Indulgences...
 

What do you spend money on (or put the effort into having) that is strictly an indulgence -- just to indulge yourself, because it makes you happy or feel good, even if someone else might consider it a foolish expenditure?

I was thinking about this today as I was taking a long shower under two shower-heads after a very long soak in a super-deep tub -- all fed by a tankless hot water heater. My bathroom looks like crap with drywall torn out and all kinds of other work that need to be done, but I finally have the tub and shower of my [reachable] dreams! I'm normally very good about being frugal and environmentally conscious, but not when it comes to my tub soaks.

So, what's your special indulgence? I know what a couple of the butches might answer (hint: the initials are BMW :p).

Art supplies.
It is my feel good purchase, it is a pick me up.
Doesn't matter how broke I am, art supplies are a necessity.

Vacations.....which, to me, are an absolute must.

I don't spend money on clothes or shoes or spa trips...I can get my hair cut at Super Cuts....I don't like budgeting at the grocery store (although I can if I must)....but if I go a full year without so much as a tiny vacation, I get stressed and exhausted.

And I'm not talking "staycation" here....I'm talking chaise lounges by a pool or a beach, hotel rooms, eating out, and umbrella drinks.

Awesome Thread Idea.
 

Cigars and ball caps.


I just love the smell of cigars but only certain ones. Some make me sick but there are some that just tickle my senses to no end.

I have a ball cap fetish. Straight up. It's like an addiction of sorts. I can walk through a store and if I spot one that I like, it's as if it's calling my name. Beckoning me to come over and just try it on.."that's all you have to do, try me on." Sometimes I force myself to resist but more often then not, I can't. It's to the point that I literally avoid shops that sell ball caps of all types.


Good Thread!,
Brute.

Perfume. I live on a farm but I love really nice expensive perfume. The dogs like it too. I can tell by the way they lean into me.

Gourmet food and wine I can cook at home and all the fancy gadgets for my kitchen

Oh, absolutely! Yes, I *DO* need that high-end stand mixer that I've probably used only an average of twice a year since I bought it. Yes, I *DO* need that double-oven convection five-burner stove with all the bells and whistles on it (especially since it was over half-off retail for a high-end brand and way less than what I was planning to spend for a far lower-featured stove, as a result of a warehouse error at Lowes! Yes, I *DO* need all of those pans, and all of those mixing bowls, and all of those knives, and all of those everythings, because it's not just a matter of getting the right one for the job, it also lets me get the right one for my MOOD.

(haven't found a way to justify the $100+ stainless steel mandolin that I've been coveting, though - why does that cheap plastic one that I bought 15 years ago still have to work so well?!?)

I must admit
 

I spend my money on cameras and photography equipment. Maybe its time I start buying her flowers instead. (lol)

it use to be garden stuff.

Totally forgot to add...

Sushi. Place we go to is pretty expensive but they have this all you can eat thing that is just divine. We try to go at least once a month, whether we can afford it or not. Lol.

I hardly ever do but...
My must have here and there through the year are tickets for plays- and tickets to this storytelling circle they do here in the winter, I love the storytelling nights.

BUT I've been saving up for a big indulgence and I think it's getting ordered next week, my rowing machine I've been coveting for years. :drool:

Yep!! And we're past due. So get home for a couple days.

My indulgence is nail polish. Yes, odd but I have so many colors of nail polish it takes up one shelf of my fridge. Visitors think i'm strange.

Also, anything smell good. Candles, sprays, oils. As long as my house smells nice the world could fall down around me and i'd be fine. Weird how scents calm me down.

- A wedge of Stilton
- Moose jerky
- Patterned tights
- Those $10 coloured flats one can find at any Payless or SquallMart
- An hour or two to sit on my bum and read
- A ball of yarn I'd rather sit and rub on my face rather than knit

:tea:

Time - to allocate as I see fit.

gengisfawn reminded me: Good cheese.

My indulgences now are thick rare steak well seasoned at the steakhouse.Good music that I can relate with,just being in a quite place to reach the part of me that will allow me to be at peace with life away from the fast pace of things.Haveing a warm soft body in my arms with no destanation on mind.Not to bad for a start.

<cough>

Yes, I adore my 2002 BMW Z3. What I spend on it is COMPLETELY unnecessary (i.e. not mechanical issues). From the most expensive detailing products down to the smallest modifications such as a stainless steel lighter knob, unnecessary.

Guilty.

BUT.

It is my hobby and I spread out when I spend money and how much. I know what I want to do with the car long term, so I pick one expensive modification per year.

In other ways I am crazy frugal. We all have our "thing", I suppose.

Warm French Brie and a good champagne. Not only monetary but calorie indulgences.

T-shirts, Harley Davidson t-shirts to be exact.. I have a whole dresser that I am dedicating to shirts.. I counted casually the number then did a lil that many x's 25 a piece, I cried.. but I just bought another...

My other, hats, if it looks good, I am buying it..

I spend my money on food. I need a gluten-free diet so I have to spend more money but when it comes to indulging, it's gourmet food. Healthy, organic, gluten-free specialty foods. And dark chocolate. Oh yum!

I also spend time and money at consignments stores. They don't carry expensive items but for me, it's an indulgence.

power tools

they must be priced on sale really good for me to justify

Example:
I already have a 4 1/2 inch grinder ... a little over 4 amps.

Here is my justification. Right now, I am doing a little home project which
requires me to cut some steel tubing and a heavy duty stainless steel plate.

The other night I saw a dewalt 4 1/2 inch 10 amp grinder ...
with paddle ...
with lock-on ...
with kitbox ...

Honestly, I tried so hard to walk away from it ... ended up walking right into a sweet deal on a chainsaw.

I was incredibly good though. I did not buy both.

Guess who's got a new grinder?