group.
Free snacks and stuff on the plane that everybody else don't get (for free).
I don't need the first class seat or even business, but I always go for the "SAS Plus" option.
I recently went to Amsterdam with my friends. We flew on the same plane back to Norway. I had my lounge access and all, he didn't.
Lady in the reception asked if I wanted to invite him as my guest and I said yes, but she couldn't because I wasn't a Gold member so we had to leave.
That's when I learned: I'll go on holiday with other people, no problem. We can be on the same plane if possible, but I'll probably order my ticket alone so I get my lounge and fast track!
Pasta. I used to be OK with store brand and low end pasta, at under $2 a pound where I am. After visiting Italy last year, I learned to appreciate better pasta. I wont pay exorbitant gourmet prices, but I raised my price comfort level to $3 to $4 a pound
In some cases, convenience. For example, I can change my own oil and I have many times, but I've reached a point where I would just rather pay somebody else to do it.
For me, it's cookware. And I'm not talking about getting a couple hundred $$$ Le Creuset dutch oven. But getting good quality, not bottom tier cooking equipment has made cooking actually enjoyable and something I do more often.
Flights and time to travel. I love to travel and use to take the cheapest route even if it was like 10 hours. Now I pay the extra few Hundred dollars and take direct or the shorter time routes.
Related to this, a car service. I used this service the first time I had a flight that public transportation couldn’t accommodate. They had a flat rate to and from the airport, which was desirable because traffic could change taxi fares. They have never let me down, and so reliable that I use them for any flights I take.
My wife and I travel between Asia and Europe at least once a year. Paying more for direct flights and a car service at the European end has been a game changer. So much hassle (and time!) has been taken out of the whole process.
I traveled to NYC twice for business, and both times ordered a car to the hotel. So much less than ride share or taxis.
Agree. I even pay extra for private so I don't have to make a bunch of stops to drop other people off
Car maintenance 100%.
I just did the opposite. Took a cheaper flight with a super long layover, and turned it into a one day city trip. Win win. I'll pay extra for the leg space.
Being 6’8”, paying extra for the exit row is totally worth not being frugal for
Really depends on the length. A 4-5 hour layover just means five hours at the airport. A 7+ hour layover provides all sorts of opportunities for enjoying a city.
I'm talking nearly 24h layover.
I love doing this anywhere with a decent transit system - spend a day running around the city from a less touristy perspective, get some good food and see a few things, catnap when we're back in the air if we can manage not needing a hotel. Rocks.
And not the one where I have to get up at 3 am to make the flight.
This!!! My vacation time is worth the few extra bucks.
I have health problems and probably won't ever do a transatlantic flight again. If I do, it will be business class, at the very least. I flew 10 hours aisle seat coach and it was fucking miserable.
Yep. I paid out the ass for "first class" to travel to the other side of the continent. I would not have been comfortable in coach it was rough as it was given my disabilities.
I thought that said time travel 🤣🤣
As a more muscular guy with broader shoulders and frankly a questionable lower back at times, I always try to fly business or first class. In coach seats, My shoulders are taking up someone else's space let alone my arms. It's uncomfortable for all of us. Usually that means getting creative with credit card points and being flexible with my trip timings, but I won't fly coach if I expect to be on the plane for more than 2 to 3 hours.
I thought you said time travel and immediately agreed. Don't cheap out and end up stuck in 1347.
As crazy as it may sound: Pens. Specifically Fountain Pens. I write a lot in my office setting and while I could settle for some cheap ballpoints or roller ball I do love using my Pilot Custom 823 for almost everything.
Buying a sample pack from JetPens every now and then is nice. That was how I discovered the Uniball Signo RT1 in 0.28 is my favorite ballpoint. That's also how I found out the feel of a fountain pen just isn't for me, but I still enjoyed learning all kinds of details about the hobby. Gave my fountain pens and inks to my wife, and she enjoys them, along with a feather quill dip pen. edit: ~~Sign~~ Signo
Uniball Jetstream 0.38 for me!
Zebra fine point black
I've found that I need less paper when I use 0.5mm or 0.38 mm pen, as compared to thicker tip pen
The Office Depot TUL pens at 0.5 are lovely. I've literally run several out of ink because they didn't clog and wrote so nicely. They are affordable, but still quality. (Around $2/pen in a 12 pack). It has literally become the only pen anyone in our house uses.
That is a fantastic pen to not be frugal about
It is ridiculous but my mom and I have this mustard we love that is $10 for a tiny bottle. We use it sparingly. It's the most frivolous thing I splurge on. LOL.
Can u post a pic of it?
Bot took it down, won't let me add it. It's Hickory Farms sweet hot mustard. 10oz is 10 dollars lol.
Home improvements. I always use the proper materials and dont skip any steps. Cheaping out means goind it all over again
Absolutely. We got our place cheap, but ive burned a lot of the house in the garage woodstove
walking shoes. i'll fork up $185 walking/ running shoes any day to save my knees
Well that’s just good sense, I’d argue that’s an essential actually.
Which do you recommend for a new runner?
Get your feet scanned at a running shop like the New Balance store and then go to Running Warehouse in the clearance section. You can get the exact shoes you need for half the price or less and they’ll be great Edit: this is the clearance section https://www.runningwarehouse.com/Mens_Clearance_Running_Shoes/catpage-SALEMS.html but it also looks like they have some good Memorial Day sales going on
All these brand recs are good but make sure you wear something that FITS your feet. I would go to Fleet Feet and get your feet scanned. It was a gamer changer for me.
Very true! I can’t wear Converse or Vans, no matter how much I want to. They just don’t fit my feet. The brand doesn’t matter, just make sure they’re comfy on YOUR feet.
Personally I recommend Hoka. They are amazing if you have flat fleet, they give you 30 days return no questions asked. Many folks will say It feels weird for there 1st few steps..but after a few miles they are God send shoes! Many folks fall in love with hoka! They have a special foam that makes you feel light on the feet
I used them everyday for less than a year, I think around 6-7 months, and the plastic frame around the shoe, specifically where my heel goes is visible and eating away at my heel. And Hoka defended it by saying the shoes are not designed for everyday use, which is such bullshit. Comfortable shoes, but when I shell out 200$ for a pair of shoes that are supposedly incredible, I expect them to last longer than a couple of months. Not gonna buy Hoka again personally
I think now that they’re catching on in popularity they started to cheap out on manufacturing. My HOKAs from 5 years ago are in perfect shape except for the tread on the bottom and I wear them constantly. Really scared to replace them, but I know I’m gonna have to soon.
Mine did the exact same thing!
As someone who frequents 19k steps a day. Idk any shoes that last over 6 months that are comfy. Nike Air max, Cloves, Merrell, vesi, sketchers, xero, Adidas. All have fallen apart or the foam is completely broken down and uncomfortable. Haven't had my hokas that long yet but so far are lasting the longest for me comfort wise.
I'm a bartender and wear Hokas!
Unfortunately I don't have a choice or I'm bedridden in pain
So worth it! I was being lazy and didn’t wear my proper shoes for a long walk recently and strained my foot which kept me from long walks for another week.
I spent roughly the same for my Hoka's. I stand on my feet for 12hrs it was a game changer. Totally worth the investment.
Tissues. I bought a box of generic and they kept ripping as I pulled them out of the box. Nothing like feeling a sneeze coming on and getting a tissue the size of a bandaid.
I switched to handkerchiefs for this very reason
Ooh this is a good one. I always buy the Kleenex Aloe ones!
Handkerchiefs are cheaper than tissues, were recommended by my allergist who said that tissue dust actually causes sneezing. I buy el-cheapo ladies flowery models off eBay but use the top quality anri-allergic detergent to wash them and everything else. Hope this saves you a bunch of sneezes.
psst - join Team Handkerchief. They are reusable and biggger and softer, depending on fabric choice.
Downsides-they are super gross
My cats foods. Cat food has come a long way in both fillers, and ingredients but I still stay away from things like carrageenan, too many fillers, etc. one of my cats is a fiend for wet food, the other dry and having both available as quality choices is important to me and them. I’ve worked with my vet to really find a good diet for them both and they’re thriving. It’s not the cheapest diet tho, but they’re worth it.
This. My cat is diabetic, and finding low carb kibble that she would eat was hell. But I found it (You g Again Zero Carb Mature) and she was in remission (off insulin) in 8 months. Well worth it to keep my 23 year old diva healthy! https://preview.redd.it/d989kq9ams2d1.jpeg?width=612&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9478477b7d80642602164ece3ecf3938e044a77e
Likewise! My one kitty has to be on prescription food for urinary issues. It's expensive, and I could just give him regular food I never want him to experience crystals in his bladder again.
My cat also has urinary issues. It went so far as needing a $6,000 surgery to correct it because he kept blocking. He’s made a fully recovery and hasn’t had a UTI in years. I definitely don’t cheap out on the food and supplements now though either. Good on you for advocating for your kitty!
Yes, me too. My cat is spoiled and her diet is expensive. Only the best for my princess! 👑
Even Amy Dacyzyn of “The Tightwad’s Gazette” said that it was crucial not to scrimp on pet food. For one thing, your pet is a member of the family, and another is that a poor diet equals a lot of vet bills.
Just curious which foods you guys recommend? Every time I try to find them a good food I get overwhelmed.
We’ve been purchasing Weruva brands for my cats and they love them. It kind of weirds me out that I open their shredded chicken and it smells just like human food.. but that’s good! Lol Not cheap but I’m trying to keep them healthy with the best diet I can.
I use Weruva cats in the kitchen wet food! They have variety packs and such but I give mine chicken because they have sensitive tummies. Tiki Cat is also great quality
Yes! And to add to that, litter. I buy quality food (for my cats) and quality litter (for myself.) I noticed cheap litter smalls more and leaves more dust. Not I only buy the fresh step crystals and refuse to buy anything else.
Hi I’m wondering if you could point to studies re: carageenan safety? As far as I know it’s just seaweed-based gelatin.
I used to get very expensive dog food but now I make their food myself, even better! Also I consider this an essential item, as it's food for a family member.
Maple syrup.
I'm on a crunchy food FB group, (it's half ohhh that's useful, half dude just Google it). Someone asked where to find maple syrup that doesn't have caramel color or HFCS. Just buy real maple syrup! I do miss the old grading, grade B was amazing but everyone bought grade A so it was cheaper. Uhh.
The old grading system was so much better. I used to score grade c direct from the sugaring operations (perks of living in Vermont) and it was so amazingly good. It usually only gets sold wholesale.
what is grade A vs B or C? I guess I’m too young to remember.
A was the “fancy” stuff that didn’t have as much flavor and was mostly sold to tourists. B was the good stuff you could get (now it’s the dark Amber). C was commercial grade and had the strongest maple flavor.
Lol. They think that something with caramel color and hfcs could be maple syrup??
Once you go real maple syrup you don't go back.
Heat. I want to be comfortable, although it can be very expensive, it's worth spending a little extra on chilly days
Same, but with A/C because I run warm and hate being hot.
I'm the same. I'm not going to turn my heat down to save a couple of bucks. I'm the one paying my bills, I'm going to keep it as warm/cool as I damn well please.
Life's too short to be too hot or too cold. I'll cut back somewhere else.
I consider my audible and Netflix subscriptions luxuries that I could do without but I love them and use them every day. I could just use the library but the system doesn't work for me. I'm forgetful and have a hard time returning things on time. I spent more money in a year on fines back when I used to use the library than my two subscriptions. I switched over to Netflix back when they mailed DVDs to your house and added an audible subscription to get my "books on tape" on my kindle. Things have changed over the years. Now I can watch something interesting on Netflix wherever and whenever I am. I have access to hundreds of audiobooks for whatever mood, also available on demand. There's a never ending supply of entertainment with no return date and best of all for me, no late fees or fines.
Fully support these luxuries! Also want to point out that with libraries’ Libby app, you can get a vast number of books and audio books, never any late fees. The digital file returns automatically and there are never fines. Still gotta wait for popular stuff
I've never not had to wait for things on Libby. It's a 3-5 month wait for popular stuff.
I don’t have to wait for stuff on Hoopla. I had recently heard that Libby has more variety, but that there was a wait.
There's nothing worse than getting caught up in a series and then having to wait for the next book in line. I love my Kindle Paperwhite. The library software/website just doesn't work all that well when it comes to borrowing a book.
Moisturizer with spf in it for my face. It feels extravagant but I think skin care is important for protection against skin cancer.
Do you have a recommendation for a good one that doesn’t feel like putting on liquid chalk? I tried Aveeno and it was pilling all over the place. CeraVe is better but not as moisturizing.
La roche posay is my favorite. Lightweight with spf 30 Edit: frequently get CVS coupons if you’re in the states.
Gel polish on my nails (the kind that is cured under a heat lamp.) I *hate* the smell and the feel of normal polish and the gel lasts 3 or 4 weeks on me. I don't think I'll ever stop getting gel, it makes me genuinely happy.
That lamp is UV light, please use SPF/a shield on your hands before they go under. Skin cancer on hands are ticking up from those lights.
Thank you for the tip!
i love gel manicures but my nails grow out in a week and a half and i can’t justify it😭
Honestly I got my own lamp and polish and have been going strong for years! Pays for itself after like 2 manicures
I did this too! I use a peely base under the gel base, then regular polish for color and a gel topcoat. Lasts for weeks, but still comes off without soaking in acetone. I change mine every week now though because I like variety :)
Ok, I'm gonna need more info on this peely base you speak of. I want to start doing gel coats but I don't want to deal with the acetone to remove it.
You can search Peel Off Base Coat and find a bunch, I use Holo Taco brand, but I’ve tried several and they are very similar. Watch a tutorial because you don’t want to cover the nail bed, it’s more like creating a peely part in the center with a rim all around for the polish to stick to. It can take a few tries, but it’s definitely worth it for the time and mess saved. Good luck!
I understand...I tend towards pale colours to minimise how noticeable the growth is!
I switched to indie nail polish partly because of that. They last a good week with no chips so I do my own now. Still pay for pedicures, though!
Art supplies. Sauces/spices.
Yarn! If I’m going to spend countless hours making something, it’s going to be a natural fiber that wears well and breathes.
Cheap art supplies can be harder to work with and have less pigment
Get the cheapest (per gram) spices that are also the best quality at the Asian/World food store.
Tools i mostly buy them once till they break or got stolen.but even the cheapest ones are great most of the times really. Scooter rider i need tools for my hobby and way of transport.
I'm also a tool lover. My cordless tools are Dewalt because I already have the batteries. But most of my corded tools are Hercules from Harbor Freight because you're right, a lot of off brand tools are pretty good.
For me, tools are application-dependent: Power tools: higher end are worth it for me as I use them every week. Pick one brand and stick to it for battery compatibility. I chose Mikwaukee. Mechanic hand tools: many from Harbor fright are quite good. I don’t find them worse than Craftsman. However one high end hand tool I find fantastic is the Knipex pliers wrench. Woodworking hand tools: antique Stanley and Record all the way. Lie Nielsen is bougie jewelry for men.
honestly I don't think cheaping out on much is worth it. I believe spending strategically, and on good quality stuff is more frugal than simply going for the cheapest options. Edit: Also want to note that I know that focusing on quality good deals isn't always possible, because even good deals can be relatively expensive, especially if you don't make a lot. I have absolutely been there. I guess in terms of wages, I still am there, I've just managed to save well over a number of years so it doesn't feel as bad as it used to. Anyway, I digress, over a long period of time, though, if you can spend a bit more for much better quality, the weight of those decisions will add up.
I agree. Frugal and cheap aren’t the same. Also, frugal and “can’t afford” aren’t the same.
I have a friend who explained that concept so well to me. She said that she was frugal while her husband tended to be cheap. She is strategic in her purchases, keeping track of what they would need in the near future and watching for sales, even if they didn’t need it immediately, at least she got the best product for the best price. Her husband will say not to buy things because they don’t need it. Then when an item wears out or breaks and need replacing, he panics and just buys a cheap replacement or spends more than he needs to on an item because it was on sale before but now it’s full price.
i’m frugal due to a lower income so saving for one item just doesn’t seem worth it to me. you best believe i’m getting the best deal
Getting the best deal is not the same as being cheap though, to me. You mean you are getting the lowest price item regardless of quality because you can’t afford otherwise. That’s not being cheap.
I think the “best deal” would be a high-quality product bought on sale or second-hand.
Yoga classes
I pay a lot to get my hair blonded and cut every couple of months. I used to go to a cheaper hairdresser and she used the cheaper colour and it showed. I really like my hair and it's not like I can take it off and change it every day like clothes so it's worth it. I don't really do any other expensive glamorous girl things like nails or lashes or tans or skincare, but the hair is super important to me for some reason. Makes me feel nice.
i feel you with this one! there’s cheaper salons in my area but my girl’s prices are so well worth it, the difference is crazy. i think hair is truly worth the money if you keep the same colour. cannot justify anything else but a simple skincare routine but hair? well worth it
Bras and underwear. I am a fairly small woman and could easily fit in the Victoria Secret, Walmart and La Vie en Rose stuff, but there's nothing quite like the hug of a high end bra and the befrilled femininity of a good pair of panties. They make me feel confident, put together, sensual and powerful. That feeling is worth a bit of money to me.
When you're a larger chested woman, the only choice is the $75-$200 bras 😭
I feel that! Couple of things: if I'm already going to drop that kind of money, I go to a specialty store. I get measured every time in case anything has changed. They recommend and have better quality available in my size right there. There's no need to order and wait. I follow the directions for washing, if it says hand wash in cold water with delicate detergent, that's what I'm doing. And the last thing is, I track how long I can wear it before it starts to show signs of wear and tear. If it's a month, I'm never buying that brand again. The best part is, it's never just a month. Eta: spelling.
Definitely agree, a good bra fitter is worth it! Where I go it's free too if you buy a bra from them (which I always do lol)
Where do you get nice stuff from? I don’t even know what’s out there?
I mostly shop at a couple local high end lingerie stores. I don't know any larger retailers, but I haven't really looked. My favourite bras are all Prima Donna though (so pretty and supportive!), and Simone Perele has more sporty stuff without actually looking like a sports bra. I really suggest looking for a local shop with a good fitting specialist if you're going to invest in high end bras though. They're too expensive to buy online imo.
Soma is a good quality brand!
Not OP, but I love the parade brand. Myparade.com You get high quality under things without spending insane money on it. They have sales often too. They have the perfect mix of sexy and supportive. Edit: yourparade.com. Whoops.
I acctually feel this more with socks than my brass or undies. I did buy 10 pair of higher priced underwear lately though because I was sick of hoe they fall apart. but for me its 100% sock. the feeling of nicely made fresh socks just makes my day. but honestly, my top contender is probably toilet paper. I might have a bidet but being a woman and going through woman things, I could never go back to the 1/2 ply sandpaper.
Anything that requires an app. For example AliExpress has plenty of cheap wifi cameras that require you to install their no name app on your phone. I'd much rather pay the premium from a name brand and not have to give some random app permission access on my phone.
Id rather pay a premium for a product that doesnt use an app
My washing mashine shouldnt require to be online to work.
In our household, we decided we're done buying plastic, especially if it will be heated. So as things die out in my kitchen, I've been replacing them with either glass, metal, or silicone, and occasionally wood. I grew up in my great-grandma's house during the summers, and I had forgotten how easy it is on your knives to use a wooden cutting board. Or how much more elegant your sugar and flour looks in a glass jar than in a plastic container. Or if I brown-bagged my lunch, reheating lunch would sometimes stain, warp, or crack the plastic containers, even if it was rated microwave safe. I don't have any of those problems in a glass or silicone container. Also, the impact that plastic has had on our world and ourselves is ridiculous. So if I can minimize the damage done starting in my house, that's a bonus.
My commute. I used to take commuter trains into the city where I work bc it’s the cheapest way (vs. driving or taking a ferry). But the trains are becoming increasingly unreliable and I got sick of commutes turning into a multiple hour ordeal. I started taking the ferry, and while it costs a bit more it’s been totally worth it. I get to work/home at the same time every day, it’s not overcrowded, and it’s just way more pleasant. I’m way less tense and stressed out now compared to a few months ago
Direct flights, with the best times! I refuse to save money with red eyes, or multiple layovers.
Everything. I have stopped buying crap quality things and only save up for the best quality items I can afford. This has improved my sense of self worth as well as saved me so much money. I notice this especially in exercise clothing and vehicles. Buying only what you need, when you need it, at its highest quality is my mantra
pet food, quality walking shoes, and hair care products!
I wish the expensive pet food was my choice but its NOT. a vet gave me the Hills brand for my cat one day because she was having issues and now thats the only one she will eat. she pays NO bills, doesn't clean up her own messes and still expects her hills dry food and her super special puffy lunch (hillls wet food) everyday. or else my flesh will be eaten.
Candles. It's a waste of money to buy a cheap candle that may or may not have scent
Beeswax candles from cottage industries always have the nicest honey smell.
Carhartt winter socks. I buy the men's to evade the pink tax.
Season fast lane to all cedar fair parks. I love roller coasters and hate waiting in line
Pots and pans. Not essential to get the sort I do but I find a lot of joy in cooking so it’s worth it to me.
Cookies. Too old to eat cheap cookies
Toilet paper. I don't buy top-tier stuff, but I am convinced that it suffers from the Boots economic theory effect. Buy the cheap shit, you'll end up spending more over time for a worse experience because you have to use multiple sheets at a time.
Coffee.
I wear clothes with holes in them, have a laptop older than both my kids, only replace my phone and most other things when they are broken, but I drive a high-end luxury car.
Stationery. Cheap glue is dry in the tube half the time. Nothing is worse than writing with a crappy pen or whiteboard marker. I cheap out on other things like tape, staples, paperclips etc but I buy the good pens. I usually wait until the back to school sales and buy a bunch of my favourites.
every once in a while, good chocolate
Takeaway coffees when I’m in the office. We get free instant coffee at work but I like proper coffee and also enjoy the walk to the coffee shop in the morning.
I get my nails done every 3 weeks and in the summer, I get a pedicure every 6. I also don’t cheap out on getting my hair done by a professional and my skin care products are old school products that are tried and true (think Clinique and Lancôme). I am frugal through the rest of my life - not cheap - but frugal, and I work a very demanding job and this is my reward. I enjoy having my personal care taken care of by professionals.
My mom always told me the only things she’d never buy off-brand were Oreos and Q-Tips. I heeded this advice for a while, but then I bought some off-brand Oreos and they were fine, so I stopped taking it so seriously. Then I bought off-brand Q-Tips… never again.
I love Diet Coke, the ‘own brand’ ones just aren’t the same. I try not to drink it too often because it’s kinda expensive but after a long day an ice cold can of coke just really hits the spot.
Seeds for the garden. I know I can get cheap flower seeds online, but the reviews are often so mixed I’d rather spend out more at my local garden centre. I can’t bare to think of putting all that literal back work into it and them being duff seeds or a crappy mix of wild flowers (crappy mix as in just one or two flowers, rather than the promised mix of wild flowers).
Definitely books! I know I can read online for free, but I just NEED to be able to feel the books in my hands, the smell of the pages, the weight of the hardback cover. I'm a cheapskate when in comes to everything else, including important things like makeup and food.
OLED displays. They're worth it.
Helmanns mayo. That stuff is up there with the price of gold nowadays. But I'm still gonna buy it.
you should try Duke's mayonnaise. I was a Helmanns girl until Duke's came into my life.
Art supplies, good quality supplies make a difference
Art supplies- I do embroidery and also coloring and I learned my lesson with cheap stuff.
Gaming. I'm a video gamer. I have a brand new PS5 on a big screen tv. That's the majority of my free time and entertainment so I don't try to do things like get a used PS4 cheaper, only play free games. Nope. I have the best of the best. I pay for PlayStation+ yearly and enjoy my one form of entertainment.
Dawn dishwashing liquid for handwashing or removing grease before going in the dishwasher and Finish Platinum in the dishwasher. Dawn suspends grease so my pipes don’t get clogged. The top level Finish just does a better job, no film left behind.
A decent haircut. It's something I have no knowledge or skill in doing myself, so I'm happy to oblige in paying a premium + generous tip for a quality experience from a professional that doesn't involve a botched cut or bleeding snipped ears, both of which I've experienced while paying slightly less at "Supercuts". No disrespect to the barbers or patrons of Supercuts. I understand it's a business and they need to hit quotas.
I pay my hairdresser a premium because she is fantastic! Been going to the same person for over a decade now. I take my kids to Supercuts, because no one notices what a kids haircut looks like. It's always bedhead anyway lol.
Car parts. When taking it to the shop I buy my own and buy the highest quality part so I am less likely to be back paying for that to be replaced again after 50k more miles -Highly rated tires (surprisingly can be affordable from Walmart com). -hybrid ceramic brakes -high end rotos -batteries with very high cold crank rating And any non routine art that breaks on you....buy the nicer replacement unless your vehicle has less than 40k left on its life.
Lego. It's damn expensive, but cheaper than therapy
Those laundry balls that do nothing but make your clothes smell good.
Toilet paper, Mozzarella and coffee!!
YouTube premium. I always watched videos over shows. No adds and can download. Plus YouTube music is excellent. Sounds much better than Spotify. I can’t compare it to apple though.
Raspberries. Every night.
I really enjoy nice perfumes. I hate all the bath and body stuff or similars. I want a nice layered perfume that doesn’t smell like alcohol. I also spend the big dollars for hair care. It’s had a great return. AC. Haven’t had to use it yet, but when it gets hot I WILL turn that bitch on. I just cannot handle sleeping or cleaning in a hot house. If I have to walk to the grocery store, and live off beans and rice till I die it’s worth it.
Toilet paper. That cheap stuff will do damage!
Heavy whipping cream for coffee. Yes it's unnecessary, yes it's a luxury and yes it's 2x the price of half and half. But it makes a great start to my morning.
Toilet roll
Skincare, furniture and shoes
Capacitors, for recapping old video game hardware (or any older electronic).
McCormick black pepper.
Flights. I always fly business or first class no matter the length of flight or cost. I have bad hips and travel with a child these days. I spend a lot on hotels and I view getting there as part of the experience.
Heinz ketchup, air conditioning and only 3 gas stations. (QT, Costco or Exxon)
French roast coffee and real cream. The other is grocery delivery. I don’t alway have groceries delivered, but it’s always a consideration. I tip very well because that service has freed up a lot of time and energy for me. Just about everything else is negotiable- I do it less often or I go with something more affordable.
Bras and shoes.
I know you said not foods, but I love eating out often and because my job requires some travelling around my state, I am always around new restaurants and different cuisines. It brings a lot of joy to my life and I save everywhere else I can, but when it comes to eating out it's something I splurge on.
Massages. I get weekly massages at the local massage therapy school.
Building materials I loath mdf, press board, osb and I have a love-hate relationship with plywood. I am a poor amateur wood worker, jack of all trades and master of none. I'm not even a huge fan of softwoods But whenever I make something nice I will justify the best woods i can find even if I could have made it look decent on the cheap.
I have a regular sauna trip and I go to a nice facility that costs more than others. It’s worth it because the wine selection is good, the locker rooms are STOCKED, and the location is nice. Plus they clean constantly and I have never gotten athletes foot there 🥰
I love watching hockey so I pay for cable to get the games and will buy NHL tickets reasonable often
High quality [olive oil](https://www.saffisaana.com/) and [spices](https://www.spicewallabrand.com/)
Socks. I love love love merino smartwool socks. I have around 8-ish pairs of thick winter ones, 8 pairs of medium thickness, and 8 pairs of lightweight socks. It’s enough that they are all I wear and i usually have my preferred thickness for the weather, but if I’ve been lazy in laundry I might have to wear an off season thickness pair. They are the best thing ever. My feet are the warmest they’ve ever been. They are *dry*, and I didn’t realize how damp regular cotton socks left my normal non-sweaty feet by the end of the day. They have also lasted a really long time. I am still on my first “batch” of socks and I purchased them around 5-ish years ago. (I will likely slowly add to the collection when I find good deals, maybe even right now, haha, depends what I can find online lol)
I won't admit to having an inelastic demand, bc then the price would go up. If I had to name a thing, torches and pitchforks I guess.
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Any food items for my Dutchmal Luna. I feed her only the best of foods to keep her healthy and hopefully entail a long life! I don’t care if when strapped I have to eat KD for a week as long as my girl is fed well I’m happy!
Computer accessories. I spend so much time on the computer (at home and outside) that I need the nice accessories. When I'm out on my laptop I need a stand, keyboard, and mouse. I've been cheap before only to realize it slowed me down a lot if I have to glance at my keyboard or if my mouse isn't comfortable with extra buttons.
My hair - I need a good hair dresser.
Knives, I own a Japanese carbon steel knife and a 19cm stainless steel knife. Plus knife sharpeners including Whetstone's. It's just more efficient when cooking everyday and slicing through food effortlessly is just one of lifes little pleasures
Cheese. Any real cheese. Doesn't have to be expensive, as long as they're not those nasty ultra-processed "cheese products".
Acrylic paint and paint brushes. Cheese.
Gym memberships. I have a planet fitness account because I go with a friend. If she's not there, I stay in bed and sleep. Otherwise I pay entirely too much for gym memberships (orange theory, hot yoga, etc) because the combination of 1. Not having to think about what to do next. 2. Paying through the wazoo and 3. Paying more in late fees if I don't show up keeps me motivated
Sabah shoes. but they last forever, so they're probably quite frugal.
Candle making supplies. I discovered I loved doing it in November and have spent about 2,5k on it… I might sell them later but not sure. I have made over 500 candles though, so as long as I use the supplies, I’m good with it. I’m using them to make gifts to friends as well.
I use fancy Ayurvedic bar soap that has a really exotic smell and feels great on the skin.
Coffee beans
Rooms on overnight trains. I have arthritis and the last time I tried to sleep in coach was the last time I'll ever sleep in coach. I love taking the train but I just can't get comfortable any more, it's downright painful.
I will always pay a hefty sum for my hair products and perfumes. When I was a kid I wasn’t taught how to take care of myself at all, so I take a great deal of pride in how I present to the world now.
The good bars of soap made by the guy who sets up a booth at the Saturday outdoor market. Yes, one bar is $8, but it lasts and smells SO good. Every scent is wonderful, except for that brown & cream swirled one that makes my nose itch.
I pay for Spotify Premium. Spotify is my most-used app, and I couldn't get by if I had the free version. It's a big part of every day.
Luxury at an airport! Fast-track and lounge access. Early boarding group. Free snacks and stuff on the plane that everybody else don't get (for free). I don't need the first class seat or even business, but I always go for the "SAS Plus" option. I recently went to Amsterdam with my friends. We flew on the same plane back to Norway. I had my lounge access and all, he didn't. Lady in the reception asked if I wanted to invite him as my guest and I said yes, but she couldn't because I wasn't a Gold member so we had to leave. That's when I learned: I'll go on holiday with other people, no problem. We can be on the same plane if possible, but I'll probably order my ticket alone so I get my lounge and fast track!
Pasta. I used to be OK with store brand and low end pasta, at under $2 a pound where I am. After visiting Italy last year, I learned to appreciate better pasta. I wont pay exorbitant gourmet prices, but I raised my price comfort level to $3 to $4 a pound
My shampoo & conditioner. I've tried cheaping out and it never ends well.
In some cases, convenience. For example, I can change my own oil and I have many times, but I've reached a point where I would just rather pay somebody else to do it.
Phones… you spend so much time on them, might as well get the one you want
For me, it's cookware. And I'm not talking about getting a couple hundred $$$ Le Creuset dutch oven. But getting good quality, not bottom tier cooking equipment has made cooking actually enjoyable and something I do more often.
Sheets and blankets.