1. Foundations – I haven’t had much luck with drugstore foundations, so for the past several years I’ve been sticking to more expensive brands. My first department-store foundation was Clinique’s Clarifying Makeup for the princely sum of $16, first purchased when I was a sophomore in high school. Currently, my favorite is Korres Ginger and Vitamin foundation ($28 at Sephora). It provides light to medium coverage and does a good job of smoothing out skin tones and concealing minor blemishes.
2. Mechanics – I found a mechanic that I think is pretty good, and I’ve been going to him for the past two years. Even though I’m sure I can cobble together some cheaper oil changes or routine check-ups, it just makes me feel better to have someone I know. Besides, I try not to feel too bad about repair charges. My car is old – it’s going to need repairs. Even if I spend $1,000-$2,000 a year on repairs, that’s still far cheaper than the cost of a new car.
3. Education-related items – Like mother, like daughter. I paid 1/2 of my test prep classes (almost $1,000). Mom paid for the other 1/2 of test prep as a graduation present. I also took my test twice at $250 per sitting. $500 seems like a lot of money to spend on anything else, but for my test I didn’t even blink. It’s almost as if my brain doesn’t register the “pain” that comes with spending, if the spending is in the name of education or self-development. Even if I sometimes define “education” very broadly, to include, say, tango and salsa classes (hey, they’re good for me, right?).
4. Location – I don’t live in the best neighborhoods, but I’m a little bit of a scaredy-cat and steered clear of places that looks uncomfortable or gives me a weird vibe during my apartment hunt. People walk their dogs and couples run with strollers on my street, that makes me feel like I picked a good spot. Safety is number one, so I don’t apologize for this.
5. Hotels – During college, I stayed at hostels for $15 a night in Europe. I’m several years removed from that experience now, and I don’t think I can ever go back. I like a nice King-sized bed, a convenient location, and responsive customer service. To accomodate both my inflated taste and my budget, I turn to Hotwire.com. I’ve booked the Westin, the Hilton, and the Omni through the website, all for 40%-50% off the listed price on the hotel’s website. Win – win.
What are your 5 things?
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1. Skincare and make-up, especially since my mom took a good look at what products I was using and frowned. So for skincare I use Shu Uemura and La Mer, make-up I use a combination of expensive and cheap products. My foundation and eyeliner are from Giorgio Armani (the foundation feels like silk!), and the other stuff is from various brands bought at Sephora.
2. Shoes. I will cheap out on clothes (Zara, H&M), but not shoes. That doesn’t mean all my shoes are expensive – I have lots of sneakers under $100. As long as my feet are happy, i’m happy.
3. Dry cleaning. My clothes look and feel much better when I go to the more expensive dry cleaners vs. the cheaper ones. Some of my blouses have never been so crisp and white before!
4. Purses. I’ve done the cheap purse thing and realized I only wear it once or twice before I toss it. So now i’m sticking with purses I really lust over, of course I save up for them, so it’s not like I buy them on a whim. Oftentimes I wait for years before I buy the purse I want. I usually change my mind along the way.
5. Travel & Accommodation – if i’m going to leave the comfort of my home, I want where ever i’m going and how i’m getting there to be more comfortable than what I currently have. Why spend the money otherwise?
Sorry such a long comment!
1. Location of apartment. In a safe area, nice area close to biking trails and close to public transportation and/or work.
2. Clothing & Shoes. I just don’t like wearing cheap items that pill, look faded and wear out.
3. Electronics. You get what you pay for.
4. Mechanics and anyone in the trade business (including construction or handymen). The more you pay, the better of a service (and a guarantee) of a good job, you will receive.
5. Hotels. When I travel, I need to be in a safe hotel. Not a super comfortable, rich one, but something clean and well located (even if in the suburbs but is close to public transportation).
1. Makeup – no one likes a break-out!
2. Athletic shoes
3. Computers – learned my lesson through trying it on this one. I’m now the proud owner of a MacBook Pro, though, so it’s all good.
4. Food – fresh, organic, local for me regardless of how much more that might cost!
5. Concerts – a great lineup will get me to pay the ticket price every time.
1. Quality food-I don’t spend a ton, because I cook at home, but I won’t cut my food budget.
2. Running shoes-I buy really good ones or my knees hate me.
3. Moisturizer- Sensitive dry skin means good moisturizer is a necessity.
4. Bras- Again a necessity, given my…ummm… ample bosom.
5. Internet- with my roommate using an online phone service, my husband playing X-Box online, and me reading all my favourite blogs, we have to get the fastest service or we all get cranky.
1) books. I’ve tried, really I have, but I just can’t get myself to use the library like a normal person – too many hardcovers, not enough options, too much hassle. I buy used when I can, but it’s tough; I like my books shiny and uncreased. it’s bad.
2) my apartment. location is part of it, but I’m also not willing to bend on such things as a gas stove, hardwood floors, and loads of windows. I think that where you live makes or breaks your mood every single day, so I’ll pay what I have to.
3) mascara. I’m fine with drugstore everything else, but for mascara, I can’t compromise. I’m a DiorShow girl.
4) dentist. I’m the first to go to a clinic or wherever’s cheapest for pretty much any other service, but as a total dental-phobic, I really love the way I’m treated at my dentist’s office and I trust the people who treat me. so I’m sticking with them, even if it does cost ten times more than a dental school or lower-cost office.
5) contacts. I wear night & days, which the optometrist just recently told me are some of the most expensive on the market. I just think that going a month without even thinking about them is totally priceless.
1. Make-up – cheapie drugstore make-up screws up my sensitive skin.
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2. Shoes – more expensive shoes last longer and feel better! (though I’m happy with my $3 flip-flops
3. Haircuts – I’ll get my bangs trimmed at Fantastic Sam’s, but that’s about it.
4. Bedsheets – High thread count = happy skin
5. Eyeglasses – In the past, my glasses made me feel extremely self-conscious and I hated wearing them… but my last two pairs I have LOVED; they look and feel great. And yes, they’re designer, but I don’t regret the price one bit.
Make-up: Bare Escentuals is AWESOME. It’s so light and it almost feels like my skin feels BETTER with it on! And it won’t clog pores at all! It’s not cheap (though you can get deals on the kits and such through Ulta) but it’s not the most expensive stuff out there either.
Shoes: I’m with you. While I can’t justify any more pretty shoes — I just don’t go out enough — my walking around shoes and my walking (workout shoes) have GOT to be well-padded and such.
Bras: Though I’d tell psychsara that figleaves and bare essentials are two good websites for finding affordable bras. (Thanks to some weight gain I went up to an DDD/E and it’s a pain in the ass to find those in regular stores!) There’s even an entire blog devoted to underwear sales. I can’t remember what it is called though. If she cares, she can leave me a message on my blog and I’ll hunt around for it. I mentioned it in a post once…
Haircuts (sorta): I was REALLY happy with the Gene Juarez Academy cut I got (and with a 50% discount, too, so it was $11.95 before tip) and plan to go back. But I am willing to spend on a haircut if it means I feel safe with the hairdresser. The only reason I went to Gene Juarez was it was only going to be a basic trim. But she put in some more layers and it looked great!
Sheets: High thread count is really nice! But it’s also a practical concern. Regular sheets retain body heat more than sateen (esp higher thread count sateen, I find) and Tim’s eczema worsens when he gets hot and sweaty. So… we have three rotating pairs of 400-600 thread count sheets. But then again, we go to Tuesday Morning and get them for about $40 each.
1. Food – life is too short to eat bad food
2. Beer – life is too short to drink bad beer
3. Dogs – I love my furry friends and they only get the best care
4. Car Repair – I hate getting stranded, car troubles are my least favorite troubles
5. Airlines – I want to get to my destination in one piece
Foundation – definitely! I don’t think spending $22 on foundation is a lot. Yes, I could go for the $9 Cover Girl which will break me out and look like paste on my face. I guess I rather look natural and splurge.
Produce – I don’t like to buy cheap produce. In my experience, it doesn’t taste as good and it spoils faster. What I mean by cheap produce is that I will buy it at higher end stores like Whole Foods or Molly Stones. Sometimes the produce at TJ’s is not good enough for me.
Wine – I can appreciate a bottle of 2 Buck Chuck but for truly special occasions or days that I want to treat myself, I will indulge in wine.
Location – I agree with you. I pay a little extra to feel safe & comfortable in my neighborhood especially since I live on my own.
Car maintenance – I have gone to the same mechanic for the past 7 years and he is the best. Yes compared to others he is a bit more expensive but he explains things to me like someone who doesn’t speak the car lingo and I trust him with my car.