OMG I'm ridiculously high-maintenance!

1. Hair! Color every three weeks, haircut every 6-9 weeks, highlights a few times a year.

2. Fitness. Personal trainer twice a week, boot camp class almost every day, tap class twice a week.

3. I have a fairly fancy car (for the first time in my life) but I'm going back to smaller and cheaper when it's time to replace it.

4. Vacations. Hubby and I don't have a ton of time off, so when we take a trip we go first class.

5. Entertainment. Prime season tickets to several major local venues, plus whatever special events come to town

6. Entertainment, again. Whole-house DVR, big flat-panel TV's in pretty much every room, big cable package. Embarrassing, but there it is.

7. Clothes, shoes, bags. I'm getting pickier and pickier the longer I hang out with y'all!

I cook from scratch every night of the week. I grew up eating home-cooked meals (my mother grew up on a farm, and grew her own fruits and vegetables in the back yard) and don't think processed food or restaurant food ever tastes as good. I'd rather have a simple, home-cooked meal than a fancy processed one. Also, I can control what goes into my meals--salt, sodium, fat, etc.--and know exactly what I'm eating.

Only the best cookware. I'm still using a set of top-of-the-line Belgique cookware (made in Belgium) that my mother bought for me as a wedding present. It's stainless steel with heavy aluminum-clad bottoms. I think it's practically indestructible. Even if something gets overcooked or burnt (rarely happens, but it has happened), it cleans up nicely and looks like new.

I haven't always been able to have a gas stove, but I prefer to cook with gas. I now have a gas cooktop and an electric wall oven.

I make my tea one cup at a time, and will not drink tea that has been refrigerated. It doesn't taste the same.

No costume jewelry or cheap makeup. I have sensitive skin.

No cheap shoes. They hurt my feet.

I have to drive a car that's at least mid-sized. I refuse to drive a rollerskate. My DH just bought me a new car (a week after he bought himself one), and I insisted on adjustable seats with lumbar support. I told him I have to be comfortable. Lack of lumbar support makes my sciatica pain flare up something awful. We drive our cars for years, so I'm picky about reliability. My new car replaces a 1999 mid-sized sedan that has just under 100,000 miles on it.

Only leather handbags and shoes. No fabric or PU.

Lately, I've developed a strong preference for dresses and skirts that are lined so I don't have to figure out which slip is best to wear underneath.

Good, supportive bras.

Vacation: My idea of "roughing it" is staying at the Holiday Inn.

My piano is a top-of-the line studio grand. I've had it since I was 16 years old, when my father bought it for my birthday. I will not play on a lesser-quality instrument. I no longer teach piano, but for years this instrument was the tool of my trade.

- Coffee -- I've become a coffee snob. I take beans, mini grinder and French press when I go camping.
- Beer -- I like the good stuff!
- Handbags
- Furniture -- I spent enough years when I was younger with secondhand and Ikea stuff. Working in the interior design world spoiled me too. When we bought our house 6 years ago, we splurged on *good* high-end contemporary furniture.
- Home improvement -- we've also learned the hard way how going cheap can be not so cheap in the long run. I have very high standards for design, quality and workmanship. Probably a big part of why I'm dragging my heels on starting to have our kitchen and master bath redone. It's going to be a major undertaking. We want to be in our house for a long time, and it's pretty much our dream home, so we're willing to spend more than what some people might think prudent to make it all we want it to be.
- Tools of my trade. I will not skimp on camera, lenses, computer equipment, frames, or printing paper.

I'm very low maintenance when it comes to:

- Cars -- I'm practical, and I'd probably be driving the same car I had 6 years ago if it weren't for my husband. But I could be swayed into a sporty nice car.
- Travel -- well, I *am* the woman who spent over two months camping in a tiny trailer! At least when I'm traveling alone, I tend to go for budget lodging, and I eat quite inexpensively, with an occasional indulgence. When I'm traveling with my husband, it's a different story -- we splurge more together!
- Jewelry -- I'd rather have a cabinet full of fun, interesting, inexpensive artistic statement pieces than a small set of expensive jewels. I'm not a blingy girl.

There are a lot of things I like high end, but I typically don't buy it unless it's 2nd hand or deep discount (my grad school stipend on goes so far ). That being said, I prefer:
- nicer handbags
- nicer shoes because I have long, narrow feet with high arches and they can be a bit on the fussy side
- nicer jeans because I wear them almost every day

Either those Papermate pens have changed a lot or I'm extra fussy about pens. I loathe them, lol.

So...in response to the question:

1. Pens
2. Clothes - I won't buy shoddily made clothing, even if it's fun.
3. Shoes
4. Coffee
5. Wine and beer
6. Glasses - I had a bad experience with poorly made lenses once...talk about headaches...I'll never go back to that discount eyeglasses place. I'll spend extra at an optomotrist I trust.
7. Same goes for the dentist. The last dentist my family had botched up a bunch of work on my teeth and actually cracked on of my husband's teeth. We changed dentists and the difference in care is astounding. It's totally worth it!

My house is modest and my car is a beat up ugly old thing.

antique diamonds. steph

"I don't think I go high-end anywhere in my life lol. Cars - used. Haircuts only 3 times a year. Food on sale whenever possible. Even my very few 'high end' clothes are bought on deep discount. $398 boots for $235. $290 jeans for $150."

Wow, that sounds a LOT like me! Everything "high end" I have was bought on sale or through a secondary market or was funded through reselling old items. BUT! That doesn't mean Mo and I aren't picky - I know we both stalk those Ebay finds because the random, cheap stuff that is readily available just won't do. Yes, I could buy a $2 top at the grocery store, but I won't!

I'd say I'm most picky about:
- Boots. Some people collect art/baseball cards/movie memorabilia - I collect boots. They're art to me, so I must have nice ones that fit just so. This usually translates to higher end brands - not always, but you can't deny Frye magic.

- Handbags. Ditto the above. I don't equate designer brands with quality, though. I just know when I touch the leather and feel it in my hand.

- Jackets. Similar to the above. I don't necessarily look at my jackets as art, but they are my main statement pieces, so they have to fit just the way I want, have well placed embellishments. Again, this often translates to a more expensive (originally) jacket.

Hair. Only 4 times a year, but I go to a pricey salon. I do love my stylist.

Beer. I especially love Belgians.

Coffee. I love great coffee and abhor bitter sour coffee. Unfortunately the better beans are pricier.

Fresh fruits and vegetables.

Great cookware, good sharp knives and a top oven. I like All-clad cookware, and it'll last forever!.

This is a fun thread! Here is my list. It's funny: This is all relative! For example, I will buy $300 boots, but not $500 ones, you know? Someone else might spend $100 but not more than that, someone else might spend $600 but not more...So I look spendy in comparison to some, but frugal to others! We all have our ceilings or our bars set at different levels.

These are the things we spend on:
1) Eyeglasses
2) New York Times: We get it delivered to our house 7 days/week.
3) Food: We cook a lot at home and try to buy locally, organically, etc. In the summer we have a garden and raise tomatoes, arugula, sugar peas, and raspberries, typically.
4) Wine: We primarily drink Italian.
5) Coffee: Good-quality whole beans and a French press every morning, with cream and sugar.
6) Tea: I buy a particular type of Black loose leaf tea online.
7) Linens: I like 100% cotton with high thread count, from Garnet Hill.
8) Flowers: I buy tons of annuals every spring to plant in our yard and in pots on our back deck and fence (see pics). We eat on our deck almost every day in the summer--wonderful and rewarding after the brutal winters.
9) Dog food: Grover eats only the best--an expensive dehydrated, human-grade food (Honest Kitchen) that we order online.

Things we don't spend on:
1) Cars: We have a 10-year old Honda Civic and a 3-year old Honda CRV.
2) TVs: We have one that's around 8 years old (not even a flat screen!).
3) Going out to movies
4) Going out to dinner: We go out maybe once every few weeks.
5) Travel: We don't travel very often.
6) Personal maintenance: I get my hair cut every several months and don't color it, don't get manicures, waxes, etc. etc.

Hmm. Another excellent thinker question... Right now I'm weaning myself off my last remaining luxury insistence: high-end hair cuts. I mean, I could have had two iPads for every room by now... although that's not what finally moved me to stop spending on my hair... On a tangent: I tried the $40 haircut bus and oh boy, I got what I paid for. I may have to adjust the bar as to what constitutes "affordable" and "luxury".

I was being very choicey about dog food, but I have started mixing it with non-premium. My peasant dog seems to need some filler for a healthy digestive system.

I was also buying premium local roast coffee beans... and then I discovered I quite like Italian canned coffee from the supermarket best. Not, of course, this is not still plenty fancy. Big plus: you get an old-fashioned coffee tin.

...Anyways, I am walking around with this feeling these days that price is not reflective of quality / value / desirability in any way. Not even a smidgen.

It took me a while to think about this. Really it comes down to;

Haircuts
Glasses
Gear (running shoes, tents, camping stove, outdoor clothing)
Travel (beween family being far, and needing to get out in winter)
Cars that can handle long winters

Other than that, I'm all over the place. Don't garden, don't collect art or anything (other than boots), don't wear expensive jewelry or makeup.

We do spend a lot on Pokemon cards and clothes for our kid, but i buy him stuff at Old Navy and Value Village because he outgrows it all so fast. And we take good care of our spoiled rotten pets.

I've been trying to think about what we splurge on.... but compared to many, even our "splurges" are pretty inexpensive.

Movies/TV.... we treat ourselves often from the library, but we don't have broadcast TV or cable.

My "new to me" car is a 2000 Surbuban that feels like a Cadillac to me. For the first time I have a key fob with buttons to lock and unlock the doors!

I *love* good tea and hot cocoa, but I'm pretty happy with cocoa powder/sugar/milk and tea from Walmart.

I read a lot and consider it a time splurge, but usually get books and magazines from the library.

Vacations feel like treats to us, but are usually visits to family with free accomodations.

I do treat myself with shoes. I can't do poorly made shoes with my picky feet.

Oh, and my hair! I do treat myself to color... Natural Instincts with coupons from Target. I get it cut every 8 weeks.

I have started making sure I have decent glasses, on the schedule allowed by our job-provided vision insurance.

In case anyone is interested, there's a great little book called Frugal Luxuries on how to treat yourself to luxuries without spending a lot of money.

http://www.amazon.com/Frugal-L.....038;sr=1-1

this is a fun read! my gotta be high end requirements:

espresso for breakfast everyday... oh and all you coffee lovers have you tried home roasting? Will bring you to a whole new level of snobbery (meant in all the best ways) get a home roaster like the iRoast and buy some green beans the roast it fresh and grind a brew 48-72 hours later... best ever coffee!

beer... when $10 for a 4 gets to be too much I have to crank up some homebrew which I have always has fantastic results doing.

fruit and veggies

pretty much everything else I go for quality and afforadability by looking for second hand items. My dad has said for years i have "champagne taste on a beer budget" well, so true!

I will spend money on:
1 good coffee
2 haircuts(but I won't spend more than $60 because I have to cut it every month)
3 jewelry, shoes and accessories
4 I cook from the scratch so its more expensive
5 skincare(but I also mix it up with cheaper items)

I've always felt that there's no economy in buying cheaply made products. However, I do budget my money and try to find well-made items at discounted prices. This involves a lot of looking, of course, but I do manage to snag some fantastic deals. Also, my DH and I are willing to pay more for things that matter to us, but hardly anything for things that don't. When you know what you can/cannot do/live without, it makes shopping a whole lot easier.

VC - Fair trade for me is more about personal comfort than it is about taste. It can be really difficult to only buy things that are made without sweatshop or slave labour, so when it's easy (for me!) to do, I do it. The fair trade products I buy have, by coincidence, always been organic as well, which really does affect the flavour of chocolate and coffee in a noticeable way.

It might not hold true anymore, but in the past, US made denim would last longer than jeans I had that were made in other places. The zippers were reliable, the stitching was great, the material didn't stretch out so quickly, and they felt softer and nicer against my skin. The other part is that jeans are so quintessentially American, that it doesn't seem right to have them made overseas! lol

Oh - I just thought of another picky area: hangers. I can't use plastic or wire hangers. If they're not wood or covered in velvety stuff, my clothes will remain unhung.

I buy organic / free trade as much as I can, if available at my local supermarket. I buy very high end peppermint tea, which is becoming a scarce commodity now that Teavana no longer carries it.
My skin care products and cosmetics are pricey too,with the exception of cethaphil, which has been a godsend to me.
I am a leather nut. I can spot good quality leather a mile away and will pay a pretty penny for it, no regrets.
Haircut is on the expensive side but I color my own hair. I have too much grey, I'd need at least a weekly touch up to look decent.
As far as the rest, I am a super bargain shopper/ coupon lady. Most clothing items I buy are with a retailer's discount and/ or on sale.

Since I inspired this thread I thought I should put in mine.
Coffee, I buy from a neighborhood roaster. Always French Sumatra. I brew my own coffee on work days and drink it on the bus with organic half and half.
Wine, I usually buy in the $10-$20 range. But will spend more on a special wine or if at a restaurant or wine bar. I have never tried two buck Chuck.
Yarn, I like soft and it always seems expensive yarns. But I'm a very slow knitter so they last me a while.
Salmon, I prefer wild Alaskan King. But I only buy one serving a week on average, so overall expenditure isn't high.
Probiotics, the only one that keeps my intestines happy are spendy little buggers (get it?) from Whole Foods.
I prefer to buy organic produce, but mostly buy frozen veggies honestly because with my work schedule fresh produce can go bad before I cook it.

Ohhh, I forgot about tea! Looseleaf tea in a pot!
And gear; I love gear. Bikes, bike jerseys, rain gear, tents, sleeping bags. Anything to make outside more fun.
Dog food. Organic food for the chickens. (The cat gets cheaper stuff 'cuz she likes it).
Movies in a cinema!

We don't spend money on:
Cars (ours are 12 and 14 years old). Our kids, 19 and 16 yrs old don't drive. (But our family of 4 has 10 bikes! Mine is the only pricey one though, most of the rest are really old. We have enough for friends and backups when one breaks)
A TV; ours is more than 8 yrs old.
Clothes (except me! )

Wow, I am so out of my league! I'm not really picky about anything -- I'm an inveterate bargain hunter.

The only things I am particularly particular about are beer (I mainly drink real ales and microbrews unless I'm at a party or something and there is nothing else) and whisky (single malts al the way!), and the music I listen to. Not that I think a given genre is better than another or anything like that, but I rarely listen to "normal" radio stations because there is so much manufactured pop out there that drives me nuts.

Oh, and I will not drink instant coffee unless it's the only caffeine available during an apocalypse. Blech.

Trying to think of anyplace I go low end. My husband is very frugal (that's a nice way to put it) so I tend to tip higher just to balance us both out.

omg, velvety...we are still living with my hubbie's single-man-faux-velvet-living-room set...and a blue tweed lazy boy. srly, i'm living a frazier episode. clearly, his and my priorities are aligned!

speaking of splurges...i got the bamboo stylus for my ipad. hands down the best stylus. well balanced, sensitive, responsive. also really pricey for what is essentially a stick with some foam on the end. i was going to try to diy...but figured i'd lay out the same amount for ...um...supplies...yeah...supplies.

I don't feel like I am picky about too many things-I have only recently bought items at full retail price rather than waiting for a sale, and B. and I will probably be renting for some time. My furniture is mostly Ikea, Fred Meyer/Target, or secondhand with some Pier One and World Imports decor thrown in.

But I don't skimp on:
-Specs: I love wearing glasses, and I won't buy a pair that's unflattering and doesn't fit. Due to changes in my insurance provider in the past few years, my "vision benefits clock" started over anew and I was able to get a small collection of awesome frames in the past few years.
-Bras: I wear a 32G or H these days so not only do I need the support, but cheap bras don't really exist in my size. I scoop up my favorite Chantelle bra at NAS or when watching for online sales when I can. Even so, they retail at $88 and I'm thrilled if I can find them for under $55.
-tea: I love my loose-leaf, particularly from Queen Mary Tea, Teavana, and Teaopeia in Canada. B. is baffled by my tea cabinet, which is admittedly quite large. I love to have variety to mix and match, and my palate has become a tad snobby where cheap bagged tea is concerned.
-Shoes, kinda: I don't usually spend a bundle (except for my Fidjis) but I won't buy cheap shoes that hurt my feet any longer. I'm definitely a believer in quality footwear that feels comfortable.
-Handbags. (How the heck did I morph into a purse girl this year? I blame that visit to the Kate Spade outlet with YLF!)
-Teacups. I may have cheap Ikea wine glasses, but I love my small collection of mismatched teacups.
-tights: Oroblu and Commando hose aren't cheap, but they last! That burgundy mesh pair (I've forgotten the brand) has literally lasted for years.

I don't have exacting standards about things some of my friends are picky about. I love my iPhone (since November) but had a very moderately priced phone (not a smartphone at all) for many years before that, and no data package. My computer at home has had parts upgraded throughout the years but is 8 years old. (it drives b. nuts-he builds a new computer every other year.) I haven't ever owned a television and have lived without one since leaving my parents' house- I watch movies on my computer monitor and pay for Internet and Netflix only, no cable. (b. will probably buy a 42+" flat screen tv and will want to add cable when we move, depending on space.) I grew up with a family who drove cars for the duration of their lives-we still have my dad's 1994 Accord- and I plan to do the same with my Honda. I love the scent and feel of hardcover books, but a well loved hand me down paperback holds just as much meaning, especially those I reread in my childhood or that were passed down from relatives. I don't mind cheap undies if they are comfortable!

Not a ton of things, but off the top of my head:

1. Coffee
2. Shoes/boots
3. Fresh produce
4. Makeup
5. Shampoo/conditioner

That's all I've got, for now.

Anna, we get wild Alaskan salmon FREE all summer (either catching it or freeloading off friends who fish often)- it's the best thing about living here.

Oh, and I should also add (duh, why didn't I think of this) skincare and makeup products.

Most of my skincare products are actually pretty reasonable - jojoba oil and tea tree oil can be find in the natural/essential oils section of many grocery or natural food stores, and they last for a long time. Sunscreen is Neutrogena and inexpensive, too, and the Ceaphil lotion bought in bulk at Costco is cheap. My two "splurge items" are Aveda botanical exfoliant (pricey, but lasts for a VERY long time; I use a tiny bit on a cotton ball twice a week to exfoliate) and Mychelle honeydew cleanser (used to wash my face in the shower - it's a very gentle creamy cleaner, and I don't have to use very much so it lasts.)

Makeup - I gave up on drugstore foundation and blush in my early twenties because I could NEVER find a good match to my skin tone, and I'd break out a lot. I used to use Clinique, but it still felt kind of heavy. Bare Escentuals Fairly Light (non-matte) is a really good match for my skin tone and looks quite natural, and I only use a light dusting all over while applying heavier coverage to blemish areas. Their makeup is fantastic, too - not waterproof (which I like, because it comes off easily) but doesn't smudge unless I'm seriously rubbing my eyes, doesn't get cakey even when it's old, and the teeny-tiny wand makes for easy application. Those are the main items I splurge on.

I almost bought those PaperMate pens today, but alas - I was at Costco of all places. Had my hand on the $7 something box of these pens, and struggled to get the package out of it's display on the shelf, when I realized ...I'm looking at a package of *9 dozen* pens. I put it back. There's just no way I'd want nine dozen pens cluttering up my life.

I'll get some of those PaperMate pens soon (from a non-box/warehouse store where I can just buy a few) and see if they are as good as I remember them to be.

Speaking of pens, I kind of like those Pilot "Precise Rolling Ball" pens in either a V5 or V7 version. The thinner, the better, when it comes to these types of pens.

In the meantime...

MaryK - I'd actually like to be a lot more high maintenance than I am - I'm not kidding about this! I have a habit of sort of skimping on myself, and would feel better if I paid a bit more attention to ME.

ManidipaM - just wanted to say that I agree with you on the shoes - I don't buy super-expensive shoes, but I have had to move on 'up' a wee bit because comfort is a big deal for me when it comes to shoes these days. Used to be able to buy any old 'cheap' shoes from places like PayLess or what have you, but my feet simply won't put up with this anymore. Also - like you, I've had periods in my life where I simply did not have a TV, and if I did, couldn't be bothered to spend the money to get cable/TV service. It was (and still is) more fun for me to get movies from places like Netflix than it is to have regular TV service.

Ruth - you've got me on "roughing it" at Holiday Inn. My husband and I make jokes about this, because it wasn't until I met my husband that I had ever stayed at a Motel 6. Pretty bad, but the thing is - it was a road trip with our two dogs, and these places take pets. I can't tell you how many laughs we've had about this though - I think we were in a Super 8 motel somewhere in the middle of nowhere, and he was laughing his head off at the "complimentary guest towel" that was placed in the washroom - it was just a paper towel and it had the chain motel's logo all over it, along with suggestions how to use it - you could use it to shine your shoes, clean your windshield etc. - you get the idea. So, my husband decided to drape the thing over his arm and comes up to me and asks, "Would you like the guest towel, my love?" We won't talk about pouring Pellegrino into plastic Super 8 cups. Or how these places seem to provide just three teeny-tiny, super scratchy bath towels. They're so small that you *might* be able to pat your face dry with one of these things. And how about that Sunlight-type bar soap in these motels? The kind that has your skin turning red, smells like dish detergent, and stings? The thing is - some of our best memories are in places just like this!!! Whenever I mention these road trips, my husband likes to say, "Nothing but the best for my babe...." and starts giggling and laughing like a 12 year old. I have to be honest and say that these places are just perfect for a road trip - very clean, serviceable and work out well when you're just trying to get from point A to point B.

Janet - french press coffee when camping? That sounds like something I'd do, but I haven't been camping in years. In fact, the last time I went camping, I had a craving for bagels and ended up driving three hours north of the camp site to the nearest town just to get the bagels. In terms of furniture - I would get nice furniture if I were in a place I'd like to be, but these days, we're in one of those "on hold" situations. I'm glad to read that you and your husband are in a place where you want to be, and are able to furnish the place in a way that makes you happy. I'd like to get to that same place, where I know I'm going to be happy to stay awhile.

Amy - very good point about the dentist - ack! I moved out of state umpteen months ago, and somehow ended up needing a crown replaced - I broke a crown the day before we moved, and had to rush to find a dentist. The bad thing? I got the crown replaced, but somehow the next tooth over got cracked in the process. Only reason I ended up with this particular dentist is because I needed sort of 'emergency' dental care, and this guy was close to my house, and had an appt. right away. I'm still not convinced about his level of care or skills in this area. Glad you mentioned this, because now that this situation is long since solved, it might be time to look around for someone better.

Steph - antique diamonds? This sounds like a good place to be picky, particular and somewhat 'high end' about things. These are very long-lasting items, and will never, ever go out of style. Smart to train your 'higher end' eye to something that has lasting value.

rae - just wanted to say that I am also very much a bargain hunter too, and even though I'm 'fussy' about certain things (coffee, wine, chocolate, good food, good quality paper/stationery, a decent newspaper, a brand new book), I'm actually a little bit too "cheap" when it comes to clothes shopping.

Jonesy - you're so right about how it's all relative - especially when you described how some people might not want to spend more than $100 or $300 for boots, and others will cap off that limit at something like $600. Speaking personally, I need to upgrade my spending on clothes and fashion - and have not ever spent more than $100 on boots, other than one pair that someone else bought for me. I will say that the few times I spent more on something, I didn't regret it. But having said that, I did do my research and and got the best 'deal' possible. Very interesting - writing back to you about this, because in so doing, I just noticed and realized that when I do spend a bit more on something, I haven't ever regretted it. Hmmm....

Meanwhile, I *love* your deck and those fabulous flower pots on your fence! To me, these are the kinds of things worth splurging on - noticing that you like to spend a lot of time outside, and how you truly enjoy nature and your yard/deck. I'd say it was worth it to get those nice flower pots and line them up all along your fence. Once again, this is where creating a beautiful experience comes into play. Years and years down the road, you will still be talking and thinking about those pretty flower pots.

rachylou - I really liked what you said about how 'price' is not reflective of quality, value or desirability. I think you're 100% right about this. I think it's wonderful to find the 'good stuff', and more often than not - it's not always the expensive stuff. You can get flimsy, cheese-y and poorly constructed things that are rather pricey. Recent not so pricey finds? Stuff like old-fashioned Pond's Cold Cream, the CeraVe face cleaner and moisturizer - better than any pricier thing I've tried.

qfbrenda - I totally agree with you on the shoes - I used to buy discount shoes, but my feet just won't put up with this any more. Thank you for the book recommendation - "Frugal Luxuries" - I might look this one up.

Sarah A - home roasted coffee? Really? I haven't tried this yet, but I *am* the type that would take my own beans on a camping trip (if I camped, that is)...very intriguing! I can see it now...me buying some fancy gizmo to roast coffee beans at home, while still living with 'Frasier' style furniture (a la bj1111) at home. I might not have a TV (well, I do, but I wouldn't have bought the thing to be honest - it was my geeky husband who wanted a 'fun' TV), and I might not eat out very often, but yeah...I'd be just the type of person to buy a contraption to roast my own coffee beans.

Victoria - I'm also someone who cooks almost everything at home, from scratch. Sometimes I actually feel a bit guilty because it seems like my grocery bills are much higher than what I hear about from friends and family - but the thing is, I have to remember that I don't eat out all that often, and we actually eat very well. Yes, my grocery bill isn't in 'the norm' at all - but I am not ordering takeout pizzas, I don't go through drive-throughs and I don't get fast food at all. When we go out to eat, we go out in style - and while we don't eat out as often as a lot of other people do - when we do, it's seriously good. I have no qualms about spending a lot of money on a nice meal out, but I won't do fast food, or fast-casual or what have you. This is one area where I spend a fair amount - but then again, I'm not ordering takeout every other night, and I don't do pizzas or fast food, ever. I think the last time I went to McDonald's was in 2003. So while I sometimes feel a bit weird about spending a lot more on groceries and food than most other people I know, I have to remember that I don't eat out as often as most people do.

So, what you were saying about how 'cooking from scratch' is more expensive, it's not really - it's just that you're choosing to make those things yourself intead of eating out pretty much all the time, which is what a lot of people do. Nothing wrong with eating out, but if you're the kind of person who makes really good food at home, then you shouldn't feel like you're spending too much in this area - because people who don't spend as much on food/groceries are spending a lot more eating out. As Jonesy said in reference to how much any one person might feel comfortable spending on a pair of boots - it's all relative.

My grocery bill is absurd compared to most people I know. But then again, most people I know aren't eating baked wild Alaska salmon with fresh dill, lemon slices, homemade tartar sauce and roasted asparagus spears.

Personally, I think this is a good place to spend more and be a bit pickier. No more guilt about the grocery bill!

Ruth - I really liked what you said about how there is no economy in buying cheaply-made products. Very true, and I have a lot to learn here, since I'm still kind of stuck in 'discount clothes' mode, somehow. I really like this mantra - "there is no economy in buying cheaply-made products." Thanks!

GirlX - thank you for writing back about fair trade and US made denim - I really like your style - and how you've decided that you will do what you can, where you can. I love that actually - sometimes it seems kind of tough to do all the right things, all the time. Your approach is spot on - if there's something you can do, then do it. Much better to do 'something' rather than nothing.

Meanwhile, I didn't know that about US-made denim (how the quality is much better), but what you're saying makes sense. I will keep an eye out and the next time I order anything denim, will make an effort to find something US-made. I would be very happy if it turned out that something locally made turns out to be much better than the usual.

annygybe - thank you for chiming in I love that Alaska salmon too, and find myself favouring it, even over really nice steaks. Don't get me wrong, I like a nice steak too, but I *love* good salmon. I buy the salmon fairly often, and while it feels like a bit of a splurge, it's not totally over the top or anything. And yes, you certainly did inspire this thread - because in replying to your post about 'dialing it back' a wee bit on the fashion front, I was struck by the idea that everyone will always have at least some area where they are a bit pickier and fussier and perhaps a bit more 'high end' than the norm. The thing is? Most of us can't do it all, all at once, if you know what I mean.

Meanwhile, I actually think there is a place for being a bit 'high end-ish' about something, somewhere. I think having something luxurious, something a bit better than average, in some area of our lives - is a *wonderful* thing.

Isis - loose leaf tea - it's been awhile since I had some nice loose-leaf tea - are there particular brands you'd recommend? A friend sent me some amazing orgainc peppermint and chamomile teas in these fancy black tins, and I loved that stuff.

While I love tea, I must admit that I've spent more time and money on coffee lately. My afternoon tea is grocery-store bought, mass-market kind of stuff lately. That said, I keep forgetting how *wonderful* good tea is - and how you get this really nice lift without all the jitters of coffee. What kind of tea do you like? Just curious.

Mander - you're not out of any kind of league at all! In fact, as I've mentioned, I'm just as much a bargain hunter as the next person, and I think what I'm getting at is more about where people are just a little bit more picky and particular about things. Yes, I said "high end", but as rachylou explained so well - it's not price that determines quality, value or desirability. I'm sure that you've found things that just happen to be the 'best' and you might insist on getting that same brand or item, just because it's better than average, and if it turns out it's a bit more expensive than all the other things - you'd still want that particular thing because it's noticeably better or you just like it and appreciate it more.

In the meantime, you made me laugh - I totally agree about the instant coffee. Too funny that even during a so-called apocalypse, you'd still want "real" coffee. You know what? I'd be the same way.

bj1111 - tweed LazyBoy (big smile here). Just for the record, I am also living on the set of Frasier, but it's not tweed, and it wasn't my husband's old furniture. We're both to blame for the cheese-y furniture. It was just buying cheap, whatever we could get-by-with stuff shortly after we got married, and that's that. Meanwhile, I have an almost 100 pound, very spoiled black labrador retriever - does that help explain things a wee bit? He (the dog) has taken over the chair from the chair/loveseat/sofa set that we bought years go. It's "his" chair. Needless to say, it's looking a bit rough. But like I said - I can't "do it all" all the time, and although I might like to have nicer-looking furniture, somehow this area seems to be last on the list. It might be different if I were in Janet's situation, and living in a place where I really wanted to be, or lived in a house that I loved, but that's not the case. Meanwhile, I do get to have some nicer things in other areas of my life. I travel a fair amount, and while I have ugly and old furniture, I do get the good olive oil and the better coffee. I'm working on having a slightly nicer wardrobe, and ...well, the furniture (though ugly) just isn't as high on my list. Something has got to give somewhere, if you know what I mean.

Kari - I agree with you on the makeup - I haven't found a decent drugstore face makeup, even though I've tried a few things. That said, I do buy Revlon ColorStay eyeshadow and Lash Stiletto or Define-a-Lash mascara at the grocery store or drugstore. These work well, but the less expensive foundation just hasn't worked out that well for me, so I know exactly what you mean about this. And like you, while I don't buy super-expensive shoes, my idea of a 'reasonable amount' that I'd spend on shoes keeps going up and up - mostly because comfort and walk-ability is so important.

Meanwhile, I've noticed the new-ish purse thing, and I have to say - you couldn't pick a better place to go a wee bit higher-end than your norm. I haven't gone there yet myself, but the thing is - these fabulous KS bags that you've gotten recently are likely to be around for a really long time and work beautifully with all kinds of ensembles. This seems smart to me, investing a little bit more on a really good bag that'll get used and enjoyed a whole lot.
...

Almost afraid to post, as I have no idea just how long this thing will be (probably insanely long and practially unreadable as a result), but I wanted to reply anyway. I've found it a whole lot of fun to read about how and where YLF'ers are a bit choosier, a bit more "high end" or picky about things. Turns out that a whole lot of us have a 'thing' for pens, lots of us cook all kinds of fabulous home-cooked gourmet meals, some spend money on photography or camping gear, and some just say, "Well, I'm high maintenance" and I love that!

Meanwhile, there is a great love of books, writing paper, and newspapers, and 'fab' things that are whole and real. Real cream, good tea, good coffee, good beer, good wine, local produce, fair trade chocolate, wild Alaska salmon - going for a higher-end vacation because you don't take that much time off or what have you, better flowers, pretty gardens, serious cookware, fine china - it's all pretty neat, don't you think?

It sure sounds to me like YLF'ers have really good taste.
...

Like I said, I am almost certain this post is ridiculously long...but I did want to reply back to as many things as I could. Sorry for the three-part novel!

Wow, this thread is fascinating! I love to see what everyone splurges on (high-end) and doesn't care if they splurge on. . .

I'm also a Bic fan, but I like fine point black, and I fix the cap on the other end and shove them into our pencil cup (the painted terracotta pot filled with pinto beans that one child or another gave me as a mother's day gift in the 90s!)

I'm getting fussier as I age and I'm finally willing to spend, what I consider high-end $, on hair maintenance - cuts & highlights every 8 weeks, comfortable AND stylish shoes, handbags, and watches for sure.

I'm such an inveterate bargain hunter, that even a "high-end splurge" typically ends up reasonably priced!!

I make it a point to be cost conscious when it comes to grocery shopping, filling the gas tank, buying espresso at a coffee shop, eating out (we decided that we didn't want to give up two meals out just to eat at where it costs three times as much). We have only bought used cars for the past 20+ years.

I love the furniture comments, and totally relate. We were married at least 25 years before I finally put my foot down and said I hated our hand-me-down dining room table and we deserved one of our (my) own choosing!! We've lived with more inherited furniture than I care to remember, but I needed to get to a certain point/age where it finally bubbled to the top of my priority list

Mander, I totally get what you mean about music! Almost mentioned it myself. I will admit to catching myself tapping a foot at a catchy pop tune, but I am a proud music snob. I'm mainly an indie rock girl, but I also like jazz, funk, etc. There is so much good music out there that never sees the support of the corporate entertainment machine -- I get my fix on public radio (my sometime-employer, for one - wtmd.org), satellite radio and Pandora/Spotify. We have quite a large music library!