Luxury vs. Necessity

[arkienurse]

I still struggle with the do we really need this, or do I just want it. That is why I have no immediate plans to get another cc anytime soon.

[HHM]

The issue in this thread really doesn't seem to be about luxury vs necessity, its more about budgeting and thriftyness, in short, its more about lifestyle.

As most have already commented, with BK came the realization that a change of lifestyle and habits was necessary.

For example

1. Coffee, instead of spending $20 dollars a week at starbucks, spend $9 for a bag of beans or grounds and make your own coffee for a month. Also, instead of investing in an expensive coffee maker get a $20 French Press or a Bialetti Moka Express.

2. Ice cream: this one is easy, spend $5 on a half gallon of ice cream at the grocery store and have ice cream for 3-5 days, vs spending $8 for one trip to the ice cream shop.

3. Birthday Presents: this is the toughest one for people to give up. But this is about needed sacrifices; and you should be thinking about changing the paradigm and altering expectations so the presents are not the norm.

4. Shoes: instead of Macy's or Nordstroms, start thinking Shoe Warehouse, or Walmart.

5. Hair: Supercuts vs some French sounding salon.

6. Movies: this is a tough one. For me, there are few movies I will go to the trouble to see in a movie theater. But I think you can still fit this in a budget. The obvious thrifty tip is to NOT buy food.

7. Back to school: This idea was created by retailers to give a boost to an otherwise slow time of year. You really need to sit down and consider what your kids really need for the new school year, I bet you will find that you probably already have most of what they need and only need a few odds and ends.

[Annika]

Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or do without.

Like I said, I'm super-thrifty!

[No Gravy]

I agree that entertainment is a need. Sanity is a need and part of remaining sane is seeing movies. I mean, come on. Not EVER going to a movie????

See one during the day as they are cheaper and bring your own snacks and enjoy a bit of life!

I'm not even going to comment on Starbucks. That is a given.

And I was worried the trustee would see my $18.22 a month spent on Netflix as a luxury. That's my only entertainment. When I asked the paralegal about if I'd have to give it up, he grinned and said "the court is used to seeing much higher than $18.22 for that expense."

Last time I went to Starbuck's was only because I got a gift card for my birthday It's hard to enjoy $5 coffee any other way!

[hnhlvr]

Getting your hair done, in most cases, yes, unless you totally are unable to cut it yourself.

Just about everyone knows how to use a pair of scissors, but this does not mean a person should cut their own hair!

I do not think looking properly groomed is considered a luxury! Also, it's better to shelling out money having someone else cut your hair, than it is trying it yourself, messing it up, and spending twice the amount you normally would having someone correct your major blunder (or worse yet, looking like an idiot because the stylist cannot fix the mistake).

I'd give up many things, but never my salon cuts. I spend $50-60 every 3 months, which isn't that much considering how much other women spend!