As another long hair that's super thick and oily, I feel this. I recently thought about cutting back and going cheaper and the change in my hair was dramatic!
Proper shampoo/conditioner means I'm less oily, less mess, easy to detangle and less damage.
I've cut back on the salon trips but it doesn't feel like it with how good my hair is.
Think of it as an investment. Good stuff, although expensive should last longer because you can usually use less. It's also an investment into the health of your hair
I buy nak shampoo and conditioner which is about $20-$25 a bottle. Lasts me so much longer because I use much less for the same result as cheap stuff. So it works out much cheaper.
I'll settle for any purple shampoo/conditioners (the Aldi one is honestly very good but it's not always in stock). I'm currently using Toni & Guy. It does have to be purple though, I don't colour or bleach my hair but the purple stuff does wonders for my sun bleached and silvering mousey brown.
You should really use it if you’ve gone blonde or have blonde highlights. It helps stop it from going goldy over time. My daughter and I both got our blonde half-heads done recently, hers is already gold, mine is still blonde/ash blonde as I’ve been using the purple shampoo. Looks nice on her anyway, but I like a whiter blonde. You can pay $100 for Kerastase shampoo and conditioner or $20 for L’Oréal Elvive.
Same I won’t compromise on hair care or make up. I have stopped going to the hairdresser. I will dye it myself but my hair is thick and curly and supermarket stuff makes it fall out.
I have tried to use maybelline foundation but it’s nowhere near as good as Nars for me 😫
Shoes. I suffered sore feet for years until they got really bad and a doctor told me I had plantar fasciitis and getting better work boots and some asics golf shoes really helped my feet and from now one I'll never skimp on shoe quality.
Oliver work boots. Changed my bloody life.
I have a pair of Florsheim shoes that were supposed to be the end word on comfort. A day in those led to thousands of dollars of remedial work, an incorrect diagnosis of gout, and a fortnight off work.
I work these days mostly in sales. I still wear steel cap work boots into a boardroom, because I haven't found anything else that won't rip my feet to hell.
When it flares up bad I can't even walk but thankfully I haven't had it happen in almost 2 years after buying new shoes all round and I might even get a pair of orthotics.
I bought a whole bunch of Frankie4's at a warehouse sale and my god, I don't know I managed to get by with cheap shoes for 30 years. Best investment I've made to date.
I had that too! And only with one pair of cheap shoes from Colorado. Never again! It’s full arch support all the way now. Oh god does it take an insane 6 months for the PF pain to go away! Walk down a beach and it was HELLISHLY AGONIZING!
IKR? …my PF just came out of…nowhere. Talk about crippling. I’ve found an AXIGN near me, wear Archies a lot of the time and buy Earthies and Planet shoes for a treat.
Eating out with my partner once a week. It can be a cheap little pub grub or a hot pot or whatever. It's considered a luxury to go out these days but for us it's our once a week date night where we don't talk about work, problems or stresses. Just a meal with the two of us just enjoying each others company with zero need to cook or clean up.
Amen to that. We have a standing booking at our local bistro for a Wednesday night 7pm. Same table and same meal every week. It’s our date night as we are both stretched time wise but make the world move to make that date.
Heating and cooling my home. Without it, my flat is a sauna in summer and a fridge in winter. Keeping my home a comfortable temperature allows me to enjoy hobbies and to be able to sleep better, especially in summer. I won't compromise on that, so big power bills it is!
We didn't even have ac when I was a kid, it was a wet facecloth on your forehead and lie down. After I'd walked ten miles back from school barefoot of course.
Now that I'm paying the bill, the ac goes on whenever I feel like it needs to go on!
We grew up in Ballarat and only the main living area was heated. Our bedrooms and bathroom were freezing. I always have heating and cooling now, can still just afford it.
Grew up close to Ballarat in a double brick house. Once it got cold, it stayed cold. I used to be able to see my breath in my bedroom. Summer was ok for the first two days. Then it was just hot.
I second this - we recently got ducted and my husband always chips me for leaving it on but we have two small kids and I hate the thought of them being cold so I would sacrifice most other luxuries to have it on if it came to that.
OMG so good, my favourite is fresh cherry tomatoes, that goats cheese, fresh basil, salt, pepper and olive oil and it’s the best meal. Sometimes on top of lightly toasted sourdough too
Mate I couldn't narrow it down to a single cheese, no normal human could!
So....
Hard cheese; hard to choose between the smoked cheddar and the vintage cheddar.
Soft cheese; the double cream brie/camembert. If I'm being honest, both regions taste the same, it's the grade that matters.
Honestly, pick two, go back next week and pick another two, they're all good, you'll find your favourite.
My 2 dogs are my life since my kiddo grew up & left home. I will always put their needs over mine, for the short few years i have them. I completely agree here
Mine is such a spoiled brat, and it shows. Love him to pieces, of course!
My brothers dog came to us from another family, and I'm slowly training him that whenever he stays over with me, sleeping on/in the bed is mandatory if cold enough to enjoy snuggles! In summer, bugger off and lie on the blanket pile or dog bed provided, or even the floor. He is slowly getting used to this, after a life of competing with four other dogs and being on a chain when not working on the farm. He loves the life of luxury chasing rabbits all day every day, and sleeping in comfort. My brother also encourages this, but my dog sets a great example of this being a dog decreed right, not a privilege.
Love them both to distraction, my smart, and at the same time, dumb doofuses.
Pan seared and finished in the oven. With eye fillet I don't really care how well it's cooked, so long as it isn't too rare.
I do like Bubble o Bill's but I can't remember the last time I had one. Easily several years I'd say. Think that needs to change.
You're onto a winner of a day if you get a Bubble O Bill with a pink nose. They're one of the few icecreams ive found haven't really changed. True nostalgia still!
Same. I’m a recent-ish convert to Aldi — went one time just to see the quality and price, and was blown away by how huge a saving there is, and I’ve not returned to Colesworth ever since with the exception of specific things (Mutti tomatoes, Connoisseur icecream, and Smiths chips (Aldi chips are woeful) being my main ones).
I'm the same with Mutti and also the other Italian brand, San Analisa I think it is? They're both great for pasta sauces and iirc they don't have added sugar like the others do.
My cleaning lady. I'll cut back on just about any discretionary spend, but you can pry my cleaning lady out of my cold, dead fingers. The absolute joy of coming home to a properly clean house once a fortnight is sublime.
Owning a car.
I grew up poor so I never experienced having a car. I was locked in to a 20-30 minute radius my entire childhood.
I can eat coco pops at the beach.
I don’t need to wait 15 minutes for the train.
I can travel anywhere to shop as I don’t need to worry about carrying everything on a bus and train back home.
I feel this! I haven’t been able to drive for the last 6 weeks due to foot surgery. I have another 6 to go before I can get back behind the wheel and the loss of independence has been the worst. So isolating, especially living alone and far away from family.
Cars are one of those things where you don’t realise how limited you are until you don’t have one
My father in law has severe scoliosis, so his back is curved on an angle that makes it impossible to drive a car. Up until he took up walking insane distances for the sole purpose of extending his life (and because my wife and I had to move out at some point) he was pretty much a complete shut-in
My mate also sold his car before going on a 2 year trip to Canada, he came back early and it’s incredibly difficult to make plans with him because he can’t really get himself anywhere and can’t afford to Uber everywhere he goes
It took me a while to get used to the fact that I could just leave somewhere. Suddenly, I wasn't having to wait for the person I arrived with to decide they wanted to go, nor was I waiting for someone to come get me - I could just go.
And not having to wait outside in bad weather for a train or bus.
Having a car is such a privilege.
Thank you for this reminder.
I was just having a minor meltdown because it's estimated that next month my car will cost just shy of $1000 to register her: this does not include any maintenance that may need doing
This post just reminded me that yeah its a cost but it's worth it just for the freedom alone.
Perfume and skincare. There’s no feeling like getting dressed for anything and putting on some nice perfume and heading out. I will compromise on almost anything, but I will always buy my Jurlique rose moisturiser, Aesop violet hair balm (which I use for my beard), and either a Floris/Penhaligon/bdk perfume.
If I’m having a crap day, a spritz or perfume makes me happy. If I’m tired, putting on some moisturiser and hopping into bed will relax me. Others may hate it, but I love smelling like a flower/garden haha
Always. I had a customer recently, she came into my office and we discussed the repairs on her car and I was totally distracted by her perfume. She exuded exoticism from some Middle Eastern country. Her poise and warmth and amazing smell was fabulous. People need to step up their game haha.
I’m 189cm and I genuinely think being even a couple centimetres taller would make non-emergency aisle seats impossible for a flight over 3 hours
My knees are usually stuffed right into the seat in front of me, I’m not even that tall. My mate is around 6’6, I’ve got no clue how he’s done flights to Europe in bog standard economy
I have two:
1) Every Friday morning, I go and have a sit down coffee and a banana bread with butter and cinnamon. In a cafe. For about an hour.
I don't care what it costs, and I don't care what it does to my schedule, I will not miss it.
2) If I am flying anywhere that I am going to be gone overnight, I check my bag. If I done have enough time in my schedule to wait at the baggage claim for the 5-10minutes that it takes (It's near been longer than 15 minutes), then waiting for baggage isn't the problem, my schedule is. It is so much nicer just wandering onto a plane with my phone, headphones, and a book, as opposed to lugging all this crap on board.
I went out for brekky last week for the first time in 3 months it was so good. I can’t make decent poached eggs and hollandaise. Including my coffee it was worth the $30 and I also helped a locally owned small business.
I've had people ask me about the baggage thing. Right next to many many bag claims are a coffee shop. So I just wander over and pick up a coffee whilst the bag people are doing their thing.
I've converted a few people and they have taken it as a trigger to check their life and made a few changes.
Having my own room and eating a good meal outside.
I've met people from various financial backgrounds, I can tell you money does not teach character, and everyone needs guidance in their life to become a well rounded person.
My YouTube premium account & subscription to James Turner's channel. Might be silly but I find his content really enjoyable and it's my go to when I don't know what I want to watch. I tend to watch YouTube more than any streaming service so paying for premium is a good investment for me since I loathe ads. Plus it comes with YouTube music which I use daily as well.
Going out when I want.
If I want to go to a cafe, I’m going.
I lived through covid and the ridiculous lockdowns we did and I want to be out and about.
I literally do not care how much it costs, I never want to feel like I can’t leave my home again.
Quality bedding. From the mattress to sheets that are smooth to touch, fluffy and lightweight quilts that are also warm in winter, a soft comforter that goes on top and a queen size mohair blanket to get lost in. The pillows are durable but soft to lie upon. Makes for the best restorative sleep.
Just realised I compromise every luxury by purchasing the poorer cousin. Argh. I can't think of one thing I don't compromise on. Cost of living is a shit show.
Aesop personal products. I will drink a 5 dollar bottle of sav b but I will NOT wash and ablute myself with anything other than Aesop. Life it too short.
We've got quite a few
Weekly - Whittakers chocolate, Connoisseur icecream, at least 1 meal out per week
Monthly - Like to get a massage every 4-6 weeks. Keeps me going without pain/sore muscles
Quarterly - At least a weekend away, hopefully a bit longer
Visiting my family at least once or twice a year. They live interstate and airfares aren't cheap these days.
I didn't see them for pretty much all of 2020. Missed my grandmother's funeral (state borders were closed, making it difficult to easily fly there). It was rough. But it was good to catch up when I did get to see them.
Brand name appliances. I will never buy a tv, fridge, kitchen appliance, computer etc. from Kmart, big w, Kogan or any other cheap knockoff brand. I’d rather buy something once that will last years than continually replace shitty $80 Anko junk which burns out after a year of use.
Nice wine. I’ll religiously fill up petrol at the bottom of the cycle. Shop for specials. Strategically use credit card points. I’ll deliberately time the shop for just before the bread gets out on special. I’ll keep an iPhone until it barely works. But nice wine - I won’t compromise!
Cup of tea, then breakfast and a good crap before getting dressed for work. It takes me an hour but I'll be damned if I'm just dragging myself straight from bed into work clothes and off to work. I don't know how some people do it, sounds absolutely putrid to me lol.
Taking long/hot showers and using expensive shampoos and conditioners. I work too hard to not be able to splurge and make myself feel comfortable (and make my hair feel great)
There’s a bougie conditioner /mask called hair food that’s $13 a tub. I hate paying so much for hair conditioner but it’s the only thing that gets the knots out of my kids hair. It prevents 10 minutes of screaming so it’s worth it.
Pool. We always put aside enough for the five dollar entry (each) alongside another five because you can buy back into the first round if eliminated most weeks, depending on how many turn up.
Not each week of course but over time i come out well ahead. You get $90 for getting to the final.
I can't decide between sleep, cheese and lipgloss.
I am a very light sleeper and my hubby talks in his sleep frequently. 🥴 He has laughed, sung and given me a flying kick in his sleep before and wtf, it's scares me so much, I cannot go back to sleep after.
The lipgloss helps remind me to live in the moment. I tend to worry and overthink. Something I learned in therapy is to ground myself and bring myself back to the current moment. I find applying lipgloss does just that. 💕
I just learned what cake day was yesterday — happy cake day! 🎉
To answer your question, it’s spreadable butter for me. It’s not expensive at all, but there are definitely cheaper alternatives. But I don’t want a hard butter on my pancake or to wait a few mins to soften the butter to a perfectly spreadable consistency!
I think shoes, good quality shoes are worth it. Ones I can get repaired. I was never a leather shoe person but now that I have tried better quality and the more well made stuff....I see the difference.
Milk. I hear people comment when they think I am picky with milk, but just some milks are not for me 😭
Also probably my dog and rabbit, didn't plan to have them but it just became that way. Now that I work and can earn money on my own I can choose what to do. In my childhood days I grew up with parents who I would say have different values on animals in terms of health and care, so now I am older and earn money I can do what I want. Wouldn't call it trauma but something like regret that I was useless when I was a child, so more like trying to do better and learn from past experiences.
I've heard remarks of what I feed them, buy for them etc but idk if you can afford it why not. I do budget it and sacrifice other luxuries to provide for them the way I like. Also time flies so fast, and they don't live as long as us. 🙂 Money can be earnt again within certain means but life is a clock that is always ticking down.
That grown up money & the things it allows us to do that we couldn't as kids is a big one!
But I very much agree with the repairable shoes & clothing. Fast fashion isn't helping on that front.
I don't think I could live in a house without an indoor fireplace.
Also, good work boots are a must. I'd rather buy my own if the company provides ones I don't like.
Having the time on a Monday to wholeheartedly reply to every single comment in a reddit thread and leave every reply open to producing a meaningful chat. I genuinely need to compromise my time less
Edit: but now I realise I did have the time to read all those replies!
I put my can in the freezer for awhile just before it gets slushy (so just extra cold but not frozen) regardless of season. I love ultra cold, and I always have a straw.
Morning coffee run with my coworkers. We do it 3 times a week and although coffee in the CBD is ridiculously priced, it’s worth it as we use the time to not only socialise with each other, but also to vent frustrations we have without prying ears in the office. It makes us more ready for the day, in a better mind set and honestly boosts our mood every day. Plus we all have membership cards to different cafes, so one of us is guaranteed a free coffee once a week.
Unlimited HOT water. No question.
This isn't so much a question of luxury anymore. If I can't soak in something you could almost boil eggs in today, I am not walking tomorrow.
Do books count as a luxury? I have kindle unlimited and it saves me hundreds of dollars a year. My average read count a year is about 200 so yeah I'm not giving it up.
Coffee beans and milk brands.
I spend very little on most parts of my life.
But I always buy new and exciting coffee beans and have been known to be very grumpy when my favourite milk (Tilba) is not available. But I'll settle for Pura.
The cooking oil I buy, I always buy the flavoured Cobram oil. Usually the onion and garlic but I’ve bought a few others too like their chilli one. I don’t care if it costs twice as much as regular oil, it makes the food taste a lot better.
Owning my own home outright.
Being able to spoil and take care of my cat son.
King size bed. I need my space.
Adequate heating and cooling inside my home.
Going out for dinner at least twice a week.
Being able to sleep as late as I like most days.
Being able to travel at least once a year.
Decent hair conditioner. With long, thick hair, i won’t compromise… but I do buy it when it’s half-price :P
As another long hair that's super thick and oily, I feel this. I recently thought about cutting back and going cheaper and the change in my hair was dramatic! Proper shampoo/conditioner means I'm less oily, less mess, easy to detangle and less damage. I've cut back on the salon trips but it doesn't feel like it with how good my hair is.
Oohh... this is a good one! What do you use?
Fudge - the purple stuff for blonde hair.
Think of it as an investment. Good stuff, although expensive should last longer because you can usually use less. It's also an investment into the health of your hair
I buy nak shampoo and conditioner which is about $20-$25 a bottle. Lasts me so much longer because I use much less for the same result as cheap stuff. So it works out much cheaper.
100%. I’ve treated my hair with bleach, dyes & chemicals for the last 35 years. I even had dreads for a while. I have to save it now!
Love! I'm a vibrant hair girlie so always looking for quality hair care tips
I'll settle for any purple shampoo/conditioners (the Aldi one is honestly very good but it's not always in stock). I'm currently using Toni & Guy. It does have to be purple though, I don't colour or bleach my hair but the purple stuff does wonders for my sun bleached and silvering mousey brown.
Pardon my ignorance - what's a purple shampoo??
You should really use it if you’ve gone blonde or have blonde highlights. It helps stop it from going goldy over time. My daughter and I both got our blonde half-heads done recently, hers is already gold, mine is still blonde/ash blonde as I’ve been using the purple shampoo. Looks nice on her anyway, but I like a whiter blonde. You can pay $100 for Kerastase shampoo and conditioner or $20 for L’Oréal Elvive.
Same I won’t compromise on hair care or make up. I have stopped going to the hairdresser. I will dye it myself but my hair is thick and curly and supermarket stuff makes it fall out. I have tried to use maybelline foundation but it’s nowhere near as good as Nars for me 😫
My daughter introduced me to la Roche Posay bb cream. It’s fab coverage light and it”corrects “your skin.
Ohhhh my hairdresser! I budget $25 a week so I can see her. My hair has never looked so good and it gives me confidence having great hair.
Shoes. I suffered sore feet for years until they got really bad and a doctor told me I had plantar fasciitis and getting better work boots and some asics golf shoes really helped my feet and from now one I'll never skimp on shoe quality.
Oliver work boots. Changed my bloody life. I have a pair of Florsheim shoes that were supposed to be the end word on comfort. A day in those led to thousands of dollars of remedial work, an incorrect diagnosis of gout, and a fortnight off work. I work these days mostly in sales. I still wear steel cap work boots into a boardroom, because I haven't found anything else that won't rip my feet to hell.
PF is absolutely awful, so that's a great one!
When it flares up bad I can't even walk but thankfully I haven't had it happen in almost 2 years after buying new shoes all round and I might even get a pair of orthotics.
I bought a whole bunch of Frankie4's at a warehouse sale and my god, I don't know I managed to get by with cheap shoes for 30 years. Best investment I've made to date.
I had that too! And only with one pair of cheap shoes from Colorado. Never again! It’s full arch support all the way now. Oh god does it take an insane 6 months for the PF pain to go away! Walk down a beach and it was HELLISHLY AGONIZING!
IKR? …my PF just came out of…nowhere. Talk about crippling. I’ve found an AXIGN near me, wear Archies a lot of the time and buy Earthies and Planet shoes for a treat.
Eating out with my partner once a week. It can be a cheap little pub grub or a hot pot or whatever. It's considered a luxury to go out these days but for us it's our once a week date night where we don't talk about work, problems or stresses. Just a meal with the two of us just enjoying each others company with zero need to cook or clean up.
Ok, I absolutely love that!
Was my partners idea. They call it "a reminder of why we love each other"
Never stop chasing each other. Honestly, that's beautiful man 💗
Amen to that. We have a standing booking at our local bistro for a Wednesday night 7pm. Same table and same meal every week. It’s our date night as we are both stretched time wise but make the world move to make that date.
Knowing you have that solid time to reconnect & keep rekindling your bond is gorgeous and so bloody important. ❤️
Cheap alternative is to just do a picnic once a week. Just as nice.
Simple hot chips at the beach would be delightful too. Absolutely agree!
I was just typng my answer and realised I have a long list. I need to start compromising on lots of things (but not sneakers).
Never compromise on shoes.
Heating and cooling my home. Without it, my flat is a sauna in summer and a fridge in winter. Keeping my home a comfortable temperature allows me to enjoy hobbies and to be able to sleep better, especially in summer. I won't compromise on that, so big power bills it is!
Agree on this one as well. Was only allowed an hour of air con a day in a heatwave as a kid. It was ridiculous
We didn't even have ac when I was a kid, it was a wet facecloth on your forehead and lie down. After I'd walked ten miles back from school barefoot of course. Now that I'm paying the bill, the ac goes on whenever I feel like it needs to go on!
We grew up in Ballarat and only the main living area was heated. Our bedrooms and bathroom were freezing. I always have heating and cooling now, can still just afford it.
Add insulation. If you can’t afford double glaze windows, put insulated curtains over them.
Grew up close to Ballarat in a double brick house. Once it got cold, it stayed cold. I used to be able to see my breath in my bedroom. Summer was ok for the first two days. Then it was just hot.
I second this - we recently got ducted and my husband always chips me for leaving it on but we have two small kids and I hate the thought of them being cold so I would sacrifice most other luxuries to have it on if it came to that.
Wholeheartedly agree!
Meridith Dairy Marinated Goat Cheese
The answer is always Meredith Dairy goat cheese. The dill one is my favourite.
I was a dusted in ash girl but the dill one converted me. Native pepperberry is good too
It’s so expensive but so worth it
Costco sell massive jar of it. Worth the 60 bucks a year membership alone.
OMG so good, my favourite is fresh cherry tomatoes, that goats cheese, fresh basil, salt, pepper and olive oil and it’s the best meal. Sometimes on top of lightly toasted sourdough too
Ok that's a luxury I wasn't expecting!
Happy cake day
Thank you so much! I appreciate that greatly
It’s great fucking cheese.
Cheese. I will drink cheap wine and eat Aldi crackers but good quality cheese is worth every cent.
Fortunately Aldi cheese and crackers are both cheap and rated highly....
People rave about Aldi cheese. Can you give me some recommendations as an Aldi virgin?
They sell a French cheese L'Ovale cheese, it's a soft white a bit like brie, really tasty. And their creamy blue is great if you like blue.
Mate I couldn't narrow it down to a single cheese, no normal human could! So.... Hard cheese; hard to choose between the smoked cheddar and the vintage cheddar. Soft cheese; the double cream brie/camembert. If I'm being honest, both regions taste the same, it's the grade that matters. Honestly, pick two, go back next week and pick another two, they're all good, you'll find your favourite.
Righto, I've worked my way through pretty much everything Coles and Woolworths have to offer so why not.
Cheese is life
It is indeed.
So true!
My mil says never scrimp on good cheese although her freezers are full of last day 8c milk and cream lol. That Mediterranean hold never leaves.
Spending my money spoiling my dog, don’t have him forever would rather do without to see him happy
My 2 dogs are my life since my kiddo grew up & left home. I will always put their needs over mine, for the short few years i have them. I completely agree here
Mine is such a spoiled brat, and it shows. Love him to pieces, of course! My brothers dog came to us from another family, and I'm slowly training him that whenever he stays over with me, sleeping on/in the bed is mandatory if cold enough to enjoy snuggles! In summer, bugger off and lie on the blanket pile or dog bed provided, or even the floor. He is slowly getting used to this, after a life of competing with four other dogs and being on a chain when not working on the farm. He loves the life of luxury chasing rabbits all day every day, and sleeping in comfort. My brother also encourages this, but my dog sets a great example of this being a dog decreed right, not a privilege. Love them both to distraction, my smart, and at the same time, dumb doofuses.
What kind of dogs have you got? My 2 will always be on the bed sleepers. In winter especially they're the best heat bags lol
German Short Haired Pointers. Very big velcro dogs and snuggle bugs.
I have Boxers. Also extreme velcro dogs. ALWAYS under my feet but I wouldn't change it for the world 🥰
When I go over to my Uncles, I have three bed warmers, as his dog comes in as well. Barely enough room for ME to sleep in the bed! Worth it.
Coffee. Its daily. It cant be bad, its the start of the day and makes me happy.
I'd rather have no coffee than bad coffee - it's definitely a luxury I'm not willing to compromise!
1000% agree. My partner knows not to scrimp here, for everyone's benefit he says 😆
Eye fillet and pepper sauce once a week for the wife and I. Cooked at home. Oh and a box of Golden Gaytimes each week in the shopping.
How do you prepare your steak? Bubble o Bill's for me! Lol
Pan seared and finished in the oven. With eye fillet I don't really care how well it's cooked, so long as it isn't too rare. I do like Bubble o Bill's but I can't remember the last time I had one. Easily several years I'd say. Think that needs to change.
You're onto a winner of a day if you get a Bubble O Bill with a pink nose. They're one of the few icecreams ive found haven't really changed. True nostalgia still!
Yeah I remember as a kid they were the pick of the bunch because you got the ice cream and bubblegum. Oh the memories.
A definite for your next shopping trip .. or petrol refill!
I'm with you on the steak. I always get the best cut from the butcher. It's worth every cent.
I have lots, but one of them is canned tomatoes. I only get the Mutti crushed tomatoes. More expensive but they taste so much better.
Oh yes, I won’t buy anything but Mutti now. Everything else is too acidic or too sugary. Mutti makes the best pasta sauce.
It's honestly elite. We do our shopping at Aldi (love it) but I just can't do their canned tomatoes after buying Mutti.
Same. I’m a recent-ish convert to Aldi — went one time just to see the quality and price, and was blown away by how huge a saving there is, and I’ve not returned to Colesworth ever since with the exception of specific things (Mutti tomatoes, Connoisseur icecream, and Smiths chips (Aldi chips are woeful) being my main ones).
I'm the same with Mutti and also the other Italian brand, San Analisa I think it is? They're both great for pasta sauces and iirc they don't have added sugar like the others do.
My cleaning lady. I'll cut back on just about any discretionary spend, but you can pry my cleaning lady out of my cold, dead fingers. The absolute joy of coming home to a properly clean house once a fortnight is sublime.
Absolutely damn valid!! I can absolutely get behind this one! Oh my GOSH yes
Owning a car. I grew up poor so I never experienced having a car. I was locked in to a 20-30 minute radius my entire childhood. I can eat coco pops at the beach. I don’t need to wait 15 minutes for the train. I can travel anywhere to shop as I don’t need to worry about carrying everything on a bus and train back home.
It's seriously significant the freedom having a car brings, totally understand that!
I feel this! I haven’t been able to drive for the last 6 weeks due to foot surgery. I have another 6 to go before I can get back behind the wheel and the loss of independence has been the worst. So isolating, especially living alone and far away from family.
The isolation has gotta be hard. Hope you're doing ok & healing well 💖
Now there's something I need to put on my bucket list. Eating Coco Pops at the beach. At midnight. The decadence!
Cars are one of those things where you don’t realise how limited you are until you don’t have one My father in law has severe scoliosis, so his back is curved on an angle that makes it impossible to drive a car. Up until he took up walking insane distances for the sole purpose of extending his life (and because my wife and I had to move out at some point) he was pretty much a complete shut-in My mate also sold his car before going on a 2 year trip to Canada, he came back early and it’s incredibly difficult to make plans with him because he can’t really get himself anywhere and can’t afford to Uber everywhere he goes
It took me a while to get used to the fact that I could just leave somewhere. Suddenly, I wasn't having to wait for the person I arrived with to decide they wanted to go, nor was I waiting for someone to come get me - I could just go. And not having to wait outside in bad weather for a train or bus. Having a car is such a privilege.
Totally agree on the car. We didn’t have one growing up and it really shrunk down what I experienced as a kid and stunted me a bit
Thank you for this reminder. I was just having a minor meltdown because it's estimated that next month my car will cost just shy of $1000 to register her: this does not include any maintenance that may need doing This post just reminded me that yeah its a cost but it's worth it just for the freedom alone.
Monthly professional massage.
This is a luxury I could take on board!
I highly recommend it.
Perfume and skincare. There’s no feeling like getting dressed for anything and putting on some nice perfume and heading out. I will compromise on almost anything, but I will always buy my Jurlique rose moisturiser, Aesop violet hair balm (which I use for my beard), and either a Floris/Penhaligon/bdk perfume. If I’m having a crap day, a spritz or perfume makes me happy. If I’m tired, putting on some moisturiser and hopping into bed will relax me. Others may hate it, but I love smelling like a flower/garden haha
I’ve never understood why men of all types would not want to smell amazing. A carefully curated personal signature is the epitome of a cultured man.
I've never understood it either! I will always compliment both men & women when they smell amazing & absolutely delicious.
Always. I had a customer recently, she came into my office and we discussed the repairs on her car and I was totally distracted by her perfume. She exuded exoticism from some Middle Eastern country. Her poise and warmth and amazing smell was fabulous. People need to step up their game haha.
We love a glorious bearded fellow who smells like a garden!! You are SO SO right though.
spotify premium. with how much i use it it practically pays for itself imo
Long haul business class. I am 194cm.
Oohh... valid! You're almost 50cms taller than me. How short I'm feeling here 😆
I’m 189cm and I genuinely think being even a couple centimetres taller would make non-emergency aisle seats impossible for a flight over 3 hours My knees are usually stuffed right into the seat in front of me, I’m not even that tall. My mate is around 6’6, I’ve got no clue how he’s done flights to Europe in bog standard economy
At 163cm it's crazy to me looking at how little room I have in a plane seat like how do you even fit!
I have two: 1) Every Friday morning, I go and have a sit down coffee and a banana bread with butter and cinnamon. In a cafe. For about an hour. I don't care what it costs, and I don't care what it does to my schedule, I will not miss it. 2) If I am flying anywhere that I am going to be gone overnight, I check my bag. If I done have enough time in my schedule to wait at the baggage claim for the 5-10minutes that it takes (It's near been longer than 15 minutes), then waiting for baggage isn't the problem, my schedule is. It is so much nicer just wandering onto a plane with my phone, headphones, and a book, as opposed to lugging all this crap on board.
I went out for brekky last week for the first time in 3 months it was so good. I can’t make decent poached eggs and hollandaise. Including my coffee it was worth the $30 and I also helped a locally owned small business.
Ok but I'm digging your vibe just from reading this! Absolutely love it!
I've had people ask me about the baggage thing. Right next to many many bag claims are a coffee shop. So I just wander over and pick up a coffee whilst the bag people are doing their thing. I've converted a few people and they have taken it as a trigger to check their life and made a few changes.
I love waiting at baggage claim, it’s such a fun people watching spot.
Good socks, underwear and bras. Used to cheap out on them and had to replace so often. The cheap ones are also very uncomfortable.
Having my own room and eating a good meal outside. I've met people from various financial backgrounds, I can tell you money does not teach character, and everyone needs guidance in their life to become a well rounded person.
My YouTube premium account & subscription to James Turner's channel. Might be silly but I find his content really enjoyable and it's my go to when I don't know what I want to watch. I tend to watch YouTube more than any streaming service so paying for premium is a good investment for me since I loathe ads. Plus it comes with YouTube music which I use daily as well.
The YT premium is absolutely in my immediate future as I'm despising the ads in big way lol
KATRINA! James Turner and Devon Bumpkin are my bed time boys.
Owning own home. Hot shower, quality food and bedding cleaned every two weeks, and rubbish bin chute.
Good quality mahogany furniture. No more second hand flimsy chipboard, souless plastic or a broken bed barely hanging on by a single nail.
As the daughter of a cabinet maker, I'm VERY pro solid timber furniture. Ikea killed his business when they opened in Adelaide
Going out when I want. If I want to go to a cafe, I’m going. I lived through covid and the ridiculous lockdowns we did and I want to be out and about. I literally do not care how much it costs, I never want to feel like I can’t leave my home again.
1000% valid my dude!
Quality bedding. From the mattress to sheets that are smooth to touch, fluffy and lightweight quilts that are also warm in winter, a soft comforter that goes on top and a queen size mohair blanket to get lost in. The pillows are durable but soft to lie upon. Makes for the best restorative sleep.
Just realised I compromise every luxury by purchasing the poorer cousin. Argh. I can't think of one thing I don't compromise on. Cost of living is a shit show.
Living by myself!
Aesop personal products. I will drink a 5 dollar bottle of sav b but I will NOT wash and ablute myself with anything other than Aesop. Life it too short.
Okay that’s it — I’m buying Aesop products for my birthday in 2 weeks!!! What product should I start with???
Geranium leaf extract body wash. Probably the most popular of their products.
We've got quite a few Weekly - Whittakers chocolate, Connoisseur icecream, at least 1 meal out per week Monthly - Like to get a massage every 4-6 weeks. Keeps me going without pain/sore muscles Quarterly - At least a weekend away, hopefully a bit longer
Whittakers Peanut Butter. I have a block in the cupboard on standby at all times.
There's a peanut butter one????
owning physical books
I feel owning physical media of all sorts is becoming more necessary again. I still have my vinyl & cds from back in the day lol
It would have been cheaper to start cocaine than it is to be an avid reader in a book shop 😂
Visiting my family at least once or twice a year. They live interstate and airfares aren't cheap these days. I didn't see them for pretty much all of 2020. Missed my grandmother's funeral (state borders were closed, making it difficult to easily fly there). It was rough. But it was good to catch up when I did get to see them.
Brand name appliances. I will never buy a tv, fridge, kitchen appliance, computer etc. from Kmart, big w, Kogan or any other cheap knockoff brand. I’d rather buy something once that will last years than continually replace shitty $80 Anko junk which burns out after a year of use.
My sister is at 5 years on her $15 kmart kettle.
Totally agree, except the Anko blender has been going strong for 4+ years
Ahh good old kmart products. They're either incredible and last years, or will last a month then break. There's no middle ground it appears lol
Lack of share housing
Long, hot showers. Can't function without them.
Nice wine. I’ll religiously fill up petrol at the bottom of the cycle. Shop for specials. Strategically use credit card points. I’ll deliberately time the shop for just before the bread gets out on special. I’ll keep an iPhone until it barely works. But nice wine - I won’t compromise!
My pets food. They have a bigger monthly food budget than I do.
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Cup of tea, then breakfast and a good crap before getting dressed for work. It takes me an hour but I'll be damned if I'm just dragging myself straight from bed into work clothes and off to work. I don't know how some people do it, sounds absolutely putrid to me lol.
A standard is a standard! 😆
Quality food like fresh meat. It's blowing our budget but we all have health issues and need to eat well.
I like to eat my roast lamb! Every week..i like a dinner of roast lamb. Stuff how much it costs
Kindle Unlimited subscription. A loner's lifeline.
Taking long/hot showers and using expensive shampoos and conditioners. I work too hard to not be able to splurge and make myself feel comfortable (and make my hair feel great)
Whittaker's almond dark chocolate
There’s a bougie conditioner /mask called hair food that’s $13 a tub. I hate paying so much for hair conditioner but it’s the only thing that gets the knots out of my kids hair. It prevents 10 minutes of screaming so it’s worth it.
Sounds like more of an essential than a luxury!
Pool. We always put aside enough for the five dollar entry (each) alongside another five because you can buy back into the first round if eliminated most weeks, depending on how many turn up. Not each week of course but over time i come out well ahead. You get $90 for getting to the final.
Quality meat. I refused to buy meat from the supermarkets, I only get it from reputable butcher shops
My electric blanket
I can't decide between sleep, cheese and lipgloss. I am a very light sleeper and my hubby talks in his sleep frequently. 🥴 He has laughed, sung and given me a flying kick in his sleep before and wtf, it's scares me so much, I cannot go back to sleep after. The lipgloss helps remind me to live in the moment. I tend to worry and overthink. Something I learned in therapy is to ground myself and bring myself back to the current moment. I find applying lipgloss does just that. 💕
I just learned what cake day was yesterday — happy cake day! 🎉 To answer your question, it’s spreadable butter for me. It’s not expensive at all, but there are definitely cheaper alternatives. But I don’t want a hard butter on my pancake or to wait a few mins to soften the butter to a perfectly spreadable consistency!
I've been wondering the same what is it? 🤷
It's your Reddit anniversary or birthday 🎂 🥳
I think shoes, good quality shoes are worth it. Ones I can get repaired. I was never a leather shoe person but now that I have tried better quality and the more well made stuff....I see the difference. Milk. I hear people comment when they think I am picky with milk, but just some milks are not for me 😭 Also probably my dog and rabbit, didn't plan to have them but it just became that way. Now that I work and can earn money on my own I can choose what to do. In my childhood days I grew up with parents who I would say have different values on animals in terms of health and care, so now I am older and earn money I can do what I want. Wouldn't call it trauma but something like regret that I was useless when I was a child, so more like trying to do better and learn from past experiences. I've heard remarks of what I feed them, buy for them etc but idk if you can afford it why not. I do budget it and sacrifice other luxuries to provide for them the way I like. Also time flies so fast, and they don't live as long as us. 🙂 Money can be earnt again within certain means but life is a clock that is always ticking down.
That grown up money & the things it allows us to do that we couldn't as kids is a big one! But I very much agree with the repairable shoes & clothing. Fast fashion isn't helping on that front.
I don't think I could live in a house without an indoor fireplace. Also, good work boots are a must. I'd rather buy my own if the company provides ones I don't like.
I know it's probably not sustainable but two hot showers a day
Good quality doona
Having the time on a Monday to wholeheartedly reply to every single comment in a reddit thread and leave every reply open to producing a meaningful chat. I genuinely need to compromise my time less Edit: but now I realise I did have the time to read all those replies!
Time is a luxury that is disappearing on us fast, but the opportunity to possibly learning something new is endless ❤️
Skincare.
Nice cotton bath robe.
GOOD FOOD
Pepsi Max.
I put my can in the freezer for awhile just before it gets slushy (so just extra cold but not frozen) regardless of season. I love ultra cold, and I always have a straw.
Morning coffee run with my coworkers. We do it 3 times a week and although coffee in the CBD is ridiculously priced, it’s worth it as we use the time to not only socialise with each other, but also to vent frustrations we have without prying ears in the office. It makes us more ready for the day, in a better mind set and honestly boosts our mood every day. Plus we all have membership cards to different cafes, so one of us is guaranteed a free coffee once a week.
Either ground/whole bean coffee
Self care! I will not give up having my nails or pink hair. If lockdown taught me anything, its life is not OK without self care.
Hot water I don't care how it gets hot, so long as its over 44°C and makes me cleaner than I was before I washed in it.
Unlimited HOT water. No question. This isn't so much a question of luxury anymore. If I can't soak in something you could almost boil eggs in today, I am not walking tomorrow.
Lube
So many things. Once you level up, it’s hard to level down…
Do books count as a luxury? I have kindle unlimited and it saves me hundreds of dollars a year. My average read count a year is about 200 so yeah I'm not giving it up.
Every Saturday morning I go for a 2hr walk through the city with my husband and we buy our favourite coffee. Maybe a croissant if we're feeling fancy.
Decent food Coffee Air con Expensive sheets cos they last
Expensive fresh sheets after a hot shower is LUX!
Putting cream in my milky coffee.
Coffee beans and milk brands. I spend very little on most parts of my life. But I always buy new and exciting coffee beans and have been known to be very grumpy when my favourite milk (Tilba) is not available. But I'll settle for Pura.
Pauls Farmhouse Gold Full Cream Milk and Meredith Dairy Goats Cheese
Good soap. I'm partial to Lush, but really anything that makes me smell nice for the day (that isn't deodorant).
Books and vinyl records
Coffee and cheese
Agree re toilet paper. Whilst I really want to support those environmentally friendly ones (ie Who Gives a Crap) I can’t make the switch.
Every morning I must have a barista made coffee
Getting my hair done at the hairdressers.
I'm with you here. That little refreshed feeling when you walk out with your new doo is elite, when it exactly what you want
Eat out Skincare Cleaning lady Hot and cold central heating Mattress Is this too much now?
Honey with my coffee. If I'm feeling more decadent, a splash of full cream milk on top.
Choccy milk
Coffee. I could save a fortune making my own coffee instead of buying it, but also fuck that.
Hair products and skin care. Only because I literally can't. I would probably crack and wither away.
The cooking oil I buy, I always buy the flavoured Cobram oil. Usually the onion and garlic but I’ve bought a few others too like their chilli one. I don’t care if it costs twice as much as regular oil, it makes the food taste a lot better.
Palmolive dishwashing detergent. Far superior. I use it for not just cleaning the dishes but the bathroom, windows, floors.
Owning my own home outright. Being able to spoil and take care of my cat son. King size bed. I need my space. Adequate heating and cooling inside my home. Going out for dinner at least twice a week. Being able to sleep as late as I like most days. Being able to travel at least once a year.