What is the one luxury you can’t give up in your budget?
For me it’s a hot drink like a tea or a drink at Starbucks — white hot chocolates, chai lattes, or green tea lattes.
I only gave up those drinks temporarily for Baby Bun (caffeine is not good for babies or while you’re pregnant, it keeps them awake).
What’s yours?
58 Comments
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Dan @ Our Big Fat Wallet
I love my weekend visits to Starbucks and I’m not willing to give it up, so I work around it when making a monthly budget. I don’t go often and sometimes I even settle for Tim’s to save a couple dollars, but I wouldn’t ever completely cut it out of the budget because (in my opinion) it’s a cheap night out. I’m willing to bet lots of people aren’t willing to give up their Starbucks habit 🙂
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save. spend. splurge.
As you may have noticed in my budget roundups, Starbucks and David’s Tea are categories in my budget 😉
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Tania
Books (some design ones I’m interested in aren’t available at the library) and eating out a few times a month (a martini and small bites with girlfriends keep me sane and civilized).
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save. spend. splurge.
There are at least 10 books I want to read but aren’t available at the library. I’m biting my nails on whether I should buy them…
As for going out, I agree. Being with girlfriends can really recharge your batteries.
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Amanda
Subway.
When cash it tight, I’ll cut back my Subway consumption to once every 2 weeks, but I’d never be able to go longer than that! -
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Heather
Also the Starbucks! But I usually can support my habit by earning free gift cards through rewards programs, earning free drinks with Starbucks Rewards, and going when they are having special deals!
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Debbie M
My favorite luxury is probably ibuprofen. No, maybe birth control.
I also really like dessert, cheese, things that keep me warm, books/libraries, the internet, hot breads with salted butter melted on it (especially pancakes), comfy shoes, glasses, music, movies, dancing, and having a job where I’m allowed to go to the bathroom whenever I want or need to. I am fabulously spoiled!
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Mario Adventuresinfrugal
Hm. That’s a good question. Maybe it’s my smartphone. Granted, I don’t have the fanciest one, but there are definitely cheaper options. It’s so nice for not getting lost :/
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SarahN
Well having read the other comments, I know I can and have given up take away coffees, my own car, the internet, hair cuts, nails (ha!), pets for the sake of a dollar. (I probably SHOULD spend on nails for the same reason as above though!)
But there’s always a dollar spare for a meal out. Not nightly, but at least once a week or a fortnight, I find eating out so relaxing – no prepping, no tidying up, and usually great company (ie when I lived alone that was a big part of it too). So I’d say that’s mine.
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cosmogirl2100
Good skincare is definitely mine 🙂
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Michelle
I’m not sure if it’s considered luxury, but I love this Mexican restaurant right down the street from us. I can never give that up!
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Elle
Dinner out twice a month, brazilian wax (TMI – sorry), and organic chicken.
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GirlinaTrenchCoat
Movies and books! I love watching new releases in the cinema so that people can’t spoiler it for me. I try to borrow books as much as I can from the library, but there are some titles I purchase because I want to keep them forever.
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save. spend. splurge.
I don’t mind it if people spoil movies for me.. then I know what to expect 🙂
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Dayle
I go to Timmy’s several times a week, but I think I could give it up if needed.
For me it would be getting manis/pedis.
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save. spend. splurge.
I only go when there’s an event.. just had a pedicure yesterday and it was heavenly..
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Bridget
Coffee, dry shampoo, and my Lancome Hypnotix mascara ($30/tube)
I am never too broke for these items!
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Alicia @ Financial Diffraction
Oh I feel like I can agree with all the previous comment to an extent. I guess that means there is some “fat” in my budget.
I have bangs, so I require at least trims on those. And I love my pets too much to give them up because of finances (not happening!). I did stop waxing my eyebrows, but I’m lucky to have a nice natural shape with only a few strays that I can pluck.
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Lila
Waxing my eyebrows, during the recession this was something I refused to cut back on. I’ve tried doing it on my own and it doesn’t look as professional.
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Lila
@save. spend. splurge.: They do look nice when waxed, but if they don’t get waxed they tend to look unruly and when you’re dark haired then everything stands out and they look really bad. 😛
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Morgaine
I would also say pets, I love my 2 little furballs 🙂
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AdinaJ
I have a few to pick from, but perhaps the hardest one to explain to people is getting my nails done once a month. I have brittle nails, and used to be a nail-biter as well, so the gel overlay helps to keep them presentable. I “talk with my hands” a lot, and this way I don’t feel self-conscious about it.
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Sara
My haircut. I would rather go without (and sometimes do) a haircut than opt for a more budget-friendly stylist.
I’m also tempted to say my pet, but he’s considered a family member. But while I couldn’t part with him, I think I could forgo having an animal in the future. I’m attached to this guy, not necessarily to the idea of always having a pet
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save. spend. splurge.
That makes sense. You love him but not necessarily needing to have a pet all the time
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save. spend. splurge.
Mine is books but I get ebooks so I don’t pay for them. That’s why Starbucks is on my list.
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Liquid
I can never give up my internet lol. Second choice would be my car. And I always get Heinz ketchup. I’ve tried the store brand before but it’s just not the same >_<
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iou
Getting my hair done…I have bangs and highlighted blonde hair. Not the most low-maintenance style you could have, but I know I suit it so I just work it into my budget.
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Her Every Cent Counts
I live with so many luxuries, it’s hard to pick one. I’d say the occasional trip to the mall and designer outfit. I spend way too much on clothes. Also, Amazon splurges.
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save. spend. splurge.
Designer clothes are a big splurge for me too.. but I could give it up for tea or Starbucks.
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Her Every Cent Counts
@save. spend. splurge.: btw, random question, what comments plugin do you use? is this just WP?
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Clarisse @ Make Money Your Way
Going to a salon and massage spa! Even if I earn on my own, my mom scolded me when I had my hair rebonded and buying my favorite but expensive whitening lotion, scrub and soap. 🙂
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save. spend. splurge.
MASSAGES! I never get them because they’re so expensive, I don’t even consider them as part of my budget, just a “once in a while” thing.
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Erika
Having pets, especially horses, grass in the backyard, Coca-cola, and driving a big diesel truck even if it is sometimes a pain to park and guzzles fuel.
I can’t really pick just one thing, but if I had to it would be my pets.
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