What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Questions on how we spend our money and our time - consumer goods and services, home and vehicle, leisure and recreational activities
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ThankYouJack
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What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by ThankYouJack »

I'm curious for those who were able to make increase in their lifestyle, what things actually made you happier?
OnTrack2020
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by OnTrack2020 »

SiriusXM
Am thinking about Netflix
Not flying coach
H-Town
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by H-Town »

ThankYouJack wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:43 pm I'm curious for those who were able to make increase in their lifestyle, what things actually made you happier?
Apple Watch
Time is the ultimate currency.
pennywise
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by pennywise »

ThankYouJack wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:43 pm I'm curious for those who were able to make increase in their lifestyle, what things actually made you happier?
1. House cleaning help
2. Regular massages
KlangFool
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by KlangFool »

OP,

This cannot be considered as lifestyle creep since it fits within my annual expense:

A) My $1,700 foldable electric bicycle.

B) More expensive tea.

KlangFool
30% VWENX | 16% VFWAX/VTIAX | 14.5% VTSAX | 19.5% VBTLX | 10% VSIAX/VTMSX/VSMAX | 10% VSIGX| 30% Wellington 50% 3-funds 20% Mini-Larry
badger42
Posts: 614
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by badger42 »

House cleaning help
Paying for extra legroom on flights
House cleaning help
Amazon Prime, especially PrimeNow
House cleaning help
Amex Platinum
House cleaning help
A nice (US-made Titanium) bicycle
student
Posts: 10763
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2015 6:58 am

Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by student »

Going to nice restaurants, going on vacations and not taking additional work assignments for pay.
arrieros81
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by arrieros81 »

pennywise wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:56 pm
ThankYouJack wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:43 pm I'm curious for those who were able to make increase in their lifestyle, what things actually made you happier?
1. House cleaning help
2. Regular massages
I was going to say Roomba made me happier. +1 on the massages as well.

Oh, and increasing the food budget.
bikechuck
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by bikechuck »

Sonos Speakers
Housekeeping help
Move to a courtyard home with laundry and Master on same floor
Moca Master coffee maker
runner540
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by runner540 »

pennywise wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:56 pm
ThankYouJack wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:43 pm I'm curious for those who were able to make increase in their lifestyle, what things actually made you happier?
1. House cleaning help
2. Regular massages
+1000 and dry cleaning delivery
Fitness classes
Theme: services!
SevenBridgesRoad
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by SevenBridgesRoad »

Nice upgrade to my garage brewery: stainless steel everything, conical fermenters and glycol chiller, Chugger pumps, four-tap corny keg system and all-electric. One time costs, so not really an increase in monthly lifestyle. Happier? Oh, yeah.
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Alexa9
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by Alexa9 »

It's good to have nice things for the hobbies that I actually use a lot.
Home Gym: weight rack, barbell, bumper plates, cardio machines
Electronics: laptop, desktop, smartphone, surround sound stereo / home theater, headphones, DSLR camera
Vacation: rarely take one but when I do I like to go all out on a "once in a lifetime" type trip
Good food, alcohol, and cookware
Camping equipment
Nice furniture
Musical Instruments

Things I don't value as much as others: nice hotels, restaurants, expensive clothing, cars
squirm
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by squirm »

Home location - being away from people.

But not sure how this is actionable.
Last edited by squirm on Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Elena
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by Elena »

KlangFool wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:58 pm OP,

This cannot be considered as lifestyle creep since it fits within my annual expense:

A) My $1,700 foldable electric bicycle.

B) More expensive tea.

KlangFool
I am seriously itching for one, but since I will not be traveling with it I wonder whether I need the folding feature. Every time I read one of your posts, I hear my gut screaming "I want an electric bike to replace my car altogether!!!".
+1 to home location, 15 min. drive to work, smaller place, much more expensive per sq. f. than my old place. Best expensive decision.
Last edited by Elena on Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
AlphaLess
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by AlphaLess »

ThankYouJack wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:43 pm I'm curious for those who were able to make increase in their lifestyle, what things actually made you happier?
Two things: travel and helping.

Being able to travel without any consideration to cost has made me quite happy.

We are still unable to travel as much due to other issues: general health considerations as travel is very taxing on health, vacation time, and other commitments, the travel we do makes me very happy.

We travel business class, stay in the best hotels, eat in the best restaurants, do whatever activities we want, all pretty much without consideration to cost. However, we shop brutally for the best deals: that is, given what we want to do, when, at what quality, etc, we find the best prices.

One other thing: I am able to help less fortunate relatives.
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AlphaLess
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by AlphaLess »

badger42 wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:58 pm House cleaning help
Paying for extra legroom on flights
House cleaning help
Amazon Prime, especially PrimeNow
House cleaning help
Amex Platinum
House cleaning help
A nice (US-made Titanium) bicycle
I forget: did you mention housecleaning help?
I don't carry a signature because people are easily offended.
AlphaLess
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Location: Kentucky

Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by AlphaLess »

OnTrack2020 wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:52 pm SiriusXM
Am thinking about Netflix
Not flying coach
Wait, you put Sirius/Netflix and NOT flying coach on the same level?
I don't carry a signature because people are easily offended.
stoptothink
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by stoptothink »

Somewhat ridiculous garage gym - altogether, probably costed more than my wife's new car
Spotify (student, thanks to my wife) - I was using a decade old Ipod shuffle until 3 months ago
Hug401k
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by Hug401k »

To double down on what badger said:

Housecleaning help
Snow Plow help
Housecleaning help
A drivable beachfront vacation
Housecleaning help
A gas fireplace insert
Housecleaning help
Heat at a normal temp.
Remote car starter

Hmm. A lot seems related to surviving winter. Interesting. Apparently this is a problem for me.
SevenBridgesRoad
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by SevenBridgesRoad »

AlphaLess wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:07 pm

One other thing: I am able to help less fortunate relatives.
Yes. This.
prairieman
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by prairieman »

Paying for a snow-plowing service. I love coming down in the morning after a snowstorm and seeing my driveway and sidewalks already clean!
stoptothink
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by stoptothink »

Elena wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:05 pm
KlangFool wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:58 pm OP,

This cannot be considered as lifestyle creep since it fits within my annual expense:

A) My $1,700 foldable electric bicycle.

B) More expensive tea.

KlangFool
I am seriously itching for one, but since I will not be traveling with it I wonder whether I need the folding feature. Every time I read one of your posts, I hear my gut screaming "I want an electric bike to replace my car altogether!!!".
+1 to home location, 15 min. drive to work, smaller place, much more expensive per sq. f. than my old place. Best expensive decision.
We've already built it into the budget, when we pay the house off (~3yrs) I am buying an electric fat bike. I walk/cycle 95% of the time now, hoping to get that to 99%.
AlphaLess
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Location: Kentucky

Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by AlphaLess »

Hug401k wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:10 pm To double down on what badger said:

Housecleaning help
Snow Plow help
Housecleaning help
A drivable beachfront vacation
Housecleaning help
A gas fireplace insert
Housecleaning help
Heat at a normal temp.
Remote car starter

Hmm. A lot seems related to surviving winter. Interesting. Apparently this is a problem for me.
Hmm. Interesting. I live in one of the coldest cities in the US, but somehow those are not problems for me.

BTW: how much and how often does housecleaning cost?
I don't carry a signature because people are easily offended.
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Davinci
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by Davinci »

Keurig coffee at work
Haircuts for dogs
Netflix
Amazon Prime
All Inclusive Vacations
" Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" Leonardo Da Vinci.
AlphaLess
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by AlphaLess »

prairieman wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:11 pm Paying for a snow-plowing service. I love coming down in the morning after a snowstorm and seeing my driveway and sidewalks already clean!
Mine is included in my housing costs!
Lifetime!
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Silk McCue
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by Silk McCue »

Being able to give generously without having to think about it. That gave me joy rather than happiness I would say.

Cheers
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sleepysurf
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by sleepysurf »

Backroads bicycling vacations (4 thus far)
High end stereo system (with Martin Logan electrostatic speakers)
Trek Domane bike (carbon fiber frame)
Housecleaning help (currently missing it as former house cleaner retired)
Retired 2018 | currently ~64/33/3 (partially sliced and diced, with a slowly rising equity glide path)
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Davinci
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by Davinci »

Keurig coffee at work
Haircuts for dogs
Netflix
Amazon Prime
All Inclusive Vacations
" Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" Leonardo Da Vinci.
BusterMcTaco
Posts: 396
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by BusterMcTaco »

First/business class (when reasonably priced).
Good restaurants and bars.
Good wine.
Upper end hotels when traveling.
Using ride share instead of public transit.
wootwoot
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by wootwoot »

Luxury car. Driving around town in a high performance vehicle with great creature comfort makes my commute much more pleasurable.
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WoodSpinner
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by WoodSpinner »

Buying a Class-B RV and using it for lots of travel
WoodSpinner
Saving$
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by Saving$ »

1. Reading restaurant menus from left to right, instead of right to left...
2. Eating out at least once a week
3. Not worrying about cost when grocery shopping - If I want organic, expensive foods such as berries, etc. I buy it. Still compare unit prices for brand & size.
4. Taking a job based on best environment/culture/situation rather than best pay
Last edited by Saving$ on Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Halicar
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by Halicar »

It's been years since this has been an issue, but I remember when filling my gas tank all the way up was a rare and wonderful occasion. I'm grateful that it's now the norm.
Case59
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by Case59 »

Traveling without schedule or agenda. More than once, I've walked into a train station in Italy, looked at the board for what's leaving in the next hour, and deciding, "I think I'll go ... there."
"Most quotations on the internet are incorrect."-Mark Twain
Nicolas
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by Nicolas »

Turned the temperature up to 72F during the day (still 61 at night though).
runner3081
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by runner3081 »

GPS Running Watch.
letsgobobby
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by letsgobobby »

Deleted
Last edited by letsgobobby on Thu Apr 18, 2019 9:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
KlangFool
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by KlangFool »

Elena wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:05 pm
KlangFool wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:58 pm OP,

This cannot be considered as lifestyle creep since it fits within my annual expense:

A) My $1,700 foldable electric bicycle.

B) More expensive tea.

KlangFool
I am seriously itching for one, but since I will not be traveling with it I wonder whether I need the folding feature. Every time I read one of your posts, I hear my gut screaming "I want an electric bike to replace my car altogether!!!".
+1 to home location, 15 min. drive to work, smaller place, much more expensive per sq. f. than my old place. Best expensive decision.
Elena,

A) You bike to somewhere and you are out of electricity. Then, you want to hitch a ride with someone. With a foldable electric bike, you can fold your bike and put into anyone's car trunk.

B) You want to take your foldable electric bike somewhere. But, you do not want to use a bike rack. You fold your bike and put into the car trunk.

C) You want to take your bike into the restaurant. You fold your bike and put it under the table.

KlangFool
30% VWENX | 16% VFWAX/VTIAX | 14.5% VTSAX | 19.5% VBTLX | 10% VSIAX/VTMSX/VSMAX | 10% VSIGX| 30% Wellington 50% 3-funds 20% Mini-Larry
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fortfun
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by fortfun »

DW and I got a free United Lounge pass (with United Explorer card) that we used on a long layover in Seattle (on the way back from HI). Boy was it nice! Free bloody mary's breakfast, cappuccinos, soft couch, etc. Might have to splurge on that when we have more money :)

Picked some upgraded VRBOs in Venice, Volcano Village, Cinque Terre, etc. Still fairly inexpensive but nicer than we usually stay at. Really made a big difference in our trip. Stayed in one of the cheapest AirBandBs in London, boy was that a regret...

Faster Internet connection.

Ecobee thermostat & Hyve sprinkler controller.
UpperNwGuy
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by UpperNwGuy »

Cleaning service.
Therapeutic Massage.
Trips to Europe.

However, after flying business class prior to retiring, I am now back in economy.
letsgobobby
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by letsgobobby »

Deleted
Last edited by letsgobobby on Thu Apr 18, 2019 9:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
jebmke
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by jebmke »

We have significantly ramped up our charitable donations.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
mountaingoatcos
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by mountaingoatcos »

Upgrading to full suspension trail bike, my back felt way better and I was having more confidence downhill.
curmudgeon
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by curmudgeon »

I don't think there is much in the way of lifestyle creep which actually makes us happier. We do spend additional money on a variety of luxuries, most of which we find convenient or useful, but I don't think of it as bringing happiness. Happiness is internally generated, not externally.

Being able to help other family members financially might qualify. Early retirement might be another piece, though mostly as it gives us flexibility to visit grandkids on the other side of the world without being squeezed by megacorp vacation policy limits.
anoop
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by anoop »

ThankYouJack wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:43 pm I'm curious for those who were able to make increase in their lifestyle, what things actually made you happier?
Happier?

I can derive comfort or pleasure from material goods and for that I would say I have derived comfort from almost everything -- better house, better car, luxury shaving equipment, better mattress, gourmet/organic food ingredients, etc.

Happiness comes from within and often from things which cannot be bought or measured like health and people in one's life.
Last edited by anoop on Wed Jan 23, 2019 10:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
bluelight
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by bluelight »

When vacations went from camping or driving a few hours to visit family for a week to planned 2+ week vacations at destinations I hadn't previously visited.
bryansmile
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by bryansmile »

Being able to afford wild caught fish fresh from the ocean a few times a month.
Weird? See this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYYf8cLUV5E
LFKB
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by LFKB »

All of it - bigger house with a pool/hot tub, upgraded cars, nicer golf courses, better vacations, better tickets for shows, concerts and sporting events, house cleaning help, nanny, better wine and booze at the house, flying first class, getting massages, better furniture, etc

If I didn’t derive pleasure from it, I wouldn’t pay more for it
Last edited by LFKB on Wed Jan 23, 2019 10:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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jabberwockOG
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by jabberwockOG »

Golf course neighborhood, good wine, high quality tea and coffee, plenty of nice tools, luxury vehicles, Amazon Prime, Netflix, high quality bed, mattress and linens, high quality sports equipment - racquets, shoes, etc.
Last edited by jabberwockOG on Wed Jan 23, 2019 10:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
LFKB
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Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Post by LFKB »

AlphaLess wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:09 pm
OnTrack2020 wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:52 pm SiriusXM
Am thinking about Netflix
Not flying coach
Wait, you put Sirius/Netflix and NOT flying coach on the same level?
No. Not flying coach was two levels below Sirius and one level below Netflix.
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