Show & Tell - Steals & Splurges

Today, I’m linking up with Andrea for her Show & Tell Tuesday series and we’re talking all about the items we’d splurge on and what items we’d save on.

Here’s the deal, I’m a VERY simple person. I also don’t like to pay a fortune for anything. Zip, zilch, nada. That being said, my splurges and steals are pretttttty basic, as you’re about to soon find out. Before I start, there’s a couple more “Splurge” items  that I should’ve added to my carefully crafted collages but failed to. Given the chance, splurge on your vacations. Obviously don’t put yourself in debt over it; the point of vacation is to enjoy it and how can you enjoy it knowing you can’t afford anything you’re doing. So, save for nice vacations. Splurge on a dreamy beach vacation, splurge on fancy dinners every night, splurge on Spa treatments, splurge on Disney trips! AND, when debating Queen or King size mattress, always, always, ALWAYS buy the King. #biggestmistakeofourmarriage

Steals

I am a firm believer in buying store-brand items as much as possible. One of the biggest savings area for me is in the canned and frozen veggies sections at the grocery store. I cook quite a bit and with us (hopefully) making the girls baby food in the coming months, we’ll probably be buying more and more of the frozen veggies to steam and puree for our little ladies.

My heart skips a beat every time I see someone wearing Hunter boots. Quite honestly, I’ve come verrrry close a couple of times to buying myself a pair. HOWEVER. I just can’t make myself click that little “Place Order” button. Would they come in handy, sure. Would I use them enough to justify the purchase…I don’t know. I feel like I would only use them for big rains or snows (do you even wear Hunter boots in snow?!) and that would only be to walk from the parking lot at work to inside at my office, then I would change into something else, because it would just be too much shoe to wear around a hospital all day. #knowwhatimean So, a couple years ago I ordered a pair of rainboots off of Amazon for a fraction of the price of Hunter’s. I’ve rarely worn them in the rain, because they’re just too clunky and hot. In snow, they do just the trick, only I still change into a different shoe once I’m settled in my office. Sadly, I’ll probably never be a Hunters owner and I’m ok with that. I’ll just continue to drool over everyone else’s pics.

Give me an expensive pair of sunglasses and I’ll lose them in a week. Give me a cheap pair at Kohls that are on sale, with a 30% coupon and $10 Kohls cash…and I’ll have them forever.

I love to give pretty wrapped packages and gift bags for all occasions, but truthfully those things can add up quick. I often opt for these basic brown kraft bags, dress them up with colorful tissue paper and maybe some ribbon and call it a day.

Photobooks are the way to my heart, but they can become SUPER expensive by the time you get all the pictures and pages you want added to them. I finally dove into the world of Chatbooks and I doubt I’ll ever go back. This app pulls photos and captions from your social media accounts and camera roll turning them into a cute little 6x6 book. I just love these things!

Splurges

As much as I hate the little increases each year, I will (probably) forever pay for XM Radio. For me, it’s totally worth it. I love music, I love SO many different genres and so many different eras of music…it’s just worth it for me.

I know what I’m about to say is going to contradict what I said earlier. So yes, I prefer to buy store-brand of grocery items BUT somethings I will spend the extra dollar or so on to get name brand because IT IS better. Ritz crackers is one of them. These are a go-to topping for chicken or hashbrown casseroles, great with salads, great with tuna for lunch….store brand does not taste the same. I’m picky about my butter snack crackers. Haha (like I said...my splurges are quite basic, lame, whatever you want to call them)

I was the girl saying “I won’t pay $12 for baby laundry detergent”. And I do. Because it smells heavenly. I don’t use Dreft all the time. (I alternate with All Free & Clear) – but I do use it occasionally and use the Dreft Stain Remover…um…nearly every day because it was sent straight from the heavens.

Another must by name brand item…Puffs tissue. I’ve tried and tried to like store brand and even Kleenex brand, but I just can’t. My nose prefers Puffs.

If you saw my post yesterday sharing our girls’ newborn photo session, then you’ll know what I am a FIRM believer in investing in good photographers. Like, whoa nelly, knock your socks off photographers. For us, photos matter. Photos will last and be passed down for generations to come. It may not come cheap, but it’s worth every penny spent.

What about you? What are your steals and splurges? 

Happy Tuesday!