Five Expensive Choices I Don’t Regret
I realized after my last post that I was feeling a little down on myself. I’ve made some less-than-perfect decisions in the past, but so have we all. So I thought I’d put together a list of choices I’ve made since starting college that have turned out to be great, if not always the best option for keeping us financially afloat.
- My choice of college. Even if the education and networking that come from attending a fancy Ivy League college weren’t enough, I met my partner there. I don’t care how expensive four years at that institution was, it’s worth it for that reason alone.
- Living out of my comfort zone. Barb and I spent two years in Flagstaff, Arizona so that she could attend graduate school there. I joined her, kicking and screaming, and really disliked being so profoundly landlocked. We also had to keep a very tight budget, and didn’t make any headway on debt. But the experience of living in an environment so different from the East Coast areas I’d lived was eye-opening, and ultimately good for me.
- Getting good haircuts. I really like the way short hair looks on me, and a bad haircut can make for a nasty mood and a terrible first impression. So although it’s not the cheapest thing to do, getting a cut from a good hairstylist every 6-8 weeks is one regular indulgence that I don’t regret.
- Travelling. Neither Barb nor I have travelled extensively, but we did spend a wonderful three weeks touring Australia. It was not cheap, but sometimes when I close my eyes I’m remembering driving along the shipwreck coast, wine tours in the Barossa Valley, and making new friends in Perth and Sydney.
- Having a wedding ceremony. We put together a very frugal wedding, but it was still a large investment for a union that, at the time, could not be legalized. The community recognition, the ritual, and the memories made it worth it, though.
What expensive choices have you made that were worth every penny? Share in the comments!
Great thoughts, Jan. Although budgeting is vital, so is the occasional indulgence–if just to remind us what we’re working so hard for!
The expensive choices I’ll never regret are education, for many of the same reasons you mention; pet adoption and care; and, on a more selfish note, body art.
I think a good haircut (and good-quality, well-fitting, reasonably stylish clothing) is a career investment, the same way an education is. People will notice you and take you more seriously if you look the part of a put-together professional than if you dress like you’re still living in a frat house.
Starting my own business! No financial returns yet, but I’m the boss!
(And cleaner and sales person and computer person etc etc.)
I don’t have a lot of expensive things in my life. However, I have never had cause to regret…
1) Buying a nice leather jacket before I could really afford one (it’s now about ten years old and still in great shape)
2) Taking advantage of my old company’s partial rebate policy for computers, just before they stopped doing it (the only time I’ve bought a new computer)
3) Good health care. Not just a primary care doctor but a dentist and a gyn too, and specialists when necessary. VERY expensive if you don’t have insurance – but maintaining your health is much cheaper and easier than attempting to recover it.
4) Always paying the highest monthly payment on my student loans, even when I’m broke. I’ll be done soon!
This is going to sound insane, but I sold a car to pay an emergency vet bill. I don’t even have the cat anymore. He was about a yr old when he had a seizure and the after hours vet saved his life (but for an enormous amount of money). I would have regretted it forever if I hadn’t done it though.
I liked reading your top 5. I also think travel is always worth the expense.
Sinking my bonus and tax refund into the wife’s dream wedding day was something I did out of respect, not desire (I wanted something shiny with blinking buttons, darnit)…but the rewards we have reaped keep coming.
Buying a new, good-quality mattress and box spring set right out of college. This was pretty expensive given my budget at the time. Most everything else in the apartment was the typical college student/early post-college assortment of extremely cheap yard sale, scavenged, or family-donated furniture and kitchen items. That was fine, but getting a comfortable (and clean) good night’s sleep is worth the investment. We’ve replaced nearly everything else in the house by now; I think the coffee table and my dresser are the only other exceptions.
Buying a car that was officially beyond my means out of college. Not for the flash factor or anything — please, it’s a station wagon — but it’s way sturdy, and it’s still rolling now eight years later, and I’ve owned it outright for the last six. That’s been a huge boon.
And remembering always that money is a means, not an ends. Something easier said than done sometimes.
Janet, I gotta say, that’s the best list of expenditures to really enjoy- especially the good haircut. I really learned that the hard way. I would also fudge and add clothes that fit in that list, simply because. . . well. . . you know how I dressed!
Love ya bunches!
I’m pretty frugal except when it comes to food. I’m far more willing to spend a little more to see what something tastes like but I try to control spending in other areas so that I can safely splurge on food. One big expense that I felt guilty about was an electric piano soon after college. I didn’t have a lot of money but I was finally living in an apartment that had room for a piano. I was happy to have that.
Get the best, or do without — one of the best lessons my grandfather taught me. So much of this country is drowning under cheap stuff that no one needs.
Nowadays, my biggest indulgences are things that save me time. I send my laundry out now — an evening at home is worth so much more than the $20 it costs me.
Dan – sending my laundry out is one of those indulgences I hadn’t really thought of, but it’s a good one. On the other hand, if I send my laundry out, I run the risk of having the evangelical Christian laundromat owner folding my underwear, and I’m not sure I want that!!
For some reason I’m always amazed by people who are willing to spend less to get an inferior product or service. WHY?? It’ll just break, or not serve you as well.
We live in an impatient Wal-Mart society. . which is funny to think of because walking into a wal-mart for me is an exercise in patience.
palmer – GREAT point about money being a means, not an ends. A lot of the personal finance blogs I’ve been reading focus on planning for retirement over enjoying the money you have right now. I think that saving for retirement is great, and of course I am doing it as I’m able, but what good is money if we can’t enjoy it a little?
Joss – I can’t stand Wal-Mart, or any of the cheap crap they sell. One of the very good lessons that my family taught me about money: buying one really well-built version of a product that will last you a while is far superior to buying three cheaper versions that will wear out. I don’t understand why more people don’t get this.
One definitely has to invest in a good haircut. A good haircut can change everything 🙂