Non frugal vice

Thetightfist · Post by **Thetightfist** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:15 pm

I have read about the frugalness of my fellow bogleheads, but I am curious as to your one non frugal vice! Also any buying advice where going cheap is NOT a good value?

My non frugal vice is a good cigar.

Something not to go cheap on............tires and Saran wrap.

NAVigator · Post by **NAVigator** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:38 pm

My non-frugal vice is my hobby - ham radio.

Something not to be cheap with - coffee.

Jerry

exigent · Post by **exigent** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:40 pm

Good booze and beach vacations. Granted, we do the latter as cheap as possible (drive down, eat in, etc.) but we like to stay in a decent place right on the beach.

White Coat Investor · Post by **White Coat Investor** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:57 pm

Thetightfist wrote: Also any buying advice where going cheap is NOT a good value?

Outdoor gear. Buy nice or buy twice.

jeff1949 · Post by **jeff1949** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:12 pm

We bought an expensive fully automatic expresso machine at Costco that makes super delicious coffee and expresso. Push one button and it grinds, tamps and injects perfectly heated water through the system and into your cup. It dumps the grounds out and is then ready to go again. Did I say it just takes one touch of a button?

Hey, at least we save a lot of trips to Starbucks that way but the machine IS quite expensive.

9Iron · Post by **9Iron** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:14 pm

Golf.. I play every Sunday. However, we are fortunate to have many good courses at reasonable rates in South Florida.

Keim · Post by **Keim** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:21 pm

2: Music (live and recorded) and 76 Monte Carlo.

norookie · Post by **norookie** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:22 pm

Im sure most here have them. Logistically IMO, if its a significant life issue, your lucky your a BH/ OR Saver to afford such extravagance. Or 2.

Like no ones paying/loaning/lending you for your retirement is a fact jack!

Opponent Process · Post by **Opponent Process** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:41 pm

California

mt · Post by mt » Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:34 pm

Floating rivers in Alaska. But I almost always use miles to get a free ticket up there.

xerty24 · Post by **xerty24** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:52 pm

Does travel count as a vice?

tetractys · Post by **tetractys** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:18 am

There's no way around the cost of the best musical instruments; but they're a great inflation hedge, and more of a virtue than a vice IMO. -- Tet

epilnk · Post by **epilnk** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:27 am

I don't cheap out on shoes (support and comfort, not fashion or prestige) or eyeglasses.

jidina80 · Post by **jidina80** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:38 am

I don't consider it a 'vice' at all, but I pay more than my fair share when with friends.

Most of my friends are younger and money is more valuable to them. I often quite willingly pay for things we do together. They often offer me money, and sometimes I accept. I have found that giving is much more rewarding than receiving, if you can afford it.

Just.

campy2010 · Post by **campy2010** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:14 am

Road bikes (and all the stuff that goes with them). Cycling can be an expensive hobby but at least my bikes get thousands of miles annually, are a great way to spend time with friends and keep me healthy. At least that is what I tell myself to justify the cost.

sport · Post by **sport** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:14 am

Don't try to save money when selecting a dentist. In the long run, poor dental work will cost more than good dental work done right the first time. My dentist is very expensive and worth every penny.

Jeff

scubadiver · Post by **scubadiver** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:42 am

Scuba diving and related gear. I've spent more on gear than I did on my first two cars combined.

stemikger · Post by **stemikger** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:46 am

My annual Disney vacation. Since my daughter was 4 (she is sixteen now), I have never missed our annual 10 day Disney vacation.

It is my version of heaven. I know it is odd for a 46 year old grown man to be in love with Disney world, but I have since I was a kid and it never faded.

We always stay on Disney property and get the meal plan. Most people don't know, but the restaurants in EPCOT are just as good as where I live in New York City.

My other non-frugal advice is ordering out or going to a restaurant every Saturday night.

Thetightfist · Post by **Thetightfist** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:49 am

Travel counts, I have that too. Shoes are a good one, pay now or pay later

stemikger · Post by **stemikger** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:50 am

Posted by jidina80
Most of my friends are younger and money is more valuable to them. I often quite willingly pay for things we do together. They often offer me money, and sometimes I accept. I have found that giving is much more rewarding than receiving, if you can afford it.

That's nice. As long as you don't meet people who take advantage. However, it sounds like you are a smart cookie.

It is like giving back in a way. Most younger people are broke because they are just starting out.

I kind of do that with my daughter and her friends. Our house is where all the girls seem to want to hang out and whenever they have sleep overs I tell them to order from any restaurant they like. Most parents don't do that. In fact this weekend that just passed, I spent $200 on Japanese food. Ouch.

I feel safe when my daughter is home, so it is a small price to pay.

stemikger · Post by **stemikger** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:55 am

Posted by the Tightfist
Shoes are a good one, pay now or pay later

Not sure I agree with this one. I have been buying my shoes at Payless for well over 10 years and never had an ounce of problems with my feet.

However a DSW just opened near my house and my wife is trying to talk me into going there instead.

Posted by JSi11Don't try to save money when selecting a dentist. In the long run, poor dental work will cost more than good dental work done right the first time. My dentist is very expensive and worth every penny.

This is definitely not true in my case. I go to a dental clinic that works with union people (i.e. cops, fireman, etc.) and they are very inexpensive, but my dentist is great. My daughter even got her braces there and they did an amazing job.

Her braces cost $2,500 as opposed to $5,000 to $7,000 which is what all the other ortho guys were telling us.

Years ago Readers Digest did a story about the different prices dentists charge and they had a guy go to 12 different dentist and got quotes for $1,500 to $16,000 for the same work. Before they sent him out Readers Digest had a dentist go over everything in would need and said it should not cost more than $1,200. I never forgot this story.
Also, before going to my current dentist, I had a very expensive guy that really didn’t do that right thing and after every procedure I always had trouble, especially root canal, he just wasn’t very good at it and he was very high priced.

Exuberent · Post by **Exuberent** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:18 am

Race Horses - my wife and I moved to France several years ago and I started helping out at the yard of Gina Rarick, the only American woman licensed to train thoroughbreds in France. Since then I have bought ownership / leased interest in several race horses trained by Mme. Rarick. Statistically not the road to riches but what fun. Still shedding weight in quest to become the "exercise rider of last resort" for the stable.

travelnut11 · Post by **travelnut11** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:05 am

Regular massages and the occasional trip to the spa for more exotic treatments.

And, of course, lots of travel. Though usually on the cheap.

Beantown85 · Post by **Beantown85** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:13 am

Travel is my biggest not-needed expenditure, although I do try and scour for good deals. If I can't find a great deal, I go anyway. You can't take it with you.

HomerJ · Post by **HomerJ** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:40 am

Theatre tickets (Broadway musicals I mean, not movies).

We don't go often, but if we do, we don't go frugal. We get the good seats.

nimo956 · Post by **nimo956** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:10 am

While I have toned it down recently, I usually pay a premium for high-end camera equipment. Lenses range from $1k-$2k. While digital bodies are released every few months, the lenses hold their value (or even appreciate) remarkably well, as new models/updates tend to be released every decade or so.

Chin Strap · Post by **Chin Strap** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:21 am

rrosenkoetter wrote:Theatre tickets (Broadway musicals I mean, not movies).

We don't go often, but if we do, we don't go frugal. We get the good seats.

Ditto. I did the whole student rush thing in grad school, but I got so sick of partially obstructed views or back row nosebleeds. Now it is orchestra or bust. But, like you, it is a rare treat.

midareff · Post by **midareff** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:35 am

International Tours to Europe, Asia and Africa. Photographic gear... good glass is expensive. Coffee, tea from China and Thailand, hi-end stereo gear....

mptfan · Post by **mptfan** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:39 am

Time spent on the Bogleheads' forum.

simplesimon · Post by **simplesimon** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:44 am

I'm a steak snob. If I'm going to pay for steak, I'm buying prime grade if I can.

Food in general. It doesn't have to be fine dining (except for steak most of the time) but I eat out a lot because my cooking sucks.

Clothes and shoes.

partisan · Post by **partisan** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:08 am

For me it's skiing, even the local hill has become expensive in the last few years.

Even though it's an expensive hobby my cheapness still survives, when in Utah (now an annual pilgrimage) I will stay in downtown SLC and take the bus to the slopes, take pbj for lunch, pack my own liquor etc. I figure any money saved on extras is an extra lift pass or two.

Leesbro63 · Post by **Leesbro63** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:19 am

Lexus LS460 All Wheel Drive

rjg001 · Post by **rjg001** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:21 am

campy2010 wrote:Road bikes (and all the stuff that goes with them). Cycling can be an expensive hobby but at least my bikes get thousands of miles annually, are a great way to spend time with friends and keep me healthy. At least that is what I tell myself to justify the cost.

This one for me two, although how crazy I am depends on who you talk to. Non-cyclists think $2,500 for a bike is nuts. Serious cyclists know how easy it is to spend double or triple that if you really want to. So maybe I really am frugal.

Travel is another - we vacation every year and like nice hotels/resorts. We never go completely overboard, but we aren't cheap about it.

My car. I like having a nice car and am willing to spend more than the cost of basic transportation to have one. Again, I don't go completely nuts - my lease payment is less than $600/month and well within my means. But not frugal by any means either.

new2bogle · Post by **new2bogle** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:22 am

Vacations and food.

Ted Valentine · Post by **Ted Valentine** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:36 am

My children

SamGamgee · Post by **SamGamgee** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:40 am

trying new things.

mfen · Post by **mfen** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:09 pm

Frugal - not confusing quality with branding. Most things I buy are high quality I am just not a sucker for brands and excesses (such as no trim upgrades in a car). Buy quality on sale.

Vice - new cars, don't want a used car.
my Club - pay way too much for those luncheons.

NYCPete · Post by **NYCPete** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:09 pm

Anything in the kitchen, whether it be food or appliances/cookware.

The most recent purchase was a $500 Vita-Mix blender. Though, I don't think this purchase was a vice, because the Vita-Mix Has made me a firm believer that 99% of blender brands are absolute junk. They overheat, are hard to clean, and aren't strong enough to do simple things like crush ice and puree vegetables.

Best,
Peter

Default User BR · Post by **Default User BR** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:14 pm

Live sporting events. I go to 20-25 hockey games per year (a friend has season tickets, so I pay that price) and 5 football games (splitting two season tickets with three other guys).

Brian

Stonebr · Post by **Stonebr** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:34 pm

Birding binoculars. German. Zeiss.

phositadc · Post by **phositadc** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:42 pm

NYCPete wrote:Anything in the kitchen, whether it be food or appliances/cookware.

The most recent purchase was a $500 Vita-Mix blender. Though, I don't think this purchase was a vice, because the Vita-Mix Has made me a firm believer that 99% of blender brands are absolute junk. They overheat, are hard to clean, and aren't strong enough to do simple things like crush ice and puree vegetables.

Best,
Peter

+1 on the Vita-Mix. Another home appliance I have not regretted buying is a Dyson vacuum cleaner. Would get another one if this one broke (well, as long as it lasts at least 5-6 years before it breaks).

mmmodem · Post by **mmmodem** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:48 pm

NYCPete wrote: The most recent purchase was a $500 Vita-Mix blender. Though, I don't think this purchase was a vice, because the Vita-Mix Has made me a firm believer that 99% of blender brands are absolute junk. They overheat, are hard to clean, and aren't strong enough to do simple things like crush ice and puree vegetables.

Yikes, I just saw this thing being demonstrated at Costco. I turned to my wife and said, "Who in their right mind would spend half a grand on a blender?" Guess I got my answer there. I went over to Target later and purchased a $20 blender to replace our broken 2 year old $25 blender. Two years for $20 sounds good enough for me. I only use it to make smoothies. I don't need to crush ice.

My vice is electronics. Bought an Ipod Touch and a laptop last year. Will probably buy a new TV this year.

Atilla · Post by **Atilla** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:46 pm

What the wife and I drive, and where we stay on our Vegas trips aren't exactly frugal - but worth every penny.

Call_Me_Op · Post by **Call_Me_Op** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:55 pm

NAVigator wrote:My non-frugal vice is my hobby - ham radio.

Something not to be cheap with - coffee.

Jerry

I'm also a ham.

73's

supersharpie · Post by **supersharpie** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:27 pm

Concerts...lots and lots of concerts!

SDBoggled · Post by **SDBoggled** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:47 pm

Food... I was just thinking today that - different from a few years ago... I don't worry at all about price of groceries... I like value but can now "afford" to pay for stuff where we see the value: Whole Foods salmon, Whole Foods peeled and sliced fresh fruit, Fage greek yoghurt, local bakery breads.

Much cheaper to splurge on food than cars: we have 98,99, 2001 cars.

word · Post by **word** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:42 pm

electronics - two laptops last year, two ipads, a camera, two cell phones

this year will be more reasonable - one laptop, that should be it for the most part

fishndoc · Post by **fishndoc** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:16 pm

Bamboo fly rods, and fly fishing gear in general.

A buddy once observed that fly fishing is more addictive than cocaine, and can be twice as expensive.

Dandy · Post by **Dandy** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:24 pm

Family vacations - best bonding and memories for all
Medical Care - always want to be able to go out of network to get best Docs.

Christine_NM · Post by **Christine_NM** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:36 pm

I buy fresh cut flowers for the house a couple of times a week, and started a season ticket at the Santa Fe Opera.

This year I will add an expensive CPA to do my taxes -- I don't feel obliged to do it myself since the IRS is no longer mailing out forms.

If I wanted to be really extravagant I'd have the flowers delivered.

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