Spending $$$
Ms. Mamma had a post the other day, in which she was sporting some stylin’ new shades. She mentioned that she almost didn’t buy them, because they were expensive, and she’s not rich. Immediately, my mind went to a ploop type graph, in which I show WHY I don’t buy expensive sunglasses.
As you can see, I have tried a couple of times to own cool, sexy sunglasses, but it’s really not a good idea. I said as much to Ms. Mamma, and she replied that she is gifted in such a way that when she buys sunglasses, she keeps them as long as she wants to, unless her mom gets a hold of them.
This got me thinking, though, about things that I AM willing to spend more money on, and why. First, my hair. I used to color my own hair, get the cheapest haircuts, etc. Actually, there were times when Ted was my hairstylest, both cutting and coloring for me. That comes in handy when you’re in your 20s, living in SF 4 blocks from the Haight, and it’s the late 80s. By the time you hit 30, though, it’s time to settle down and start taking better care of your hair. Actually, when I stopped keeping my hair uber short, Ted stopped cutting it, and I would look elsewhere for someone. I have very fine, straight hair, and I’ve had hairdressers tell me that they don’t like cutting it, because ‘every mistake shows’. OK then, thanks a lot, I’ll find someone else who’s more interested in my money, OK? Buh Bye. Now that I’m in my 40s, living in the burbs, and driving a 21 year old Volvo, I need to have someone professionally cut and color my hair. And yes, it’s expensive. But it looks about 150 times better than when we did it with the bottle, so it’s worth it to me. “What about shampoo?” you may well ask. Well, I go through periods when I will spend a bunch on Paul Mitchell or something like that, but it’s rarely worth it. However, I find that a lot of the less expensive products are truly crappy, and weigh my hair down so it looks FLAT. What I have found is that the medium priced products work pretty well. Currently, I’m into Alba, which we found on vacation in Portland, but happily they sell it here in our local Longs pharmacy. It’s about $9 a bottle, which isn’t cheap like the Citre Shine we’ve been known to use (which actually isn’t too bad either), but it isn’t expensive like the Paul Mitchell, or, dare I say it, Bumble and Bumble.
I don’t buy cheap clothes, either. I love a good sale, and I can’t afford top of the line, but I would prefer to spend $50 on a nice shirt that I really like, than 5 cheapo shirts that are going to fall apart in a week or two. Which is, I guess, why you always see me wearing the same dang things…fewer things, better quality.
How about you? Where do you buy the cheapest thing you can find (like me with my sunglasses…which, since they’re cheap, I’ve had for YEARS now), and when do you pull out the wallet and spend a bit more?
19 Comments
dew
I’m with you on the clothes. I like to have a few nice things instead of a bunch of junk. But I also shop second-hand stores, where I can find good clothes, barely worn, for very cheap. Unfortunately, you have to do a lot of hunting to find quality stuff.
Same with shoes. I only have maybe 5 pairs, but they are all very good shoes.
I’m cheap with the books, I guess, since I get them mostly from bookmooch or the library. I take very good care of new books when I get them, though.
Chrissy
I’m with you on the clothes thing too. I’d rather spend a little more money upfront than have to buy again later because I’ve been cheap and bought something that was affordable but needed to be replaced shortly after. That’s the case with most of the things I buy. I don’t spend lavishly. I’m practical, but when I do buy things, I consider longevity and quality, which sometimes (most of the time) means it’s more expensive.
I used to spend a lot of money on things I didn’t need when I was single. I looooove shopping! Now that I’m married, I’m a lot more frugal and practical. However, every once in a while I’ll treat myself to something nice 🙂 It’s a treat and sometimes you’ve got to do something nice for yourself. My mom is a bit eccentric and loves to shop. She says “What is money if you can’t spend it?” or “Life’s too short to not enjoy. What happens if you die tomorrow?” My response is “What happens if you don’t die tomorrow???” LOL Then you’ll have spent all your money and then what?? I am such a party pooper, aren’t I?
As for Ms. Mamma’s shades…..I love, love, love them!! She looks fabulous in them! 😉 As CK said, it’s Sharon Stone meets Audrey Hepburn! Totally stylin’!
Autumn's Mom
I like to hid behind a fat pair of shades like that. But I need a perscription. So I do end up spending more on sunglasses..but I never get a cute pair like at Macy’s or anything. My last sunglasses, Esprit, lasted me for 3 years. That was a bargain. I’m due for a new pair!
Py Korry
I’m with ya on the cheap sunglasses. There’s just something refreshing about taking advice from ZZ Top and cheap sunglasses.
Ml
I was just fine with a pair of cheap sunglasses and have my share of them. However, a few years ago, Lew bought me a really expensive pair. I am VERY careful with them and always put them back in the hard case after I’m done using them.
I’m not much of a spender, but do try to buy clothes in the middle range. I will spend more money on good quality fabric because the cheap stuff is gross. Oh and coffee is definately better if it’s the high end stuff.
Cherry
Happy June!
Well, I admit, I do buy B&B hair products. Either my sylist is really a skilled sales person, I’m really gullable, or both. But I do like the way they work in my long, fine hair.
The sunglasses…the only pair of expensive sunglasses I have purchased, I sat on within a month. So I’m back to the cheapo’s from Target/drugstore.
Joan
Cheap sunglasses – I seem to hold onto forever. Expensive ones don’t stay in my possession very long. Recently I did splurge on a Coach purse and wallet but they were on sale. I felt guilty for about 24 hours then let go.
Shelliza
J, I have the same kind of hair and the exact problems. I splurge on my hair cut/color and I use Matrix shampoo, no conditioner, though. My next big thing is shoes and fit is everything when it comes to clothes so I would definitely spend a lillte extra there. I own a pair of Chanel sunglasses but haven’t worn them in a while due to fear of losing them or having them scratched. Once Connor came along, it seemed that he also likes to wear them so I buy the 2 for 25 ones now, and that works fine (for both of us).
Recently, I bought a few good books for Connor on Ebay, that are new and the prices couldn’t be beat. Other than some of the shipping rates, I can usually find some descent stuff there for a great price.
Happy Friday!!!
CuriosityKiller
Oh I LOVE this post. I don’t know why — clothes are important to me, it’s a way of showing respect to whoever I’m meeting up with.
I know I spend extraordinary amount of $$ on shoes, but that’s with good reasons. I’ve been working on building my wardrobe for years on stuff that’s classic styles (pinstripe pants) and other quality items. Alot of stuff I got from ebay so it’s a lot cheaper than buying from major department stores and they’re designer items. I figured if I’m going to pay $80 for a pair of pants, I may as well buy a pair of Prada or Marc Jacob from ebay. I can always resale later (labels really sell well).
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still shop in Gap and outlet malls. Whatever I can get my hands on — but I don’t buy anything unless I absolutely love/need it.
Then once a blue moon, I would splurge… since I’m still single, it’s still my money, so I don’t feel that guilty to pay for instant gratifications once in a while. I try to buy things that I can see myself wearing for years to come. Maybe not my yellow Marc Jacob shoes… but they make me young… and when you fall in love with accessories… you’re in love. No one can tell me otherwise.
That’s just me. 😉
Gina
I’ve been professionally cutting and coloring my hair since I was about 25, and due to my premature graying, it is becoming even more important!
Oh, a brand that is only slightly cheaper than the one you are currently using is the Umberto line from Target. I use it for everything now, from hairspray to shampoo. They have a voluminzing conditioner that I switched to from thei moisturinzing formula when I cut my hair and it works really well. My hair is designed to “flip” and with that, it does but still gets some conditioning.
As for clothes, I go midrange, I can’t afford really expensive labels but every time I have tried to go cheapie, the stuff just sucks.
Sunglasses, I used to only wear Oakleys, but just last week bought two pairs from Big Lots (the horror) for five bucks!
How funny that my Friday Poll was about something similar to this, but twisted around a little!
Ginger
I have a nice pair of sunglasses and I had to train myself how to take good care of them (ie, they stay in the car). But I am not into paying a lot for clothes or shoes.
kookiejar
I am the cheapest person on Earth. I don’t even like to buy the Splenda I put in my coffee (I prefer to take extra packets from restaurants). My husband bought me a beautiful pair of sunglasses last year, and of course I lost them. I told him this year I’d almost rather squint into the sun for 3 months than go through that heartbreak again.
Kimmie
I got the tint on my prescription glasses. The first time I bought it was a rip off, but I’m thrilled with the tint on my new glasses. I’m the type that always leaves my sunglasses on the kitchen counter so these are perfect for me.
Sonia
My chart is the same.
Expensive shades? Lost or broken in short order.
Cheap shakes? Can’t lose ’em or break ’em if I try.
*sigh*
Sonia
That would be SHADES. Not shakes.
And I don’t even have the shakes right now.
tanabata
Funny I’ve just been debating about getting some new sunglasses. The super cheap ones I have start giving me a headache about 10 minutes after I start wearing them. I think I’d like some decent ones but they don’t have to be major expensive brand ones. Haven’t found any yet though so we’ll see. Anyway I found you through Dewey’s Blogroll game. 🙂
Rebecca James
I too buy cheap sunglasses – I lose about a pair every two months.
And I always vow to buy only good quality clothes but always get sucked into buying cheap nasty things – I always regret it!
V-Grrrl
I color my own hair and get cheap cuts–still. A military barber cuts my hair now. I buy drugstore shampoos and makeup (after reading Consumer Reports and that Cosmetics Cop chick). I don’t economize on food.
My clothes are mid-range. Lots of Eddie Bauer and J Jill. With shoes, it’s all about comfort, not style.
I love purses, though they don’t have to be expensive, I’m willing to splurge on them. I love pottery. I will drop big bucks on a fabulous sweater.
MsMamma
You’re so worth it(the hair expense)!
I miss the Mossimo Hair Line from Target. It was cheap($5) and it was wonderful. Tested on models, not animals.