View Full Version : What makes you feel like you're living expensively?
beckatron
03-25-2011, 08:23 AM
To me it seems that we enjoy these things more because most of them are in a way extra. Because if your budget is really tight, you can't really afford a lot of these small things that make us feel like we're living well. Having a lunch with friends only makes me feel good if I don't have to think afterward how I spent money I really needed for something else. And so on...
SO true. Add "not ever living on minimum wage again" to my list ;)
anacol
03-25-2011, 08:35 AM
To me, when I would walk into Caroll Paris and buy a skirt suit that cost 800 dollars, buying purses, 900 dollar car notes, plus mortgages and 700 dollar watches, etc. I felt I was living extremely expensive and shouldn't be spending money like that. I love to be able to buy what I want but at the end of the day, all the material items isn't what matters, it's the savings that will count. I still was living within my means but I wanted to go below my means and make sure all my savings stayed where they needed to be. I still buy things I love, but I make sure the savings and investments are stacked first and then I splurge. I would suggest that to anyone. Even though you can afford it, think about it first. :)
charlie61
03-25-2011, 07:03 PM
it is pretty funny but I guess living expensively in our minds translates to living well. you could live expensively if you have drug habit, but it's not rewarding and the key word is what makes you FEEL like you're living expensively and by buying and doing things that are indulgent yet healthy for the mind and body we feel a deeper sense of satisfaction. :]
Exactly, yes! That was the original spirit of this thread (though I love everything people have said). Things that make you feel like you're living expensively that aren't actually expensive.
Many expensive things don't make me feel like I'm living expensively. But little stuff, like opening a new jar of olives, gives me that little inner smile.
charlie61
03-26-2011, 05:09 PM
I don't even like alcohol (love the feeling, hate the taste), but there's something luxurious about having alcohol stocked in your house. Even if it's just a bottle or two of wine on top of the fridge.
xGigi
03-27-2011, 12:22 AM
I agree. I do most of my drinking at work so I don't need alcohol at home, yet I have like 4 different bottles of whiskey and 2 bottles of wine on my bureau. it's nice for when people come over I guess.
livingdeadgirl
03-27-2011, 06:21 AM
i don't even like alcohol (love the feeling, hate the taste), but there's something luxurious about having alcohol stocked in your house. Even if it's just a bottle or two of wine on top of the fridge.
yes! :d
ravenblack
03-27-2011, 09:04 PM
starbucks
new shoes
cheap new sunglasses
wine
candles
organic foods and skincare products
baths with bathsalt and candles
buying art
xGigi
03-28-2011, 05:54 AM
walking around target or walmart and just filling up your shopping cart with whatever you want without really worrying about what the total will come to and not even looking at the price of half the items you grab.
custom made outfits (just got my first corset measured to fit me)
shopping at whole foods and trader joe's when your roommates shop at price chopper and being the only person in the house who doesn't eat frozen dinners and ramen noodles
Almost Jaded
03-29-2011, 03:35 AM
xGigi unintentionally brought up a good one - not having roommates anymore, lol.
charlie61
03-31-2011, 07:32 PM
This is so random, but....getting myself off during the day. Yum. Especially with clean white sheets and all of the time in the world.
Almost Jaded
04-01-2011, 03:11 PM
Ah - so you're not completely asexual afterall, lol.
MM would SO agree with you. She loves to fuck, but that girl masturbates like, all the time. The more I get her off, the more she wants to get herself off.
I can't criticize - I'm kinda the same way, LMAO.
charlie61
04-01-2011, 03:38 PM
Ah - so you're not completely asexual afterall, lol.
MM would SO agree with you. She loves to fuck, but that girl masturbates like, all the time. The more I get her off, the more she wants to get herself off.
I can't criticize - I'm kinda the same way, LMAO.
Hah. If you'd read more about how I identify, you would've read that I'm a biromantic libidoist asexual. Asexual refers to the desire I have directed towards other people, not towards myself. ;)
And thank you for that mental image of MM getting off. Now that's something I'd like to watch! }:D Total voyeur here...
Italygirl333
04-01-2011, 03:59 PM
Cooking foods that are different than my everyday - special salads with spinach and my homemade dressing.
Going out to eat at simple places around town with my boyfriend and being able to pay instead of having him cover for me.
Going shopping for lingerie.
Buying books on amazon.
Taking a fun weekend off to go dancing in the big city and go to fancy bookstores and eat out and just generally splurge.
Coming home from work and having my boyfriend mix me up yummy drinks.
Spending a day sitting around playing WoW.
Going to concerts.
Taking a long indulgent shower. :)
Italygirl333
04-01-2011, 04:04 PM
Oh, and sushi! DEFINITELY sushi. I love going out to a nice place and just ordering plates and plates and plates of rice and fish and yummy goodness. It just keeps coming and coming until you're so full your tummy hurts. :)
Almost Jaded
04-01-2011, 04:16 PM
And thank you for that mental image of MM getting off. Now that's something I'd like to watch! }:D Total voyeur here...
You have no idea. So tempted to go into detail just for the knowledge that when I see you "thank" the post I will KNOW you masturbated when you reread it. }:D
That's the kind of stuff I get off on, lol.
firemaiden04
04-01-2011, 04:41 PM
I just spent $150 on groceries...lots of fresh organic produce and poultry, goat cheese, lots of fresh herbs, nuts, Kona Vanilla Macadamia Nut Coffee, imported British digestives, etc.
And tonight I'm going out to my favorite local restaurant with my friends, where almost everything on the menu is locally sourced and all the pasta is made fresh daily.
So I'm feeling pretty damn expensive :D
Dirty Ernie
04-01-2011, 05:17 PM
I was in Vegas for March Madness and stayed in a wrap around terrace suite at the Cosmopolitan comped. When new hotel/casinos go fishing for whales, a lot of little fish get caught in the freebie net. 1200 sq ft plus a terrace overlooking the fountains at the Bellagio.
On the bed were 6 pillows of various filling and sizes plus a body pillow. When I stumbled back to the room at night (morning!) I would just build a pillow wall all around me and not even bother to get in the bed. Dirty Ernie in a cloud.
charlie61
04-01-2011, 05:48 PM
You have no idea. So tempted to go into detail just for the knowledge that when I see you "thank" the post I will KNOW you masturbated when you reread it. }:D
That's the kind of stuff I get off on, lol.
Interesting...I've never gotten off to thinking about someone else getting off. And I don't masturbate to thinking about people I don't know. But hey, maybe I'll throw one in just for you.
charlie61
04-01-2011, 05:49 PM
I was in Vegas for March Madness and stayed in a wrap around terrace suite at the Cosmopolitan comped. When new hotel/casinos go fishing for whales, a lot of little fish get caught in the freebie net. 1200 sq ft plus a terrace overlooking the fountains at the Bellagio.
On the bed were 6 pillows of various filling and sizes plus a body pillow. When I stumbled back to the room at night (morning!) I would just build a pillow wall all around me and not even bother to get in the bed. Dirty Ernie in a cloud.
I love this!
charlie61
04-01-2011, 05:50 PM
I just spent $150 on groceries...lots of fresh organic produce and poultry, goat cheese, lots of fresh herbs, nuts, Kona Vanilla Macadamia Nut Coffee, imported British digestives, etc.
And tonight I'm going out to my favorite local restaurant with my friends, where almost everything on the menu is locally sourced and all the pasta is made fresh daily.
So I'm feeling pretty damn expensive :D
Helllll yeah girl.
MistyRose
04-02-2011, 12:49 PM
What I'm doing now: watching one of the best episodes of one of my favorite shows while eating the most expensive ice cream that was in the store. Yum...expensive chocolate and orange.
Lacy Luck
04-02-2011, 01:08 PM
Throwing away the toothpaste and opening a new one instead of rolling up the tube to get that last little bit!
Almost Jaded
04-02-2011, 01:44 PM
Charlie - just playing on your appreciating the mental image comment, lol.
Dirty Ernie - another SW member comes to Vegas and doesn't PM us for some general carousing while they're in town. *sigh* Glad you had fun, the Cosmo is awesome. :)
On topic:
Bitching mentally that a particular item is a dollar or two more at THIS store than it is a block away, but deciding that a couple of bucks is SO not worth another stop.
Realizing that I forgot some little thing and deciding that stopping to buy another one is easier than going back for it. Yesterday that meant forgetting the Ibuprofen that GF#1 takes o work and just grabbing a couple of the little packs at a convenience store when we stopped for power bars and water rather than drive 1 mile back home to grab it before getting on the freeway. It thought of this thread at the time, lol.
Ashly06
04-08-2011, 11:30 AM
-Being able to hand my mom a few hundred a month for bills,even after she says "don't worry about it".
-Paying my little sister to watch my child while I "work",even after she's said 100x's not to give her anything because she enjoys watching her nephew.
-Buying a toy for my kid sister and toddler brother every week I get paid and seeing the smiles on their faces when I hand it to them.
I just LOVE spending money on my family!!! ;D
charlie61
06-16-2013, 05:52 PM
Old thread revival!
Something that's been making me feel like I live expensively...I just joined Costco recently, and I've been super impressed by what they have available. They even have huge cat trees for only $90 - something you'd see at PetSmart for $200+. Not to mention the food options, of course. Enormous slabs of salmon for only $30, huge bricks of cheese for totally reasonable prices, four-pound containers of perfectly ripe strawberries for $6, superhuge pizzas for $8.99, a great selection of wines and other alcohols... They even have quite a few organic options!
charlie61
06-16-2013, 06:01 PM
Oooh...and homemade sourdough bread. I just made my first successful loaf that actually tastes very sour (squee!!) and extremely good! Sourdough bread dipped in melted butter (naughty!) or olive oil + spices...heaven!
hf487
06-16-2013, 06:07 PM
-Getting my hair done
-mani, pedi's
-Anytime i go get restylane injections
-spending too much money at costco (no more lol)
-online shopping
-my trips back home to visit family
-eye cream at night
-ditto on the clean sheets and clean house
-clean car
-going out for coffee
-getting nice bodywash
-my expensive makeup
-picking up magazines at the check-out
-fuzzy comfy socks
-hot tea at night
-my multiple pairs of sunglasses/prescription glasses
-a perfect fitting cocktail dress
hf487
06-16-2013, 06:10 PM
oh and anytime i go for a massage.... which is never because i feel too fancy lol
lynn2009
06-16-2013, 08:22 PM
That oh so rare occasion that I will treat myself to a sit down restaurant.
Having enough money left over to pay off debt early.
simone87
06-16-2013, 08:29 PM
getting my nails and hair done
going out for sushi
going out to movies in the theatre
everytime i have to pay my bills i feel like im living way TOO expensively, especally doctors bills :/
Selina M
06-17-2013, 03:17 PM
Oooh, interesting thread.
- massages/manicures/pedicures (which are like, once a year, because I chip nail polish off like no other)
- buying expensive dog and cat food
- being 22, with NO roommates, just me and boyfriend, in a 3 bedroom house with a huge yard
- going out for the day shopping, and getting both Starbucks and then later lunch/dinner in a restaurant... something about eating out twice in one day
- buying paint/art/decor for the house; especially just happening to see it and going "That would look cute in the kitchen, box it up"
- taking other people out; bf had a bad day the other day, so I took him to lunch and a movie :) I also like giving my mom "IOU"s for Mothers Day/birthday and then taking her to the mall and paying for something she wants
- specialty tea... my aunt just sent me a new teapot from Teavana and I am obsessed with it. There's also a place nearby that has about 100 teas they can brew for you, and it's like $4 a pop; those make me feel expensive!
MyButter
06-17-2013, 03:39 PM
Shopping at Whole Foods.
Not at all being concerned when a single tomato costs me over a dollar.
Being like "meh" when paying full price for a dress that has been advertised and marked as half off. This actually happens to me alot and I realize I could easily point out the error but I'm like whatevs, I'm a stripper.
Addison
06-17-2013, 04:05 PM
-hanging out in certain areas of town, especially late in the evening
-happy hour on the patio of a restaurant
-after dinner drinks
-nightcaps
-having a fabulous weave
-a flawless makeup application
-sitting on a couch at a bar
-mature company
Nina_
06-17-2013, 04:11 PM
My bed. My comforter is black and pink zebra print which I love, and pink sheets, and a pink canopy with a feather boa at the top - the canopy was only $20, and although I don't remember the price of my comforter I remember it being inexpensive. But I feel like a queen in a palace!
charlie61
06-17-2013, 05:46 PM
I love those rare conversations you get into with partners or friends... when you're so focused on the other person that you almost feel drunk - conversation is effortless and flowing, and you just float through the hours. Even better if there's a glass of great red wine involved!
buttonpop
03-12-2015, 03:11 PM
resurrecting and old thread because it was just too good to pass up.
what makes me feel like I’m living expensively:
having a clean house.
my down comforter, complete with throw pillows
reading in bed in afternoons with the light pouring through the windows and music playing the background.
having furniture that matches instead of random pieces scrambled together that i picked up along the way
getting all my bills paid in the first half of the month and knowing the second half is all savings
transferring that money into my savings account each month
going out to eat often, i eat at a thai place down the road several times a week, i am so grateful for this
buying new makeup, trying out new colors and techniques
buying several books a month
noticing something in a store that my sisters would like and being able to buy it and send it to them
actually being able to afford nice christmas presents for my family
others have mentioned starbucks. i don’t drink coffee, but italian sodas. somethin about carrying around those plastic cups while doing errands feels fancy.
taking long baths, especially in nice tubs
having a clean car, vacuumed interior.
ScarletKitten
03-12-2015, 09:28 PM
I love this thread! I need to start feeling like I'm living better. These are all good ideas! :)
charlie61
03-12-2015, 09:40 PM
I've been super into jojoba oil lately. Massaging my face with it after a shower. I also use it to lock in moisture after putting on a night cream. $14 for 4 ounces of organic jojoba oil on amazon.
missyamaya
03-12-2015, 10:10 PM
Buying organic superfoods.
Eating out when I feel like doing so.
Buying expensive (healthy) food for my doggies. :)
I don't really spend much money on a lot things---mostly food and necessities. I prefer to live life with more quality than quantity. Hiking and spending time in nature with my dogs is how I enjoy living my life day-to-day.
Mostly I feel the most expensive when I am doing something I love and when I feel sexy, like dancing (latin style and some ballroom). I feel like I embody the very feminine part of me when I dance. I can spin 10+ times in a row and I feel like a sexy latin lovin' goddess the way I shake my hips. People say they want to dance like me, which is a nice compliment. Dancing is a skill people recognize me for in the "real world" and it feels nice to dress up fancy sometimes. :)
charlie61
03-12-2015, 10:37 PM
^That's what this thread is all about! Feeling like you're living expensively without spending tons of money. :)
SnuffleUffleGrass
03-13-2015, 10:03 AM
Getting dental work done in the United States (I don't have a dental insurance plan.) lol
ScarletKitten
03-13-2015, 06:29 PM
^^No kidding! hahahaha
Okay, here's my very short list of how to feel like you're living expensively on the cheap:
*Dressing up nice & classy and going to an art museum on free admission day
*Eating good wholesome food from Trader Joe's
*Watching a sunset on a cool spring night
*Listening to jazz
*Wearing stockings, lace, and pearls
*Sipping a chai tea latte while sitting outside a cafe
Aurora14
03-13-2015, 07:01 PM
This is going to sound totally crazy... But making my dog's food. He's old and having more health problems so the vet suggested a wet food diet and said it's cheaper for me to make it (depending on the meat, which he doesn't need tons of) and have the time. So Sunday is stew day. I have 2 pots set up, one for dog, one for us (I don't season his otherwise it would be 1 giant stew). Tons of fresh veg. I just use a different meat for him each week. Comes out to costing $1 a day if I use high quality ingredients and lasts at least a week. And now he's the happiest animal in the world. I shit you not, this dog eats better than most human I know.
I've been super into jojoba oil lately. Massaging my face with it after a shower. I also use it to lock in moisture after putting on a night cream. $14 for 4 ounces of organic jojoba oil on amazon.
You can get that at Trader Joes for half the price!
rickdugan
03-13-2015, 08:18 PM
Great home cooked comfort foods. Things like pot roast, a roaster chicken with gravy, slow cooked homemade meat sauce for pasta, or even something simpler like crunchy breaded chicken thighs accompanied by a baked potato, along with some other choices. So inexpensive, especially since many of these dishes can be stretched over days, but oh so good. Cooking really good comfort food fills up the house with wonderful smells for hours and when I eat them I really wonder how anyone could be living any better.
xStacey
03-13-2015, 08:48 PM
- Gel nails
- Spa days
- Taking the cab
- Nice restaurants (steak house, sushis)
- Brand new textbooks (instead of used ones)
- Buying leisure books (instead of having to borrow at the library all the time)
- Brand name jeans
- Starbucks drinks (lol)
- Electric toothbrush
- Private health care
I couldn't afford any of that before I started dancing.
Elektra Luxx
03-13-2015, 09:40 PM
- my 2012 Toyota Camry (it's my baby, I got it this past summer, my Dad helped me buy it, but I make the payments and pay insurance)
- my apartment
- 2 phones (work phone, personal phone)
- my clothes
- my shoes (25 or 30 pairs)
- eating out (I eat out too much)
- my bikini's (I get a new bikini every time I go to the beach)
HoolaTwister
03-21-2015, 08:44 PM
Shopping at the organic grocery store
Getting my nails and hair done
Traveling
Starbucks
charlie61
03-22-2015, 12:30 PM
Full-fat organic yogurt with honey and berries.
kaninchen
03-22-2015, 12:36 PM
Fresh cut flowers in every room. I bought 30 daffodils last week for $5! I arranged them in three vases with asparagus fern and ranunculus from my garden. Totally beautiful.