Splurges

There are many things that I sacrifice for the sake of frugality. There are still some things, however that I am adamant about, no matter what the cost.

1. Good cheese. It may sound funny, but good cheese matters to me! On a day-to-day basis, Kraft is fine, but for those special occasions or special uses, gourmet cheese is a must. I love to buy a chunk of good quality parmigiana-reggiano and grate it myself. Also, if we are having fondue, good-quality Gruyere and emmenthaler are necessary.

2. Mattress and bedding. Since about a third of your life is spent in bed, shouldn't it be luxurious and comfortable? James and I have a good quality mattress that we both adore, a feather bed, a down comforter (with a duvet) and 600 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets. My pillows are also feathers-because I love them that way! Sure, the cost initially is more than what you put out for lesser quality, but I promise you it is worth it to have your bedroom be a sanctuary if you can spare the extra cash. It makes a huge difference to us! I also make a large effort to keep our room spotless. Sleep is SO much better in a clean and clutter-free area.

3. Good-quality bras. They look better, feel better, and last longer. Need I say more?

4. Good shoes. I am not really a shoe-a-holic and I tend to keep my shoes for a loonng time, so it doesn't bother me to spend a pretty penny on a pair of shoes that I LOVE! For instance, my Nikes. I had my last pair for over 5 years, and replaced them with a very similar-looking pair. I actually took pictures of the shoes because I was so sad to have to throw them out-but the soles were detaching from the rest of the shoe and a replacement was WAY overdue! To the right is one of the old (back) and one of the new (front)!

What are things that you splurge on and why?