LBYMs what do you splurge on?

[Meadbh]

Travel.

[ikubak]

Travel - although I make every attempt to travel frugally

Wine

[eta2020]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daylatedollarshort What is interesting is that many lovely experiences are also free or low cost - a picnic lunch, a walk in the forest, visiting a tide pool, riding bikes, a day at the beach, sipping wine on the patio, visiting a museum or garden, going to a cook out, taking an art class, reading a mystery novel or a nice visit with friends. I do like to go out for interesting ethnic food I don't know how to cook at home - like Thai or Indian. We also plan to splurge on more travel in the future.

What you describe is my idea of fun as well. Best things in life cost nothing and include other people.....

But when splurging things like wine, food, travel, second house in mountains look like primarily spending on experience.

Some ultra fancy car would look like things. And there is nothing wrong with that as well

[diehard1997]

Travel, vehicles and kids!

[jollystomper]

One other area we splurge on - cash gifts to nieces, nephews, and other young people we are close friends with for graduations and weddings. We give well above the "average" amounts.

[Tadpole]

I sold my soul to the Amazon store.

[easysurfer]

LED light bulbs. Got most of my light bulbs changed from CFL to LED

[Koolau]

I suppose it depends on the definition of "splurge", but I don't think we really splurge on much of anything. I think of "splurging" as doing something "crazy" or reckless with money - something you hadn't planned on - more spur of the moment. Clearly, we could live on much less (and have) but everything is pretty much "in the plan" (not the budget - we don't have one.)

We have 3 cars, but could live with only one or even none (good bus system). But we buy inexpensive used cars. So is that splurging?

We live in a high cost state (single most expensive part of living in HI is RE). Again, we planned the move for 30 years - and it works, so is that splurging?

We give our kids and charities a significant portion of our yearly "draw". We plan each gift carefully and don't do it on a whim. So, is that splurging?

Not trying to quibble with OP's thread, but just doing a personal sanity check. If I ever fly "first class", I'll consider that a splurge (to me). If I ever buy a "new" car, that will be a splurge (to me). Even though I could afford these things, I consider them a "splurge". So, I'm still unsure whether we ever splurge - even though we could spend much less. Baaahhhh! Is a puzzlement!" YMMV

[athena53]

Travel. I've been really good at getting maximum value from loyalty (frequent flyer and hotel points) programs but as they get stingier and I no longer have business travel to help accumulate points, that will be less of a factor in the future.

I've also had a love of real jewelry my whole life and I have a lot of it. I never had a fantasy that it was an investment; I just like sparkly stuff.

[ItDontMeanAThing]

Is anything a splurge if one is living within one's budget?

I've recently purchased the highest quality camera lens I've ever used. I think it may be a gateway drug because there are another half dozen lenses for different purposes and of markedly better quality available at double and triple the price. That's OK. I can stop spending if and when my cost of living reaches the budgeted level.

[Totoro]

Travel too.

And as long as I live in this overpriced city, rent. >50% of my monthly expense is housing.

[Nodak]

My weaknesses are high quality electronics and astronomy. Both ridiculously expensive.

[ejman]

Stereo gear and LP's for moi, mini horses for the wife. About $ 12k last year. According to Quicken, that's about 19% of our expenditures. I love this LBYM business!

[Mango1956]

Travel, good wine, art and the recent hot tub purchase-best splurgy present I ever gave myself!

[smurray5991]

Travel. (This year, will spend about six months on various US and international trips).

[RockyMtn]

Golf, travel and Vodka. Not necessarily in that order.

[robnplunder]

Wait. Some of you can no longer be considered LBYM'ng with stuff you are doing now.

[Options]

Horrifically frugal by nature, after LYBM'ing for so many years I have much pent up spending demand. So...just spent almost $4K on new bed, mattress (best sleeping experience of my life!), and bedding. Also just spent $2300 on a new sofa and chair. All should last 20 years or so because they're high quality. I've learned (the hard way) that quality lasts and is cheaper in the long run. Then just spent more than a few hundred on casual clothes because I have none.

Next spring I will buy a new MBZ to reward myself for making it to ER. I don't believe material things bring happiness, but they can bring satisfaction if bought wisely/optimally, which is something else entirely.

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robnplunder Wait. Some of you can no longer be considered LBYM'ng with stuff you are doing now.

Oh yes we can. LBYM is a mathematical concept. If revenues > expenses, you are LBYM.

[Options]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh Oh yes we can. LBYM is a mathematical concept. If revenues > expenses, you are LBYM.

Perhaps what robnplunder means is we can no longer necessarily consider ourselves "frugal". I struggle with this, because after having been so thrifty for so long I almost feel guilty for how much I've finally been spending lately (even though it's still definitely LBMM).