Hell No. Bargain Shopping For Some Things Is Absurd
Photo by Diana Akhmetianova on Unsplash
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been what you’d call a “saver”.
I was married for 20 years and during that time, fortunate enough to be able to go out and buy whatever our family needed. I never really considered how much things cost, looked for coupons, or shlepped around to find the best deal.
Frankly, I was too busy wrangling 4 hyenas, a.k.a my 4 daughters, to bargain hunt.
Once I was divorced, things changed. I had to pay a little more attention to what things cost because it mattered now in a way it hadn’t before.
Learning that in midlife sucks, but hey…what are you gonna do?
Over the last few years, I’ve made finding bargains a little bit of a game, and guess what? It’s not that bad, and can actually be fun and rewarding.
I have 2 questions on the whole thing
Is there such a thing as going too far in the quest to get a good deal or to save money?
Yes. Yes, there is.
2.Does being a financially responsible person mean I have to sacrifice having nice things until the end of my time here?
I think not.
Is that the price to pay for having a few extra dollars saved for my retirement?
If it is, then I’d like to officially cancel the rest of my life.
Dramatic. Yes, but I have always had a penchant for drama.
I’m fine seeking out bargain trash bags, dish soap, buying store brands for some foods, using generic meds, and bulk buying paper towels and toilet paper to save money.
But things that I need to make my day-to-day life better, and make me happier, especially now in midlife, that’s where I draw the line.
There are dealbreaker items whose price will never enter into my decision-making because whatever it is, I’m paying.
The way I see it, I’ve paid my dues in life, and I’m getting some of the shit I want.
Coffee
Good coffee starts my day and it helps me get started on the right foot, which is a key to mastering my mood, not to mention a gift to those who interact with me. I’m kind that way.
Olive Oil
It’s healthier and tastes better when it’s the good stuff. Enough said.
Wine
I’m not a wine snob by any means, and I have found many reasonably priced wines out there. But finding the cheapest one in the store? No thank you.
Food-at home and out
Come on. You are what you eat, so I don’t want to eat junk.
Face cream/makeup/shampoo
I’m getting up there in age, and I want to take care of my skin and hair. I’m going to use quality products because my hormones are fighting me every step of the way and I need good tools in my arsenal.
Sheets, bedding, pillows
Everything about a bed should be soft, cozy, and dare I say, luxurious. Why should you be more comfortable in a hotel than you are in your own bed?
Shoes
My dogs don’t need to be barking anymore. Quality shoes are life-giving, plus, they are among the first things people look at when they first meet you. Your shoe game needs to be on point, and your feet need to feel good.
Haircuts and hair color
This needs to be left to real professionals, friends. Get comfortable with the person that “gets your hair”, and stick to them like glue. Having good hair matters.
The Flowbee was a cool invention, but it’s not for real life.
Unless there’s a pandemic.
There are more, but these are the ones that stand out the most for me and have become my non-negotiables.
There are also a couple of situations when I don’t seek out the bargains. These are the times when I ascribe to the wisdom of Wham, “If you’re gonna do it, do it right”.
Having a nice hotel
If I can’t afford to stay in a place that is at least as nice as my home, I’m staying home. Relaxing to me is synonymous with being pampered so I want my experience to be better than the norm.
Honestly, the entire vacation is like this for me. My feeling is, go or don’t go, but if you do, be in a position to say yes to any of the things you might want to do. It’s not like you do it every day. Make it count.
A celebratory meal
There are ways to celebrate on the cheap for sure, and that is totally fine. But if you’re going to go out and make it a thing, then do it all the way. If that means budgeting for it, then do that, but don’t half-ass it.
Overall, I’d say I’m pretty proud of myself for having a better, albeit late in life, understanding of the benefits of budgeting.
For most things.
I have no problem shopping around and finding a good deal on the things that don’t land on my “hell no” list
Besides, I have more time to schlep now.
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