What are your treats?

**AmyBoz** · 01-16-2005, 10:02 AM

We are all so good at saving and not spending, but are there any places that you are willing to spend a little to treat yourself? I don't mean luxury items...I mean little things.

For example, dh and I and the kids used to go to breakfast with dh's father every Saturday morning at the local diner. When the new year rolled around, we started thinking that this was one area where we could save money, by not eating at the diner each week. However, the more we thought about it, we realized that his dad was going with or without us because he enjoyed it, and we realized that his dad is 71 and when his time comes (not for years and years and years, I'm hoping) we won't say, "Ooh, great...we saved $2,000 by not eating out with Dad every Saturday." Instead, we'd probably say, "He was worth the money...we should have gone." So, since we are doing so well not eating out any other time during the week, we decided to use the piano money I make on Saturday afternoons to pay for breakfast with Dad on Saturday morning.

What about you? Any non-frugal treats that are important to you?

**QuilterMom** · 01-16-2005, 10:04 AM

Wendy's on the beach. We don't get something every single time, but ds and I have fun sharing a frosty and fries now and then.

**slowtypinwoman** · 01-16-2005, 10:09 AM

A camping trip with my Dd in the summer. With fees and traveling it tends to add up but it is a time with her I won't give up.

**kimmee** · 01-16-2005, 10:11 AM

I don't really do this anymore cuz I am not drinking right now - but I like to buy a bottle of TUACA (pretty spendy) and have a little cordial of it while I am cooking dinner it makes me feel posh and glamorous like an uptown Julia Childs!!

**thrifty gal** · 01-16-2005, 10:37 AM

We eat out on Sundays. Yes, we could save money by not eating out once a week, but it's nice for the three of us to get out of the house together, and get a small break from everyday life of doing everything by the frugal book. lol-Although, we do use coupons as much as possible, so we don't stray away that much. lol

Also, another thing we do is a vacation every year. Last year we had to take a very small vacation due to time, but this year we plan on going to a beach (not sure where), and relaxing. We try to be as frugal as we can, but we do this so that we get a break, and it recharges our batteries.

I just remembered one more thing. Every Sunday night I take a bubble bath. I love my bubble baths. Dh watches dd, and I just lie in all that water with a book, or go to sleep. Really nice! But, I have to say, I save the water and use my mop bucket to scoop some of it up when the toilet needs flushing. lol

**Sara Noel** · 01-16-2005, 10:38 AM

I enjoy the used bookstore. With the kids, we like to hit the dollar store. Of course, the thrift store is my main treat for myself.

We also like to get donuts or get store-bought cappuccino as small treat.

I also love our pizza/movie rental nights.

It adds up, but we are really disciplined on our spending and these are our small "luxuries". They are important to me because by spending a small amount of money in these areas, I never feel as if we're completely sacrificing.

My latest luxury item was buying Tide. It sounds a bit crazy, but I have been buying Purex for years. I am enjoying every single load of laundry in some bizarre, twisted, and crazy way. lol I never thought I'd be happy over laundry soap or consider it a small luxury, but it is.

**Katybird** · 01-16-2005, 12:29 PM

LOL Sara. I can relate. Mine is liquid Downey. I love the way it smells, it is a comfort smell to me. I know I could buy cheaper fabric softners or even homemade but I really love my Downey.

**DaisyLady** · 01-16-2005, 01:11 PM

Our big treat is a dozen doughnut from Tim Horton's. We don't do it very often and sometimes the kids treat us with their babysitting money. For $5 it is well worth the time we spend as a family even if it is haggling and negotiating who gets what kinds.

**Michele Annette** · 01-16-2005, 01:27 PM

My "little" luxury is my gym membership. Fitness is important to me and here it is very dark when I get home from work. (5PM) Also the side walks aren't really maintained so it is very icey walking on the side walks in our neighborhood. We save money in savings automatically, reduced all unnecessary spending in other areas, gave up cable, have given up monthly takeout food (except a special restaurant dinner for our birthdays and anniversaries), movies, we haven't taken a vacation in 6 years, so this is the one thing I have for myself and I love going!!

**Telephus44** · 01-16-2005, 01:28 PM

My treat is bath and body items - I get a lot of them for Christmas and I get a lot of trial size freebies, but I will spend money for something I like. My facial cleanser is $20 for an 8oz bottle, but it last me a year and a half. I could use something cheaper, but its a really nice way to treat myself. Nothing perks me up like using a special shampoo, body scrub, facial lotion, etc.

DH and I also like to go out to eat just to get out of the house - instead of going out to a resteraunt we often go to the mall and just eat in the food court and window shop - lunch is about $10 (vs. at least $20 in a resteraunt). I'm working on finding cheaper ways to get out of the house, but its hard in the middle of winter.

**sherrykay** · 01-16-2005, 01:35 PM

Can anybody tell me how to make homemade laundry fabric softner?? I have never heard of such a thing before and am VERY interested on how to make it!! Thank you to anybody that can answer my question!!!

**SewCrafty** · 01-16-2005, 03:19 PM

Sherry,

Here are some homemade cleaners http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/...threadid=36598

Here is one using vinegar http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/...hlight=softner

I know a lot of ladies that use dryer sheets will dilute liquid softner ½ n ½ with water, put in a spray bottle and spray a washcloth or rag and toss in with your load.

HTH

**Early Bird** · 01-16-2005, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by smnoel
Of course, the thrift store is my main treat for myself.

I wonder if we are long-lost sisters.

**momof42003** · 01-16-2005, 06:27 PM

Our thing would be doing family fun night twice a month.. The kids have a ball and I don't have to cook....LOL. I really like knowing that the kids will remember this as they get older, and maybe do the same with their families.. Putput golf and pizza, or movies and dinner really add up when there are six of us...

**Suezy** · 01-16-2005, 06:51 PM

We like to spend weekends camping (in the spring,summer, and fall) on the Lake. We have to buy food anyway ---so the only extra expense is the gasoline to get there and what we use on the boat --the lake is only about 1 1/2 hour away.

Also we like to golf --we did it together but DH has surpassed my abilities ---so now he usually plays with the guys. He works hard, and while this is a little spendy ---it's something he really enjoys and I'm certainly not going to begrudge him it. We still play together now and again.