Guilty pleasures

**stacye** · 06-08-2008, 02:34 PM

Hi Everyone,
We are just getting started with being frugal, saving money, being sensible with financial decisions, etc. But we still include some guilty pleasures and it made me start thinking...How many of you have certain things that you just can't (won't, haven't, etc.

) give up?

Today at the store, we spent $7 on dog toys that we absolutely don't need but we both enjoy watching the puppies play with their toys!!

Have a great Sunday!
Stacye

**AmyMCGS** · 06-08-2008, 02:54 PM

To me, that's the whole reason we're frugal.

I buy most of our groceries as cheap as I can, then we can still afford to splurge on fast food when we're in the mood.

We have fancy cell phones with all the bells and whistles (which we both love & use daily). Sure, those would be the first to go if we were hurting financially, but, right now, we enjoy our toys.

**dcompton** · 06-08-2008, 03:13 PM

I agree that some of these guilty pleasures are necessary, unless you are in a really dire situation -- then, of course, you cut to the bone. If we're confessing, I got a good deal on an airline ticket and made an extra trip to Maryland to see friends this spring, and, as has been evident in the recent jigsaw puzzle thread, I have a serious addiction there, and I have indulged it lately. If necessary, I would stop buying any new puzzles, and certainly would cut out the occasional trips. I guess my only other "guilty pleasure" lately has been a surfeit of cherries - yikes!! what they cost!

**The Muse** · 06-08-2008, 03:31 PM

I have a 3rd car. It's a German roadster and I only drive it in perfect weather or in snow (AWD) but I will not give it up. This makes no financial sense, but I love driving it.

It's in mint condition and has very low mileage. If I ever found myself in a financial situation where I needed the money, I could sell it for a good price. That's how I kind of justify keeping it.

**staciah** · 06-08-2008, 03:48 PM

For me it's our vacations. I have saved by buying food at Aldi's and Dollar Tree and buy our clothes at the Goodwill just so we can enjoy ourselves on some really nice vacations. We have gone on one cruise already this year and have another one lined up in Sept. It's a cheap way to travel also.

**zakity** · 06-08-2008, 04:17 PM

We are frugal in areas that we don't care about to afford luxuries in areas that we do care about.

**brainyblonde** · 06-08-2008, 04:42 PM

I have no big ticket guilty pleasures. Mine are more along the lines of the jumbo snowballs I bought for everyone today. It is hot and sticky, we don't have central air and the pool won't be ready for another week or so. It certainly hit the spot!

**momof2joys** · 06-08-2008, 05:04 PM

I would have to say that our most guilty pleasure would have to be getting new books for the kids, although because I think that reading is so important, I don't mind spending the money on books, especially if I know my kids would really love them. I would also have to say that our DISH Network is another on that we have and don't really need, but it is really nice and there is so many things that we can watch and learn about!! Plus it has the DVR thing, so we can also record movies and watch them over and over again without having to spend the money on renting them or buying them!!

**dolphinlfier** · 06-08-2008, 05:08 PM

I guess ours would be, cell phones and a satelite bill that is a little too high!!!

**Bournecrazy** · 06-08-2008, 05:18 PM

mine used to be shopping wayyyy too much could spend my whole pay in one day. but now i'd rather pay myself

**Ebbie** · 06-08-2008, 05:34 PM

For about 10 years I lived extremely bare bones, so now I'm at a point where I can add back some luxuries...and guilt is right! I find I'm fighting a lot of guilt about them, but it's getting a little easier the longer I have them.

Specifically, they're satellite tv and high-speed internet. Don't need 'em but really enjoy them!

**Nishu** · 06-08-2008, 06:19 PM

I can sit in the shower until the hot water runs out. We also have these little drive thru coffee stands all over town, and when I'm no longer pregnant I'll probably start in with the lattes.

We have Netflix, but it's going away because I don't use it. I have spent about a billion at those home school and education supply stores. We have a few magazine subscriptions, and I guess that's not very frugal. I like soda, which is way unhealthy and expensive. We also do fast food occasionally.

**acidcookie** · 06-08-2008, 06:44 PM

I have hardly any urge anymore to buy anything. But I do enjoy the occasional soy latte (usually from Wegmans). I make them at home too, but there's something nicer about being out and deciding to stop for a coffee drink that someone makes for me to enjoy while I go on about my day.

I guess now that Starbucks has their rewards deals where alternative milk choices are free, saving me 40 cents for my soy milk (!), I can fee slightly less guilty about my once-or-twice-a-month stop there.

**ladykemma2** · 06-08-2008, 06:57 PM

i fill my garden tub to the brim twice a day.

**earthymom** · 06-08-2008, 07:02 PM

Being "frugal" is not the same thing as living in voluntary poverty. It's about consciously choosing how to best spend your resources in a way that is within your means (debt free) and allows you to build a nest egg/emergency fund. And the best way to start is to eliminate waste. Wasted food, wasted money, wasted energy, wasted time -- nothing that is wasted improves or brings pleasure to our lives.

Each of us certainly has "pleasures" that are "worth it" to us. Pleasure and satisfaction in life is a necessity. You don't have to give up everything, you just need to find that balance that works for your family.