What's your biggest indulgence in terms of money?

[Devin Reams]

* Clothes / Shoes
* Electronics
* Car or equivalent
* Home items
* Travel
* Eating out / going out
* Spending on other people
* Other

[ekrabs]

I'm not proud of it, but it would have to be eating out.

[Jon]

Same here, Mr. Krabs.

[finvik]

i like to spend it on electronics. i am a Gadget Freak!

[ekrabs]

I'm a gadget freak on re-hab. Hoping to kick it somehow.

Not because I don't like gadgets anymore. That's the problem. But because I'm trying to minimize my ah... cost of living?

Not that I don't think people shouldn't live a little, but I still try to minimize the costs whenever I can.

[ramit]

Definitely eating out!

-Ramit

[Jon]

I think eating out is so common because we need food, and we are too lazy to make it ourselves. I don't need a brand new plasma television so it doesn't bother me. I don't need expensive clothing so it doesn't bother me. But I need food, so if I don't make it for myself, then I end up paying someone to make it for me.

[ekrabs]

That's a good point, and it's certainly worth exploring further.

I've been looking into some practical alternatives that even a guy who is not handy in the kitchen (like me) can manage. Of course, the tough part is that it also has to be fairly affordable. (Yes, cooking at home almost always financially trumps eating out, but if one is not careful, that is not always the case.)

The best non-microwave alternative I've seen so far is the crockpot. It is literally a "set it and forget it" device. The only thing it requires is some prior planning from the night before. Yeah, it sounds like something your granny may have used, but I have one and I will swear by it. Worth every penny.

Otherwise, the microwave is still useful. I also have a book called, "A Man, A Can, and a Microwave". Great book. Almost like a children's book actually, complete with pictures of the ingredients that you're suppose to buy. But it's very simple and straightforward, and cooking is almost exclusively done with the microwave.

There's also boiling stuff, which if you're not stuck in a basic dorm with no stove, it can be easy to pull off. Pasta and rice is just around the corner, and if it's on sale, even the occasional bratwurst with Bavarian sauerkraut.

Last resort is your TV dinner and canned foods. I've done that too. Not great, but not bad if you're strapped for time.

Another possibility I am experimenting with is roasting and uh... *cough* baking. Anyways, it's like a crock-pot sped up... but nowhere near the speed of a microwave. I'm still working on it... but I think this method may get muscled-out by the other alternatives. (So far, crock potting is easier, microwaving is faster, and grilling is simply tastier.)

Tonight, I boiled some pasta and served it with tomato-alfredo sauce that was on sale, along with imitation crab meat and green onion. Nothing fancy to speak of, but it was affordable and tasty enough.

It's tough eating at home all the time, especially when you're a bachelor who has to do all the shopping, cooking, and then cleaning the dishes afterwards. And thing is, I like eating out anyways, but I am trying to minimize the food costs whenever I can. And the cool thing is, when you finally get good with something, it's often-times better than any stuff you pay for in a restaurant.

[Devin Reams]

Electronics, easily. It seems that once I feel like I have all the "toys" I want... there's something else. Then another. Then another.

Apple isn't helping, at all.

[finwiz]

it has to be Electronics. in a way we are helping the electronic companies become bigger. last year i didnt spend on electronics as i used to do, and guess i was $4000 rich!

[DimTwinkle]

I used to fall into the Other category (collecting stuff) but I began to lose interest when I realized I was indulging too much (based on want and not need) so now I'd have to say it's spending on others. Both my husband and I are like that although current economic times have us backing away from that as well.

I have to add that spending less on indulgences has been a very satisfying feeling and something that I moved to mostly of my own accord. My collections are not valuable in any way but somewhat useful. When I realized that I had more than I could use the thrill was gone as it was becoming wasteful.

[Soap]

Eating out for sure....

[kanchirk]

Electronics. I turn off my eye while buying all the Electronic goodies.

[ekrabs]

I recently picked up an iPod Touch.

Yes, I am weak, but I rationalize it as my way to keep track of my personal finances and budget. The third party App store is phenomenal, and it finally has several apps that are good enough to handle my money so.... I have finally been converted.

[Jon]

The iPod Touch is pretty sweet. Nice purchase.

[ekrabs]

Thanks! Yeah, the personal finance software I am using (Spend Lite) is working out well. I also have Splashmoney. I've used it on the Treo before, so I know it's good, but Spend Lite is working out so far.

The Touch is sweet, but my one major gripe right now is that the battery is so short. I wouldn't have minded at all if Steve made the Touch thicker but gave it a bigger battery. Especially since they are non-replaceable.

[jbramey78]

I'm really bad about clothes, electronics, and eating out. Oh, and beer. LMAO

[valeriec]

Way frugal on food, clothes, entertainment, etc., so I can indulge in nice vacations and high-end electronics. Can't have it all, so we have to prioritize, right?

[NJScubaDiva]

Definitely, food and wine! I'm a wine-oh! I don't go for the $200 bottles; why spend more then $10 on something you're going drink and pee out in the same night! If it's red (particularly Shiraz, Syrah) and under $10, then it's for me... Dinner on the other hand - we usually hit the BYOB places, which helps save money, because if there are 2 of us at a restaurant with a bar, and we each have 3 glasses of $8 wine, that's $48 right there! But, when you bring your own under $10 wine, you get 3, possible 4 glasses each

[Aeris]

Mine is videogames....

[ekrabs]

Mine is videogames....

Hehe. Me too.

[dhofstet]

Taking my girlfriend out. My girlfriend doesn't work so i pay for everything (i would even if she worked) so i spend the most on taking her out to eat, movies, fun, and shopping.
I have recently been getting her in the idea of doing activities that don't cost as much so i can save up for our future, so of COurse she loves the idea of me saving for our wedding and house..