September 2010 Weddings
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Non-money saving tips
The other thread got me thinking: what things won't you give up? I'm not talking about times you might be in dire straits, obviously then everything unnecessary is expendable. But when you're trying to curb your spending in general, what are things you don't cut?
Here are mine:
1. I always get my hair cut and colored by my stylist. I don't do home haircolor.
2. I buy brand name of the following: Ketchup (Heinz), mayo (Hellman's), laundry detergent (Arm n Hammer), peanut butter (Peter Pan), pickles (Claussen), toilet paper (Scott).
3.
Re: Non-money saving tips
toilet paper and tampons. always get the brands i want. and tissues.
WHEN i go shopping for myself (haha, thats been AGES), i go all out. I save thousands of dollars and hit up nordies. and coach. and then splurge.
wine, most of the time. and vodka. i cannot drink cheap vodka. the lowest i will get is smirnoff.
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I won't ever give up things for Olivia-- she will always need special food based on her allergies, clothes for her and shoes, etc. She always comes first-- I will go w/o if have to just so that she can have whatever she needs.
But personally I won't scrimp on shampoo and conditioner....since I don't ever color my red hair I have to at least treat it well and keep it healthy
)
I also often buy Lambrusco.....if there is extra cash around. That's my mommy juice. I also need chapstick-- especially during these cold months.
Datsyuks & Ferdy- We Go Together Like...
- Tampons (Tampax Pearl, Fresh Scent)
- Toilet Paper (Quilted Northern)
- Paper Towels (Bounty)
- Tissues (Puffs Plus)
- Laundry Detergent (Tide)
- Purses (Coach)
- Dish Soap (Dawn)
Yeah, I'm a huge snob, apparently. Oh well. But it drives me effing crazy when I go to my parents' house or the IL's and they have like 1/2 ply toilet paper that you need like 1/4 of a roll to take care of business or paper towels that don't soak up crap or that their laundry detergent makes me break out in hives (I suppose there is a real reason I splurge on detergent). I also need to pay close attention to what soap, shampoo/conditioner, lotion and deodorant I use. Everything makes me get ridiculous rashes. Stupid sensitive skin.The Princess of Anything is Coming!
Had a dream I was queen.
Woke up. Still queen.
Aw, man - talking about AIM reminds me of staying with my grandma as a kid. She always used that stuff. Now I wanna go buy some for old time's sake. I've gotten stuck on Colgate Total and can't make myself go back. We tried doing the "green" route recently and tried Burt's Bees - worst decision ever. It was awful.
K lives on Coors Light, which is really only about a 1/4 step up - if that - from PBR, so I feel ya. I prefer something like Yuengling, but surprisingly now that wedding planning is over I don't drink that much. :-P
Datsyuks & Ferdy- We Go Together Like...
here is why it is "better" (not being a snob, but seriously, this changed me for life!): i bought a leather bag from them, not one of the nasty bags with stupid Cs all over it. and 2 days later a friend accidentally dropped his ENTIRE beer on/in it. i was devastated. i thought it was ruined. nope, as soon as it dried, you would never have known. that was almost 4 years ago. aside from some minor wear and tear on the handles, it still looks like it did back then. so it was worth it to spend $200 (got it at the outlet!) to have it last 4 years and still look good, even when it gets beer, pine sap, marker, oil, etc spilled on it.
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I buy name brand tooth paste, peanut butter, toilet paper, and tissues. I have tried generic of all of these (except toothpaste - I only like ONE brand of toothpaste!) and it really is not the same. I could maybe sacrifice on the PB, maybe, but no way on the paper products. I buy them in bulk though, and stock up when they're on sale.
I spend more on jeans and purses. I save up, wait for sales/coupons, and don't have a lot of either. I only have three purses, and they are all Coach. None of them have the ugly logos all over them. They last for years and they have a lifetime guarantee on the workmanship - I know people who have returned 10 year-old purses with defective zippers and gotten brand new replacements, no questions asked. The leather, like Shauni said, is top quality - I used to have cheap leather bags and they looked like crap if they were in the rain or snow, but these hold up well and get better with age.
Yeah, they last FOREVER. I used to get bags from wherever, Marshalls, JCP, Macys, Payless even and they would all fall apart after like 3 months (I'm apparently hard on my bags). My oldest coach I got my sophomore year of college (2005) and used it exclusively for TWO YEARS before I got another one. That first one still gets used and looks exactly the same as when I got it. I've also had things happen to other ones (got gum on them, dropped in a puddle, got sharpie on one) and they always come clean.
The Princess of Anything is Coming!
Had a dream I was queen.
Woke up. Still queen.
The Princess of Anything is Coming!
Had a dream I was queen.
Woke up. Still queen.
Generally I buy bags from Old Navy and or Aero- they are washable and I have had bags for 4+ years. Call me thrifty or just plain cheap, but when you're a mom down the road--perspective changes. 200 bucks on a purse?? Shauni I love the crap outta you and I say this with love but you're Effin NUTS! ;o)
Datsyuks & Ferdy- We Go Together Like...
Not even sure this is a mom perspective (no offense, Ferds). My mom would rather have a dozen cheap purses that she can rotate as the whim hits her - I'd rather have two that work year round and will last forever. So, she buys purses from Target or Walmart but has to replace them every year. I have a few from Coach (bought in the days when there was more disposable income!) but I haven't had to replace one yet. I haven't bought new one in probably 18 months - at least - and I gotta agree with Laura & Shauni - little bit of wear & tear but otherwise look like the day I bought them. And I beat the crap out of my bags.
okay -- maybe not a mom thing then-- maybe a I'm a freaking weirdo for not wanting to spend that kind of money on a bag. Maybe it is just me.....No I'm certain it is just me:
at the end of this life God's not gonna ask what kind of bag you used-- and where you got it from. Just if you changed the world with what He gave you. Shoot-- if coach bags teamed up with some feed the hungry or clothe the poor charity I'd be there in a heart beat.
Just can't justify it. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
Datsyuks & Ferdy- We Go Together Like...
I have to buy brand name TP, toothpaste, PB and tampons. Everything else can kinda be whatever. Jeremy could careless on most things except tennis stuff. Just about everything of his is Nike and whatever racket Nadal uses. Neither one of us are big drinkers, but he likes his jager and if I drink beer, it's bluemoon or mich ultra.
I'm with Ferdie and just can't see forking out that much moola on a purse. I can always think of something better to use my money on than that. (Sometimes I WISH I could just fork over the money because I will eye them and want one but I just can't bring myself to do it.)
No, I agree it's a little BSC to spend $200 on a purse.. although I'm a handbag ho, I personally like to swap mine out often, so instead of having 2 or 3 expensive bags I'd rather have a zillion cheapie ones
But everyone's preferences on what to splurge on or not are different.
09.25.10
^^^^ reasons why you were an awesome MOD before and why you should be the MOD again
Datsyuks & Ferdy- We Go Together Like...
If this were me, I'd do the same thing. Also, since you're using each one less often, they last longer. Again, it's all a matter of preference
1. My brow and lip waxed - I've been doing this far too long to not do it. Plus one of my cousins has her own wax pot at home and does this for free or a Peet's coffee gift card.
2. running shoes - don't need injuries from ill fitting shoes or ones off of the rack at the sporting good store. I have to buy these from a running specialty store.
3. hair spray - granted I don't buy the most expensive brand but Suave or Aquanet, Pantene won't do justice.
4. Cat food - our cats have been eating Premium Edge (which I buy from Pet Food Express) since we got them as kittens. They do well on this dry food andsince we buy the 18lb bag, it lasts 3 months and is cheaper than buying a 6lb bag every month.
IUI #1 10/12/11 (Bravelle + HCG + Prometrium & acupuncture) = 10/26 BFP! Beta #1=250, Beta #2= 615. 1st u/s 11/8.
Stupid Nest--deleted everything I wrote and only posted the "quoted" part! Here is what I wrote:
I am not at all trying to pick a fight. Everyone has the right to spend their money on whatever they want. And to disagree. And to agree to disagree!
My point is this bag has not only lasted me 4 years, but it is literally the ONLY bag I own (aside from a small clutch from the thrift store for events). I have used it every.single.day for 4 years. it has been to multiple countries and to 43 states. It has been camping. it has been to the beach. i take it skiing. it is never home in my closet. i just dont swap my purses out. i have one bag, and i use it.
Furthermore, I would rather spend $200 up front and know that i will have my perfect bag for a few years. Instead of spending even $30 on a bag at a time, but buying 4 a year to swap out. Because, guess what, that is WAY more expensive than $200. in four years, you just spent 480 on handbags (and by you, i mean the proverbial you, not anyone specific!). Sure, you have 16 bags to show for it. But my preference is one good bag that I know will last and last and work in all situation rather than having to chose a bag depending on my mood.
i am very "vanilla" so one bag all the time works perfect for me. it is my preference to make it a good bag.
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1. Hair cut. Its really hard for me to find a stylist that I like. I found one and I cringe that I'm spending $60 on a hair cut, but I'd rather spend $60 and like my hair than $30 and hate it.
2. Shampoo. I get my hair chemically relaxed because its a frizzy pouf if not so it means I need expensive shampoo and conditioner. I buy it on Ebay so its cheaper than the salons no where near Herbal Essences cheap.
3. Cat food. In attempts for Gidget to lose weight I switched her to more expensive food. She hasn't lost any weight, but she eats less.
4. Steak. If I'm buying steak it needs to be filet. I don't like any other steak.
I realize how weird this is, but I really dislike the look of leather Coach bags. I just don't like leather bags in general. I wish they'd create the cloth (or whatever it is) ones without the C's.
Married / The Cookaholic Wife
Things I cannot cheap out on:
- Tampons, they have to be Tampax
- Ugg's, yeah I know they're ridiculously expensive but I love mine
- Cheeze Its, the others just don't taste the same
- Chips, we're both huge chip lovers
- Toothpaste, it has to be Crest
As for the purse thing, this is going to get me flamed, but I personally do not like Coach. The only Coach I own were gifts from my younger brother. It helped that his girlfriend worked at the Coach outlet and got a killer discount. He got me one for my graduation gift and I used it through College to carry my books in it. You see the Coach logo purses EVERYWHERE and it gets kinda old, just my opinion.
I am a Gucci fan. Yes, I am a purse snob and I know Gucci purses are insanely expensive but I've had my purse for 3 years and it still looks great. I want a new purse but can't afford to get even one that's on sale for $500 right now, which is why I bought a Dooney & Bourke purse to hold me off until I can buy a new Gucci purse.
Edit: I forgot to add hair cut and highlights. I ONLY go to my stylist. I strayed once went elsewhere. I got the most horrible cut and the chick thinned me hair the wrong way. My hair has never been the same againHow unfortunate that someone can't just come here and post what they won't compromise on when it comes to price without being told that the notion is "crazy," and that her priorities are off-track since they aren't God-centered and would be different (better?) if only she was a mother.
Many of us have the blessing of being able to one day have a child, but we also have the sense to plan for that occurrence. Our daily decisions and purchases shouldn't be called into question just because we make the right decisions for ourselves within the context of our own lives.
There is nothing wrong with working your butt off every day to provide for your family or just yourself, and occasionally rewarding yourself for that hard work. On top of all of that, I know personally that the subject of this "attack" regularly donates her time and energy to giving to others?affecting the lives of adults and children that have nothing?and that is far more important than ensuring that your child has the best of the best for every need.
So, I'm sorry but just color me offended.
I can't bring myself to spend $200-$400 on a purse as I can use that money towards something else. I hate huge handbags and purses, so I go for something small that can fit my wallet, cellphone, chapstick, keys and hand sanitizing gel
IUI #1 10/12/11 (Bravelle + HCG + Prometrium & acupuncture) = 10/26 BFP! Beta #1=250, Beta #2= 615. 1st u/s 11/8.
Lia I think I strictly DID say that I was the odd man out.......so I'm not really sure what you're trying to say here since I already backed out and let it go. But thanks for this. Now I REALLY feel like I can come here and share my thoughts/opinions. Awesome.
Datsyuks & Ferdy- We Go Together Like...
My point: you shouldn't have to back out, it should never be said in the first place.
Feel free to post, don't let me stop you, I'm never here anymore.
Was just saying what I felt needed to be said. It's all well and good to say whatever you darn well please and then retract it all to try and seem understanding. I just don't buy it and never have.
I was pretty much raised buying brand name stuff. I do remember my parents wouldn't get me the expensive jackets or purses or other things that were really popular at the time because they were out of our budget. But groceries and stuff were always branded. Because of that, I prefer brand names over generic. I don't even know if could list them. However, I almost never buy clothes at full price.
DH on the other hand, was raised in a very thrifty family (although, they could probably afford to buy brand name). So he generally buys whatever is on sale or the the best value. The first time we went grocery shopping together it was painful for me - both because of the time he spent comparing unit values and the lack of brands in my cart.
I see the value in comparison shopping and tons of generic or store brand is actually produced by the same company. Unfortunately, I still have the "I can afford it, so why not get the brand" mentality. I do also believe in buying quality products and the higher price tag that goes with it. With DH's prodding, I am more often buying store brands on some things. The rest, I try to at least compare prices to get a better deal, or buy on sale. I apparently can't resist a sale sign. I really just bought a pack of cupcake liners because they were on sale the other day. And then realized I probably got them at the grocery store for the same price.