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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

So, what do YOU consider a luxury in your house.

98 replies

lucyellensmum · 25/07/2008 12:53

I know i know, a thread about a thread, which i think was also about another thread. But i would like to ask the question from a different angle as apposed to one of being poor or hard up.

I don't consider the internet to be a luxury as such. This is because it is has practical use that makes life much easier. I couldnt have done my PhD without internet at home. DD would have been stuck with homework etc, we use it for my DPs business to contact clients etc. Saying that, its not an essential in the same way say, the washing machine - but i remember my mother washing clothes in a twin tub and we were one of the first in our street to get an automatic washing machine. It wasn't THAT long ago (honest). That would have definately been considered a luxury. I certainly wouldnt want to be without an automatic washing machine, i just dont think i would cope. In fact i would battle without my dishwasher - but those maybe still considered luxury goods?

I don't have a tumble dryer, i don't consider that a luxury as to me the definition of luxury is something that we have that is totally for pleasure and is decadent. My tumbe dryer died and i have saved so much money on electric since it went that i will never buy another one.

We haven't been on holiday in four years, but we are going soon - wooohooo, thanks to a wonderful mumsnetter and her sun holiday codes. So holidays were the first thing to go when the going got financially tough. BUT one could argue that from a pyschological viewpoint these are quite an important part of family life. I consider a holiday a luxury, others disagree.

The price of technology is very cheap and all of these things are often available to the least well off. Flat screen telly? To me, a definate luxury, we don't have one, i don't actually want one - we don't have a wall to put it on (too many alcoves ). So wont buy one.

So what do you consider to be a luxury indulgent item in your house, REGARDLESS of your financial status. Thats why i started a separate thread so that side of things could be left to one side.

OP posts:
SheikYerbouti · 25/07/2008 13:25

If it's something unobtainable, then a whole week off work would be nice. Impossible, however, I only get 6 days a year and most of those have been taken because of ill children/DS2's hospital appts.

Sick pay would be nice too.

Never get paid weekly. It's shithouse. Less rights. Crapola

PuppyMonkey · 25/07/2008 13:26

GHD hair straighteners?

That's what all these threads originally stemmed from after all!!

cocolepew · 25/07/2008 13:27

Dh motorbike

sky+

books

Marne · 25/07/2008 13:28

Meat (beef and lamb) as they cost too much to have often.

New furniture (we mostly have 2nd hand)

A holiday (we've only had one)

A night out/meal out

Original poster
lucyellensmum · 25/07/2008 13:36

Well yes, zippi, that is a fair point if one can't afford even the most basic luxuries. But that was not what i asked - i was just interested in what people considered to be a luxury. Some very interesting responses. Some people are saying things like nice bubble bath - that never occured to me, i alway have nice bubble bath and we are piss poor

OP posts:
Earlybird · 25/07/2008 13:38

Underfloor heating in my bathroom. I think most everyday how nice it feels.

Gobbledigook · 25/07/2008 13:39

I'm not sure what you mean.

We have lots of things that to us are just normal but that I am aware, considering the population as a whole, are luxuries because lots of people can't afford them I suppose.

Do you mean, things in our house that we don't have all the time but that we have occasionally if we push the boat out? Or things we'd like to have that we can't afford?

objectivity · 25/07/2008 13:41

TV
Microwave
Son's Nintendo DS
Printer
GU Brownies

ProfYaffle · 25/07/2008 13:41

Babysitters - we don't know that many, family far away etc so a night out for me and dh together is a rarity.

misdee · 25/07/2008 13:42

a full nights sleep

Rhubarb · 25/07/2008 13:42

central heating is a luxury. It will be in our new house, we've not had central heating for 4 years! But then the kids are healthier for it.

I'd like to have a decent sofa instead of the sofa bed I've had since I was single, that is ripped and sagging and that I try to disguise with a wrap thrown over it.

OsmosisBanana · 25/07/2008 13:43

Take away. Weird that as most of the stuff I cook is much nicer than the shite the take-aways round here serve up and I always feel dirty afterwards!

PestoMonster · 25/07/2008 13:43

I think having a car is a luxury because I could manage without one (and used to, for years), but it is really nice to be able to go places quickly and easily and not have to physically lug stuff about with you too.

I heart my car

piratecat · 25/07/2008 13:43

a luxury would be a night out, or a lie in.

those things are really precious, helpful, and altho not decadent, very hard to come by!!

hughjarssss · 25/07/2008 13:43

A month without worrying about the bills would be a luxery in our house

Gobbledigook · 25/07/2008 13:45

OK, so if it's things we only have rarely, the main one would be child-free time together. We had last weekend on our own because the boys went to my mum and dad's and it was a real luxury to get up under our own steam, watch a film in the daytime etc.

wasabipeanut · 25/07/2008 13:45

Nice organic bath, shampoo etc.
Waitrose
Cleaner

The cleaner would be the 1st thing to go, Waitrose the last!

Rhubarb · 25/07/2008 13:47

Things we have rarely?
Decent friends to go out with.

What's the point in getting a babysitter just so you and him can go out, you see each other all the bloody time anyway! Friends make you appreciate each others company all the more and let's you see them in a different environment, reminding you of why you fell in love with them in the first place.

pedilia · 25/07/2008 13:48

Not really in my house but my horses are my luxury because of the huge cost.

having said that I feel very priveleged to have nice house, 2 cars etc and never take any of it for granted.

popsycal · 25/07/2008 13:51

a full night sleeo followed by a lie in

Earlybird · 27/07/2008 01:28

ample storage - loft, closets, garage.

Separate laundry room

Power shower

wrinklytum · 27/07/2008 01:41

Time.

I would love to devote more time to doing dds physiotherapy and portage exercises.

I would love to devote more time to spend teaching ds about Stuff,reading more books to him,helping him to start reading and develop his writing,though thats what school is for too surely when he starts.Giving him more time too as the focus has been on his poorly Daddy and SN sister and hes been such a good kid really.I feel so guilty.

On a materialistic level.Well holidays.Nice toiletries instead of tesco value range.Make up,haircuts and perfume.Going to the theatre,well going out at all.

Bugger the material stuff is shallow and crap,but giving the dcs a 2 parent thing instead of just me is the main one,and hoping ds doesn't feel left out in some way.

Kimi · 27/07/2008 01:54

Don't know about luxury but I do know about blessings in my home, the blessing of two healthy children, a wonderful first DH and a wonderful partner, a loving family and friends.
We have just had a lovely birthday BBQ full of good food , wine and laughter.

If I had to say luxury...Will Smith

wrinklytum · 27/07/2008 01:58

Ooh Kimi.Good luxury!!!

copingvquietly · 27/07/2008 01:58

someone to hold me when im having a bad day