DFW - what "luxury" can't you live without?

[Deleted User]

Cranny44 wrote: »

Going at xmas also cut down xmas pressies as the holiday and $100 spending money was their xmas.

You would normally spend more than the cost of a holiday, and $100 each, on Christmas presents?

~Chameleon~

quidsy wrote: »

OK, I admit it. I have expensive taste in certain things but on this DFW journey I have had to make alot of sacrifices. BUT there are certain things I just can't or wont give up.

Here is a list of my absolutly must haves;

1) Estee Lauder doublewear foundation £27 - Lasts approx 4-5 months & I try to get gifts of it at Christmas so only really buy it once or twice a year.
2) Estee Lauder mascara £22 - again lasts for 3 months & I get vouchers or part of Christmas gift so buy 2-3 times a year.
3) Brazillian blowdries & cut £130 - every 5 months to keep the mop in check.:eek:

In everything else I have really cut back, food is now on a tight budget, clothes are always sales or Primarni unless special occasion, shoes, again, make do with existing or cheap (less than £20 a pair) or even better, charity shop. My car is 11 years old but in good condition & I think & rethink every purchase now but I cannot & will not live without these big price items.

So what are you "can't live without must haves" ?

Eating a healthy diet will have a far more beneficial effect on your hair and skin than any amount of cosmetics and fancy hair-dos

TDMum

Not a huge luxury by any stretch of the imagination but I'll only buy st.ives face scrub. I'm normally a tightwad regarding toiletries and wouldn't spend £5+ on anything but I heart that scrub and it's the only face wash I've fallen in love with.

eyeopener2

Interesting thread this. I look at it from a slightly different perspective in that the reason (or one of them) I got into £25k worth of debt was luxuries. My wife always used to call me a food/holiday/cosmetics/anything snob.

So I gave everything up up and embraced frugaldom. I had to give up drinking and basicAlly everything else to pay this debt off within 4 years and I'm well with in target, about 2 months to go.

I can sort of understand the hair thing, and the make up thing but I've not bought any new clothes barring underwear in 3 years. I've not done anything except pay debt back, but it's nearly gone. When it's gone I can get some nice clothes again and maybe have a holiday abroad.

Do I have anything I consider a luxury? Nivea after shave balm that costs a fiver every couple of months,if that counts, but that's about it.

Dull I know, but it's worked, although my way isn't for everybody cos it's hard at times.

FionaWeasley

For me it's Sky & Benefit "They're Real" mascara. I can do own brand for other makeup but that's the best mascara I've ever found. Got 2 for christmas though so I'm hoping they'll last me til I go over to the USA in October.

quidsy

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Eating a healthy diet will have a far more beneficial effect on your hair and skin than any amount of cosmetics and fancy hair-dos

Ahh, you have fallen into the trap of thinking that budgeting means eating unhealthily. strictly sticking to a budget has resulted in a much healthier diet actually, as it prevents impulse buying which is usually junk food in our house, it also forces us to buy fresh & cook where we normally would have relied on ready meals.

But if you know the food that stops my hair from being curly or my skin from having old scars & broken veins then please share.

~Chameleon~

quidsy wrote: »

Ahh, you have fallen into the trap of thinking that budgeting means eating unhealthily. strictly sticking to a budget has resulted in a much healthier diet actually, as it prevents impulse buying which is usually junk food in our house, it also forces us to buy fresh & cook where we normally would have relied on ready meals.

But if you know the food that stops my hair from being curly or my skin from having old scars & broken veins then please share.

That's because usually, in my experience, eating cheaply often equates to eating unhealthily. Lots of examples on this forum

Glad to hear you've not fallen into that trap

allybee101

My first luxury is my haircut. £37 every 5-6 weeks for a cut and blow dry.
I know I could go to a college and have it cut for a fiver but I have short hair that grows fast and can get out of shape very quickly. I have finally found a hairdresser who does an excellent job and makes me feel great when I walk out of the salon.

My second luxury is my shoes. I have size 9 feet and I now go to Clarks/Debenhams for my shoes rather than New Look/Evans. They fit better and are better quality. I suppose that the fact they last a lot longer without falling to pieces is a money saver as I end up buying fewer pairs of shoes.