Things that you'll buy regardless of cost?

[dmm5157]

The brand loyalty thing got me thinking about buying things "spared at no expense". I'm talking getting something you want or need in the moment, without shopping around or waiting for it to go on sale.

I'm pretty money conscientious, so it's not always about what I buy sometimes vs knowing that I got a good deal. Case in point, my wife used to get me cigars and such on my birthday/christmas and it would irk me knowing that she paid way too much since a buddy of mine owns a cigar shop and gives me very good deals. Or that I could get them cheaper online. I know this because she goes to the local cigar shop and asks the guys there what I like, pays retail price, etc. Few years back told my wife not to get me birthday presents anymore, that I get enough presents for myself throughout the year. No need to get me something that I don't really want or need "just because".

My wife would do the same with me when it comes to jewelry.

Now when I'm buying for myself, I tend to go cheap on or shop online for most things. When it comes to tools, lately I tend to prefer to buy them in-store at a a reputable vendor and buy good-quality tools with lifetime warranties that will last vs cheap disposable tools that will rust out or break. I'll pay a little more to do so, vs ordering online most times.

Hard pressed to think about anything else I will happily pay a premium for to get the exact item that I want, even if it costs a little more than shopping around for ages to find a lower price.

 

[FreeFlyNole]

Guacamole. It's a total rip off. I don't care, damn it. I want guac.

 

[LesClaypool]

Generally, beer.

 

[seminole4life1]

Ultra strong toilet paper
That water in the hotel room the morning after a night out
Drink service on the beach on vacation

 

[Nole Lou]

Nothing, or at least nothing more than a few bucks.

I can only enjoy a purchase of any significance if I feel like I've gotten a good deal on it. Part of it is a residual appendage of the days of being very poor, in which finding a truly remarkable deal for something was a necessary baseline to even consider it. I have a very, very hard time enjoying a purchase if I didn't get a tremendous value on it, even though it's no longer necessary.

And part of it is just that I get enjoyment out of it. I enjoy the entire process and delayed gratification of shopping, researching, shopping, scanning deal sites, jumping on a clearance item or a temporary sale, etc. I just enjoy that process and it adds great satisfaction to me. There's no other good explanation why I'll dick around for three weeks until I can get a $70 item for $50.

I'm in the same boat as you as far as my wife. My wife will walk in and buy that $70 item for $80 if she can go into the closest store and walk out with it. And I can't rationally explain to her why she should give a crap about the $20-30 extra, because she shouldn't. And yet it will nag the back of my mind if she does and keep me from enjoying it.

At least I've gotten away from it on restaurants, which for years we wouldn't go unless we had a coupon or they had a big special. My kids still joke about every dinner out revolving around where we could find a coupon. While I'll still jump on a coupon where I can, we've freed ourselves from that. And on purchases, it doesn't take me nearly as good a "deal" to pull the trigger as I used to.

 

[NDallasRuss]

We buy organic milk for the kid. There were/are different reasons why, but ultimately I just think that it's better for her. It costs 2x (or more) what regular milk runs, but I think it's been worth it.

Toilet paper, I guess. If we need some and it's not on sale, I'm buying the good stuff any way.

 

[seminoledq]

Beer is about all I can come up with.

 

[dmm5157]

We buy organic milk for the kid. There were/are different reasons why, but ultimately I just think that it's better for her. It costs 2x (or more) what regular milk runs, but I think it's been worth it.

With you on the organic milk for my daughter. My sons drink 2%, but our daughter is underweight but also can't drink too much milk because of the hormones throwing hers out of wack. Still, I buy the cheaper organic milk (which is still expensive but less so).

 

[dmm5157]

Guacamole. It's a total rip off. I don't care, damn it. I want guac.

Ha, I posted about guac on Twitter today.

Worker: "The guac isn't free, it costs $1.00 extra. Is that ok?"
Me: "Yes, I have money and will pay for it. You're already charging me $2.50 for a tea that cost $0.02 to make, I can afford the $1.00 for the guac, thank you."

BTW when did $2.50 become the standard cost for a fountain drink or iced tea at every restaurant? Seems like everywhere I go, whether it's burger place, lunch place, nice place, it's always min. $2.50 for a soda/tea lately.

 

[NDallasRuss]

With you on the organic milk for my daughter. My sons drink 2%, but our daughter is underweight but also can't drink too much milk because of the hormones throwing hers out of wack. Still, I buy the cheaper organic milk (which is still expensive but less so).

The hormones was why we originally started buying the organic milk when she was young. She's 14 now, and it likely no longer matters, but I still feel like it's overall better for her.

We get the "store brand" organic milk (called "Nature's Promise"), which is ~$6/gallon, but still better than Horizon, which is like $7.50/gallon.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Soccer cleats for my son, unfortunately. Holy crap those things are expensive.

 

[goldmom]

With you on the organic milk for my daughter. My sons drink 2%, but our daughter is underweight but also can't drink too much milk because of the hormones throwing hers out of wack. Still, I buy the cheaper organic milk (which is still expensive but less so).

Organic milk here too! Also organic half and half for my coffee.

 

[dmm5157]

Soccer cleats for my son, unfortunately. Holy crap those things are expensive.

I had no idea, it's been 25 years since I bought soccer cleats. They used to be pretty cheap back in the day. Guess that's true for most things like baseball bats, etc.

 

[goldmom]

The hormones was why we originally started buying the organic milk when she was young. She's 14 now, and it likely no longer matters, but I still feel like it's overall better for her.

We get the "store brand" organic milk (called "Nature's Promise"), which is ~$6/gallon, but still better than Horizon, which is like $7.50/gallon.

$7.50?? I pay $5.79 at Publix or even less than that at BJ's. Wow, that's high.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I had no idea, it's been 25 years since I bought soccer cleats. They used to be pretty cheap back in the day. Guess that's true for most things like baseball bats, etc.

$200-300...

 

[DanC78]

Mayonnaise...Hellmens only please.

Steaks...No sirloins for this guy. Rib eyes and Filets only.

 

[Octoberfest]

Coffee beans.

 

[OrlandNole]

Nothing, or at least nothing more than a few bucks.

I can only enjoy a purchase of any significance if I feel like I've gotten a good deal on it. Part of it is a residual appendage of the days of being very poor, in which finding a truly remarkable deal for something was a necessary baseline to even consider it. I have a very, very hard time enjoying a purchase if I didn't get a tremendous value on it, even though it's no longer necessary.

And part of it is just that I get enjoyment out of it. I enjoy the entire process and delayed gratification of shopping, researching, shopping, scanning deal sites, jumping on a clearance item or a temporary sale, etc. I just enjoy that process and it adds great satisfaction to me. There's no other good explanation why I'll dick around for three weeks until I can get a $70 item for $50.

I'm in the same boat as you as far as my wife. My wife will walk in and buy that $70 item for $80 if she can go into the closest store and walk out with it. And I can't rationally explain to her why she should give a crap about the $20-30 extra, because she shouldn't. And yet it will nag the back of my mind if she does and keep me from enjoying it.

At least I've gotten away from it on restaurants, which for years we wouldn't go unless we had a coupon or they had a big special. My kids still joke about every dinner out revolving around where we could find a coupon. While I'll still jump on a coupon where I can, we've freed ourselves from that. And on purchases, it doesn't take me nearly as good a "deal" to pull the trigger as I used to.

I could have written this myself, almost verbatim.

 

[wbnolefan2]

Ha, I posted about guac on Twitter today.

Worker: "The guac isn't free, it costs $1.00 extra. Is that ok?"
Me: "Yes, I have money and will pay for it. You're already charging me $2.50 for a tea that cost $0.02 to make, I can afford the $1.00 for the guac, thank you."

BTW when did $2.50 become the standard cost for a fountain drink or iced tea at every restaurant? Seems like everywhere I go, whether it's burger place, lunch place, nice place, it's always min. $2.50 for a soda/tea lately.

that's where they get ya

 

[wbnolefan2]

 

[funksouljon]

First thing that comes to mind is Annie's Homegrown biscuits. I know I should make from scratch, but for the $4 throw it in the oven, making by hand isn't worth it. They are almost double the price of Pillsbury, but they taste significantly better. I will buy 3 or 4 when I can find them at the grocery. Add to brand loyalty thread as well.

Normally I will pay the extra $ for tools. However, I decided to purchase a Harbor Freight compound saw. This thing won't die. It definitely is a little harder to lock the angles in compared to higher quality saws, but this thing has surprised me. I do try to buy the higher quality blades though.

 

[NDallasRuss]

$200-300...

Who's your kid? Pele? Get that kid some generic, all-purpose "cleats" and send him out there to play! Most of the best players in the world grow up kicking a ball wearing whatever pair of shoes they own, or barefoot. They turn out just fine because they have to adapt and overcome - not because they're given the best equipment possible. Kids today - they're growing up soft!

/old guy/spoiled kid rant

My daughter's tried most sports for at least one season, and we've had to go out and get her all the equipment each time she tries out a new sport. I could open up a Play It Again Sports with all the extra, leftover gear we've accumulated over the years. Luckily the last time she played soccer she didn't need the best quality cleats, just the ones with the brightest, gaudiest colors. The last time she played rec league basketball though, I did get her the orange and purple Lebrons that she wanted, along with the matching shorts and socks:

 

[funksouljon]

Who's your kid? Pele? Get that kid some generic, all-purpose "cleats" and send him out there to play! Most of the best players in the world grow up kicking a ball wearing whatever pair of shoes they own, or barefoot. They turn out just fine because they have to adapt and overcome - not because they're given the best equipment possible. Kids today - they're growing up soft!

/old guy/spoiled kid rant

My daughter's tried most sports for at least one season, and we've had to go out and get her all the equipment each time she tries out a new sport. I could open up a Play It Again Sports with all the extra, leftover gear we've accumulated over the years. Luckily the last time she played soccer she didn't need the best quality cleats, just the ones with the brightest, gaudiest colors. The last time she played rec league basketball though, I did get her the orange and purple Lebrons that she wanted, along with the matching shorts and socks:

Silly boy, you should get her into swimming. Goggles last a couple seasons. Race suit and some bagging suits for practice to create drag. Done.

 

[NDallasRuss]

Silly boy, you should get her into swimming. Goggles last a couple seasons. Race suit and some bagging suits for practice to create drag. Done.

Not so fast my friend.

Apparently up here it's all about swim clubs, and which one you belong to. This is like travel sports where you pay for the pool, the coach, the swim meets, etc., etc....

 

[GbrNole]

Soccer cleats for my son, unfortunately. Holy crap those things are expensive.

Soccerreviewsforyou.com is always well loaded with discounts even for the most recent boots.

I paid $254 shipped for a pair of 18+ Adidas preds for my kid for Xmas. Ordered them release week.

Another top tip is to make a habit of buying Nike boots and using their claims site when they fall apart. They will fall apart and I have been given coupons for full replacement value every time I’ve sent s pair in.

 

[Finance85]

I can't think of a single thing that I would buy where cost would not be a consideration. Even .22 ammo when it was in short supply.

 

[TPANole]

I could have written this myself, almost verbatim.

 

[OrlandNole]

Not so fast my friend.

Apparently up here it's all about swim clubs, and which one you belong to. This is like travel sports where you pay for the pool, the coach, the swim meets, etc., etc....

I just checked my records out of curiosity...in 2017, we spent just under $3,000 on fees and related expenses for band, swim, ACT/SAT/AP exams, college applications and driver education for our son.

Damn, kids are expensive.

 

[DFSNOLE]

Good bourbon. Life's too short to drink well brands.

 

[GbrNole]

I just checked my records out of curiosity...in 2017, we spent just under $3,000 on fees and related expenses for band, swim, ACT/SAT/AP exams, college applications and driver education for our son.

Damn, kids are expensive.

I didn't know there were so many things to buy in Tallahassee until my daughter enrolled at FSU this year. Apparently there are a LOT of things to buy in Tallahassee!!!!

 

[OrlandNole]

I didn't know there were so many things to buy in Tallahassee until my daughter enrolled at FSU this year. Apparently there are a LOT of things to buy in Tallahassee!!!!

When my kids are finally out of college, I'm going to have so much extra money that I'm not going to know what to do with it. It will be like adding another income.

 

[cfbfan23]

Hofmann hot dogs at Publix. They're usually close to double the price, but they're better than anything else on the shelves in the store. There are a lot of other things I'll pay a premium for, but this was the first thing that came to mind.

 

[chief-ly-dad]

The brand loyalty thing got me thinking about buying things "spared at no expense". I'm talking getting something you want or need in the moment, without shopping around or waiting for it to go on sale.

Basically - anything at all that I deem necessary and worthy for my 1st and only grandchild (2 months+1 week old) based on the situation. Being a grandparent is all & everything everyone every cracked it up to be for me and the Mrs. I can't wait to teach him to hunt, fish, shoot, and do the freakin' Warchant with us.

Otherwise.... every freaking thing else has and always will be a good freakin' deal on it's no bueno.

 

[West Duval Nole]

Soccerreviewsforyou.com is always well loaded with discounts even for the most recent boots.

I paid $254 shipped for a pair of 18+ Adidas preds for my kid for Xmas. Ordered them release week.

Another top tip is to make a habit of buying Nike boots and using their claims site when they fall apart. They will fall apart and I have been given coupons for full replacement value every time I’ve sent s pair in.

You guys need to get on EuroSport and become a goal club member. You can find great cleats on clearance and the goal club membership also gets you a discount.

 

[NDallasRuss]

I just checked my records out of curiosity...in 2017, we spent just under $3,000 on fees and related expenses for band, swim, ACT/SAT/AP exams, college applications and driver education for our son.

Damn, kids are expensive.

I'm still early on in the process. She's just a Freshman, so we're limited to tutoring and now (thanks to Santa) guitar lessons (in addition to the 1000's we spend on other crap for her - like replacement retainers!). She's expressed an interest in getting more into sports, but they were Spring sports, so we're good for a little while at least.

 

[OrlandNole]

On the flip side, we just went through two packages of locally roasted coffee ($15-20 per pound) that I got for Christmas. Without telling my wife, I switched to the cheap ground Folgers this morning.

I got a text from her this morning that said "The coffee was really good this morning." Go figure.

 

[FreeFlyNole]

I upgrade my PubSub to Boar's Head

 

[ggmike1992]

Ha, I posted about guac on Twitter today.

Worker: "The guac isn't free, it costs $1.00 extra. Is that ok?"
Me: "Yes, I have money and will pay for it. You're already charging me $2.50 for a tea that cost $0.02 to make, I can afford the $1.00 for the guac, thank you."

BTW when did $2.50 become the standard cost for a fountain drink or iced tea at every restaurant? Seems like everywhere I go, whether it's burger place, lunch place, nice place, it's always min. $2.50 for a soda/tea lately.

This post got me thinking, not about spluring, but about being a cheapskate. Over the past few years I have been getting water when I eat out. Damn near $3 soft drinks just pisses me off royally.

 

[RTM58]

Life's not always strippers and burritos, but when it is you pay.

 

[GoNolesTX]

Life's not always strippers and burritos, but when it is you pay.

Sounds like a Freebird's super monster.