LBYMs what do you splurge on?

[Tailgate]

just spent plenty on a new book and a slip at the marina

[NW-Bound]

The last time we were in Paris, in late 2007, we stayed at a small hotel that I found on Venere, I think. My wife had been retired for some time, and we used up all the good deals and credits that she had accumulated during her work travel, so we stayed at low-cost hotels that did not conflict with our LBYM philosophy.

We paid less than €100 I am sure, maybe €90. The hotel was an old building, had perhaps 20-30 rooms on maybe 3 floors, and was odd-shaped so no two rooms were alike. Our room was small and narrow, the size of a closet in many new US homes. However, its bathroom and bed were clean, and that was all we needed. We were out on the streets in the city all day anyway.

By the way, in all our travel, we have not brought back bed bugs with us. Fingers crossed!

[Zathras]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound How long is your extension cord?

About as long as the gas pump we last used a bit over a year ago was
Last month we used it to travel to CA, back through the SW and back to MN.
Fuel cost us $3

[NW-Bound]

Nice! I wonder how much an electric motorhome would cost. Well, I guess I won't be able to afford it, since I ask.

[audreyh1]

Well in Amsterdam we are staying in an apartment/B&B as it happens to be down the street from my brother's place. €99 per night including breakfast. Makes up for Vienna.

In general we don't really care for B&Bs, but this place stocks your fridge and leaves fresh bread/pastries outside your door in the morning, and you make your own breakfast so that works.

[Spanky]

travel to CA and Hawaii.

[kaudrey]

Good wine. To the OP - $20 is NOT a splurge on wine....

We travel but do it fairly frugally, so I am not sure it is a splurge. But definitely something we do as often as possible.

Also, we are foodies, and we splurge on "name" restaurants, probably 4-6 times a year. Such as Alinea in Chicago last month, and Minibar in DC coming up in August (for my hubby's 40th). We also plan to hit Boston in September, so I am sure we'll eat somewhere good there.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tailgate just spent plenty on a new book and a slip at the marina

I hope you are keeping a boat in that slip LOL!

[Walt34]

I just spent ~$500 on picture framing stuff. Not as bad as it sounds, half or more of that is tools that will last the rest of my life if I don't lose them and the rest is materials that will be consumed slowly.

The thing is, even with buying the frames instead of making them, after I mount and frame about four or five photos I'm well ahead of what it would cost to have it done at a frame shop.

[FIREd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt34 I just spent ~$500 on picture framing stuff. Not as bad as it sounds, half or more of that is tools that will last the rest of my life if I don't lose them and the rest is materials that will be consumed slowly. The thing is, even with buying the frames instead of making them, after I mount and frame about four or five photos I'm well ahead of what it would cost to have it done at a frame shop.

I have a map that I wanted framed. Went to a local frame shop for an estimate... Basic plexi with no UV protection, simple black wood frame, no matting... $620 and a 2.5-week turnaround.

[Throwdownmyaceinthehole]

I just sent in membership to a local yacht club and will probably buy a used daysailor or sunfish at the end of summer. I can sail most of the year, lake is 20 minutes from the house. Total investment including fees and boat will be around 2k. Had a 4k tax refund, spent half on new carpet, half on play stuff. Also headed to Ireland w cheap fares in Sept.

[kcowan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound Our room was small and narrow, the size of a closet in many new US homes. However, its bathroom and bed were clean, and that was all we needed. We were out on the streets in the city all day anyway.

We rented a 2BR/2Bath place off craigslist and the second bedroom was a joke. Fortunately, our travelling friends rented the place in Nice and it was our turn to rough it in the 2nd bedroom.

[kcowan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaudrey Good wine. To the OP - $20 is NOT a splurge on wine....

We paid for a wine experience tour in the Benzinger winery in Sonoma. The guide said that $20 covers the cost of any good wine and that any extra is for snob appeal. If we adjust for 7 years, the number might be $26 today.

Fortunately, both DW and I have a palate for young wines.

[Walt34]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREd I have a map that I wanted framed. Went to a local frame shop for an estimate... Basic plexi with no UV protection, simple black wood frame, no matting... $620 and a 2.5-week turnaround.

It's not that hard (this from someone who hasn't actually done it yet) but from reading the books watching a few youtube videos I gather that the hardest part is going to be adding and subtracting fractions.

That part is probably going to make me a fan of the metric system.

[FIREd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt34 It's not that hard (this from someone who hasn't actually done it yet) but from reading the books watching a few youtube videos I gather that the hardest part is going to be adding and subtracting fractions. That part is probably going to make me a fan of the metric system.

In the end, I decided to frame the map myself for a lot less money. I got rid of most of my tools when we moved into an apartment, but I kept a small saw and miter box as well as compact band clamp, so I was able to produce something decent.

[Helios]

Store bought clothing, my own pillow, no longer sharing!
Actually, euro trips, cruises and my personal weakness for swiss watches. Hard asset investing...right.

[Ronstar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREd In the end, I decided to frame the map myself for a lot less money. I got rid of most of my tools when we moved into an apartment, but I kept a small saw and miter box as well as compact band clamp, so I was able to produce something decent.

I did the same thing. After having 3 maps framed by a frame store for about $200 a map, I decided to do my own framing for my next map. Now I'm searching for a cool nautical chart to frame.

[GeeBeeCee]

Definitely traveling!

[audreyh1]

Doing some exterior house upgrades this summer! But that has been budgeted for for a few years already. We hadn't planned on adding a pergola though, or bricking in a section of the courtyard.

[NW-Bound]

Turn them into DYI projects for exercise, job satisfaction, and LBYM savings?