Before my first son was born I was working full time, we had no childcare costs, my husband was well-rewarded at his job, and our investment portfolio had yet to begin its terrifying toilet-bowl downward spiral. I only have to consider the stroller we got back then in order to truly visualize how things have changed. It’s not that we’re in trouble now, it’s just that with my 3-day-a-week salary, my husband’s exciting-but-scary startup, two kids in daycare, college savings plans, and a staggering monthly grocery bill (the children eat NOTHING, and yet I keep TRYING TO FEED THEM!), there’s no way in h-e-double-hockeysticks I’d buy such a spendy stroller today.
On the other hand, four years ago I never would have considered spending as much as I currently do on a gym. I pay to see a personal trainer twice a week, and even though I share my workouts with a friend so we split the trainer cost, it’s still a big expense. I justify this in my mind with the knowledge that my trainers help me work harder than I ever would on my own, and the benefits of this weekly exercise impacts every part of my life—I feel better, I have more confidence, I’m healthier, I’m happier. I’m more motivated to pursue other forms of exercise in between training sessions, and the accountability of having those two weekly appointments keeps me on track even if I slide with own workouts.
My husband’s been seeing a trainer too, and he looks like a new man. We paid our bills last night, and after taking care of our gym costs he said, “Well, crap. We may be broke, but we’re in the best shape of our lives.” It’s true.
In order to swing the gym visits, I’ve been cutting back on my previous splurges. I don’t spend much on clothes anymore, for one thing. We have a lot of discount stores in our neighborhood, and a particularly decent thrift store—that’s where most of my clothes come from these days. I no longer spend every weekend loading up on stacks of magazines and books from the used bookstore, and I can’t remember the last makeup item I purchased. My miscellaneous Amazon spending has been limited to using the rare gift certificate, and it’s been months since a Zappos box showed up with my name on it.
None of these have been what you would call hardships, obviously, just changes in my spending focus. How about you? What areas are you splurging on (however you define that), and have you cut back to make room to do so?
With formula and diapers and day care (oh, and a new mortgage!), we’re pretty strapped for cash, too.
Our splurges are vacations, date nights and house-related items.
We’ve cut way back on everything else.
(Come on tax credit. Show up ANY TIME YOU WANT.)
She Likes Purple | July 8th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
This is so interesting, and also your experience with the trainer makes me motivated to try another trainer at some point. A better one. But not quite yet, for financial reasons, among others. Since we bought a house, our priorities have definitely shifted. We want furniture, landscaping, a hot tub… and we don’t care as much about meals out and shopping for random things. I have bought almost no new clothes in months. Our bill at Lowe’s, however, has gone way up.
Also, this is an excellent cautionary tale. I am totally not going to splurge on an uber-expensive stroller even if we could, technically, afford it.
Jess | July 8th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I hardly ever buy clothes for myself anymore and have weaned myself off bookstores and rediscovered the library. I also refuse to buy any expensive clothes or toys for the kiddo. He just grows too damn fast to justify it.
Hillary | July 8th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
The main thing I splurge on is a house cleaner every other week. For a while we had a cleaning service, right now it’s my MIL (who used to have her own cleaning service and appreciates the extra income). To pay for that I’ve changed hair salons, going from a stylist a like a lot, but is very price to a stylist I like at a much cheaper place. I’ve also let my highlights grow out.
I’ve also let a lot of my magazine subscriptions run out, because I don’t need to spend the money on them, and honestly don’t have the time to read them. I’ve also switched where I buy most of my clothes. Instead of Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, and Gap, I’m shopping at Old Navy and Target. I still occasionally buy dress pants and sweaters at Ann Taylor Loft, since I need them for work, but only if I they’re on sale.
Cookie | July 9th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I have learned the art of coupon shopping and save about 50% off of my grocery bill. Before coupons the total of my last bill was $45 I paid $20. I was on my home from GNO where I had a nice dinner with the girls… my coupon savings paid for dinner
I shop at the thrift store too.
My splurges have been a membership to a rockin outdoor recreation park for my newly single self. I can go blow off steam climbing the rock wall or going whitewater rafting etc… I justify it by it’s health benefits both body and spirit.
I also got season passes to a water park for me and the kids… now if i can just find the time to take them often enough to justify the cost!
songbird | July 9th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
We have cut down or out on lots of things, next will cut off the caller I.D. on my phone. Want to cut out our cable TV….but so far hooking up the converter box….most of the stations are Spanish…but I don’t talk Spanish. But am going to give it another try…would rather get it for free right now. Haven’t went anywhere this summer, no beach, no pool, not even a day out for my and my daughter at Joe’s Crab Shack…that is a treat for us.
I have almost decided to buy a Wii so we can get more excerise…really want one….not just me but my daughter too. We have been really good so I think we deserve it.
Would be easier if my daughter & son-in-Law that I babysit for would pay someone more ofter…..I am last on their list of things they should do…their needs/ wants come first….hanging out with the boys, beer, their own Wii, more toys for a child that has too many already, have money for everything but…..I will never understand. The last time I got anything was $50.00 almost a month ago. Do you really think they take advantage of someone? really.
I have kept cooking in the crockpot…at least a few times a week, making lentils every week….can’t stretch a dollar better than that. I do shop at the 2-hand store, craigslist too and check the grocery sales every week.
I want a Wii….what do you think?
Eileen | July 9th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
OK, I know I already commented here, but there’s an article in the NYT today that talks about a very similar thing. I thought you might be interested: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/fashion/09baby.html?em
Jess | July 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Get my hair done at the local beauty school. The level of oversight the teachers give to students doing processes (colors, perms) is much higher than just haircuts so I get a good job done at 1/2 the cost of any salon.
Splurges - enjoy eating out so continue to do so once to twice a week. I take great pleasure in finding new restaurants so this is my splurge. Even this though, we no longer have apps & desserts, just entrees & drinks; and I find myself ordering only whatever is on special!
Mich | July 9th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I try to not feel guilty about health-related expenses (gym, sneakers, etc.). I figure this is one area to splurge because it impacts most areas of my life and make sense long term. We’ve also been spending more money on organic, local food. I’ve cut out housecleaning services and more (in my opinion) frivolous items like pedicures.
Kate | July 11th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
We like to eat good take out and I am a total chick fil a addict. I am a coupon queen with a big pantry. If I find a sale I stock up and I buy coupons on ebay instead of buying a paper.
I go to yardsales every fri and sat (early! as in we leave the house at 6:45 -but we are home by 9am) and have boxes in the top of the kids closets with future sizes of clothes and shoes.
I love my thriftstores! (I also find good stuff to sell on ebay there) We are not buying a new car but living with our paid off older models.
And I am already about 1/3 done with xmas shopping.
Deanna | July 30th, 2009 at 11:02 am