Dental bills are killing me. ($15K a year) Work I had done 30-40 years ago is failing. Bridges are being replaced by implants. Root canels are being redone. I tell people I go to the dentist instead of vacationing. No amount of brushing and flossing makes a difference. Not what I had in mind.
Streaming Services (Netflix / HBOMax / Amazon Prime / Sling) – with our college-aged kids a home during COVID, one or two “free trial” subscriptions got out of hand in a matter of months. Time to cull the herd come January.
Probably insurance. Home, car, liability, medical. And medical insurance isn’t even truly comprehensive; the US medical industry always figures out a way to overcharge.
Books. Although when I just checked Quicken, I found that taxes were my top spending category for 2021 so far. Bummer. I’d rather have it be travel! My book acquisition has a slight twist. I purchase books that are not available digitally (Kindle) and scan them. Then I only keep the digital scan, not the physical book. That way I have the books but they don’t take up any space (except on the hard drive).
I spend a lot on housing and tuition, but those are choices that I see as worthwhile. A few years ago, though, I went through my expenses and noticed one surprising four-figure expense that definitely was not intentional: name-brand toner cartridges. It was about $2,000. I’ve since switched to generic cartridges. The quality is maybe 1% worse, but the cost is about 80% less.
I gave away my laser printer a few years ago, when I realized my last cartridge had lasted three years. I transfer most files digitally now instead of printing, so buying a new cartridge didn’t seem sensible. On the rare occasions when I need to print, I use an office supply store’s printing service.
Pre-made meals or to-go meals from markets or restaurants. I keep saying I will just buy the ingredients ad cook it myself, but laziness then drives me to buy the pre-made stuff and be done.
We tend to spend a lot on travel and vacations. Both of us like to see new places and experience different cultures. We look forward to resume our travel.
Dental bills are killing me. ($15K a year) Work I had done 30-40 years ago is failing. Bridges are being replaced by implants. Root canels are being redone. I tell people I go to the dentist instead of vacationing. No amount of brushing and flossing makes a difference. Not what I had in mind.
Streaming Services (Netflix / HBOMax / Amazon Prime / Sling) – with our college-aged kids a home during COVID, one or two “free trial” subscriptions got out of hand in a matter of months. Time to cull the herd come January.
Probably insurance. Home, car, liability, medical. And medical insurance isn’t even truly comprehensive; the US medical industry always figures out a way to overcharge.
My Grandkids.
Fitness Club Fees. I haven’t been in months! But when I go on long vacations in my van it’s nice to be able to stop in for a shower!
Books. Although when I just checked Quicken, I found that taxes were my top spending category for 2021 so far. Bummer. I’d rather have it be travel! My book acquisition has a slight twist. I purchase books that are not available digitally (Kindle) and scan them. Then I only keep the digital scan, not the physical book. That way I have the books but they don’t take up any space (except on the hard drive).
I spend a lot on housing and tuition, but those are choices that I see as worthwhile. A few years ago, though, I went through my expenses and noticed one surprising four-figure expense that definitely was not intentional: name-brand toner cartridges. It was about $2,000. I’ve since switched to generic cartridges. The quality is maybe 1% worse, but the cost is about 80% less.
I gave away my laser printer a few years ago, when I realized my last cartridge had lasted three years. I transfer most files digitally now instead of printing, so buying a new cartridge didn’t seem sensible. On the rare occasions when I need to print, I use an office supply store’s printing service.
Wine. But do I really? Wine is one of the few hobbies my wife and I enjoy tremendously and together. Probably money well spent after all.
Happy Wife , Happy Life.
Pre-made meals or to-go meals from markets or restaurants. I keep saying I will just buy the ingredients ad cook it myself, but laziness then drives me to buy the pre-made stuff and be done.
We tend to spend a lot on travel and vacations. Both of us like to see new places and experience different cultures. We look forward to resume our travel.
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