Scrimp or Splurge - What Is A False Economy?

Caterina

maman wrote: »

I suppose the difference is that using tea lights for a glow is hugely cheaper than Yankee candles or most other scented candles.


I'd love to buy Jo Malone but I keep dithering over which scent to go for and they're too expensive to make a mistake.


I find dinner candles can be a rip off. For my candlesticks I buy a box of plain ones from Ikea.

Jo Malone candles are wildly overrated and overpriced for what they are. I asked in store and they confirmed that the fragrances are not natural. Also the company no longer belongs to Jo Malone herself, who was committed to natural stuff as an aromatherapist. It was bought out by Este Lauder group.

Jo Malone now has a line called Jo Loves but I haven't tried them.

The best scented candles I have had are made by Willow, an organic company, if you wait for the sales they have amazing offers, really worth investing a bit if money in, and nowhere as expensive as some of the big names.

kboss2010

I quite like the "For Every Body" soy candles that TK Maxx often sell - scents are Yankee quality but much cheaper!

kboss2010

I have to say that I went shopping for some decent pillows the other day and I don't understand why they advertise "soft touch fabric" as a selling point - surely most people use pillowcases on pillows (because washing them every week isn't practical!)? *shudders at thought of unwashed, uncovered pillows*

GreyQueen

My splurges are a bit boring; excellent quality mattress, the most energy-efficient appliances in the mid-upper range, H0tter or Ecc0 shoes (have bliddy awkward feet), Sl0ggi knicks, gardening tools, luxurious down pillows, R0han clothes (if heavily-discounted at TK Maxximus).

I really really like quality fabrics, both for household linens and clothing, but buy 90% of them secondhand. Some of my nicest things like my Ic£breaker merino wool top, cost 50p. I wanted one for years but no way was I able to pay full retail (£80-£90). :eek:

I am also a voracious reader of secondhand books, which I then pass on, and a happy consumer of not-strictly necessary but joyous flowers bought on yellow stickers, coming up to the end of the second week with a bunch of YS carnations for 36p and have just got a YS poinsetta for 20p.

I scrimp by cutting my own hair as most hairdressers make a complete pig's ear of the job and I hate the whole salon experience and shelling out for something unsatisfactory. Most of my veggies are homegrown, locally-sourced and organic - off my allotment. I seldom go to the cinema, preferring to watch chazzer DVDs with friends. Likewise, we cook for each other and eat at home rather than eat at restaurants.

I don't spend much time fretting about what others may think of my lifestyle as I think doing so opens a person to either anxiety or ego-mania, depending on how you feel you fit in with society.

And yeah, Ilona's blog is brilliant.

Si_Clist

:undecided Trying desperately here to think of anything we actually splurge on. Does the home-made wine at £45 a kit / £1.70 a bottle count?

LameWolf

GreyQueen wrote: »

I don't spend much time fretting about what others may think of my lifestyle as I think doing so opens a person to either anxiety or ego-mania, depending on how you feel you fit in with society.

:T:T:T Well said! As I've said on so many of these types of discussion threads, it's "horses for courses". What is vitally important for one person is a "so what, basic cheap will do, it really doesn't matter" for another. As long as YOU are happy with your choice, and you have the money for it, go for it!

Back to candles - does anyone else use candles according to their colour? Or am I the only one?

maman

Caterina wrote: »

The best scented candles I have had are made by Willow, an organic company, if you wait for the sales they have amazing offers, really worth investing a bit if money in, and nowhere as expensive as some of the big names.

kboss2010 wrote: »

I quite like the "For Every Body" soy candles that TK Maxx often sell - scents are Yankee quality but much cheaper!

Thanks for the candle tips. I tend not to buy coloured candles Lamewolf but if I did I would want to coordinate with room d!cor.

kboss2010 wrote: »

I have to say that I went shopping for some decent pillows the other day and I don't understand why they advertise "soft touch fabric" as a selling point - surely most people use pillowcases on pillows (because washing them every week isn't practical!)? *shudders at thought of unwashed, uncovered pillows*

I did have some pillows once that, although feather filled, had a very prickly cover that felt stiff even through the pillow case.


Talking of bedding: does anyone know where I can get a mattress cover preferably quilted or fleecy that has proper cotton sides like a fitted sheet rather than that flimsy mesh stuff or straps?

coffeehound

maman wrote: »

Talking of bedding: does anyone know where I can get a mattress cover preferably quilted or fleecy that has proper cotton sides like a fitted sheet rather than that flimsy mesh stuff or straps?

Current MSE discount offer might fit

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/boston-duvet-and-pillow-company?_ga=1.49223014.1774920760.1478884211

Lynplatinum

Evening all!

What an interesting thread - thank you OP!

Now what is a 'splurge'?

You see things where I feel it is important to have quality do not necessarily cost a fortune.

For example - real coffee - it is my daily treat but I buy it from L!dil and it costs me £3 ish per month, however, I have spent a lot more than that from 'posher' shops and from 'good' ranges in supermarkets which have often been a disapointment (at worst) or not much different from L!dil (at best). But L!dil wins on the combination of price + quality! :j

So things that I wont compromise on quality are:
real coffee
free range eggs
decent loo roll
comfy bras

Things that cost a lot initially but last for years:
Echo shoes
Good waterproof outdoors coat
pots and pans
chopping board
Sharpenable knives

Things I will scrimp on forever:
Clothes (luvs charity shops)
most foodstuffs (tho I like organic veg when Im feeling flush and supporting local enterprises)
Books (luvs a charity shop/charity events like the Book and Bake!)
Make up and moisturizer (haven't bought moisturizer for a couple of years as a richer friend decided to throw out all her 'cheap' and gifted stuff and I persuaded her to throw it my way )

Things I really splurge on (i.e. not necessary items)

Eating out - always something that it would be too complex/time consuming to make at home

Going to interesting places/concerts - Ive just booked a 4 day stay in Glastonbury with my friend (Tlodge £95 for 4 days between us!!) for example! :j

Having fun with friends (walking a dog/coffee at mine/working at arts or poetry or beer festival or charity events/an occasional pint out/chatting for a free hour on the phone! )

Now that's quality!

GreyQueen

Si_Clist wrote: »

:undecided Trying desperately here to think of anything we actually splurge on. Does the home-made wine at £45 a kit / £1.70 a bottle count?

Depends on the quality of the wine you end up with; could be a splurge or a penance, IYSWIM. Cheers! :beer:

Very interesting thread, thanks to the OP for starting it. Seems that we have some commonalities in our choices and some individual foibles.

I see plenty of things going on IRL which cause me to inwardly raise my eyebrows, especially when an individual is complaining about being hard up and wasting (from my point of view) their money on unnecessary items (again, from my point of view).

I've sometimes been asked to give people (friends, acquaintances) thrifty counselling. Informally, it isn't my profession, although I have worked in the fields of debt and welfare advice, as well as walking the talk in the bottom 10% of households. I've learned to be very wary of doing so, as most people are extremely resistant to change and become uncomfortable with even relatively modest changes being proposed for their consideration.

I think thrift is something you have to come to yourself, with your own priorities, in your own time. When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear, as the old saying has it.