Even when being frugal, what's the one 'luxury' you HAVE to have?

[bbcessex]

disclaimer if the budget can physically stretch to it, of course...

I have to have nice instant coffee.. such as Millicano, Azera etc. Can't start the day without it (well - not without being a right grump, anyway!).

I will now happily shop at Aldi, and love everything I've bought so far, but I tried their Colombian coffee (not the same ground instant type anyway, but gave it a go)... bleeuurr.. cross between Nescafe & gravy!!!

What's the one luxury you factor in to your budget?

Newspapers. We were supposed to be down to Saturday paper only for a long time but I kept sneaking them during the week.

joanofarchitrave - I used to spend loads on newspapers before 'tinternet... and even more on magazines, before mumsnet.. I think mumsnet must have saved me thousands over the years

My gym membership. I have now gone without it for three whole years. Just joined again last week and there is no way I am quitting again this is MINE. I only do eBay stuff for myself and stopped eating and drinking out yonks ago. Only 30 a month so actually pretty good really if I make it 3x per week.

Broadband, I suppose.

Though, couldn't drink crappy tea! I'd go without tbh... it's getting sooo expensive too- £2.60 for 80 bags last week

That only lasts us a week...

Organic semi-skimmed milk, too... wouldn't go back to normal.

Coffee. Proper coffee.

Nice tomatoes on the vine. I buy all fruit and veg from the market but happily pay £2.50 for a small tub of tomatoes from Sainsburys.

The Gold Blend barista coffee is nowhere as nice as Azera unfortunately, it just tastes like bog standard coffee granules to me. Try to find it on offer if you want to give it a go.

Bedding is my thing, I buy the most expensive that I can afford

Frizzeaze shampoo and conditioner.

My hair looks like a cavewoman without it.

Fast broadband - just upgraded to fiberoptic thingy
Sky inc movies
Gym

We are a month back into frugalness. No eating out. Strictly coffee only.

I like my nescafe instant actually - ive tried to go down a brand but like my nescaff too much. DH same with Yorkshire Tea.

Proper coffee. Columbian beans.

Gym membership for me - it means I can take the DC swimmimg by myself (DH can't swim. works longer hours than me and no public pool will allow me to take both DC (2, 5) by myself). And the pool is warm, not crowded and not booked most of the time. We go about twice a week - the monthly membership cost is about what we used to spend on going to the local baths with a reluctant DH about twice a month. Well worth it.

Yankee candles/tartlets and expensive incense cones. No glade/supermarket own brands or air freshener products come close.

MoreLife I've just developed a Yankee candle thing myself after buying some of the Christmas ones last year for the first time. I had bought a pack of cheap copy ones and they just don't compare. Yankee.co.uk seem to be cheaper than the official site. I keep watch to see when any nice looking ones come up on special offer.

Soft,padded,loo-roll.

Soft loo roll.

Have been on benefits with a major expense to save for, so have put this to the test before. I went frugal on most things, but kept paying for sports classes (an expensive hobby for me).

Gym membership again - but I do use it as I go three times a week - pilates, metafit and once to the gym, so would be more expensive to pay as I went.

Hotel Chocolat chocolates - although I buy them in the sale.

I have poached egg on toast with smoked salmon most mornings ( yes not very frugal I hear you cry, but stops me raiding the chocolate dispenser at work or buying stuff from the canteen). I used to use the Tesco budget smoked salmon that they have sadly stopped making, tried the Asda stuff and that was a step too far, lots of grey bits and flabby and sweaty. Now stick to Tesco two for £5.00.

Rookiemater Both Aldi and Lidl smoked salmon have good reputations, so try those if you have one nearby.

Thanks Gin, I tend not to go to Aldi or Lidl as DS does love his branded yoghurts and smoothies ( pfb I'm afraid) so it would be mean extra shopping trips, but I will definitely keep that in mind if I am ever there.

Sky Sports
Lavazza (we'd rather have Illy, but there's a limit)
DS's music lessons
decent tomatoes

NoelofLorst - thanks for the tip, I did actually notice on the description that it said "instance dried coffee with ground coffee granules" (or something) - which made me think "hmmm... sounds more normal coffee than usual"...

I'll give it a go when it's on offer.

rookiemater... that is such a good description of 'orrible smoked salmon - 'flabby and sweaty'- I know exactly what you mean !!!

Thanks bbcessex - I love my breakfast ( particularly as I do 5:2 so I don't have it every morning) but the thought of the Asda salmon just made me weep inside. I was delighted one morning to discover that I had been eating so little that it had gone out of date and I had a genuine reason to chuck the foul stuff.

Nice make up/perfume. But thanks to dcs dont wear much so buy rarely and wear even less .

Nice cheese aldis premium brand.

Going tbh and say I always do cheap grocery shops and bills but the rest, longterm things eg, clothes, homewares I save up and buy the nicer stuff. Off eBay. I am frugal though honest. I do belong here

holiday
coffees out
Both are necessary for sanity reasons :)